I know we can rip the standard def DVDs, but if I bought a Blu Ray drive can those discs be ripped at 1080p quality?

Yes. You can decrypt a Blu-ray disc just like a DVD using either AnyDVD HD (best option) or DVDFab (doesn't work on all BD discs, but DVDFab HD Decrypter will do every disc that the full DVDFab package can for free).

Here, approximately, is my work flow for processing a Blu-ray disc for backup. Note that... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Inspector.Gadget at 1:37 PM on October 7, 2008

I don't insist that someone has to have a degree in order to make a living as a programmer. (I did it for 25 years and I don't have any degree at all.) But there really is a discipline and a body of knowledge needed to do it well, and you have to acquire that mental tool set somehow if you mean to do it.

College is one way. Reading a lot of books is part of another way. Understudying someone who knows what they're doing can help. Internships are... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Class Goat at 7:17 PM on October 7, 2008

I'm just not going to get into an argument about car batteries in India, mate.

See, the quality of the car battery is a total distraction. You attempted to justify the existence of an urban myth using the following logic:

AirCon units add load to an engine.
When a car starts, the load on the battery is substantial and increasing that load is a 'bad thing'.
Older style batteries (most likely still in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Brockles at 8:39 AM on September 21, 2008

While you can cross a double yellow to turn into a drive-way or private road, you really made a 3 point turn. And a 3 point turn is considered a U-turn under the code:

665.5. A "U-turn" is the turning of a vehicle upon a highway so as to proceed in the opposite direction whether accomplished by one continuous movement or not.

And a U-turn is prohibited in a business district:

22102. No person in a business... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by GIRLesq at 3:24 PM on September 23, 2008

Google Docs

Everyone would need a Google account, but you will not have to download anything. Since people email their submissions to the editor, he can just upload them as Google Docs, and they will be available, and editable online.
posted to Ask Metafilter by clearly at 6:11 PM on September 22, 2008

I just heard about this post on the podcast. I've done this on a big canvas and i'm pretty sure i'd work on a wall. here's how:

1. pick two colors that are pretty close together. ex. Red -> Yellow, Blue -> Lighter blue. Something like Orange -> green will get all gross in the middle.

2. divide & premix the colors into 6 or 8 containers. 1st bucket would be pure color one, last bucket pure color 2. Middle bucket would be 50/50.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by rschroed at 12:36 PM on May 12, 2007 marked best answer

HERE is the OFFICIAL website for opting-out of pre-screened offers from the following credit reporting agencies (CRAs):

Equifax
Experian
Innovis
TransUnion

My wife and I haven't gotten a piece of junk mail for years.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr_Crazyhorse at 9:18 PM on November 14, 2007

Having worked in higher ed for a long time, I'd add this: about half of all freshmen enter wanting to be doctors or lawyers. It's all they know. In the end, most of them find their passions, and their not med or law. That's a good thing, because not everyone is cut out for the doc or law life. Not to sound touchy-feelie or anything, but the important thing to do in college is to find out what you like to do and begin doing it. It might be medicine, but it might just be shoe design. It's a big,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by MarshallPoe at 7:09 AM on July 18, 2007

echoing the above, with slight changes.

Grab an old or unused pc, install your favorite flavor of linux (I recommend debian).

I assume you're able to use the plasma display as a monitor, and that you've got a graphics card already with the proper outputs (DSUB, DVI, S-Video, Composite, whatever - so long as the GC can output what you need)

Get yourself an ATI Tv-Wonder, or any other capture card based on the brooktree... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by namewithoutwords at 9:19 PM on July 16, 2007 marked best answer

I like Laser Foil. It only requires a black and white laser printer.
posted to Ask Metafilter by fatllama at 5:20 AM on July 18, 2007

I would be annoyed by the taunting aspect. Its seems juvenile to wear the ring and put the stuff up on a wall and then refuse to divulge. Isn't that what's called passive-aggression? Isn't he saying that he needs to have a secret from you and he needs you to know it at the same time? Clearly, you are responsive to this form of manipulation.
posted by anglophiliated at 8:06 AM PST on September 10

This is what it comes down to. Those... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Optimus Chyme at 9:15 AM on September 10, 2006

Doesn't it bother you more that this is a grown man acting like he has the Little Orphan Annie Secret Decoder Ring?

Exactly.

And Jesus, I had no idea MeFi was crawling with Exalted Poohbahs of the Glorious Tree Toads who regard with awe the Solemn Oath they swore to all past and future Tree Toads NEVAR TO REVEAL the Sacred Secrets! Well, whatever makes you happy. But she's still going to have to decide... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by languagehat at 11:33 AM on September 10, 2006

By large, it sounds like he actually means wide, with numbers around 4" high. In which case, take a look at http://electronicdisplays.com/prodcat/default.asp?cstop=3&pcid=3. Of course, please do feel free to clarify your needs.
posted to Ask Metafilter by trevyn at 3:09 PM on July 26, 2006 marked best answer