General Questions Thread

[Hasumi]

Well yes I guess it would, but briefs feel
too close and tight, not to mention they
have a bad habit of creeping into your
crack, if boxers did pose a significant
medical ball problem, shouldn't there be
warnings on the packaging at least?

[Lord of Fire]

Isn't the exact opposite considered more true?

From what I read and/or heard, the problem lies in body temperature. The human body is somewhere around 36.8ºC, but the testicles are said to have a slightly lower temperature. It's said that if they get pressed onto the main body (either by wearing briefs or tight pants), their core temperature will increase and sperm may not be able to develop all that well, which could lead to less active sperm or maybe even infertility. I can't be bothered to look up the validity of this claim, though.

Either way, just do whatever you feel comfortable with and don't let others decide it for you.

[TinyRedLeaf]

Originally Posted by Detective-san

Well yes I guess it would, but briefs feel too close and tight, not to mention they have a bad habit of creeping into your crack, if boxers did pose a significant medical ball problem, shouldn't there be warnings on the packaging at least?

When balls turn blue, every extra bit of room helps.

[Hasumi]

I figured, I've been this way for years
and I haven't had any problems.

[Dist]

Are all Japanese console games THIS expensive

(I had a look at ToV for PS3 as I need to buy it when the translation patch is released, and it was a whopping $91.99 x.x)

[Kudryavka]

Originally Posted by Dist

Are all Japanese console games THIS expensive

(I had a look at ToV for PS3 as I need to buy it when the translation patch is released, and it was a whopping $91.99 x.x)

So-called "niche" games in Japan tend to be super expensive (visual novels, some RPGs, etc.). More mainstream games are closer to US prices, but still hover above (not considering the currently lopsided exchange rate; even in the ideal world of 1 penny = 1 yen, they'd be more expensive).

I assume that, at least for the Japanese-made games, the Japanese prices are standard, and the US prices are lowered so that people will, you know, actually buy them. Different markets But then you get to the rest of the world and then the price really skyrockets...

[SaintessHeart]

There is an aching pain in my coccyx area in the past few days. Have I been sitting down too much or what?

[-KarumA-]

Just wondering if this is possible yet, last time I used headsets it wasn't though that was ages ago.
Basically is it possible to split the audio you use basically using the boxes for music or ingame sounds and Skype for the audio plug in for your headset?
What I sort of want is to have the voices of my friends go through the headset while my own audio remains to come from my boxes; the reason is that I don't like everyone in this house to hear the people I am with on Skype but I also do not like to use headsets for music as I already damaged my ears lightly because of them in the past.

[Fahd]

Originally Posted by -KarumA-

Basically is it possible to split the audio you use basically using the boxes for music or ingame sounds and Skype for the audio plug in for your headset?

That depends on a couple of things. Firstly if you're using Windows it'll (probably) need to be Vista or 7 (#1), and secondly you'll need to check how Windows 'sees' your sound device (sound card, motherboard audio, etc). If you go into the Sound settings window in your Control Panel you'll get a list of sound ports and devices that Windows has picked up. E.g. mine is:



I have two sound cards and each has several ports that windows has picked up. If you only have one sound device you'll have to hope that Windows 'sees' your headphone port separately from your speaker port(s). Whether it does probably depends on your sound device drivers. If you don't see a separate listing for your headphone port, then you could always get a cheap second sound card that you can plug your headphones (for Skype) into.

Next, you'll need to tell Skype to use your headphone port (or second sound card). Their online help page has a section detailing how to set the output device/port (just select the headphone port on the speakers drop-down box).

Some other programs, e.g. Mediaplayer Classic allow you to set different output devices/ports:



So you could route sound in those as well, but quite a few programs just use the default output device/port selected in your Sound page (in the Control Panel). So it's something to check first if you want to route audio for other programs to your headphones.

(#1): I think Windows XP and earlier had issues with multiple sound cards, and it may not have shown separate output ports in the Control Panel sound page.

[Hasumi]

Is it really better not to clean your ears?

[-KarumA-]

Originally Posted by Fahd

That depends on a couple of things. Firstly if you're using Windows it'll (probably) need to be Vista or 7 (#1), and secondly you'll need to check how Windows 'sees' your sound device (sound card, motherboard audio, etc). If you go into the Sound settings window in your Control Panel you'll get a list of sound ports and devices that Windows has picked up. E.g. mine is:



I have two sound cards and each has several ports that windows has picked up. If you only have one sound device you'll have to hope that Windows 'sees' your headphone port separately from your speaker port(s). Whether it does probably depends on your sound device drivers. If you don't see a separate listing for your headphone port, then you could always get a cheap second sound card that you can plug your headphones (for Skype) into.

Next, you'll need to tell Skype to use your headphone port (or second sound card). Their online help page has a section detailing how to set the output device/port (just select the headphone port on the speakers drop-down box).

Some other programs, e.g. Mediaplayer Classic allow you to set different output devices/ports:



So you could route sound in those as well, but quite a few programs just use the default output device/port selected in your Sound page (in the Control Panel). So it's something to check first if you want to route audio for other programs to your headphones.

(#1): I think Windows XP and earlier had issues with multiple sound cards, and it may not have shown separate output ports in the Control Panel sound page.

I'll try it out later this week, I still have to buy a new headset, but yes I am using Windows 7.
I'll have to see if it gets separately listed if I plug it in on the front. Thank you for your answer =)
I use Foobar and it lets me pick which port to use also

[Konakaga]

Originally Posted by -KarumA-

Just wondering if this is possible yet, last time I used headsets it wasn't though that was ages ago.
Basically is it possible to split the audio you use basically using the boxes for music or ingame sounds and Skype for the audio plug in for your headset?
What I sort of want is to have the voices of my friends go through the headset while my own audio remains to come from my boxes; the reason is that I don't like everyone in this house to hear the people I am with on Skype but I also do not like to use headsets for music as I already damaged my ears lightly because of them in the past.

if you have a USB headset yes, use the settings they showed to not usb while changing skype's settings here to your non-default audio(USB):

[Ledgem]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

There is an aching pain in my coccyx area in the past few days. Have I been sitting down too much or what?

It's possible, but seems unlikely. Did you bump it against a wall, or sit down with a lot of force recently? That may be a cause.

Originally Posted by Detective-san

Is it really better not to clean your ears?

This probably varies from person to person. I've occasionally heard that suggestion, but the reasoning behind it has more to do with the fact that some people don't clean their ears properly (and often insert Q-tips too far into the ear canal, risking damage). Improper technique may also cause ear wax to go into the canal, forming a layer that is somewhat painful to have removed.

The proper technique when using a Q-tip is to start around the outer edge of the canal, such that the tip of the Q-tip is just barely inside of the ear canal, gently moving in circles and outward to the rest of the ear. Once you're outside of the canal, do what you like, as long as you're not making motions that would get wax back into the ear canal.

Anecdotally, I'll tell you this: I used to clean my ears daily. However, about 2-4 times per year, I would get a pimple in my ear. It's probably one of the most uncomfortable places you could get a pimple. About 2-3 years ago I stopped swabbing my ears regularly, and the pimples completely stopped. Occasionally I'll get a bit of wax on my finger from scratching my ear, but the trade-off is worth it, in my opinion. But that's how it was for my body - I don't expect that everyone would have such an experience.

Although now that I think about it, my wife doesn't clean her ears and she has no issues, either... what was the rationale my parents had for having me swab them regularly?

[Hasumi]

I really don't know, aren't the ears supposed to have their own way of getting rid of excess wax?

Otherwise, how did people get by without ear buds then?

[Ledgem]

Originally Posted by Detective-san

I really don't know, aren't the ears supposed to have their own way of getting rid of excess wax?

Otherwise, how did people get by without ear buds then?

Of course - if you don't do anything, the wax is naturally "secreted" outwards. Eventually it dries up and falls out (or you can rub it out - don't clean your ears for a while, and the next time you have to scratch your ear, you might find the wax residue on your finger).

To be honest, I'm not sure where the custom for cleaning one's ears came from. Perhaps some people had excessive wax that was visible, or maybe there was some idea that it improved a person's health. In modern days, it may be useful to clean your ears if you use ear buds, because excessive wax might build up on them over time and ruin them.

As far as I know there are no health risks from not cleaning your ears, at least for a healthy individual.

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by Ledgem

It's possible, but seems unlikely. Did you bump it against a wall, or sit down with a lot of force recently? That may be a cause.

Nope, I don't remember bumping against anything or sit down with alot of force (unless you count that I don't have alot of mass around my waist area). And the worst thing is I don't have time to even see a doctor.

[MeoTwister5]

Well just last night while I was on duty at the Emergency Room some kid came with lots of bleeding in the ear canal because of impacted ear wax, tried to pick it off, and her ears bled and nearly perforated her eardrum. Generally speaking you shouldn't clean your ears if you can't really see it. You need to get a professional (an ENT) to do it.

[Hasumi]

If only my mom would listen, mga paniniwalang matatanda talaga oh.

[Haak]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

There is an aching pain in my coccyx area in the past few days. Have I been sitting down too much or what?

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

Nope, I don't remember bumping against anything or sit down with alot of force (unless you count that I don't have alot of mass around my waist area). And the worst thing is I don't have time to even see a doctor.

If there's a bruise then that would suggest it's because of some trauma. Otherwise I have no idea. How severe is the pain? Because if it's quite severe then it might be best to visit the emergency department if it persists and you can't get a doctor. In the meantime it's probably best to avoid sitting or just lean forward on your legs whilst sitting. Taking some Ibuprofen might help.

Also this is the internet, so double check everything I just said...

[Kakashi]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

There is an aching pain in my coccyx area in the past few days. Have I been sitting down too much or what?

The internet can't tell without a proper examination, but very high chance your sitting posture ain't so good. Here's a good explanation:
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/foru...-health/136659

Stick your bum out when you're sitting on the chair. If you find this very difficult to do and your lower back has to tense to this, you probably have some abdominal muscle atrophy...or the chair is way too small and doesn't allow the angle for you to sit like this. If that turns out to be the case, PM me and I'll explain how to reverse it and/or get a new chair. If it's just a problem of recent habit, you're on you're way.

Originally Posted by Ledgem

Of course - if you don't do anything, the wax is naturally "secreted" outwards. Eventually it dries up and falls out (or you can rub it out - don't clean your ears for a while, and the next time you have to scratch your ear, you might find the wax residue on your finger).

To be honest, I'm not sure where the custom for cleaning one's ears came from. Perhaps some people had excessive wax that was visible, or maybe there was some idea that it improved a person's health. In modern days, it may be useful to clean your ears if you use ear buds, because excessive wax might build up on them over time and ruin them.

As far as I know there are no health risks from not cleaning your ears, at least for a healthy individual.

It's interesting, I was watching an anthropology documentary called 'Tribe', and at one point two of the tribal members started cleaning their ears out by hanging a forest bug inside. Which would pretty much eat the wax. Seems it's customary for humans to fiddle with themselves. Given earwax is a natural secretion, even without looking through Wikipedia (*cough*) you could predict it serves a useful function and shouldn't be removed.