Stack Exchange: Blog

Stack Exchange: Making the Internet a better place to get expert answers to your questions. This blog is run by CHAOS.

[stackexchange]

Why are there so few English words that begin with the letter X?

This recent question on the English Language & Usage Stack Exchange already has an incredibly popular (and thorough) answer. 

[best-blurst-of-times]

The bell’s shape makes the timbre of the bell more musically pleasing. The reason for the increasing diameter as you go from the top to the bottom of the bell is so that the bell resonates at different frequencies which can be tuned in a large bell so that you have what amounts to a complex musical chord playing when the bell is struck. For example, a given bell might have a resonance at the fundamental, a subharmonic one octave lower, a minor third above, a fifth above, and a full octave above. The different diameter sections of the bell contribute to these different harmonics.

Physics.StackExchange: Why is the bell, well, bell shaped? (via slartibartfastibast)

[stackexchange]

How do I physically prevent people from unplugging an Ethernet cable?

Surely there is some device that can put an end to the rampant, unnecessary unplugging of Ethernet cables! This popular question has an almost equally popular answer.

[theworldgate]

So good I committed twice. Okay that was an accident, but still this is a cool thing!

[stackexchange]

Area 51 is where new Stack Exchange sites are created. If there isn't already a Stack site for you (and we're pushing 100 public sites, at this point), then odds are it's in the proposal stage in Area 51, waiting for your commitment! Check out Astronomy & Astrophysics, and then look around at other topics you may be interested in.

[stackexchange]

Can extort be triggered for countered spells?

Our Board and Card Games site has a lot of questions (and answers) about Magic: The Gathering.

[scrubbar]

The Stack Exchange network (a Q&A style support website) has recently brought their Workplace site into it’s beta stage. I have to say straight up I think this is a fantastic idea and the most broadly useful Stack Exchange site to date.

This site is for workplace related questions, such as professionalism, ethics, customer relations, job searching, motivation… etcetera.

As StackExchange is a well established website used by literally millions of users, who have many lifetimes of combined experience. Are you worried or feeling in the shit? Want to know how to best approach your boss for a raise in pay? Tap that experience!

A few example questions, which have answers.

How Can I approach my boss with bad news?

How to get out of a bad job assignment without quitting?

What to say when a customer asks if you know something with which you are only partially familiar (in front of your boss)?

[stackexchange]

Can Yoda use Force Lightning?

There are a lot of rumors going around that Yoda will get his own Star Wars film. Will the diminutive Jedi throw some lightning in it?

[thenoblepioneer]

Ask Patents is a new Stack Exchange site launching today that allows anyone to participate in the patent examination process. It’s a collaborative effort, supported by Stack Exchange, the US Patent and Trademark Office, and the Google Patent Search team. It’s very exciting, because it is opening up a process that has been conducted behind closed doors for over 200 years.

Our hope is that Ask Patents will reduce the number of patents mistakenly granted for obvious, unoriginal non-inventions, especially around software, a field that is near and dear to us.

This is exciting. I give it 10 years tops before we see something similar for the U.S. legislative process.

[stackexchange]

Ask Patents is now entering its sixth month. Have you paid it a visit yet?

[stackexchange]

Are there any Star Wars vehicles that have not yet been produced in a Lego kit?

Yep, we have a LEGO Q&A site. And yep, there are still Star Wars vehicles left to be made in LEGO form!

[stackexchange]

What are best practices for choosing and pairing fonts?

This is one of the most popular questions on our graphic design site, and it has an answer. Do you agree with it?

[stackexchange]

In Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, how do I open purple chests?

If this has got you stuck, have no fear! There is an answer.

[stackexchange]

What advantages/disadvantages does a Darksaber have over a lightsaber?

The Force was strong with this question; it has an answer!

[stackexchange]

How do I build a Gambrel roof?

The Home Improvement Stack Exchange: teaching you about Gambrel roofs since 2013. 

This question has a few answers. This question needs your help! Which one is right?

[stackexchange]

What is the difference between UK and US versions of Lord of the Rings?

The answer is not simple.

[stackexchange]

What is the difference between butterscotch, caramel, and toffee?

And if you thought butterscotch counted liquor amongst its ingredients, think again. Do you agree with the answer?

[stackexchange]

Who gets Super Bowl rings?

Impress your friends with this knowledge on Sunday!

[stackexchange]

Does Spider-Man have a brother?

Only in comics could "brother" actually mean "clone." Read the answer for more information!