20 Questions - round 4
 

The goal is to guess what the OP is thinking of, within 20 questions (as a group).

The current rule set:[LIST=1][*]The original poster will state the general type (for the item thought of): animal, vegetable, mineral, mixed (to be used only when the object is quite mixed), other. [*]Yes or No are the main answers. The OP will try to stick with those without explanation.[*]Questions will be taken in turn. i.e. The second question may not be asked until the first is answered.[*]If the answer is "yes", the asker of that question gets to ask the next question, they may not ask it before the previous qustion has been answered. If the answer is "no", someone else get to ask the next question and the asker that got the "no" answer must wait 24 hours before they can ask another question.[*]The asker must mark their post with the question number.[*]There maybe a 21st question of "Is it....", provided that the 20th question was answered "yes".[*]If it is successfully guessed, the one that got it gets to think up the next item.[*]Except 'point of order' posts, recaps, and clarifiactions: side discussions are discouraged.[/LIST]See [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20_Questions[/url]

And here is the category for number 4:
[B][SIZE="4"]Mineral[/SIZE][/B]

Rather than PM someone with the answer and remove them from the game, I ran a string through the SHA-1 hash function three times. This will make for easy verification that the answer was not changed part way through:
670d6661f375878426e6240f77d6fc1588d67d96

Obviously I'm not expecting anyone to guess the string exactly, but I will provide it at the end and it can be checked against the hash.

1)is it box shaped ?

No.

2) Is it man-made?

Yes.

3) Is it electronic? (That is, is its primary function powered by electricity; under this definition I would not, for instance, consider a car to be electronic even though it has an onboard computer.)

[QUOTE=mdettweiler;235371](That is, is its primary function powered by electricity; under this definition I would not, for instance, consider a car to be electronic even though it has an onboard computer.)[/QUOTE]Don't forget about electric cars :wink:

[QUOTE=retina;235372]Don't forget about electric cars :wink:[/QUOTE]
Indeed, I had considered electric cars; I would consider them to be an electronic device, since their primary function is powered by electricity. (Apologies for not clarifying this further the first time.)

Yes.

[QUOTE=lavalamp;235375]Yes.[/QUOTE]
4) Is it readily purchasable by members of the public?

Yes.

[QUOTE=lavalamp;235404]Yes.[/QUOTE]
5) Is it usually purchased for less than $200 US (~125 pounds)?

Yes.

6) Is it sold by multiple brands?

Yes.

7) Does it display a visual image of some kind?

If so:

8) Does it display video (as opposed to a still photo)?

(BTW: is asking an "if so" question like this considered acceptable under rule #3?)

I have no objections to it, but sadly the answer to 7 is no.

(8) Is it for food preparation?

No.

9) Is it for entertainment?

No.

10) Does it normally operate on normal wall power A/C, as opposed to a battery source or internal generator?

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;235433]Does it normally operate on normal wall power A/C?[/QUOTE]Presumably Q no. 10 (rule 5)?

recap
 

"electronic" man made minerals -food -entertainment -visual

gives

About 114,000 results (0.06 seconds) for google.ca


and: [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Search&search=%22electronic%22+man+made+minerals+-food+-entertainment+-visual[/url] gives

72 results maybe it's one on there.

To recap:
General type: Mineral
1) is it box shaped ? No
2) Is it man-made? Yes
3) Is it electronic [its primary function powered by electricity]? Yes
4) Is it readily purchasable by members of the public? Yes
5) Is it usually purchased for less than $200 US (~125 pounds)? Yes
6) Is it sold by multiple brands? Yes
7) Does it display a visual image of some kind? No
8) Is it for food preparation? No
9) Is it for entertainment? No
10) Does it normally operate on normal wall power A/C?

So it's a mineral-type thing powered by electricity, purchasable by the general public for less than $200, sold by multiple brands, does not have an image of any kind, and is not for food preparation or entertainment.

[QUOTE=Mini-Geek;235438]To recap:
General type: Mineral
1) is it box shaped ? No
2) Is it man-made? Yes
3) Is it electronic [its primary function powered by electricity]? Yes
4) Is it readily purchasable by members of the public? Yes
5) Is it usually purchased for less than $200 US (~125 pounds)? Yes
6) Is it sold by multiple brands? Yes
7) Does it display a visual image of some kind? No
8) Is it for food preparation? No
9) Is it for entertainment? No
10) Does it normally operate on normal wall power A/C?

So it's a mineral-type thing powered by electricity, purchasable by the general public for less than $200, sold by multiple brands, does not have an image of any kind, and is not for food preparation or entertainment.[/QUOTE]

okay "electronic" man made minerals -food -entertainment -visual +"multiple brands" gave 119 results on google.com wonder what on wikipedia lol none well that's no help lol. I'll try rearranging the terms sometimes that helps.

+"multiple brands" "electronic" man made minerals -food -entertainment -visual gave 107 results getting closer.

for the previous search but in yahoo I only get 4 results lol.

[QUOTE=science_man_88;235440]okay "electronic" man made minerals -food -entertainment -visual +"multiple brands" gave 119 results on google.com wonder what on wikipedia lol none well that's no help lol. I'll try rearranging the terms sometimes that helps.[/QUOTE]I doubt that adding "minerals" to the search is helping. More than likely giving the wrong results instead.

[QUOTE=science_man_88;235440]okay "electronic" man made minerals -food -entertainment -visual +"multiple brands" gave 119 results on google.com wonder what on wikipedia lol none well that's no help lol. I'll try rearranging the terms sometimes that helps.[/QUOTE]

This isn't as helpful as you may think, because very few things on, say, cell phones (though these are excluded because they have a screen) would mention that they're mineral-based, man-made, and come in "multiple brands". It's just not the way normal things talk about various items, because it doesn't make sense.

[QUOTE=retina;235441]I doubt that adding "minerals" to the search is helping. More than likely giving the wrong results instead.[/QUOTE]

okay so back up to 462 results and 913 for my latest search without the word minerals,for google.com and [url]http://ca.search.yahoo.com[/url] respectively.

11) is it listed at [url]http://www.bestcrystals.com/manmade.html[/url] ?

[QUOTE=science_man_88;235495]11) is it listed at [url]http://www.bestcrystals.com/manmade.html[/url] ?[/QUOTE]

number 10 hasn't been answered yet.

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;235433]10) Does it normally operate on normal wall power A/C, as opposed to a battery source or internal generator?[/QUOTE]No.

[QUOTE=science_man_88;235495]11) is it listed at [url]http://www.bestcrystals.com/manmade.html[/url] ?[/QUOTE]No, but since when are literal minerals electrically powered?

[QUOTE=science_man_88;235495]11) is it listed at [url]http://www.bestcrystals.com/manmade.html[/url] ?[/QUOTE]

None of those could possibly fit the criteria of being electronic. The general type being "Mineral" does [I]not[/I] mean the thing is a mineral, as in a hunk of some sort of rock. It just means that the majority of the substance of the thing is sourced from some sort of mineral or inorganic thing, as opposed to a plant or animal product. Please understand the game and review the existing questions and answers before you ask a question so you don't ask a pointless question.

[QUOTE=lavalamp;235498][quote=science_man_88]
11) is it listed at [URL]http://www.bestcrystals.com/manmade.html[/URL] ?
[/quote]No, but since when are literal minerals electrically powered?[/QUOTE]
Would this still count as question #11, even though it was asked out of order?

[QUOTE=mdettweiler;235500]Would this still count as question #11, even though it was asked out of order?[/QUOTE]
It shouldn't be, should it?
[QUOTE]3. Questions will be taken in turn. i.e. The second question may not be asked until the first is answered.[/QUOTE]
Fortunately answering the question hasn't given any extra information as both lavalamp and Mini-Geek point out, so shall we let someone else ask a new question 11?

11) Would it be found in the majority of modern American homes?

Absolutely, they're bloody everywhere!

Perhaps I was being a bit terse before, I'll try to give maybe 1.1 or 1.2 bits of information in each answer from now on. :wink:

To recap:
General type: Mineral
1) is it box shaped ? No
2) Is it man-made? Yes
3) Is it [B]electronic[/B] [its primary function powered by electricity]? Yes
4) Is it readily purchasable by members of the public? Yes
5) Is it usually purchased for less than $200 US (~125 pounds)? Yes
6) Is it sold by [B]multiple brands[/B]? Yes
7) Does [B]it[/B] display a visual image of some kind? No
8) Is it for food preparation? No
9) Is [B]it[/B] for entertainment? No
10) Does [B]it[/B] normally operate on normal wall power A/C? No
11) Would it be found in the majority of modern American homes? Absolutely, they're bloody [B]everywhere[/B]!

So this would exclude portable radios, mp3 players, external HDD's, all [B]main[/B] AV parts... , PC's and their components, dimmers and GFCI's, but not 2 main battery powered type of items and one type item that does not have on-board power.
If it was up to me, I would ask about HID parts.

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;235511]To recap:
General type: Mineral
1) is it box shaped ? No
2) Is it man-made? Yes
3) Is it [B]electronic[/B] [its primary function powered by electricity]? Yes
4) Is it readily purchasable by members of the public? Yes
5) Is it usually purchased for less than $200 US (~125 pounds)? Yes
6) Is it sold by [B]multiple brands[/B]? Yes
7) Does [B]it[/B] display a visual image of some kind? No[/QUOTE]
(excludes flashlights)
[quote]8) Is it for food preparation? No
9) Is [B]it[/B] for entertainment? No
10) Does [B]it[/B] normally operate on normal wall power A/C? No
11) Would it be found in the majority of modern American homes? Absolutely, they're bloody [B]everywhere[/B]!

So this would exclude portable radios, mp3 players, external HDD's, all [B]main[/B] AV parts... , PC's and their components, dimmers and GFCI's, but not 2 main battery powered type of items and one type item that does not have on-board power.
If it was up to me, I would ask about HID parts.[/quote]"HID" = human interface device, I presume.

[strike]12) Is it normally part of, or connected to (either physically, e.g. by wire cable, or by electromagnetic waves, as with a wireless device), a computer when in use?[/strike] Oh, "absolutely" does contain "y", "e", and "s", doesn't it?

[QUOTE=cheesehead;235519]12) Is it normally part of, or connected to (either physically, as with a wire cable, or by electromagnetic waves, as with a wireless device), a computer when in use?[/QUOTE]
Uh, I believe Flatlander has the next question... :smile:

[QUOTE=mdettweiler;235520]Uh, I believe Flatlander has the next question... :smile:[/QUOTE]

Sorry. Internet went down just after I posted. I'll pass the next question to someone else in case it goes down again. :smile:
Up to you guys if you want to resurrect cheesehead's question.

[QUOTE=Flatlander;235530]Sorry. Internet went down just after I posted. I'll pass the next question to someone else in case it goes down again. :smile:
Up to you guys if you want to resurrect cheesehead's question.[/QUOTE]
Cheesehead's question definitely merits being resurrected and asked at a point when it is legal to do so, and I think I've just completed my 24-hour sit-out, so:

12) Is it normally part of, or connected to (either physically, e.g. by wire cable, or by electromagnetic waves, as with a wireless device), a computer when in use?


I hereby relinquish in advance any right to ask the next question if the answer to Cheesehead's question should be "yes", because in this case I'm only passing the question on. Question 13 is for someone other than me irrespective of the answer to question 12.

The answer to that is a hard one. Like I said they are everywhere, but I suppose most of them are "connected" to computers when in use, yes.

13) Does it commonly have a human interface (buttons, dials, or switches) with more than one control? (Some mice have a single button, but commonly they have more than one.)

No.

14) Does it make sound?

Nope.

(15) Does it [b]not[/b] [strike]have[/strike] need batteries or work?

[size=1]Asking in negative sense in hopes of getting a "yes".[/size]

Yes and no, doesn't really matter where the power comes from, frequently used in battery and non-battery powered modes.

[QUOTE=lavalamp;235585]Yes and no, doesn't really matter where the power comes from, frequently used in battery and non-battery powered modes.[/QUOTE]
So it's correct that it does not need batteries. It would seem to me that retina is entitled to the next question. Or does anyone disagree?

Previous 'yes and no' answers have counted as 'yes' so, fine with me.

[QUOTE=lavalamp;235543]The answer to that is a hard one. Like I said they are everywhere, but I suppose most of them are "connected" to computers when in use, yes.[/QUOTE]So, not an electric toothbrush.

Also, not an electric power cord (too many not connected to computers), but could be some other type of connecting device ... something else that has electricity running through it but doesn't "do" all that much (no sound, light, entertainment, food prep).

lavalamp's use of air quotes around [I]connected[/I] in answering #12 may hint that the connection is electromagnetic rather than physical ... but maybe that was for some other reason, such as intermittent connection, or a less direct connection than we ordinarily think of.

From #13, it might have either a single-control user interface, or no user interface at all.

Not an A/B switch, because they're not "bloody everywhere" (and not often in a battery-power situation).

my next question would be "is it normally part or a (or an entire) computer", or I would try to narrow down the the price of such an object.

(16) Do other devices use this thing to connect to each other?

[QUOTE=cheesehead;235610]such as intermittent connection[/QUOTE]Or the opposite of that.

[QUOTE=retina;235618](16) Do other devices use this thing to connect to each other?[/QUOTE]No.

I was thinking a USB drive, but this seems to exclude it.
[QUOTE]1)is it box shaped ? No[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;235632]I was thinking a USB drive, but this seems to exclude it.[/QUOTE]
I have a USB drive that's ellipse-shaped... :grin:

17) Does it store digital data?

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;235632]I was thinking a USB drive, but this seems to exclude it.[/QUOTE]

That's odd. I know of no USB drives that are box-shaped. They all have a "plug in" part that is smaller than the "body", which makes them non-rectangular and hence non-box-shaped. I've also seen eliptical ones like Max has.

I personally think that Max has nailed it here. I'll be curious to see.

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;235632]I was thinking a USB drive, but this seems to exclude it.[/QUOTE]This is my thought also.

[edit] Since the answer was very clearly "no" that suggested that it cannot possibly be boxed shaped, and since some USB devices [i]are[/i] boxed shaped (with retractable connectors, or connector covers) then this eliminated them in my thinking.

[QUOTE=mdettweiler;235633]I have a USB drive that's ellipse-shaped... :grin:

17) Does it store digital data?[/QUOTE]By itself it cannot, however, and this clue has some heft to it, with at least two of them in the correct arrangement you can...

[QUOTE=lavalamp;235655]By itself it cannot, however, and this clue has some heft to it, with at least two of them in the correct arrangement you can...[/QUOTE]
Positive enough for mdettweiler to be entitled to ask question 18?
I would say yes, but perhaps lavalamp might make this judgment. In previous rounds the answerer has been doing this when the answer hasn't been a clear yes or no, so maybe we could include this as a requirement for answerers in the rules of play.

I'm not really in favour of that rule, it's ok on some gameshow, but all it does here is prevent some people from asking questions when they are able to and slows the game down.

Personally I think it would be better if the rule was "no asking questions before the last one is answered." But there would even be an exception to that rule if you wanted to ask a followup question on the condition of some answer to the previous question.

I also think the 24 hour time out after a negatory answer is quite steep. 12 hours might be better as it allows for a morning and evening question.

[QUOTE=lavalamp;235666]I'm not really in favour of that rule, it's ok on some gameshow, but all it does here is prevent some people from asking questions when they are able to and slows the game down.

Personally I think it would be better if the rule was "no asking questions before the last one is answered." But there would even be an exception to that rule if you wanted to ask a followup question on the condition of some answer to the previous question.

I also think the 24 hour time out after a negatory answer is quite steep. 12 hours might be better as it allows for a morning and evening question.[/QUOTE]
I think that the rounds have moved fast enough. We haven't had to wait 36 hours for a question or answer. Some folks work at their computer and check the forum often. Others check in once a day, but routinely. The rules that I stated intially (I don't own the game) were designed so that one person (or a small number) won't dominate the game, because they were always on. And that forum regulars can get involved easily.

I understand that was your intention, but by getting an affirmative answer, one person "owns" the next question and everyone else is frozen out. It seems to have the opposite effect to your stated intentions.

[QUOTE=lavalamp;235655]By itself it cannot, however, and this clue has some heft to it, with at least two of them in the correct arrangement you can...[/QUOTE]

Questions about rules aside, what sort of thing can't store digital data by itself but can with two or more of them in the correct arrangement? Since the clue has some heft to it, this most likely isn't a trick answer as in "If you put them side-to-side call it a 0 and if you put them on top of each other call it a 1! Presto, binary data!" But what is it? Hmm...

I think the 24 hour rule is fine. There is no real rush anyway.

And getting a "yes" has a small reward of having exclusive right to ask the next. That encourages people to try and move toward a result. Else the situation could happen that different people ask a series of Qs all with yes/no and before you know it all 20 are gone and no one has any idea what the thing is. If someone keeps getting "yes" they might be on to something and they get a chance to follow it through without someone else butting in and spoiling the train of questioning.

[QUOTE=Mini-Geek;235670]Questions about rules aside, what sort of thing can't store digital data by itself but can with two or more of them in the correct arrangement? Since the clue has some heft to it, this most likely isn't a trick answer as in "If you put them side-to-side call it a 0 and if you put them on top of each other call it a 1! Presto, binary data!" But what is it? Hmm...[/QUOTE]

pixels ?, silicon chips ? this is just my thoughts to mini geeks thoughts not a question.

There are battery powered routers, but they are box shaped and routers are normal plugged into A/C. Can't be cameras, speakers or microphones, keyboards, mice, monitors, KVM switches, or other switchs (as they aren't battery powered, at least part of the time), PSU's, HDD, CMOS.

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;235674]There are battery powered routers, but they are box shaped and routers are normal plugged into A/C. Can't be cameras, speakers or microphones, keyboards, mice, monitors, KVM switches, or other switchs (as they aren't battery powered, at least part of the time), PSU's, HDD, CMOS.[/QUOTE]

uncwilly I have batteries in my mouse it's a wireless mouse. so it can be a mouse and battery powered.

[QUOTE=science_man_88;235675]uncwilly I have batteries in my mouse it's a wireless mouse. so it can be a mouse and battery powered.[/QUOTE]But mice typically have 2 or more controls. See question 13.

Magnets or magnetic tape?

[B]MINERAL[/B]

1)is it box shaped ? [B]No.[/B]
2) Is it man-made? [B]Yes.[/B]
3) Is it electronic? (That is, is its primary function powered by electricity; under this definition I would not, for instance, consider a car to be electronic even though it has an onboard computer.)[B]Yes.[/B]
4) Is it readily purchasable by members of the public?[B]Yes.[/B]
5) Is it usually purchased for less than $200 US (~125 pounds)?[B]Yes.[/B]
6) Is it sold by multiple brands?[B]Yes.[/B]
7) Does it display a visual image of some kind?[B]no[/B]
(8) Is it for food preparation?[B]No.[/B]
9) Is it for entertainment?[B]No.[/B]
10) Does it normally operate on normal wall power A/C, as opposed to a battery source or internal generator?[B]No.[/B]
11) Would it be found in the majority of modern American homes?[B]Absolutely, they're bloody everywhere![/B]
12) Is it normally part of, or connected to (either physically, e.g. by wire cable, or by electromagnetic waves, as with a wireless device), a computer when in use?The answer to that is a hard one. Like I said they are everywhere, but I suppose most of them are "connected" to computers when in use,[B] yes.[/B]
13) Does it commonly have a human interface (buttons, dials, or switches) with more than one control? (Some mice have a single button, but commonly they have more than one.)[B]No.[/B]
14) Does it make sound?[B]Nope.[/B]
(15) Does it not [strike]have[/strike] need batteries or work?[B]Yes and no, doesn't really matter where the power comes from, frequently used in battery and non-battery powered modes.[/B]
(16) Do other devices use this thing to connect to each other?[B]No.[/B]
17) Does it store digital data?[B]By itself it cannot, however, and this clue has some heft to it, with at least two of them in the correct arrangement you can[/B]

[QUOTE=Mini-Geek;235670]Questions about rules aside, what sort of thing can't store digital data by itself but can with two or more of them in the correct arrangement? ... [/QUOTE]
Some sort of RAID array? A single drive can't be a RAID array, right?

Not sure it fits all the other criteria though.

[QUOTE=Flatlander;235680]Some sort of RAID array? A single drive can't be a RAID array, right?

Not sure it fits all the other criteria though.[/QUOTE]

well google isn't any help I made another search down to 4 results lol

[QUOTE=Flatlander;235680]Some sort of RAID array? A single drive can't be a RAID array, right?

Not sure it fits all the other criteria though.[/QUOTE]

A RAID array came to my mind too, but I don't think it fits these criteria:
11) Would it be found in the majority of modern American homes?[B]Absolutely, they're bloody everywhere![/B] (RAID arrays aren't in the majority of homes)
12) Is it normally part of, or connected to (either physically, e.g. by wire cable, or by electromagnetic waves, as with a wireless device), a computer when in use?The answer to that is a hard one. Like I said they are everywhere, but I suppose most of them are "connected" to computers when in use,[B] yes.[/B] (it's not a hard question as to whether RAID arrays are normally connected to a computer)
14) Does it make sound?[B]Nope.[/B] (this is a weak one, but platter hard drives make some noise during operation)
(15) Does it not [strike]have[/strike] need batteries or work?[B]Yes and no, doesn't really matter where the power comes from, frequently used in battery and non-battery powered modes.[/B] (RAID arrays aren't frequently battery-powered)
(16) Do other devices use this thing to connect to each other?[B]No.[/B] (RAID controllers connect hard drives to each other and to a computer)

[QUOTE=Mini-Geek;235682]A RAID array came to my mind too, but I don't think it fits these criteria:
11) Would it be found in the majority of modern American homes?[B]Absolutely, they're bloody everywhere![/B] (RAID arrays aren't in the majority of homes)
12) Is it normally part of, or connected to (either physically, e.g. by wire cable, or by electromagnetic waves, as with a wireless device), a computer when in use?The answer to that is a hard one. Like I said they are everywhere, but I suppose most of them are "connected" to computers when in use,[B] yes.[/B] (it's not a hard question as to whether RAID arrays are normally connected to a computer)
14) Does it make sound?[B]Nope.[/B] (this is a weak one, but platter hard drives make some noise during operation)
(15) Does it not [strike]have[/strike] need batteries or work?[B]Yes and no, doesn't really matter where the power comes from, frequently used in battery and non-battery powered modes.[/B] (RAID arrays aren't frequently battery-powered)
(16) Do other devices use this thing to connect to each other?[B]No.[/B] (RAID controllers connect hard drives to each other and to a computer)[/QUOTE]

I think I have good answers until question 13 but I'm unsure about some of it.

As the one who knows the answer, watching you throw ideas around is the most entertaining part for me. Previously I had thought being "it" was simply an unfortunate consequence of the game.

So far science_man_88 has got the closest, one of his suggestions flirted heavily with the answer.

[QUOTE=science_man_88;235672]pixels ?, silicon chips ? this is just my thoughts to mini geeks thoughts not a question.[/QUOTE]

if you mean this post the one that doesn't display an image per se is the silicon chips.

You ain't getting any more out of me for free. If anyone wants more information the price is one question. :wink:

18) Is it, or does it contain, some kind of processor (CPU, GPU, whatever)?

Bearing in mind that processors can quite happily store data on their own (in internal registers and various cache levels), do you want to burn a question this way?

[QUOTE=lavalamp;235698]Bearing in mind that processors can quite happily store data on their own (in internal registers and various cache levels), do you want to burn a question this way?[/QUOTE]

No, I don't. Question retracted.
Thanks for the help. :smile:
[QUOTE=lavalamp;235691]So far science_man_88 has got the closest, one of his suggestions flirted heavily with the answer.[/QUOTE]
Here are all of sm88's suggestion-ish posts so far:
[QUOTE=science_man_88;235354]1)is it box shaped ?[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=science_man_88;235437]"electronic" man made minerals -food -entertainment -visual

gives

About 114,000 results (0.06 seconds) for google.ca


and: [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Search&search=%22electronic%22+man+made+minerals+-food+-entertainment+-visual[/url] gives

72 results maybe it's one on there.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=science_man_88;235440]okay "electronic" man made minerals -food -entertainment -visual +"multiple brands" gave 119 results on google.com wonder what on wikipedia lol none well that's no help lol. I'll try rearranging the terms sometimes that helps.

+"multiple brands" "electronic" man made minerals -food -entertainment -visual gave 107 results getting closer.

for the previous search but in yahoo I only get 4 results lol.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=science_man_88;235444]okay so back up to 462 results and 913 for my latest search without the word minerals,for google.com and [url]http://ca.search.yahoo.com[/url] respectively.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=science_man_88;235495]11) is it listed at [url]http://www.bestcrystals.com/manmade.html[/url] ?[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=science_man_88;235672]pixels ?, silicon chips ? this is just my thoughts to mini geeks thoughts not a question.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=science_man_88;235675]uncwilly I have batteries in my mouse it's a wireless mouse. so it can be a mouse and battery powered.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=science_man_88;235681]well google isn't any help I made another search down to 4 results lol[/QUOTE]
So, basically, these are what lavalamp may have possibly been referring to:
box shaped (conflicts with Q1)
finding something by searching google for the terms (good luck...)
pixels (conflicts with Q7)
silicon chips (conflicts with Q17)
wireless mouse (conflicts with Q13)
As you can see, none of these could be the answer, but which of these may have been the one to flirt heavily with the answer? I really don't know...

Hehe, I know what it is. But I gotta wait until my 24 hours. :cry:

[spoiler]What? You think I'd put in here? Not likely[/spoiler]

[QUOTE=retina;235701]Hehe, I know what it is. But I gotta wait until my 24 hours. :cry:

[spoiler]What? You think I'd put in here? Not likely[/spoiler][/QUOTE]

well the only things that comes to mind that you can attach to a computer that doesn't contain controls or a display are webcams, or portable hard-drives, but the hard-drives you can connect can look boxlike in fact i have one in that shape lol. and my camera makes noise when it moves.
the one thing my guesses all flirt with is system parts.

[QUOTE=retina;235701]Hehe, I know what it is. But I gotta wait until my 24 hours. :cry:[/QUOTE]

Well, you could help the rest of us out, but in this case you may want to claim the win, so if so you do need to wait.

[QUOTE=Mini-Geek;235709]Well, you could help the rest of us out, but in this case you may want to claim the win, so if so you do need to wait.[/QUOTE]

min geek i think my hard part is if it can connect to a compute but can't store data itself then it shouldn't have a chip in it what can you attach to a computer with no processor that doesn't appear to be a connection cable?

[QUOTE=Mini-Geek;235709]Well, you could help the rest of us out, but in this case you may want to claim the win, so if so you do need to wait.[/QUOTE]Yeah, I go for the win, of course, it is my evil nature. :razz:

But the rest of you still have a few hours. :furious: :drama:

Assuming you're right retina. :wink:

PM me if you'd like to know before tomorrow some time.

[QUOTE=lavalamp;235716]Assuming you're right retina. :wink:

PM me if you'd like to know before tomorrow some time.[/QUOTE]Nah, I can wait. If someone else gets it before then then I'll just try for the next one. Besides, I don't have PM working on this forum.

Just so as I can't cheat you all, here is a hash of my Q (if I get a chance to ask it).

SHA1: 598d24122d527b4812953a9c59cc8e4b70223d2c

Well I could ask,
18) Is it what retina thinks is the correct answer?
then me being right would precede retina being right and I would win later.
(But I won't, and I expect you want me to be a bit more specific.)


Edit: Oops. I knew what hash was, and I knew what a brownie was but I had assumed that a hash brownie was something American that was totally innocent! I've never used illegal drugs in my life. What an idiot.:blush:

18) Is the following true: NOT ( (it has a single user control, on borad to the unit) XOR (their are not physically attached the computer that they may be "used with", when in use))?
If both component are true the XOR fails, but the not makes it true. :)



BTW this fits all of the answers when read very carefully.
[attach]5874[/attach]

Aw, I think the answer to #17 gave it away. Here's a hash of my question (which I can't ask, since #18 has not been answered yet).

2edfdc43187793a8574d3815a75e0f174b117409

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;235727]NOT ( (it has a single user control, on borad to the unit) XOR (their are not physically attached the computer that they may be "used with", when in use))?[/QUOTE]Evaluates to true.

19) Is the unit, typically, only on when the user control is actively engaged?

Edit:
I am going to be AFT for about 6-7 hours. So, if the answer to 19 is 'yes';
20) Is it a laser pointer?

"If both component are true the XOR fails", but equally, if both components are false the XOR also fails.

There is no user control, so for 19 the answer is no.

(20) Is it a transistor?

No, but close.

That's all 20, anyone else want to have a guess before I reveal?