Font of Knowledge

ANPR - What does ANPR stand for?

2020-01-30T01:39:00.001-08:00

ANPR stands for Automatic Number Plate Recognition.

"ANPR is a technology that automatically reads vehicle registration marks (VRMs), allowing these details to be compared against database records.

An ANPR camera takes an image of a vehicle number plate; the image is passed to a reader, which locates the VRM and reads the letters and characters so that they can be identified using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. An image of the view of the number plate and/or overview camera is then saved and checked against the database." (source)

ANPR may also be used for:

Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Advance Notice of Public Rulemaking
Association of National Park Rangers
Atlantic Networks for Prevention Research
Automatic Number Plate Reading

CCTV - What does CCTV stand for?

2020-01-30T01:33:00.002-08:00

CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television.

CCTV is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors. It differs from broadcast television in that the signal is not openly transmitted, though it may employ point-to-point (P2P), point-to-multipoint (P2MP), or mesh wired or wireless links. (source)

CCTV may also stand for China Central Television, the state television broadcaster of the People's Republic of China.

The Salamanca Astronaut

2017-03-22T05:35:00.000-07:00

You've probably seen pictures of the astronaut carved on the Catedral Nueva (New Cathedral) in Salamanca, possibly on sites with pictures of 'time travellers' or mysterious objects suggesting people could see into the future. Sadly, this carving does not show that ancient Spanish stonemasons predicted space travel.

Built between 1513 and 1733, the new cathedral is next to the 'old cathedral' and was designed by Antón de Egas and Alonso Rodriges. The cathedral underwent renovation in 1992 and Jeronimo Garcia was authorised to add some modern designs to the facade.

LMS - What does LMS stand for?

2015-06-04T04:03:00.002-07:00

LMS stands for Learning Management System.

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of electronic educational technology (also called e-learning) education courses or training programs. (definition source)

LMS has various other possible meanings such as Like My Status (generally on Facebook) or Last Man Standing (either for online gaming or gambling).

HSE - What does HSE stand for?

2014-03-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

HSE stands for a number of things, the main uses of this acronym in the UK are:

Health and Safety Executive

and

Health, Safety & Environment

The Health and Safety Executive is the national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness.They are the regulator who acts in the public interest to reduce work-related death and serious injury across Great Britain’s workplaces.

Health, Safety & Environment is the term generally used to identify responsibilities of a job role, sometimes this is extended to HSEQ (Health, Safety, Environment & Quality); HSSE (Health, Safety, Security & Environment) and various similar forms. The letters may also be moved around - for example SHE (Safety, Health & Environment).

Some less common uses of this acronym include:

Helsinki School of Economics
Health Survey for England
Human Software Engineering
Hyperbaric Support Equipment
Helsinki Stock Exchange
High Speed Edition
This may also be used as an abbreviation of the word HOUSE

COSHH - What does COSHH stand for?

2013-03-08T05:31:00.003-08:00

COSHH stands for Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health - the term is related to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.

AIB - what does AIB stand for?

2012-06-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

AIB stands for Asbestos Insulating Board

BAT - what does BAT stand for?

2012-01-27T02:54:00.000-08:00

BAT is defined [in the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010] as:

The use of the best available techniques will emphasise the use of non-waste technology, if available.

The term "best available techniques" means the latest stage of development (state of the art) of processes, of facilities or of methods of operation which indicate the practical suitability of a particular measure for limiting discharges, emissions and waste. In determining whether a set of processes, facilities and methods of operation constitute the best available techniques in general or individual cases, special consideration will be given to:

a) comparable processes, facilities or methods of operation which have recently been successfully tried out;
b) technological advances and changes in scientific knowledge and understanding;
c) the economic feasibility of such techniques;
d) time limits for installation in both new and existing plants;
e) the nature and volume of the discharges and emissions concerned.
It therefore follows that what is "best available techniques" for a particular process will change with time in the light of technological advances, economic and social factors, as well as changes in scientific knowledge and understanding.

If the reduction of discharges and emissions resulting from the use of best available techniques does not lead to environmentally acceptable results, additional measures have to be applied.

"Techniques" include both the technology used and the way in which the installation is designed, built, maintained, operated and dismantled.

inter alia - what does "inter alia" mean?

2012-01-27T02:09:00.000-08:00

inter alia is latin for "among other things"

NASC - What does NASC stand for?

2011-12-05T05:29:00.000-08:00

NASC is the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation. Find out more about the NASC at: http://www.nasc.org.uk/

DTLR - What does DTLR stand for?

2011-09-26T04:47:00.000-07:00

DTLR stands for the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

ABCB - What does ABCB stand for?

2011-09-26T04:45:00.000-07:00

ABCB stands for the Association of British Certification Bodies.

AOCL - What does AOCL stand for?

2011-09-20T01:35:00.000-07:00

AOCL is a UK rail term which stands for Automatic Open Crossing, Locally Monitored.

Did Coca-Cola originally contain cocaine?

2011-05-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

Yes, Coca-Cola used to contain cocaine.

The drink was named after two of its ingredients - coca leaf extract and kola nuts.

The amount of cocain was reduced due to public unease that was growing at the time about addiction and negative aspects of cocaine use.

The cocaine was fully removed in 1929 although the coca leaf is still used. Because cocaine is naturally present in coca leaves, today's Coca-Cola uses treated coca leaves, which have been through a cocaine extraction process, to flavour the drink.

When do the clocks change in the UK?

2011-03-23T02:43:00.000-07:00

In the UK, we all change our clocks and watches by one hour, twice a year.

On the last Sunday in March we add an hour and go onto what is called British Summer Time (BST).

On the last Sunday in October we put our clocks back one hour and adhere to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

The clocks are always changed at 01:00 GMT (02:00 BST).

In the Autumn (October), as we are on BST (British Summer Time) before the clocks change, we change the clocks at 02:00.

In the Spring (March) we are already on GMT so change the clocks at 01:00.

An easy way to remember when the clocks go forward or back is: "Spring forward, Fall back". It uses "Fall" which is the American term for Autumn but still serves as a simple reminder that the clocks 'spring forward' in the Spring and 'fall back' in the 'Fall' (Autumn).

When do other countries change their clocks?

European Union - Most countries change their clocks on the last Sundays of March and October.

North America and most of Canada change their clocks on the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November.

Stationery or stationary?

2010-11-29T06:19:00.000-08:00

Should I use stationary or stationery?

Stationary means not moving - "the car is stationary"
Stationery means writing material - "the envelope is in the stationery cupboard"

The two phrases above should work as a reminder any time you are struggling to decide which spelling of the word to use.

License or Licence?

2010-10-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

Should I use licence or license?

These tend to be used interchangeably now but, strictly speaking (unless you are in the USA):

Licence is the noun - therefore it is the thing such as a driving licence - a certificate, or document giving permission to do something.

License is the verb - it is the act of granting a licence or giving permission to someone.

"I license you to use this licence."
The DVLA will license you - you will then carry a driving licence.

The easiest way to remember this is to think of a certificate - this is a noun and so is a licence.

If that's not enough, think about sending something in the post. Sending is a verb and so is license.

Recent questions answered on 'Font of Knowledge'.

2010-09-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

What gift should I buy for a 1st wedding anniversary?
What gift should I buy for a 5th wedding anniversary?
What gift should I buy for a 25th wedding anniversary?

Click the links for the answers!

Twenty-fifth wedding anniversary presents (Silver Wedding)

2010-09-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

The traditional 25th wedding anniversary gift is silver.

This gives you loads of gift options including the more expensive items:

Silver cutlery service
Silver tea set
Silver paperweight
Silver photo frame
Silver birch tree delivery

And items for people on a budget:

Small silver cutlery set
Silver bookmark
Silver charm bracelet
Silver charms (for a charm bracelet)
A budget priced silver photo frame
A silver coloured digital photo frame
Silver ring
Silver earings
Silver cufflinks

Related:

First wedding anniversary presents
Fifth wedding anniversary presents

Fifth wedding anniversary presents

2010-09-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

The traditional 5th wedding anniversary gift is wood.

This gives you a reasonable number of gift options including:

An anniversary wine box
Plant a tree
Wooden massager
Wood puzzle (great for puzzle fiends!)
A hand carved wooden statue

Related:

First wedding anniversary presents
Twenty-fifth wedding anniversary presents

First wedding anniversary presents

2010-09-22T05:57:00.000-07:00

The traditional 1st wedding anniversary gift is paper.

This gives you plenty of gift options including:

A scrap book
An anniversay book (e.g. a romantic novel)
A photo book
Gift vouchers
Become a laird and lady
Red letter days
Note cards
Stationery pack

Related:

Fifth wedding anniversary presents
Twenty-fifth wedding anniversary presents