How do they come up with names for perscription drugs?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Like cats, drugs often have more than one name. There is the formal, generic name, created by the company, perhaps derived from its major ingredient. Then, of course, there is the marketing name, derived from the masterful efforts of marketing departments to make the product seem all-powerful and absolutely essential. There have been problems with confusing names, especially sound-alikes, which may result in incorrect prescriptions. The FDA is aware of the situation; see, for example, “Evaluating Drug Names for Similarities: Methods and Approaches, Public Meeting” (“Meeting formerly called Minimizing Medication Errors – Evaluating the Drug Naming Process”), June 26, 2003 (http://www.fda.gov/cder/meeting/drugNaming.htm).

What happened to the course evaluation information on ACES? It used to be there and now it is gone. Is there somewhere else to get this information?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: There is an upgrade in the works, with a hoped for(!) ETA before registration for the spring semester. Let’s cut the grade on the project 10% for every day it is late.

Schools such as Harvard, Yale and Stanford have two week shopping periods at the beginning of each term where students have the chance to visit many classes to search for professors. Duke’s system is incredibly lame in comparison. They also have no caps on many of their courses, so you can more easily get into classes you want. Why doesn’t Duke have a similar system? Why does it work at these schools? How would a student go about changing this policy at Duke?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Interesting idea. Answer Person was under the misconception that Duke students are more motivated, focused, informed and prepared than undergrads at some of those other wanna be schools. However, you might want to purse your ideas with the University Registrar’s Office (103 Allen Bldg., 684-2813, registrar@duke.edu); DSG’s (684-DUKE) Academic Affairs Committee or its VP for Academic Affairs.

What is the holy grail? Was Jesus married?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: 1. Supposedly the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper, though the origin of the tale is uncertain. Perhaps that explains why Arthur’s knights had such a hard time finding it.

2. Other than to his career? No one has ever found a marriage certificate.

Answer Person, do you have been asked, or one that was the most fun to answer?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: It would be very, very hard to pick a favorite. I find myself constantly challenged, intrigued by range of inquiries, delighted to find the humor in situations, and so honored that people come to me for assistance in matters that mean so much to them.

Where in Durham can I get a keg of root beer? If not in Durham, where at all?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Greenshields Brewery & Pub in Raleigh (829-0214, http://www.greenshields.com/beers.htm#Root) specializes in regular beers, but they also brew their own root beer, and it is available in kegs. Not a common situation–glass predominates. Check out http://www.annoyances.com/rb/links.html for LOT’s of links to root beer makers, making your own, etc.

When I make bagels at home, they come out much lumpier on the outside than the ones I could buy at Bruggers or even Alpine. I know that I do not shape perfectly, so that is one problem. But the real bumpiness on the surface seems to come in the boiling stage. Do you have any tips for how to keep the surface smooth at this stage? Also, why doesn’t the library have a good selection of cookbooks?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: It has been years since Answer Person made bagels, and I don’t know you entire process, but it may be that you don’t have any oil in the water when you are boiling the bagels.

AP’s favorite Jewish cookbook is Sara Kasdan’s LOVE AND KNISHES (Fawcett, 1956). Although we don’t have that one in our collection, we do have several others listed under the heading “Cookery Jewish” in the online catalog. Try “Baking” as well.

Let me know how they turn out–samples can be left for AP at the Perkins Circulation Desk or Reference Desk!

How would one go about starting an undergraduate publication at Duke?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: This same question appeared in the Perkins Lobby Suggestion Book.

Exactly the same question. Here is the same answer that will appear there.

You need to contact the Undergraduate Publications Board; 01 Flowers Bldg., 684-2220, Fax 684-8395,
http://www.duke.edu/web/UPB/index.html.
Make sure your idea is in publishable form.

Hey Library Folks!

I know I owe you some money (or a book – which I checked out 2 years ago, and in the drunken meanderings that were freshman year, promptly lost). But, I am on a leave of absense from Duke right now. Don’t worry, I’m not sick or having an emotional breakdown, and no, my family is not in some dire situation that necessitated me going home. Simply, instead of studying abroad, I decided to take the semester to travel through Europe. So, I am writing to you from Maastricht, the Netherlands, which means I can’t exactly stroll into Perkins and give you a check.

So, any ideas on how I should pay? I suppose I can mail you a check – does that work? Who should I send it to? Maybe you can bill it to my bursar’s account and I can take care of it when I get back in January – does that work? I really do want to pay my fine (in a moral, not monetary sense of desire) – I just need you to help do so.

I am also submitting this to the answer guy (online), because that book has gotten me through two years of mixed up relationships at Duke – it can probably figure this one out to.

Well – let me know what to do…

Take care,

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Dear Wanderer:

It is great to see that your sense of responsibility and loyalty are not lost in the separation of an ocean.

Normally, lost books are charged to students’ accounts when they aren’t paid–when we know about them.

Answer Person is relaying your original message, which includes your e-mail address, to the Circulation Department. They will follow up on this and let you know how best to proceed.

Thanks for remembering us, and best wishes for a wonderful trip through Europe.

P.S.–Thanks as well for the kind words about our past encounters; I hope the previous problems were as easily resolved as this one!

Answer Person, you are a very funny, sly creature.

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: And you are a serious, perceptive fan.

Thanks!