# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1023 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1024 --- ## [Keyboard press problem without keyboard on Mac OSX](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keyboard-press-problem-without-keyboard-on-mac-osx/734692)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2015, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keyboard-press-problem-without-keyboard-on-mac-osx/734692 "2015-10-15T03:28:49Z")
I’ve got Mac OSX 10.10.3. Recently the “p” key seems to be pressed. It is “pressed” about every 1 second or sometimes a couple times per second. If I use the shift key it stays lowercase but if I type letters on my keybo… --- ## [iPhone: Won't retrieve mail on cell, will on WiFi.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-wont-retrieve-mail-on-cell-will-on-wifi/734673)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2015, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-wont-retrieve-mail-on-cell-will-on-wifi/734673 "2015-10-15T00:25:52Z")
iPhone 5, iOS 9.0.1, AT&T as my service provider. If my iPhone is connected to a WiFi network, Mail works just fine. If I’m running on cellular data alone, I cannot retrieve e-mail, and I will sometimes (not always) get… --- ## [How long does a halibut live for ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-a-halibut-live-for/734637)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-a-halibut-live-for/734637 "2015-10-15T00:19:33Z")
Do they grow 1 kg per year, and does that mean a 150kg fishy is 150 years old - a claim I have seen ? --- ## [battery on concrete=dead battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-on-concrete-dead-battery/225588)
**Author:** [@seaworthy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seaworthy)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-on-concrete-dead-battery/225588 "2015-10-14T23:06:43Z")
Someone told me a long time ago to never put your car battery down on concrete because it will drain the battery. I accepted it without question until recently. Is this true? If so, why does it drain the battery? And wou… --- ## [Lengthy/complex password policies : waste of time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lengthy-complex-password-policies-waste-of-time/734011)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lengthy-complex-password-policies-waste-of-time/734011 "2015-10-14T22:45:40Z")
So, ok, over the years, various online services - whether it be the log-ins for bank accounts, institutions, and so forth, have kept making the minimum password requirements ever longer and more complex. 7 characters? … --- ## [Schools closed on Columbus Day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schools-closed-on-columbus-day/734513)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schools-closed-on-columbus-day/734513 "2015-10-14T21:59:17Z")
I was reading a hockey forum, and multiple posters said schools in NYC were closed. This surprised me, since being on the West Coast I have never heard of either grade schools or colleges closed this holiday. What othe… --- ## [tracing a phone call](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracing-a-phone-call/734303)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracing-a-phone-call/734303 "2015-10-14T21:58:39Z")
How long does it take to trace a phone call in real life? I know that in the crappy movies, nobody ever talks long enough to get a trace, but how long does it really take? --- ## [Blacks Doomed in a Zombie Apocalypse? \[Percentage of blacks who live in urban areas\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blacks-doomed-in-a-zombie-apocalypse-percentage-of-blacks-who-live-in-urban-areas/734662)
**Author:** [@Jrubas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jrubas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blacks-doomed-in-a-zombie-apocalypse-percentage-of-blacks-who-live-in-urban-areas/734662 "2015-10-14T21:38:03Z")
I’m currently in the embryonic stages of writing a nonfiction article (basically gathering information), and was wondering if anyone can help me. In a nutshell: There’s been a lot of talk about the lack of black charact… --- ## [Death Penalty & Euthanasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty-euthanasia/733963)
**Author:** [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty-euthanasia/733963 "2015-10-14T21:32:15Z")
Anyone who has unfortunately had to euthanize their cat or dog at the vet has seen how drama free the procedure is. They just go to sleep and over the next couple minutes their breathing and then their heart stops and t… --- ## [When Did The "Wild West" come to an End?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-wild-west-come-to-an-end/354523)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-wild-west-come-to-an-end/354523 "2015-10-14T21:04:19Z")
I was watching the History Channel show about the famous “james Gang” and the attempted robbery of a bank in Northfiled, Minn., in 1876. I get the feeling that the lawlessness associated with the West was a function of … --- ## [Heating Aluminium Foil Trick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heating-aluminium-foil-trick/734264)
**Author:** [@Gobalot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gobalot)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heating-aluminium-foil-trick/734264 "2015-10-14T19:03:33Z")
About 30 years ago, when I was an apprentice, another bloke there would do a trick on demand that was brilliant. He had nothing in preparation, no special liquids and you could give him a piece of aluminium foil. In thos… --- ## [Old Mob Trick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-mob-trick/734423)
**Author:** [@Jrubas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jrubas)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-mob-trick/734423 "2015-10-14T18:44:28Z")
I forget who, but someone once told me that mafia hit men would sometimes kill their targets by cutting stoves’ gas lines and breaking a light bulb (while the light was off) so that when the mark turned the light on, the… --- ## [Are there any systems to quickly locate drowning person](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-systems-to-quickly-locate-drowning-person/734421)
**Author:** [@dr\_zippermeyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dr_zippermeyer)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-systems-to-quickly-locate-drowning-person/734421 "2015-10-14T18:01:28Z")
At least I haven’t heard. It is a bit strange, as I don’t see this as a problem that is self-evidently impossible to solve. In fact it would be great to create a start up company to solve this problem (if I had money to … --- ## [Radar gun question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radar-gun-question/734415)
**Author:** [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radar-gun-question/734415 "2015-10-14T17:42:11Z")
I’m racking my brain as to how I got my first ever speeding ticket. I was cruising in the right (slow) lane due to traffic moving faster than I was going in the left three lanes. And by cruising, I mean cruise control … --- ## [What is the relative humidity inside a pressure cooker at temp?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-relative-humidity-inside-a-pressure-cooker-at-temp/734420)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-relative-humidity-inside-a-pressure-cooker-at-temp/734420 "2015-10-14T17:20:00Z")
A pressure cooker heats water up higher than boiling point in a heavy-duty sealed container. When the cooker is getting up to temp, steam comes out. Then when it’s at temp it seals and there is no more steam. When it’s… --- ## [Is the idea of overnight growth spurts still accepted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-idea-of-overnight-growth-spurts-still-accepted/663561)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-idea-of-overnight-growth-spurts-still-accepted/663561 "2015-10-14T16:27:29Z")
Some 20 years ago, a researcher (Michelle Lampl) discovered that children sometimes actually, literally, do grow overnight, sometimes as much as a half an inch, confirming what parents occasionally report. As amazing as… --- ## [A sword balanced at the hilt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-sword-balanced-at-the-hilt/734608)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-sword-balanced-at-the-hilt/734608 "2015-10-14T15:04:19Z")
The point of balance\* of a sword is just above the guard\*\* of the hilt, the balance point is on the lower section of the blade. The balance point of an ax/hatchet is just below the head\*\*\* on the shaft. If all of the wei… --- ## [Black market price of yellowcake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-market-price-of-yellowcake/733860)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-market-price-of-yellowcake/733860 "2015-10-14T15:01:21Z")
Link to CNN article on an arrest regarding smuggled yellowcake in Moldova The article states that the thieves were seeking millions of euros for about 4lbs of yellowcake. Is this because they were trying to pass it off… --- ## [Is it impossible to lock some cars without the horn honking sound?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907)
**Author:** [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907 "2015-10-14T13:47:22Z")
A recently revived zombie thread reminded me of something I’ve often wondered: Are there some types/models of car out there where it’s actually impossible to lock the car without the horn honking sound? --- ## [Gun Laws of the 1970s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-laws-of-the-1970s/734573)
**Author:** [@Jrubas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jrubas)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-laws-of-the-1970s/734573 "2015-10-14T13:27:48Z")
How easy was it to obtain a gun in America in the seventies? This was before the Brady Bill, so I assume buying a handgun at least wasn’t as difficult as it is now. Basically, is it tougher to get a gun now than it was … --- ## [Becoming known by an alternate name.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-known-by-an-alternate-name/717302)
**Author:** [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-known-by-an-alternate-name/717302 "2015-10-14T12:15:32Z")
When I was young, I really disliked my first name. When I moved to a new school for the eighth grade - when self awareness on these sorts of things peaks. I made an effort to use my middle name, but it never caught on. … --- ## [World Leaders NOT Born in the Nation They Led](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-leaders-not-born-in-the-nation-they-led/360278)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-leaders-not-born-in-the-nation-they-led/360278 "2015-10-14T10:21:07Z")
In the USA, of course, foreign born citizens cannot become President. But in many other countries, people born elsewhere HAVE made it to the highest offices. Among them: Ireland’s President, Eamon de Valera, was born … --- ## [Billions of trees (anti smoking ad)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billions-of-trees-anti-smoking-ad/734508)
**Author:** [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2015, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billions-of-trees-anti-smoking-ad/734508 "2015-10-14T01:23:38Z")
So on TV for the last week or so the latest anti smoking ad talks about how cigarette butts are the most picked up item of liter. Ok, in years past for sure. Now a days maybe, maybe not as the percentage of smokers goes… --- ## [What's the word for the group of animated logos that appear at the start of a movie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-word-for-the-group-of-animated-logos-that-appear-at-the-start-of-a-movie/734377)
**Author:** [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-word-for-the-group-of-animated-logos-that-appear-at-the-start-of-a-movie/734377 "2015-10-13T20:56:39Z")
What’s the word for the group of animated logos that appear at the start of a movie? --- ## [Why is my cat afraid of the floor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-cat-afraid-of-the-floor/471843)
**Author:** [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-cat-afraid-of-the-floor/471843 "2015-10-13T20:37:28Z")
(She has a regular vet appointment coming up very soon, and this isn’t a veterinary emergency. Don’t worry.) My cat has suddenly become unwilling to walk on the floor. She jumps from chair back to couch, and will climb … --- ## [I Before E Except After C](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-before-e-except-after-c/734418)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-before-e-except-after-c/734418 "2015-10-13T19:23:29Z")
Why is this (generally) the way Engligh words are spelled? --- ## [Why was there low amounts of O2 in some places in Herculaneum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-there-low-amounts-of-o2-in-some-places-in-herculaneum/734549)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-there-low-amounts-of-o2-in-some-places-in-herculaneum/734549 "2015-10-13T18:41:12Z")
We just visited Herculaneum and saw several examples of carbonized wood in the ruins. The guide explained that most wood was incinerated entirely, but in places where there was not much oxygen, the wood just turned to c… --- ## [So they've found a glueball: how is this particle discovery more "exciting" than others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-theyve-found-a-glueball-how-is-this-particle-discovery-more-exciting-than-others/734556)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-theyve-found-a-glueball-how-is-this-particle-discovery-more-exciting-than-others/734556 "2015-10-13T18:12:34Z")
See subject. It’s hard to keep up, particularly after the Higgs craziness that penetrated down to tabloid journalism explanations and declarations of profundity. For decades, scientists have been looking for so-called … --- ## [Question about Eggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-eggs/734261)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-eggs/734261 "2015-10-13T17:35:51Z")
When I cut the top of my boiled egg today, I found the yolk right at the top. Usually they are more in the middle of the egg. The eggs are free range (non organic) and well in date. They have not been kept in the fridge… --- ## [DNA migrating through space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna-migrating-through-space/734437)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna-migrating-through-space/734437 "2015-10-13T17:06:51Z")
A common topic when I was in high school was that a lot of the kids felt DNA or the building blocks of DNA landed on earth as cosmic dust that may have traveled through the universe for many centuries before it landed. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1022) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1024)