# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1046 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1047 --- ## [Pom-pom guns - what's the purpose of the shape of the end of the barrels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pom-pom-guns-whats-the-purpose-of-the-shape-of-the-end-of-the-barrels/730355)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pom-pom-guns-whats-the-purpose-of-the-shape-of-the-end-of-the-barrels/730355 "2015-09-08T22:20:16Z")
I still remember the first time I became aware of pom-pom guns. My father had come back from a business trip and brought with him a set of toy pom-pom guns. I was thrilled by it - there was something about the name ‘pom-… --- ## [Thermodynamically is a phase change heat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thermodynamically-is-a-phase-change-heat/729816)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thermodynamically-is-a-phase-change-heat/729816 "2015-09-08T21:03:11Z")
Energy can be often converted from one form to the other, in theory, and with special lab equipment often only available to high school physics teachers such as friction-less surfaces and mass-less pulleys, with no losse… --- ## [Questions about the American Homesteaders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-american-homesteaders/730306)
**Author:** [@dofe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dofe)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-american-homesteaders/730306 "2015-09-08T20:49:43Z")
The Homestead Acts were American laws passed beginning in the mid-1800s that provided land grant to individuals who were able to meet certain requirements and prove they put the land to use. According to the National Par… --- ## [Poor Audio after Screen Capture - is it a soundcard issue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-audio-after-screen-capture-is-it-a-soundcard-issue/730309)
**Author:** [@TheUser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheUser)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-audio-after-screen-capture-is-it-a-soundcard-issue/730309 "2015-09-08T19:10:09Z")
I have a Dell XPS Desktop. (No special sound cards or interfaces, just the system audio that came with the PC.) I tried to do a Screen Capture using a program called Movavi Screen Capture, using standard audio settings … --- ## [Taping and Painting with Latex paint. Time-sensitive query](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taping-and-painting-with-latex-paint-time-sensitive-query/730273)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taping-and-painting-with-latex-paint-time-sensitive-query/730273 "2015-09-08T18:39:15Z")
Primed a week or two ago with Kilz. Taped carefully. Painted one coat of indoor latex paint on walls. Have just finished first coat, have not removed tape yet. Here’s the question: If I leave the tape in place and ap… --- ## [Question regarding the correct use of the term "Britain"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-correct-use-of-the-term-britain/730098)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-correct-use-of-the-term-britain/730098 "2015-09-08T17:17:34Z")
Hi I was reading “Europe The Struggle for Supremacy 1453 to the Present” by the Irish historian Brendan Simms. On page 131 is the following sentence “The Treaty of Paris which brought the American War to an end in 1783… --- ## [Is there a name for this specific speech affectation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-specific-speech-affectation/729654)
**Author:** [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-specific-speech-affectation/729654 "2015-09-08T15:18:55Z")
Not sure “affectation” is really the right word as it implies judgment, but I don’t know how else to phrase it. Basically, it’s the thing where people drop the "t"s out of words (usually when the “t” comes between 2 vowe… --- ## [Use for "suicide cables"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-for-suicide-cables/676304)
**Author:** [@Artemis\_Tardis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemis_Tardis)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-for-suicide-cables/676304 "2015-09-08T15:07:03Z")
I was wondering… why the F\*\*\* would someone use a cable with two male ends? I saw some pictures on the internet of shops telling that they don’t sell them, and I think it is pretty obvious of what could happen if someone… --- ## [Limits to a boss forcing religion on an employee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limits-to-a-boss-forcing-religion-on-an-employee/730185)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limits-to-a-boss-forcing-religion-on-an-employee/730185 "2015-09-08T14:45:22Z")
Inspired by the Kim Davis marriage license fiasco, it seems there may have been a few clerks willing to issue licenses but were not allowed to because of the boss’ religious beliefs. So the question is how far can a bos… --- ## [Why do "germs" kill their hosts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-germs-kill-their-hosts/729881)
**Author:** [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-germs-kill-their-hosts/729881 "2015-09-08T14:31:13Z")
When I say germs I mean things like bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc. Is it their intention to kill the host? Why? Isn’t this self defeating? Why would any organism cut off its own life support? Nature is not suppose… --- ## [The Panama canal Is 100 Years Old, Has It Caused Any Ecological Disasters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-panama-canal-is-100-years-old-has-it-caused-any-ecological-disasters/729912)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-panama-canal-is-100-years-old-has-it-caused-any-ecological-disasters/729912 "2015-09-08T14:10:40Z")
I mean, have any Pacific Ocean species invaded the Caribbean, or the opposite? I know that ships must travel through fresh water, which should kill anything hitching a ride. But, in 100 years, has anyone noticed any bad … --- ## [Early 20th century use of "minus"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-20th-century-use-of-minus/729977)
**Author:** [@LiliesOfTheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiliesOfTheField)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-20th-century-use-of-minus/729977 "2015-09-08T02:24:10Z")
When I was very young, my father (born in 1920) quizzed me once on my mental addition and subtraction talents. He was satisfied with my addition. But my subtraction enraged him. He asked me (for example) “What is 8 mi… --- ## [Need a reason for why a south pacific island might not have a viable fishing food source](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-reason-for-why-a-south-pacific-island-might-not-have-a-viable-fishing-food-source/729741)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-reason-for-why-a-south-pacific-island-might-not-have-a-viable-fishing-food-source/729741 "2015-09-08T02:17:26Z")
Writing a story and it requires that fishing not be a terrifically viable source for sustenance for an indigenous population in the south pacific circa 1942. Are there some islands that just due to currents or by virtu… --- ## [Anyone had issues getting GMail on iPhone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-had-issues-getting-gmail-on-iphone/730259)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-had-issues-getting-gmail-on-iphone/730259 "2015-09-08T01:36:50Z")
I’m new to iPhone. I’ve always used Android. I’m using the Mail App on the iPhone 6. I set it up and I was getting notifications for new emails for a few days, then they stopped. I opened the mail app and have the erro… --- ## ["Vascularization of the eyes"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vascularization-of-the-eyes/729029)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vascularization-of-the-eyes/729029 "2015-09-08T01:15:39Z")
When something is said to cause “vascularization of the eyes,” I take it to mean that it causes blood vessels to grow in the eyes in a way it shouldn’t. What exactly does that do? --- ## [Lenovo battery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lenovo-battery/730316)
**Author:** [@koufax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koufax)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lenovo-battery/730316 "2015-09-08T01:12:56Z")
Can anyone tell me why the battery on my new Lenovo G50 runs out so fast? And what I can do to make it last longer? Thanks in advance. --- ## [Cell phone capabilities in the year 2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-capabilities-in-the-year-2001/730137)
**Author:** [@Ladycloud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ladycloud)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-capabilities-in-the-year-2001/730137 "2015-09-08T00:11:15Z")
In the year 2001, could cell phones display the caller’s NAME or did it just display the caller’s PHONE NUMBER? --- ## [What is ActionUri OOP Server? (Windows 10)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-actionuri-oop-server-windows-10/730274)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-actionuri-oop-server-windows-10/730274 "2015-09-07T23:33:07Z")
What is ActionUri OOP Server? Since I updated to Windows 10, I occasionally have noticeable slowing down. When I bring up the Task Manager, I find at least one copy, and sometimes several copies, of “ActionUri OOP Serv… --- ## [Pulling the plug on DishTV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulling-the-plug-on-dishtv/730247)
**Author:** [@psimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psimmons)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulling-the-plug-on-dishtv/730247 "2015-09-07T22:42:16Z")
Question: Can the cable that’s plugged into the satellite dish outside be disconnected from the dish and attached to a HDTV antenna and use that cable that already goes into the house without converter boxes to view OTA … --- ## [Has Black Pepper Ever Been Grown in the Americas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-black-pepper-ever-been-grown-in-the-americas/730246)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-black-pepper-ever-been-grown-in-the-americas/730246 "2015-09-07T21:58:11Z")
As far as i know, black pepper comes from India, Indonesia, SE Asia. I have never heard of it growing here. has anyone done this? --- ## [The British Royal Navy has never lost a battle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-british-royal-navy-has-never-lost-a-battle/729894)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-british-royal-navy-has-never-lost-a-battle/729894 "2015-09-07T18:10:30Z")
This assertion came up in a conversation at work recently, I’ve done some google research myself but haven’t found anything conclusive. It sounds unlikely to me, but I’m sure the Straightdope will have…well the straight… --- ## [Stallions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stallions/730236)
**Author:** [@Redhawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redhawk)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stallions/730236 "2015-09-07T15:19:34Z")
I was wondering and thinking, how big can a stallions #@?!’ (You might know what i mean) --- ## [Ameritrade: why do they need such personal info?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameritrade-why-do-they-need-such-personal-info/730205)
**Author:** [@octavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octavia)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameritrade-why-do-they-need-such-personal-info/730205 "2015-09-07T14:25:20Z")
My father received an “Account Profile Update form” in the mail from Ameritrade, asking for extremely personal info. He’s had this account for several years - he uses to trade stocks for his nestegg. Besides basic demo… --- ## [Windows 8 - Keyboard Settings "Disappear"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-8-keyboard-settings-disappear/730177)
**Author:** [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-8-keyboard-settings-disappear/730177 "2015-09-07T13:21:21Z")
I use control panel to change the repeat key delay time to speed it up, and it keeps getting reset to the original, slow value. This happens not only if I shut down, but if I sleep. How do I make this permanent? --- ## [Children in American military families overseas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/children-in-american-military-families-overseas/729932)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/children-in-american-military-families-overseas/729932 "2015-09-07T13:17:20Z")
My brother’s daughter got married several years ago and they have two little kids; her husband is stationed in Australia. What provision does the U. S. military make for the schooling of these kids ( who are American cit… --- ## [Please explain Bell's theorem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-bells-theorem/713399)
**Author:** [@kaltkalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaltkalt)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-bells-theorem/713399 "2015-09-07T06:08:10Z")
I came across this page on Wikipedia about something called Bell’s Theorem: Sounds interesting but unfortunately most of it is over my head. Can someone explain what this theorem is and why someone would say “Bell’s t… --- ## [Why have I lost the sound on my Sharp Aquos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-i-lost-the-sound-on-my-sharp-aquos/730224)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-i-lost-the-sound-on-my-sharp-aquos/730224 "2015-09-07T05:30:50Z")
I’ve suddenly lost the sound on my Sharp Aquos TV. When I push the volume control, I get the normal bar that moves to show the volume level, but I also get a little icon on the sound bar that looks like a cable jack. N… --- ## [Going insane with attempted Gmail multiple users](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-insane-with-attempted-gmail-multiple-users/675310)
**Author:** [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2013, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-insane-with-attempted-gmail-multiple-users/675310 "2013-12-03T23:23:20Z")
And I just KNOW that the wonderful smart people have got to know how to fix this!!! I’ve started up a fic exchange again on a site. It’s so important to get this exchange to work. The previous mods did nothing for two y… --- ## [Amazon non-delivery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-non-delivery/730222)
**Author:** [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-non-delivery/730222 "2015-09-07T03:25:06Z")
How does one get Amazon.com to acknowledge my report to them of non-receipt of an order (for 3 books). Their tracking number says only that it was shipped (on July 3) and is now still “on the way”. Their “return and repl… --- ## [Chrome browser question - how to go back to last viewed window](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-browser-question-how-to-go-back-to-last-viewed-window/730209)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2015, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-browser-question-how-to-go-back-to-last-viewed-window/730209 "2015-09-06T23:11:50Z")
Thanks for reading on - the title of my OP doesn’t really capture what I was asking. If you are like me and often have 10, 15, or more tabs open, I think you’d agree that it can be a nuisance going back and forth among … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1045) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1047)