# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1067 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1068 --- ## [What is this foul gas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-foul-gas/727126)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-foul-gas/727126 "2015-08-06T02:43:18Z")
I recently had a bit of a sour stomach, caused by something I ate or drank (a variety of Mexican dishes, bratwurst and several beers). I didn’t feel anything, but the next day I had to belch a few times, resulting in a … --- ## [Converting text to table in Excel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-text-to-table-in-excel/727122)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-text-to-table-in-excel/727122 "2015-08-06T02:19:30Z")
Here is an example of a line of text I want to convert to table. Nick Adenhart 4/9/09 4/8/09 Car Crash I want the table to look like this (I entered this in manually): I have Excel… --- ## [What is in those tiny novelty thermometers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-in-those-tiny-novelty-thermometers/727108)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-in-those-tiny-novelty-thermometers/727108 "2015-08-06T01:10:00Z")
You know the ones on keyrings or fridge magnets and other cheap stuff? I have one on a magnet, it is surprisingly perfectly accurate. It has a red liquid inside, obviously not mercury. --- ## [Specializing in a field of law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specializing-in-a-field-of-law/727113)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specializing-in-a-field-of-law/727113 "2015-08-06T00:35:18Z")
I know many attorneys specialize in one field: family law, criminal law, education law, etc. How difficult is it to have two area of specialities? Would an attorney specialize in constitutional law and real estate law?… --- ## [Medical Marijuana In Illinois: Is It Actually Happening Or Are They Still Just Talking About It](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-in-illinois-is-it-actually-happening-or-are-they-still-just-talking-about-it/726969)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-in-illinois-is-it-actually-happening-or-are-they-still-just-talking-about-it/726969 "2015-08-05T23:19:26Z")
Last I had read, well over a year into Illinois’ four-year medical marijuana program, not a single patient had been able to purchase a single gram of medicine due to bureaucratic entanglements and foot-dragging on the pa… --- ## [Custodial account converted to non-custodial cost basis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custodial-account-converted-to-non-custodial-cost-basis/726972)
**Author:** [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custodial-account-converted-to-non-custodial-cost-basis/726972 "2015-08-05T22:57:05Z")
Years ago, my father set up a custodial account as part of my college fund. It was a late bit of diversifying that wound up being forgotten. I’m not sure of the inception date or original investment; the oldest documenta… --- ## [Moon phases and how they look](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moon-phases-and-how-they-look/726961)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moon-phases-and-how-they-look/726961 "2015-08-05T22:05:05Z")
This article in the NY Times (Summer of Science - Q&A: Is There Such a Thing as a Half Moon? - NYTimes.com) discusses what’s called a first- and third-quarter moon, but looks like a half moon. OK, yes, no problem. But … --- ## [Moveable holidays and long weekends in the U.S.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moveable-holidays-and-long-weekends-in-the-u-s/724128)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moveable-holidays-and-long-weekends-in-the-u-s/724128 "2015-08-05T14:30:42Z")
Tomorrow (i. e. Saturday) is, of course, Independence Day, a public holiday in the United States. I noticed that two American radio stations I listen to regularly are already on a holiday schedule today (i. e. Friday), t… --- ## [windows 10](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10/726717)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10/726717 "2015-08-05T21:24:59Z")
I have a dell latitude 630, running 32-bit, windows 7 home premium. I have the icon to get windows 10 for free but cannot because my computer does not support BIOS. In very simple terms, can someone explain what that m… --- ## [Would a blindfold stay on a canine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-blindfold-stay-on-a-canine/726950)
**Author:** [@RTepp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTepp)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-blindfold-stay-on-a-canine/726950 "2015-08-05T20:39:31Z")
This sounds like a really weird question, but I’m writing a book and I’m curious how significantly, if at all, a werewolf’s head would have to differ from a normal canine’s head before a blindfold could properly fit and … --- ## [What happens when Apple stops supporting a device?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-apple-stops-supporting-a-device/726885)
**Author:** [@funky\_little\_lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/funky_little_lee)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-apple-stops-supporting-a-device/726885 "2015-08-05T17:25:36Z")
I posted in the Pit a while back about my problems with iTunes; but in the interim I’ve learned at least enough to get some music onto my iPhone 4s\*. So I’m somewhat mollified. Now I see online that Apple’s coming out wi… --- ## [What does n mean in a book index?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-n-mean-in-a-book-index/727073)
**Author:** [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-n-mean-in-a-book-index/727073 "2015-08-05T16:59:42Z")
I came across this in a nonfiction book’s index and don’t know what it means: nuclear weapons, 15, 221, 281n Page 281 happens to be an illustration, with no text other than the legends, and there is no mention whatsoev… --- ## [When was the last time the US was headed in the "right direction"? \[Based on polls.\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-the-us-was-headed-in-the-right-direction-based-on-polls/726973)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-the-us-was-headed-in-the-right-direction-based-on-polls/726973 "2015-08-05T15:58:35Z")
In general, that is. This question in polls annoys the hell out of me because I don’t remember when public sentiment was strongly positive. My (lack of) Google skills just found negative sentiment. --- ## [Was Grease Ever Extracted from Sewage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-grease-ever-extracted-from-sewage/727067)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-grease-ever-extracted-from-sewage/727067 "2015-08-05T15:07:36Z")
The City of Boston ran an antiquated sewage disposal system until about 1990-this was gravity fed line that directed raw sewage into a holding vat, then released it into the harbor. this sewage tunnel had a vent stack th… --- ## [Is the iconic representation of an atom the same as it was decades ago?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-iconic-representation-of-an-atom-the-same-as-it-was-decades-ago/726795)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-iconic-representation-of-an-atom-the-same-as-it-was-decades-ago/726795 "2015-08-05T13:46:31Z")
I know it’s an odd question, but here’s the thing: when I was an elementary/middle schooler in the 1960s/1970s, we had an image of an atom that had a bunch of electrons whizzing about a nucleus - more or less like most o… --- ## [Famous people who were killed by animals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-who-were-killed-by-animals/726967)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-who-were-killed-by-animals/726967 "2015-08-05T13:33:29Z")
I was thinking of the “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin and his untimely end – done in by a stingray in 2006. What other famous people have been killed by wild animals? I’m sure that there have been a few, but I can’t think… --- ## [Why do mosquitoes need stagnant water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mosquitoes-need-stagnant-water/723918)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mosquitoes-need-stagnant-water/723918 "2015-08-05T13:12:26Z")
One of my campers asked me a great question today. By “great question”, I mean one to which I didn’t know the answer (at least, not yet). We were sitting next to an ornamental pond, and she noticed that the pond had tw… --- ## [US citizen traveling to Canada: is this considered a business trip?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-citizen-traveling-to-canada-is-this-considered-a-business-trip/726860)
**Author:** [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-citizen-traveling-to-canada-is-this-considered-a-business-trip/726860 "2015-08-05T13:02:42Z")
Obviously for reasons that will quickly become obvious, Im going to be very vague: Im traveling to Canada later this year to attend a meeting being held by a non-profit organization funded by several competing companies… --- ## [Do automotive engineers fix their own cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-automotive-engineers-fix-their-own-cars/379056)
**Author:** [@habs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/habs)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-automotive-engineers-fix-their-own-cars/379056 "2015-08-05T12:37:13Z")
I hope this isn’t too obvious of a question, but I’ve always wondered if the engineers who design cars actually know how to fix their own cars (whether or not it’s the same brand/model they’ve designed). Is there a suff… --- ## [How close can two solar systems safely be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-can-two-solar-systems-safely-be/727010)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-can-two-solar-systems-safely-be/727010 "2015-08-05T08:47:10Z")
Imagine you have two Sun-mass stars, each with their own planetary system orbiting the galactic centre. How closely can they approach each other without disrupting each others’ planets? --- ## [Country with the fewest laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-with-the-fewest-laws/727029)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-with-the-fewest-laws/727029 "2015-08-05T07:53:29Z")
I want to be a lawyer, but I’m lazy, and not all that bright. Which country (with a stable government) has the fewest laws? --- ## [Are there any systems where charts start positive on the left and decrease to the right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-systems-where-charts-start-positive-on-the-left-and-decrease-to-the-right/660184)
**Author:** [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-systems-where-charts-start-positive-on-the-left-and-decrease-to-the-right/660184 "2013-06-09T17:25:13Z")
I’ve been drawing a lot of charts recently in both my calculus and statistics classes. All of my charts put the lowest value of the x-axis to the left and increasing x values to the right. Negative values are placed left… --- ## [Earliest Americans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-americans/726746)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-americans/726746 "2015-08-05T06:12:53Z")
I recently stumbled across the theory that the first humans in the Americas were aboriginals from Australia. Apparently there is a cave in an Brazil with archialogical evidence. Read more here: BBC News | Sci/Tech | 'Fir… --- ## [How do I take 3 videos and....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-3-videos-and/727037)
**Author:** [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-3-videos-and/727037 "2015-08-05T06:01:45Z")
I made three videos on my iPhone 6+ and need to combine then and edit the audio in one to add beeps. I don’t have a Mac at this time to use imovie on so it has to be free or demo software I can run on a PC. --- ## [Florida medical marijuana](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-medical-marijuana/726856)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-medical-marijuana/726856 "2015-08-05T02:04:39Z")
Hello Everyone, I haven’t been following, though I should be, what is the status of medical marijuana in Florida? Are we getting close yet ? --- ## [What ever happened to the Energy Department's 100 MPG(e) production car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ever-happened-to-the-energy-departments-100-mpg-e-production-car/726606)
**Author:** [@curious11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curious11)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ever-happened-to-the-energy-departments-100-mpg-e-production-car/726606 "2015-08-05T00:52:57Z")
Hey All, I was listening to old episodes of Freakonomic’s Pod Cast and discovered that the 100 MPG(e) award was awarded way back in 2010. High lighted in the news story of the award was that the winning car would then b… --- ## [What should my hard drive disk look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-my-hard-drive-disk-look-like/726993)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-my-hard-drive-disk-look-like/726993 "2015-08-05T00:06:25Z")
I looked up images and they are all nice and shiny! Mine looks like the beard of the magnet shaving art toy guy, Wooly Willy. :frowning: I took it all apart (an old computer I’m trying to get going) and it looks like th… --- ## [WinXP - if this is true, final nail in the coffin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winxp-if-this-is-true-final-nail-in-the-coffin/726734)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winxp-if-this-is-true-final-nail-in-the-coffin/726734 "2015-08-05T00:05:41Z")
This is a bit esoteric, but it seems like by summer 2016 most encrypted web sites will be switching to the protocol that XP cannot support. PCI-DSS compliance committee recently released new compliance requirements that… --- ## [Are Beef Cattle Herds Carbon Sinks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-beef-cattle-herds-carbon-sinks/726970)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2015, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-beef-cattle-herds-carbon-sinks/726970 "2015-08-04T23:41:21Z")
They eat grass (carbon sink), and grow (absorbing carbon). Then they are killed and eaten by humans. They produce waste (which is recycled in the soil, promoting grass growth). So does raising beef add to CO2, or reduce… --- ## [What's the best metal to use for making a sword?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-metal-to-use-for-making-a-sword/476954)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2015, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-metal-to-use-for-making-a-sword/476954 "2015-08-04T19:04:35Z")
A friend of mine who fancies himself somewhat of a sword expert told me that steel (or a steel alloy) is the best known metal to use when making a sword. His reasoning was that while it wasn’t the hardest or densest, it… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1066) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1068)