# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1073 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1074 --- ## [Is This Story That Hitlers Body Was Not Found True?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-story-that-hitlers-body-was-not-found-true/726134)
**Author:** [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-story-that-hitlers-body-was-not-found-true/726134 "2015-07-27T18:06:47Z")
http://zonnews.com/science-tech/677-historians-finally-admit-hitler-did-not-shoot-himself-in-the-head.html Anyone else hear anything about this? I just ran across this story on my FB feed. While I believe that the cor… --- ## [Installing valves in my sprinkler backflow system - ball or gate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/installing-valves-in-my-sprinkler-backflow-system-ball-or-gate/726302)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/installing-valves-in-my-sprinkler-backflow-system-ball-or-gate/726302 "2015-07-27T15:51:07Z")
I have a Febco sprinkler backflow system (don’t judge me. it was here when I bought the house). Because whoever installed it did not put in drain valves, the ball joints have split probably every year it was installed. … --- ## [Dish users: help with TV remote, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dish-users-help-with-tv-remote-please/726292)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dish-users-help-with-tv-remote-please/726292 "2015-07-27T14:32:20Z")
Please note that I am not at the TV in question, but I will be tomorrow. I am looking in on my best friend’s little dog while she is away for two weeks. Her dog is a sweet and high-energy little terrier. Anyway, today… --- ## [ELI5 how an activa scooter can go 55 km on one litre?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eli5-how-an-activa-scooter-can-go-55-km-on-one-litre/725680)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eli5-how-an-activa-scooter-can-go-55-km-on-one-litre/725680 "2015-07-27T14:11:06Z")
Heres the specs on a Honda Activa scooter as you might commonly see in India or many other asian countries. It gets 55 kmpl or an astonishing 129 miles per gallon. Doing some quick maths that means travelling 1 km onl… --- ## [White Collar-Crimes and Mandatory Minimum Sentences.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-collar-crimes-and-mandatory-minimum-sentences/726301)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-collar-crimes-and-mandatory-minimum-sentences/726301 "2015-07-27T13:11:46Z")
As many of you probably know by now, I am a man of certain dearly-held political and moral convictions. But actually, this is just a factual question (i.e., I don’t want it to become a political debate). My question is … --- ## [Where was Pluto, with respect to Earth, when it was discovered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-pluto-with-respect-to-earth-when-it-was-discovered/726173)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2015, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-pluto-with-respect-to-earth-when-it-was-discovered/726173 "2015-07-27T09:57:54Z")
At first glance, it might appear that if, for example, Pluto were at both \*aphelion and in conjunction, we might not have found out about it for another 40 or so years, by which time it might not have been considered a ‘… --- ## [I'm looking to buy an Egyptian Toilet in the US.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-to-buy-an-egyptian-toilet-in-the-us/599625)
**Author:** [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2015, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-to-buy-an-egyptian-toilet-in-the-us/599625 "2015-07-27T06:27:41Z")
Alright, I’m not sure if “Egyptian” is the right word, but Egypt is the only place I’ve been where I’ve seen this type of toilet. It’s not the geometry of it (and it’s definitely not the cleanliness of that one), but it’… --- ## [Holograms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holograms/726255)
**Author:** [@Knifeswitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knifeswitch)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holograms/726255 "2015-07-26T21:39:32Z")
Ok, lets give this another shot. What’s the deal with holograms? --- ## [Sierpinski Triangle - why does it form in the 'chaos game'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierpinski-triangle-why-does-it-form-in-the-chaos-game/726197)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sierpinski-triangle-why-does-it-form-in-the-chaos-game/726197 "2015-07-26T21:21:25Z")
The Sierpinski triangle is (for me at least) a neat and simple way of illustrating the concept of self-similarity and the nature of fractals. One way of generating the Sierpinski triangle is by means of the so-called “C… --- ## [should the cop really legally shot the fugitive? \[David Sweat\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-cop-really-legally-shot-the-fugitive-david-sweat/723780)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-cop-really-legally-shot-the-fugitive-david-sweat/723780 "2015-07-26T20:49:58Z")
I was under the impression that cops aren’t supposed to shoot someone who is not immediately threatening them or others. The fugitive, Sweat, was running away, unarmed and not posing a direct threat. Now, I recognize n… --- ## [Power surge but no storm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-surge-but-no-storm/726242)
**Author:** [@weef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/weef)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-surge-but-no-storm/726242 "2015-07-26T19:41:08Z")
While my family was gone on vacation we apparently had a power surge at my house which caused melted/burnt wires leading to the AC unit and two pool pump motors that are not working. According to the neighbors there was … --- ## [Did more Northerners own slaves than Southerners before the Civil War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-more-northerners-own-slaves-than-southerners-before-the-civil-war/357203)
**Author:** [@Kevlaur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevlaur)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-more-northerners-own-slaves-than-southerners-before-the-civil-war/357203 "2015-07-26T19:29:10Z")
I recall reading, a while back, that more Northerners - per capita - owned slaves than Southerners before the Civil War. Of course, there were more slaves in the South - Southerners tended to own 100s, if not 1000s. D… --- ## [Identification of an 8 legged beast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identification-of-an-8-legged-beast/726221)
**Author:** [@R34L1ty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R34L1ty)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identification-of-an-8-legged-beast/726221 "2015-07-26T19:28:32Z")
What type of spider is this, and what’s with the Web? Taken in southern Michigan http://postimg.org/image/mh29vzjg5/ --- ## [Seeking answers to multiple challenging questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-answers-to-multiple-challenging-questions/726246)
**Author:** [@Knifeswitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knifeswitch)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-answers-to-multiple-challenging-questions/726246 "2015-07-26T19:22:38Z")
Here’s a few of the questions that’ve been resisting solution lately. Any help on these greatly appreciated. How does colour really work? Does eye colour have a practical effect on visual colour perception weighting? G… --- ## [Gun control on military bases. What was it like before 1992?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-on-military-bases-what-was-it-like-before-1992/725471)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-on-military-bases-what-was-it-like-before-1992/725471 "2015-07-26T15:26:10Z")
Not looking for a debate. There is a lot of talk about how military personnel cannot carry weapons on post because of some laws passed in the early 90s. Lets not get in to who passed the law or whose fault it is. What w… --- ## [BattleBots?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battlebots/725901)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battlebots/725901 "2015-07-26T12:55:49Z")
OK, I admit it – I’m fond of the TV show BattleBots (now on for a limited \[I think\] run). But every time I watch I’m irritated by the name, since the fighting machines aren’t IMO robots at all, but fancy weaponized remo… --- ## [Quebec French question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-french-question/726207)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-french-question/726207 "2015-07-26T12:44:28Z")
I’m an anglo living in Montreal, probably with a 40 - 50% capability in French, which I try to use as much as possible. There’s a word, however, for which I can’t find a translation which I suspect is local and possibly … --- ## [What's the deal with password "mangers?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-password-mangers/726152)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-password-mangers/726152 "2015-07-26T10:09:05Z")
Are these apps legit? Safe? If they are “free,” what do they get from their users? --- ## [Ho do you spell words into Google Voice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-do-you-spell-words-into-google-voice/726222)
**Author:** [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-do-you-spell-words-into-google-voice/726222 "2015-07-26T09:58:01Z")
Google Voice is generally pretty good at recognising what I’m saying, but if it doesn’t recognise a word, I would have thought that spelling it out should work - but it doesn’t for two reasons. One is because it puts a … --- ## [With NoScript (Firefox add-on), what's the easiest way to enable Disqus comments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-noscript-firefox-add-on-whats-the-easiest-way-to-enable-disqus-comments/726151)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-noscript-firefox-add-on-whats-the-easiest-way-to-enable-disqus-comments/726151 "2015-07-26T09:07:27Z")
I installed the NoScript add-on the other day, and web pages are loading a LOT faster in Firefox, I’m delighted to say. The one drawback is that I comment a lot on various blogs where comments are powered by Disqus, and… --- ## [Is every unit conversion formula in the form of (x\*constant) +- (constant)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-every-unit-conversion-formula-in-the-form-of-x-constant-constant/725984)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-every-unit-conversion-formula-in-the-form-of-x-constant-constant/725984 "2015-07-26T08:53:50Z")
Just a quick check : the celsius-farenheit conversion is in this form. The Kelvin/Celsius conversion is in this form. Calories and Joules. And so on. Am I missing any? I’m referring to conversions between a unit and… --- ## [THE COUCH – How Does That Make You FEEL?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-couch-how-does-that-make-you-feel/726215)
**Author:** [@Anne\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_K)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-couch-how-does-that-make-you-feel/726215 "2015-07-26T08:00:21Z")
As I have perused some of the threads, I’ve been staggered by some of the mundane threads posted, and more importantly, the fact that there are so MANY people out there with nothing better to do with their time than to l… --- ## [Word for obsession with the past?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-for-obsession-with-the-past/725893)
**Author:** [@TheOverToe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheOverToe)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-for-obsession-with-the-past/725893 "2015-07-26T05:29:16Z")
Sorry if this is a little too trivial for these forums. I learned a new word and unlearned it a day later. Hopefully you can help me remember it. (i.e. you remember it and just tell me. -\_-) The word is used to describe… --- ## [Service Animals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-animals/726187)
**Author:** [@Stinky\_Pete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stinky_Pete)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-animals/726187 "2015-07-26T03:49:20Z")
In my job I work with a lot of tourists and on a regular basis people come into our establishment and claim their dog is a service dog. Here in California you cannot refuse to allow a service animal onto your property. B… --- ## [What is the point of onerous import duties and taxes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-onerous-import-duties-and-taxes/726126)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-onerous-import-duties-and-taxes/726126 "2015-07-26T03:15:05Z")
Well aside from the obvious one of $$$$$ for the government. But for whatever reason other nations are able to raise funds without causing consumer goods from costing 2-3 times more in general than other parts of the wo… --- ## [On this ship, what the function of this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-this-ship-what-the-function-of-this/726056)
**Author:** [@lalaith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalaith)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2015, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-this-ship-what-the-function-of-this/726056 "2015-07-26T00:39:56Z")
So the Lewek Falcon is docked at the port here. I’ve never seen a ship like it docked here before. So when I got home yesterday I looked it up. I’ve read the description (anchor handling vessel), seen the video, looked … --- ## [802.3af - PoE - How does it know what voltage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/802-3af-poe-how-does-it-know-what-voltage/391361)
**Author:** [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/802-3af-poe-how-does-it-know-what-voltage/391361 "2015-07-25T23:57:33Z")
Okay, I’ve got me a fancy PoE switch here. I plug in two IP cameras. One camera runs, if you power it from a transformer, 5VDC at 800mA. The other, if you power it from a transformer, runs 9VDC at 1000mA. Now, I recogn… --- ## [Are GMO's Necessarily Bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-gmos-necessarily-bad/707461)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-gmos-necessarily-bad/707461 "2015-07-25T22:50:41Z")
They are the focus of a lot of hysteria today. The name alone makes a chill run down most people’s spine. But my question is simply, are GMO’s necessarily a bad thing? I know there is golden rice. I think that’s what it… --- ## [Legality of possession of a non-controlled Rx drug w/o a prescription](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-possession-of-a-non-controlled-rx-drug-w-o-a-prescription/725545)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-possession-of-a-non-controlled-rx-drug-w-o-a-prescription/725545 "2015-07-25T22:29:10Z")
I know there are lots of laws surrounding controlled substances, but what about possession of a non-scheduled Rx drug w/o a prescription? Example: if someone possesses an anti-baldness or an anti-nausea prescription dru… --- ## [Name Ronald McDonald's garment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-ronald-mcdonalds-garment/725861)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-ronald-mcdonalds-garment/725861 "2015-07-25T21:55:31Z")
Thanks again for everyone’s help in identifying the ridiculous upper-body garment favoured by Three’s Company’s Mr. Furley as a “belted vest”. Can we all now put our heads together and come up with the proper sartorial … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1072) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1074)