# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1077 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1078 --- ## [Microsoft Outlook is "less secure" than Gmail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-outlook-is-less-secure-than-gmail/724584)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-outlook-is-less-secure-than-gmail/724584 "2015-07-20T21:58:47Z")
According to Google, that is–you have to go through a rigamarole to register Outlookwith them to access your account, accepting a page that adjusts your authentication to allow “less secure” apps as a group. I found thi… --- ## [Registry Cleaning Software Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registry-cleaning-software-questions/725544)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registry-cleaning-software-questions/725544 "2015-07-20T21:55:07Z")
W/regard to restoring computer speed, do they work? CNET rates IONIX Reg Serve the highest. Anyone have any experience with it? --- ## [How to replace lenses in a dive mask](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-replace-lenses-in-a-dive-mask/725477)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-replace-lenses-in-a-dive-mask/725477 "2015-07-20T21:51:00Z")
I have a Mares Seta dive mask that I bought for my wife about 20 years ago. She wore glasses and I got optical lenses for it. They included the plain lenses when they delivered it. She had laser surgery and doesn’t need… --- ## [How do an engine using hydrocarbons and a body using carbohydrates resemble and differ each other?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-an-engine-using-hydrocarbons-and-a-body-using-carbohydrates-resemble-and-differ-each-other/725634)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-an-engine-using-hydrocarbons-and-a-body-using-carbohydrates-resemble-and-differ-each-other/725634 "2015-07-20T21:13:03Z")
In terms of physics and chemistry, how does an engine using hydrocarbons for energy differ and resemble a body using carbohydrates, including waste products? Lactic acid and carbon monoxide are both the result of using … --- ## [Did Naughty By Nature bring the Bloods gang to the East Coast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-naughty-by-nature-bring-the-bloods-gang-to-the-east-coast/547158)
**Author:** [@Starbury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starbury)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-naughty-by-nature-bring-the-bloods-gang-to-the-east-coast/547158 "2015-07-20T17:41:32Z")
I grew up in Northern New Jersey, about 10 minutes outside of East Orange and Newark, in the late 80’s. When I was a kid, there were no Bloods or Crips in the area, they were pretty much exclusive to the west coast. But … --- ## [Upgrading to Windows 10--reinstall apps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upgrading-to-windows-10-reinstall-apps/725620)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upgrading-to-windows-10-reinstall-apps/725620 "2015-07-20T17:02:42Z")
If I upgrade to W10 from W7, will I have to reinstall all my apps? I believe I had to do this going from XP to Vista or perhaps Vista to W7. I have been reading several reviews and visited many Microsoft sites about W10… --- ## [How much does the U.S. government spend educating foreign graduate students?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-the-u-s-government-spend-educating-foreign-graduate-students/725547)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-the-u-s-government-spend-educating-foreign-graduate-students/725547 "2015-07-20T16:52:17Z")
It is common for science and engineering PhD students to have their tuition, stipend, and benefits covered by government research grants awarded to professors. I’m wondering how much of this is spent educating non-US cit… --- ## [Why Some Currency Numerals Dark?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-currency-numerals-dark/725660)
**Author:** [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-currency-numerals-dark/725660 "2015-07-20T15:39:27Z")
Most of my currency has light numerals, but I’ve noticed some have dark numerals. What is the reason for that? The large numerals on the corners. --- ## [During the Civil War, did any Southerners vote in the Presidential Election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/during-the-civil-war-did-any-southerners-vote-in-the-presidential-election/725654)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/during-the-civil-war-did-any-southerners-vote-in-the-presidential-election/725654 "2015-07-20T15:24:41Z")
I don’t mean the Confederate presidency, I mean the one that Abraham Lincoln ran in. IIUC people in confederate states were still considered legally US citizens by the north, right? Was there any kind of underground vot… --- ## [What is all this weird pseudo Latin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-all-this-weird-pseudo-latin/725461)
**Author:** [@ArztWolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArztWolf)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-all-this-weird-pseudo-latin/725461 "2015-07-20T12:39:28Z")
I clicked on a smillie on another forum to move it and the Image Properties box popped up. The “Preview” box was full of weird Latin like writing. Here’s a pic I took of it with my phone (computer couldn’t do a screen c… --- ## [Sweat corrosion of plastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweat-corrosion-of-plastic/725664)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweat-corrosion-of-plastic/725664 "2015-07-20T11:21:21Z")
At the risk of asking the obvious question, when peoples’ sweat corrodes or eats away at plastic surfaces like computer keyboards over time, where does the plastic go? Does it get carried around in a coating of plastic … --- ## [$145K per year for a civilian contractor Arabic translator in Iraq - WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/145k-per-year-for-a-civilian-contractor-arabic-translator-in-iraq-wtf/560710)
**Author:** [@code\_grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/code_grey)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/145k-per-year-for-a-civilian-contractor-arabic-translator-in-iraq-wtf/560710 "2015-07-20T08:11:39Z")
from New York Craigslist: I realize that a US military base in Iraq is not a dream place to live (then again, why can’t they work remotely over the internet?), but isn’t there something fundamentally wrong about paying… --- ## [Need to login for Microsoft info pages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-login-for-microsoft-info-pages/725605)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-login-for-microsoft-info-pages/725605 "2015-07-20T05:40:57Z")
I have been doing Google searches for info on Windows features, such as the new Windows 10. For a few months I have been getting the following greeting when I try to go to one of those pages: Why is Microsoft making me… --- ## [I grabbed the wrong kind of transistor at Radio Shack : a little help?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-grabbed-the-wrong-kind-of-transistor-at-radio-shack-a-little-help/725663)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-grabbed-the-wrong-kind-of-transistor-at-radio-shack-a-little-help/725663 "2015-07-20T04:24:09Z")
Ok, I’m building a test circuit that uses a power MOSFET. The microcontroller I’m using emits 3.3 volts on a pin. When I dug around the “parts bin” aisle at the local Fry’s Electronics, I found a “logic level” MOSFET t… --- ## [Do black ants serve any positive ecological niche around my yard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-black-ants-serve-any-positive-ecological-niche-around-my-yard/725656)
**Author:** [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-black-ants-serve-any-positive-ecological-niche-around-my-yard/725656 "2015-07-20T03:26:08Z")
It’s summer and I’m constantly inundated with a black ant infestation. I was wondering if making a greater attempt to exterminate the nests near my house would have any negative ramifications. I’ve got a bag of diatomac… --- ## [Help - setting off store alarm just going in to a store](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-off-store-alarm-just-going-in-to-a-store/725537)
**Author:** [@Steverd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steverd)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-off-store-alarm-just-going-in-to-a-store/725537 "2015-07-20T03:17:55Z")
Not the first time, but my wife was setting off store alarms going into store today (and leaving) the worse was at JC Penny, so I said wtf, lets figure this out. Go through the doors without your purse, it still went of… --- ## [Positive and Negative Energy from humans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-and-negative-energy-from-humans/725603)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-and-negative-energy-from-humans/725603 "2015-07-20T03:17:49Z")
Do human beings give off positive and negative energy? --- ## [Animal incest; a farming question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-incest-a-farming-question/725412)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2015, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-incest-a-farming-question/725412 "2015-07-20T00:44:20Z")
As well all know, in the human world, brothers and sisters getting it on making babies is a bad thing; it results in birth defects, insanity, country music, Joffrey Baratheon, and the like. So we were wondering yesterda… --- ## [How do engines that use helium as a working fluid actually work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-engines-that-use-helium-as-a-working-fluid-actually-work/725604)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2015, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-engines-that-use-helium-as-a-working-fluid-actually-work/725604 "2015-07-19T19:23:32Z")
I’ve read about sterling engine prototypes using helium as a working fluid and some kind of heat source. Well, a steam engine, water boils, steam is at vastly higher pressure than fluid, the high pressure gas drives the… --- ## [Please explain planetary motion (planets don't fall into the sun) to a layman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-planetary-motion-planets-dont-fall-into-the-sun-to-a-layman/725611)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-planetary-motion-planets-dont-fall-into-the-sun-to-a-layman/725611 "2015-07-19T19:19:16Z")
Please explain planetary motion to a layman. From What I understand, the fact that the planets are circling around the sun is what prevents them from falling into the sun. But why does it not work like a whirlpool motion… --- ## [Google Maps overlay window](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-maps-overlay-window/725628)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-maps-overlay-window/725628 "2015-07-19T19:01:44Z")
Suppose I search for something in Google Maps, say all the Subway Sandwich shops near me. One site is Google Maps. All of the Subways are show with a small “pin” pointer to their location. But the map then has another w… --- ## [A 300 qubit quantum computer could calculate all information in the universe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-300-qubit-quantum-computer-could-calculate-all-information-in-the-universe/724635)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-300-qubit-quantum-computer-could-calculate-all-information-in-the-universe/724635 "2015-07-19T18:47:07Z")
A professor from MIT mentions in that article how a 300 qubit quantum computer could calculate all information in the universe. So how does the math of that work? I believe every 10 qubits adds 3 zeros to the processi… --- ## [Windows 7 question(s)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-question-s/725368)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2015, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-question-s/725368 "2015-07-19T13:22:45Z")
I just took possession of a computer running Windows 7 (DON’T JUDGE ME! ), and I’m running into issues that I didn’t expect to. First, how can I find my beloved Microsoft games, such as Solitaire, msHearts, Minesweeper … --- ## [Advances in speaker technology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advances-in-speaker-technology/725416)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2015, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advances-in-speaker-technology/725416 "2015-07-19T12:52:49Z")
When I was much younger and living in a dorm I’d saved up to buy and lugged along a pair of speakers to plug into my record player (remember those?) that stood three feet high and had twelve-inch woofers along with a cou… --- ## [Problem with Firefox update?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-firefox-update/725402)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2015, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-firefox-update/725402 "2015-07-19T08:26:36Z")
I’ve tried google and the Mozilla help site but without any result. Problem is I updated Firefox to the latest version and now it won’t accept any input, by this I mean if I type a URL in the address window and press en… --- ## [What's the deal with fuzzy framed YouTube videos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-fuzzy-framed-youtube-videos/725580)
**Author:** [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2015, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-fuzzy-framed-youtube-videos/725580 "2015-07-19T07:29:09Z")
I’ve come across a lot of videos on YouTube that have a round, fuzzy-like dark filter around the screen. Here’s an example (the pretty good 1940 scifi film\* Dr. Cyclops\*). Is it some kind of trick to fool their copyright… --- ## [Why is earth so unique ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-earth-so-unique/725277)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2015, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-earth-so-unique/725277 "2015-07-19T03:30:07Z")
In our solar system there aren’t any other planets like earth, at least with regard to water. Is it our particular orbit/distance from the sun? The other planets, as far as we know, are devoid of water. How/why is it ju… --- ## [What does "in dome" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-in-dome-mean/725071)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2015, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-in-dome-mean/725071 "2015-07-19T03:01:37Z")
In this HuffPost story is this line: “In the lead up to that summit we are planning events and a caravan to directly raise these questions in dome of the countries most damaged by the drug war”. Is “in dome” a typo? Nev… --- ## [Easy to remove auto tire valve stem caps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-to-remove-auto-tire-valve-stem-caps/725535)
**Author:** [@loninappleton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loninappleton)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-to-remove-auto-tire-valve-stem-caps/725535 "2015-07-19T02:14:11Z")
Is there any source for a t-shape or other overside valse stem cap that is easy to remove. I carry some tools just to do this which I thought might work such as an11/32 socket with straight handle. The plastic caps w… --- ## [Increases in actual computer processor speed vs Moores law.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increases-in-actual-computer-processor-speed-vs-moores-law/725259)
**Author:** [@jonpluc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonpluc)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increases-in-actual-computer-processor-speed-vs-moores-law/725259 "2015-07-18T20:42:59Z")
Moores Law says we double our processing speed every 2 years roughly. Why is it that 5 years ago i bought a top of the line iMac that had a 3.4Ghz processor and now the top of the line iMac only has a 3.5 Ghz processor? … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1076) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1078)