# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1078 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1079 --- ## [computer question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/725365)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/725365 "2015-07-18T19:20:05Z")
I have windows 7 with Hotmail. When I would put an event on my calendar, I would be reminded the day before in my email. For the last couple of weeks, I do not get this reminder. I checked in the options and I am suppo… --- ## [Outlook Express Virus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-virus/725310)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-virus/725310 "2015-07-18T17:00:50Z")
Although my Outlook Express options show a reasonably sized font to create, reply and forward all emails in, my text appears half its size making it very difficult to use! Although, it seems the recipient of the emails … --- ## [I Want to Buy a Street-Legal NASCAR Car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-buy-a-street-legal-nascar-car/577825)
**Author:** [@pinklintango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinklintango)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-buy-a-street-legal-nascar-car/577825 "2015-07-18T16:36:10Z")
Literally. What company can I call to place an order, if money is no object, that will sell/build me a street-legal NASCAR-type car. One that will actually take an order. Top quality, an outfit that actually produces … --- ## [trading stocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trading-stocks/725440)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trading-stocks/725440 "2015-07-18T15:38:32Z")
Is there a way that I can buy stocks in a company without paying a commission? --- ## [Uber/Lyft ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-lyft/725455)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-lyft/725455 "2015-07-18T15:11:23Z")
Do these drivers risk losing insurance coverage if they don’t advise their insurance companies they’re using their cars for commercial purposes? --- ## [How does sending something certified mail prove anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-sending-something-certified-mail-prove-anything/604754)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-sending-something-certified-mail-prove-anything/604754 "2015-07-18T15:05:19Z")
Anytime you send something important, sometimes the law requires, or people close to you tell you to be sure to send it certified mail, return receipt requested because those lying, cheating bastards on the other side wi… --- ## [Workers Compensation Medicare Set Aside Arrangement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workers-compensation-medicare-set-aside-arrangement/725520)
**Author:** [@RunSilent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RunSilent)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workers-compensation-medicare-set-aside-arrangement/725520 "2015-07-18T14:50:17Z")
Does anyone here have experience with a Workers Compensation Medicare Set Aside Arrangement? Do you self-administrate your account? Are you satisfied with how it all works? I have all of the information about it, but I … --- ## [Legal question prompted by Law and Order scenario](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-prompted-by-law-and-order-scenario/725121)
**Author:** [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-prompted-by-law-and-order-scenario/725121 "2015-07-18T13:56:01Z")
On an old Law and Order episode, a woman was confronted at her residence by two detectives and an attorney. They had neither an arrest warrant nor a search warrant. During the conversation which took place outside her… --- ## [Explain to Me Like I'm Five What Happens When You Install a New Operating System](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-like-im-five-what-happens-when-you-install-a-new-operating-system/725464)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-like-im-five-what-happens-when-you-install-a-new-operating-system/725464 "2015-07-18T12:56:27Z")
I’m a fairly tech savvy person, and I’ve done a fair amount of hardware install in my desktops over the years: RAM, video cards, sound cards, a power supply, I replaced a broken DVD drive and later even added a second DV… --- ## [Mathematical question from a non-mathie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematical-question-from-a-non-mathie/725387)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematical-question-from-a-non-mathie/725387 "2015-07-18T10:22:40Z")
I’m playing a game which has eight slots for 32 abilities. Any or all slots can be empty. There are four pairs of mutually exclusive abilities (ie they cannot both be selected at the same time), and one trio of mutually… --- ## [Are 'pi' and 'e' related?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-pi-and-e-related/70155)
**Author:** [@DrDoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDoom)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-pi-and-e-related/70155 "2015-07-18T09:23:24Z")
Can ‘pi’ be related to ‘e’ such that pi=f(e) or e=g(pi) eliminating that f(e) or g(pi) is just the ratio of e/pi or pi/e ? MODERATOR COMMENT: Please note that this thread is from 2001, up to post #8, when it is revive… --- ## [Chickens raised for meat die prematurely if not slaughtered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickens-raised-for-meat-die-prematurely-if-not-slaughtered/725223)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickens-raised-for-meat-die-prematurely-if-not-slaughtered/725223 "2015-07-18T04:22:56Z")
I happened to be discussing keeping hens in our yard for egg production, when it came up that commercial feed sold for meat production will actually kill chickens that aren’t slaughtered at the correct time. An anecdote … --- ## ['Warning: Not Responsible' notices. Do they mean anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-not-responsible-notices-do-they-mean-anything/725252)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-not-responsible-notices-do-they-mean-anything/725252 "2015-07-18T01:21:45Z")
I’ve been noticing signs similar to this one on the backs of gravel trucks recently. WARNING Stay back 200 ft. NOT responsible for broken windshields! Do those actually mean anything? I mean, 200 feet is like a do… --- ## [Do prarie dogs injure horses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-prarie-dogs-injure-horses/510789)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-prarie-dogs-injure-horses/510789 "2015-07-18T00:15:41Z")
All my varmit sniping buds insist that they work for the good of poor farmers by killing off prarie dogs (and any other burrowing creatures) because galloping horses step in the holes and have to be killed. Believe me, … --- ## [Why do anti-malware/anti-virus software have to update?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-anti-malware-anti-virus-software-have-to-update/725222)
**Author:** [@m30wc0w](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/m30wc0w)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-anti-malware-anti-virus-software-have-to-update/725222 "2015-07-17T23:04:41Z")
From my understanding, a malware/virus program N will have some property P that endows it with its nefarious function. Why is it not the case that there is some sufficiently strong property of the anti-malware/anti-virus… --- ## [How does domain tools work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-domain-tools-work/725305)
**Author:** [@AppleFanboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AppleFanboy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-domain-tools-work/725305 "2015-07-17T22:41:17Z")
If you go on domaintools.com you are able to do a whois look up, how is the website able to do that. Not only that ,but they also have screenshots for domains that go all the way back to 8 or 9 years ago. Also, why don’… --- ## [easy solution for making alternative world maps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-solution-for-making-alternative-world-maps/725383)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-solution-for-making-alternative-world-maps/725383 "2015-07-17T22:31:27Z")
I’m creating a bit of an alternate history world as a back story for some projects of mine. In this world the geopolitical spheres of influence are very very different from the real world. I want an easy solution to co… --- ## [Specific question about African Americans and sports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-question-about-african-americans-and-sports/725319)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-question-about-african-americans-and-sports/725319 "2015-07-17T22:22:47Z")
I asked this question in the other thread but got no real response. What I don’t understand, for people who think Slavery and Captivity contributes to African Americans abilities in sports, why, do they think this. Let m… --- ## [Do ticks burrow under your skin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ticks-burrow-under-your-skin/451018)
**Author:** [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ticks-burrow-under-your-skin/451018 "2015-07-17T21:45:36Z")
In this thread , there is much lamenting about the evil nastiness of ticks and lots of tick anecdotes. jellyblue posted about a tick that had burrowed into his girlfriend’s arm, such that only the legs were sticking out… --- ## [Do I need a base for my dry stacked slate wall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-a-base-for-my-dry-stacked-slate-wall/725446)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-a-base-for-my-dry-stacked-slate-wall/725446 "2015-07-17T21:43:22Z")
I am not sure this is a factual question or not, but GQ won the coin toss… We are looking to put a dry stacked slate wall in our yard to separate our grass from flower beds. I imagine total height would be about 5" high… --- ## [How many children in the US are killed per year commuting to school?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-children-in-the-us-are-killed-per-year-commuting-to-school/725181)
**Author:** [@Lubricious\_Integument](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lubricious_Integument)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-children-in-the-us-are-killed-per-year-commuting-to-school/725181 "2015-07-17T20:57:12Z")
As the title states, I’d like to know how many children are killed per year in the United States commuting between school and home. I haven’t done any in-depth research, but a quick google led me to numbers of fatalitie… --- ## [Long-term mouse infestation in unfinished basement. I want to remove&replace poop/pee-filled ceiling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-mouse-infestation-in-unfinished-basement-i-want-to-remove-replace-poop-pee-filled-ceiling/725238)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-mouse-infestation-in-unfinished-basement-i-want-to-remove-replace-poop-pee-filled-ceiling/725238 "2015-07-17T19:45:27Z")
The ceiling in our unfinished basement has pink fibre insulation between the joists. Thanks to a couple now-plugged holes, lots of mice have made the basement their home for a decade or so. The existing insulation is hol… --- ## [Foucault pendulum movement.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foucault-pendulum-movement/725032)
**Author:** [@Bones\_Daley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bones_Daley)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foucault-pendulum-movement/725032 "2015-07-17T17:56:10Z")
Foucault pendulums (or “pendula” if you prefer, but I will pluralize them as “pendulums”) are without doubt most intriguing constructions, but I have a problem visualizing how they actually work in locations other than … --- ## [How to operate a vintage adding machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-vintage-adding-machine/725359)
**Author:** [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-vintage-adding-machine/725359 "2015-07-17T16:57:10Z")
I have an old Smith Corona cash register (but it’s really just an adding machine with a cash drawer under it). I would guess this puppy is from the 50s. Controls, L to R: X\<-\>E (forward/back) knob on upper the left si… --- ## [Zero to 100: Mid-Range Sports Car vs. 747](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-to-100-mid-range-sports-car-vs-747/725172)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-to-100-mid-range-sports-car-vs-747/725172 "2015-07-17T16:24:59Z")
What will go from zero to 100 mph the fastest, a mid-range sports car (like, say, a Chevy Camaro) or a 747? --- ## [House electrical wiring question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-electrical-wiring-question/725331)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-electrical-wiring-question/725331 "2015-07-17T15:56:38Z")
In one of our rooms we have electrical outlets on the east wall, the west wall, and the north wall. There is no outlet on the south wall. There is a wall switch on the east wall at the room entrance. The switch controls… --- ## [Helicopter question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helicopter-question/724964)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helicopter-question/724964 "2015-07-17T14:45:20Z")
Say you own a your own helicopter and have the appropriate certifications needed to fly it and say you or a family member one day got injured and you wanted to take them to the emergency room, could you just hop in your … --- ## [Dylan Storm Roof's middle name](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dylan-storm-roofs-middle-name/724860)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dylan-storm-roofs-middle-name/724860 "2015-07-17T13:51:34Z")
Dylan Storm Roof, the Charleston murderer. Clearly “Storm” has Nazi connotations. Did his parents name him Storm, or did he make it up? What is his real middle name? --- ## [New circuit in unfinished basement: can I run NM along the beam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-circuit-in-unfinished-basement-can-i-run-nm-along-the-beam/725150)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-circuit-in-unfinished-basement-can-i-run-nm-along-the-beam/725150 "2015-07-17T13:02:06Z")
I want to run a circuit to the opposite side of an unfinished basement. The run would go perpendicular to the joists. Can I run NM along the upper side of a beam? If so, do I need to put it in EMT? Or do I have to drill … --- ## [Thunderbird e-mail client: How long does it take to train the spam filter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thunderbird-e-mail-client-how-long-does-it-take-to-train-the-spam-filter/725289)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thunderbird-e-mail-client-how-long-does-it-take-to-train-the-spam-filter/725289 "2015-07-17T12:36:03Z")
As a Mac user, I’ve been using PowerMail as my e-mail client for more than 15 years. But, it seems that PowerMail hasn’t been updated in a very long time now, and it freezes up and chokes on certain incoming mail now tha… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1077) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1079)