# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1092 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1093 --- ## [Water curtailment in California](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-curtailment-in-california/722851)
**Author:** [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-curtailment-in-california/722851 "2015-06-24T12:40:06Z")
I saw this article the other day. Due to its ongoing drought, California is “curtailing” the water rights of 114 communities, mostly in northern California. Is this really as severe a move as it sounds like? The artic… --- ## [How long does weed stay in the system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-weed-stay-in-the-system/723125)
**Author:** [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-weed-stay-in-the-system/723125 "2015-06-24T12:07:51Z")
I have a friend who claims she didn’t know she was pregnant till she was 5 months. She smoked weed till then, but quit. They will test her baby . Will it come back positive? --- ## [Native American uprising in 1905 South Dakota?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-american-uprising-in-1905-south-dakota/723163)
**Author:** [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-american-uprising-in-1905-south-dakota/723163 "2015-06-24T09:14:30Z")
This is a purported train order from 1905 referencing “Indians reported on the warpath on right of way between Ardmore and Rumford.” Ardmore and Rumford are in the southwest corner of South Dakota, and Orella is nearby i… --- ## [Maximum life of a smartphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-life-of-a-smartphone/723111)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-life-of-a-smartphone/723111 "2015-06-24T08:55:15Z")
What is the longest amount of time a smartphone can keep functioning, assuming it doesn’t get smashed or water damaged? There are no moving parts, but I know that electronics can and do break over time with issues like … --- ## [Omega watch: hour hands don't move, second hand does?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-watch-hour-hands-dont-move-second-hand-does/189792)
**Author:** [@kip70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kip70)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2003, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-watch-hour-hands-dont-move-second-hand-does/189792 "2003-07-21T07:51:34Z")
Dear readers, This question is for all people with Omega watches, or perhaps even for a watch maker among us. I have a problem with my reduced Speedmaster (bought second hand, probably a couple of years old, don’t know … --- ## [When Redwood Forests Grew In Arctic Canada-What Were The Tropics Like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-redwood-forests-grew-in-arctic-canada-what-were-the-tropics-like/723244)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-redwood-forests-grew-in-arctic-canada-what-were-the-tropics-like/723244 "2015-06-24T05:09:28Z")
The fossil forests found on Ellesmere Island are over 100 million years old. Clearly, the average world emperature was much higher back then. My question-what were the equatorial regions like back then? Were they jungles… --- ## [Free "Build Your Website"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-build-your-website/723205)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-build-your-website/723205 "2015-06-24T03:16:07Z")
What factual information can the SD provide about these “free” build your own website? Surely, there’s a catch! Does one really get assigned a unique web address? Are they taking advantage of the allure for an unsuspec… --- ## [Is there more benefit to doing a different type of exercise last?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-more-benefit-to-doing-a-different-type-of-exercise-last/723310)
**Author:** [@Mr.Insaneo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Insaneo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-more-benefit-to-doing-a-different-type-of-exercise-last/723310 "2015-06-24T02:12:50Z")
Say I do strength, cardio and flexibility training. If I did strength training, then cardio, then flexibility last, my flexibility would improve the most. Vice versa as well…doing flexibility training first, then cardi… --- ## [N.O. switch box on utility pole - whatzit do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-o-switch-box-on-utility-pole-whatzit-do/723254)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-o-switch-box-on-utility-pole-whatzit-do/723254 "2015-06-24T00:49:14Z")
I see them all over the place. I Googled N.O. switch and found it probably means Normally Open. So what happens when it closes? Some, if not all, of the boxes have a green light on them. --- ## [How Does Living In New Orleans (Danger) Compare With Living Next to a Nuclear Reactor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-living-in-new-orleans-danger-compare-with-living-next-to-a-nuclear-reactor/723249)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-living-in-new-orleans-danger-compare-with-living-next-to-a-nuclear-reactor/723249 "2015-06-23T23:05:23Z")
The discussion about Katrina and NOLA made me wonder-the danger level of living in NOLA has to be pretty high-the city is below sea level, and a large hurricane could probably cause the levees to fail again. Now, living… --- ## [Is there any difference in charging time using a wall wart or the PC's USB port?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-difference-in-charging-time-using-a-wall-wart-or-the-pcs-usb-port/723263)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-difference-in-charging-time-using-a-wall-wart-or-the-pcs-usb-port/723263 "2015-06-23T22:48:11Z")
A coworker insists wall warts charge simple devices like mp3 players, ipods, and cell phones considerably faster. I might agree with a power drainer like a Smart Phone. But an mp3 player? What’s the Straight Dope on ch… --- ## [Presidents & Area 51/UFOs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidents-area-51-ufos/723183)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidents-area-51-ufos/723183 "2015-06-23T20:35:54Z")
This may be an urban myth, but supposedly even presidents don’t have a high enough security clearance to go to Area 51. Also, the presidents never get to know whether or not there are UFO/aliens. Does anybody know abo… --- ## [Transferring iTunes playlist between computers...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-itunes-playlist-between-computers/723128)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-itunes-playlist-between-computers/723128 "2015-06-23T20:31:53Z")
We have an old desktop PC & a new laptop PC and need to transfer iTunes playlist, not just the library, but we want the playlists intact. What is the best, most effective way to do this? --- ## [Can Audacity or other Software scan a 20 min recording & extract all the takes of a song?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-audacity-or-other-software-scan-a-20-min-recording-extract-all-the-takes-of-a-song/723248)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-audacity-or-other-software-scan-a-20-min-recording-extract-all-the-takes-of-a-song/723248 "2015-06-23T17:04:45Z")
I’ve never been able to press record and do a great take of a song. I get the best results by pressing record and start playing. If/when I mess up, stop, count 8 beats of silence, start again. I might play 20 or thirty… --- ## [Glucosamine supplements- I smell a rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glucosamine-supplements-i-smell-a-rat/722853)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glucosamine-supplements-i-smell-a-rat/722853 "2015-06-23T16:56:05Z")
In another post I mentioned my knee pain and a respondent recommended glucosamine. It sounded worth a try, but most brands are very expensive. After searching around a bit I found a bottle of Sun Valley Glucosamine Sulfa… --- ## [Refusing a Direct Order from Your Supervisor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-a-direct-order-from-your-supervisor/722801)
**Author:** [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-a-direct-order-from-your-supervisor/722801 "2015-06-23T15:45:36Z")
Suppose a direct order from your Supervisor is made and you think that it is ridiculous and for various reasons there is no ability to question it How much trouble would you be in if it was refused. To give you an exam… --- ## [Expired drivers' licenses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expired-drivers-licenses/722783)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expired-drivers-licenses/722783 "2015-06-23T14:56:16Z")
Last week I turned 66; it was time to renew my license. The DMV duly took what information they needed, had me take an eye test, and had me pose for a new picture; then I shelled out the money for the renewal. Whereupon … --- ## [Catholic teaching](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-teaching/723213)
**Author:** [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-teaching/723213 "2015-06-23T12:00:40Z")
Having been brought up in the Catholic faith I have always understood that Papal Encyclicals were delivered ex cathedra or with the imprimatur of infallibility. The recent encyclical on climate change and the obvious co… --- ## [My body's defense mechanism or what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bodys-defense-mechanism-or-what/723184)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bodys-defense-mechanism-or-what/723184 "2015-06-23T04:18:18Z")
I hurt my leg 2 hours ago and it still hurts…well ,mediumly" and the more it hurts, the more of a feeling like I am going to faint I have, that’s my problem, ever since I was a kid whenever I got just a scratch, not a pu… --- ## [Why do we need antacids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-antacids/723175)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-antacids/723175 "2015-06-23T03:41:16Z")
Water dilutes acid. If you have excess stomach acid, why not just drink a quart of water to dilute and rinse out the acid? --- ## [Software ICs (Software Engineering)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-ics-software-engineering/722973)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-ics-software-engineering/722973 "2015-06-23T03:25:55Z")
Way back when (late '80s to early '90s), I heard about a concept called Software ICs and that that was what the discipline of Software Engineering hoped to produce. The idea was borrowed from other engineering disciplin… --- ## [archaic profanities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archaic-profanities/723196)
**Author:** [@doonesbury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doonesbury)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archaic-profanities/723196 "2015-06-23T00:11:25Z")
Are there any archaic English words that are equivalent to the “seven dirty words” that George Carlin spoke of? By equivalent, I don’t necessarily mean synonyms. Rather, words that weren’t to be used in polite or every… --- ## [Strange phone number assignment for new cell phone--what are the odds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-phone-number-assignment-for-new-cell-phone-what-are-the-odds/722872)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-phone-number-assignment-for-new-cell-phone-what-are-the-odds/722872 "2015-06-22T22:54:42Z")
My wife bought a new phone, and wanted to transfer her old number. She put in the transfer request. She requested 123-456-7890. A few days later, we looked at her new phone and saw it had been assigned 123-456-3851. W… --- ## [Can't Be Intubated - How Screwed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-be-intubated-how-screwed/723126)
**Author:** [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2015, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-be-intubated-how-screwed/723126 "2015-06-22T21:08:00Z")
OK - for reason(s) unknown, the last time they tried to run a tube up my nose, it ran into a serious block. The fact that I am aware of this tells you it didn’t work - the “cooperative but no memory” drug wore off. The… --- ## [Can a city or county legalize or decriminalize marijuana if the state still prohibits it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-city-or-county-legalize-or-decriminalize-marijuana-if-the-state-still-prohibits-it/722992)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2015, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-city-or-county-legalize-or-decriminalize-marijuana-if-the-state-still-prohibits-it/722992 "2015-06-22T17:44:38Z")
Assume a liberal city in a red state (maybe Austin Texas) decides to either legalize or decriminalize marijuana for either the city of Austin or all of Travis county despite the fact that the state government still consi… --- ## [How much trouble are print newspapers and magazines in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-trouble-are-print-newspapers-and-magazines-in/723038)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-trouble-are-print-newspapers-and-magazines-in/723038 "2015-06-22T17:30:29Z")
Are the number of “hard copy” subscribers crashing? --- ## [Wall fireplaces vs central fire pits.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-fireplaces-vs-central-fire-pits/722865)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-fireplaces-vs-central-fire-pits/722865 "2015-06-22T17:04:42Z")
In reading about medieval history, one comment I’ve seen is that fireplaces in wall hearths are better than a central fire pit. Why is this? Is it because the fire heats up the walls of the hearth and they radiate the … --- ## ["Get your statements online", save a tree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-your-statements-online-save-a-tree/723044)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-your-statements-online-save-a-tree/723044 "2015-06-22T16:24:21Z")
Aren’t trees used to make paper grown like a crop? Fast growing pulp trees are harvested like corn and new trees are planted for the future. Are “regular” trees actually cut down and used to make paper? --- ## [Rescue rules: do they ever say sorry, too risky for us, bye!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rescue-rules-do-they-ever-say-sorry-too-risky-for-us-bye/721294)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rescue-rules-do-they-ever-say-sorry-too-risky-for-us-bye/721294 "2015-06-22T15:23:20Z")
Watched San Andreas, which starts with a crazy ass rescue of a gal hanging in a car on the side of a cliff. The rescuers are Fire Department, in a helicopter, and its nuts. Which got me thinking: when/how do,rescuers sa… --- ## [Trying to go paperless, tax records question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-go-paperless-tax-records-question/723120)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2015, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-go-paperless-tax-records-question/723120 "2015-06-22T14:20:59Z")
I have a document scanner and scan many paper records and store them as PDFs in case they are needed for tax purposes in the event of an audit. I started to wonder in the event of a tax audition, how much proof do I nee… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1091) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1093)