# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1113 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1114 --- ## [Any confusion between Washington state and Washington DC then?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-confusion-between-washington-state-and-washington-dc-then/720053)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2015, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-confusion-between-washington-state-and-washington-dc-then/720053 "2015-05-18T02:17:10Z")
So I was just wondering if someone in America says that they are from Washington what does that mean? Is there ever any confusion over this and things to do with that? --- ## [Do servo driven transmissions that make better decisions than drivers exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-servo-driven-transmissions-that-make-better-decisions-than-drivers-exist/720219)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2015, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-servo-driven-transmissions-that-make-better-decisions-than-drivers-exist/720219 "2015-05-18T01:52:44Z")
At it’s heart, the finding the gear problem is pretty simple. You know the exact power developed and the fuel consumption per unit of power developed at any RPM. You can update those numbers in real time from ECU data. … --- ## [Some Errors in WLM upon update, But None Shown](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-errors-in-wlm-upon-update-but-none-shown/719720)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-errors-in-wlm-upon-update-but-none-shown/719720 "2015-05-17T20:40:07Z")
When I open WLM my two email accounts (att.net and Hotmail,com), along with my feeds and my two newsgroups (both in annexcafe) are loaded with no problem. My WLM is updated every 10 minutes, and each time I get an error… --- ## [If the moon stopped rotating on it's axis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-moon-stopped-rotating-on-its-axis/587121)
**Author:** [@h4ckys4ck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h4ckys4ck)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-moon-stopped-rotating-on-its-axis/587121 "2015-05-17T16:40:00Z")
What would happen? I would imagine the side facing the sun would get very hot. Would it reflect more light/heat to us at night? --- ## [Why do fax machines still make that dial up noise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fax-machines-still-make-that-dial-up-noise/720117)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fax-machines-still-make-that-dial-up-noise/720117 "2015-05-17T15:34:28Z")
Shouldn’t everything be all digital and beeps and boops by now? --- ## [Are there any religions which explicitly condone homosexuality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-religions-which-explicitly-condone-homosexuality/720220)
**Author:** [@gracefulfatsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracefulfatsheba)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-religions-which-explicitly-condone-homosexuality/720220 "2015-05-17T14:47:15Z")
It has always struck me that virtually every religion, from Christianity to Scientology, seems to either condemn homosexuality or avoid mentioning it entirely. At best, it’s a debate as to what the position of the religi… --- ## [How would a real lawyer deal with a Mrs Kettleman \[possible TV spoilers\]? AKA delusional client?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-a-real-lawyer-deal-with-a-mrs-kettleman-possible-tv-spoilers-aka-delusional-client/720214)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-a-real-lawyer-deal-with-a-mrs-kettleman-possible-tv-spoilers-aka-delusional-client/720214 "2015-05-17T12:28:56Z")
In the TV show Better Call Saul there is a character Mrs Kettleman who appears almost mentally ill, she can be holding a bag with a million dollars in it and deny with a straight face she has it. How would a real lawyer… --- ## [Why do weasels have a bad reputation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-weasels-have-a-bad-reputation/719277)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-weasels-have-a-bad-reputation/719277 "2015-05-17T10:36:33Z")
You hear about people “weaseling” out of promises or commitments, and the phrase is even used on this board when someone seems to be debating in a way that doesn’t answer his critics. I’m curious how the name of this par… --- ## [I'm look for words that describe love between greek gods and mortals and mortals and ghosts.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-look-for-words-that-describe-love-between-greek-gods-and-mortals-and-mortals-and-ghosts/720209)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-look-for-words-that-describe-love-between-greek-gods-and-mortals-and-mortals-and-ghosts/720209 "2015-05-17T06:00:32Z")
Hi I’m reading “The Greek Myths” by Robin Waterfield. I’m looking for words that describe love between gods and mortals (eg. Zeus and Alcmene) and mortals and ghosts( eg.Laodamia and the ghost of Protesilaus). What abou… --- ## [Is the 24.hour day really based on earth's revolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-24-hour-day-really-based-on-earths-revolution/720155)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-24-hour-day-really-based-on-earths-revolution/720155 "2015-05-17T05:46:18Z")
Hello Everyone, Is the concept of a 24 hour day a really based on the time it takes the earth to compete a rotation or was it just a random system devised just because? Does the earth make a precise rotation every 24 h… --- ## [Why do roaches go nuts a few nights out of the year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-roaches-go-nuts-a-few-nights-out-of-the-year/719924)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-roaches-go-nuts-a-few-nights-out-of-the-year/719924 "2015-05-17T04:24:58Z")
In places thousands of miles apart I’ve observed that a few nights out of the year the large brown roaches go absolutely nuts outside. You’ll see them almost swarming, flying around in a hyper manner crawling up and down… --- ## [Muslim naming and date of birth questions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslim-naming-and-date-of-birth-questions/720052)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslim-naming-and-date-of-birth-questions/720052 "2015-05-17T03:09:53Z")
I photograph and transcribe a lot of tombstones. I photographed a Muslim cemetery and am in the process of transcribing it now. I’ve noticed a lot of people have the name Mohammed/Mohamed/Mohammad. If there’s no prohibit… --- ## [Computer Dead from Electrical Surge: Options?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-dead-from-electrical-surge-options/720196)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-dead-from-electrical-surge-options/720196 "2015-05-17T02:51:38Z")
My computer is totally dead as a result of an electrical surge (the computer was on and OK when I went to bed, I woke up in the middle of the night from thunder, it was totally dead in the morning–and the post office a b… --- ## [Dramatic change in mobile service.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-change-in-mobile-service/720051)
**Author:** [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-change-in-mobile-service/720051 "2015-05-17T02:16:45Z")
What would cause a dramatic change for the worse in cell service availability given that the following have remained unchanged?: Same phone (iPhone 5S) Same provider (AT&T) Same plan (no modification) Phone has not bee… --- ## [How to Control Facebook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-control-facebook/719861)
**Author:** [@OffByOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OffByOne)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-control-facebook/719861 "2015-05-16T22:51:51Z")
Is there any way in Facebook to prevent certain topics from appearing on one’s timeline? I have one contact that scours every Dr. Who site she can find and posts everything (?) that she finds the slightest bit interesti… --- ## [Is the 'disc' of the planets perpendicular to the sun's movement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-disc-of-the-planets-perpendicular-to-the-suns-movement/720045)
**Author:** [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-disc-of-the-planets-perpendicular-to-the-suns-movement/720045 "2015-05-16T21:31:35Z")
I was linked this video from a friend, which shows an animation of the sun moving through space, with the planets pulled along in a vortex along with it. My question is, is it accurate? I know the planets largely share … --- ## [Legal Question about Restraining Orders (\*not\* legal advice)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-about-restraining-orders-not-legal-advice/720062)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-about-restraining-orders-not-legal-advice/720062 "2015-05-16T21:29:26Z")
I don’t need advice, don’t need answer fast, etc. A Restraining Order restricts the freedom of the person who is the target of it. Is there any legal hoops that need to be jumped through? In other words, is it removing … --- ## [Why can I not find "dunamany" in any on-line dictionaries or etymologies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-not-find-dunamany-in-any-on-line-dictionaries-or-etymologies/720146)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-not-find-dunamany-in-any-on-line-dictionaries-or-etymologies/720146 "2015-05-16T20:23:07Z")
I was talking about something and used the word “dunamany”, which I understand to be an adjective meaning “a lot” or “many”. When challenged, I couldn’t find it in any on-line dictionaries or etymologies, although I did… --- ## [A question for SDMB mechanics - auto](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-sdmb-mechanics-auto/720180)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-sdmb-mechanics-auto/720180 "2015-05-16T19:36:48Z")
Geetings. Vehicle in question - 2004 Dodge/Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi. Automatic transmission. Problem - Battery fully charged, but get a BRPRPRPRPRPRP. Noise at starter motor. Loud. Get same when trying to jump start it. … --- ## [Burying a message for the future](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burying-a-message-for-the-future/719930)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burying-a-message-for-the-future/719930 "2015-05-16T18:17:34Z")
I live near a rather large and old-ish cemetary, and as I walk past it I notice that there are a number of 19th-century tombstones which have weathered to the point of near-illegibility. Of course, the coffins and remain… --- ## [It's all Chinese to me -any translators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-chinese-to-me-any-translators/720126)
**Author:** [@Thinktank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thinktank)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-chinese-to-me-any-translators/720126 "2015-05-16T17:42:38Z")
I feel so lame, I have a mug with I believe Chinese logograms on it and have wondered for ages what it says. So I thought I’d be clever and take photos of the mug and them upload them through a Google Image search, but … --- ## [Olive Oil and Heat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olive-oil-and-heat/720162)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olive-oil-and-heat/720162 "2015-05-16T16:00:43Z")
From an article in the NYTimes about olive oil myths: “Because of its high polyphenolic content, extra-virgin is more stable than many other oils. The widely held belief that disaster lurks at temperatures above 250 deg… --- ## [What % of First Class/Business Travellers....are travelling for business](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-first-class-business-travellers-are-travelling-for-business/719579)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-first-class-business-travellers-are-travelling-for-business/719579 "2015-05-16T15:53:50Z")
90% of the time I have travelled first class/business class has been when I was travelling for work, the other 10% was/has been with my parents, sod it I am not spending that much money. IMO, thats the model, which expl… --- ## [I'm looking for a definition of "to whiff on" a question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-definition-of-to-whiff-on-a-question/720144)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-definition-of-to-whiff-on-a-question/720144 "2015-05-16T14:34:24Z")
Hi, Does to “whiff on a question” as Jeb Bush seems to have done, mean to stumble on a question? I couldn’t find an answer to my question. I look forward to your feedback. davidmich “Jeb Bush Was the Only GOP Cand… --- ## [The military and humanitarian missions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-military-and-humanitarian-missions/720159)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-military-and-humanitarian-missions/720159 "2015-05-16T13:43:50Z")
The sad news about the American and Nepalese troops who died on an aid delivery run recently got me thinking about the armed forces and humanitarian missions. When did the armed forces started being used for things like… --- ## [Turnitin- Exactly How Does It Work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turnitin-exactly-how-does-it-work/720158)
**Author:** [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turnitin-exactly-how-does-it-work/720158 "2015-05-16T13:18:18Z")
Recently, a friend asked me to help edit a final paper his son is doing. He had to send to a site called Turnitin, which is supposed to check for plagiarism. His son showed me a pdf file that highlighted sections that w… --- ## [Folder on network: "size on disk" is much smaller than "size" Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folder-on-network-size-on-disk-is-much-smaller-than-size-why/720133)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folder-on-network-size-on-disk-is-much-smaller-than-size-why/720133 "2015-05-16T12:43:58Z")
So at my work, I wanted to see the size of one of our network folders. It is a folder that multiple employees can access on some server somewhere. So I right clicked and went to properties: Size: 130 GB Size on Disk: … --- ## [How do Muslims count age?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-muslims-count-age/720147)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-muslims-count-age/720147 "2015-05-16T07:22:04Z")
A “year” in the Muslim calendar is 11 days short of the secular year. The Hebrew calendar corrects this by inserting an extra month 7 years in every 19, so while your age might be a couple weeks ahead of or behind your … --- ## [Mini-Split A/C Units](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-split-a-c-units/720056)
**Author:** [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-split-a-c-units/720056 "2015-05-16T06:12:00Z")
Okay HVAC professionals (or home owners with experience), give me the straight dope on mini-split multi-head A/C units. I own a historic victorian home that has an updated hot water boiler and radiators for heat. Ther… --- ## [Is there a way to get my computer to stop nagging about software updates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-get-my-computer-to-stop-nagging-about-software-updates/720070)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-get-my-computer-to-stop-nagging-about-software-updates/720070 "2015-05-16T05:35:43Z")
Lately every day I give five or six ‘helpful’ notices that updates to programs are available. Flash, java, Windows Office, my pdf reader, some others. The thing is, I DON’T CARE. All of those programs do what I need t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1112) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1114)