# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1131 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1132 --- ## [Astronomy: What actually happens (typically) when an amateur discovers a comet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astronomy-what-actually-happens-typically-when-an-amateur-discovers-a-comet/717790)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2015, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astronomy-what-actually-happens-typically-when-an-amateur-discovers-a-comet/717790 "2015-04-17T02:30:41Z")
In an episode of The Simpsons, Bart discovers a new, never before documented comet in the night sky while messing around with Principal Skinner’s telescope (without permission, of course). He subsequently receives some n… --- ## [Barcode Help Please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barcode-help-please/705681)
**Author:** [@Stealth\_Bragg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Bragg)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2014, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barcode-help-please/705681 "2014-11-26T17:41:19Z")
The college where I work (in the UK) has a large number of books and DVDs which are loaned out to students. The items are marked with a barcode which is usually scanned with a hand-held reader so the stock can be booked … --- ## [Have Computer programs (Pattern Recognition) Ever Been Used to Evaluate Skin Cancer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-computer-programs-pattern-recognition-ever-been-used-to-evaluate-skin-cancer/717786)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2015, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-computer-programs-pattern-recognition-ever-been-used-to-evaluate-skin-cancer/717786 "2015-04-17T02:01:55Z")
I just returned from the dermatologist-thankfully, he saw nothing suspicious . My question: a screening by a dermatologist is utilizing the doctor’s experience in evaluation the size and shape of moles, pimples, birthm… --- ## [Steel door bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steel-door-bottom/717499)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steel-door-bottom/717499 "2015-04-17T01:57:55Z")
So I have these plastic things Photobucket | Make your memories fun! that slide into the under surface of a couple of steel exterior doors. They are falling apart. I am trying to replace them, and have bought about 6 d… --- ## [How many defenders were there at Omaha Beach?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-defenders-were-there-at-omaha-beach/717709)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2015, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-defenders-were-there-at-omaha-beach/717709 "2015-04-17T01:50:46Z")
How many people could fire at the landing forces? Indirect fire counts, I’m trying to figure out how much of a Force Multiplier the Atlantic Wall provided them. For instance, there’s theBeast of Normandy. It seems that… --- ## [What does “rural addressing” mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-rural-addressing-mean/717720)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-rural-addressing-mean/717720 "2015-04-17T01:18:39Z")
I was browsing through the website of Bandera County in Texas. Apparently, two county employees are charged with “rural addressing”. I have no idea what that means. Do they make up street names and assign house numbers (… --- ## [Iphone has to copy artwork every time it synchs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-has-to-copy-artwork-every-time-it-synchs/717878)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2015, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-has-to-copy-artwork-every-time-it-synchs/717878 "2015-04-17T00:44:00Z")
Every single time I synch my iPhone, it has to copy artwork for one or two of the same podcast files. Why is this? --- ## [Explain how Mark Ronson or David Guetta are the artist of a song?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-how-mark-ronson-or-david-guetta-are-the-artist-of-a-song/717831)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-how-mark-ronson-or-david-guetta-are-the-artist-of-a-song/717831 "2015-04-16T23:38:14Z")
You’ve heard “Titanium” featuring Sia or “Uptown Funk” featuring Bruno Mars. In each of the songs, the DJ is the artist and no matter where you look on the web, they making seem like it is their song. . As my high … --- ## [Body response to walking up a short hill consistently](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-response-to-walking-up-a-short-hill-consistently/717716)
**Author:** [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-response-to-walking-up-a-short-hill-consistently/717716 "2015-04-16T22:10:55Z")
When you exercise consistently, your body adapts to that level of exercise after a while, doesn’t it? That’s how I’ve always read it, and that’s always been my experience when trying something new (taking up a sport, or… --- ## [Were there any Civil War veterans who lived to get their driver's license?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-any-civil-war-veterans-who-lived-to-get-their-drivers-license/715099)
**Author:** [@Hingle\_McCringleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hingle_McCringleberry)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-any-civil-war-veterans-who-lived-to-get-their-drivers-license/715099 "2015-04-16T19:32:37Z")
This has been bugging me all day. I know that a drummer boy named John Clem (1851 - 1937) eventually became a car salesman around 1914 but I don’t know of anyone who ended up with a license :dubious: --- ## [Need a font for an 'elevated' c in 'Mc words'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-font-for-an-elevated-c-in-mc-words/717854)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-font-for-an-elevated-c-in-mc-words/717854 "2015-04-16T19:27:23Z")
Such as in McCormick, or McDonalds, but where the c is elevated slightly, instead of on the same level as the M. Can’t scare up such a font on my own. A friend has Mc in her name, but uses the elevated c form, and I’d … --- ## [Short but probably colloquial German translation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-but-probably-colloquial-german-translation/717682)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-but-probably-colloquial-german-translation/717682 "2015-04-16T18:10:58Z")
“Die Gesetzlosen” - ramble. In English, please. --- ## [1+2+3+4+....infinity = -1/12?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-2-3-4-infinity-1-12/715559)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-2-3-4-infinity-1-12/715559 "2015-04-16T17:24:31Z")
Looking at this segment on Numberphile; http://www.numberphile.com/videos/analytical\_continuation1.html explains how an infinite summation results in a most counter-intuitive answer. Is the logic sound? Or is it simp… --- ## [Is it possible a super fuel may be discovered that will replace rocket fuels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-a-super-fuel-may-be-discovered-that-will-replace-rocket-fuels/716978)
**Author:** [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-a-super-fuel-may-be-discovered-that-will-replace-rocket-fuels/716978 "2015-04-16T17:00:20Z")
Is it possible a super fuel may be discovered or made in the lab that be more fuel efficient? Most modern space rockets 90% of the rocket is fuel to get that 10% of payload into space!!! Do you think a super fuel may be… --- ## [Big Crunch / Big Bang Can't Work!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-crunch-big-bang-cant-work/717802)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-crunch-big-bang-cant-work/717802 "2015-04-16T15:25:58Z")
While my daughter was learning some basics of entropy, I realize a Big Crunch would reduce entropy as the universe becomes more ordered. And, since the system in question IS the environment, entropy would reduce or the … --- ## [Math Wizards: What's The Secret to...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-wizards-whats-the-secret-to/717174)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-wizards-whats-the-secret-to/717174 "2015-04-16T15:13:40Z")
I never was taught about arithmetic, geometric, or any other type of progression or pattern. Yet, the SATs love these! Well, I took my lumps ages ago and skipped these problems. But, now I ask on behalf of my homescho… --- ## [how much abuse can compressed-gas cylinders tolerate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-abuse-can-compressed-gas-cylinders-tolerate/717646)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-abuse-can-compressed-gas-cylinders-tolerate/717646 "2015-04-16T14:57:29Z")
I’m talking about the kind of gas cylinders you get from a welding shop, filled to ~2000 psi. Obviously if you knock the valve/outlet pipe off you’ve got a dangerous rocket to contend with, but if that particular compon… --- ## [can the POTUS get called for jury duty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-potus-get-called-for-jury-duty/717807)
**Author:** [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-potus-get-called-for-jury-duty/717807 "2015-04-16T14:19:31Z")
my friend wants to know what about legislators --- ## [Are we more down on kiddy-fiddling than we used to be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-more-down-on-kiddy-fiddling-than-we-used-to-be/717605)
**Author:** [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-more-down-on-kiddy-fiddling-than-we-used-to-be/717605 "2015-04-16T14:02:59Z")
At this point (at least in the U.S. and the U.K.), child molestation is one of the more horrific crimes. Has that been the case for more than a generation or two? I’m thinking of The Score by Richard Stark and One Flew … --- ## [The Beatles - when was their last reunion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beatles-when-was-their-last-reunion/717630)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beatles-when-was-their-last-reunion/717630 "2015-04-16T13:07:58Z")
By reunion, I don’t mean (necessarily) the last time they played together as a band in an recording studio or on stage, but rather: When (and where) was the last time John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ring… --- ## [Any VB.NET gurus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-vb-net-gurus/717763)
**Author:** [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-vb-net-gurus/717763 "2015-04-16T11:41:31Z")
Having some trouble with what I would think would be a fairly simple process. I have a server. I want to verify that I can access that server on port 1433. The function I am using is: Public Shared Function ServerO… --- ## [Einstein Quote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/einstein-quote/717588)
**Author:** [@madmelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmelon)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/einstein-quote/717588 "2015-04-16T11:25:58Z")
“A man should look for what is and not for what he thinks should be.” I recently saw this quote attributed to Einstein with no reference. Would anyone have one? Is this a misquote? Thanks, Evan --- ## [Do non-Jews take haircuts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-non-jews-take-haircuts/717485)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-non-jews-take-haircuts/717485 "2015-04-16T08:42:17Z")
Question #34577 in my series on Yinglish. By my anecdotal evidence, non-Jews get their haircut, or have their haircut, or go for a haircut, and Ive noticed that most (NYC) Jews I’ve met–when my awareness of ethnic backg… --- ## [Miller Obscenity : Identifying, documenting, or mapping "Community Standards"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miller-obscenity-identifying-documenting-or-mapping-community-standards/717574)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miller-obscenity-identifying-documenting-or-mapping-community-standards/717574 "2015-04-16T04:58:52Z")
In another thread, an interesting comment was made about the importance of “community standards” in US prosecutions involving obscenity. Outside of court, have there been any meaningful attempts to identify, document, … --- ## [Need help downloading video from LG Optimus Slider](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-downloading-video-from-lg-optimus-slider/717761)
**Author:** [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-downloading-video-from-lg-optimus-slider/717761 "2015-04-16T04:13:47Z")
I’m having a hell of a time getting a video downloaded from my LG Optimus Slider. None of the options that I have to share the video are working. Here’s the details on the video and the phone and what things I have tried… --- ## [At what point does the threat of constitutional convention typically get Congress to act?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-the-threat-of-constitutional-convention-typically-get-congress-to-act/706401)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-the-threat-of-constitutional-convention-typically-get-congress-to-act/706401 "2015-04-16T03:44:05Z")
I’ve read that a constitutional amendment has never been passed by a convention of the states, because at a certain point, Congress realizes that convention is about to bypass them, and they step forward and act themselv… --- ## [Smallpox vaccine - what does "+" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallpox-vaccine-what-does-mean/717789)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallpox-vaccine-what-does-mean/717789 "2015-04-16T02:07:33Z")
My sister sent some of my records my Mom kept - including some of my childhood vaccinations (though I know I got some in school and they are not recorded) Anyhow In the “Smallpox” there is a date, a “+” in the results c… --- ## [Can the President order states to lower their flags to half-mast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-president-order-states-to-lower-their-flags-to-half-mast/717767)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-president-order-states-to-lower-their-flags-to-half-mast/717767 "2015-04-16T01:59:18Z")
I work for the state govt, and I’ve seen plenty of similar emails to the one below, but always from the governor. This was sent from the state police headquarters to our facility manager, who forwarded it to all staff. … --- ## [Some questions about the space elevator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-the-space-elevator/717711)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-the-space-elevator/717711 "2015-04-16T01:43:36Z")
The design for a space elevator involves putting a long ribbon between the Earth’s surface and an anchor in geostationary orbit. If we had such a ribbon, how exactly would it be put in place? how could it be lowered fr… --- ## [Can't make website exception in Java](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-make-website-exception-in-java/717794)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2015, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-make-website-exception-in-java/717794 "2015-04-16T01:29:33Z")
I’ve typed in the website exactly, but apparently the game here is loading from somewhere else: http://www.javagameplay.com/tankHunterb.html Java’s help site points out that if the game is loading from another address,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1130) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1132)