# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1146 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1147 --- ## [Can I reuse the Windows & license from my old PC in a VM on my new Mac?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-reuse-the-windows-license-from-my-old-pc-in-a-vm-on-my-new-mac/715678)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-reuse-the-windows-license-from-my-old-pc-in-a-vm-on-my-new-mac/715678 "2015-03-22T19:54:52Z")
Hi folks, Over in this thread I dithered about buying a Mac Mini. I have since placed an order. The new computer is to replace a failed Windows machine. I’ll sometimes have a need to run Windows on the Mac, either in a… --- ## [How to Secure Linux Connected to Company LAN](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-secure-linux-connected-to-company-lan/715365)
**Author:** [@Clarence01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clarence01)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-secure-linux-connected-to-company-lan/715365 "2015-03-22T19:50:16Z")
How can I ensure my laptop running Kubuntu is impervious to remote viewing by the IT department of the company when I plug the network cable into the my laptop and use the company internet connection? There was never an… --- ## [Error cutting plywood: Mere Pythagoras or outright trig?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-cutting-plywood-mere-pythagoras-or-outright-trig/714920)
**Author:** [@Johnegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnegee)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-cutting-plywood-mere-pythagoras-or-outright-trig/714920 "2015-03-22T19:37:31Z")
Hello, experts, If you know the lengths of the two square legs of a right triangle (which means you know the slope), is there a formula that tells you the x-axis value directly under a given distance measured along the … --- ## [Obscure request: Article on a man named 10-8 Kelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-request-article-on-a-man-named-10-8-kelly/715419)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-request-article-on-a-man-named-10-8-kelly/715419 "2015-03-22T19:19:44Z")
Possibly the name was rendered something like 10’ 8" Kelly, and possibly his last name was spelled “Kelley.” Anyway. . . I remember reading this newspaper article about him in the early 1970s. Sounded like an interesti… --- ## [Use of 'Allegedly' in the Media.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-allegedly-in-the-media/420148)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-allegedly-in-the-media/420148 "2015-03-22T18:21:26Z")
This is something I have wondered about for quite some time. Why is it in the media (newspapers, television, etc.) that whenever they refer to an unconvicted suspect or crime they say “allegedly”? John Doe allegedly robb… --- ## [Educate me on hot water heating boilers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educate-me-on-hot-water-heating-boilers/715601)
**Author:** [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educate-me-on-hot-water-heating-boilers/715601 "2015-03-22T15:28:32Z")
Seems that I will have to replace two boilers for heating purposes in the nest 12-18 months. So the search will begin this spring on replacements. One at home is for hydronic heating, the other at the office for hot wat… --- ## [Mars One Program: Scam or Fake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mars-one-program-scam-or-fake/715545)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mars-one-program-scam-or-fake/715545 "2015-03-22T13:37:29Z")
Dr. Joseph Roche, who is an assistant professor at Trinity College from Ireland, and has a PhD in physics and astrophysics, is on the shortlist for the Mars One project to put a base on Mars by 2025. He’s now claiming t… --- ## [Spanish Language Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-language-question/715533)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-language-question/715533 "2015-03-22T12:38:06Z")
Hi Straight Dope, Here’s a question for you! I was just thinking about some Spanish verbs, in particular the verbs viajar, amenazar, encontrar, and comenzar. These words mean to travel, to threaten, to find and to be… --- ## [Has there ever been a successful ransom kidnapping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-successful-ransom-kidnapping/715382)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-successful-ransom-kidnapping/715382 "2015-03-22T11:27:08Z")
I realize this may devolve into an IMHO thread, and if it reaches that point, I leave it to a mod to move it, but I’m putting it here first, because I think my actual question is straightforward: Has anyone ever paid a … --- ## [Where to buy Mexican stamps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-buy-mexican-stamps/715259)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-buy-mexican-stamps/715259 "2015-03-22T09:44:38Z")
Hi there, I’m looking to purchase a handful of un-cancelled Mexican stamps, but am having no luck finding a place to buy them. Are there any websites that sell them? Thanks. --- ## [Movie distribution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-distribution/715659)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-distribution/715659 "2015-03-22T05:08:33Z")
The SO and I are attending TCM’s screening of Rear Window tomorrow. I noticed that every theatre that’s showing it is showing it at the same times. Is the show being ‘broadcast’ to theatres from a central location? Or… --- ## [Holy grail, why is it holy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-grail-why-is-it-holy/715501)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-grail-why-is-it-holy/715501 "2015-03-22T04:54:26Z")
Ok it is a cup, or bowl, used by Jesus. But why this particular object? Why not his robes, sandals, canteen, an object used by him for a longer period of time? I guess I’m asking why the legend grew up around this parti… --- ## [Steam question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-question/715498)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-question/715498 "2015-03-22T04:37:16Z")
The chart says that if I heat water under 50# pressure the steam temperature wil be almost 300 degrees. If I were to release that same steam into a non pressurized cylinder as in steaming a piece of wood and it had a sma… --- ## [Google: fu or F.U.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-fu-or-f-u/715517)
**Author:** [@OffByOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OffByOne)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-fu-or-f-u/715517 "2015-03-22T02:41:48Z")
If you read the Google help documentation for Google, it says that it will search for all of the words in the query. For instance, Googling “white house” will bring back a list of sites that mention the White House, alo… --- ## [Roman Brickwork longevity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-brickwork-longevity/715585)
**Author:** [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-brickwork-longevity/715585 "2015-03-22T02:04:00Z")
There are examples of Roman Brickwork over most of Western Europe, not least in Italy. They have survived 2000 odd years and in many cases are still intact despite appalling weather and significant climate change. I thi… --- ## [Dishwasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dishwasher/715638)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dishwasher/715638 "2015-03-22T01:18:41Z")
So my dishwasher will not empty (of water). I have inspected and all hoses are clear, from the pump to the garbage disposal. I can hear the pump try to start, but nothing else happens. The filter and screen have been … --- ## [How do I turn an Adobe PDF into a JPEG?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-an-adobe-pdf-into-a-jpeg/715538)
**Author:** [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-an-adobe-pdf-into-a-jpeg/715538 "2015-03-22T00:19:06Z")
I know that I’ll lose some resolution and image quality, but I’m not worried about that. This is about size. How do I get a scanned image in PDF form into a smaller image file (like JPEG)? Thanks! --- ## [Any African Americans with no European Ancestry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-african-americans-with-no-european-ancestry/715621)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-african-americans-with-no-european-ancestry/715621 "2015-03-21T22:21:14Z")
Firstly, I’m using the term “African American” in the restricted sense of Black Americans whose ancestors trace back to pre-Civil War US slavery days (whether slaves or Free Men of Color). Recent immigrants from Africa … --- ## [Speed of Gravity: a final explanation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-of-gravity-a-final-explanation/715383)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-of-gravity-a-final-explanation/715383 "2015-03-21T21:59:19Z")
Back in 2003 there was a Staff Report about the speed of gravity- whether gravity propagates at the speed of light or if it’s effectively instantaneous: Over the years there have been several threads re-asking the ques… --- ## [name this ancient weapon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-this-ancient-weapon/586044)
**Author:** [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-this-ancient-weapon/586044 "2015-03-21T21:05:18Z")
My google-fu is weak on this. I assume that such a weapon existed historically. I know I have seen it depicted in movies, I guess it could just be an invention of film makers, but it seems a likely weapon to have exist… --- ## [Need help with German letter translation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-german-letter-translation/715509)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-german-letter-translation/715509 "2015-03-21T20:55:45Z")
An acquaintance has asked me for help in translating a hand written letter in German. Apparently his grandfather employed a number of POWs at his dairy in Southern Minnesota, of whom Herr Schimietz, the writer of the le… --- ## [My colon is so cleansed you could eat off it. And this helps control my blood glucose how?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-colon-is-so-cleansed-you-could-eat-off-it-and-this-helps-control-my-blood-glucose-how/715484)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-colon-is-so-cleansed-you-could-eat-off-it-and-this-helps-control-my-blood-glucose-how/715484 "2015-03-21T19:08:27Z")
I’m now gargling a large glass of Splenda’d psyllium gruel daily, per instructions from diabetes advice. The thing is, all I can get from cursory reading is “it’s good for you,” as in, “pooping out stuff in general is go… --- ## [Why do GPU drivers get updated so frequently (every (two) week)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gpu-drivers-get-updated-so-frequently-every-two-week/715194)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gpu-drivers-get-updated-so-frequently-every-two-week/715194 "2015-03-21T17:28:24Z")
Could someone explain the logic behind drivers getting updated so frequently in such a way that new updates will improve the performance of new video games? After every update, driver is claimed to have improved performa… --- ## [is it possible for pain to transfer from spot on the body to a different spot, but staying on the s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-for-pain-to-transfer-from-spot-on-the-body-to-a-different-spot-but-staying-on-the-s/715600)
**Author:** [@GreatestInventor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreatestInventor)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-for-pain-to-transfer-from-spot-on-the-body-to-a-different-spot-but-staying-on-the-s/715600 "2015-03-21T17:18:44Z")
on the third saturday of last month, i injured my back playing basketball( back spasm in tail bone), the level of pain was medium. couple of days later the pain moved from medium to excruciating level. I took medicatio… --- ## [How can I directly view the solar eclipse safely and cheaply?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-directly-view-the-solar-eclipse-safely-and-cheaply/715289)
**Author:** [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-directly-view-the-solar-eclipse-safely-and-cheaply/715289 "2015-03-21T17:18:05Z")
OK, so for those of us lucky enough to be in Northern Europe Friday morning, but unlucky enough to have not gotten proper solar eclipse glasses before they’ve all been sold out at regular prices (and inflated to ridiculo… --- ## [Hampstead England Child Abuse Allegations??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hampstead-england-child-abuse-allegations/715013)
**Author:** [@carpetbeggar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carpetbeggar)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hampstead-england-child-abuse-allegations/715013 "2015-03-21T16:57:32Z")
What’s up with this? Is it a hoax? There are various videos on youtube, fb, etc of this little boy & girl talking about being sexually abused by their Father & other people, including teachers. One video has the boy b… --- ## [Does the evidence in a case matter in an extradition treaty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-evidence-in-a-case-matter-in-an-extradition-treaty/680189)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-evidence-in-a-case-matter-in-an-extradition-treaty/680189 "2015-03-21T15:42:12Z")
Hypothetical scenario : Suppose I visited a foreign country and stayed for a week. While I was there, someone I had met was murdered in his apartment. There is no evidence and no witnesses that connect me to the crime.… --- ## [Loss of Internet connection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loss-of-internet-connection/715444)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loss-of-internet-connection/715444 "2015-03-21T14:45:34Z")
I’m using a MacBook Pro 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7 with 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3, running OS X 10.9.5. I’m having a problem with – I think – images and videos. I notice that when I search images on Google, especially if I click ‘… --- ## [People on life support](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-life-support/715531)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-life-support/715531 "2015-03-21T14:42:50Z")
If a person is left on life support for as long as possible, regardless of ethics, morals, etc. Why can’t the body heal enough to come off life support? --- ## [Maritime traffic through Guantanamo Bay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maritime-traffic-through-guantanamo-bay/715282)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maritime-traffic-through-guantanamo-bay/715282 "2015-03-21T10:21:47Z")
The United States famously has a perpetual lease on a naval base at Cuba’s Guantanamo Bay, though what isn’t widely known is that the lease covers only the half of the bay forming its outlet to the Caribbean Sea. (See th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1145) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1147)