# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1156 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1157 --- ## [English idiom -\> Mexican Spanish equivalent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-idiom-mexican-spanish-equivalent/714115)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-idiom-mexican-spanish-equivalent/714115 "2015-03-06T15:14:24Z")
One of the clothes dryers in my apartment building has broken, so I went ahead and placed an “Out of Order” sign on it before somebody else pays $1.50 for 45 minutes of tumbling with no hot air. Then it occurred to me t… --- ## [Help translating to Greek.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-translating-to-greek/714253)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-translating-to-greek/714253 "2015-03-06T14:22:45Z")
How would one say “Sparta Lives” in Greek? What about Ancient Greek? Bonus points for proper characters along with transliteration. Thanks in advance! --- ## [Signing False Sig on CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-false-sig-on-cc/714060)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-false-sig-on-cc/714060 "2015-03-06T12:29:45Z")
I know I know–this is well trod in GQ. I didn’t want to revivify some zombie thread, so real quick– Do you have to sign your real name? If you don’t, then dispute the charge, does favor fall in your direction? My resea… --- ## [Slanted window in German hotel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slanted-window-in-german-hotel/714205)
**Author:** [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slanted-window-in-german-hotel/714205 "2015-03-06T11:56:23Z")
This image does the rounds in those “building fail” clickbait lists: http://www.viralnova.com/31-building-fails-gallery/11/ Does anyone know the story behind it? I’ve tracked it down to the Hotel Nürnberg, in Nuremberg… --- ## [Tiny PSone combo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-psone-combo/714352)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-psone-combo/714352 "2015-03-06T10:56:39Z")
Hi I’m trying to find the thing from this gif: This is what the original looked like: I think it would just play an animation on the screen and … --- ## [How is Google able index dynamic content?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-google-able-index-dynamic-content/714307)
**Author:** [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-google-able-index-dynamic-content/714307 "2015-03-06T05:11:55Z")
Specifically, products that really only exist as database items until someone calls them in a search? Amazon, for example, doesn’t actually have static web pages for each of their products; the “pages” are created dynam… --- ## [Methods for locating someone you've lost contact with](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methods-for-locating-someone-youve-lost-contact-with/714273)
**Author:** [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methods-for-locating-someone-youve-lost-contact-with/714273 "2015-03-06T04:59:04Z")
I don’t have much to go on - first and last name, possible location, and age. I’ve checked the white pages site, people search engines, facebook and even the Social Security death index. Are there any other databases th… --- ## [Is there an app to determine the "head" of a stream?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-app-to-determine-the-head-of-a-stream/714173)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-app-to-determine-the-head-of-a-stream/714173 "2015-03-06T04:07:38Z")
I am installing a mini hydro electric system in the stream that runs along the property line to power my home. I need to determine the “head” or height of the highest point of the stream below the waterfall and the low … --- ## [Hillary and Heartbleed: How can an e-mail system be demonstrated as meeting any standard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-and-heartbleed-how-can-an-e-mail-system-be-demonstrated-as-meeting-any-standard/714327)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-and-heartbleed-how-can-an-e-mail-system-be-demonstrated-as-meeting-any-standard/714327 "2015-03-06T03:21:34Z")
Heartbleed: “Heartbleed is a security bug disclosed in April 2014 in the OpenSSL cryptography library, which is a widely used implementation of the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol. Heartbleed may be exploited reg… --- ## [Today is Tuesday, when is "next" Sunday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-tuesday-when-is-next-sunday/714138 "2015-03-06T03:15:03Z")
So, today is the 3rd. When is “next” Sunday? The 8th or the 15th? Or is the 8th "This" Sunday or “this upcoming" Sunday”? :confused: --- ## [Specific Japanese Language Q: "Behind"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-japanese-language-q-behind/713895)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-japanese-language-q-behind/713895 "2015-03-06T02:50:15Z")
I’ve come across something, a couple times, in English translations of Japanese poetry/song lyrics that has left me wondering if something has been lost in translation. Specifically, the constructions “the behind” and “… --- ## [Sniping tank drivers through vision slits before tanks had armoured glass vision ports .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sniping-tank-drivers-through-vision-slits-before-tanks-had-armoured-glass-vision-ports/714295)
**Author:** [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sniping-tank-drivers-through-vision-slits-before-tanks-had-armoured-glass-vision-ports/714295 "2015-03-06T02:26:04Z")
Has there ever been a reported case of small arms fire successfully taking out the tank driver or hull machine gunner either at a distance or at close range ? This could include machine guns also . I know that it was q… --- ## [Mac dopers, lend a hand, please.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-dopers-lend-a-hand-please/714164)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-dopers-lend-a-hand-please/714164 "2015-03-06T01:58:03Z")
I have a four year old Mac Book Pro. When I see the spinning beach ball for extended time (2-3 minutes), I do a restart. Then follow it with a Permission Repair. The permission repair is always full of Permissions Rep… --- ## [Ebook reader question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebook-reader-question/714320)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebook-reader-question/714320 "2015-03-06T01:50:58Z")
I am thinking of buying an ebook reader but my problem is that I have half my books on Kindle and half on Epub. Also, a bunch on PDF, Mobi(which plays on Kindle). Is there any ereader that can handle all the different … --- ## [What stops snow plows from getting caught on things?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-stops-snow-plows-from-getting-caught-on-things/713993)
**Author:** [@Quiztor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiztor)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-stops-snow-plows-from-getting-caught-on-things/713993 "2015-03-06T01:36:30Z")
What stops snow plows from getting caught on bumps, cracks, etc? If I go shovel a sidewalk, the shovel gets caught on every crack or imperfection, but obviously this doesn’t happen with street plows. --- ## [Sole repair: best approach?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sole-repair-best-approach/714124)
**Author:** [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sole-repair-best-approach/714124 "2015-03-05T23:59:32Z")
I have a pair of everyday work boots that are similar in most ways to Doc Martens, but are made by a different manufacturer. In particular, the soles are the same kind of hard rubber that you see on Docs; and in fact whe… --- ## [Partially cashing out a 401(k) when leaving an employer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-cashing-out-a-401-k-when-leaving-an-employer/708817)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-cashing-out-a-401-k-when-leaving-an-employer/708817 "2015-03-05T23:50:58Z")
When you leave an employer, you normally get to choose to cash out your 401(k) or roll it over into a new account (right?), but are you permitted to pursue a half-and-half approach? That is, cash out some of it, and rol… --- ## [iPhone Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-question/714316)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-question/714316 "2015-03-05T23:33:41Z")
W/regard to email folders…I can “Delete All” from the Trash folder. However, not so from the Sent folder. These can only be deleted individually. Why? Can this be changed? --- ## [Home office tax deduction - my first time, not sure if I qualify.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-office-tax-deduction-my-first-time-not-sure-if-i-qualify/714305)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-office-tax-deduction-my-first-time-not-sure-if-i-qualify/714305 "2015-03-05T22:38:43Z")
My situation: I work online, remotely, from home in Texas, for a company in Virginia. This is full-time remote, I almost never travel to the office in Virginia. I work a full-time 8-hours-a-day, almost-every-week-of-the-… --- ## [Can I (American) move to one of those big empty cities in china and just live there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-american-move-to-one-of-those-big-empty-cities-in-china-and-just-live-there/713652)
**Author:** [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-american-move-to-one-of-those-big-empty-cities-in-china-and-just-live-there/713652 "2015-03-05T19:27:14Z")
start a farm, grow some crops and chickens and all that? I realize there are probably some legal reasons but what would the Chinese government do? anything? would they even know you were there? --- ## [Negotiations during the American Civil War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negotiations-during-the-american-civil-war/714194)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negotiations-during-the-american-civil-war/714194 "2015-03-05T18:54:00Z")
Or the War Between the States. Often in war when one side is losing they will prefer offer terms to end the asskicking, Googling reveals a peace conference on board a steamer in February 1865 - were there any earlier att… --- ## [People leaving voicemail on my mobile without it ringing.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-leaving-voicemail-on-my-mobile-without-it-ringing/714287)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-leaving-voicemail-on-my-mobile-without-it-ringing/714287 "2015-03-05T18:03:14Z")
Recently I’ve started to get voicemail from various companies, but my mobile has been on all the time, never away from a strong signal, so it should have rung. Is there some way people are bypassing the “ring-ring” part … --- ## [How does tax law work if you reinvest business profits into tech development?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-tax-law-work-if-you-reinvest-business-profits-into-tech-development/714141)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-tax-law-work-if-you-reinvest-business-profits-into-tech-development/714141 "2015-03-05T17:36:40Z")
Let’s suppose I have a consulting business. Clients pay me $100 an hour, I do some work. I have a certain amount of expenses to deliver the goods that I can definitely deduct from taxes. Ok, well, suppose I have an id… --- ## [Unethical scientific experiment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unethical-scientific-experiment/714122)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unethical-scientific-experiment/714122 "2015-03-05T16:34:01Z")
According to Jeremy Clarkson on a recent Top Gear news report :rolleyes: regarding future accident avoidance in cars: specifically cars in the future will have to choose between preserving your life and sacrificing the p… --- ## [Sum of the Periodic Time balances](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sum-of-the-periodic-time-balances/714245)
**Author:** [@Taber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taber)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sum-of-the-periodic-time-balances/714245 "2015-03-05T16:30:55Z")
My girlfriend bought a car, and financed it. We’re looking at paying off the balance, and the contract says “the prepayment will be deemed to be the Sum of the Periodic Time Balances.” I’ve googled the phrase, but it has… --- ## [Mortgage Payoff Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mortgage-payoff-question/713863)
**Author:** [@dgrdfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgrdfd)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mortgage-payoff-question/713863 "2015-03-05T15:53:00Z")
I took out a home 30 year home loan of 177,397.00 @ 4.375% in June of 2011. I have mostly made the minimum payment and now have a principal balance of 165,224.40 (48k paid including insurance, balance down 12k - Yah inte… --- ## [More black hole questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-black-hole-questions/714259)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-black-hole-questions/714259 "2015-03-05T15:21:29Z")
This has started to bother me. From numerous sources, I read/hear that to an outside observer, we would never see our brave/stupid/suicidal astronaut friend cross the event horizon of a black hole because of time dilatio… --- ## [The Magnetic Model of the Atom.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-magnetic-model-of-the-atom/714261)
**Author:** [@RTCPhysics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTCPhysics)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-magnetic-model-of-the-atom/714261 "2015-03-05T14:58:36Z")
In my earlier posts on the subject of electrostatics, I spelt out the logic behind my conclusion that the basic concept of an ‘electric charge’ was at best flawed, at worst, just nonsense. Put simply, nothing in reality… --- ## [WI-FI evesdropping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-evesdropping/714251)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-evesdropping/714251 "2015-03-05T14:48:16Z")
if you have WI-FI in your house and you’re using it, can somebody else in the house use a different computer and see what you’re doing online? If so, how? And is there a way to prevent it? --- ## [Wrapping text in windowed browser](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrapping-text-in-windowed-browser/714277)
**Author:** [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrapping-text-in-windowed-browser/714277 "2015-03-05T14:40:02Z")
Sometimes I want two side-by-side browser windows; for example, so I can compare two recipes, or have a video open and a website. Occasionally the text will play nice and “wrap” so I can read it easily. The StraightDop… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1155) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1157)