# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1161 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1162 --- ## [MS Office 2010 has lost the activation key - won't take a replacement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-office-2010-has-lost-the-activation-key-wont-take-a-replacement/713791)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-office-2010-has-lost-the-activation-key-wont-take-a-replacement/713791 "2015-02-27T19:35:52Z")
Any ideas on how to get Office to take a replacement key? Whenever it boots, it says this is an unauthorized copy. When I try to type it in again, I get: “The setup controller has encountered a problem during install. P… --- ## [Legal question on trials for old crimes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-on-trials-for-old-crimes/713621)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-on-trials-for-old-crimes/713621 "2015-02-27T18:24:39Z")
In some cases a guy goes on trial for a murder that happened 20 years ago. And sometimes witnesses are called to describe what they saw the day of the crime. People are supposed to remember things from 20 years past… --- ## [How to find out what a share of stock sold for 10+ years ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-out-what-a-share-of-stock-sold-for-10-years-ago/713779)
**Author:** [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-out-what-a-share-of-stock-sold-for-10-years-ago/713779 "2015-02-27T17:59:05Z")
Kinda need answer fast, because I’m in the middle of tax preparation and I am considering selling 258 shares of IBM stock that I bought in the year 2000. If I sell it, I’d need to calculate the capital gains I earned ov… --- ## [I need to forward old Gmail messages in bulk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-forward-old-gmail-messages-in-bulk/713694)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-forward-old-gmail-messages-in-bulk/713694 "2015-02-27T15:32:42Z")
We’re getting threatened with our email cutting off, and I want to forward emails from previous years to a different account. I installed Thunderbird and downloaded the Inbox, but it doesn’t allow for this either. Is th… --- ## [the rifling of artillery barrels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rifling-of-artillery-barrels/713703)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rifling-of-artillery-barrels/713703 "2015-02-27T14:47:38Z")
Rifling is commonly employed on a wide range of firearms - all the way from small handguns to a battleship’s 16-inch main guns in order to impart a spin that stabilizes the projectile. For the lead bullets used in many … --- ## [NYC Dopers - Commute from Upper West Side to Ridgefield Park NJ??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-dopers-commute-from-upper-west-side-to-ridgefield-park-nj/712565)
**Author:** [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-dopers-commute-from-upper-west-side-to-ridgefield-park-nj/712565 "2015-02-27T14:46:58Z")
I’m being strongly recruited by a company located in Ridgefield Park NJ. I currently live in Atlanta, but am open to relocation. But, if I’m going to move to the NY/NJ area, I seriously think I want to take a shot at l… --- ## [Is there a site that you can listen to a specific song, with no video?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-site-that-you-can-listen-to-a-specific-song-with-no-video/713726)
**Author:** [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-site-that-you-can-listen-to-a-specific-song-with-no-video/713726 "2015-02-27T14:29:48Z")
Is there a website where I can listen to a specific song, for free, without a music video attached? We are in the unfortunate situation of being so rural that good internet isn’t available, so I don’t want to have to dow… --- ## [Calendar Software](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calendar-software/713763)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calendar-software/713763 "2015-02-27T14:05:09Z")
Can anyone recommend calendar software that will meet my needs? We are a training facility that runs a 22 week program. Each day there are specific blocks of instruction. Some run all day, some days there may be multiple… --- ## [When did ATM machines first become widespread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-atm-machines-first-become-widespread/712672)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-atm-machines-first-become-widespread/712672 "2015-02-27T11:46:22Z")
I remember back around 1996 or so, my mom still went to the teller often, but soon after that I only remember ATM trips with her. I’ve heard they’ve been around since the '70s but my guess as to when they became pretty … --- ## [Insurance companies holding out indefinitely for a missing airliner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-companies-holding-out-indefinitely-for-a-missing-airliner/713713)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-companies-holding-out-indefinitely-for-a-missing-airliner/713713 "2015-02-27T06:35:58Z")
Is it true that if a plane crash is caused by pilot error, then the airline’s insurer has to pay up, but if the crash is caused by mechanical malfunction, then the manufacturer or its insurer has to pay? Then if a plane… --- ## [Diabetes/oral sex question (TMI/NSFW?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-oral-sex-question-tmi-nsfw/712902)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-oral-sex-question-tmi-nsfw/712902 "2015-02-27T05:22:05Z")
If a woman has untreated diabetes/high blood sugar, can that affect how she tastes when a man performs cunnilingus on her? --- ## [Federal Tax Deduction Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-tax-deduction-question/713633)
**Author:** [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-tax-deduction-question/713633 "2015-02-27T03:21:10Z")
I had an enormous repair expense for a rental property (i.e. a place I rent out, not my primary residence) this year and I’m not sure (a) if it’s deductible at all and, if so (b) how to deduct it. Can anyone give me any… --- ## [Is there a good Office replacement that edits Word & Excel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-good-office-replacement-that-edits-word-excel/713556)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-good-office-replacement-that-edits-word-excel/713556 "2015-02-27T03:14:48Z")
Does Open Office really work? Are there any other contenders? Is it safe to download these or do they come with malware/spyware/adware? The linked article below seems like a good starting place but I wanted to hear fr… --- ## [The Futility Closet, "The Sixth Cent"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-futility-closet-the-sixth-cent/713426)
**Author:** [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-futility-closet-the-sixth-cent/713426 "2015-02-27T02:52:46Z")
The Futility Closet has this up today, and I don’t understand it. The question asked is, if you flip 6 fair coins and I flip 5 fair coins, what is the probability that you’ll get more heads than I do? Surely having mor… --- ## [Evolution of the resolution of human vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-of-the-resolution-of-human-vision/713488)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-of-the-resolution-of-human-vision/713488 "2015-02-27T02:46:02Z")
While looking at small text on a computer screen today, I had these following questions : 1\> For near field vision, human eyes can resolve around 1/10th to say around 1/100th of an inch objects. I believe monkeys can do… --- ## [How far would a paper airplane thrown from a high vantage point travel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-would-a-paper-airplane-thrown-from-a-high-vantage-point-travel/713736)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-would-a-paper-airplane-thrown-from-a-high-vantage-point-travel/713736 "2015-02-27T01:57:08Z")
So assume you are on top of a mountain maybe 4 miles tall and threw a paper air plane. What is the highest possible glide ratio of a paper airplane? What role would wind play in pushing the plane forward? How would a w… --- ## [Connotative differences between Spanish "cara", "rostro", "haz"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connotative-differences-between-spanish-cara-rostro-haz/713715)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connotative-differences-between-spanish-cara-rostro-haz/713715 "2015-02-27T00:28:02Z")
I am assuming that while the Spanish words cara, rostro, and haz are usually translated into Eglish as “face”, their usages in Spanish do not completely overlap. What are the connotative differences between the three? A… --- ## [Rowing through the Panama and Suez canals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rowing-through-the-panama-and-suez-canals/683790)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rowing-through-the-panama-and-suez-canals/683790 "2015-02-26T23:01:38Z")
I learned recently that certain particularly dedicated people have crossed oceans in rowboats. Let’s say I wanted to join their ranks by rowing around the world in a one-person boat. Would I be able to row through the … --- ## [What are the Hotel and Motel policies regarding power outages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-hotel-and-motel-policies-regarding-power-outages/713682)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-hotel-and-motel-policies-regarding-power-outages/713682 "2015-02-26T22:28:09Z")
I saw an odd tweet the other day from a Hotel chain. Basically welcoming travelers stuck on icy and snowy raods. If the power is on we’re open they said. Something like that. Which begs the question. What are the Hote… --- ## [Amended tax return: what to send?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amended-tax-return-what-to-send/713665)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amended-tax-return-what-to-send/713665 "2015-02-26T21:34:10Z")
Skip to the bottom if you don’t need the whole story. The whole story is probably unnecessary, but I’ll provide it anyways: A month ago I got my W-2 and filed my taxes online, using TurboTax. I filed under “Married Fi… --- ## [What is the "Proctern Test"(sic?)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-proctern-test-sic/713685)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-proctern-test-sic/713685 "2015-02-26T21:25:41Z")
This requires some back story. Many years ago, probably 15-20 years, we had a standard cord landline phone like most people. When you hang one of them up, you usually put it back on its pedestal which had a receiver th… --- ## [Beginning of Time and Multiple Universes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-of-time-and-multiple-universes/713518)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-of-time-and-multiple-universes/713518 "2015-02-26T19:10:13Z")
I’ve often heard that there was no time before the big bang. Well what happens to this statement if you accept the idea of multiple universes? Is “time” localized to each universe? --- ## [Is Mihailo Tolotos the only man who has never seen a woman?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mihailo-tolotos-the-only-man-who-has-never-seen-a-woman/713668)
**Author:** [@MrMarion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMarion)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mihailo-tolotos-the-only-man-who-has-never-seen-a-woman/713668 "2015-02-26T19:01:29Z")
I found this fun fact online: Mihailo Tolotos, a Greek monk who died in 1938 at the age of 82, was perhaps the only man never to have laid eyes on a woman. Milhailo’s mother died when he was born, and the infant was whi… --- ## [What is the proper way to write to a legislative committee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-proper-way-to-write-to-a-legislative-committee/713690)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-proper-way-to-write-to-a-legislative-committee/713690 "2015-02-26T18:47:04Z")
I’m thinking of writing a letter to the state’s joint transportation committee (with members from both the state Senate and state House). I notice the committee has its own address, so I was wondering if it would be bet… --- ## [Why aren't Super Bowl commercials used again after the Super Bowl?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-super-bowl-commercials-used-again-after-the-super-bowl/713667)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-super-bowl-commercials-used-again-after-the-super-bowl/713667 "2015-02-26T18:13:49Z")
Considering that Super Bowl ads cost millions of dollars to air, and usually have to be unusual or high quality, why aren’t they run repeatedly still after the Super Bowl is over (in the months that follow?) It would ge… --- ## [Whence: Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-fear-leads-to-anger-anger-leads-to-hate-hate-leads-to-suffering/712897)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-fear-leads-to-anger-anger-leads-to-hate-hate-leads-to-suffering/712897 "2015-02-26T18:06:50Z")
In their response to the recent terrorist acts the Danish Humanist association includes this saying, and while I think “true, true”, I’m also shouting “Yoda!” Is Yoda the only, or earliest source of that form of the sta… --- ## [Battleship main guns: how loud outside?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battleship-main-guns-how-loud-outside/713417)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battleship-main-guns-how-loud-outside/713417 "2015-02-26T16:34:51Z")
If you zoom in on this picture of the USS Iowa firing pretty much every gun they’ve got, you’ll see that there are in fact a number of sailors standing on deck to observe the event (look below and left of the central tow… --- ## [Net neutrality outside the USA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/net-neutrality-outside-the-usa/713669)
**Author:** [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/net-neutrality-outside-the-usa/713669 "2015-02-26T16:24:37Z")
A question for Dopers outside the USA. Is net neutrality an issue? Why or why not? --- ## [How Much Do We Really Know About Ancient Historical People?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-we-really-know-about-ancient-historical-people/541781)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-we-really-know-about-ancient-historical-people/541781 "2015-02-26T15:57:38Z")
All the threads about the (alleged) ahistoricity of Jesus make me wonder-how much do we really know about people in the ancient world. Take Julius Caesar-Roman Emperor and general. He wrote several books (like “The Gall… --- ## [What Happens to The Potential Energy of a Descending Airplane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-potential-energy-of-a-descending-airplane/713568)
**Author:** [@UncleFred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleFred)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-potential-energy-of-a-descending-airplane/713568 "2015-02-26T15:56:02Z")
A commercial airplane raised to a cruising altitude of, say, 35000 feet, has accumulated a lot of potential energy. Where does it go when the airplane descends? It can’t all be converted to kinetic energy, since an airp… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1160) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1162)