# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=130 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 131 --- ## [Is "landlord" used to mean an employee in charge of a property?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-landlord-used-to-mean-an-employee-in-charge-of-a-property/988157)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2023, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-landlord-used-to-mean-an-employee-in-charge-of-a-property/988157 "2023-08-08T12:47:03Z")
Several years ago (Somewhere between the late 1990’s and early 2010’s) I occasionally read listings of buildings owned by a company. But amongst the information listed about the buildings, it listed a “landlord” who was … --- ## [Quest for RC on tap in or near Wisconsin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quest-for-rc-on-tap-in-or-near-wisconsin/982648)
**Author:** [@Arakhin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arakhin)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2023, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quest-for-rc-on-tap-in-or-near-wisconsin/982648 "2023-08-07T21:46:30Z")
For a summer road trip this year a buddy and I are on a quest to find a restaurant with RC Cola on tap in or near Wisconsin. We grew up in RC households so it’s a nostagia thing . . . I found a somewhat similar thread … --- ## [Shingles Vaccine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shingles-vaccine/988118)
**Author:** [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2023, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shingles-vaccine/988118 "2023-08-07T19:34:59Z")
My sister (mid-30s) is going through her second bout of shingles. If she gets the shingles vaccine once she is healthy again, will it limit the chances that she’ll have more recurrences in the future? Or would it at leas… --- ## [What are these lines in sea off Normandy coast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-lines-in-sea-off-normandy-coast/988033)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2023, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-lines-in-sea-off-normandy-coast/988033 "2023-08-07T19:32:39Z")
What are these lines in the sea off the coast of Normandy, France? Location on Google Maps. I thought they might be a photographic glitch and not actually there, but they… --- ## [Why has someone gone through a lot of effort to carve a grid into the shorline at this location?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-someone-gone-through-a-lot-of-effort-to-carve-a-grid-into-the-shorline-at-this-location/988138)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2023, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-someone-gone-through-a-lot-of-effort-to-carve-a-grid-into-the-shorline-at-this-location/988138 "2023-08-07T18:05:05Z")
https://goo.gl/maps/7Waf7BeC2vpGmYXg6 Some parts of the grid seems to have additional human activity: Google Maps Other parts of the grid look like they could be grave mounds for giants: Google Maps --- ## [Resurrecting an old iPhone \[hypothetical\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resurrecting-an-old-iphone-hypothetical/988010)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2023, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resurrecting-an-old-iphone-hypothetical/988010 "2023-08-07T14:32:56Z")
I got an iPhone 6s when I signed up with Virgin Mobile, which became @boostmobile. Three things coincided to induce me to get a new phone: Boost Mobile’s poor coverage and their ‘sucks to be you’ attitude, my wife’s sat… --- ## [How does the Rio Grande buoy barrier work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-rio-grande-buoy-barrier-work/988051)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2023, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-rio-grande-buoy-barrier-work/988051 "2023-08-06T23:37:07Z")
The news lately is reporting on a floating barrier erected in the Rio Grande by the state of Texas, intended to deter undocumented immigrants from crossing in the shallow part of the river. Discussions of whether this i… --- ## [What kind of professional do I need for this yard job?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-professional-do-i-need-for-this-yard-job/988110)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2023, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-professional-do-i-need-for-this-yard-job/988110 "2023-08-06T19:40:31Z")
When I moved into the manufactured home I live in, the landscape was already set up. Some bushes and a small garden bed in front, with a small tree as the centerpiece. Since then the place has become overrun with weeds, … --- ## [Shoe box label code meaning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-box-label-code-meaning/988095)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2023, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-box-label-code-meaning/988095 "2023-08-06T00:26:30Z")
After three years and change, my wife and I finally got to go to Korea to escape Beijing for a few weeks. We’re shopping on the US Army base and encountered something we’ve never seen before. In the kids’ shoe section, t… --- ## [US Credit Rating Downgraded - Does it Matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-credit-rating-downgraded-does-it-matter/987949)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2023, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-credit-rating-downgraded-does-it-matter/987949 "2023-08-05T12:07:51Z")
According to the BBC today, Fitch, one of three major independent agencies that assess creditworthiness, cut the rating from the top level of AAA to a notch lower at AA+. “The rating downgrade of the United States refl… --- ## [Did Chicago Once Have a Brick Battleship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-chicago-once-have-a-brick-battleship/537002)
**Author:** [@davekhps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davekhps)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2023, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-chicago-once-have-a-brick-battleship/537002 "2023-08-04T20:23:46Z")
Column here. Cecil mentions the Rush-Bagot Treaty demilitarizing the Great Lakes. As an aside, while there haven’t been permanent naval forces on the Great Lakes, there has been plenty of naval construction on the Grea… --- ## [EV charging question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ev-charging-question/987979)
**Author:** [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2023, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ev-charging-question/987979 "2023-08-04T12:37:46Z")
Forgive my ignorance of electricity. I’ve long understood that charging a car from 80 to 90 percent range takes longer than charging it from 20 to 30 percent, although you are adding the same 30 miles to the range eithe… --- ## [Emigration to Australia and/or New Zealand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emigration-to-australia-and-or-new-zealand/987926)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2023, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emigration-to-australia-and-or-new-zealand/987926 "2023-08-04T12:21:15Z")
Is it possible to emigrate to Australia and/or New Zealand if all you have to contribute is a lot of spending money? There are rules for direct relatives, students and jobs, but what if I just want to retire to those c… --- ## [How does an iphone directional compass work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-iphone-directional-compass-work/986940)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2023, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-iphone-directional-compass-work/986940 "2023-08-04T12:19:52Z")
My possibly wrong conception of magnetism is that it is a force that can and does interact with physical materials such as a compass needle or particles in the upper atmosphere, etc. If that’s essentially correct, I’m c… --- ## [What are these clips/buckles called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-clips-buckles-called/987978)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2023, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-clips-buckles-called/987978 "2023-08-04T06:13:59Z")
I’m talking about the ubiquitous plastic clips or buckles that are closures on a lot of back-packs, camera cases or anything else that is a function over form kind of design. There is a female piece and a male piece and … --- ## [What does a Spanish accent Sound like in German?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-spanish-accent-sound-like-in-german/987895)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2023, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-spanish-accent-sound-like-in-german/987895 "2023-08-03T00:10:14Z")
What does it sound like to speak German with a Spanish accent? --- ## [Lancaster II LL.725 “C” RCAF Bomber lost 29-Jul-1944](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lancaster-ii-ll-725-c-rcaf-bomber-lost-29-jul-1944/987883)
**Author:** [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2023, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lancaster-ii-ll-725-c-rcaf-bomber-lost-29-jul-1944/987883 "2023-08-02T21:46:56Z")
I’m interested in learning about a particular Avro Lancaster Mk. II (some sources say Mk. III). Serial number LL.725. It’s markings are listed as “EQ-C Originally Z-Zombie”. Since the markings were originally EQ-Z, it g… --- ## [Compulsory ROTC at public universities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-rotc-at-public-universities/393140)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2023, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-rotc-at-public-universities/393140 "2023-08-02T20:35:28Z")
My understanding is that the Morrill Act (which established land-grant colleges) required said colleges to have mandatory instruction in military drilling for male students. After ROTC was created this become two year… --- ## [Placing the tiny Google maps locator person where you want him](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placing-the-tiny-google-maps-locator-person-where-you-want-him/987821)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2023, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placing-the-tiny-google-maps-locator-person-where-you-want-him/987821 "2023-08-02T19:06:31Z")
When you go to Google maps and you want the street view, you grab the tiny yellow person in the lower right corner of the screen \[No doubt Google has a cute name for him.\] and drag him to the place you want to see up clo… --- ## [Trigonometry, the Wind, and the Stop Sign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trigonometry-the-wind-and-the-stop-sign/987633)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2023, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trigonometry-the-wind-and-the-stop-sign/987633 "2023-08-02T01:08:41Z")
Imagine I am 50’ away from a stop sign loosely mounted to a post. The stop sign is completely perpendicular to me in the horizontal and vertical axes. If I take a picture of the sign using my cell phone, I can then cou… --- ## [UFO's in Recent Navy Videos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ufos-in-recent-navy-videos/966337)
**Author:** [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2023, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ufos-in-recent-navy-videos/966337 "2023-08-01T19:57:49Z")
I don’t want to start a debate over UFO’s here but in looking at these videos it occured to me that they had a resemblance to what are called “ghosts” to optical engineers. The imaging systems were recently installed … --- ## [Apollo 15: What if two parachutes had failed, and how fast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-15-what-if-two-parachutes-had-failed-and-how-fast/987700)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2023, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-15-what-if-two-parachutes-had-failed-and-how-fast/987700 "2023-08-01T19:45:49Z")
I saw something about this today: Apollo 15 made splashdown with two of the three chutes deployed, and the astronauts were none the worse for wear. I’ll assume that if no chutes had deployed, that very likely would not… --- ## [Morbid question about notification of severe injuries or casualties (WARNING: Possibly triggering material)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morbid-question-about-notification-of-severe-injuries-or-casualties-warning-possibly-triggering-material/987690)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morbid-question-about-notification-of-severe-injuries-or-casualties-warning-possibly-triggering-material/987690 "2023-08-01T17:48:42Z")
NOTE: This topic may be triggering for some, and I am trying to be sensitive about this topic that I am curious about. Mods, please advise if this subject is appropriate. I am asking a factual question, trying to be a… --- ## [Telephone Poles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-poles/794145)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-poles/794145 "2023-08-01T14:28:49Z")
Does anyone climb telephone poles anymore? Or, with OSHA laws, is that a thing of the past? (Kind of like, firemen cannot ride on the back of the fire truck anymore.) --- ## [Could the new treatments for hepatitis C drive the disease into extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-new-treatments-for-hepatitis-c-drive-the-disease-into-extinction/724986)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2023, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-new-treatments-for-hepatitis-c-drive-the-disease-into-extinction/724986 "2023-08-01T05:42:10Z")
I think solvaldi and harvoni have a success rate of almost 99% or so. Assuming when the drugs are off patent and affordable, is that a high enough success rate to eliminate Hep C as a disease, could it go the way of smal… --- ## [Question About Older Late Night TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-older-late-night-tv/987279)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2023, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-older-late-night-tv/987279 "2023-08-01T02:23:10Z")
When I was a bit older, my parents never much enforced a curfew and I sometimes watched the news, weekend movies or shows like SNL. Between midnight and two am or so, television programs would end. They would show the … --- ## [What is this musical instrument? (Some kind of percussion instrument, sounds metallic, very 70s sounding)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-musical-instrument-some-kind-of-percussion-instrument-sounds-metallic-very-70s-sounding/987087)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-musical-instrument-some-kind-of-percussion-instrument-sounds-metallic-very-70s-sounding/987087 "2023-07-31T22:44:01Z")
Okay, I’ve got a puzzler that I’m flying blind with. Can anyone tell me what instrument is being played in the first 17 seconds of this video? The source is 1977’s “The Mouse and his Child,” a very 70s-ish movie, and I… --- ## [Speed camera question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-camera-question/987501)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-camera-question/987501 "2023-07-31T19:59:59Z")
I got a summons in the mail for an on camera speeding violation in Virginia. If the tech is to believed, I was doing 55 in a 35 work zone. I guess I probably was speeding but in the pictures there is not another car, per… --- ## [Blowing a whistle at Scammers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blowing-a-whistle-at-scammers/987637)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2023, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blowing-a-whistle-at-scammers/987637 "2023-07-31T11:02:41Z")
I was just listening to a radio discussion about dealing with scam phone calls. A lady phoned in and said that she blows a loud whistle when she gets one and the presenter got her to demonstrate. What we heard was a loud… --- ## [Renewing Passport Questions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renewing-passport-questions/855906)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2023, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renewing-passport-questions/855906 "2023-07-31T10:19:26Z")
My US passport will expire January 2021. There is a possibility I’ll need it then, so I would like to renew it. I’ve renewed it before, but never during troubled times, so I’m being extra cautious. What happens if I d… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=129) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=131)