# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=148 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 149 --- ## [How Can Fidelity Claim a Tax Equivalent Yield](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-fidelity-claim-a-tax-equivalent-yield/982966)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2023, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-fidelity-claim-a-tax-equivalent-yield/982966 "2023-04-20T11:50:18Z")
So I was poking around in my Fidelity account, and looking at a muni index fund (FTABX) which is specifically desirable (for some) because the interest earned is exempt from federal taxes. Fine. I note the yield on the … --- ## [Applying for Social Security: timing of spousal application](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-for-social-security-timing-of-spousal-application/982818)
**Author:** [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2023, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-for-social-security-timing-of-spousal-application/982818 "2023-04-20T02:10:47Z")
In a nutshell: can my spouse apply for benefits under my earnings: A) as soon as my application has been received by SSA (she will be given the option of taking under my earnings when she applies online); or B) only af… --- ## [Why is cough medicine so expensive compared to other OTC drugs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cough-medicine-so-expensive-compared-to-other-otc-drugs/981759)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2023, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cough-medicine-so-expensive-compared-to-other-otc-drugs/981759 "2023-04-20T00:01:11Z")
(And of course by cough medicine I mean something that actually contains an active antitussive ingredient, as opposed to so-called “cough drops” that are really just candy.) I was just doing an informal survey of OTC me… --- ## [Can you appeal a settlement agreement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-appeal-a-settlement-agreement/982913)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-appeal-a-settlement-agreement/982913 "2023-04-19T22:43:54Z")
Suppose you sue a company, and they came back just before the trial is to start and say, “We’ll offer you $X”. You say, “Sure”. Can the company then appeal that settlement, to an appeals court and say “The dollar amount … --- ## [Climate in 11th Century L’Anse aux Meadows vs. Viking Settlements in Greenland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-in-11th-century-l-anse-aux-meadows-vs-viking-settlements-in-greenland/952835)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-in-11th-century-l-anse-aux-meadows-vs-viking-settlements-in-greenland/952835 "2023-04-19T13:40:41Z")
Researchers claim this week in an article in Nature that they have pinpointed the date of Norse/Viking occupation of L’Anse aux Meadows to the year 1021 C.E. (exactly 1,000 years ago), which represents the farthest-known… --- ## [How Does A Class Action Form?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-class-action-form/982812)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-class-action-form/982812 "2023-04-19T12:12:02Z")
Admin: Please note that I am not seeking legal advice, only factual answers about the process: Our community has been hit by a situation. A law firm is forming a class action suit. How this works seems nebulous to me. As… --- ## [Preferred term for Color Blindness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-term-for-color-blindness/982349)
**Author:** [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-term-for-color-blindness/982349 "2023-04-19T07:25:00Z")
I am working on something that is sensitive to how well the potential users can perceive colors, and it leads me to wonder if there is a more acceptable / less fraught term for Color Blindness. I did a quick on-line sear… --- ## [Copying user data from MacBook Pro: Need answer fast!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-user-data-from-macbook-pro-need-answer-fast/982877)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-user-data-from-macbook-pro-need-answer-fast/982877 "2023-04-19T02:27:35Z")
My wife’s work computer is a MacBook Pro that the IT staff is going to replace tomorrow. They say they’re going to transfer all her data (and most of it is on the cloud, anyway), but I want to do a separate backup just t… --- ## [Walmart closings in Chicago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-closings-in-chicago/982670)
**Author:** [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2023, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-closings-in-chicago/982670 "2023-04-18T23:49:38Z")
They are saying the stores are not financially successful. Why not? Are there too many stores, are they in dangerous areas? And where are people without a lot of money shopping there, if not Walmart? --- ## [Please explain the Chernobyl disaster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-chernobyl-disaster/962359)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2023, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-chernobyl-disaster/962359 "2023-04-18T21:32:22Z")
I’ve tried to understand the Chernobyl disaster by reading the wikipedia page, but I have trouble getting it. In words of few syllables, can someone take a crack at explaining exactly how the explosion happened? Assume… --- ## [Why is a 21-year old National Guard airman given access to such sensitive intelligence data as was recently leaked](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-21-year-old-national-guard-airman-given-access-to-such-sensitive-intelligence-data-as-was-recently-leaked/982653)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2023, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-21-year-old-national-guard-airman-given-access-to-such-sensitive-intelligence-data-as-was-recently-leaked/982653 "2023-04-18T18:01:28Z")
From this: Jack Teixeira: National Guard airman arrested over leaked Pentagon documents - BBC News It looks like the suspect is a 21-year old National Guard airman I have so many questions Why does a National Guard a… --- ## [Entering a property without a search warrant, then finding evidence and subsequent search warrant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entering-a-property-without-a-search-warrant-then-finding-evidence-and-subsequent-search-warrant/982398)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entering-a-property-without-a-search-warrant-then-finding-evidence-and-subsequent-search-warrant/982398 "2023-04-18T16:38:52Z")
This doesn’t sound like it should hold up in court but I just watch a netflix episode of Heist where this apparently happened…(?) Episode 5 and 6. Barrels of bourbon are being stolen out of Buffalo Trace distillery in … --- ## [To-Do software to manage an employee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-do-software-to-manage-an-employee/982799)
**Author:** [@MorrisCody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MorrisCody)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2023, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-do-software-to-manage-an-employee/982799 "2023-04-18T00:04:00Z")
I have a great manager—for the most part. He is terrible at checking in and giving updates, and doesn’t understand that “no news” is news. I need to know that he called so-and-so and she doesn’t have an answer yet. Is th… --- ## [18,000 dairy cows in one structure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-dairy-cows-in-one-structure/982728)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2023, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-dairy-cows-in-one-structure/982728 "2023-04-17T23:23:19Z")
There was an explosion and fire at a dairy farm in Texas recently and approximately 18,000 cows were killed. How large would that barn have to be to contain that many 1500 pound animals? That’s 27 million pounds of beef… --- ## [Firefox Android image saving problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-android-image-saving-problem/982814)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-android-image-saving-problem/982814 "2023-04-17T20:54:34Z")
So traditionally a long-press/save image saves the image in downloads and if there is a file name conflict, it renames the file, so you would have file.jpg, file(1).jpg, file(2).jpg, etc. But recently it has started savi… --- ## [Question québecoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-quebecoise/48928)
**Author:** [@TheThill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheThill)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2023, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-quebecoise/48928 "2023-04-17T20:49:39Z")
Sorry about the small scope of the question but… What exactly does “lanlire” (sp?) mean in the song “La Poule á Colin”? Merci. --- ## [Airbus A330 control system/ Air France flight 447](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airbus-a330-control-system-air-france-flight-447/605770)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2023, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airbus-a330-control-system-air-france-flight-447/605770 "2023-04-17T16:06:08Z")
The transcript of the CVR from ill-fated Air France flight 447 has been published. It’s reprinted here with running commentary. A minor sensor failure started the whole error chain, and then the cockpit crew spent a st… --- ## ["Objection, your honor": Courtroom procedures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objection-your-honor-courtroom-procedures/982664)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objection-your-honor-courtroom-procedures/982664 "2023-04-17T16:01:37Z")
Are reasons for objections during a courtroom procedure codified, or are they just by convention? I imagine these are taught in litigation courses in law school (IAONAL) but where is it authoritatively written that this … --- ## [Is there a way to condense machine-captured words into paragraphs rather than having to individually do it by hand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-condense-machine-captured-words-into-paragraphs-rather-than-having-to-individually-do-it-by-hand/982774)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2023, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-condense-machine-captured-words-into-paragraphs-rather-than-having-to-individually-do-it-by-hand/982774 "2023-04-17T12:15:00Z")
Been doing some freelance paid work, which involves transcribing YouTube speeches into edited paragraphs. (AI will surely take this job at some point, but for now isn’t accurate enough, especially when speakers have thic… --- ## [When Francis Drake's fleet set out to sail around America, did they expect the cold climate of the South?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-francis-drakes-fleet-set-out-to-sail-around-america-did-they-expect-the-cold-climate-of-the-south/982763)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2023, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-francis-drakes-fleet-set-out-to-sail-around-america-did-they-expect-the-cold-climate-of-the-south/982763 "2023-04-17T09:13:03Z")
And were the crewmen equipped with clothing for withstanding rough and cold weather? This question comes up as I watch a program about Drake’s journey where it was mentioned that they sailed farther South than anybody ha… --- ## [ATT Uverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/att-uverse/501531)
**Author:** [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2009, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/att-uverse/501531 "2009-07-06T02:14:34Z")
My son owns an older house with no “modern” wiring like ethernet or coax. He just told me that he’s saving money to wire the house for ATT’s Uverse service. I’d like to get him a gift card from wherever one would buy t… --- ## [In the now-famous Kid Rock video of him shooting Bud Light cans, is Rock's gun illegal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-now-famous-kid-rock-video-of-him-shooting-bud-light-cans-is-rocks-gun-illegal/982631)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2023, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-now-famous-kid-rock-video-of-him-shooting-bud-light-cans-is-rocks-gun-illegal/982631 "2023-04-17T01:46:00Z")
By now, you’ve surely seen the video of Kid Rock blasting away at cases of Bud Light because they put the imagine of a transgender person on the can – a can not even available to the public. I’m not commenting on Kid Ro… --- ## [Do microwave ovens lose power over time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-microwave-ovens-lose-power-over-time/982650)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-microwave-ovens-lose-power-over-time/982650 "2023-04-16T22:07:09Z")
I’ve been noticing lately that the times given on prepackaged microwave foods aren’t long enough. As in, even if I set it for the maximum of the range (like, if it says ‘heat on full for 5 to 7 minutes’ and I set it for… --- ## [When pets don't bite. Is it out of love, fear, respect? Something else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-pets-dont-bite-is-it-out-of-love-fear-respect-something-else/982295)
**Author:** [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2023, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-pets-dont-bite-is-it-out-of-love-fear-respect-something-else/982295 "2023-04-16T19:17:54Z")
I’ve had pet dogs and cats (strays) that when I’ve hit them (lightly), accidently or because they did something wrong, they’ve instinctively turned to bite with an open mouth, stopped and looked at me straight in the eye… --- ## [Definition of "working" in a foreign country](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-working-in-a-foreign-country/982567)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2023, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-working-in-a-foreign-country/982567 "2023-04-16T13:23:39Z")
This is hypothetical. Suppose I visit a foreign country. I spend a lot of time taking photos with prosumer quality equipment. When I return home, I sell many of those photos either as prints to consumers or to a stock p… --- ## [Do files with long names screw up a computer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-files-with-long-names-screw-up-a-computer/982429)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2023, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-files-with-long-names-screw-up-a-computer/982429 "2023-04-16T12:55:15Z")
I have a hundred or so images on my computer that have very long names, like 20-40 words long. My computer has also started to behave a bit odd, like defaulting to folders I didn’t select, etc (hard to put in words.) If… --- ## [Food turning sour if you refrigerate it with a closed lid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-turning-sour-if-you-refrigerate-it-with-a-closed-lid/982479)
**Author:** [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2023, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-turning-sour-if-you-refrigerate-it-with-a-closed-lid/982479 "2023-04-16T08:21:34Z")
My mother and my sisters have always held this belief: BELIEF: If you have some food that’s still warm, especially meat (including poultry), and you store it in a closed container and put it in the fridge, it will turn… --- ## [Questions about traveling to Spain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-traveling-to-spain/973726)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2023, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-traveling-to-spain/973726 "2023-04-16T06:17:20Z")
I am taking my three teenage boys to Spain in April. I haven’t been to Spain, or Europe at all since 2000. Anything I should know now as a tourist? Other than possible Covid restrictions, are there any major changes I sh… --- ## [Twice As Nice For Half The Price](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twice-as-nice-for-half-the-price/982706)
**Author:** [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2023, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twice-as-nice-for-half-the-price/982706 "2023-04-16T05:44:10Z")
It might not be so well known today, but the Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi war was based in part by a huge price differential. You can hear this in old radio jingles - Coke was sold in 6oz bottles and Pepsi was sold in 12oz bottle… --- ## [J6 Terrorists: Civil Suit Against Fox?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j6-terrorists-civil-suit-against-fox/982696)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2023, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j6-terrorists-civil-suit-against-fox/982696 "2023-04-16T03:40:38Z")
Now, of course, Fox News has a first amendment right to lie but does that free them from all civil liability for the consequences of that lie? This guy believed in what Fox News was telling him and hence believed his c… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=147) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=149)