# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=155 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 156 --- ## [GO REWARDS card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-rewards-card/980862)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-rewards-card/980862 "2023-03-08T14:37:35Z")
I just got a message from my credit union in America. They’re pushing something called a GO\>REWARDS (yes, in all capital letters). It doesn’t seem to be an actual credit card because it doesn’t have a Visa, Mastercard, o… --- ## [What's wrong with my brass (that it won't electoplate nicely)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-brass-that-it-wont-electoplate-nicely/980856)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2023, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-brass-that-it-wont-electoplate-nicely/980856 "2023-03-08T14:11:53Z")
I soldered up some mystery brass sheet stock I had lying around, to make rectangular-cross-section tubing for a scale model project, and I’ve been trying to do a DIY nickel plating process on the resulting parts (nickel … --- ## [Question about Passwords - Is XKCD right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-passwords-is-xkcd-right/967301)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 188\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2023, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-passwords-is-xkcd-right/967301 "2023-03-07T23:41:40Z")
Came across an XKCD cartoon which critiques the guidelines for passwords (“must have a capital, and a number, and a lowercase, etc”). I don’t know anything about info technology, but I’m curious: is Randall right? --- ## [Explain brownouts (Particularly my recent brownout experiences)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-brownouts-particularly-my-recent-brownout-experiences/980719)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2023, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-brownouts-particularly-my-recent-brownout-experiences/980719 "2023-03-07T13:57:44Z")
Recently, due to a severe ice storm, we had wide spread power outages in the area of Michigan where I live and work. At my small retail business the power was totally out for only a few hours but we experienced two lengt… --- ## [Daily exercise is sometimes easy, sometimes hard. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-exercise-is-sometimes-easy-sometimes-hard-why/980797)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2023, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-exercise-is-sometimes-easy-sometimes-hard-why/980797 "2023-03-07T03:34:27Z")
If there is no factual answer to this, I would expect the mods to move it to debates. I do some stretching every morning and I do 30 pushups. Sometimes, I can barely get through the pushups. My arms ache and quiver, an… --- ## [Cream of an Oreo cookie only clings to one side?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cream-of-an-oreo-cookie-only-clings-to-one-side/980707)
**Author:** [@missbird2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbird2000)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2023, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cream-of-an-oreo-cookie-only-clings-to-one-side/980707 "2023-03-06T04:26:00Z")
Why does the cream of an Oreo cookie only cling to one side of the cookie when the cookie is pulled or twisted apart? --- ## [When did NYC pass Philly in population](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-nyc-pass-philly-in-population/980646)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2023, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-nyc-pass-philly-in-population/980646 "2023-03-06T02:17:10Z")
Continuing the discussion from When did the restaurant become a thing?: So as not to hijack, everything I’ve read and watched said 1820s. Then when I verified before posting, Wikipedia agreed. http://demographia.com/db… --- ## [Do I really need to upgrade from Windows 8?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-really-need-to-upgrade-from-windows-8/980504)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-really-need-to-upgrade-from-windows-8/980504 "2023-03-05T20:15:46Z")
Windows 8 is no longer supported. Do I really need to upgrade? --- ## [Why don’t earthquakes destroy minarets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-earthquakes-destroy-minarets/980440)
**Author:** [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-earthquakes-destroy-minarets/980440 "2023-03-05T19:03:31Z")
Watching news reports from various parts of Turkey. I was struck by the number of tall, thin minarets still standing amidst the generalized destruction. Was there an ancient grasp of architectural principles that allowed… --- ## [Ice dams in Colorado](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-dams-in-colorado/980505)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2023, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-dams-in-colorado/980505 "2023-03-05T16:44:06Z")
The snow on the north facing part of my roof has remained there for quite a while this winter causing an ice dam to form as the freeze/ thaw cycle occurs. While I have a pretty good understanding of how these dams are f… --- ## [What was this 90s video store machine? (TV screen at kiosk, press button, see trailer of selected movie)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-90s-video-store-machine-tv-screen-at-kiosk-press-button-see-trailer-of-selected-movie/980740)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2023, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-90s-video-store-machine-tv-screen-at-kiosk-press-button-see-trailer-of-selected-movie/980740 "2023-03-05T00:52:24Z")
I’m on a nostalgic video store kick, lately, and I was wondering if anyone could help me ID a peculiar little setup I remember from when I was a kid. My local video store (approximately some time between 1990 and 94) ha… --- ## [Health coverage for foreigners traveling in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-coverage-for-foreigners-traveling-in-the-us/976434)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2023, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-coverage-for-foreigners-traveling-in-the-us/976434 "2023-03-04T19:13:27Z")
The other day I caught a brief scene from some medical drama (it just happened to be on when I turned on my TV). From what I saw, the plot was thus: A British couple was on vacation in the US when the woman fell ill, i… --- ## [Eating raw eggs to bulk up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eating-raw-eggs-to-bulk-up/980038)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob1)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eating-raw-eggs-to-bulk-up/980038 "2023-03-04T18:21:39Z")
I’m sure you’ve seen movies or cartoons where a character cracks open a bunch of eggs into a pitcher and drinks them to bulk up. How did eating raw eggs even become a thing? I know eggs are high in protein, but how does … --- ## [Temperature difference be height](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/temperature-difference-be-height/980652)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2023, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/temperature-difference-be-height/980652 "2023-03-04T17:10:01Z")
Heat rises, but how much? Say I have a a room of a certain dimension and uniform temperature. How can I calculate what the temperature difference will he between the floor and the ceiling once it has reached a stable poi… --- ## [Did Royal Raymond Rife find a cure for cancer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-royal-raymond-rife-find-a-cure-for-cancer/89205)
**Author:** [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2023, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-royal-raymond-rife-find-a-cure-for-cancer/89205 "2023-03-04T04:54:58Z")
This reeks of Urban Legend, but I couldn’t find anything in Snopes or even here on the SDMB. (I e-mailed Snopes but got an automatic reply - hope they find time to look into this and verify or debunk it). Someone sent m… --- ## [Direction of rotation terminology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/direction-of-rotation-terminology/980564)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2023, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/direction-of-rotation-terminology/980564 "2023-03-03T23:46:42Z")
We use clockwise and counter-clockwise to describe rotations. These assume you are looking in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. Are there any terms to describe rotation while looking at a rotating object in a… --- ## [Motoflux magnet motor, could this work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motoflux-magnet-motor-could-this-work/980447)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motoflux-magnet-motor-could-this-work/980447 "2023-03-03T19:36:34Z")
This company has released several videos and articles about this technology but this video has the only explanation of how it actually is supposed to work (video should start right at the explanation). Ever… --- ## [Is it good to suppress fever and swelling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-good-to-suppress-fever-and-swelling/980615)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2023, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-good-to-suppress-fever-and-swelling/980615 "2023-03-03T19:29:33Z")
We are always told to use ice or NSAIDs for swelling and inflammation, and medication to reduce fever. These are immune responses. I know suppressing them makes us more comfortable, but doesn’t it work against what our … --- ## [How could you hide anything from a dog?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-you-hide-anything-from-a-dog/980519)
**Author:** [@EdwardFound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardFound)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2023, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-you-hide-anything-from-a-dog/980519 "2023-03-03T18:41:02Z")
I sometimes get on my feed these humorous videos of people hiding from their dogs by ducking behind something, or maybe doing some slight-of-hand with a snack - seemingly perplexing the poor animal. Is this really possib… --- ## [What's the fastest way to record onto a VHS, in commercial quality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-fastest-way-to-record-onto-a-vhs-in-commercial-quality/980577)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2023, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-fastest-way-to-record-onto-a-vhs-in-commercial-quality/980577 "2023-03-03T16:59:35Z")
Okay, odd technical setup question: say I needed to dub commercial-quality recordings onto VHS, on a regular basis (say, a few dozen a week, all of different subjects, not giant production runs of one movie), from a digi… --- ## [Questions about the White Lion and the Africans aboard brought to Port Comfort VA in 1619](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-white-lion-and-the-africans-aboard-brought-to-port-comfort-va-in-1619/980656)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2023, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-white-lion-and-the-africans-aboard-brought-to-port-comfort-va-in-1619/980656 "2023-03-03T15:37:19Z")
I have seen several articles linking the Anthony on the White Lion with Anthony Johnson who won his freedom from indentured servitude in 1623. I haven’t found any reliable sources to say whether they are one and the sa… --- ## [MS Outlook Gripe # 372: how do I turn off al the prompts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-outlook-gripe-372-how-do-i-turn-off-al-the-prompts/980593)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-outlook-gripe-372-how-do-i-turn-off-al-the-prompts/980593 "2023-03-03T15:21:50Z")
Outlook got upgraded and now I’m trying to do Anne-mail and blue boxes start coming up : Did you know that you can \[insert inane functuoanlity\]? No, and I don’t give a tinker’s dam. I just want to type an e-mail without… --- ## [Excel Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question/980602)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question/980602 "2023-03-02T23:21:02Z")
I am looking at the detail of my daily energy usage which I van copy from the supplier’s web portal. The problem is that they have entered all the usage as numbers followed by kwh. |86.86 kWh| |75.77 kWh| |67.37 kWh| … --- ## [What is being a passenger on a military flight (i.e., C-17) like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-being-a-passenger-on-a-military-flight-i-e-c-17-like/980472)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2023, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-being-a-passenger-on-a-military-flight-i-e-c-17-like/980472 "2023-03-02T18:50:50Z")
I’ve seen a photo where all the soldiers on a C-17 flight from America to Europe (and then, later on, to the Middle East?) were sleeping, unsurprising. No in-flight entertainment. But is there a lavatory? If they want t… --- ## [Diagnose my hairy banana!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnose-my-hairy-banana/334679)
**Author:** [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnose-my-hairy-banana/334679 "2023-03-02T17:00:37Z")
I have a banana at my desk this morning. I brought it to work yesterday, and left it on the desk oevernight. The skin is starting to get dark brown and spotty, but the banana still feels firm. When I peeled it open a … --- ## [Human trafficking reporting question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-trafficking-reporting-question/980557)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-trafficking-reporting-question/980557 "2023-03-02T15:38:57Z")
I saw a public notice recently which was talking about human trafficking. It was explaining some of the signs to watch for and gave the number for a law enforcement agency to report suspected cases to. But one thing puz… --- ## [We have NO method of capturing a slowly flying balloon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-no-method-of-capturing-a-slowly-flying-balloon/979792)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2023, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-no-method-of-capturing-a-slowly-flying-balloon/979792 "2023-03-02T14:42:38Z")
With all the high tech developments the Department of Defense has access to, it seems as if there should have been a way to capture the recent spate of balloons and other devices. For instance, if they had used bullets … --- ## [Can you take dried plants on international flights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-take-dried-plants-on-international-flights/980324)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2023, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-take-dried-plants-on-international-flights/980324 "2023-03-02T02:43:55Z")
My wife has been getting into natural fabric dyeing lately. We are coincidentally going to be in France this spring, and she’s curious about foraging for dyestuffs while we’re there. Is it OK to bring dried plants on an … --- ## [Latin experts, venite! Can anyone tell me how you would say "treats" in Latin, in the sense of cat treats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latin-experts-venite-can-anyone-tell-me-how-you-would-say-treats-in-latin-in-the-sense-of-cat-treats/980460)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2023, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latin-experts-venite-can-anyone-tell-me-how-you-would-say-treats-in-latin-in-the-sense-of-cat-treats/980460 "2023-03-02T01:13:02Z")
Question in header. Reason wanted, to be revealed once I have a usable translation and complete the image for which I intend to use this. It turns out, not surprisingly, that googling for a translation of treat" or “t… --- ## [Do temporary spare tires really only last 50 miles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-temporary-spare-tires-really-only-last-50-miles/980157)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2023, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-temporary-spare-tires-really-only-last-50-miles/980157 "2023-03-01T16:08:36Z")
My wife’s car has a temporary spare tire, AKA a donut, that she’s had to use a couple of times. The Subaru manual warns that you shouldn’t drive over 50 mph (going from memory) and to not drive it more than 50 miles. I… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=154) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=156)