# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=192 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 193 --- ## [Is there a way to find the pix that Windows uses when the computer is locked](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-find-the-pix-that-windows-uses-when-the-computer-is-locked/969111)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2022, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-find-the-pix-that-windows-uses-when-the-computer-is-locked/969111 "2022-08-06T15:08:55Z")
When The lock page comes on and I need to hit Ctrl+Alt+Del, there are pretty pix that come up as background. Is there a way to find those pix and download any of them? --- ## [Police radar and vehicle vibrations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-radar-and-vehicle-vibrations/950133)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2022, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-radar-and-vehicle-vibrations/950133 "2022-08-06T12:06:38Z")
Something that I have pondered is it possible to confuse speed radar with a severe vibration of the car? Perhaps intentional caused on the extreme end? Maybe the nose of the car set on an oscillating device, perhaps ul… --- ## [Two questions re pr-1964 smoking health hazard awareness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-re-pr-1964-smoking-health-hazard-awareness/968889)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2022, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-re-pr-1964-smoking-health-hazard-awareness/968889 "2022-08-06T01:27:04Z")
Today, the serious health hazards of smoking are common knowledge. In the past, however, smoking was a very common, if not (at certain times and among some demographics) near-universal habit (though allegedly, not “every… --- ## [How did Trump get to bury his ex- on a golf course?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-trump-get-to-bury-his-ex-on-a-golf-course/968834)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2022, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-trump-get-to-bury-his-ex-on-a-golf-course/968834 "2022-08-05T20:58:57Z")
Probably looking for someone familiar with New Jersey law here, but I don’t get how Trump was allowed to bury his ex-wife on a golf course. Was it (somehow) designated as a cemetery before Ivana Trump died on July 14? D… --- ## [How to calculate air pressure below sea level?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-calculate-air-pressure-below-sea-level/969089)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2022, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-calculate-air-pressure-below-sea-level/969089 "2022-08-05T18:25:43Z")
Suppose I could dig a hole to the center of the earth. How would I calculate the air pressure at an arbitrary depth in the hole? How to compare this to water pressure experienced by divers? --- ## [Question about “frivolous” legal defenses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-frivolous-legal-defenses/968957)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2022, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-frivolous-legal-defenses/968957 "2022-08-05T17:53:14Z")
The debates on abortion and the January 6 riots got me thinking about this. People have all kinds of sincerely held yet ridiculous beliefs, and I wondered what happens when some of them are taken to court. If it’s a matt… --- ## [Why don't private pilots get instrument rated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-private-pilots-get-instrument-rated/968835)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2022, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-private-pilots-get-instrument-rated/968835 "2022-08-05T17:51:39Z")
I imagine it is due to cost or that it is difficult to pass the test. I hear about pilots flying VFR and they get into a situation that requires IMC and bad things result. Why wouldn’t a pilot do all the training they … --- ## [Does high humidity have any significant effect on computers and other electronics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-high-humidity-have-any-significant-effect-on-computers-and-other-electronics/969085)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2022, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-high-humidity-have-any-significant-effect-on-computers-and-other-electronics/969085 "2022-08-05T17:31:49Z")
I have my home office set up in a loft space. It tends to get very hot in the summer, so I have an A/C unit that effectively cools and dehumidifies the air. But I tend not to turn it on until it hits around 80 degrees; u… --- ## [What information can a website obtain by you simply going to it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-can-a-website-obtain-by-you-simply-going-to-it/969027)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2022, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-can-a-website-obtain-by-you-simply-going-to-it/969027 "2022-08-04T23:48:27Z")
I’m still trying to understand this newfangled internet thing. :confused: When I go from one website to another, does the new website know from which website I came? For example, if I go from this page to CNN, does CN… --- ## [How Many States of Matter are There? 3, 4 or 5?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-states-of-matter-are-there-3-4-or-5/21658)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2022, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-states-of-matter-are-there-3-4-or-5/21658 "2022-08-04T22:35:59Z")
Ok, we can all agree on the easy ones…Gas, Liquid and Solid. I read somewhere that a Bose-Einstein Condensate can be considered a 4th state of matter. I had also heard somewhere that Plasma (i.e. what matter in a star … --- ## [Strong wind = poor internet service?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strong-wind-poor-internet-service/968833)
**Author:** [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strong-wind-poor-internet-service/968833 "2022-08-04T20:40:42Z")
My wife swears this is the case. She says she has noticed a correlation between strong winds (“strong” is undefined) and the number of times we lose internet service or it slows to a crawl. When that happens, the first … --- ## [UFOs off the Cleveland shore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ufos-off-the-cleveland-shore/968976)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ufos-off-the-cleveland-shore/968976 "2022-08-04T20:35:02Z")
This Channel 5 story about a waterspout in Lake Erie makes no mention of the 4 large flying saucers in the photos. Click on the photos, not the video. Some kind of reflections? --- ## [Why is my Email Screwed Up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-email-screwed-up/969081)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-email-screwed-up/969081 "2022-08-04T18:46:54Z")
I am using Windows 11, and the bog-standard Mail program. Nothing fancy. Most of my emails come through fine. Some (including an important one from my doctor) do not display properly. I get lots of formatting stuff; … --- ## [Need some help understanding diopters and nearsightedness (for swimming goggles)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-understanding-diopters-and-nearsightedness-for-swimming-goggles/968979)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2022, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-understanding-diopters-and-nearsightedness-for-swimming-goggles/968979 "2022-08-04T17:03:10Z")
Growing up in Asia, optometrists always used a system of “200 degrees, 400 degrees, 800 degrees” for nearsightedness. In America, however, it’s apparently “diopters” of “-2.5, -4.0, -7.5,” etc. I’m not sure how it conve… --- ## [Why is there suddenly a Favorites folder icon on my Mac desktop and how do I get rid of it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-suddenly-a-favorites-folder-icon-on-my-mac-desktop-and-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it/969093)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2022, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-suddenly-a-favorites-folder-icon-on-my-mac-desktop-and-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it/969093 "2022-08-04T15:18:29Z")
This thing suddenly appeared. It’s a good guess that some accidental hand movement generated it, I don’t know. But I don’t want ANY icons on my desktop. I have a Favorites section on my Finder sidebar and that’s fine. H… --- ## [Some questions about anaphylactic shock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-anaphylactic-shock/968931)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2022, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-anaphylactic-shock/968931 "2022-08-04T08:10:07Z")
I’m writing a story about a person who has an allergic reaction to shellfish while eating in a restaurant, and I had a lot of questions: 1-What would the shock symptoms look like? 2-Would a high end restaurant have an … --- ## [Where on YouTube is the full documentary "The Social Dilemma"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-on-youtube-is-the-full-documentary-the-social-dilemma/969068)
**Author:** [@ambushed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ambushed)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2022, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-on-youtube-is-the-full-documentary-the-social-dilemma/969068 "2022-08-04T04:42:48Z")
I’m already paying for several movie streaming sites, and so I don’t want to add another one: Netflix. However, I want to see The Social Dilemma (despite the criticisms), and Mashable reported: Netflix just put hit docum… --- ## [Prosecuting crimes outside the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecuting-crimes-outside-the-us/968987)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2022, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecuting-crimes-outside-the-us/968987 "2022-08-04T01:11:06Z")
A US citizen just got convicted of killing his wife in Africa. Trial was in Denver how is this legit? I guess Zambia declined to charge him? Is this because it was also insurance fraud. --- ## [Can you ID this insect for me, please? (Hopefully not a bedbug)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-id-this-insect-for-me-please-hopefully-not-a-bedbug/969005)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-id-this-insect-for-me-please-hopefully-not-a-bedbug/969005 "2022-08-03T20:35:05Z")
I was lying awake last night and felt something crawling on my skin. I caught the insect and took pictures of it, one of which can be found here (JPG file). For scale, I placed a one cent coin of the euro next to it; tho… --- ## [The curvature of a harp](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-curvature-of-a-harp/969050)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2022, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-curvature-of-a-harp/969050 "2022-08-03T20:31:29Z")
Here’s a harp: Wikipedia is hosting that pic, so if someone changes it, here’s a Google-Images search for “harp” that’ll show you lots of similar examples. My question concerns the … --- ## [With DNA testing, are unidentified Jane/John doe bodies still a thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-dna-testing-are-unidentified-jane-john-doe-bodies-still-a-thing/925608)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2022, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-dna-testing-are-unidentified-jane-john-doe-bodies-still-a-thing/925608 "2022-08-03T15:54:43Z")
I know some bodies can decay to the point where you can’t get DNA, but now that anyone’s DNA can be run though a public site are unidentified dead bodies still a thing for people whose DNA can be collected? is finding an… --- ## [No more promethazine and codeine cough syrup?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-promethazine-and-codeine-cough-syrup/968990)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2022, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-promethazine-and-codeine-cough-syrup/968990 "2022-08-03T11:19:44Z")
I just saw a sign at our local Rite Aid saying they would no longer carry promethazine plus codeine. This is a cough syrup formula I’ve used for decades (by scrip) for chronic bronchitis. This is for all Rite Aid stores,… --- ## [How many founding families/individuals are now said to have established the American continent's pre-Columbian native American tribes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-founding-families-individuals-are-now-said-to-have-established-the-american-continents-pre-columbian-native-american-tribes/968950)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2022, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-founding-families-individuals-are-now-said-to-have-established-the-american-continents-pre-columbian-native-american-tribes/968950 "2022-08-03T09:14:15Z")
I heard Neill de Grasse Tyson mention that America’s native tribes trace back to 8 founding families. I haven’t been able to find any confirmation of that. The science keeps changing on the issue. What is the consensus t… --- ## [Whats the strongest bug spray you can legally buy for home use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-strongest-bug-spray-you-can-legally-buy-for-home-use/968964)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2022, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-strongest-bug-spray-you-can-legally-buy-for-home-use/968964 "2022-08-03T04:55:56Z")
Ok heres my problem … I live in the desert and yeah we have bugs …Our normal bugs are easy to take care of and don’t need much more than a few sprays of ortho home defense around the house every spring/summer However… --- ## [Question regarding the order of adjectives in English (coordinate adjectives?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-order-of-adjectives-in-english-coordinate-adjectives/968894)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-order-of-adjectives-in-english-coordinate-adjectives/968894 "2022-08-02T20:22:45Z")
I’m not sure what to call adjective that describe abstract qualities such as ‘expensive’ or ‘elegant’ (coordinate adjectives?). Are there rules of their particular order in English? If I say/write “the expensive elegant… --- ## [Ornithology Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ornithology-question/968849)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ornithology-question/968849 "2022-08-02T20:22:21Z")
I’ve heard since I was a kid that when a mated pair of birds is tending to a restful of eggs, the mama bird will sit on the eggs and incubate, and the papa bird will bring food to the mama bird (I’m pretty confident that… --- ## [Why doesn't the body naturally just stop putting on weight at some point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-body-naturally-just-stop-putting-on-weight-at-some-point/968831)
**Author:** [@SmartBulbInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartBulbInc)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2022, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-body-naturally-just-stop-putting-on-weight-at-some-point/968831 "2022-08-02T20:03:27Z")
This never really made sense to me. If being extremely overweight is so unhealthy, why do our bodies store way more fat than what is helpful in regards to survival? --- ## [Why does my cell phone show "no service" periodically for a few hours?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-cell-phone-show-no-service-periodically-for-a-few-hours/967727)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-cell-phone-show-no-service-periodically-for-a-few-hours/967727 "2022-08-02T17:18:04Z")
Here’s the question: is this a network/coverage problem or a hardware problem (signaling that my phone is about to go belly-up). My carrier is T-Mobile. I’m using a BlackBerry Key2, running on Android 8.1.0, the latest … --- ## [Factual info about illumination on the surface of Venus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-info-about-illumination-on-the-surface-of-venus/968856)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2022, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-info-about-illumination-on-the-surface-of-venus/968856 "2022-08-02T11:38:58Z")
I’m trying to get a sense of how bright the surface of Venus would appear in the visible wavelengths to a hypothetical human astronaut in an unobtanium pressure suit. Venus is significantly closer to the Sun, but has muc… --- ## [A question on those photographs of galaxies from space telesccopes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-on-those-photographs-of-galaxies-from-space-telesccopes/968723)
**Author:** [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2022, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-on-those-photographs-of-galaxies-from-space-telesccopes/968723 "2022-08-02T07:48:27Z")
You’ve probably seen them, such as the one here from Hubble, or this from JWST. If you don’t want to click through, these are just the typical deep space photographs of scores of galaxies in a single frame. My question … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=191) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=193)