# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=198 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 199 --- ## [How hard is modern military equipment to learn to use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-modern-military-equipment-to-learn-to-use/933435)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-modern-military-equipment-to-learn-to-use/933435 "2022-07-06T21:37:51Z")
Say that some U.S. ally came under attack (we could say Ukraine getting attacked by Russia, although I don’t want to get too bogged down in specifics - any other nation would do, too.) And the United States, for whatever… --- ## [How are people on Etsy able to make crafts using officially licensed characters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-people-on-etsy-able-to-make-crafts-using-officially-licensed-characters/966855)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-people-on-etsy-able-to-make-crafts-using-officially-licensed-characters/966855 "2022-07-06T21:16:20Z")
You can type in just about any search term relating to an officially licensed character on Etsy and find hundreds of people willing to sell you unlicensed merchandise featuring that character. I found 50 hits for the cr… --- ## [Google Drive question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-drive-question/967472)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2022, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-drive-question/967472 "2022-07-06T07:07:25Z")
I have Google Drive and have paid for extra storage. I shared a folder on my account so someone I work with can put files in there. They are telling me that when they plop files in that shared folder they lose space on… --- ## [Economics Question: Is it correct to equate 'opportunity costs' with 'margin costs' or even 'marginal rate of substitution'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-question-is-it-correct-to-equate-opportunity-costs-with-margin-costs-or-even-marginal-rate-of-substitution/967326)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2022, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-question-is-it-correct-to-equate-opportunity-costs-with-margin-costs-or-even-marginal-rate-of-substitution/967326 "2022-07-06T06:21:24Z")
I have seen opportunity costs followed by either ‘margin costs’ or even ‘marginal rate of substitution’ in parenthesesn ie. equated Is it correct to equate ‘opportunity costs’ with ‘margin costs’ or even ‘marginal rate … --- ## [What is this hand signal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2022, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450 "2022-07-06T05:32:08Z")
I’ve seen it used as a sign of encouragement: pinkie finger and forefinger up, thumb holding down the index finger and ring finger. It’s not the Shaka sign, with thumb and pinkie finger up. --- ## [Is there a symbol for the microsoft Windows Key?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-symbol-for-the-microsoft-windows-key/591472)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2022, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-symbol-for-the-microsoft-windows-key/591472 "2022-07-05T21:27:07Z")
I’m writing documentation, and I want to include that key on a Microsoft box’s keyboard ,that’s usually in the lowest row, with the Windows logo on it. Is there a symbol for it? Or any easy way to get it in a document? --- ## [If A Party Dies During Civil Litigation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-party-dies-during-civil-litigation/967405)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2022, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-party-dies-during-civil-litigation/967405 "2022-07-05T19:38:54Z")
Let’s say that A sues B in civil court for \[insert reason here\]. During the trial, A dies. Does the case just go on without her, with her estate set to recover any damages? If B dies, does the case continue with his esta… --- ## [Reptilian Dietary Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reptilian-dietary-question/967461)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2022, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reptilian-dietary-question/967461 "2022-07-05T17:57:11Z")
Reptiles and other animals that swallow prey hold. Have they evolved to have a dietary requirement for the contents of their preys stomach and intestinal contents? I have a reason for asking, trying to develop a line of … --- ## [Do We Have Any Idea What Might Happen When The Human Brain Reaches Its "Memory Limit?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-any-idea-what-might-happen-when-the-human-brain-reaches-its-memory-limit/967273)
**Author:** [@SmartBulbInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartBulbInc)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2022, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-any-idea-what-might-happen-when-the-human-brain-reaches-its-memory-limit/967273 "2022-07-05T16:07:16Z")
I have been thinking about this for quite some time. Apparently, according to some research, the human brain has an estimated total memory of around 2.5 petybites. This is not much of a issue right now, for that is more … --- ## [What Is The Largest Animal That Lacks A Tongue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-largest-animal-that-lacks-a-tongue/967319)
**Author:** [@SmartBulbInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartBulbInc)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2022, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-largest-animal-that-lacks-a-tongue/967319 "2022-07-05T13:05:09Z")
My little brother asked me this recently. I did not know the answer. For the sake of posterity, let’s assume that we are referring exclusively to organisms in the animalia family that are not microscopic. --- ## [Why don't we snore when awake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-snore-when-awake/967317)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2022, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-snore-when-awake/967317 "2022-07-05T10:53:36Z")
I am a snorer. I snore so loudly that when I am camping I choose to go to the opposite side of the campside/cave because I have been told I snore. But I am also an insomniac. I often spend hours in a state not unlike sl… --- ## [Simple plumbing question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-plumbing-question/967302)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2022, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-plumbing-question/967302 "2022-07-05T05:36:28Z")
The hot water hook up for my stacked washer dryer developed a dripping leak. I can get someone in to look at fixing it, not till after the holiday weekend, but that’s not a problem. It’s shut off now, no dripping. My qu… --- ## [Why does the background color on my computer screen keep changing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-background-color-on-my-computer-screen-keep-changing/967321)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2022, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-background-color-on-my-computer-screen-keep-changing/967321 "2022-07-05T01:57:39Z")
I have a Samsung flat-screen monitor, age unknown, and just in the past few days, it’s been doing this. TBH, I have a feeling that my cat bumped something (it’s happened before) but I can’t seem to fix it. Maybe nothin… --- ## [What Is The Closest Non-Mammal Relative To Humans That Is Still Alive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-closest-non-mammal-relative-to-humans-that-is-still-alive/967362)
**Author:** [@SmartBulbInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartBulbInc)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2022, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-closest-non-mammal-relative-to-humans-that-is-still-alive/967362 "2022-07-04T20:38:13Z")
When we think about “human relative” we almost always think of the great apes, monkeys, or small rodents. However, because all life on earth is biologically related (no matter how distant) it than stands to reason that h… --- ## [Can anyone tell me why many in Washington at the time had the "comic opera" views of the Falklands Crisis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-tell-me-why-many-in-washington-at-the-time-had-the-comic-opera-views-of-the-falklands-crisis/966817)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-tell-me-why-many-in-washington-at-the-time-had-the-comic-opera-views-of-the-falklands-crisis/966817 "2022-07-04T20:08:50Z")
In the view of David Gompert, Eagleburger’s deputy, this approach contrasted sharply with the “comic opera” (a Gilbert and Sullivan episode) views many in Washington had of the Falklands crisis at that time. (Source: Do… --- ## [When doctors were drafted (USA), how were their ranks assigned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-doctors-were-drafted-usa-how-were-their-ranks-assigned/967014)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2022, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-doctors-were-drafted-usa-how-were-their-ranks-assigned/967014 "2022-07-04T11:57:31Z")
I failed to find anything with Google. --- ## [How does a doctor pursue a specialty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-doctor-pursue-a-specialty/967190)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2022, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-doctor-pursue-a-specialty/967190 "2022-07-04T05:10:50Z")
A person graduates with a BS in bio, spends four years in med school, then becomes an M.D. What subsequent path do they have to follow to get certified in a specialty? A subspecialty? I saw a doctor who was an electrocar… --- ## [ID this mystery tuber](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-mystery-tuber/967292)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2022, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-mystery-tuber/967292 "2022-07-03T12:21:56Z")
Here in Korea, potatoes are suddenly hard to come by. I found some in a small local grocery, but in the harsh light of my kitchen, I’m not sure these are potatoes. They are the size and shape of regular cooking potatoes,… --- ## [Would the environmental pressures imposed by humans make the housefly of today significantly harder to swat than their ancestors of 1000 years ago?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-environmental-pressures-imposed-by-humans-make-the-housefly-of-today-significantly-harder-to-swat-than-their-ancestors-of-1000-years-ago/967097)
**Author:** [@SmartBulbInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartBulbInc)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2022, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-environmental-pressures-imposed-by-humans-make-the-housefly-of-today-significantly-harder-to-swat-than-their-ancestors-of-1000-years-ago/967097 "2022-07-02T19:10:38Z")
For context, I am primarily referring to Musca domestica. Recently the thought occurred to me that due to short life cycle of the common housefly, and due to the fact that such flies have interacted with humans for thou… --- ## [Linguistics question : Spanish and Portuguese](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-question-spanish-and-portuguese/966195)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-question-spanish-and-portuguese/966195 "2022-07-02T16:10:32Z")
Spanish and Portuguese are clearly closely related, but distinct languages. Do those two languages have a precursor other than Latin, from which they both descended, or is it more accurate to say that both descended dir… --- ## [Did I ruin my battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-ruin-my-battery/966986)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2022, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-ruin-my-battery/966986 "2022-07-02T13:39:42Z")
I have one of those external batteries one uses to charge a phone or tablet. It’s actually rather old – I used to show it off as the newest, greatest gadget before everyone had these things. Anyway, it puts out 5v at 2… --- ## [Did radio stations actually call random numbers as part of a contest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-radio-stations-actually-call-random-numbers-as-part-of-a-contest/967160)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2022, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-radio-stations-actually-call-random-numbers-as-part-of-a-contest/967160 "2022-07-02T12:42:54Z")
This was a sitcom plot I saw a lot in the 90s, both Full House and The Simpsons had plots where a radio station was said to call random phone numbers (which were entirely random, nobody had actually signed up for the con… --- ## [Transferring photos from iPhone to computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-photos-from-iphone-to-computer/966892)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2022, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-photos-from-iphone-to-computer/966892 "2022-07-02T12:37:49Z")
I take a lot of pictures (and more since apparently, I’m decent at it) on my phone, but now it’s telling me my storage is full. There are a lot of pictures on there I don’t want to lose. I bought a little flash-drive thi… --- ## [Need a script to collect file names from my Cloud Drive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-script-to-collect-file-names-from-my-cloud-drive/967262)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2022, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-script-to-collect-file-names-from-my-cloud-drive/967262 "2022-07-02T09:20:12Z")
Drive (google app) lists folders grouped together separate from zip files. I’m going crazy having to manually type a list of file names and Sort in a spreadsheet. It took over an hour for 35 files. Keying in data on a p… --- ## [Why not make square CDs ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-make-square-cds/327683)
**Author:** [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2022, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-make-square-cds/327683 "2022-07-02T00:31:01Z")
Do CDs spin when registering or playing ? If not, why don’t they make square disks ? It would add burning space in the corners :smiley: --- ## [3-phase power question WRT theater lighting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-phase-power-question-wrt-theater-lighting/966656)
**Author:** [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-phase-power-question-wrt-theater-lighting/966656 "2022-07-01T18:03:25Z")
So long-story-short preface: I got a(nother) new job, and today I saw something that I have a question about. It was theater lighting, and the individual wires for the lights had black, white, and green sheathing. The c… --- ## [Refrigerator parts number](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-parts-number/967045)
**Author:** [@dauerbach1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2022, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-parts-number/967045 "2022-07-01T16:56:13Z")
In searching for an evaporator fan for my kenmore french door bottom freezer refrigerator model 795.72493.611 I am having trouble figuring out the exact fan model number. Can someone help me out or point me in the corre… --- ## [What if you added salt to a small intex swimming pool?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-you-added-salt-to-a-small-intex-swimming-pool/966626)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2022, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-you-added-salt-to-a-small-intex-swimming-pool/966626 "2022-07-01T15:38:51Z")
I know that there are special saltwater swimming pools, but every article I read about them was about large pools that have various systems and so on. What if instead you just put salt in a tiny intex pool of 4500l (120… --- ## [Why underarm sweat when cold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-underarm-sweat-when-cold/967203)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2022, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-underarm-sweat-when-cold/967203 "2022-07-01T12:58:32Z")
Or is it just me? If I’m in a cold place for a while, I have an increased tendency to sweat under my arms. My understanding is that sweat is a heat-reducing mechanism, so this seems counter-intuitive. (Although perhaps u… --- ## [Muslims and Jews on Temple Mount Who is currenty alllowed to pray where?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-and-jews-on-temple-mount-who-is-currenty-alllowed-to-pray-where/967015)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2022, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-and-jews-on-temple-mount-who-is-currenty-alllowed-to-pray-where/967015 "2022-07-01T07:05:46Z")
Are Jews still restricted to prayng at the “Wailing Wall” (or do they have wider access) and Muslims at Masjid Al-Aqsa or have things changed in that regard? Is the Waqf still present in their capacity as security on Te… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=197) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=199)