# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=204 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 205 --- ## [How did the front switches operate on early Altair and similar computers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-front-switches-operate-on-early-altair-and-similar-computers/964163)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2022, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-front-switches-operate-on-early-altair-and-similar-computers/964163 "2022-06-06T04:41:47Z")
I didn’t get a computer until 1987. I had a little exposure to CP/M before learning DOS 2.1. I used all the versions of DOS until it was replaced by Win 95. I took a microprocessor class in college. We had a motorola pr… --- ## [Tolls across Ohio River not showing up on I-PASS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolls-across-ohio-river-not-showing-up-on-i-pass/965632)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2022, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolls-across-ohio-river-not-showing-up-on-i-pass/965632 "2022-06-06T03:48:35Z")
I just checked my I-PASS account, and none of my tolls across the Ohio River bridge into/out of Louisville have shown up at least since the beginning of 2021. I’ve probably crossed it 10 times since then. I know my tran… --- ## [Does Ukraine have trained pilots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ukraine-have-trained-pilots/964459)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2022, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ukraine-have-trained-pilots/964459 "2022-06-05T23:51:47Z")
If Ukraine had access to planes do they have or are pilots being trained to fly these planes in battle. How long does it take to train a pilot? --- ## [durable? pushbutton microwave door? or.. handle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/durable-pushbutton-microwave-door-or-handle/71287)
**Author:** [@jally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jally)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2022, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/durable-pushbutton-microwave-door-or-handle/71287 "2022-06-05T21:38:37Z")
In '95 I bought a Sharp 700W countertop microwave (R2A55 model). The pushbutton door-open-button seems to be getting weaker. I’d tried unscrewing the cabinet to check the innards (some job!) to see if I could replace th… --- ## [iPhone - Podcast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-podcast/965701)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2022, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-podcast/965701 "2022-06-05T15:47:44Z")
When a podcast is downloaded, where on the IPhone is it downloaded to. Thx. --- ## [Arrival time at airport for international flight – need answer fastish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrival-time-at-airport-for-international-flight-need-answer-fastish/965674)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2022, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrival-time-at-airport-for-international-flight-need-answer-fastish/965674 "2022-06-05T13:10:32Z")
Does the 3 hour early recommendation apply if your initial flight is domestic but you’re connecting to an international one? IE. I’m flying from OKC to Houston and from Houston to Vancouver. Do I really need to get to O… --- ## [Randomness and the Bell Curve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/randomness-and-the-bell-curve/965542)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2022, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/randomness-and-the-bell-curve/965542 "2022-06-05T12:43:33Z")
Math wasn’t my strongest subject in school, and I should know the answer to this… You have 100 people, and each person is given a coin to flip with a head and a tail on it. They are also given a sheet of paper where the… --- ## [Was Macbeth the last pagan king to rule Scotland?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-macbeth-the-last-pagan-king-to-rule-scotland/964859)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2022, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-macbeth-the-last-pagan-king-to-rule-scotland/964859 "2022-06-05T05:27:16Z")
Was Macbeth the last pagan king to rule Scotland? Was Malcolm Christian? --- ## [Ad placement in YouTube videos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ad-placement-in-youtube-videos/965572)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2022, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ad-placement-in-youtube-videos/965572 "2022-06-05T05:20:41Z")
Hi SD, I have noticed when I watch YouTube videos with ads, the ads seem to occur right at an exciting, humorous, or important point in the video. You never see an ad when nothing much is happening. Is this on purpose… --- ## ["Flat as a pancake" in American vernacular](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-as-a-pancake-in-american-vernacular/965301)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2022, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-as-a-pancake-in-american-vernacular/965301 "2022-06-05T00:19:49Z")
In describing galaxies as “flat as a pancake” it occurred to me that the word “pancake” might mean different things to different people. To me, as a Brit, I think immediately of the crepe-style pancakes, that are dinner… --- ## ["Methodist" and "Baptist" hospitals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methodist-and-baptist-hospitals/965568)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2022, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methodist-and-baptist-hospitals/965568 "2022-06-04T17:48:58Z")
Looking at a list of the largest US hospitals, i noticed that several of them have “Methodist” or “Baptist” in their names. I assume that today they would accept anyone of any religion (maybe obligated?). None on the li… --- ## [Calling your congressman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-your-congressman/965615)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2022, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-your-congressman/965615 "2022-06-04T17:31:35Z")
Is this something unique for the US? I never heard of anyone calling or writing their political representatives in my country (Norway), unless they were already politically aktive in some way. --- ## [Why does my Shift button specifically not work with t?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-shift-button-specifically-not-work-with-t/965654)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2022, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-shift-button-specifically-not-work-with-t/965654 "2022-06-04T14:11:22Z")
My Shift button on my keyboard is doing a weird thing: It will work properly with any other letter on the keyboard to create an uppercase letter…except t. Shift + k = K. Shift + p = P. Shift + w = W. No problem there… --- ## [How far does consent go in cases of battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-does-consent-go-in-cases-of-battery/965573)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2022, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-does-consent-go-in-cases-of-battery/965573 "2022-06-04T13:25:48Z")
A lot of laws regarding battery and such contain the words “without consent”. I have investigated domestic violence cases where we determined a party actually consented to certain acts. But how far does consent go? We’v… --- ## [No front license out-of-state plate in a no front license plate state](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-front-license-out-of-state-plate-in-a-no-front-license-plate-state/965636)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2022, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-front-license-out-of-state-plate-in-a-no-front-license-plate-state/965636 "2022-06-03T20:03:01Z")
New Mexico does not require passenger cars to display a front license plate. Colorado does. Can a New Mexican police officer cite a driver if the car they’re driving is registered in Colorado and is not displaying a fron… --- ## [Skin sparkles ... and NOT on Edward Cullen. How?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693)
**Author:** [@rabbi101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbi101)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2021, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693 "2021-02-22T23:26:02Z")
Hi. I’m a white person who’s been a lot of places, but every where I go where there are black people, a small percentage of them have–for lack of a better description–tiny sparkles in their skin! I don’t mean a tan, or g… --- ## [Was Nixon eligible to run again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-nixon-eligible-to-run-again/965378)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2022, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-nixon-eligible-to-run-again/965378 "2022-06-03T18:15:31Z")
He hadn’t yet served half his second term when he resigned, so assuming we would have missed him VERY VERY much, could he have legally run for POTUS in 1976 or any election thereafter? --- ## [What was the Ancient Greek term for the practice of 'casting lots' to fill vital positions in the Athenian government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-ancient-greek-term-for-the-practice-of-casting-lots-to-fill-vital-positions-in-the-athenian-government/965578)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2022, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-ancient-greek-term-for-the-practice-of-casting-lots-to-fill-vital-positions-in-the-athenian-government/965578 "2022-06-03T02:50:29Z")
Ancient Greek allotment machines were known as Kleroterion(plural. Kleroteria). What was the pracice of alloting positions to Greek citizens to fill government positions in the Athenian government . Could it be klḗros ? --- ## [Ignition or Electrical problem? (auto related)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignition-or-electrical-problem-auto-related/965530)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignition-or-electrical-problem-auto-related/965530 "2022-06-03T01:46:03Z")
This has happened twice this week. Try to turn on the car and it acts like the battery is completely dead. Trying to get the key out it will not turn back past the 1st position, i.e. when you insert the key and turn to… --- ## [What’s with this key a cop is wearing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2022, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702 "2022-06-02T21:13:28Z")
Starts at 52 seconds in. The Officer has, what appears to be an old fashioned skeleton key hanging off his epaulet next to a handcuff key. I keep my cuff key in my shirt pocket and another hidden in a belt keeper. But a… --- ## [US Driving requirements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-driving-requirements/439513)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2022, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-driving-requirements/439513 "2022-06-02T12:24:53Z")
I’m a fan of Judge Judy…yes I know, I need to get a life. Anyway, there are quite a number of cases where a person has been driving a car without insurance but the car has “tags” I’m assuming that these tags are simi… --- ## [Is The Sun Visible From Nearby Stars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-sun-visible-from-nearby-stars/965075)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2022, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-sun-visible-from-nearby-stars/965075 "2022-06-02T12:11:29Z")
Let’s say an alien civilization around a nearby star system with one or more exoplanets – say, Vega, because why not – pointed their telescopes towards Sol. Would it even be visible to the Vegans’ naked eyes? What other … --- ## [Islam Question: If You're Deceived Into Doing Something Haram](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islam-question-if-youre-deceived-into-doing-something-haram/965514)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2022, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islam-question-if-youre-deceived-into-doing-something-haram/965514 "2022-06-02T07:46:00Z")
In this video, a standup comedian is in-character as … his character, working at a food truck. A customer asks him if the Smokey BBQ Pork is halal, and the character says “Yes.” An adult Muslim should know that Smokey B… --- ## [Do all thermostats make a clicking noise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-thermostats-make-a-clicking-noise/965425)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2022, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-thermostats-make-a-clicking-noise/965425 "2022-06-02T00:42:35Z")
I have recently moved to a very hot climate whereby air conditioning is indispensable. My bedroom has a thermostat that makes a loud clicking noise whenever it switches. I expect there is some electromagnet slamming a c… --- ## [Seeking JavaScript for "surround selected text with formatting codes"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-javascript-for-surround-selected-text-with-formatting-codes/965528)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2022, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-javascript-for-surround-selected-text-with-formatting-codes/965528 "2022-06-02T00:31:11Z")
I have a page with formatting controls (for bold, italics, underline, etc). These buttons have javascript attached to them which works in Safari to take whatever text is highlighted and put the opening code (such as bra… --- ## [Breastfeeding and infant mortality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-and-infant-mortality/965437)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-and-infant-mortality/965437 "2022-06-01T23:07:16Z")
The current shortage of infant formula is pointing up the serious difficulties many mothers and infants have when it comes to breastfeeding. Most families seem to be getting by - albeit with a lot more stress and time/m… --- ## [Can you prove a decryption without revealing the key?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-prove-a-decryption-without-revealing-the-key/965090)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2022, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-prove-a-decryption-without-revealing-the-key/965090 "2022-06-01T21:13:31Z")
Say Alice uses Bob’s public key to encrypt a message for Bob’s eyes only, and sends it off to Bob over an insecure network. Eve, and in fact a whole bunch of Eves are watching and each bags a copy of the encrypted messa… --- ## [Breathing and yawning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breathing-and-yawning/965438)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breathing-and-yawning/965438 "2022-06-01T20:33:39Z")
I have wondered about why it feels like all deep breaths don’t reach the bottom of the lungs (The alvioli?) How does it work that deep breathing from the diaphragm does not always reach this level. Even if one practices… --- ## [U.S. KIA in World War II - return or bury there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-kia-in-world-war-ii-return-or-bury-there/965441)
**Author:** [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2022, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-kia-in-world-war-ii-return-or-bury-there/965441 "2022-06-01T18:17:43Z")
How was it decided which of the KIAs were returned to the U.S. for burial, and which were buried overseas? --- ## [Department of Weird Emails --\> Someone's Name as subject, "no message" as body](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/department-of-weird-emails-someones-name-as-subject-no-message-as-body/949281)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2022, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/department-of-weird-emails-someones-name-as-subject-no-message-as-body/949281 "2022-06-01T14:44:39Z")
I’ve been getting a slow but consistent trickle of these. Tried Googling to see if it is a generalized phenomenon (i.e., spammer / scammer / hacker, and other people are getting similarly formatted emails) , or somethin… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=203) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=205)