# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=239 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 240 --- ## [Cyanoacrylate and Smartphone Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanoacrylate-and-smartphone-glass/955736)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanoacrylate-and-smartphone-glass/955736 "2021-12-10T08:13:21Z")
I may have mentioned that my fiancee is blind. This makes certain aspects of operating her smartphone more complex. For instance, when she’s on a call, it doesn’t always respond to her spoken command to disconnect. Since… --- ## [Cell phone sub-carriers (e.g. Cricket Wireless, Boost Mobile. etc)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-sub-carriers-e-g-cricket-wireless-boost-mobile-etc/840572)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2019, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-sub-carriers-e-g-cricket-wireless-boost-mobile-etc/840572 "2019-09-21T01:22:35Z")
IIRC, there are really only four player in the cell transmission business(Verizon, A. T. & T., T-Mobile, Sprint), but there are a plethora of sub carriers that really use one (or more) of the four carriers to hold their … --- ## [How long do you have to boil dirty water for to be safe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-have-to-boil-dirty-water-for-to-be-safe/951144)
**Author:** [@craft458](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/craft458)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2021, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-have-to-boil-dirty-water-for-to-be-safe/951144 "2021-12-09T17:09:35Z")
If you are ever in a situation, for example camping where you have to boil water from a pond or lake or if there is a big storm and the water pressure goes out and the city recommends boiling tap water, how long does it … --- ## [Is it reasonable to repeat an officer's full rank in an emergency multiple times like in Mass Effect 3?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-reasonable-to-repeat-an-officers-full-rank-in-an-emergency-multiple-times-like-in-mass-effect-3/955683)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2021, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-reasonable-to-repeat-an-officers-full-rank-in-an-emergency-multiple-times-like-in-mass-effect-3/955683 "2021-12-09T13:59:44Z")
In the video game Mass Effect 3, just to really dig in the fact that Gunnery Chief Ashley WIlliams was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, Admiral Anderson repeatedly refers to her as “Lieutenant Commander Williams” instea… --- ## [What do these two links do, or go to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-two-links-do-or-go-to/955652)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2021, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-two-links-do-or-go-to/955652 "2021-12-09T03:15:22Z")
I am signed up with Indeed dot com to search for a part time job to fill the hours and the bank account, and an offer from a company called Karp Protection popped appeared. I sent off my Indeed resume and got this: " M… --- ## [Super Secret Windows 7 Permission? What Do I Need for POWERCFG modifications?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-secret-windows-7-permission-what-do-i-need-for-powercfg-modifications/955527)
**Author:** [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2021, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-secret-windows-7-permission-what-do-i-need-for-powercfg-modifications/955527 "2021-12-09T01:38:45Z")
I wanted to make a change on my (yes, I know) Windows 7 computer. Right now, when it’s in Sleep mode I can wake it up by bumping the mouse or tapping a key. I want to remove the mouse wake up. I found I can do this usi… --- ## [Need a Wifi Extender](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-wifi-extender/955570)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2021, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-wifi-extender/955570 "2021-12-09T00:04:17Z")
I’m hoping someone here can help me with what I need, because I’m embarrassed to say that as I’ve googled around I only get more confused. I have an old brick house, and all the ceilings are plaster with a wire mesh beh… --- ## [Can a Provisional Patent be refiled years later?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-provisional-patent-be-refiled-years-later/955735)
**Author:** [@Yosh99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yosh99)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2021, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-provisional-patent-be-refiled-years-later/955735 "2021-12-08T22:21:14Z")
I filed a Provisional Patent years ago and let it expire because there was no business opportunity at the time. Is it possible to refile as a new Provisional Patent with a new filing date? --- ## [Facebook Question: Share to a Group](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-question-share-to-a-group/955659)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2021, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-question-share-to-a-group/955659 "2021-12-08T16:56:52Z")
I have a personal Facebook account and I have a page called Flying Cars and Food Pills that posts fun images on retrofuturism. I’m also a member of several retrofuture Facebook groups. When I post something to the Flyin… --- ## [Arduino momentary switch wiring questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arduino-momentary-switch-wiring-questions/955641)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2021, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arduino-momentary-switch-wiring-questions/955641 "2021-12-08T13:41:59Z")
It’s “simple” tasks like these that make me realize I remember much, much less from the 6 weeks of circuit design I took in college than I wish. OK, all I’m trying to do is get 5 switches wired up to the digital inputs … --- ## [WWII European bombing campaign book from a German civilian perspective](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-european-bombing-campaign-book-from-a-german-civilian-perspective/955604)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2021, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-european-bombing-campaign-book-from-a-german-civilian-perspective/955604 "2021-12-08T11:03:44Z")
Hello Everyone, Mods if I’m in the wrong form, please move me to the correct one. It’s a factual question so I placed it here. Does anyone have a book recommendation about the European bombing campaign as seen from a G… --- ## [Mouth-Hair Squickiness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouth-hair-squickiness/955656)
**Author:** [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2021, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouth-hair-squickiness/955656 "2021-12-08T02:09:09Z")
Judging from the wet puddles that appear around our house, our cats are constantly ingesting (and eliminating) their fur. Cleaning themselves, they get great mouthfuls of their hair and it doesn’t seem to bother them. Bu… --- ## [What is causing this computer oddity (black screen)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-causing-this-computer-oddity-black-screen/955649)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2021, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-causing-this-computer-oddity-black-screen/955649 "2021-12-08T00:40:16Z")
I’ve been noticing lately that when I switch from one screen to another, like going from the Dope’s home page to the forum page, my laptop screen often goes black for a second or two. What could be causing this and what’… --- ## [Medicare advantage plans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-advantage-plans/955481)
**Author:** [@Dinoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinoguy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2021, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-advantage-plans/955481 "2021-12-07T16:54:17Z")
What’s with this business with zip codes and Medicare? Sounds like a come on to me, “get all this free stuff if you are eligible by living in the right zip code.” --- ## [Why can't I whistle at certain frequencies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-whistle-at-certain-frequencies/955646)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-whistle-at-certain-frequencies/955646 "2021-12-07T16:11:12Z")
If I try to do a frequency sweep while whistling, I find that there are certain frequencies where I’m unable to whistle. For example, using this online tone generator as a reference, I find that there’s a gap between 15… --- ## [Problem with display: graphics card or screen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-display-graphics-card-or-screen/954785)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2021, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-display-graphics-card-or-screen/954785 "2021-12-07T15:26:16Z")
Right now I am using my travel computer; first time I have traveled in 2 years. Since then I have gotten a new laptop, seen the boards convert to discourse, and become a moderator. For travel I use a nearly ten year old… --- ## [Quick Q: Compressive Fittings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-compressive-fittings/955598)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2021, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-compressive-fittings/955598 "2021-12-07T03:48:04Z")
My fridge’s water line broke at the compression nut fitting. I bought a new fitting, but how far from the end of the (1/4-in) copper tubing should the ferrule be placed? --- ## [How Does Striped Toothpaste Work in 2021?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-striped-toothpaste-work-in-2021/955323)
**Author:** [@edwin\_klockars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwin_klockars)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2021, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-striped-toothpaste-work-in-2021/955323 "2021-12-07T00:31:34Z")
Cecil has an old column explaining how old toothpaste tubes achieved stripes with a special nozzle. However, as subsequent threads have pointed out, that approach is no-longer used and modern toothpaste achieves stripes… --- ## [Greek Translation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-translation/855636)
**Author:** [@turner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turner)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2021, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-translation/855636 "2021-12-07T00:16:20Z")
Can anyone translate what this means? My daughter was on a walk and this was on a sidewalk–in Colorado Springs, CO: Αεηιουω Ιηουεαω. Google translate doesn’t do any good. There was also a longer quote(?) but I want to… --- ## [When did the Jews give up burnt offerings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-jews-give-up-burnt-offerings/949801)
**Author:** [@turtlescanfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turtlescanfly)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2021, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-jews-give-up-burnt-offerings/949801 "2021-12-07T00:13:28Z")
I know that Christian’s believe that Jesus’s death on the cross was the final atonement for sins–past, present, and future. So around 2000 years ago, any former Jew who had become a Christian would no longer engage in th… --- ## [How long will a backup power supply last?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-a-backup-power-supply-last/954391)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2021, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-a-backup-power-supply-last/954391 "2021-12-06T18:48:36Z")
The power went out at the office yesterday. I’m telecommuting today, but I can’t connect to my computer because someone needs to turn it on. It’s a bit of a pain, since I like to start at 6:15 and the office isn’t popu… --- ## [Paper type Never by Ken Follett](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-type-never-by-ken-follett/955552)
**Author:** [@dauerbach1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach1)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2021, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-type-never-by-ken-follett/955552 "2021-12-06T17:17:53Z")
There is something different about the paper used. It is thin and smooth but feels substantial It allowed a book of over 700 pages to be relatively thin. I think it may be clay coated, but there is no color in the boo… --- ## [Low toilet water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-toilet-water/955551)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2021, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-toilet-water/955551 "2021-12-06T16:10:00Z")
Last week the toilet stopped flushing. Maintenance came over and saw the tank was almost empty. So he put in a new thing and it works. The water level in the toilet bowl was lower than it used to be. Now it’s lower than … --- ## [Would bank have copy of check from 22 years ago?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-bank-have-copy-of-check-from-22-years-ago/955543)
**Author:** [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2021, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-bank-have-copy-of-check-from-22-years-ago/955543 "2021-12-06T12:59:08Z")
I had no clue about it at the time but I was supposed to get a share of an estate 22 years ago. Although I have no memory of it now, apparently I inquired about it 10 years ago and was provided with a copy of the front o… --- ## [I have a rash! What physically happened?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-rash-what-physically-happened/955559)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2021, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-rash-what-physically-happened/955559 "2021-12-06T02:48:08Z")
Note, that I’m not looking for medical advice, just for the physical process that occurred. And I won’t post a picture. That horror show is between me and my mirror (and my girlfriend). So I wrestled with the dogs earli… --- ## [Is There A Subconscious Mind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-subconscious-mind/955163)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2021, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-subconscious-mind/955163 "2021-12-05T22:11:56Z")
Is there really a subconscious mind? I mean factually, is there proof of such a thing? Also, as long as I’m asking, is there also a preconscious mind? I was taking a psychology course in Henry Ford Community College in … --- ## [Is fleeing admissible evidence of guilt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fleeing-admissible-evidence-of-guilt/955495)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2021, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fleeing-admissible-evidence-of-guilt/955495 "2021-12-05T21:46:47Z")
Say I hear on the news that I’ve been charged with aggravated moppery. Regardless of whether I’m guilty or innocent, for whatever reason, I decided to flee rather than put myself to the tender mercies of the justice syst… --- ## [Carpentry: Cabinets over Fridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpentry-cabinets-over-fridge/955265)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpentry-cabinets-over-fridge/955265 "2021-12-05T20:00:43Z")
I need to shave down the lip under the cabinets over my fridge to fit a new fridge. I have a friend willing to do it, but he wants me to take down the cabinets for this job, bring to his shop, and reinstall. Questions; … --- ## [You know what lottery numbers will be drawn. How should you play?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-lottery-numbers-will-be-drawn-how-should-you-play/954093)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2021, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-lottery-numbers-will-be-drawn-how-should-you-play/954093 "2021-12-05T19:06:34Z")
For whatever reason you happen to know what lottery numbers will be drawn this weekend. Let’s say the jackpot is very high, like 1 billion dollars. Knowing what you know, what’s the most beneficial way to play? My thou… --- ## [What are these bolt receptacles called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-bolt-receptacles-called/955335)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2021, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-bolt-receptacles-called/955335 "2021-12-05T18:38:24Z")
I’m trying to fix my beloved office chair and am at my wit’s end. All I really want to do is to change the cylinder but this one is stuck TIGHT. I’ll keep working on that, but in the meantime, I’m considering replacing … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=238) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=240)