# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=251 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 252 --- ## [Covid test for flight to Hawaii... what if the flight is rescheduled?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-test-for-flight-to-hawaii-what-if-the-flight-is-rescheduled/951743)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2021, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-test-for-flight-to-hawaii-what-if-the-flight-is-rescheduled/951743 "2021-10-04T15:53:08Z")
We are headed to Maui next week (fingers crossed), and my son is too young to be vaccinated, so requires a Covid test. The tests that Hawaii accepts have to be done at most 72 hours before departure. What happens if our… --- ## [Why won't Google Maps GPS talk to me sometimes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-google-maps-gps-talk-to-me-sometimes/951771)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2021, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-google-maps-gps-talk-to-me-sometimes/951771 "2021-10-04T05:31:27Z")
Sometimes it’s a chatterbox, turn here, do this, do that, but other times I can’t get it to speak directions, I’ve checked the volume on my phone, I’ve clicked the microphone icon, and…NOTHING, It seems random, except fo… --- ## [How do you do a private sale of a house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-a-private-sale-of-a-house/951807)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2021, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-a-private-sale-of-a-house/951807 "2021-10-04T04:04:46Z")
So my mom is going to move into a retirement community, since she’s lonely and starting to have some memory issues. My brother and I are all for this- we worry about her living on her own. Anyway, she’s thinking she wa… --- ## [Who was the first Shaniqua?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-first-shaniqua/402660)
**Author:** [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2021, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-first-shaniqua/402660 "2021-10-03T14:10:01Z")
The origin of most Anglo forenames is lost to antiquity. Many are based on Biblical characters, but even then the origins are unknown. The first name Shaniqua didn’t become widespread until the late 1980s. Before that… --- ## [Is it possible to measure lumens using a camera's light meter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-measure-lumens-using-a-cameras-light-meter/951727)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2021, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-measure-lumens-using-a-cameras-light-meter/951727 "2021-10-03T12:02:38Z")
Suppose I have a light and I want to determine how many lumens it produces. Is there some way to use an SLR camera’s (Canon 7D) built-in light meter and use the resulting ISO, f-stop, and shutter speed to do some kind of… --- ## [How is natural gas exported overseas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-natural-gas-exported-overseas/951756)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2021, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-natural-gas-exported-overseas/951756 "2021-10-03T02:27:09Z")
I have only a cursory knowledge of the natural gas market. I vaguely remember from my class on Economics of the Energy Industry that natural gas was different from crude oil, it’s obviously easy enough to export oil on a… --- ## [Why'd blood bank pick me for different donation types?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whyd-blood-bank-pick-me-for-different-donation-types/951753)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2021, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whyd-blood-bank-pick-me-for-different-donation-types/951753 "2021-10-03T01:14:31Z")
I gave ordinary donations for years, then they started asking for double red cell donations (there’s a process to harvest them from my blood and return the depleted part of my blood back to me). I did one of these just y… --- ## [Any conceivable way to watch dvds on ipad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-conceivable-way-to-watch-dvds-on-ipad/951738)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2021, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-conceivable-way-to-watch-dvds-on-ipad/951738 "2021-10-02T18:04:23Z")
I’ve still go a ton of dvds and blu-rays around as well as several players. Is there any device that can covert a wired output signal from one of these into a wireless signal that can be picked up by an ipad? --- ## [Can Apple ID any iPhone user who goes near an Airtag?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-apple-id-any-iphone-user-who-goes-near-an-airtag/951762)
**Author:** [@edwin\_klockars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwin_klockars)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2021, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-apple-id-any-iphone-user-who-goes-near-an-airtag/951762 "2021-10-02T11:31:42Z")
I recently bought my first Apple Airtag which I attached to my keys. Tonight my phone told me that I had left my airtag/keys in my car a few minites ago! I rushed out and grabbed my keys and all is well but it got my m… --- ## [What did Kepler's Supernova look like when we were first able to observe it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-keplers-supernova-look-like-when-we-were-first-able-to-observe-it/951758)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2021, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-keplers-supernova-look-like-when-we-were-first-able-to-observe-it/951758 "2021-10-02T02:18:12Z")
Kepler’s Supernova is the most recent supernova observed in the Milky Way Galaxy. Kepler’s Star, a star approximately 20,000 light years from Earth, went supernova, and the light from the explosion reached Earth in 1604… --- ## [Facebook Feature I Don't Know How To Disable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-feature-i-dont-know-how-to-disable/951654)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2021, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-feature-i-dont-know-how-to-disable/951654 "2021-10-02T01:30:34Z")
For some reason, Facebook (or maybe Windows?) has decided I want a little bar telling me the date and time of every post. Pic to follow. It interferes with what I’m trying to read sometimes, and I want to get rid of it. … --- ## [Why is God addressed with 'tu' in French but the Virgin Mary with 'vous'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-god-addressed-with-tu-in-french-but-the-virgin-mary-with-vous/948566)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2021, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-god-addressed-with-tu-in-french-but-the-virgin-mary-with-vous/948566 "2021-10-01T21:32:08Z")
Why is God addressed with ‘tu’ in the "Our Father’(Notre Père) in French but the Virgin Mary with ‘vous’ in the ‘Hail Mary’’( ‘Je Vous Salue Marie’)? In English both are addressed with thee and thou (the familiar ‘you’). … --- ## [The 1960s Food Shortage & Overpopulation Scare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-1960s-food-shortage-overpopulation-scare/766032)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-1960s-food-shortage-overpopulation-scare/766032 "2021-10-01T01:40:36Z")
Although this is before my time, I do recall seeing clips of hippies from the 1960s concerned about overpopulation and mass food shortages. Recently, I was speaking to an economics major who said “yeah, that was our \[ec… --- ## [Make-a-wish foundation: do they get X rated wishes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-a-wish-foundation-do-they-get-x-rated-wishes/282278)
**Author:** [@daftpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daftpunk)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2021, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-a-wish-foundation-do-they-get-x-rated-wishes/282278 "2021-10-01T00:27:44Z")
Anybody know if the Make-A-Wish foundation gets pornograhic wishes? What do they do in this case? On one hand, I see nothing wrong with fulfilling a teenager’s desire to experience sex before s/he dies. On the other han… --- ## [Where does biologically active nitrogen come from](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-biologically-active-nitrogen-come-from/951376)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-biologically-active-nitrogen-come-from/951376 "2021-09-30T21:44:31Z")
The nitrogen in the atmosphere is N2 which is very difficult to break apart, but nitrogen is abundant in biological life. So where did life get the nitrogen that is suitable for biological activity? Especially considerin… --- ## [Why would a gas station sell kerosene at a pump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-gas-station-sell-kerosene-at-a-pump/951408)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-gas-station-sell-kerosene-at-a-pump/951408 "2021-09-30T20:56:35Z")
I think of kerosene as an old-timey lamp fuel. What modern uses does it have, sufficient for a gas station to have a dedicated pump for it? Is it a regional thing? Never once saw this in 30-odd years in Texas. Now I’m … --- ## [Where is the expiration date on a cardboard case of Diet Dr. Pepper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-expiration-date-on-a-cardboard-case-of-diet-dr-pepper/951534)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-expiration-date-on-a-cardboard-case-of-diet-dr-pepper/951534 "2021-09-30T20:28:54Z")
We bought several cases of soda for our company kitchen from a local big box store. A coworker complained that the Diet Dr.Pepper tasted really off. Lo and behold on the bottom of each can is an expiration date and the … --- ## [Dead fish as a light source](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-fish-as-a-light-source/951563)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-fish-as-a-light-source/951563 "2021-09-30T17:09:37Z")
I learned in another thread recently that rotting fish give off a glow, and were at one time used as a safe light source in coal mines. What are the logistics of this? Questions I’d like to know include : How much lig… --- ## [How secure is the "cryptex" device from The Da Vinci Code (2006)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-secure-is-the-cryptex-device-from-the-da-vinci-code-2006/951476)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-secure-is-the-cryptex-device-from-the-da-vinci-code-2006/951476 "2021-09-30T16:28:52Z")
The movie features a device called a “cryptex” which holds a secret message. It appears to be a combination lock with five dials (26 letters each), not unlike a bike lock. I believe the message is stored in a hollow comp… --- ## [Inline RS232 serial parser/add chars device](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inline-rs232-serial-parser-add-chars-device/951629)
**Author:** [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inline-rs232-serial-parser-add-chars-device/951629 "2021-09-30T13:41:11Z")
I have a project at work I could use some help with. There are two RS232 serial devices that were never meant to talk to each other. The receiving instrument has some data registers that can be populated by input from … --- ## [New Monitor Question: display resolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-monitor-question-display-resolution/951593)
**Author:** [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-monitor-question-display-resolution/951593 "2021-09-30T11:29:25Z")
I have a HUGE new monitor (LG 43UN700T-B) with a much higher resolution (max 3840 x 2160) than the one I was using (also LG, but a 32" with 2560x1080). The graphics support for the work laptop (Dell 5510) and in my pers… --- ## [Do sound bars generally sync up with remote subwoofers and auxiliary speakers, regardless of model?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-sound-bars-generally-sync-up-with-remote-subwoofers-and-auxiliary-speakers-regardless-of-model/951541)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-sound-bars-generally-sync-up-with-remote-subwoofers-and-auxiliary-speakers-regardless-of-model/951541 "2021-09-30T11:09:17Z")
We have a sound bar with a remotely connected subwoofer and two rear speakers. Last night the bar just up and died. We swapped the cord and confirmed the cord was ok, but the power light does not turn on. I think the cir… --- ## [Hospital disclaimers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-disclaimers/951536)
**Author:** [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-disclaimers/951536 "2021-09-30T10:21:22Z")
last week I spent a night in the ER (long story) and in the process got a ctscan where they found a lump someplace. Told me to talk to my doctor. Did and doctor sends me back to hospital for ultrasound. Hospital hands m… --- ## [During a physical exam, why didn't the doctor do this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/during-a-physical-exam-why-didnt-the-doctor-do-this/950757)
**Author:** [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/during-a-physical-exam-why-didnt-the-doctor-do-this/950757 "2021-09-30T07:50:50Z")
A new patient (who had a ‘pain in the chest’ which went away) went to be checked by a doctor. It was a hasty exam and I won’t go into details but the thing the patient complained of was that the doctor did not listen to… --- ## [Practical differences for having a flat or a nose front on a truck or a bus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-differences-for-having-a-flat-or-a-nose-front-on-a-truck-or-a-bus/939389)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-differences-for-having-a-flat-or-a-nose-front-on-a-truck-or-a-bus/939389 "2021-09-30T02:57:17Z")
Here are several plain facts about buses and trucks: -Literally ALL modern city buses and motor coaches have flat fronts. -A good majority of school buses in North America, however, have nose fronts (where there is a b… --- ## [Can I edit or otherwise fix this login page?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-edit-or-otherwise-fix-this-login-page/951545)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-edit-or-otherwise-fix-this-login-page/951545 "2021-09-30T02:39:09Z")
In order to use the online textbook (at my.hrw.com), my students must, of course, log in. Makes sense. But in addition to asking for their username and password, the login page also asks them for what school they’re at… --- ## [Do ivory-billed woodpeckers still exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ivory-billed-woodpeckers-still-exist/374296)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ivory-billed-woodpeckers-still-exist/374296 "2021-09-30T02:22:21Z")
Imagine my pleasant surprise when the Science section of the NY Times had an article about Ivory-Bills being found in Florida (hey my home state!). Apparently this putative population (when and if confirmed: about 100… --- ## [Fall lawn fertilization-NPK percentage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fall-lawn-fertilization-npk-percentage/951621)
**Author:** [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2021, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fall-lawn-fertilization-npk-percentage/951621 "2021-09-30T01:50:22Z")
Back in the day, 30-40 yrs ago, the rule of thumb was to fertilize lawns in the Fall with nearly zero nitrogen (N), and heavy on the phosphorus (P), & potassium (K). Reason being one did not want to stimulate leaf growth… --- ## [How does Kindle display that very page we're reading?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-kindle-display-that-very-page-were-reading/951155)
**Author:** [@longtry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longtry)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2021, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-kindle-display-that-very-page-were-reading/951155 "2021-09-29T18:51:29Z")
OK, what I’m going to ask are mostly about coding, phrased by a total rookie: How do Kindle and other e-readers specifically display that 1 page I read? Like, there are markers at the 1st & last word of the page, righ… --- ## [California Apartments must have carpeting or tenant can be evicted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-apartments-must-have-carpeting-or-tenant-can-be-evicted/951589)
**Author:** [@edwin\_klockars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwin_klockars)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-apartments-must-have-carpeting-or-tenant-can-be-evicted/951589 "2021-09-29T17:13:16Z")
I just moved in to a new apartment building in Los Angeles and have been receiving some feedback from my downstairs neighbor. Initially they were displeased with my Peloton treadmill which they said was causing vibratio… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=250) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=252)