# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=269 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 270 --- ## [Can you really be put on the sex offender list for public urination?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-really-be-put-on-the-sex-offender-list-for-public-urination/945201)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2021, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-really-be-put-on-the-sex-offender-list-for-public-urination/945201 "2021-07-09T23:49:48Z")
I’ve always heard of in the context of “Sex Offender Registries don’t work” that anyone can be put on them, including people caught urinating in a bush by an empy road. Is this true? Has anyone actually been put on a se… --- ## [What does saying "yes" to a stranger over the phone mean? And what do I have to do now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-saying-yes-to-a-stranger-over-the-phone-mean-and-what-do-i-have-to-do-now/946056)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2021, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-saying-yes-to-a-stranger-over-the-phone-mean-and-what-do-i-have-to-do-now/946056 "2021-07-09T23:09:22Z")
I got a phone call (purportedly from Amazon, warning me that my account got charged a lot of money, etc.) and I answered “Yes,” to one of “their” questions, at which point they hung up. Oh, shit, I realized as I remember… --- ## [Transferring individual files to an iMac](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-individual-files-to-an-imac/945781)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2021, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-individual-files-to-an-imac/945781 "2021-07-09T22:40:40Z")
I recently replaced my 9yo Mac Pro with a new iMac (LOVE it, with a few reservations). I went through the “migration” process to move files to the iMac. For the most part it worked, except some files didn’t make it, most… --- ## [Why empty seats on "completely full" plane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-empty-seats-on-completely-full-plane/945598)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-empty-seats-on-completely-full-plane/945598 "2021-07-09T20:32:49Z")
I saw something interesting when I flew to Germany last week. The flight was packed, to the point that when I arrived at the check-in line a Lufthansa employee offered me a whopping $800 to fly the next day. They also we… --- ## [Question on the use of the word 'defray"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-the-use-of-the-word-defray/945983)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2021, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-the-use-of-the-word-defray/945983 "2021-07-09T20:29:03Z")
I have not seen any definition that fits the usage in the following: " While scholarly works suggest this may have potential to defray trust and undermine perceptions of reliability among potential supporters or partner… --- ## [Did the Jim crow south try to deny voting rights to anyone other than black people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-jim-crow-south-try-to-deny-voting-rights-to-anyone-other-than-black-people/945955)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2021, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-jim-crow-south-try-to-deny-voting-rights-to-anyone-other-than-black-people/945955 "2021-07-09T11:20:07Z")
Did they try to deny voting rights to women, gays, leftists, latinos, indians, etc? --- ## [Apple podcasts without an Apple device](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-podcasts-without-an-apple-device/945932)
**Author:** [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2021, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-podcasts-without-an-apple-device/945932 "2021-07-09T07:10:30Z")
Is there a way to get a podcast that is “exclusively available on Apple podcasts” if you don’t have an apple device? --- ## [Black or African American](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-african-american/945610)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2021, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-african-american/945610 "2021-07-09T05:22:50Z")
The English language, like any other language, is constantly changing. Which is the current preferred term in the United States, Black or African American? I am particularly interested in knowing what is the preferred … --- ## [Question about Khaled Hosseini's ('A Thousand Splendid Suns') use of English](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-khaled-hosseinis-a-thousand-splendid-suns-use-of-english/946052)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2021, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-khaled-hosseinis-a-thousand-splendid-suns-use-of-english/946052 "2021-07-09T03:39:33Z")
I recently came across the following on page 326 of ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ (paperback). “Fired from the restaurant in Taimani because customers complained about the long waits, Rasheed said the cook was slow and laz… --- ## [Fridge current draw question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fridge-current-draw-question/945997)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2021, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fridge-current-draw-question/945997 "2021-07-09T00:42:24Z")
Ok… I’m a bit stymied here, and I’m turning to the collective hive mind around here figuring someone knows how this works. So I got a generator recently for free, and have converted it to run on the natural gas line fro… --- ## [Anti-maskers and no-fly lists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-maskers-and-no-fly-lists/945930)
**Author:** [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2021, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-maskers-and-no-fly-lists/945930 "2021-07-08T21:20:50Z")
If someone refuses to wear a mask on a plane, causing the flight to be rerouted/canceled, do they end up on a no-fly list? If so, do the airlines share those lists and add such persons to their own lists? And for how lon… --- ## [Question about state tax when working in one state and headquartered in another](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-state-tax-when-working-in-one-state-and-headquartered-in-another/946002)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2021, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-state-tax-when-working-in-one-state-and-headquartered-in-another/946002 "2021-07-08T19:41:46Z")
What happens if: Your company is headquartered in one state; but Has branches in other states which can be considered “hubs” for admin and tax purposes for employees working within X miles of those hubs; and You work f… --- ## [Venmo question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venmo-question/945940)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venmo-question/945940 "2021-07-08T19:15:18Z")
I’m spending most of my time at my fiancées house since my hip replacement in May, and she occasionally asks me to assist her with Venmo transactions between her and her sister. Today I was doing so and learned, to my ho… --- ## [How much weight did The Fat Man Walking actually lose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-weight-did-the-fat-man-walking-actually-lose/373460)
**Author:** [@Plastic\_Jesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plastic_Jesus)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2021, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-weight-did-the-fat-man-walking-actually-lose/373460 "2021-07-08T15:25:11Z")
For those not familiar with The Fat Man Walking, he is Steve Vaught, an obese man who recently spent 13 months walking across the US in order to lose weight. He made himself into a media celebrity and signed a $250,000 … --- ## [Apple Watch talking with Phone without Bluetooth. How?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-watch-talking-with-phone-without-bluetooth-how/945914)
**Author:** [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2021, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-watch-talking-with-phone-without-bluetooth-how/945914 "2021-07-08T14:09:31Z")
I have a new Apple Watch. I have an iPhone. Most of the time I have my Bluetooth enabled and they communicate with each other. I get that. However, I turned my Bluetooth off yesterday and I’m still seeing my texts ap… --- ## [The Communist History of World War 2, where the Nationalist Chinese were evil and Imperial Japan were misunderstood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-communist-history-of-world-war-2-where-the-nationalist-chinese-were-evil-and-imperial-japan-were-misunderstood/945646)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2021, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-communist-history-of-world-war-2-where-the-nationalist-chinese-were-evil-and-imperial-japan-were-misunderstood/945646 "2021-07-08T07:44:10Z")
I remember seeing somebody on Twitter about 5 years ago unironically post a website link to the “True” history of World War 2, which was written from a Communist perspective. It was hosted on a Communist/Socialist websit… --- ## [Frank Abagnale question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-abagnale-question/343666)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2021, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-abagnale-question/343666 "2021-07-08T07:36:27Z")
I met the man about 15 years ago. Guy could charm the birds out of the trees. And his lectures are OUTSTANDING!! Does anyone know if he’s ever asked for/received a pardon fr his crimes? It’s been like 40 years now. --- ## [Camera Problem on W10 Surface](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camera-problem-on-w10-surface/945900)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2021, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camera-problem-on-w10-surface/945900 "2021-07-08T07:30:48Z")
For some unknown reason, the camera on my Surface laptop stopped working and the message says that it can’t be found. I have been through all the usual steps: Turn off and on Check drivers Delete driver and restart T… --- ## [Why do people believe you can’t drink alcohol after rabies boosters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-believe-you-can-t-drink-alcohol-after-rabies-boosters/945571)
**Author:** [@RabidBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RabidBill)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2021, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-believe-you-can-t-drink-alcohol-after-rabies-boosters/945571 "2021-07-08T04:34:12Z")
I’m currently going through my second round of rabies shots within a year (only two this time!) I have heard it said that you can’t drink alcohol, smoke or even exercise when taking these shots. I’ve talked to 5 differ… --- ## [Would using auto-on night lights actually be less energy efficient than just turning my regular lights on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-using-auto-on-night-lights-actually-be-less-energy-efficient-than-just-turning-my-regular-lights-on/945795)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2021, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-using-auto-on-night-lights-actually-be-less-energy-efficient-than-just-turning-my-regular-lights-on/945795 "2021-07-08T02:19:45Z")
Throughout my house for safety reasons I have these LED night lights that are automatically on once its dark in every hallway or room that isn’t a bedroom. These are mainly for if someone has to use the bathroom in the m… --- ## [Finding a good car transporter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-good-car-transporter/463568)
**Author:** [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2008, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-good-car-transporter/463568 "2008-09-15T00:49:02Z")
My dad wants to move his 1974 Karmann Ghia from Iowa to New York, but doesn’t want to drive it there. He’s asked me to search for a car transport carrier, but Google just brings up one auto-generated site after another. … --- ## [WW2 London Blitz housing shortage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww2-london-blitz-housing-shortage/945640)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2021, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww2-london-blitz-housing-shortage/945640 "2021-07-07T21:54:41Z")
So obviously a lot of people were displaced and it wasn’t possible to build much new housing until after the war. So how did Londoners cope? (I’m remembering an episode of the the British series “Foyle’s War”, where Foy… --- ## [Just how busy are the British royal family?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-busy-are-the-british-royal-family/945656)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2021, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-busy-are-the-british-royal-family/945656 "2021-07-07T12:29:31Z")
My wife and I read an article about Charles’ favorite songs, which was eye-opening. His comments were that several of them were on his list because they were played at memorable events (e.g., a family birthday). I joke… --- ## [Win 10 Multi-Screen: One window minimizes when I click on another?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win-10-multi-screen-one-window-minimizes-when-i-click-on-another/945767)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win-10-multi-screen-one-window-minimizes-when-i-click-on-another/945767 "2021-07-06T22:24:37Z")
I have a desktop, running Windows 10, with two side-by-side monitors. Recently, I got back into some gaming after an invitation to a Discord server. So, on the left-hand screen, I’ll be running BattleTech, while in the… --- ## [How does a scam text appear to come from the real bank?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-scam-text-appear-to-come-from-the-real-bank/945543)
**Author:** [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-scam-text-appear-to-come-from-the-real-bank/945543 "2021-07-06T19:37:21Z")
I received a scam text purporting to come from my bank. It appeared in the same “thread” in my iPhone messages as actual text messages from my bank. This obviously makes it appear more credible and hence makes it more da… --- ## [What is the point of a tachometer in my car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-a-tachometer-in-my-car/945287)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-a-tachometer-in-my-car/945287 "2021-07-06T12:19:54Z")
I’ve had a tachometer in a couple of my vehicles, and never knew what it was for, or what I should do with it. I just ignore it. There must be a reason for it? (And, for some reason Discourse is giving me a message: … --- ## ["Some flashing lights sequences may affect photosensitive viewers"-- how do they know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-flashing-lights-sequences-may-affect-photosensitive-viewers-how-do-they-know/945526)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-flashing-lights-sequences-may-affect-photosensitive-viewers-how-do-they-know/945526 "2021-07-06T11:09:24Z")
Watching “Loki” on Disney+, it provides a content warning: “Some flashing lights sequences may affect photosensitive viewers.” I remember when Incredibles 2 was released in theaters, it caused someone to suffer an epil… --- ## [Where do bitcoins come from to start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-bitcoins-come-from-to-start/934057)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-bitcoins-come-from-to-start/934057 "2021-07-06T05:23:19Z")
I know you can mine bitcoins by solving a problem. But when you solve the problem who or what group is giving you the bitcoin? It has to come from someone or some group. --- ## [Coors beer can question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coors-beer-can-question/945655)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coors-beer-can-question/945655 "2021-07-06T05:08:35Z")
Coors Light beer cans (and possible regular Coors) are about 1/3" taller and a little skinnier than other 12oz beer and soda/pop cans. Why? Wouldn’t this use a tiny bit more aluminum? And since they don’t conform to th… --- ## [Telephone wires (landlines) and electric shock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-wires-landlines-and-electric-shock/945221)
**Author:** [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-wires-landlines-and-electric-shock/945221 "2021-07-06T04:10:47Z")
The MPSIMS thread on the collapse of Champlain Towers has a post (link below) saying “I would expect that the responders would do stuff like cut off electricity and gas for safety reasons, but they wouldn’t really need … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=268) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=270)