# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=281 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 282 --- ## [How do I access this text file?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-access-this-text-file/942037)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2021, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-access-this-text-file/942037 "2021-05-18T16:34:14Z")
I have a file I created. It’s a very basic text document in TXT format. It should open in Notepad (the default) or Wordpad. Other similar TXT files on the same hard drive work fine. But for some reason, whenever I try to… --- ## [When I open a new tab in Chrome, it doesn't bring up Google automatically](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-open-a-new-tab-in-chrome-it-doesnt-bring-up-google-automatically/942301)
**Author:** [@Something](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Something)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2021, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-open-a-new-tab-in-chrome-it-doesnt-bring-up-google-automatically/942301 "2021-05-18T05:16:55Z")
When I open a new tab, it brings up a blank page, and only when I type something in the search bar at the top of the page does it take me to Google. I want Google to come up every time I open a new tab. --- ## [How are local churches funded?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-local-churches-funded/941760)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2021, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-local-churches-funded/941760 "2021-05-18T03:49:09Z")
I’m seeing more churches closing because of dwindling membership. How are local churches funded? I know there’s the donation plate passed around during service. Some people tithe regularly. Is that really enough to pay … --- ## [How Do Other Languages Describe Our 'R'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-other-languages-describe-our-r/942107)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2021, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-other-languages-describe-our-r/942107 "2021-05-18T03:41:06Z")
In most languages, the letter R is trilled or rolled. Not so in English. So how do other languages hear and describe our ‘R’? And while we’re at it, are there any other languages that don’t roll their R like we do? (I s… --- ## [I'm Looking For A Linguistic Term](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-linguistic-term/942243)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2021, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-linguistic-term/942243 "2021-05-17T23:27:30Z")
I was just thinking of Mark Anthony’s eulogy for Julius Caesar, in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Mark Anthony talks about Caesar lying in his ‘coffin’. Neither in the play, nor in the records of the actual event, is there… --- ## [Hyperinflation - why Zimbabwe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperinflation-why-zimbabwe/941973)
**Author:** [@Gruppen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gruppen)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2021, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperinflation-why-zimbabwe/941973 "2021-05-17T20:51:41Z")
This may be more of a Great Debate than a General Question, but I’m hoping someone knows enough about economy to understand something I don’t. So Zimbabwe went through a period of massive hyperinflation in 2007-2009, and… --- ## [What is a 'spell fixed effect' in this economic paper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-spell-fixed-effect-in-this-economic-paper/942114)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2021, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-spell-fixed-effect-in-this-economic-paper/942114 "2021-05-17T19:05:27Z")
It’s a paper, way over my head as a layman, about the economic effects of unemployment insurance on job search behavior based on data from the French Pôle emploi (public employment services). I vaguely understand that fi… --- ## [So snakes can hear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-snakes-can-hear/939114)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-snakes-can-hear/939114 "2021-05-17T17:47:19Z")
I have already read that snakes can’t hear air borne sound. This article while not in a scientific journal claims some snakes can hear air borne sounds. What’s the scientific consensus? --- ## [What does rubbing eyes accomplish, physiologically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-rubbing-eyes-accomplish-physiologically/942101)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-rubbing-eyes-accomplish-physiologically/942101 "2021-05-17T17:45:48Z")
It’s SOP for people facing short term eye-stress and such to rub their eyes, and it does work much of the time (at least short term). What exactly is being done from a physiological standpoint? The only possibilities I … --- ## [If you tattoo a baby, what's the long term prognosis for the tattoo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-tattoo-a-baby-whats-the-long-term-prognosis-for-the-tattoo/729302)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2021, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-tattoo-a-baby-whats-the-long-term-prognosis-for-the-tattoo/729302 "2021-05-17T14:50:40Z")
Does the tattoo stay the same size? Does it grow proportionally along with the baby? Does the ink become so diffuse do to growth that it essentially disappears? Or something else? --- ## [Significant digits in different number systems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/significant-digits-in-different-number-systems/942157)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2021, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/significant-digits-in-different-number-systems/942157 "2021-05-17T14:38:13Z")
I’m playing around in programming, and one of the projects that I want to do is a function that converts numbers between different number systems. I also want it to be able to handle floating point fractions. That made m… --- ## [Did the Sophia Naturalisation Act apply to Prince Philip](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-sophia-naturalisation-act-apply-to-prince-philip/942231)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2021, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-sophia-naturalisation-act-apply-to-prince-philip/942231 "2021-05-17T09:55:58Z")
He obtained British citizenship, before his marriage through a special scheme for those who had served in the UK armed forces. However, the 1705 Sophia Naturalisation Act made all descendants of Sophia of Hanover Britis… --- ## [Minimal pairs for voiced/unvoiced fricatives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-pairs-for-voiced-unvoiced-fricatives/941633)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2021, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-pairs-for-voiced-unvoiced-fricatives/941633 "2021-05-17T08:16:36Z")
A minimal pair is two words where the pronunciation is identical except that one phoneme is different in one aspect. For this question, that aspect is that one has a voiced fricative and the other unvoiced. Fricatives ar… --- ## [Behavior of LED Bulbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/behavior-of-led-bulbs/942223)
**Author:** [@Ptolomy57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ptolomy57)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2021, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/behavior-of-led-bulbs/942223 "2021-05-17T05:09:19Z")
We buy the Walmart LED lightbulbs, the ones with the shortest life rating. (There are a few choices for life expectancy, and the price increases accordingly.) After a few months of use, several of these bulbs exhibit a f… --- ## [If I port my mobile number to a VOIP provider, can I still use Whatsapp on my own?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-port-my-mobile-number-to-a-voip-provider-can-i-still-use-whatsapp-on-my-own/942250)
**Author:** [@wiskaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wiskaz)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2021, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-port-my-mobile-number-to-a-voip-provider-can-i-still-use-whatsapp-on-my-own/942250 "2021-05-17T02:29:21Z")
Thanks! --- ## [Using Excel, can I extract specific items from this terrible data file?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-excel-can-i-extract-specific-items-from-this-terrible-data-file/942113)
**Author:** [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2021, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-excel-can-i-extract-specific-items-from-this-terrible-data-file/942113 "2021-05-16T12:29:30Z")
Disclaimer: nobody needs to do my homework for me. I just want to know if what I want to do is even possible to automate in Excel, or if I’m going to have to do it by hand. I have a terrible, terrible report designed by… --- ## [What Are These Art Pieces On Some Agricultural Buildings Called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-art-pieces-on-some-agricultural-buildings-called/942155)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2021, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-art-pieces-on-some-agricultural-buildings-called/942155 "2021-05-16T12:08:20Z")
I apologize for the not-great pic, but note the red barn at the top, with the words “vintage market.” Above it is a piece of art depicting geometric patterns. I’ve seen these on a lot of barns/farmhouses around here – in… --- ## [Question on grading of collectibles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-grading-of-collectibles/939543)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2021, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-grading-of-collectibles/939543 "2021-05-16T11:01:52Z")
I’ve looked at various sites that offer grading services for things like sports memorabilia or trading cards. The grading and payment process confuses me and it’s couched in how they describe it. So here’s an example (… --- ## [Techno-peasant is trapped in full screen on chromebook!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/techno-peasant-is-trapped-in-full-screen-on-chromebook/942180)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2021, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/techno-peasant-is-trapped-in-full-screen-on-chromebook/942180 "2021-05-16T00:55:53Z")
Help! I’ve turned on full screen in my Chromebook and can’t get out! I have no idea how I did it, or how to get out. --- ## [Was there an actual movement to rename World War 1 to World War 2?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-an-actual-movement-to-rename-world-war-1-to-world-war-2/941889)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2021, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-an-actual-movement-to-rename-world-war-1-to-world-war-2/941889 "2021-05-15T14:54:56Z")
This is something that’s been with me for close to 20 years, but I remember posting on a history site similar to here where there was quite a few history professors who were there to answer questions. So basically in 199… --- ## [How does a car dashcam keep the day/time current when it's off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-car-dashcam-keep-the-day-time-current-when-its-off/942082)
**Author:** [@wiskaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wiskaz)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2021, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-car-dashcam-keep-the-day-time-current-when-its-off/942082 "2021-05-15T13:59:40Z")
I initially set the date/time at set up. The cam is on when the car is on. Other times it’s off. How does it not lose the time? --- ## [Looking for per-woman fertility statistics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-per-woman-fertility-statistics/941691)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2021, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-per-woman-fertility-statistics/941691 "2021-05-15T06:42:27Z")
By the time of menopause, some percentage of women will have had no children, some percentage will have had one, two, three, etc., on up to some crazy numbers in the 30s. My intuition says that the percentage goes to nea… --- ## [Is vagrancy a crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-vagrancy-a-crime/941787)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2021, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-vagrancy-a-crime/941787 "2021-05-15T06:37:20Z")
Continuing the discussion from Austin Texas, Proposition B: If I remember correctly idleness was considered bad for character in late medieval and early modern times. Being unemployed may have been associated with lawle… --- ## [animals with separate paths for food and air](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animals-with-separate-paths-for-food-and-air/561049)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2021, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animals-with-separate-paths-for-food-and-air/561049 "2021-05-14T23:35:48Z")
Are there any animals with completely separate respiratory canals and esophagus? Where there is no connection between their breathing channels and their eating/drinking path? I understand about fish, but as I remember … --- ## [Light at the end of a long tunnel (calculating the horizon)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-at-the-end-of-a-long-tunnel-calculating-the-horizon/941978)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2021, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-at-the-end-of-a-long-tunnel-calculating-the-horizon/941978 "2021-05-14T17:08:42Z")
So I had a ride in the cab of a diesel train recently. The route took us through the Remutaka Tunnel which is relatively long at 8.9 km (5.5 miles). Of note was the fact that you can’t see the end of the tunnel from the … --- ## [How well would modern society handle the dinosaur killing meteor if it happened today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-would-modern-society-handle-the-dinosaur-killing-meteor-if-it-happened-today/933856)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 326\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-would-modern-society-handle-the-dinosaur-killing-meteor-if-it-happened-today/933856 "2021-05-14T16:17:56Z")
Suppose a meteor, the same size and scope as the Chicxulub impactor, came barreling upon the modern Gulf of Mexico. Could modern society survive? How much advance notice would our astronomers give us? Would we try to … --- ## [How do I create pictures of pro wrestlers wearing championship belts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-create-pictures-of-pro-wrestlers-wearing-championship-belts/942053)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2021, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-create-pictures-of-pro-wrestlers-wearing-championship-belts/942053 "2021-05-14T16:14:40Z")
I’ve seen pictures online of professional wrestlers wearing belts that they’ve never won (like Chris Benoit holding the ECW Championship). I’ve just started a WCW 1997 scenario in Total Extreme Wrestling 2020. I decided… --- ## [Printing off bills - why do I have to clear my cache afterwards?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printing-off-bills-why-do-i-have-to-clear-my-cache-afterwards/941961)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2021, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printing-off-bills-why-do-i-have-to-clear-my-cache-afterwards/941961 "2021-05-14T15:07:33Z")
I’m doing some monthly finances and I need to download some of the utlitiy bills to get the full information for the month. And I get this warning each time I download a bill, warning me to clear my cache afterwards, be… --- ## [Where is the dye added to diesel fuel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-dye-added-to-diesel-fuel/941922)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2021, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-dye-added-to-diesel-fuel/941922 "2021-05-14T14:56:11Z")
Continuing the discussion from What does the colonial pipeline actually carry…fuel, yes…but how?: Following up on the question from @md-2000 about the dye in diesel fuel. Anybody know when or where dye is added to diese… --- ## [Number of lines and 2 dimensional sides on a tesseract](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-lines-and-2-dimensional-sides-on-a-tesseract/941868)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2021, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-lines-and-2-dimensional-sides-on-a-tesseract/941868 "2021-05-14T14:22:07Z")
I don’t know if this is a correct extrapolation but. A 1 dimensional line has one line A 2 dimensional square has 4 lines and a single two dimensional side. A 3 dimensional cube has 12 lines and 6 two dimensional side… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=280) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=282)