# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=282 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 283 --- ## [New force in nature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-force-in-nature/939575)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2021, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-force-in-nature/939575 "2021-05-14T10:12:41Z")
Anyone have any insight into this? I’m delighted to see a new result - but I don’t know enough about the field to see any further than what the article says. Anyone? @Chronos ?@Asympotically\_fat ? " There is curren… --- ## [What's the difference between a rifle and a shotgun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-rifle-and-a-shotgun/941822)
**Author:** [@Gruppen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gruppen)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2021, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-rifle-and-a-shotgun/941822 "2021-05-13T21:46:35Z")
I used to think that shotguns fired, well, shot, and rifles fired solid bullets. It turns out that there are solid bullets for shotguns. Then I thought shotguns were smoothbore while rifles were, well, rifled. It turns o… --- ## [If negative matter naturally exists where would it go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-negative-matter-naturally-exists-where-would-it-go/941758)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2021, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-negative-matter-naturally-exists-where-would-it-go/941758 "2021-05-13T17:51:54Z")
In our universe matter attracts itself via gravity and lumps into stars, planets and toaster ovens. As I understand it negative matter would be anti gravity and would be repelled, thus prevented from doing this? Would … --- ## [What does Microsoft do with all those error reports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-microsoft-do-with-all-those-error-reports/941871)
**Author:** [@Jaguars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaguars)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2021, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-microsoft-do-with-all-those-error-reports/941871 "2021-05-13T15:56:39Z")
We all know the little error box that pops up when a non-responsive program is closed. Often the program has little or nothing to do with Microsoft other than running on their system. Therefore there must be a heck of a… --- ## [Security Experts - what do you think about this situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-experts-what-do-you-think-about-this-situation/940757)
**Author:** [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2021, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-experts-what-do-you-think-about-this-situation/940757 "2021-05-13T05:32:08Z")
Suppose that an organisation of which you are a member sends you a mail which says “We need your bank details so that we can send you money we owe you. Please click the link in this message to go straight to the screen w… --- ## [The Techno-peasant is baffled: Why does my Canon printer not recognise letter size paper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-techno-peasant-is-baffled-why-does-my-canon-printer-not-recognise-letter-size-paper/941881)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2021, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-techno-peasant-is-baffled-why-does-my-canon-printer-not-recognise-letter-size-paper/941881 "2021-05-13T05:01:16Z")
I’ve got a Canon inkjet printer and it’s stopped printing from my Acer chromebook. I loaded the printer driver onto the Chromebook. Worked just fine, printing away, through my wireless connection to my router. Got a l… --- ## [Tax question 2 1099s for same investment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question-2-1099s-for-same-investment/941860)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2021, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question-2-1099s-for-same-investment/941860 "2021-05-13T01:55:40Z")
I had some stocks held by T Rowe Price. In early December I switched them to another broker without cashing them in. I now have 2 1099s, one from TRP and one from the new broker. Can I just ignore the TRP 1099 since they… --- ## [How do you know if you’re a witness or a suspect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-know-if-you-re-a-witness-or-a-suspect/941632)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2021, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-know-if-you-re-a-witness-or-a-suspect/941632 "2021-05-13T01:02:21Z")
The internet has drilled into our heads that if you’re being detained by the police, you shouldn’t say anything other than “I want a lawyer.” But in a non-custodial interview, how can you know if you’re considered a wit… --- ## [Is a V-8 engine better than a V-4 engine? (all else being equal...HP, torque, etc)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-v-8-engine-better-than-a-v-4-engine-all-else-being-equal-hp-torque-etc/940895)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2021, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-v-8-engine-better-than-a-v-4-engine-all-else-being-equal-hp-torque-etc/940895 "2021-05-12T22:50:44Z")
As I look at cars I occasionally see some engines which, on paper, seem roughly the same except one has more cylinders than the other. Assuming the engines have roughly the same performance statistics (horsepower and to… --- ## [What is "stray voltage"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-stray-voltage/941773)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-stray-voltage/941773 "2021-05-12T20:00:05Z")
I was watching a video where a man is telling a story of how he became a butcher (cattle) and mentions he had stray voltage in his barn where he milked his cows (he was not a butcher yet). Apparently the electrocuted co… --- ## [Presidential widows remarrying](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-widows-remarrying/941887)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2021, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-widows-remarrying/941887 "2021-05-12T14:08:36Z")
I just read a little article about Frances Folsom Cleveland, which noted that she remarried after Grover Cleveland died. Were there any other presidential widows who remarried after their husbands died? --- ## [Earliest control panel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-control-panel/941695)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2021, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-control-panel/941695 "2021-05-12T13:15:01Z")
In modern technology we are completely accustomed to glancing at a set spot in our visual field to learn an item of information. The instrument panel on a car. The status bar on your phone. The various placements for inf… --- ## [New Electric Toothbrush Possibly Used?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-electric-toothbrush-possibly-used/941869)
**Author:** [@Ronniejohanson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronniejohanson)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2021, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-electric-toothbrush-possibly-used/941869 "2021-05-11T22:30:04Z")
Im curious but has anyone bought something online whether its amazon or walmart/target or similar sites… then open the box and find out that item was somehow used? Or is that impossible? Thus imagine say an electric sh… --- ## [Roof (soffit) vent help needed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701 "2021-05-11T18:15:05Z")
I need help identifying these vents so I can replace them. A recent power washing broke the louvered covers off and I am having a hard time finding replacements. Mostly because searching for “soffit vent” or “under eave … --- ## [Suicide glamorization, culture, fandom -- what's the key phrase to search with?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-glamorization-culture-fandom-whats-the-key-phrase-to-search-with/941833)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2021, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-glamorization-culture-fandom-whats-the-key-phrase-to-search-with/941833 "2021-05-11T17:23:04Z")
I’m interested in a cultural or fad or trend phenomenon that centers suicide ideation and glamorizes suicide, in a groupie kind of way. I think there’s a flavor of suicide interest here that is distinct from the motivati… --- ## [Why is there no enzyme pill for gluten?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-enzyme-pill-for-gluten/941772)
**Author:** [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2021, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-enzyme-pill-for-gluten/941772 "2021-05-11T15:26:48Z")
Beano is a product that uses an enzyme to break down complex carbohydrates to prevent the build up of gas. Lactaid is a product that contains lactase, an enzyme for breaking down the sugar in milk. Why is there no prod… --- ## [Names for Jewish and pre-Jewish groups](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-for-jewish-and-pre-jewish-groups/941780)
**Author:** [@ALOHA\_HATER](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ALOHA_HATER)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2021, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-for-jewish-and-pre-jewish-groups/941780 "2021-05-11T15:02:21Z")
There are names over history: Jews, Israelites, Judahites, Hebrews, and others. Which names go with which time periods? --- ## [Yet Another Question about spam e-mail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-question-about-spam-e-mail/941693)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2021, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-question-about-spam-e-mail/941693 "2021-05-11T03:01:02Z")
Yet Another Question about spam e-mail: I get this kind of shit quite frequently. It’s some vague e-mail message that’s obviously junk (the specifics vary greatly), but it comes with an immensely long list of addresses… --- ## [Someday we'll find it, the rainbow location](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2021, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someday-well-find-it-the-rainbow-location/941327 "2021-05-10T23:33:32Z")
This drizzly morning as I checked kids’ temperatures as they rolled into school at 7:30, the clouds parted for a few minutes, and we were treated to a spectacular rainbow over the school. By 7:35 it was gone, but I kept … --- ## [Installing and playing Windows 98 game on Windows XP - what's the worst that could happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/installing-and-playing-windows-98-game-on-windows-xp-whats-the-worst-that-could-happen/939582)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2021, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/installing-and-playing-windows-98-game-on-windows-xp-whats-the-worst-that-could-happen/939582 "2021-05-10T18:49:00Z")
So I know that a Windows 98 game isn’t likely to work on XP - but, since I have the game, I might as well try. I’m not so much concerned that the game won’t work (if it doesn’t, it doesn’t,) though, as I worry it might … --- ## [US cars and engine power on the 60s and 70s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-cars-and-engine-power-on-the-60s-and-70s/941767)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2021, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-cars-and-engine-power-on-the-60s-and-70s/941767 "2021-05-10T18:47:55Z")
When I was a teen in the 90s I was briefly a car buff, spending time with friends street racing and trying to improve our shitbox cars. Mine was a 73 Ford Gran Torino with a 302 V8 engine. The lore at the time to explai… --- ## [Altima break pad replacement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/altima-break-pad-replacement/939992)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2021, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/altima-break-pad-replacement/939992 "2021-05-10T18:45:06Z")
Getting inspection and while the pads are somewhat worn down they will pass and mechanic said they were just above the level where he would normally recommend getting them replaced. So I would say maybe 4/5 of the way wo… --- ## [A Simple Telephone Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-telephone-question/941725)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2021, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-telephone-question/941725 "2021-05-10T14:43:36Z")
As I mentioned previously, I recently had to buy my first smart phone. It works. I am calling my friends and family to tell them my new number. When I call a number, like my brother’s, his phone’s display shows my phone… --- ## [What does an ad blocker do for a web browser?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-an-ad-blocker-do-for-a-web-browser/941454)
**Author:** [@Yelnick\_McWawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yelnick_McWawa)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2021, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-an-ad-blocker-do-for-a-web-browser/941454 "2021-05-10T10:32:16Z")
What does and ad blocker do for a web browser? What does it block? Unbeknownst to me, I have an ad blocker on my PC. I occasionally get a banner asking me to disable the aforesaid ad blocker. The banner usually obscu… --- ## [Can’t jump a millimeter in the Syrian desert?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-t-jump-a-millimeter-in-the-syrian-desert/940612)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2021, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-t-jump-a-millimeter-in-the-syrian-desert/940612 "2021-05-10T07:23:27Z")
Tom Friedman was on CNN and was making a metaphorical reference to the power of trust and stated (paraphrased, because I don’t remember the exact quote) “you can’t jump in the Syrian desert; not even a millimeter.” This… --- ## [Puffballs in the Mojave Desert](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puffballs-in-the-mojave-desert/350854)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2021, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puffballs-in-the-mojave-desert/350854 "2021-05-10T00:41:33Z")
My dad lived in Daggett (Mojave Desert, just east of Barstow) in the '70s. When I’d go there I’d occasionally see what people called ‘puffballs’. These were tan orbs about three inches in diameter that had a hard, brit… --- ## [The bulls in rodeos are so mean](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bulls-in-rodeos-are-so-mean/941199)
**Author:** [@EmbarrassingDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmbarrassingDad)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2021, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bulls-in-rodeos-are-so-mean/941199 "2021-05-09T21:01:51Z")
Surely that is due to abuse? Why do they hate people so badly? --- ## ["Communicable" disease - origin of word usage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/communicable-disease-origin-of-word-usage/941682)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/communicable-disease-origin-of-word-usage/941682 "2021-05-09T20:31:15Z")
I’m listening to a recent This American Life episode (#736: The Herd), and early on, one of the interviewees mentions that the usage of the word “communicable” in relation to disease originated with the fact that the onl… --- ## [How can glasses from Internet vendors be so cheap? How about quality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-glasses-from-internet-vendors-be-so-cheap-how-about-quality/927106)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2021, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-glasses-from-internet-vendors-be-so-cheap-how-about-quality/927106 "2021-05-09T20:14:32Z")
I got an eye exam and a new prescription. They priced out a pair for me at about $150, which is net after insurance. The frames were $200, insurance covers $160. Lenses were 120, insurance covers 100. Add $23 for polycar… --- ## [Micropython Windows 10 compatibility issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/micropython-windows-10-compatibility-issue/941708)
**Author:** [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2021, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/micropython-windows-10-compatibility-issue/941708 "2021-05-09T19:51:29Z")
So, I finally abandoned VB6 for utility programs and moved to Python. Actually Micropython because it supports the Pyboard that has everything for hardware applications and executes Python code. The Pyboard USB connects… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=281) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=283)