# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=306 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 307 --- ## [How to Extend the Time Between Re-Fuelings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-extend-the-time-between-re-fuelings/930475)
**Author:** [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2021, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-extend-the-time-between-re-fuelings/930475 "2021-01-14T21:12:15Z")
People ask me questions. I don’t know the answers, so I ask you guys… A customer asked me if it would hurt the car to fill the fuel tank so full that you could see the gasoline in the gas-cap flange of his vehicle. He… --- ## [Physics Question? ( I think)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-question-i-think/930341)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-question-i-think/930341 "2021-01-14T21:00:49Z")
Suppose I built a track with up and down humps like a roller coaster track. Slightly concave so a ball bearing would stay in the center while rolling. The ball would start rolling on a downhill slope higher than the high… --- ## [Were real, Western-style horse-drawn stagecoaches still used at all in the 1920s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-real-western-style-horse-drawn-stagecoaches-still-used-at-all-in-the-1920s/930402)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2021, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-real-western-style-horse-drawn-stagecoaches-still-used-at-all-in-the-1920s/930402 "2021-01-14T17:49:22Z")
I recently listened to The Dain Curse by Dashiell Hammett, a then-contemporary story written in the late 1920s. At a couple of points the first person narrator mentions taking “the stage” from a small-town train statio… --- ## [What does "safe harbor" really mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-safe-harbor-really-mean/930308)
**Author:** [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2021, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-safe-harbor-really-mean/930308 "2021-01-14T16:03:12Z")
The electoral college procedure has a “safe harbor date” by which to send unquestionable slates of electors. My 401k has a “safe harbor match” plan that gets the company out of some compliance rules. Investor relations … --- ## [Question regarding a 90 day evection on Section 8 tenant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-a-90-day-evection-on-section-8-tenant/930464)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2021, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-a-90-day-evection-on-section-8-tenant/930464 "2021-01-14T13:03:23Z")
I work with a property management company. We’ve recently had to serve a 90 notice to vacate to one of our tenants due to uninhabitability. There was a natural gas line that ran through several other units that started l… --- ## [Without the moon there would be no life on earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-the-moon-there-would-be-no-life-on-earth/926704)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2021, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-the-moon-there-would-be-no-life-on-earth/926704 "2021-01-14T06:27:29Z")
Or so claims this article I read. It claims, in part, that: I find it hard to believe that life is that dependent on the moon. Sure, everything might change, life might have to evolve to adapt to the changes but all li… --- ## [How to unplug an RV microwave on a Jayco RV that won't come unplugged](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-unplug-an-rv-microwave-on-a-jayco-rv-that-wont-come-unplugged/930460)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2021, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-unplug-an-rv-microwave-on-a-jayco-rv-that-wont-come-unplugged/930460 "2021-01-14T02:43:43Z")
I recently bought a new space heater for my RV that, I didn’t realize until it was too late, sucks up an enormous amount of power. When I tried to use the microwave at the same time, it apparently blew an internal fuse … --- ## [Schlage lock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schlage-lock/930082)
**Author:** [@dauerbach1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach1)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2021, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schlage-lock/930082 "2021-01-14T00:09:48Z")
My Schlage lock broke so I bought a new one. It is keyed entry to the garage, and I want it unlocked at all times, unless I specifically lock it at night. The new lock does not seem to allow me to do that. If I unlock… --- ## [Why is the Gulf coast of Florida so unpopulated between Clearwater and Panama City?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-gulf-coast-of-florida-so-unpopulated-between-clearwater-and-panama-city/930373)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-gulf-coast-of-florida-so-unpopulated-between-clearwater-and-panama-city/930373 "2021-01-13T23:35:30Z")
I’m reading a book that takes place in Florida and I like to look at maps while I read about places. I’m surprised that such a large swath of coastline seems to be practically barren. I see a few places like Horseshoe Be… --- ## [Can the president issue a preemptive commutation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-president-issue-a-preemptive-commutation/930325)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-president-issue-a-preemptive-commutation/930325 "2021-01-13T23:04:20Z")
It’s well established that the American president can issue preemptive pardons for federal crimes that have already been committed but not yet prosecuted or tried. (If you’re not aware of this, please see any of the zil… --- ## [Excel: Conditional formula](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-conditional-formula/930207)
**Author:** [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-conditional-formula/930207 "2021-01-13T17:40:33Z")
I would like to create a formula to calculate a payment (PMT) amount based on the current balance (CBAL). If CBAL is \<$300, PMT=CBAL; if CBAL is \>=$300 but \<$2000, PMT=$300; if CBAL is \>=$2000, PMT=$500 Also, what tr… --- ## [Bitcoin at coin counting machines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoin-at-coin-counting-machines/930374)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoin-at-coin-counting-machines/930374 "2021-01-13T17:18:25Z")
I’m seeing a lot of coin counting machines that are offering bitcoin. How does that work? Do you have to put $32,000 into the machine to get a bitcoin? Or can you buy fractions of a bitcoin? --- ## [Why is there a charge for Uber pass on my debit card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-charge-for-uber-pass-on-my-debit-card/929735)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-charge-for-uber-pass-on-my-debit-card/929735 "2021-01-13T16:54:31Z")
I don’t even use Uber. And I can find no means of contacting any customer service support to do anything about it. Should I just report it to my bank as fraud? Or has anyone else dealt with this successfully? --- ## [US mint enrollment program](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-mint-enrollment-program/928771)
**Author:** [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-mint-enrollment-program/928771 "2021-01-13T15:40:15Z")
I like the idea of the US Mint enrollment program. Have any fellow dopers ever participated in the program? For those of you that haven’t heard of it… Info about the US Mint Enrollment Program https://catalog.usmint.… --- ## [President is impeached and convicted - at what precise moment does he lose power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-is-impeached-and-convicted-at-what-precise-moment-does-he-lose-power/930073)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-is-impeached-and-convicted-at-what-precise-moment-does-he-lose-power/930073 "2021-01-13T12:09:47Z")
Say that a president is impeached by the House and removed from office by a vote of at least 2/3 of the Senate. At what precise moment does he lose power? Is it when the Senate leader announces, “By an 84-16 vote, the S… --- ## [Katy bar the door](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/katy-bar-the-door/930294)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/katy-bar-the-door/930294 "2021-01-13T09:25:13Z")
I just came across this phrase in a novel based in Texas. It’s new to me and I wondered if anyone had more information about its meaning and origin. --- ## [How to turn Autoplay off in Microsoftt Edge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-turn-autoplay-off-in-microsoftt-edge/930347)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-turn-autoplay-off-in-microsoftt-edge/930347 "2021-01-13T09:15:38Z")
It’s really annoying when I open an article on CNN (or another website) and a video starts playing. I found these instructions to turn Autoplay off: Disable media autoplay in Microsoft Edge Open the Microsoft Edge we… --- ## [Is there a way to sharpen a dull Sharpie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-sharpen-a-dull-sharpie/930343)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-sharpen-a-dull-sharpie/930343 "2021-01-13T06:51:51Z")
Are there simple methods or techniques or hacks that could be used to reconstitute an old Sharpie? Or is a dull one irredeemable? --- ## [Mars at Closest, Mars at Opposition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mars-at-closest-mars-at-opposition/922723)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mars-at-closest-mars-at-opposition/922723 "2021-01-13T05:06:18Z")
This site: Exploring Mars at Opposition using Starry Night | Space is typical - it says that Mars is closest to the Earth Oct 6, and at Opposition Oct 13. Opposition is when the planet lines up exactly 180 degrees away … --- ## [Ethernet Printer Odd Behavior With Iffy Cable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethernet-printer-odd-behavior-with-iffy-cable/930380)
**Author:** [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethernet-printer-odd-behavior-with-iffy-cable/930380 "2021-01-13T02:04:09Z")
Our office printer, a Konica Minolta Bizhub multifunction, is connected to our network via an old Cat 5 (not Cat 5e) Ethernet run, so it only auto-negotiates to 100mbit rather than gigabit. No real problem there and it’… --- ## [US Marines vs US Army](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2021, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457 "2021-01-12T22:06:25Z")
What is the difference. Why do Americans need two branches of foot soldiers. Why would a young American choose one above the other. Do the Marines have status over the army? Differences in boot camp? Difference in ass… --- ## [How do celebrities and prominent politicians authenticate themselves when calling someone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-celebrities-and-prominent-politicians-authenticate-themselves-when-calling-someone/929472)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2021, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-celebrities-and-prominent-politicians-authenticate-themselves-when-calling-someone/929472 "2021-01-12T15:19:47Z")
Say that Barack Obama, or Joe Biden, or some famous Hollywood celebrity is giving a phone call to someone (who normally wouldn’t expect such a call; maybe one of those “Obama-calls-103-year-old-American-WWII-veteran-to-w… --- ## [What's the advantage of having commissioned vs. noncommissioned officers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-advantage-of-having-commissioned-vs-noncommissioned-officers/929746)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2021, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-advantage-of-having-commissioned-vs-noncommissioned-officers/929746 "2021-01-12T15:17:17Z")
AIUI, all commissioned officers outrank all NCOs, such that even a ‘butter-bar’ commissioned lieutenant technically outranks the Command Sergeant Major. What I am trying to understand is what the advantage lies in havin… --- ## ["you'd complain if you were hung with a new rope"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youd-complain-if-you-were-hung-with-a-new-rope/667409)
**Author:** [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2021, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youd-complain-if-you-were-hung-with-a-new-rope/667409 "2021-01-12T13:19:57Z")
“He would complain even if he was hung with a new rope.” or “you’d complain if you were hung with a new rope” I’ve heard this phrase used to describe someone that constantly complained about every little thing. A Wiki s… --- ## [ID this flag (modified American flag, possibly alt-right)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-flag-modified-american-flag-possibly-alt-right/930292)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2021, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-flag-modified-american-flag-possibly-alt-right/930292 "2021-01-12T11:54:50Z")
Link to the flag Seal of the united states, but in a sort of baroque/distressed style, on 13 alternating horizontal red and white stripes, without the union that the US flag normally bears. --- ## [Why do turbine (jet) engines cost so much more than piston engines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-turbine-jet-engines-cost-so-much-more-than-piston-engines/921867)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2021, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-turbine-jet-engines-cost-so-much-more-than-piston-engines/921867 "2021-01-12T10:59:59Z")
In some recent(ish) threads discussing general aviation planes it was noted that twin-piston engine planes have some notable drawbacks and that a single turbine (jet…could be a turboprop too which is a jet with a propell… --- ## [Jupiter as a star?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jupiter-as-a-star/928441)
**Author:** [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2021, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jupiter-as-a-star/928441 "2021-01-12T07:53:53Z")
There is a science-fiction novel () in which someone compresses the mass of Jupiter so that it achieves fusion and becomes a small star. Never mind that this is impossible and that there may not even be enough mass for i… --- ## [How many people at Trump's rally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-at-trumps-rally/929964)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2021, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-at-trumps-rally/929964 "2021-01-12T01:16:16Z")
I haven’t seen any numbers for the size of the crowd at Trump’s speech, before the rioting started. The clips I saw on the news were all filmed by somebody standing at ground level, and only showed a couple hundred peop… --- ## [Has anyone ordered the "Internet of Things bundle" from PopSci Shop? (Popular Science)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ordered-the-internet-of-things-bundle-from-popsci-shop-popular-science/930256)
**Author:** [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2021, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ordered-the-internet-of-things-bundle-from-popsci-shop-popular-science/930256 "2021-01-11T21:29:32Z")
I’m thinking to get it for my youngest, but I’m dubious that it’s really $1,800 worth for $29. --- ## [Does anyone firing a rocket into space need to inform all world governments of it (i.e. not a nuke)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-firing-a-rocket-into-space-need-to-inform-all-world-governments-of-it-i-e-not-a-nuke/855561)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-firing-a-rocket-into-space-need-to-inform-all-world-governments-of-it-i-e-not-a-nuke/855561 "2021-01-11T18:20:35Z")
Title kinda says it all. When SpaceX or Blue Origin or Soyuz to the ISS or a whole bunch of others plan for a launch… Do they need to phone every government on the planet (or at least the nuclear powers) to let them kn… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=305) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=307)