# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=308 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 309 --- ## [I've lost access to a meteorological website, after a thunderstorm no less](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-access-to-a-meteorological-website-after-a-thunderstorm-no-less/929795)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2021, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-access-to-a-meteorological-website-after-a-thunderstorm-no-less/929795 "2021-01-07T07:02:26Z")
The other night I had the Australian government meteorological website open on my laptop. I was checking the prospective rainfall levels (it’s wet season up here) when a big BOOM happened outside and I ran to the balcony… --- ## [Where is this oversized (and traffic jammed) traffic circle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-this-oversized-and-traffic-jammed-traffic-circle/929350)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2021, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-this-oversized-and-traffic-jammed-traffic-circle/929350 "2021-01-07T05:17:17Z")
The article does not say as far as I can tell. But I’ve seen the picture around elsewhere. I suspect it’s not in the US. --- ## [Switching to ethanol fuel for automotive engines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-to-ethanol-fuel-for-automotive-engines/928920)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2021, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-to-ethanol-fuel-for-automotive-engines/928920 "2021-01-07T02:26:40Z")
During the early pandemic, I almost never drove, so I didn’t cycle my fuel for a month or more. I’m told that’s long enough to make ethanol fuel absorb water and harm engines, so I switched to ethanol-free. My questio… --- ## [Quick ebay and paypal questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-ebay-and-paypal-questions/929817)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-ebay-and-paypal-questions/929817 "2021-01-06T18:15:45Z")
So I have an ebay account attached to a paypal account attached to a credit card. I have only used it to make purchases and it has gone smoothly. I want to sell something now. When I get “paid” via paypal does it credi… --- ## [Is the time to boil a fixed quantity of water directly inversely proportional to the temperature? (e.g. 2x the temp = 1/2 the time?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-time-to-boil-a-fixed-quantity-of-water-directly-inversely-proportional-to-the-temperature-e-g-2x-the-temp-1-2-the-time/929666)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-time-to-boil-a-fixed-quantity-of-water-directly-inversely-proportional-to-the-temperature-e-g-2x-the-temp-1-2-the-time/929666 "2021-01-06T16:43:27Z")
If I record the time it takes to boil a known amount of water with heat at a known temperature, can I extrapolate for an unknown temperature by comparing how long it takes to boil the same amount of water? That is, if t… --- ## [Is "to carry the chalice" (carry on a tradition) an actual phrase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-to-carry-the-chalice-carry-on-a-tradition-an-actual-phrase/929691)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-to-carry-the-chalice-carry-on-a-tradition-an-actual-phrase/929691 "2021-01-06T14:50:02Z")
I heard the phrase 'to carry the chalice" (meaning to carry on a tradition? carry. a burden?) before. I am familiar with “to carry the poisoned chalice”. Is 'to carry the chalice" even a proper phrase? If so might it d… --- ## [Can you get shingles and chicken pox simultaneously?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-shingles-and-chicken-pox-simultaneously/923570)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-shingles-and-chicken-pox-simultaneously/923570 "2021-01-06T06:00:43Z")
As I understand it, the varicella virus gives you itchy pox all over, then retreats into the central nervous system, where it lies dormant. Years later, it can attack again in the form of shingles. Questions: Why does i… --- ## [What does it mean when they put \<\< \>\> or other symbols around a word or phrase in translated games?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-when-they-put-or-other-symbols-around-a-word-or-phrase-in-translated-games/929654)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-when-they-put-or-other-symbols-around-a-word-or-phrase-in-translated-games/929654 "2021-01-05T19:35:40Z")
On occasion, a game that was originally written/released in Japanese will have a passage like “you found \<\>” or they’ll have a mark around the top left and bottom right edges of the phrase (e.g. “let’s go to the ⌈Hot Spr… --- ## [Who designs plaid boxer fabric?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-designs-plaid-boxer-fabric/420582)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2007, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-designs-plaid-boxer-fabric/420582 "2007-09-28T20:31:21Z")
So I just bought some new boxers. And besides wanting the world to know that I am now sporting new shorts, I wondered something I have pondered before. The boxers are all made out of these various plaid fabrics. In th… --- ## [What is the Secret Service's duty/obligation towards Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-secret-services-duty-obligation-towards-trump/929603)
**Author:** [@GreaterZamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreaterZamboni)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-secret-services-duty-obligation-towards-trump/929603 "2021-01-05T18:11:28Z")
I did not know where to put this question so if the Mods deem it necessary to move it, please do so. My question is, what are the Secret Service agents with Trump to do if he attempts to flee the country? Can they only … --- ## [Names of faint stars below Alnilam in Orion's belt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-faint-stars-below-alnilam-in-orions-belt/929664)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-faint-stars-below-alnilam-in-orions-belt/929664 "2021-01-05T12:54:38Z")
Where’s The Bad Astronomer when I need him? I got curious about the actual names of the stars that sit on a sort of second row below the bright belt stars. The one on the left, directly below Alnitak, I see is Sigma. … --- ## [What kinds of data do spies collect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kinds-of-data-do-spies-collect/929303)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kinds-of-data-do-spies-collect/929303 "2021-01-05T09:49:53Z")
Just curious what it is spies actually do. What does intelligence look like, at the nuts-and-bolts level? Is it always military data? How is the data transmitted? How would the spying country use the information? And w… --- ## [How hard is MCSE?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-mcse/51414)
**Author:** [@Doc\_Moss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doc_Moss)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2001, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-mcse/51414 "2001-01-23T18:16:27Z")
Anyone here done it? What does it involve? What programming languages does it cover? AND IMPORTANTLY How much maths is involved? --- ## [Economists : Historically what percent of population has owned 99% of wealth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economists-historically-what-percent-of-population-has-owned-99-of-wealth/929688)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economists-historically-what-percent-of-population-has-owned-99-of-wealth/929688 "2021-01-05T06:08:42Z")
I have seen figures floating around like 1% of population owning 99% of wealth. This question is not about whether it is 1% or some other number, but rather how this has varied over history. My guess is that 99% of weal… --- ## ["a" vs "an" before an initialism (e.g. SDMB). Which is correct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-vs-an-before-an-initialism-e-g-sdmb-which-is-correct/928925)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-vs-an-before-an-initialism-e-g-sdmb-which-is-correct/928925 "2021-01-05T00:50:01Z")
I asked my GF, who is a professional editor, if I should write, “I read an SDMB post” or if I should write, “I read a SDMB post”. She told me it was tricky. If you read it as “SDMB” then “an” is appropriate. But, if y… --- ## [A question about suspended and then falling objects](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-suspended-and-then-falling-objects/929392)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-suspended-and-then-falling-objects/929392 "2021-01-05T00:34:08Z")
So I came across a Mythbusters video with Adam Savage working with some kids testing something about suspended objects held up with something stretchy (bungee cord, slinky etc) and how the bottom of the stretchy bit, and… --- ## [Where are my messages on my iPhone 6S?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-my-messages-on-my-iphone-6s/929663)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2021, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-my-messages-on-my-iphone-6s/929663 "2021-01-04T23:52:50Z")
I’ve just heard the Amber/Silver alert signal on my iPhone 6S. I went to read the message, but I can’t find it. It’s not in Messages. Is there another place I should look? --- ## [Couple questions on Chevy oil sensor replacement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couple-questions-on-chevy-oil-sensor-replacement/929287)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2021, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couple-questions-on-chevy-oil-sensor-replacement/929287 "2021-01-04T20:02:13Z")
2006 GMC Envoy Denali I have been getting weird oil pressure readings, sometimes normal, sometimes low. There is plenty of oil in the car. I replaced the oil pressure sensor but still getting the same problems. No no… --- ## [Alexa Listening in to Target Ads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexa-listening-in-to-target-ads/929431)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2021, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexa-listening-in-to-target-ads/929431 "2021-01-04T18:42:07Z")
Before the Plague hit it was a big discussion. The claim was that if you talked about something (like shrimp or plate o’shrimp) Alexa and all the rest would overhear you and send you ads. Then 2020 hit and I sort of for… --- ## [Players on online games with terrorist leader picture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-on-online-games-with-terrorist-leader-picture/720468)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2021, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-on-online-games-with-terrorist-leader-picture/720468 "2021-01-04T17:18:21Z")
I was playing an online game today. One of my teammates had an Osama bin Laden’s picture as his profile picture. Considered that National Security Agency has surveillance programs such as PRISM (Link), the very fact tha… --- ## [Pocket Cast to MP3](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pocket-cast-to-mp3/929616)
**Author:** [@ric62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ric62)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2021, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pocket-cast-to-mp3/929616 "2021-01-04T17:09:44Z")
Is there a way to transfer podcasts from Pocket Casts to a MP3 player? --- ## [I left my small vault freezer open for almost week!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-left-my-small-vault-freezer-open-for-almost-week/929610)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2021, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-left-my-small-vault-freezer-open-for-almost-week/929610 "2021-01-04T09:26:10Z")
I discovered earlier today that I’d left the lid on my vault freezer wide open for a week, the contents ( fish, chicken, broccoli) was amazingly frozen solid. Is there any chance that it is okay or is it possible that it… --- ## [Beer expiration date?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-expiration-date/929425)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2021, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-expiration-date/929425 "2021-01-04T07:42:39Z")
Just over a year ago, my wife and I bought two cases of Tsingtao beer which we intended to give to her brother around April/May 2020 timeframe. The pandemic interrupted our plans so we now have two cases of beer which ne… --- ## [MacOS software to detect duplicate image files even of different formats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macos-software-to-detect-duplicate-image-files-even-of-different-formats/929570)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2021, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macos-software-to-detect-duplicate-image-files-even-of-different-formats/929570 "2021-01-03T23:42:22Z")
Hi everyone. Like many amateur photographers, I have an external SSD drive full of images. Since I haven’t always the very most diligent of archivists, the filing is… suboptimal. There’s a mix of at least three differen… --- ## [Did Fidel Castro speak English?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fidel-castro-speak-english/929568)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2021, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fidel-castro-speak-english/929568 "2021-01-03T23:33:00Z")
If so, how fluently? Heavy accent or slight? Where did he learn his English, if at all, and how long did he study it? --- ## [Does mixed types of bird seed keep birds away from bird feeders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mixed-types-of-bird-seed-keep-birds-away-from-bird-feeders/929543)
**Author:** [@GreaterZamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreaterZamboni)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2021, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mixed-types-of-bird-seed-keep-birds-away-from-bird-feeders/929543 "2021-01-03T22:18:09Z")
We have a couple of hanging bird feeders. We enjoy watching the various birds come and help themselves. We have thistle in one feeder, and safflower seeds in the other one. Recently some clumsy oaf (ok, it was me) dropp… --- ## [Freon in freezers and refrigerators: Two separate Freon coils, or all on the bottom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freon-in-freezers-and-refrigerators-two-separate-freon-coils-or-all-on-the-bottom/837649)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freon-in-freezers-and-refrigerators-two-separate-freon-coils-or-all-on-the-bottom/837649 "2021-01-03T17:41:08Z")
I have a typical household setup: Freezer on top, fridge on bottom. Do such devices usually all feed out of one big Freon coil network on the bottom unit (fridge bottom,) or are they two Freon coils - one on top with th… --- ## [How do I block Microsoft from downloading into my computer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-block-microsoft-from-downloading-into-my-computer/923137)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2021, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-block-microsoft-from-downloading-into-my-computer/923137 "2021-01-03T14:33:53Z")
It happened again. Microsoft dumped another load of unwanted crap in my computer. And then it shut down my computer without asking so it could launch all of this crap. And it produced the usual result; I’m now finding pr… --- ## [Orion nebula gases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orion-nebula-gases/929398)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2021, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orion-nebula-gases/929398 "2021-01-03T07:11:25Z")
I am intrigued by this article on the Orion nebula. How dense are these gases? What area of space is occupied by them? What is the distance across the gas cloud? --- ## [Where do my results fit in with the masses, re: Adult Fitness Test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-my-results-fit-in-with-the-masses-re-adult-fitness-test/929188)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2021, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-my-results-fit-in-with-the-masses-re-adult-fitness-test/929188 "2021-01-03T02:48:19Z")
I’ve taken the adult fitness test from the President’s Challenge Program. But now that I have results, I can’t find anyplace that lists what the results “should” be, or if I’m above or below average in any of these cate… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=307) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=309)