# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=339 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 340 --- ## [Motor oil grades: 5W30, 10W40; what's the difference? for particular makes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motor-oil-grades-5w30-10w40-whats-the-difference-for-particular-makes/799952)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motor-oil-grades-5w30-10w40-whats-the-difference-for-particular-makes/799952 "2020-08-15T05:21:14Z")
I have a 1994 Mercedes C-280; according to a link from ask.com the motor oil grade recommended is 5W30. I’ve used some of that. Is there any advantage to that over 10W40? --- ## [YouTube - An Error Occurred, Please Try Again Later](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-an-error-occurred-please-try-again-later/917939)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-an-error-occurred-please-try-again-later/917939 "2020-08-15T05:12:11Z")
Every time I launch a video on YouTube, I get a black screen with white letters, “An Error Occurred, Please Try Again Later.” I learned, by accident, that if I just wait a little – maybe fifteen seconds – the video star… --- ## [Excel copy formula Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-copy-formula-q/918003)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-copy-formula-q/918003 "2020-08-15T02:57:22Z")
I understand absolute and relative cell references, but they don’t seem to help me. I’m sure someone has a solution! In cells T1, U1, V1 there are formulas that reference cell A1. I want W1, X1, Y1 to have the same form… --- ## [Why the funky fonts in some phishing emails?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-funky-fonts-in-some-phishing-emails/917838)
**Author:** [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2020, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-funky-fonts-in-some-phishing-emails/917838 "2020-08-14T19:57:29Z")
I’m simultaneously amused and puzzled when I receive a phishing email, purporting to be from someplace average people expect emails from – the Postal Service, a bank, etc. – but then has odd fonts, weird use of bolding, … --- ## [When is pre-surg exam needed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-pre-surg-exam-needed/917727)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2020, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-pre-surg-exam-needed/917727 "2020-08-14T17:49:08Z")
I’ve had a few surgeries - mostly for orthopedic issues - knee meniscus, broken ankle, etc. Each time, I believe I had to undergo a pre-operative exam involving bloodwork and an ECG. I’d assumed that the intent was to … --- ## [How does this real estate scam work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-real-estate-scam-work/917772)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-real-estate-scam-work/917772 "2020-08-14T17:24:07Z")
I was listening to SiriusXM POTUS channel this afternoon. A commercial came on for a company that offers to “lock” my house title. The said that a criminal can access my title online, print it, forge my signature, and … --- ## [How Much Trouble is it to Raise Chickens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-trouble-is-it-to-raise-chickens/515123)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2020, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-trouble-is-it-to-raise-chickens/515123 "2020-08-14T13:21:46Z")
MilliCal wants to know. She read wendelin Van Draanen’s book Flipped! a while back, then we visited the Topsfield Fair and saw the Chickens on display, and it got her wondering how difficult it was to raise chickens, and… --- ## ["Desperate Journey" Migrant 2-pt story (PBS News Hour)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-journey-migrant-2-pt-story-pbs-news-hour/918040)
**Author:** [@Osano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osano)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2020, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-journey-migrant-2-pt-story-pbs-news-hour/918040 "2020-08-14T12:51:21Z")
On the Newshour the past two days, there was a segment called “Desperate Journey”. To summarize it, they sent out a field reporter to travel with a group of migrants. These migrants who predominantly come from Africa and… --- ## [WhatsApp help needed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatsapp-help-needed/676665)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2013, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatsapp-help-needed/676665 "2013-12-19T07:30:11Z")
I set up WhatsApp on my Android phone. As I’ve been adding numbers into the contact list, the little WhatsApp symbol popped up for those who have the application - except for one person. This friend emailed me today, an… --- ## [Can a website administrator tell how far down you scroll?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-website-administrator-tell-how-far-down-you-scroll/917765)
**Author:** [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-website-administrator-tell-how-far-down-you-scroll/917765 "2020-08-13T19:28:53Z")
I am curious about whether a website administrator can tell how far down you have scrolled on a page loaded from their site. For example, when I load a news article, can they tell how much of it I read, based on how far… --- ## [Do we call all objects without mass “light”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-call-all-objects-without-mass-light/917334)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-call-all-objects-without-mass-light/917334 "2020-08-13T19:19:37Z")
In other words, are there any other massless, but detectable, objects that are not referred to as “light”? --- ## [How to make new Google Voice work like Legacy GV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-new-google-voice-work-like-legacy-gv/917941)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-new-google-voice-work-like-legacy-gv/917941 "2020-08-13T18:04:18Z")
If I don’t go to legacy Google Voice I can’t call because it says I don’t have a mic on my computer. I don’t want to call with my computer, I want GV to call my landline like legacy GV does. Anyone know how to make it wo… --- ## [Tears of Joy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tears-of-joy/35925)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tears-of-joy/35925 "2020-08-13T17:39:57Z")
Why do we cry when something really wonderful and poignant happens? --- ## [How much of China's debt does US bond holders have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-chinas-debt-does-us-bond-holders-have/918006)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-chinas-debt-does-us-bond-holders-have/918006 "2020-08-13T17:38:43Z")
I was watching a video and one thing that was brought up was a huge amount of bonds (debt) that US bond holders have from China. Of course, when I google this I get all about how much debt China has wrt US bonds. Does … --- ## [Any risk for putting a grounding adapter for a non grounded electrical appliance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-risk-for-putting-a-grounding-adapter-for-a-non-grounded-electrical-appliance/917944)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-risk-for-putting-a-grounding-adapter-for-a-non-grounded-electrical-appliance/917944 "2020-08-13T15:46:06Z")
I got some with some disability issues a set of remote control outlets like this. The wall outlets have no grounding outlet. The electrical appliance (fans and air purifiers) do not have grounding prongs either. but t… --- ## [Shipping Costs on eBay & Amazon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-costs-on-ebay-amazon/917925)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-costs-on-ebay-amazon/917925 "2020-08-13T15:03:31Z")
Based on my experience, ISTM that it’s very common for eBay sellers to offer free shipping, even on relatively low cost items, but on Amazon unless you hit their free shipping threshold or have Prime it’s very rare. One… --- ## [Why Did English Lose All Its G's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-english-lose-all-its-gs/917577)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-english-lose-all-its-gs/917577 "2020-08-13T13:30:25Z")
Middle English lost a lot of g’s, when transitioning from Old English. At least according to my dictionary. I will just cite the examples I know. ‘Eye’ was ēage in Old English. That actually makes sense, because eye, li… --- ## [How are Hebrew Calendar dates written and said?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-hebrew-calendar-dates-written-and-said/917766)
**Author:** [@yearofglad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yearofglad)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-hebrew-calendar-dates-written-and-said/917766 "2020-08-13T11:39:07Z")
Looking at the dates for Hanukkah, Wikipedia says it starts on 25 Kislev and ends on 2 Tevet or 3 Tevet. I’m assuming that’s the correct way to write it, with the number first and the month second? Is it also read aloud… --- ## [Did blue, canary-shaped plug-in nightlights exist before 1990?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-blue-canary-shaped-plug-in-nightlights-exist-before-1990/917252)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-blue-canary-shaped-plug-in-nightlights-exist-before-1990/917252 "2020-08-13T08:44:01Z")
Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch Who watches over you Make a little birdhouse in your soul It is generally believed that the lyrics of Birdhouse in Your Soul by They Might be Giants, are narrated from the… --- ## [How do I do this in GIMP: Turning an object from one picture into a new picture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-do-this-in-gimp-turning-an-object-from-one-picture-into-a-new-picture/917658)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-do-this-in-gimp-turning-an-object-from-one-picture-into-a-new-picture/917658 "2020-08-13T08:16:40Z")
I’m very much illiterate when it comes to graphics processing, but there must be a very simple way for doing what I want to do. It’s just that I haven’t found it after two hours of playing around in GIMP and using online… --- ## [Why isn't Uber Surge Pricing considered gouging?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-uber-surge-pricing-considered-gouging/917849)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-uber-surge-pricing-considered-gouging/917849 "2020-08-13T08:16:08Z")
As you probably know, Uber pricing can fluctuate based on the supply of drivers vs. the demand of riders. Uber says: Bad weather, rush hour, and special events, for instance, may cause unusually large numbers of people… --- ## [Spinning disk goes from 0 to relativistic speed. What happens to RPM and angular momentum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinning-disk-goes-from-0-to-relativistic-speed-what-happens-to-rpm-and-angular-momentum/917288)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2020, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinning-disk-goes-from-0-to-relativistic-speed-what-happens-to-rpm-and-angular-momentum/917288 "2020-08-13T08:12:08Z")
Inspired by the pizza thread, I had a question. Say a disk spinning about its internal axis (say at 100 RPM) is slowly accelerated to the speed of light. When I mean accelerates, I mean the center of mass of the disk ac… --- ## [Unemployment questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployment-questions/917773)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2020, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployment-questions/917773 "2020-08-12T22:28:21Z")
As of last week, I am gettting unemployment benefits for the 2nd time in my life, the last time in 2013 in Rhode Island for three months. Now I am in New Jersey, and I qualify for $603 a week. My question is about the e… --- ## [How did China sanction Rubio et al.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-china-sanction-rubio-et-al/917724)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2020, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-china-sanction-rubio-et-al/917724 "2020-08-12T20:50:56Z")
News today: https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/10/politics/china-sanctions-rubio-cruz-cotton-smith/index.html The article doesn’t say exactly what the sanctions were. I assumed they were just banned from visiting China/Hong … --- ## [Why are medical doctors expected, or required, to be good at math?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-medical-doctors-expected-or-required-to-be-good-at-math/917740)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2020, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-medical-doctors-expected-or-required-to-be-good-at-math/917740 "2020-08-12T19:00:21Z")
I long ago heard a lawyer joke, “If I were any good at math, I’d be a doctor.” I certainly understand doctors being required to master various sciences such as biology, chemistry, anatomy and even botany, which have a d… --- ## [Jump starters - lithium ion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jump-starters-lithium-ion/917829)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2020, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jump-starters-lithium-ion/917829 "2020-08-12T16:47:59Z")
I just bought another one of these to replace he old one that got flooded. (BTW, it worked as advertised - easily jump starting a few boats this summer.) This time around I noticed that the paperwork says it can jump sta… --- ## ["V-C for me"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/v-c-for-me/917827)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/v-c-for-me/917827 "2020-08-12T16:20:33Z")
I was looking at a photo from 1964 and can see a distant billboard. When I enlarge the sign I can see a guy holding up a bottle and the caption reads, “V-C for me”. I can’t see any more detail then that. Any idea what V-… --- ## [Dioscorea elephantipes, the elephant's foot Plant. Why this strange adaptation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dioscorea-elephantipes-the-elephants-foot-plant-why-this-strange-adaptation/917754)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2020, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dioscorea-elephantipes-the-elephants-foot-plant-why-this-strange-adaptation/917754 "2020-08-12T14:03:16Z")
So I got this unique plant today : Dioscorea elephantipes - Wikipedia It’s an interesting plant and the seller claimed that it grew wild in the Rio Grande Valley (Texas). I don’t see that mentioned anywhere on online s… --- ## [Aquarium lights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aquarium-lights/917460)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2020, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aquarium-lights/917460 "2020-08-12T13:00:00Z")
So, my lights are set to come on from 6am to 2pm (8 hrs), but I’m here for maybe the 6am-8am stretch, if I’m lucky, I might catch the 1-2 stretch. I could set them for 8am-4pm, in which case I’d never see them in the mor… --- ## [iOS update causing battery drain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ios-update-causing-battery-drain/917753)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2020, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ios-update-causing-battery-drain/917753 "2020-08-12T12:06:09Z")
Just did the automatic update to 12.4.8 and now my phone is already almost out of juice. I barely use it but it never sucked power like this before. WTF happened? Can I revert to my former version? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=338) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=340)