# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=340 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 341 --- ## [What can you tell me about Search Engine Optimization?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-tell-me-about-search-engine-optimization/543572)
**Author:** [@Nefarious\_Chipmunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nefarious_Chipmunk)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2010, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-tell-me-about-search-engine-optimization/543572 "2010-06-23T04:41:06Z")
I am looking at applying for a job in an SEO department. When I talked to them on the phone, they said experience wasn’t necessary, but I might want to do some research on the subject so I know a little about it when I … --- ## [Fill me in on Mrs Butterworths syrup](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fill-me-in-on-mrs-butterworths-syrup/855892)
**Author:** [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2020, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fill-me-in-on-mrs-butterworths-syrup/855892 "2020-08-12T04:07:56Z")
I’ve seen reports this morning of various brands/products being withdrawn in the US to be rebranded. I’m not American so I’m probably missing some nuance or history here. The two main ones from what I see is Uncle Ben’s … --- ## [How to shift all numbers in a cycle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-shift-all-numbers-in-a-cycle/917775)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2020, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-shift-all-numbers-in-a-cycle/917775 "2020-08-12T02:13:14Z")
My son had an interesting math puzzle, and I couldn’t come up with a solution, so I thought I’d ask here. Let’s say you have a cycle of the numbers from 1 to 12 - like the hours on a clock. After 12 comes 1 again. Is t… --- ## [Wiring splices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring-splices/917248)
**Author:** [@turner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turner)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2020, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring-splices/917248 "2020-08-12T02:05:38Z")
When I was in high school, everyone had to take electrical shop. The first project was wiring splices. there were about 6 including the standard pig tail. You made the splice, then you had to solder the splice. You … --- ## [Please help with transferring metadata from calibre to Kindle Oasis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-with-transferring-metadata-from-calibre-to-kindle-oasis/914661)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2020, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-with-transferring-metadata-from-calibre-to-kindle-oasis/914661 "2020-08-11T23:01:12Z")
I’ve previously posted about my adventures using a Kindle Oasis, and have run into another annoying situation that I’d like some advice on. I have sorted my books into collections, and then by author and alphabetically.… --- ## [Seeking a project estimating/resource management tool](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-project-estimating-resource-management-tool/917760)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2020, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-project-estimating-resource-management-tool/917760 "2020-08-11T20:40:31Z")
Project managers: I am seeking a tool that can: Allow managers to forecast staffing needs for ongoing projects by project, by task for up to a year (ETCs) \[this is similar to what is done for EVMS but we do not have a … --- ## [Can You Rename Alexa (et al?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-rename-alexa-et-al/916270)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2020, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-rename-alexa-et-al/916270 "2020-08-11T17:15:54Z")
I don’t want to say, “Alexa, play CNN.” I want to say, “Jeeves, play CNN.” Can I do this? --- ## [Site for identifying science fiction toys?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/site-for-identifying-science-fiction-toys/917781)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2020, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/site-for-identifying-science-fiction-toys/917781 "2020-08-11T12:42:42Z")
I’ll post it here, too, but I’m wondering if there is a website or Facebook group or Reddit group or something more specalized in something like this more likely to have info. I found these in a five and dime around 20 … --- ## [Holmes Inspection TV Program](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holmes-inspection-tv-program/917627)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2020, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holmes-inspection-tv-program/917627 "2020-08-11T05:42:22Z")
How does this series work? How do the homeowners and Holmes meet? Who pays for all the repairs? Ostensibly, home inspectors hired by the homeowners have been remiss. If so, are they ever held liable for any of the repai… --- ## [Why do some cannons not require swabbing after firing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-cannons-not-require-swabbing-after-firing/917344)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2020, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-cannons-not-require-swabbing-after-firing/917344 "2020-08-11T01:31:39Z")
AIUI, swabbing after each shot serves two purposes: It gets rid of accumulated soot from a shot, and it also cools down the barrel in case there is any flaming debris, which could ignite a subsequent shell put into the c… --- ## [How hard would it be to ensure Tik Tok isn't a Security Risk? (Microsoft or Twitter acquisition)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-to-ensure-tik-tok-isnt-a-security-risk-microsoft-or-twitter-acquisition/917755)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2020, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-to-ensure-tik-tok-isnt-a-security-risk-microsoft-or-twitter-acquisition/917755 "2020-08-11T01:10:33Z")
Assuming Tik Tok is sold to Microsoft or Twitter. How hard will it be to find and remove any Trojans, backdoors, or secret data collection? I’m assuming the Source code will be quite long? Especially if all the call lib… --- ## [iPhone 8+ storage choked up by ‘other’](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-8-storage-choked-up-by-other/917751)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-8-storage-choked-up-by-other/917751 "2020-08-10T23:39:21Z")
I keep running out of storage. When I look at my storage, over 50% of the 64 GB is taken over by other’ I’ve googled. I’ve cleared the Safari cache, which sucked, I lost a lot of web pages, but whatever. Any other idea… --- ## [How do non-American native English speakers count seconds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-non-american-native-english-speakers-count-seconds/917014)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2020, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-non-american-native-english-speakers-count-seconds/917014 "2020-08-10T18:59:21Z")
In the US, the common practice is to use “1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi…” until the desired number of seconds is reached. What is protocol for other English speaking countries? --- ## [What geographic areas pronounce "because" like this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-geographic-areas-pronounce-because-like-this/916666)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2020, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-geographic-areas-pronounce-because-like-this/916666 "2020-08-10T17:27:08Z")
I have heard two pronunciations of the word “because.” One is be-CAUZ; the other is be-CAUSS. The first seems to be more common. Variations like this are generally geographic (but there could be other factors as well -… --- ## [Light fixture half on half off](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-fixture-half-on-half-off/843708)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2020, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-fixture-half-on-half-off/843708 "2020-08-10T17:00:31Z")
I have a light fixture over the landing of a staircase. It’s controlled by a couple of 3 way switches, one at the top and one at the bottom. Last night, my wife noticed that the switches were no longer turning the light… --- ## [Saving and editing a PDF file](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saving-and-editing-a-pdf-file/917573)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2020, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saving-and-editing-a-pdf-file/917573 "2020-08-10T16:34:53Z")
I have to complete an editable pdf that was sent to me. I can open it and type in the boxes, but if I save it, or export as a pdf, I am not able to edit the work that I did. It is a difficult form to do and I cannot do … --- ## [Anti UHC in countries with UHC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-uhc-in-countries-with-uhc/914635)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2020, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-uhc-in-countries-with-uhc/914635 "2020-08-10T12:29:06Z")
nm, dumb question. --- ## [T-shirt translation (Spanish?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/t-shirt-translation-spanish/917059)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2020, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/t-shirt-translation-spanish/917059 "2020-08-08T15:14:19Z")
I saw a T-shirt with Mickey Mouse Flipping the bird with the word, “PUDRANSE” under it. Google was no help (to me at least). --- ## [Beirut explosion, bridal video: sound before arrival of main blast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beirut-explosion-bridal-video-sound-before-arrival-of-main-blast/917505)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2020, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beirut-explosion-bridal-video-sound-before-arrival-of-main-blast/917505 "2020-08-10T07:26:52Z")
One of the more famous videos coming out of Beirut in the past couple of days is this clip of a new bride participating in a glamour video shoot just as the blast wave arrives from the massive explosion at the port: … --- ## [Any harm by giving a scurvy patient one huge blast of Vitamin C?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-harm-by-giving-a-scurvy-patient-one-huge-blast-of-vitamin-c/917470)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2020, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-harm-by-giving-a-scurvy-patient-one-huge-blast-of-vitamin-c/917470 "2020-08-10T05:26:41Z")
Say you come across a patient in the throes of scurvy: bleeding gums, loose teeth, pain all over, all sorts of malfunctioning organs and say, “Poor fella, how about you drink this jug of fortified orange juice” and watch… --- ## [Scotsman ice maker woes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotsman-ice-maker-woes/917667)
**Author:** [@dauerbach1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach1)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2020, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotsman-ice-maker-woes/917667 "2020-08-10T04:24:43Z")
I have a Scotsman DCE33 under counter ice maker. In the cycle before the freezing cycle the reservoir overflows. I do not know if that means the overflow tube is clogged or how to clean it out for that matter or or whet… --- ## [Pine Cones on Arborvitae](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pine-cones-on-arborvitae/504880)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2020, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pine-cones-on-arborvitae/504880 "2020-08-10T02:08:29Z")
I’ve had a bunch of Nigra Arborvitae for the past few years, and they grow cones (which begin as light green buds and eventually turn brown). The thing is that the amount of cones on a given bush varies tremendously, whe… --- ## [Are new family names created often?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-family-names-created-often/837083)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2020, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-family-names-created-often/837083 "2020-08-10T01:17:39Z")
I’m wondering if there is any research anywhere on the rate of invention of new family names (primarily in the US, I guess.) What brings this up is I had a passing thought of a black guy I worked with around 20 years go … --- ## [Is America unique in its racism toward black people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-unique-in-its-racism-toward-black-people/916568)
**Author:** [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2020, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-unique-in-its-racism-toward-black-people/916568 "2020-08-09T22:17:22Z")
I was reading about the Muslim Chinese population being put in camps, and recalled a few years ago reading about race riots in China against African workers or it may have been Chinese workers in Africa. The question oc… --- ## [Please Help Me Calculate a Temperature Drop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-calculate-a-temperature-drop/917644)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2020, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-calculate-a-temperature-drop/917644 "2020-08-09T17:47:17Z")
OK, this sort of thing has never been my strong suit, and I’m getting nowhere with Google (and this is why I studied Biology in school) I know the temperature experienced from a radiant heat source follows the inverse s… --- ## [Paper Money Experts: some questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-money-experts-some-questions/917600)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2020, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-money-experts-some-questions/917600 "2020-08-09T08:31:03Z")
Is their a difference between a specimen and a proof? What is an essay? --- ## [Tracking Asian hornets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracking-asian-hornets/853308)
**Author:** [@Yakamaniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yakamaniac)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2020, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracking-asian-hornets/853308 "2020-08-09T03:54:50Z")
Seems like it might be possible to track Asian hornets with motion sensors tuned to the hornet’s flight signature, which is the disturbance in the air created by the beating of the hornet’s wings. Species have unique si… --- ## [Can a younger person on SSI go RVing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-younger-person-on-ssi-go-rving/916940)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2020, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-younger-person-on-ssi-go-rving/916940 "2020-08-08T19:47:23Z")
Can a younger person on SSI have a RV as their primary vehicle & residence, travel around, but still collect benefits? --- ## [Are there any prominent news portals with article comment sections anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-prominent-news-portals-with-article-comment-sections-anymore/917511)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2020, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-prominent-news-portals-with-article-comment-sections-anymore/917511 "2020-08-08T18:53:13Z")
MSN used to have them. Gone now. Yahoo just got rid of theirs. Are there any more left that don’t have an obvious bent? --- ## [What happened to our trees?- Hurricane related](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-our-trees-hurricane-related/917589)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2020, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-our-trees-hurricane-related/917589 "2020-08-08T14:08:58Z")
Last weeks storm brought strong winds to coastal New Jersey. At this time of year the local maple trees would normally be lush green. Except for the leaves on the leeward side of the trees, they are wilted and brown. Som… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=339) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=341)