# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=341 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 342 --- ## [Camper Van Off-Grid Power Source?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camper-van-off-grid-power-source/917364)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2020, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camper-van-off-grid-power-source/917364 "2020-08-08T11:20:04Z")
A friend wants to go boondocking off-grid in an old school 90’s camper van. What are the best choices for enough power to go safely off-grid, such as solar or huge battery bank, etc.? Do you have any recommedations on p… --- ## [Let's talk CCTV and security systems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-cctv-and-security-systems/370861)
**Author:** [@SweetHomeColorado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SweetHomeColorado)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2006, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-cctv-and-security-systems/370861 "2006-08-31T16:25:49Z")
Can someone give me a rundown on CCTV for dummies? Often times there are multiple cameras. They appear on one monitor, however. Is this a regular television with a type of adapter for the camera inputs or a special te… --- ## [Any Cultures with Zero Prudishness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-cultures-with-zero-prudishness/694946)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2020, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-cultures-with-zero-prudishness/694946 "2020-08-07T21:22:08Z")
Meaning no concept at all of modesty/privacy whatsoever, and everything is out in the open. Or does everyone draw the line someplace and it’s just a question of where? --- ## [Did any Nazis publicly demonstrate remorse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-nazis-publicly-demonstrate-remorse/914884)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2020, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-nazis-publicly-demonstrate-remorse/914884 "2020-08-07T20:50:42Z")
Pretty simple question. Did any of the Nazis, after World War II ended, ACTUALLY apologize for what they did? I don’t mean “I’m sorry about the crimes that were committed by \[someone else\] but I had no knowledge of this”… --- ## [Am I on the verge of insanity (Churchhill Quote)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-on-the-verge-of-insanity-churchhill-quote/917473)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2020, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-on-the-verge-of-insanity-churchhill-quote/917473 "2020-08-07T18:09:04Z")
I am utterly certain that a teacher in High school, a million years ago because I am very old, told me a quote from Winston Churchill " Only a fool offends accidentally, a wise man offends exactly who he means to." Bu… --- ## [Question for USPS carriers/employees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-usps-carriers-employees/917363)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-usps-carriers-employees/917363 "2020-08-07T16:26:10Z")
If a Census worker asks you for information about a particular household on your route, what are you authorized to tell them? --- ## [How can I find out how frequently a keyword or phrase is used on Twitter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-how-frequently-a-keyword-or-phrase-is-used-on-twitter/917503)
**Author:** [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2020, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-how-frequently-a-keyword-or-phrase-is-used-on-twitter/917503 "2020-08-07T14:05:17Z")
Are there any free Twitter Analytics sites? The site analyzes up to 100 tweets at a time. This is a very small amount – I can see a trend only for one hour. For example, is there a way to find how often a phrase lik… --- ## [Basement is much cooler than living areas: leave door open?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basement-is-much-cooler-than-living-areas-leave-door-open/915829)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2020, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basement-is-much-cooler-than-living-areas-leave-door-open/915829 "2020-08-07T11:37:55Z")
This is my first time as an adult living in a home with a basement, and I haz questions! For background: the basement has a painted floor but is otherwise not a finished living area. Right now, it’s the storage location… --- ## [Does rinsing fruits and vegetables really do anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-rinsing-fruits-and-vegetables-really-do-anything/917337)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2020, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-rinsing-fruits-and-vegetables-really-do-anything/917337 "2020-08-06T20:54:33Z")
I always rinse celery because I can usually see some dirt on the stalks. However, I’m wondering if rinsing other fruits and vegetables really does anything. If dirt is not visible, I assume that some rinsing has alread… --- ## [Name for this logical fallacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-this-logical-fallacy/917120)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-this-logical-fallacy/917120 "2020-08-06T19:19:13Z")
Is there a name, preferably an “ad Latin” name, for this fallacy: The anarchist Peter Kropotkin differed with many anarchists over World War I, arguing that German militarism posed such a grave threat that anarchists sh… --- ## [A.T.&T Fiber internet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-t-t-fiber-internet/916790)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2020, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-t-t-fiber-internet/916790 "2020-08-06T16:41:09Z")
We had A.T.&T. install their fiber internet in our house last week. When the technician left he made sure all our TV’s, Rokus, and computers were connected. He showed me how fast videos and such loaded. But now we noti… --- ## [Credit Question (Should I cancel this credit card?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-question-should-i-cancel-this-credit-card/917035)
**Author:** [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2020, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-question-should-i-cancel-this-credit-card/917035 "2020-08-06T15:03:56Z")
I have two credit cards, each with ~$20,000 limit. One was only ever used when they offered to let me transfer the balance from another card for x months at 0% interest. The other gets used regularly. The one I used w… --- ## [What is the name of these scientific devices?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-these-scientific-devices/914238)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2020, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-these-scientific-devices/914238 "2020-08-06T02:25:25Z")
Watch any TV story or documentary that deals with medical research or testing and you are bound to see a shot of a set of identical nipples dispensing some liquid into a set of receptacles (e.g., 3rd segment of 60 minute… --- ## [How much comparative power does an ARM 32 bit processor have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-comparative-power-does-an-arm-32-bit-processor-have/917359)
**Author:** [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2020, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-comparative-power-does-an-arm-32-bit-processor-have/917359 "2020-08-05T18:36:08Z")
More specifically a Holtek HT32F. There’s one in my AMD Wraith Prism CPU cooler that does nothing but control the pretty RGB LEDs. Was wondering how this compared to my old 486 DX-2 50. Or my family’s 286 or Apple IIC. O… --- ## [A couple of wiring questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-wiring-questions/917335)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2020, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-wiring-questions/917335 "2020-08-05T17:52:46Z")
One more theoretical, one more practical. Theoretical first. The way a 3 way switch setup works is that you have a couple of wires which run from one 3 way switch to the other; they connect to the 2 “traveler” terminals… --- ## [Does taking AMPK (activated protein kinase) do anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-taking-ampk-activated-protein-kinase-do-anything/916715)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2020, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-taking-ampk-activated-protein-kinase-do-anything/916715 "2020-08-05T13:24:12Z")
Recently I’ve seen a ton of ads and other things about taking AMPK supplements. They range from ‘deep fat’ reduction to life extension. I figure it’s probably the standard snake oil, but was curious what 'dopers though… --- ## [Apart from decibels, are there any other metric units that are only ever used with a single prefix?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apart-from-decibels-are-there-any-other-metric-units-that-are-only-ever-used-with-a-single-prefix/855604)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2020, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apart-from-decibels-are-there-any-other-metric-units-that-are-only-ever-used-with-a-single-prefix/855604 "2020-08-05T13:10:27Z")
We never talk about bels or centibels or millibels, everything is always expressed in decibels for some reason. a) Are there any other metric units that have this same strange quirk and b) Are there any other units whe… --- ## [Removing a gravesite from your private land](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-gravesite-from-your-private-land/916726)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2020, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-gravesite-from-your-private-land/916726 "2020-08-05T06:56:31Z")
Out here in the US’ Southwest, there’s potentially thousands of unmarked, frontier or settler graves. Then, there’s a handful of gravesites that are marked. I happen to drive by a prominent one on my way through Datil,… --- ## [In the film "Milk Money" what crimes is Melanie Griffith committing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-film-milk-money-what-crimes-is-melanie-griffith-committing/917021)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2020, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-film-milk-money-what-crimes-is-melanie-griffith-committing/917021 "2020-08-05T06:45:46Z")
Often labeled as one of the worst films of all time due to its premise alone, Milk Money is a 1994 family romantic comedy film where three 11 year old boys from Ohio decide to go to the big city of Pittsburgh where they … --- ## [Where did the term "album drop" originate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-term-album-drop-originate/514893)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2020, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-term-album-drop-originate/514893 "2020-08-05T05:42:16Z")
My educated guess has always been that the term originated from the term “drop shipment”. Items delivered directly from the vendor to the retailer. Most media (cds, dvds, video games) that have a street date are delive… --- ## [Societal Venn Diagram?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/societal-venn-diagram/917293)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2020, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/societal-venn-diagram/917293 "2020-08-05T02:15:22Z")
I was wondering if anyone had seen anything about overlap between antivaccers and antimaskers. I’ve briefly searched, not too hard yet, and all I seem to get is links to various articles on why vaccines or masks are goo… --- ## [Kids going door to door to "raise money for college"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-going-door-to-door-to-raise-money-for-college/917186)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-going-door-to-door-to-raise-money-for-college/917186 "2020-08-05T00:19:49Z")
Is this legit, or are these kids being used? I didn’t even get far enough to ask what he was selling. I have had this occasionally before, and it’s always a boy about 15 years old. I hate to turn kids away but I just do… --- ## [World War 2 (or WWI) memorials in Germany](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-war-2-or-wwi-memorials-in-germany/917111)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2020, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-war-2-or-wwi-memorials-in-germany/917111 "2020-08-04T22:41:53Z")
A recent Facebook meme points out that Poland has created a memorial out of the site of the Auschwitz concentration camp. This is used to bolster the idea that we should keep monuments to Confederate figures here in the… --- ## [Police or pilots: How do you pick out the radio chatter relevant to you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-or-pilots-how-do-you-pick-out-the-radio-chatter-relevant-to-you/917139)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2020, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-or-pilots-how-do-you-pick-out-the-radio-chatter-relevant-to-you/917139 "2020-08-04T18:26:20Z")
If you are sitting in a police car I assume dispatch is constantly chattering about various problems that need dealing with (at least in a big city). Same with pilots coming in to a big city. Presumably ATC at sending … --- ## [Speed Limit Zone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-limit-zone/917073)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2020, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-limit-zone/917073 "2020-08-04T16:37:08Z")
It might vary by state but does the speed limit change at the sign or when I see the sign? If I am in a 35 zone but I see the 45 sign ahead can I go 45 since that is what is displayed to me? If a cop pulls me for d… --- ## [What kind of silicone is used for moldable silicone earplugs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-silicone-is-used-for-moldable-silicone-earplugs/917116)
**Author:** [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2020, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-silicone-is-used-for-moldable-silicone-earplugs/917116 "2020-08-04T16:00:48Z")
I was wondering what kind of silicone is used for Mack’s Pillow Soft® Silicone Putty Ear Plugs. Is it something I can buy in bulk and not poison myself? --- ## [Why does tapping on the top of a shaken soda can keep it from exploding when opened?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-tapping-on-the-top-of-a-shaken-soda-can-keep-it-from-exploding-when-opened/917156)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2020, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-tapping-on-the-top-of-a-shaken-soda-can-keep-it-from-exploding-when-opened/917156 "2020-08-04T11:29:01Z")
Question in title. Drop a can of soda and open it and you’re showered with a fizzy explosion . Tap the top of the can a few times and you disarm the fizzyness. Why? --- ## [How do I correctly refer to an Arabic name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-correctly-refer-to-an-arabic-name/915433)
**Author:** [@Latimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latimera)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2020, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-correctly-refer-to-an-arabic-name/915433 "2020-08-04T06:01:28Z")
A researcher in Algaria has contacted me about using one of my photos in a publication. I would like to respond to him correctly as Dr. so-and-so. His name has 4 parts. Which do I use as his surname? I feel dumb having … --- ## [Questions involving etiquette at the Old Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-involving-etiquette-at-the-old-bailey/917022)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2020, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-involving-etiquette-at-the-old-bailey/917022 "2020-08-04T05:47:47Z")
I’ve been reading up on etiquette in the British Court system, particularly at the Old Bailey. I haven’t been able to find any reference to how a judge addresses a Prosecution Counsel or Defense Counsel during a trial. … --- ## [Is it normal for antibodies to 'fade'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-normal-for-antibodies-to-fade/916054)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2020, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-normal-for-antibodies-to-fade/916054 "2020-08-04T00:18:21Z")
I put this here instead of the quarantine zone, because I’m asking generally about acquired immunity. My understanding has been that the immune system, when first stimulated takes some time to produce antibodies. But aft… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=340) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=342)