# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=345 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 346 --- ## [Most intelligent marsupial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-intelligent-marsupial/851774)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-intelligent-marsupial/851774 "2020-07-20T18:16:23Z")
What is the most intelligent marsupial? --- ## [White House says you can't speak to congress. What if you do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-says-you-cant-speak-to-congress-what-if-you-do/915617)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2020, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-says-you-cant-speak-to-congress-what-if-you-do/915617 "2020-07-20T16:39:36Z")
Not about politics. Not about COVID. Not seeking legal advice. Just looking for the applicable law and associated sentencing guidelines. For instance, let’s say the director of the CDC is told by The White House, “Th… --- ## [Is there a Carnot engine equivalent for computing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-carnot-engine-equivalent-for-computing/915694)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2020, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-carnot-engine-equivalent-for-computing/915694 "2020-07-20T16:29:35Z")
So for engines (gasoline, jet planes, gas turbines, coal power plants, etc etc) there is the simple Carnot engine efficiency which is the limit of efficiency. For solar cells, there is the Shockley–Queisser limit. Sinc… --- ## [Problems with a screw](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2020, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411 "2020-07-20T07:18:41Z")
For a while I have been having problems with my microwave not acknowledging that the door is closed and starting up. I have used various cludges including keeping a hand pressed on the door and using a bungee cord looped… --- ## [Windows 7: Changing from PPPoE to DHCP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-changing-from-pppoe-to-dhcp/915764)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2020, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-changing-from-pppoe-to-dhcp/915764 "2020-07-20T05:42:04Z")
Hi, another “Mac user doesn’t know how to do basic Windows stuff” question, sorry about that. My partner was given a used Lenovo tower. We ghosted her former computer’s environment with Macrium and installed it on the … --- ## [MacOS Update: iTunes gone: Where are my Home Movies, TV Shows, Films, Audiobooks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macos-update-itunes-gone-where-are-my-home-movies-tv-shows-films-audiobooks/915704)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2020, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macos-update-itunes-gone-where-are-my-home-movies-tv-shows-films-audiobooks/915704 "2020-07-20T03:24:40Z")
So the latest update to MacOS zapped iTunes and replaced it with the new Music app, which essentially seems to be iTunes with everything removed except music. So what happened to all my other media? My home movies, my T… --- ## [Any Czech speakers? Translation requested](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-czech-speakers-translation-requested/915778)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-czech-speakers-translation-requested/915778 "2020-07-20T02:17:26Z")
“Thanks for contributing to our team” or “Thanks for your contributions to our team.” And. . .“Sorry, but I don’t speak Czech. That’s all I know!” --- ## [Magnetic fields: Earth vs. Sun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magnetic-fields-earth-vs-sun/915722)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magnetic-fields-earth-vs-sun/915722 "2020-07-19T20:22:45Z")
Today I learned that the Sun’s magnetic field is ‘only’ about twice that of Earth’s - with a pile of caveats like the local magnetic fields in sunspots are about 10,000 times that of Earth’s. Doesn’t the magnetic field … --- ## [Are gas pedals and shift sticks "harder" in some cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-gas-pedals-and-shift-sticks-harder-in-some-cars/915525)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2020, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-gas-pedals-and-shift-sticks-harder-in-some-cars/915525 "2020-07-19T14:33:16Z")
As a European up to today I only drove really small city cars, like Fiat Punto, Ford Fiesta and such, today however I sat in a BMW 3 E46 and the thing that struck me the most as different was the gas pedal and the shift … --- ## [How to prevent explosive boiling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-prevent-explosive-boiling/915212)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2020, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-prevent-explosive-boiling/915212 "2020-07-19T04:53:36Z")
Last year we installed an under-sink water filtration system. Ever since, when boiling water on the stove for pasta, we’ve noticed that the transition from “not boiling” to “boiling” seems to happen rather suddenly. I … --- ## [Why Isn't Lutein a Vitamin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-lutein-a-vitamin/915623)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2020, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-lutein-a-vitamin/915623 "2020-07-19T04:47:39Z")
It does have me at least confused. There is a class of chemicals and minerals that are deemed essential. Vitamin B12, Vitamin A and so forth. And minerals like Calcium, Copper and Zinc, just to name a few. And then the… --- ## [Where does Johns Hopkins get their COVID-19 data](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-johns-hopkins-get-their-covid-19-data/915701)
**Author:** [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2020, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-johns-hopkins-get-their-covid-19-data/915701 "2020-07-18T22:08:14Z")
Johns Hopkins home page has a link to ‘Resources’. The link says that COVID-19 data is not public information, so they “fill the gap”. So where do they get such detailed data? Does the new White House order eliminate the… --- ## [Keyboard Not Working](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keyboard-not-working/915659)
**Author:** [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2020, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keyboard-not-working/915659 "2020-07-18T19:41:15Z")
I have an Asus ROG, and after last nights shutdown and update, it was not working. Currently using the on-screen keyboard. I checked online and found and used 1 pages suggestions. None of the pages suggestions helped. … --- ## [Are modern convertibles more dangerous than regular cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-convertibles-more-dangerous-than-regular-cars/915534)
**Author:** [@edwin\_klockars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwin_klockars)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-convertibles-more-dangerous-than-regular-cars/915534 "2020-07-18T17:16:19Z")
I haven’t had much luck googling for stats on how often the lack of a hard-top roof plays a role in a serious or lethal accident. I imagine most modern convertibles have some reinforcements and safety features to mitiga… --- ## [Best practice for storing encryption keys](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-practice-for-storing-encryption-keys/915614)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2020, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-practice-for-storing-encryption-keys/915614 "2020-07-18T15:39:47Z")
We use SharePoint to manage project documents. We now have documents that are federal CUI and so must be encrypted. But we have no procedure set up for how to store those keys. Obviously we cannot just keep the keys in t… --- ## [How do radio buttons work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-radio-buttons-work/914270)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2020, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-radio-buttons-work/914270 "2020-07-18T10:06:22Z")
Some radios, particularly the ones used in cars, featured a row of buttons that could be used to store and select preset stations. Only one button could be pressed at a time, after which it would lock down and the previ… --- ## [Why such a difference in the cost of equivalent homeowner's insurance coverage between companies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-a-difference-in-the-cost-of-equivalent-homeowners-insurance-coverage-between-companies/915532)
**Author:** [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-a-difference-in-the-cost-of-equivalent-homeowners-insurance-coverage-between-companies/915532 "2020-07-17T21:01:22Z")
The title pretty much says it all. In the last two days, I’ve gotten four quotes on homeowner’s insurance, all for the same house, all given exactly the same information about age, construction, distance from a fire hydr… --- ## [Question on staining a "new" wooden deck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-staining-a-new-wooden-deck/915508)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-staining-a-new-wooden-deck/915508 "2020-07-17T18:29:10Z")
We’ve removed the old deck surface, fixed up joists, butyl taped them and are just about ready to put the new surface down. I get the impression that most people lay down the new wood and then stain/seal. I am consider… --- ## [Why did Communists carry cards?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-communists-carry-cards/915295)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-communists-carry-cards/915295 "2020-07-17T17:52:39Z")
A question I thought of because of a recent thread on political party membership. At various times in my life, I have been a registered member of the Republican and Democratic Parties. And neither one ever issued me a c… --- ## [Days of the week: when did the current cycle begin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/days-of-the-week-when-did-the-current-cycle-begin/915393)
**Author:** [@TokenRing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokenRing)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/days-of-the-week-when-did-the-current-cycle-begin/915393 "2020-07-17T17:12:05Z")
I know that different languages use different names for the almost universal seven days of the week. I also know that not all peoples consider Monday, for instance, to be the first day of the week. My query is not about … --- ## [Why does CCleaner update so frequently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-ccleaner-update-so-frequently/672417)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2015, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-ccleaner-update-so-frequently/672417 "2015-08-01T01:29:12Z")
CCleaner seems to constantly nag about updating. At least once every month or so. Why? What is changing? It’s just clearing the browser cache, recent history, emptying the recycle bin and so on. What changes in FireFox… --- ## [Cannot find a "lantern" without buying the battery too](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannot-find-a-lantern-without-buying-the-battery-too/915583)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannot-find-a-lantern-without-buying-the-battery-too/915583 "2020-07-17T16:27:52Z")
My google skills have totally escaped me. We bought some 6V lantern batteries for use in some cub scout/boy scout activities. We didn’t use 3 of them. So, I figure why not get some lanterns and each of us in the house… --- ## [What would ants want in my bathroom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-ants-want-in-my-bathroom/914881)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-ants-want-in-my-bathroom/914881 "2020-07-17T16:20:15Z")
There’s a family of ants that’ve settled themselves in my upstairs bathroom. They don’t seem to be causing any harm, but I’m puzzled as to why they’re there in the first place. I mean, if I were an ant, I’d want to be n… --- ## [Any record of anyone killed by a teeny tiny gun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-record-of-anyone-killed-by-a-teeny-tiny-gun/914439)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-record-of-anyone-killed-by-a-teeny-tiny-gun/914439 "2020-07-17T15:54:00Z")
A guy in Japan has been charged with possession of lethal weapons for having two keychain guns. --- ## [Virus Recovery, Files there.....but not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virus-recovery-files-there-but-not/589294)
**Author:** [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2011, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virus-recovery-files-there-but-not/589294 "2011-07-17T15:11:39Z")
I got the fake Anti-Virus malware yesterday. I found the fix from the laptop and fixed it using Super AntiSpyware and Malwarebytes via a usb stick. It appears the virus is gone, but all my files were missing in action. (… --- ## [When in history have governments or legislatures convened outside their territories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-in-history-have-governments-or-legislatures-convened-outside-their-territories/915509)
**Author:** [@drew870mitchell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drew870mitchell)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-in-history-have-governments-or-legislatures-convened-outside-their-territories/915509 "2020-07-17T07:13:26Z")
Hi! Spurred by a joke i saw on Twitter suggesting that the UK Parliament meet in New York, i got to thinking, have any legislatures or governments anywhere held official sessions outside of their jurisdictions? I don’t… --- ## [The kinetic energy of an atom vs the KE of its electrons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-kinetic-energy-of-an-atom-vs-the-ke-of-its-electrons/915503)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-kinetic-energy-of-an-atom-vs-the-ke-of-its-electrons/915503 "2020-07-17T00:48:33Z")
How is the KE driving translational movement of an atom related (If at all) to the KE of that atom’s electrons surrounding the nucleus? When two atoms collide, can some of the kinetic energy imparted to an atom create … --- ## [At what angle would a crashing rocket be most efficient in deflecting an asteroid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-angle-would-a-crashing-rocket-be-most-efficient-in-deflecting-an-asteroid/915099)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-angle-would-a-crashing-rocket-be-most-efficient-in-deflecting-an-asteroid/915099 "2020-07-17T00:07:26Z")
After hearing about NASA’s intent to test this maneuver, I was wondering whether there is a preferable angle under which the rocket should crash into the space rock. Here’s what the news said: DART, NASA’s first planetar… --- ## [Pill ID Please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pill-id-please/914440)
**Author:** [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pill-id-please/914440 "2020-07-16T23:56:30Z")
I found this pill in a child’s backpack, have no clue what is is. White round on one side it says ATLOL 50 on the other side nothing. --- ## [Plant ID help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plant-id-help/915524)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plant-id-help/915524 "2020-07-16T23:24:07Z")
I wonder if I can call upon the collective genius of the community here to help ID a plant I found growing locally… Pictures are here: Microsoft OneDrive - Access files anywhere. Create docs with free Office Online. NB… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=344) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=346)