# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=346 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 347 --- ## [Long-haul flights: how much idle time does the cabin crew have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-haul-flights-how-much-idle-time-does-the-cabin-crew-have/915397)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-haul-flights-how-much-idle-time-does-the-cabin-crew-have/915397 "2020-07-16T22:47:33Z")
Thinking of long international flights, like Detroit to Japan. I know that duty hours within a 24-hour period are limited, and while one crew is flying the plane at departure, there is a stand-by crew chilling in crew r… --- ## [Caffeine tolerance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caffeine-tolerance/915526)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caffeine-tolerance/915526 "2020-07-16T21:53:10Z")
I read that it takes about two weeks of drinking coffee every morning to start developing a dependency/tolerance. If you only drink coffee five days out of seven, does that break or delay the cycle? What about four days … --- ## [What's the straight dope on taking showers without soap or scrubbing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-taking-showers-without-soap-or-scrubbing/915355)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-taking-showers-without-soap-or-scrubbing/915355 "2020-07-16T19:59:24Z")
I normally take a full hot shower right when I get up from bed and do the full scrubbing and shampoo then. Then when I get back from work I will just take a quick 3 minute cold shower without any soap or shampoo, just ha… --- ## [Navy: What determines which ship in a flotilla is the flagship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navy-what-determines-which-ship-in-a-flotilla-is-the-flagship/914226)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navy-what-determines-which-ship-in-a-flotilla-is-the-flagship/914226 "2020-07-16T18:02:21Z")
I know that in the Age of Sail the flagship was whichever ship the overall commander of the flotilla rode on and it was called such because, before radio, the means of communication was to raise flags on the command ship … --- ## [Tower computer starts by itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tower-computer-starts-by-itself/915451)
**Author:** [@MrMrmrmr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMrmrmr)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tower-computer-starts-by-itself/915451 "2020-07-16T16:40:31Z")
Woke up the other morning with the computer disk spooling up as if to start and then stopping. It happened several times until I pulled the plug. It is a dell server I got from work. Why would it try to boot without my d… --- ## [Corn tassles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-tassles/855078)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-tassles/855078 "2020-07-16T14:53:39Z")
Corn-on-the-cob was 25 cents an ear last week, so guess what I’m eating a lot of now. It occurs to me to wonder: Does every kernel (or nearly so) have its own tassel? BTW: Corn kernels sure can explode with a loud BAN… --- ## [Myfitnesspal and Mapmywalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myfitnesspal-and-mapmywalk/915305)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myfitnesspal-and-mapmywalk/915305 "2020-07-16T14:19:08Z")
Anybody here use these apps? I’m trying to get the data from my walk to link with the Myfitnesspal app so I don’t have to make a manual entry. I followed the instructions I found via Google without luck. They’re both Und… --- ## [What exactly is "suicide by alcohol poisoning"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-suicide-by-alcohol-poisoning/915273)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-suicide-by-alcohol-poisoning/915273 "2020-07-16T05:35:51Z")
I saw Verne Troyer today in something and remembered he had died. I looked it up and indeed, he died two years ago. It was ruled a suicide by alcohol poisoning. I see nothing about pills with alcohol, just alcohol poiso… --- ## [How long are direct deposit refund turnovers actually taking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-are-direct-deposit-refund-turnovers-actually-taking/915310)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-are-direct-deposit-refund-turnovers-actually-taking/915310 "2020-07-16T03:15:34Z")
OK. I waited to file this year, even though I usually do it in Feb, as soon as I have the documents. I thought I was going to have to pay, because I made a lot of money in the stock market in 2019. Turned out the profit … --- ## [We are away from home and my wife lost her ID. How do we get home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-away-from-home-and-my-wife-lost-her-id-how-do-we-get-home/914989)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-away-from-home-and-my-wife-lost-her-id-how-do-we-get-home/914989 "2020-07-16T03:12:42Z")
So, we are American and within the United States. We traveled by air across the country to visit our grandchildren. Somewhere in the journey, my wife has lost her driver’s license (with RealID) and a debit card. She h… --- ## [What's the most expensive computer in history?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-expensive-computer-in-history/914845)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2020, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-expensive-computer-in-history/914845 "2020-07-15T23:57:43Z")
What was the most expensive computer? What is the most expensive computer currently? What made them so expensive? I’m aware that the definition of “computer” can get fuzzy so add the necessary caveats. --- ## [Where does the radiation released by nuclear fusion ultimately come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-radiation-released-by-nuclear-fusion-ultimately-come-from/915323)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-radiation-released-by-nuclear-fusion-ultimately-come-from/915323 "2020-07-15T17:34:02Z")
I am trying to ‘understand’ where the radiation released by nuclear fusion ultimately comes from. In particular, if the ultimate source of the energy released by fusion originates from the strong nuclear force, how is a… --- ## [Piss Shiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-shiver/610943)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2020, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-shiver/610943 "2020-07-15T15:36:31Z")
What progress has been made in determining the cause of this phenomenon? Only guys want to know. --- ## [Malwarebytes thinks EXCEL.EXE is ransomware, now I have no permissions for the file](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/malwarebytes-thinks-excel-exe-is-ransomware-now-i-have-no-permissions-for-the-file/915222)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2020, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/malwarebytes-thinks-excel-exe-is-ransomware-now-i-have-no-permissions-for-the-file/915222 "2020-07-15T14:55:16Z")
The file is EXCEL.EXE in the install folder for Office 2019. Windows 10 It my own personal machine and I am an administrator. First, Malwarebytes reported EXCEL.EXE as a ransomware file. When this alert occurred I was… --- ## [Production cars with no known surviving examples](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/production-cars-with-no-known-surviving-examples/855308)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2020, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/production-cars-with-no-known-surviving-examples/855308 "2020-07-15T14:41:00Z")
Perusing the “most interesting car you saw today” thread over in the MPSIMS forum, I got to wondering – what cars are literally impossible for someone to see today, because there are none left? I’m sure there were lots … --- ## [SEO question about domains](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seo-question-about-domains/725619)
**Author:** [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seo-question-about-domains/725619 "2015-07-21T10:54:56Z")
Hi, I used to do a little SEO about a decade ago but have lost track. I really don’t want to offend the Google Gods with my new business but also want to do what I can legitimately … here’s the issue: People search for … --- ## [Danny Lee execution. Why a federal crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danny-lee-execution-why-a-federal-crime/915357)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2020, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danny-lee-execution-why-a-federal-crime/915357 "2020-07-15T01:59:22Z")
Danny Lee was executed by federal authorities for the murder of an Arkansas family. How were the murders a federal crime? --- ## [Ratcheting legislation and severability](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ratcheting-legislation-and-severability/915315)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ratcheting-legislation-and-severability/915315 "2020-07-14T21:13:17Z")
There was some state legislation that passed a few days ago with unusual (to me) procedures built in. Rather than address the particulars of that case and get lost in Great Debates space, let’s address the general mechan… --- ## [How to replace SIM card in ZTE WHPB home interface unit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-replace-sim-card-in-zte-whpb-home-interface-unit/915320)
**Author:** [@n5tp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/n5tp)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-replace-sim-card-in-zte-whpb-home-interface-unit/915320 "2020-07-14T18:07:01Z")
How do you replace the SIM card in the ZTE WHPB home interface unit? --- ## [Why haven't we seen a major tobacco company move into the legalized marijuana market?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-we-seen-a-major-tobacco-company-move-into-the-legalized-marijuana-market/915115)
**Author:** [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-we-seen-a-major-tobacco-company-move-into-the-legalized-marijuana-market/915115 "2020-07-14T16:09:27Z")
As in the topic. It seems to me that a large company would be trying to break into this market to replace declining tobacco sales - and take advantage of their nationwide distribution chain. --- ## [How many current variations of U.S. paper money are in use today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-current-variations-of-u-s-paper-money-are-in-use-today/915260)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-current-variations-of-u-s-paper-money-are-in-use-today/915260 "2020-07-14T15:56:03Z")
O the paper monies still being printed in the U.S. ,$1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100, How many variations design-wise are there? Let’s limit this to bills printed from 1960 on, and changes in signatures do not count. … --- ## [Police Profiling in Other Countries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-profiling-in-other-countries/914927)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-profiling-in-other-countries/914927 "2020-07-14T08:00:55Z")
How is police profiling treated in other countries? I mean how legal is it there? I am talking about racial, ethnic and religious profiling–and maybe others. And by other countries, I mean western Europe, eastern Europe,… --- ## [Windows Vista Home Updates Not Installing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-vista-home-updates-not-installing/526770)
**Author:** [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-vista-home-updates-not-installing/526770 "2010-02-03T22:30:36Z")
I’m getting error code 646 I have two versions of IE Explorer as my browser, 64 and 32 bit My gaming computer came in 64 bit which made it incompatible for gaming, so I stay away from clicking on that version and… --- ## [What's with the Facebook "see who reads posts without a photo" stuff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-facebook-see-who-reads-posts-without-a-photo-stuff/915272)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-facebook-see-who-reads-posts-without-a-photo-stuff/915272 "2020-07-14T04:30:59Z")
Several of my facebook friends seem to have posted this. Have they been hacked? Have they bought into this notion – and if so, what exactly is the notion? I can’t imagine they give a rat’s butt about the stated topic, wh… --- ## [Spotify and Apple CarPlay - What da heck is Spotify Stations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotify-and-apple-carplay-what-da-heck-is-spotify-stations/915249)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotify-and-apple-carplay-what-da-heck-is-spotify-stations/915249 "2020-07-14T03:42:43Z")
I see Apple CarPlay works with Spotify. Further research indicates it uses something called Spotify Stations. Huh? My only question: With Apple CarPlay, will I have full access to my Spotify playlists (and everything el… --- ## [Goodwill Industries, etc.: Supply vs Demand of Cast-offs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodwill-industries-etc-supply-vs-demand-of-cast-offs/914391)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodwill-industries-etc-supply-vs-demand-of-cast-offs/914391 "2020-07-14T02:17:57Z")
Occasioned by nothing in particular … Every year I seem to end up with a 3 or 4 large trash bags of cast-off usable clothes and household goods that I donate to Goodwill or the equivalent. Which got me to wondering … H… --- ## [Do gasses ever truly reach a state of internal thermodynamic equilibrium?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-gasses-ever-truly-reach-a-state-of-internal-thermodynamic-equilibrium/914964)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-gasses-ever-truly-reach-a-state-of-internal-thermodynamic-equilibrium/914964 "2020-07-14T00:56:05Z")
In a previous thread, it was stated that a gas is only in a state of internal thermodynamic equilibrium when there is no heat flow between any two subsystems. I question whether any system comprising of a gas could actua… --- ## [Ever been to the Franklin Institute? \[Was there a dinosaur skeleton there?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-to-the-franklin-institute-was-there-a-dinosaur-skeleton-there/696439)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-to-the-franklin-institute-was-there-a-dinosaur-skeleton-there/696439 "2020-07-13T18:40:56Z")
I haven’t been there since the 1960s. Back then, there was a dinosaur skeleton in the main entrance hall. I remember it was supposed to be a herbivore and I remember some sort of crest on the top of it’s skull. It was po… --- ## [Can citizens/residents of foreign countries open U.S. bank accounts remotely?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-citizens-residents-of-foreign-countries-open-u-s-bank-accounts-remotely/914086)
**Author:** [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-citizens-residents-of-foreign-countries-open-u-s-bank-accounts-remotely/914086 "2020-07-13T17:38:15Z")
I have a friend who is a citizen and resident of Finland. My friend co-owns a rental property in CA. Last year, my friend received an income refund check from the IRS for about $1000. The problem is that my friend has… --- ## [Is rice truly a desiccant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rice-truly-a-desiccant/914763)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rice-truly-a-desiccant/914763 "2020-07-13T15:59:14Z")
Depending on your search term, google will show you websites that claim rice as a desiccant or claim that as a myth. Here is an example for rice is truly a desiccant : “ Results: All desiccants and the white rice wer… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=345) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=347)