# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=374 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 375 --- ## [Do snow machines produce snowflakes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-snow-machines-produce-snowflakes/851507)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-snow-machines-produce-snowflakes/851507 "2020-04-11T15:44:19Z")
What does the snow produced by snow machines (the ones used to produce snow on ski slopes) look like on a microscopic level? Does it consist of elaborate, symmetrical snow flakes like the ones that fall naturally from t… --- ## [Is there a way to make an outgoing message in gmail that matches the "after +"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-make-an-outgoing-message-in-gmail-that-matches-the-after/851336)
**Author:** [@Calavera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calavera)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-make-an-outgoing-message-in-gmail-that-matches-the-after/851336 "2020-04-11T13:51:31Z")
One handy trick with gmail is that you can add a + before the @ and anything between the + and the @ is disregarded, but still shows up on the mail record so you can be clear where people got the email address from. I’ve… --- ## [The process by which distilleries convert from making liquor to making alcoholic hand sanitizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-process-by-which-distilleries-convert-from-making-liquor-to-making-alcoholic-hand-sanitizer/851463)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-process-by-which-distilleries-convert-from-making-liquor-to-making-alcoholic-hand-sanitizer/851463 "2020-04-11T12:46:34Z")
There has been a lot of news lately about distilleries/breweries switching from their usual beer/liquor to making alcoholic hand sanitizer instead. Do they just simply go about making their usual beverage products, but t… --- ## [How can I leave my membership in a political party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-leave-my-membership-in-a-political-party/851360)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-leave-my-membership-in-a-political-party/851360 "2020-04-11T07:00:48Z")
Have searched and searched an cannot find a way to leave the Democrat Party. I only joined to vote in primary elections. But now no more primaries, so I would like to leave. --- ## [When were dates available in Europe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-were-dates-available-in-europe/851515)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-were-dates-available-in-europe/851515 "2020-04-11T04:36:15Z")
As many people already know, there was a thriving spice trade to Europe going back to antiquity. By the Middle Ages, thanks in part to the crusades, Europeans (or at least, the nobility and bourgeoisie) could regularly … --- ## [Stock Market math question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stock-market-math-question/851457)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stock-market-math-question/851457 "2020-04-11T02:10:34Z")
On February 12 the DOW hit 29,951. On March 23 the DOW dropped to 18591. Today the DOW is at 23, 868. What is the percentage of the February 12 to March 23 drop and what is the percentage of the March 23 to April 9 rise… --- ## [Are you allowed to travel abroad while collecting U.S. unemployment benefits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-travel-abroad-while-collecting-u-s-unemployment-benefits/851332)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2020, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-travel-abroad-while-collecting-u-s-unemployment-benefits/851332 "2020-04-10T17:28:58Z")
Something I’ve wondered: Suppose I got laid off from my job very soon (I work for a university in Texas, in case the occupation/state makes any difference) and decided to travel abroad for a few months (but still applyin… --- ## [Microsoft Word question: Default format](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-word-question-default-format/851395)
**Author:** [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2020, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-word-question-default-format/851395 "2020-04-10T09:30:47Z")
Every time I type a document in Microsoft Word, it has 1.25 inch margins on the right and left, and I end up revising them to 0.5 inch margins. Is there a way to make 0.5 inch my default so every new document has 0.5 in… --- ## [antipsychotics vs benzos for sleep](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antipsychotics-vs-benzos-for-sleep/851400)
**Author:** [@aaronhernandez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aaronhernandez)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2020, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antipsychotics-vs-benzos-for-sleep/851400 "2020-04-10T06:04:18Z")
This isn’t a thread about medical advice but asking of the different side effects. I’ve been prescribed by a psychiatrists both for sleep. The antipsychotics were (aripriprazole - Abilify, risperidal - Risperidone) and t… --- ## [WHO Sources of Funding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-sources-of-funding/851405)
**Author:** [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2020, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-sources-of-funding/851405 "2020-04-10T04:28:00Z")
Trump has been critical of the WHO for not handling the initial covid situation in China very well. This included downplaying it initially in December, while continuously praising China’s response etc. (none which excuse… --- ## [A/C gurus...how long does it take to completely cycle/replace the air in a room?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-c-gurus-how-long-does-it-take-to-completely-cycle-replace-the-air-in-a-room/842297)
**Author:** [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2020, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-c-gurus-how-long-does-it-take-to-completely-cycle-replace-the-air-in-a-room/842297 "2020-04-10T02:18:41Z")
Just curious. Not looking for any health or living advice as I’m perfectly happy with my choices. How long does it take to cycle/replace the air in a ~400sf apartment with windows closed? Curious because it takes ~12-16… --- ## [How come you can tell when dogs are dreaming, but not cats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-you-can-tell-when-dogs-are-dreaming-but-not-cats/851080)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2020, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-you-can-tell-when-dogs-are-dreaming-but-not-cats/851080 "2020-04-10T01:52:11Z")
Piper Dog was snoozing and suddenly his paws, tail and muzzle started twitching. I’ve always thought that’s a sign of a dog having a dream. But then I I realized that I’ve never seen any of the Piper cats do that. How… --- ## [Did Friends invent the "Could you BE any more \_\_\_"? sarcastic inflection pattern?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-friends-invent-the-could-you-be-any-more-___-sarcastic-inflection-pattern/851283)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-friends-invent-the-could-you-be-any-more-___-sarcastic-inflection-pattern/851283 "2020-04-09T17:42:02Z")
Honestly I don’t remember it before then, and the other characters seemed to act like this was a personality quirk that only Chandler had. As an aside, I found it really funny when Pheobe was talking about her “BFF” and… --- ## [Have 'heist' type robberies nearly vanished with the common use of credit cards/electronic money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-heist-type-robberies-nearly-vanished-with-the-common-use-of-credit-cards-electronic-money/851345)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2020, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-heist-type-robberies-nearly-vanished-with-the-common-use-of-credit-cards-electronic-money/851345 "2020-04-09T16:57:01Z")
I’m currently reading the Parker novels by Richard Stark, starting with the ones from the mid-1960s. Parker was a ‘heister’, he always worked with small groups of independent heisters who would come together to plan a r… --- ## [Help with bird call identification](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-bird-call-identification/851420)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2020, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-bird-call-identification/851420 "2020-04-09T15:47:33Z")
The call in question: Descending D5 C A A A Long long short short short. Sometimes an extra short A at the end. If the long notes are one beat and the short are half, it was maybe 85 bpm. Raspier than, say, a cardi… --- ## [Coherence and Unity in writing an essay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coherence-and-unity-in-writing-an-essay/597751)
**Author:** [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coherence-and-unity-in-writing-an-essay/597751 "2011-10-03T00:22:01Z")
As you know coherence and Unity are the two key elements for a successful essay. But honestly I can’t find a clear-cut distinction between them, and I feel that they are almost the same. Unity means oneness and we shoul… --- ## [When did ancient people begin to understand food poisoning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ancient-people-begin-to-understand-food-poisoning/851116)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ancient-people-begin-to-understand-food-poisoning/851116 "2020-04-09T03:01:25Z")
Not necessarily understand in the sense of germ theory, but rather, draw consistent connections between food being left at room temperature for too long and the resulting stomach pain/vomiting that ensued. Especially wi… --- ## [Site to view yesterday's weather radar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/site-to-view-yesterdays-weather-radar/851384)
**Author:** [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2020, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/site-to-view-yesterdays-weather-radar/851384 "2020-04-09T00:54:42Z")
So I woke up this morning to discover that I’d slept through a tornado warning. Not only that, but tornados touched down north, south, and east of us. I woke up around midnight because of a thunderstorm, and that was app… --- ## ["Centrally provided oxygen"--safe? (How is oxygen piped around a building a safe thing to do?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/centrally-provided-oxygen-safe-how-is-oxygen-piped-around-a-building-a-safe-thing-to-do/851323)
**Author:** [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2020, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/centrally-provided-oxygen-safe-how-is-oxygen-piped-around-a-building-a-safe-thing-to-do/851323 "2020-04-09T00:22:19Z")
I just heard Lt. General Todd Semonite, commanding general for the US Army Corps of Engineers, talking about their preparation of New York City’s Javits Center for patient care. He said that they’d improved on the ‘old w… --- ## [How do USPS packages get lost?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-usps-packages-get-lost/851087)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2020, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-usps-packages-get-lost/851087 "2020-04-09T00:20:42Z")
I mean they must be somewhere. What does “lost” mean? That they have lost track of its whereabouts? That it has been stolen? Or it just fell through the cracks and landed in an alternate universe? --- ## [how much to water a Boston fern](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-water-a-boston-fern/850839)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2020, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-water-a-boston-fern/850839 "2020-04-08T19:37:58Z")
A few months ago I got this from Amazon. It really is impressive what you can get for $25. It really is 2 ft horizontally and vertical. I basically killed it. A lot of leaves turned brown and fell off and it was very sc… --- ## [Is there a specific name for this fallacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-specific-name-for-this-fallacy/851128)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-specific-name-for-this-fallacy/851128 "2020-04-08T14:52:34Z")
I’ve seen arguments that our response to Covid-19 is overblown because the total mortality (or some other metric) is similar to flu. These arguments leave out the fact that those mortality rates have only been achieved … --- ## [{{Sigh}} How did I screw up my computer this time? Teeny-tiny font on mail in Outlook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-how-did-i-screw-up-my-computer-this-time-teeny-tiny-font-on-mail-in-outlook/851207)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2020, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-how-did-i-screw-up-my-computer-this-time-teeny-tiny-font-on-mail-in-outlook/851207 "2020-04-08T14:15:05Z")
I have no idea how I did this, but when I start a new e-mail in Outlook, it comes up with the teeniest micro-font imaginable. The «To» and «Subject» fields are normal, but when I start typing the message, it’s in somethi… --- ## [What’s up with elderberries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-elderberries/851302)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2020, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-elderberries/851302 "2020-04-08T14:04:01Z")
This is not so much about the efficacy of elderberries as homeopathic medicine although if there happens to be any scientific data feel free to share. I knew nothing about elderberries except as a Monty Python insult un… --- ## [Does putting message on videos protect people uploading copyrighted videos from legal action using Y](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-putting-message-on-videos-protect-people-uploading-copyrighted-videos-from-legal-action-using-y/850889)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2020, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-putting-message-on-videos-protect-people-uploading-copyrighted-videos-from-legal-action-using-y/850889 "2020-04-08T13:51:23Z")
Well I was watching a video of a music video of a song from 1982 and a thing I have seen on some descriptions says No Copyright Infringement Intended. For entertainment purposes of only. Does this protect them from a pro… --- ## [Toll road and no change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toll-road-and-no-change/846690)
**Author:** [@ginman999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ginman999)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toll-road-and-no-change/846690 "2020-01-24T20:58:00Z")
went to a state with a toll road. no attendant to make change. My choices are use the express pass or run the change taking bin. I had a bag of change I was going to take to the bank but that was by luck. What was I supp… --- ## [Elizabeth II has given three televised speeches. I know one. What were the other two?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elizabeth-ii-has-given-three-televised-speeches-i-know-one-what-were-the-other-two/851278)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2020, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elizabeth-ii-has-given-three-televised-speeches-i-know-one-what-were-the-other-two/851278 "2020-04-08T13:04:11Z")
From the article that starts half-way down here. I believe there is a Christmas address every year and she addresses Parliament once per year, so I presume they mean except for those… I figure this is one of her speec… --- ## [Toilet doesn’t fill problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-doesn-t-fill-problem/851280)
**Author:** [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2020, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-doesn-t-fill-problem/851280 "2020-04-08T12:32:16Z")
Toilet doesn’t fill – but will fill if I first turn off the water valve and turn it back on. I found online instructions for cleaning the fill valve and followed that procedure but that has not solved the problem. I ha… --- ## [Does video calling require all parties to be using the same software?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-video-calling-require-all-parties-to-be-using-the-same-software/850795)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2020, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-video-calling-require-all-parties-to-be-using-the-same-software/850795 "2020-04-08T05:54:43Z")
I’m confused. If I want to have a video chat with somebody else, do we have to both use the same software? I use an iMac desktop and an iPhone, and have used FaceTime with other people who have iPhones, which worked fin… --- ## [Is it OK to wash my bandana with aloe vera hand soap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-wash-my-bandana-with-aloe-vera-hand-soap/851184)
**Author:** [@greenpurple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenpurple)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2020, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-wash-my-bandana-with-aloe-vera-hand-soap/851184 "2020-04-08T05:32:04Z")
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