# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=387 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 388 --- ## [Is "Oak" The Roman alphabet transliteration of any non-English proper names?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-oak-the-roman-alphabet-transliteration-of-any-non-english-proper-names/848317)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-oak-the-roman-alphabet-transliteration-of-any-non-english-proper-names/848317 "2020-02-25T16:51:45Z")
For reasons opaque to me, VoiceOver — the feature on my iPhone that reads whatever is on the screen to blind people — has started pronouncing the word “Oak” as if it were spelled “oh-uk”. When VoiceOver behaves this way,… --- ## [Incompatible computer speakers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incompatible-computer-speakers/848458)
**Author:** [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incompatible-computer-speakers/848458 "2020-02-25T15:02:36Z")
My old desktop computer died the other day. I’m not sure how old it was, but it was running either Windows XP or Vista, I forget which. I replaced it with a laptop running Windows 10. Now, however, the Harmon Kardon spe… --- ## [Is it safe? (Google smartphone)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-google-smartphone/848395)
**Author:** [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-google-smartphone/848395 "2020-02-25T12:44:30Z")
(Hoping this question has a factual answer.) I’ve replaced a failing Samsung smartphone with a Google Pixel 4 phone. Seems to work well. But it’s been suggested to me this may be unwise - that Google uses the phone to… --- ## [I'm largely clueless about networking, and that has to change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-largely-clueless-about-networking-and-that-has-to-change/840838)
**Author:** [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-largely-clueless-about-networking-and-that-has-to-change/840838 "2019-10-01T17:55:40Z")
I build my own machines from parts I buy, I install Windows, etc etc. With the help of Google and, occasionally bothering a friend or two, I can pretty much do what I want on my computer - except when it comes to network… --- ## [Video version of Tsundoku](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-version-of-tsundoku/848480)
**Author:** [@Deflagration](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deflagration)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-version-of-tsundoku/848480 "2020-02-25T10:57:04Z")
As I understand it: Tsundoku is the Japanese word describing piling up books to save for later … even if you’ll never actually read them. From Doku a verb that can be used for “reading,” while tsun “to pile up.” What … --- ## [UK/Commonwealth New Money](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-commonwealth-new-money/848041)
**Author:** [@TheNewDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheNewDude)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-commonwealth-new-money/848041 "2020-02-25T07:31:26Z")
How long will it take for the UK and commonwealth countries to issue new money after Elizabeth passes? --- ## [Size of internal organs in obese/morbidly obese people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/size-of-internal-organs-in-obese-morbidly-obese-people/848369)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/size-of-internal-organs-in-obese-morbidly-obese-people/848369 "2020-02-25T01:45:09Z")
If a person gains weight and becomes obese or even morbidly obese, do the internal organs increase in size as well? If an obese or morbidly obese person loses much of the weight, do the internal organs shrink in size? --- ## [Is COV-19 just one thing? And will different sub-groups react differently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cov-19-just-one-thing-and-will-different-sub-groups-react-differently/848426)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2020, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cov-19-just-one-thing-and-will-different-sub-groups-react-differently/848426 "2020-02-24T22:17:14Z")
As I understand it, “serotype” just means that you get immunity from things with the “same serotype”? In which case cow-pox and small-pox were two genotypes of one serotype? Do we know at this stage that there is only … --- ## [Betelgeuse is more than 700 light-years away, so ....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/betelgeuse-is-more-than-700-light-years-away-so/848038)
**Author:** [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2020, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/betelgeuse-is-more-than-700-light-years-away-so/848038 "2020-02-24T21:27:50Z")
… is it possible it already blew up? --- ## [At what rates have Internet bandwidth, memory bandwidth, processing power or memory been increasing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-rates-have-internet-bandwidth-memory-bandwidth-processing-power-or-memory-been-increasing/848449)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-rates-have-internet-bandwidth-memory-bandwidth-processing-power-or-memory-been-increasing/848449 "2020-02-24T20:23:00Z")
Moore’s law went from doubling every 12 months to every 18 months and then 24 months. What about the rate of increase of solid-state memory capacity? Or RAM/VRAM memory bandwidth? Or Internet speed? --- ## [Drinking nitroglycerin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-nitroglycerin/848306)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2020, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-nitroglycerin/848306 "2020-02-24T17:41:56Z")
San Francisco Call, Volume 97, Number 66, 4 February 1905 After 115 years, I think this is out of copyright. IANA chemist. I’ve heard that nitroglycerin becomes unstable above 56ºF. I used to work with a guy who wou… --- ## [Alpha over 2 pi ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alpha-over-2-pi/848418)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alpha-over-2-pi/848418 "2020-02-24T14:20:51Z")
I was walking through a cemetery today. On one of the gravestones, above the deceased’s name, was the equation alpha over 2 pi (in Greek symbols, obviously). What might this mean? --- ## [Five Men Indicted for nuclear exports to Pakistan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-men-indicted-for-nuclear-exports-to-pakistan/848431)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2020, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-men-indicted-for-nuclear-exports-to-pakistan/848431 "2020-02-24T14:02:50Z")
Five Men Indicted for Operating an International Procurement Network to Export U.S.-Origin Goods to Pakistan’s Nuclear Program Cite : Five Men Indicted for Operating an International Procurement Network to Export U.S.-O… --- ## ["No better than she ought to be"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-better-than-she-ought-to-be/484358)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2020, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-better-than-she-ought-to-be/484358 "2020-02-24T13:41:12Z")
I’ve read this expression scores of times, but it’s not something anyone I’ve ever met has actually said. Clearly it’s a cutting remark, but I’m not sure I understand it fully. Where does the “ought” come into it when it… --- ## [noise that I hear when I turn my head in certain positions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/noise-that-i-hear-when-i-turn-my-head-in-certain-positions/848322)
**Author:** [@cmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmore)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2020, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/noise-that-i-hear-when-i-turn-my-head-in-certain-positions/848322 "2020-02-24T06:45:35Z")
if I turn my head and hold it in certain positions, I hear a noise (or there’s a sensation that my brain interprets as noise) that will go away if I turn my head a little further either direction. the best I can descr… --- ## [Global Debt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-debt/846447)
**Author:** [@blueslipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blueslipper)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2020, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-debt/846447 "2020-01-15T23:04:11Z")
Excuse my ignorance- if Global debt is at record highs, who is it owed to? Is it all owed to oil rich countries? --- ## [The Techno-peasant wants music!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-techno-peasant-wants-music/848329)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2020, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-techno-peasant-wants-music/848329 "2020-02-24T02:25:09Z")
So, I have a new iPhone, and I want music! But I’ve never used a phone for music before. I used to have a mini iPod and would burn CDs. There are two built-in apps: something called Music, and another called iTunes. C… --- ## [Wall socket behavior when overloaded](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-socket-behavior-when-overloaded/848242)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2020, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-socket-behavior-when-overloaded/848242 "2020-02-23T22:47:41Z")
Are wall sockets designed to only deliver electricity up to their designed maximum - with some sort of safety shutoff - or do they just deliver as much power as a user demands, regardless of consequence? If someone does… --- ## [Why put an eprom on a network card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-put-an-eprom-on-a-network-card/848365)
**Author:** [@shinnen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shinnen)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-put-an-eprom-on-a-network-card/848365 "2020-02-23T20:23:13Z")
Hi, I’m using an old 3com network card on my system. It has a space for an eprom. Why would one put an eprom on a network card? Thanks, … john --- ## [Windows Multimedia App](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-multimedia-app/848402)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2020, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-multimedia-app/848402 "2020-02-23T20:13:57Z")
I’m looking for a single Windows 10 multimedia app that will allow me to play music (.mp3 files), run a slide show (ppt or something else), and run videos (.mp4 or .mov files) without having to switch between a variety o… --- ## ["No white juvenile offender has ever been given a life sentence"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-white-juvenile-offender-has-ever-been-given-a-life-sentence/848250)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2020, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-white-juvenile-offender-has-ever-been-given-a-life-sentence/848250 "2020-02-23T15:59:09Z")
I was listening to an episode of the Dollop podcast where they brought up racism in American jail sentencing and made the weird claim that “No white juvenile offender who was tried as an adult has ever been sentenced to … --- ## [Guy carrying sign behind Roger Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guy-carrying-sign-behind-roger-stone/848243)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2020, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guy-carrying-sign-behind-roger-stone/848243 "2020-02-22T19:09:18Z")
When MSNBC shows a clip of Roger Stone, it’s often of him and his wife arriving at court, followed by a guy carrying a sign. The text of the sign is always cut off. Who is the guy and what does the sign say? I googled… --- ## [Looking for email hosting company.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-email-hosting-company/840442)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2020, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-email-hosting-company/840442 "2020-02-22T01:30:32Z")
What I need is company that can host our email (we don’t need a website) with the following requirements Get our own domain name (like emailblackhole.com) so that email is sent to saintcad@emailblackhole.com and not s… --- ## [Home made insecticides](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-insecticides/848265)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2020, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-made-insecticides/848265 "2020-02-22T00:24:30Z")
I have a shit ton of plants. A few months ago I brought home a rare plant, which in my excitement to acquire I apparently didn’t inspect closely enough. Now all god’s chillins got spider mites. Looking for home remedies… --- ## [Juvenile defendants being tried as adults?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/juvenile-defendants-being-tried-as-adults/848254)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2020, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/juvenile-defendants-being-tried-as-adults/848254 "2020-02-21T23:49:48Z")
Suspects have now been arrested for the recent murder of Tessa Majors, and there is speculation as to whether any/all of them might be tried as adults. I have some questions. What does it mean for a juvenile to be trie… --- ## [Excel question: merging two spreadsheets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-merging-two-spreadsheets/848239)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2020, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-merging-two-spreadsheets/848239 "2020-02-21T20:19:49Z")
I don’t know if this is possible, however… Spreadsheet A has 3 columns and 1000 rows. The columns are Last Name, First Name, and Phone Number. Spreadsheet B has 3 columns and 500 rows. The columns are Last Name, First … --- ## [Etymology question, BFG](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-question-bfg/848212)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2020, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-question-bfg/848212 "2020-02-21T18:33:18Z")
I am having no luck googling the origin of BFG for Big Fucking Gun. Every search I get either points to the"Big Friendly Giant" book, or DOOM the video game. Which Is where this whole thing started. I was talking to a g… --- ## [Do appeals court judges consider the reasonableness of the verdict in assessing prejudicial factors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-appeals-court-judges-consider-the-reasonableness-of-the-verdict-in-assessing-prejudicial-factors/848260)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2020, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-appeals-court-judges-consider-the-reasonableness-of-the-verdict-in-assessing-prejudicial-factors/848260 "2020-02-21T17:50:47Z")
Suppose a argument on appeal is that there were prejudicial factors involved in the trial. Some or all of the jurors were possibly biased based on whatever reason, such-and-such evidence or testimony was too prejudicial … --- ## [Rabbits & Carrots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabbits-carrots/847904)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2020, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabbits-carrots/847904 "2020-02-21T16:53:32Z")
It seems pretty well accepted that carrots (other than the leafy part) are not a natural food for rabbits and they shouldn’t be fed too much of it. (e.g. here, but all other sources I’ve seen seem consistent about this.)… --- ## [Other than salt in the water, what other things do ocean fish need in captivity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-than-salt-in-the-water-what-other-things-do-ocean-fish-need-in-captivity/848256)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-than-salt-in-the-water-what-other-things-do-ocean-fish-need-in-captivity/848256 "2020-02-21T16:49:42Z")
Suppose someone captured some fish in the open ocean and took them home to his aquarium (this is not a real-life situation,) would the fish survive if he merely created his own saltwater at home using tap water and the c… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=386) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=388)