# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=402 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 403 --- ## [VPN and IP ban question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vpn-and-ip-ban-question/845361)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2019, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vpn-and-ip-ban-question/845361 "2019-12-25T00:32:09Z")
I will occasionally use a VPN when surfing the internet. I am also an occasional gamer. The gaming site I play on prohibits the use of VPN’s for obvious reason; some folks who have been IP banned for nefarious conduct wi… --- ## [Four color map theorem...disproven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-color-map-theorem-disproven/845308)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-color-map-theorem-disproven/845308 "2019-12-24T23:26:55Z")
The four color map theorem: states that for a 2D area broken up into irregularly shaped borders, only four different colors need to shade in the borders. Would not this shape: pro… --- ## [Can a jury really overrule a judge's decision in American court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-jury-really-overrule-a-judges-decision-in-american-court/845336)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-jury-really-overrule-a-judges-decision-in-american-court/845336 "2019-12-24T22:48:14Z")
Found another bizarre Facebook story about how a jury in Ohio was able to overrule a judge’s decision and also find a man non-guilty without a unanimous jury decision, instead voting 7 to 5 for a non-guilty verdict. Now… --- ## [How long could a starship stay up in orbit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-a-starship-stay-up-in-orbit/683472)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-a-starship-stay-up-in-orbit/683472 "2019-12-24T20:46:46Z")
In the original Star Trek episode “This Side of Paradise,” all of Kirk’s crew have been sprayed by happy-making spores, mutinied and abandoned ship for the colony on the surface of Omicron Ceti III, a Class-M or Earth… --- ## [Why did it take so long to ratify the 27th amendment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-so-long-to-ratify-the-27th-amendment/844994)
**Author:** [@doubled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doubled)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-so-long-to-ratify-the-27th-amendment/844994 "2019-12-24T19:41:48Z")
The 27th amendment (if congress votes itself a pay raise, then that won’t take effect till after the next election) was famously proposed by James Madison in 1789 in the same proposal along with the ten amendments that m… --- ## [Accelerated natural selection as a result of war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accelerated-natural-selection-as-a-result-of-war/845145)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accelerated-natural-selection-as-a-result-of-war/845145 "2019-12-24T18:48:10Z")
One of the most famous examples of accelerated natural selection is that of the peppered moth. The moths changed color to better blend in with soot-covered structures and trees. Is there any example of something similar… --- ## [Is there a term for this phenomenon? (Scales with odd endpoints)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-phenomenon-scales-with-odd-endpoints/845309)
**Author:** [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-phenomenon-scales-with-odd-endpoints/845309 "2019-12-24T18:24:40Z")
We’ve all seen the fast food drinks cup sizes that range medium, large, extra large, and jumbo with no “small”. I just saw another one in my electric bill, where the day is divided up into “Mid Peak”, "Off peak"and “Sup… --- ## [What was the “pith” in a helmet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-pith-in-a-helmet/844559)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-pith-in-a-helmet/844559 "2019-12-24T15:51:21Z")
What is “pith”? (No, I don’t have a lisp. :stuck\_out\_tongue: ) --- ## [American Colonists Living in Britain in 1776](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-colonists-living-in-britain-in-1776/844623)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-colonists-living-in-britain-in-1776/844623 "2019-12-24T15:42:44Z")
Were American colonists who were living and working in Britain during the US War Of Independence mostly left alone or were they either expelled or rounded up until the war was over? --- ## [Techno-peasant needs help yet again - how do I turn on the ring tone for my iPhone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/techno-peasant-needs-help-yet-again-how-do-i-turn-on-the-ring-tone-for-my-iphone/845305)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/techno-peasant-needs-help-yet-again-how-do-i-turn-on-the-ring-tone-for-my-iphone/845305 "2019-12-24T15:16:28Z")
This seems like a simple issue. I have a bran-spanking new iPhone. I would like friends to be able to call me on it. That means I want it to go “ring” when said friends call. Except it doesn’t. When a call come in i… --- ## [HELP! I don't want to upgrade my Mac to a new OS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-i-dont-want-to-upgrade-my-mac-to-a-new-os/845238)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-i-dont-want-to-upgrade-my-mac-to-a-new-os/845238 "2019-12-24T12:48:43Z")
But it seems to have downloaded the latest OS in the background, despite my best efforts and now it says it will install it next time I reboot. Is there some way to delete the installed package so it doesn’t update? And… --- ## [How much of a pain is it using Bluetooth headphones with multiple devices?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-pain-is-it-using-bluetooth-headphones-with-multiple-devices/845190)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-pain-is-it-using-bluetooth-headphones-with-multiple-devices/845190 "2019-12-24T10:48:14Z")
Hi all, I am considering a pair of Bluetooth headphones. I have a number of devices which I would want to use them with: an iPhone, an iPad, a Mac Mini and a Chromebook. I don’t have a particular pair of headphones in mi… --- ## [How to open a stuck oven drawer (need answer sorta fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-open-a-stuck-oven-drawer-need-answer-sorta-fast/845313)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-open-a-stuck-oven-drawer-need-answer-sorta-fast/845313 "2019-12-24T05:00:54Z")
I just got a new range. There’s a drawer at the bottom, beneath the oven, to store pans. Well, in addition to other pans, I put a couple of bread ones (one Corningware, one Pyrex) in the drawer. They don’t really nest… --- ## [Impeachment Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeachment-question/845070)
**Author:** [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeachment-question/845070 "2019-12-24T01:27:19Z")
This is a hypothetical question, not intended to refer to any real person, living or dead. I just want to know the law. Suppose a President of the US is impeached, but the Speaker of the House is not happy with what sh… --- ## [How can the US federal government impose a smoking age?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-us-federal-government-impose-a-smoking-age/845159)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-us-federal-government-impose-a-smoking-age/845159 "2019-12-24T01:00:31Z")
How is it constitutional for the federal government to impose a minimum smoking age when it can’t (at least not directly) impose a minimum drinking age? When Congress wanted to make the drinking age uniform at 21 they ha… --- ## [Gas water heater problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-water-heater-problems/845270)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-water-heater-problems/845270 "2019-12-24T00:04:27Z")
50 gallons, five years old. We were able to wash dishes, do laundry and take two baths. Recently it doesn’t provide as much hot water. A single bath exhausts it. I’ve drained a few gallons off to see if it had filled up… --- ## [Electrical: How to run computer in basement from light socket?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-how-to-run-computer-in-basement-from-light-socket/844835)
**Author:** [@ambushed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ambushed)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2019, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-how-to-run-computer-in-basement-from-light-socket/844835 "2019-12-23T12:39:03Z")
I live alone in a two bedroom townhouse with a full but unfinished basement. My rent is about to increase to a painful amount, so I’m trying to figure out a way to move my computer equipment from the second bedroom into … --- ## [Candidates can only loan, not gift their campaigns, money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candidates-can-only-loan-not-gift-their-campaigns-money/845192)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2019, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candidates-can-only-loan-not-gift-their-campaigns-money/845192 "2019-12-23T11:05:27Z")
Under U.S. election law, is it the case that presidential candidates can only loan money to their own campaigns, but cannot just outright gift money? (Otherwise, presumably, Jeff Bezos could wage a $20 billion presidenti… --- ## [DNS update/new server](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dns-update-new-server/845234)
**Author:** [@Mislav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mislav)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2019, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dns-update-new-server/845234 "2019-12-23T05:32:59Z")
So, I was on this website that changed server (DNS update). So it was unavailable for a while. It was supposed to last a few hours, but then I still couldn’t access it. The error message said that it takes some time for … --- ## [Social Security benefits must have the last 35 years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-benefits-must-have-the-last-35-years/733592)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2019, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-benefits-must-have-the-last-35-years/733592 "2019-12-23T00:13:41Z")
I was talking to a neighbor about retirement plans, and he said he didn’t think his wife (who is 57 years of age) would be able to collection social security benefits from the jobs she has had. He said, she worked full-t… --- ## [New performance enhancing drug?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-performance-enhancing-drug/845227)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2019, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-performance-enhancing-drug/845227 "2019-12-22T17:01:43Z")
I’ve been watching/researching Strongman competition and, I’ve noticed, in the last year or so all the top competitors have started to cut weight “for long term health”, Big Z, Ed Hall, Terry Hollands, Brian Shaw, etc. M… --- ## [Sound output issue with new cell phone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-output-issue-with-new-cell-phone/845183)
**Author:** [@HotDogWater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HotDogWater)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2019, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-output-issue-with-new-cell-phone/845183 "2019-12-22T14:02:13Z")
I recently purchased a Nokia 7.1 cell phone. Out of the box, it worked well, but as I’ve been setting it up I ran into a weird problem; I’m hoping the cell phone gurus here can help. The problem is with the sound output… --- ## [Why does radio reception fade out when you go under an overpass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-radio-reception-fade-out-when-you-go-under-an-overpass/845201)
**Author:** [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2019, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-radio-reception-fade-out-when-you-go-under-an-overpass/845201 "2019-12-22T12:21:25Z")
It is a common phenomenon that as you drive under a bridge your car radio reception often, but not always, fades out for a second of so. What makes this happen? My car radio reception can be continuously received as I … --- ## [My beta cells are shot!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-beta-cells-are-shot/845182)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2019, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-beta-cells-are-shot/845182 "2019-12-22T11:28:56Z")
'Cuz I have Type 1 diabetes. As you may or may not know, beta cells reside in our pancreas. Is producing insulin that the most significant/ important thing my pancreas does? Could I live without it because I inject insu… --- ## [Work in Dubai tax free?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-in-dubai-tax-free/844336)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-in-dubai-tax-free/844336 "2019-12-21T21:12:22Z")
Cruising around the internet and I saw that the UAE does not have an income tax … so work int Dubai and pay no income tax? Not hardly since the United States will tax my income anyways. But wait … I saw this which seem… --- ## [Amazon purchases - wish lists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-purchases-wish-lists/845193)
**Author:** [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-purchases-wish-lists/845193 "2019-12-21T20:20:54Z")
I purchased a bunch of presents off my kids’ wish lists and one of the presents could have been requested by either of 2 kids. I can’t remember which one wanted it. I can’t see items on their wish lists that have been p… --- ## [did old west era or earlier dentist do anything besides pull teeth ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-old-west-era-or-earlier-dentist-do-anything-besides-pull-teeth/844119)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2019, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-old-west-era-or-earlier-dentist-do-anything-besides-pull-teeth/844119 "2019-12-21T19:40:07Z")
I’ve seen 1800s era dental tools and if I needed a tooth pulled id just get a wrench or pliers my self … But we were watching some version of the old ok corral and doc holiday was in it and we started talking about den… --- ## [Windows 20 Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-20-question/845172)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2019, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-20-question/845172 "2019-12-21T19:16:36Z")
My Windows 7 machine finally crapped out which has resulted in a “10” machine. The program I used to insert text boxes (in JPEGs) on my “7” won’t load. Will any of the programs included with “10” allow me to insert text … --- ## [Earliest -ville](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-ville/844092)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2019, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-ville/844092 "2019-12-21T18:58:39Z")
Towns and cities with the suffix -ville are very common in the US and Canada. The suffix is derived from the French word for city, but the practice of tacking that suffix to names of towns seems to be primarily a North A… --- ## [Where are these ad notifications coming from and how do I stop them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-these-ad-notifications-coming-from-and-how-do-i-stop-them/845160)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2019, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-these-ad-notifications-coming-from-and-how-do-i-stop-them/845160 "2019-12-21T13:41:51Z")
I am getting an occasional pop-up window in the lower right corner of my Windows screen. This is the same place that Outlook posts email notifications, but these do not seem to map back to emails. In the linked example, … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=401) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=403)