# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=420 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 421 --- ## [Why does my Android phone sometimes say "WiFi connected/no internet"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-android-phone-sometimes-say-wifi-connected-no-internet/841607)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-android-phone-sometimes-say-wifi-connected-no-internet/841607 "2019-10-11T22:21:03Z")
It’s a BlackBerry Key2. Android 8.1.0 ACD175 The WiFi icon at the top of the screen has a little “x” on it. When I go to the network settings page, it will say “Connected, no internet.” How can it be connected and “no i… --- ## [Washer and dryer in non-climate-controlled shed, subject to heat and cold](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washer-and-dryer-in-non-climate-controlled-shed-subject-to-heat-and-cold/841641)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washer-and-dryer-in-non-climate-controlled-shed-subject-to-heat-and-cold/841641 "2019-10-11T18:44:37Z")
I may be moving to a new home soon, and it has a laundry room with washer and dryer - but those are located in an outdoors external shed, not climate controlled. With the weather here, it can get as hot as 107 F in summe… --- ## [OK, why won't Skype load for me??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-why-wont-skype-load-for-me/841608)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-why-wont-skype-load-for-me/841608 "2019-10-11T15:45:08Z")
It ran fine for ages, then started failing to load until the 2nd or 3rd try, now it can take up to 10 or more tries to load. Sometimes the bloody wheel just spins for 2 minutes before it just closes, other times it disp… --- ## [What practical methods did Kepler et al use to compute orbits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-practical-methods-did-kepler-et-al-use-to-compute-orbits/841471)
**Author:** [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-practical-methods-did-kepler-et-al-use-to-compute-orbits/841471 "2019-10-11T13:14:58Z")
How did they convert 2D maps into 3D theoretical models, eg when Herschel discovered Uranus? For a given planet or comet, I’m guessing that the raw data was nightly recordings of the object’s apparent position against t… --- ## [In what languages are "left and right" literally "wrong and right"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-languages-are-left-and-right-literally-wrong-and-right/841536)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-languages-are-left-and-right-literally-wrong-and-right/841536 "2019-10-11T13:00:18Z")
In several European languages general “handedness” is referenced with words that also have at least some connotation of “correctness”, such as English “right”. And some have a clear good - bad connotation, such as French… --- ## [What happens to thermalized neutrons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-thermalized-neutrons/841596)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-thermalized-neutrons/841596 "2019-10-11T11:42:03Z")
If I spray a bunch of high-energy neutrons into a huge tank of water, the neutrons bounce off the hydrogen and oxygen nuclei in the water. This slows the neutrons down and heats the water. At some stage in the process th… --- ## [Do they (how do they) vet attendees of a Trump rally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-how-do-they-vet-attendees-of-a-trump-rally/841616)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-how-do-they-vet-attendees-of-a-trump-rally/841616 "2019-10-11T06:32:57Z")
So Trump is in Minneapolis tonight doing a rally. While he has his supporters mainly in rural Minnesota he remains very unpopular in Minneapolis. Since his rallies are free to attend, what is keeping large amounts of a… --- ## [How much liquidity do the world’s billionaires generally have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-liquidity-do-the-world-s-billionaires-generally-have/841547)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-liquidity-do-the-world-s-billionaires-generally-have/841547 "2019-10-11T00:42:52Z")
Inspired by an argument I’ve seen online a lot: “The richest of the rich could give away 99% of their money right now to solve the world’s problems and still be able to live the rest of their lives in obscene luxury! Je… --- ## [What might be wrong with my car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-be-wrong-with-my-car/837944)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-be-wrong-with-my-car/837944 "2019-10-10T23:38:13Z")
2009 Volvo C30 R-Design with ~78,300 miles on it. No recent accidents, unusual events, etc. Regularly maintained at Volvo dealer, garage-kept. Back in February I noticed a “thunk” noise that seemed to come from the fron… --- ## [Did WWII US bomber pilots go from B25s or B26s to B17/B29s or were new ones trained for them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-wwii-us-bomber-pilots-go-from-b25s-or-b26s-to-b17-b29s-or-were-new-ones-trained-for-them/841556)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-wwii-us-bomber-pilots-go-from-b25s-or-b26s-to-b17-b29s-or-were-new-ones-trained-for-them/841556 "2019-10-10T21:48:52Z")
In the US Army Air Force during WWII, did experienced B25 and B26 pilots get moved up to the B17 or B29 (depending on the theatre) as the new planes became available or were fresh pilots trained for them? On the one han… --- ## [Is there a legal basis for the State Department forbidding Sondland from testifying?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-legal-basis-for-the-state-department-forbidding-sondland-from-testifying/841526)
**Author:** [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-legal-basis-for-the-state-department-forbidding-sondland-from-testifying/841526 "2019-10-10T20:30:10Z")
(Please note that this is in GQ, not GD) The State Department has blocked Sondland from testifying. Isn’t that a violation of his first amendment rights? --- ## [What are the gift giving holidays in non-Christian cultures and religions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-gift-giving-holidays-in-non-christian-cultures-and-religions/644008)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-gift-giving-holidays-in-non-christian-cultures-and-religions/644008 "2019-10-10T16:46:12Z")
Christmas has morphed over time into a huge transactional holiday for Christians. What are the gift giving holidays or occasions (if they exist) in other non-Christian cultures? --- ## [When a meal is "comped on the house", who pays for it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-meal-is-comped-on-the-house-who-pays-for-it/841310)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-meal-is-comped-on-the-house-who-pays-for-it/841310 "2019-10-10T15:48:02Z")
Inspired by the thread about famous people getting their meals comped on the house, I’m curious who exactly pays for it and what part of the budget it comes out of. I understand for a family owned business it would be t… --- ## [Kung Fu Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kung-fu-question/839413)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kung-fu-question/839413 "2019-10-10T08:52:03Z")
At the 6:42 MARK of this video the narrator mentions that name of this Kung Fu form. It looks exactly like what Neo did to start out the fight against Morpheus in The Matrix, right after Neo says, “I know Kung fu”. The… --- ## [Cheapest Canada to USA Mail Forwarding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheapest-canada-to-usa-mail-forwarding/839854)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2019, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheapest-canada-to-usa-mail-forwarding/839854 "2019-09-08T00:12:14Z")
I tried www.shipbymail.com but they charge ~$20 for a letter. --- ## [Ancient Discovery of the Brain.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-discovery-of-the-brain/841304)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-discovery-of-the-brain/841304 "2019-10-10T06:53:29Z")
Anyways, there is a reason why I posted the above quote. Apparently by 1596 (when the play was written), they knew the brain was the seat of the consciousness. My question is, when and how did they finally discover thi… --- ## [Is there or is there not an available cell on Capital?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-or-is-there-not-an-available-cell-on-capital/841573)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-or-is-there-not-an-available-cell-on-capital/841573 "2019-10-10T04:46:28Z")
Hi Is there or is there not an available holding cell to hold witnesses who “refuse to answer questions”(see video link below ) before a Congressional hearing/Congressional committee or do not comply with a Congressiona… --- ## [Slowly losing hard drive space to the point of hard drive limit, then restart fixes it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slowly-losing-hard-drive-space-to-the-point-of-hard-drive-limit-then-restart-fixes-it/841455)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slowly-losing-hard-drive-space-to-the-point-of-hard-drive-limit-then-restart-fixes-it/841455 "2019-10-10T01:44:47Z")
I’m currently using a Windows 10 system with a 250GB SSD as my main drive, and two 1TB HDD drives as secondary. My current hard drive space for my SSD is 40GB free while my two HDD’s have about 100GB each free. Basicall… --- ## [Goodbye Mr Cleese: British public school graduates returning to teach sans further qualification](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-mr-cleese-british-public-school-graduates-returning-to-teach-sans-further-qualification/841367)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2019, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-mr-cleese-british-public-school-graduates-returning-to-teach-sans-further-qualification/841367 "2019-10-09T20:27:18Z")
I’m listening to the audiobook version of So…Anyway, the memoir of John Cleese. In the late 1950s during his last year at Clifton College, he was accepted by Cambridge University, but was told he would have to wait two … --- ## [Question about ProBoards (freeforums.net)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-proboards-freeforums-net/841545)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-proboards-freeforums-net/841545 "2019-10-09T20:17:01Z")
I’m looking to set up a message board for a professional group. I was looking at ProBoards who hosts your board for you. What I need to know is can I set up a forum that is only available to approved members. Like her… --- ## [MARC Train (DC-Baltimore) question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marc-train-dc-baltimore-question/841366)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2019, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marc-train-dc-baltimore-question/841366 "2019-10-09T18:44:27Z")
Anyone here know about the MARC trains? Specifically, I’m landing at Dulles and taking public transportation to Baltimore, which will include a MARC train from DC. Since these are commuter trains, I’m wondering if I will… --- ## [Seeking: Windows Image SW to Import multi-pg PDF as Raster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-windows-image-sw-to-import-multi-pg-pdf-as-raster/841481)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2019, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-windows-image-sw-to-import-multi-pg-pdf-as-raster/841481 "2019-10-09T18:27:53Z")
More info than what fits in the title: I am seeking Windows OS software that can open a multi page PDF as a raster image (thus treating it like a multi page TIFF) and then export it back out as a PDF (ignoring all the o… --- ## [Question regarding the Watergate Hearing tapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-watergate-hearing-tapes/841515)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2019, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-watergate-hearing-tapes/841515 "2019-10-09T17:21:26Z")
Hi When did the White House tapes that incriminated Nixon first surface? Which committee (committee members) first listened to them? 5 minutes and 52 seconds into the video this journalist(Chris Ruddy) says that “when … --- ## [Pi is a transcendental number](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pi-is-a-transcendental-number/841295)
**Author:** [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2019, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pi-is-a-transcendental-number/841295 "2019-10-09T15:30:05Z")
For an infinitely small circle with an area greater than zero, is pi still defined? --- ## [how do (c++) pointers and debugging work in a world of virtualized memory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-c-pointers-and-debugging-work-in-a-world-of-virtualized-memory/841363)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2019, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-c-pointers-and-debugging-work-in-a-world-of-virtualized-memory/841363 "2019-10-09T14:02:49Z")
Every book I’ve read or class I’ve taken about PC hardware and modern operating systems say that all memory is virtualized. In other words, each application gets it’s own private memory space, and that the addresses of t… --- ## [First Time Home buyer program eligibility](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-time-home-buyer-program-eligibility/841458)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2019, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-time-home-buyer-program-eligibility/841458 "2019-10-09T05:48:18Z")
I am curious if a person owns a property in another state (inherited, not purchased) whether it will affect eligibility for any potential first time buyer programs in their home state. Scenario: Friends sister was left … --- ## [Shoe sizes -- men's vs. women's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-sizes-mens-vs-womens/841445)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2019, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-sizes-mens-vs-womens/841445 "2019-10-08T22:08:09Z")
I’d like to buy some new slippers. I have wide feet, though, which makes it hard to find ones that fit. Slippers don’t seem to come very often in wide widths. Since I’m way pickier on the functionality of the slippers… --- ## [Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong-il name pronunciation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-kim-jong-il-name-pronunciation/841282)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2019, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-kim-jong-il-name-pronunciation/841282 "2019-10-08T20:30:36Z")
So far as I know, in Korean names transliterated to the Latin alphabet, the J generally indicates a sound somewhat similar to what it generally represents in English, like in “judge.” (Really English /dʒ/ and Korean /dz/… --- ## [Ballistics question (air rifle)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ballistics-question-air-rifle/841457)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2019, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ballistics-question-air-rifle/841457 "2019-10-08T17:21:08Z")
(I think there may be a factual answer, but mods feel free to move it to IMHO, if this becomes complete conjecture). I purchased Benjamin Marauder air rifle in .22. Pre-charged pneumatic airguns are very new to me, as … --- ## [Could a viable revolver rifle be made today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-viable-revolver-rifle-be-made-today/841463)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2019, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-viable-revolver-rifle-be-made-today/841463 "2019-10-08T15:20:32Z")
So I read that Colt made a revolver based rifle in the 1800s They apparently discontinued it due to design flaws. I imagine with the intention of semi auto rifles that there was no need to try to perfect this. I don’t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=419) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=421)