# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=446 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 447 --- ## [Going to Mexico next month. Any way to find out if the water tends to be rough or smooth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-mexico-next-month-any-way-to-find-out-if-the-water-tends-to-be-rough-or-smooth/837151)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2019, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-mexico-next-month-any-way-to-find-out-if-the-water-tends-to-be-rough-or-smooth/837151 "2019-07-16T19:25:07Z")
So we booked a trip to the Now Jade Riviera resort south of Cancun. Never been to that stretch of coast and everyone is wondering if it’s generally smooth or rough water. No idea how to find out. Is there some equivalent… --- ## [Delta engine failure two days ago: what's glowing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delta-engine-failure-two-days-ago-whats-glowing/836834)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2019, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delta-engine-failure-two-days-ago-whats-glowing/836834 "2019-07-16T17:01:55Z")
A Delta Airlines flight on Monday made an emergency landing after an engine failure. Passenger video of the failed engine (see link) in the MD-88 showed the turbine spindle’s nose cone, separated from the spindle and be… --- ## [Economics of importing a RHD Japanese domestic vehicle to North America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-importing-a-rhd-japanese-domestic-vehicle-to-north-america/836976)
**Author:** [@icbm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icbm)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-importing-a-rhd-japanese-domestic-vehicle-to-north-america/836976 "2019-07-16T15:12:13Z")
Hi, all. Got a couple of car questions but they’re different enough for two threads. I am seeing more people around locally than before driving right hand drive cars and trucks, like Nissan sedans, Toyota mini-van (Hiac… --- ## [Short-circuiting computer by leaving metal scrapings inside?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-circuiting-computer-by-leaving-metal-scrapings-inside/837106)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2019, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-circuiting-computer-by-leaving-metal-scrapings-inside/837106 "2019-07-16T14:44:21Z")
I was trying to unscrew a really stubborn screw in a computer and in the process some of the screw’s head got scraped off in little tiny flakes. I then assembled the laptop back together without having blown or removed t… --- ## [How do I load a game from on a DVD when my new laptop doesn't have a drive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-load-a-game-from-on-a-dvd-when-my-new-laptop-doesnt-have-a-drive/837065)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2019, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-load-a-game-from-on-a-dvd-when-my-new-laptop-doesnt-have-a-drive/837065 "2019-07-16T00:16:45Z")
So I’ve bought a new laptop (with Windows 10) to replace an elderly computer that recently failed. (P.S. Excuse me if this is a poor question, but I’m pretty old too! :o) I have various games on DVD in a Windows versio… --- ## [Q. about power connector for graphics card - desktop PC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-power-connector-for-graphics-card-desktop-pc/836934)
**Author:** [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-power-connector-for-graphics-card-desktop-pc/836934 "2019-07-15T22:44:31Z")
I’ve been running my self-built desktop computer for a few years now on the motherboard’s native graphics processor. For a few reasons, I’ve decided to get myself a low-end video card. I bought myself a Powercolor Radeon… --- ## [Error installing Photoshop (2019 MacBook Pro)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-installing-photoshop-2019-macbook-pro/837075)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-installing-photoshop-2019-macbook-pro/837075 "2019-07-15T14:56:06Z")
I’m trying to install Photoshop on my new computer, and I got this error: Exit Code: 7 -------------------------------------- Summary -------------------------------------- 0 fatal error(s), 1 error(s), 0 warning(s) … --- ## [Questions about Asimov's Nightfall - orbital mechanics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-asimovs-nightfall-orbital-mechanics/836923)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-asimovs-nightfall-orbital-mechanics/836923 "2019-07-15T13:03:58Z")
Four orbital astronomy questions about Asimov’s Nightfall story: Is it possible to have a stable system of six stars, with one planet (Lagash) orbiting around one of the stars (Alpha), such that normally all of the pl… --- ## [What's the mechanism of action of a massage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-mechanism-of-action-of-a-massage/836529)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-mechanism-of-action-of-a-massage/836529 "2019-07-15T12:29:07Z")
What problem(s) does a massage solve? How does it do it? I mean the question especially in the context of use before/after resistance training. I haven’t been able to find more detailed info than telling me that a massa… --- ## [Was there a country that briefly legalized cannabis prior to 1969?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-a-country-that-briefly-legalized-cannabis-prior-to-1969/837077)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-a-country-that-briefly-legalized-cannabis-prior-to-1969/837077 "2019-07-15T12:11:14Z")
In a 1969 anti-drug educational film, Keep Off The Grass, right after 20:42, the narrator says that an (unnamed) country passed a law legalizing MJ but the outcome was so disastrous that they reversed it a few years late… --- ## [area Code 0044 203 29XX XXX](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-code-0044-203-29xx-xxx/836890)
**Author:** [@Lukas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukas)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-code-0044-203-29xx-xxx/836890 "2019-07-15T11:36:45Z")
Hello My name is Lukas, i 'm from germany and i’m new here and i’m looking for information. Yesterday, i was called from 0044 203 2900 XXX so i think, it was a number from GB and London…does someone know, which firm o… --- ## [Evaporation temperature/rate of methanol in windshield washer fluid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evaporation-temperature-rate-of-methanol-in-windshield-washer-fluid/837093)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evaporation-temperature-rate-of-methanol-in-windshield-washer-fluid/837093 "2019-07-15T11:32:52Z")
Quick chemistry Q: when methanol is “bound” in windshield-washing fluid, what is its evaporation temperature and rate? --- ## [Medicare for All = end of private insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-for-all-end-of-private-insurance/837037)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-for-all-end-of-private-insurance/837037 "2019-07-15T09:12:57Z")
I’m pretty sure I don’t understand what folks mean by Medicare for All. I naively assumed that it means extending the Medicare benefits offered to most folks over 65 to everybody. But then I keep reading how this means… --- ## [Free Gifts to Potential Voters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-gifts-to-potential-voters/837030)
**Author:** [@yearofglad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yearofglad)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-gifts-to-potential-voters/837030 "2019-07-15T02:22:13Z")
A candidate in an local election is offering free ice cream, but in order to be eligible to get the ice cream, at least one member of your family must be a registered voter. It’s being billed as a campaign launch and soc… --- ## [Kind of a stupid question about ambulances](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-a-stupid-question-about-ambulances/836965)
**Author:** [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-a-stupid-question-about-ambulances/836965 "2019-07-15T02:15:05Z")
Long story short, I was chatting with an acquaintance who claimed he worked for his city’s (Minneapolis area) emergency services. One of his duties was to clean and re-stock ambulances between emergency calls. He shared … --- ## [Non-Christians in the British line of succession](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-christians-in-the-british-line-of-succession/836700)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-christians-in-the-british-line-of-succession/836700 "2019-07-15T00:44:29Z")
Are there any avowed non-Christians in the British royal family, or elsewhere in the line of succession to the British throne? By “avowed” I mean that the individual is known from their own words or positive actions to … --- ## [Alternative to iTunes for downloading podcasts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-to-itunes-for-downloading-podcasts/837071)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-to-itunes-for-downloading-podcasts/837071 "2019-07-15T00:02:10Z")
Apple no longer supports the iPod Classic, which is where I store all my stuff. Using iTunes to update my podcasts has been getting progressively tougher and tougher, and I can’t even get some podcasts that I actually p… --- ## [Servicing-on-Debt: Why does being pd ahead then interruption stop principal from decreasing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/servicing-on-debt-why-does-being-pd-ahead-then-interruption-stop-principal-from-decreasing/837081)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2019, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/servicing-on-debt-why-does-being-pd-ahead-then-interruption-stop-principal-from-decreasing/837081 "2019-07-14T23:22:53Z")
I have a student loan that I’m paying off in perpetuity. After a time a few years ago when they raised my monthly pmt amount, citing changes in their estimate of how much they’d need to charge me in order to attain zero… --- ## [Why does software upgrade need battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-software-upgrade-need-battery/837058)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2019, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-software-upgrade-need-battery/837058 "2019-07-14T22:22:14Z")
My laptop says it cannot do software updates without the battery (I removed the battery last year) - does it need some momentary electrical power that cable cannot provide? It’s always plugged into wall power. --- ## [Easiest Plant Alkaloid Extraction: Acid vs. Boiling vs. Alcohol & Blender](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easiest-plant-alkaloid-extraction-acid-vs-boiling-vs-alcohol-blender/837084)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2019, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easiest-plant-alkaloid-extraction-acid-vs-boiling-vs-alcohol-blender/837084 "2019-07-14T22:13:42Z")
Which method is the easiest to start, which is faster, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Microwave assisted extraction (w/ alcohol)? --- ## [Mt. Everest summit human traffic jam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mt-everest-summit-human-traffic-jam/834547)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2019, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mt-everest-summit-human-traffic-jam/834547 "2019-07-14T20:01:48Z")
Take a look at the picture that accompanies this article about 5 recent deaths on Mt. Everest. I’m really curious - it all these people are lined up and waiting to summit, how do the people on the summit get down? It see… --- ## [Connecting a new computer to my home wifi network](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-new-computer-to-my-home-wifi-network/836989)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2019, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-new-computer-to-my-home-wifi-network/836989 "2019-07-14T15:26:26Z")
I’ve already got three computers happily using my home wifi network. I just bought a new laptop. It can see my router, but asks for the network password before allowing Internet access. I thought I’d written down this … --- ## [Earliest point in WWII where Axis nations knew they were doomed, vs. being actually doomed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-point-in-wwii-where-axis-nations-knew-they-were-doomed-vs-being-actually-doomed/836531)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2019, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-point-in-wwii-where-axis-nations-knew-they-were-doomed-vs-being-actually-doomed/836531 "2019-07-14T11:58:33Z")
This might get moved to GD, but wanted to start it out in GQ first: In hindsight, we know that Japan was pretty much doomed the very moment it started dropping bombs on Pearl Harbor. What was Germany’s true tipping poin… --- ## [Metal frame glasses with no nose pads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-frame-glasses-with-no-nose-pads/729596)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2019, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-frame-glasses-with-no-nose-pads/729596 "2019-07-14T01:39:16Z")
Who sells eyeglasses having metal frames but no nose pads? I want the bridge to rest on the top of my nose. So far most glasses shops have never heard of such a thing, though one does know of such a model that they just… --- ## [Why were so many expeditions initiated for spices ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-so-many-expeditions-initiated-for-spices/836818)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2019, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-so-many-expeditions-initiated-for-spices/836818 "2019-07-13T22:37:15Z")
If I understand correctly, one of the drivers of the European Age of discovery was to find spices. The Arabs/Turks dominated the trade and the Europeans wanted direct access to spices. But what was so special about spic… --- ## [Where can I find historical data about the minimum wage on the federal, state and local level](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-find-historical-data-about-the-minimum-wage-on-the-federal-state-and-local-level/837036)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-find-historical-data-about-the-minimum-wage-on-the-federal-state-and-local-level/837036 "2019-07-13T20:32:27Z")
I’m interested in when, where and how the minimum wage has been hiked in the last few decades. Was it hiked federally, did a state do it, did a city do it, etc. How did they do it? Did the city council do it, waa it ba… --- ## [Feats equal to, or tougher, than landing men on the Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feats-equal-to-or-tougher-than-landing-men-on-the-moon/836912)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2019, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feats-equal-to-or-tougher-than-landing-men-on-the-moon/836912 "2019-07-13T16:23:20Z")
With the 50th anniversary upon us: From a standpoint of difficulty (feel free to interpret that many different ways,) what feats have been accomplished that involve a human being transported somewhere, or exploring, or … --- ## [Does Google Chrome really work on a MacBook?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-google-chrome-really-work-on-a-macbook/836987)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-google-chrome-really-work-on-a-macbook/836987 "2019-07-13T16:18:00Z")
MacBooks aren’t cheap, but I really want a new one. However, I work a part time job from home which insists the only browser that will support their software is Google Chrome. Google Chrome is my preferred browser on my … --- ## [What is a "tourbillon"? (for watches)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-tourbillon-for-watches/837000)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-tourbillon-for-watches/837000 "2019-07-13T14:52:33Z")
I have always been a fan of fine watches. I cannot afford them but I appreciate them. In some of the finest watches there is a complication called a “tourbillon”. It was invented long ago and, near as I can gather, it… --- ## [Can the detainees simply leave the American camps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-detainees-simply-leave-the-american-camps/836998)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2019, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-detainees-simply-leave-the-american-camps/836998 "2019-07-13T03:19:58Z")
By American Camps, I am referring to the centers where foreigners are currently detained. I am trying to avoid the political descriptors that are sometimes used to describe these places. I am also NOT taking a position… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=445) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=447)