# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=477 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 478 --- ## [Computer question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/831821)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question/831821 "2019-04-01T20:32:36Z")
I have copied programs from my hard drive to a USB. I believe that, if I somehow lose one of the programs from my hard drive, I can copy it from the USB to my hard drive and it will work. However, I believe you can’t c… --- ## [how to Japanize foreign names and words?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-japanize-foreign-names-and-words/831828)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-japanize-foreign-names-and-words/831828 "2019-04-01T20:17:37Z")
One of the things I know (from observation) about the Japanese language is that words almost always end in some sort of vowel sound. Yet MANY foreign words, especially names end in a consonant. So, how do they determine… --- ## [German tertiary education](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-tertiary-education/831680)
**Author:** [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-tertiary-education/831680 "2019-04-01T18:31:05Z")
According to OECD, Germany has one of the lower attainments of tertiary education, at about 27%, only ahead of Hungary, Portugal, Czech Republic, and Italy in the “first world.” According to the link this includes both u… --- ## [Question about those OnStar remote vehicle kill switches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-those-onstar-remote-vehicle-kill-switches/831835)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2019, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-those-onstar-remote-vehicle-kill-switches/831835 "2019-04-01T14:39:02Z")
Been seeing the ad lately with the cops pursuing a vehicle. After they run the plates they find out the car is stolen, it’s armed the OnStar system, and OnStar remotely kills power to the vehicle and it has to roll to a … --- ## [need a hypothesis for an unusual arrangement sighted in our neighborhood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hypothesis-for-an-unusual-arrangement-sighted-in-our-neighborhood/831820)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2019, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hypothesis-for-an-unusual-arrangement-sighted-in-our-neighborhood/831820 "2019-04-01T13:00:26Z")
Two trees, about 20-25 feet apart on a parkway between the sidewalk and the street. Trees seem to be maybe 30-40 feet tall, probably oaks. One was about 16 inches in diameter, the other was about 20 inches. About two … --- ## [Why don't all fast food resturants have self-serve drinks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-all-fast-food-resturants-have-self-serve-drinks/831804)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2019, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-all-fast-food-resturants-have-self-serve-drinks/831804 "2019-04-01T09:13:00Z")
While the majority do now, I have seen fast food restaurants where you still have to ask for a refill at the counter, even at chains that normally do have self-serve at most of their locations including McDonalds. Is th… --- ## [The media assumes I know why grand jury processes should be redacted from the Mueller report...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-media-assumes-i-know-why-grand-jury-processes-should-be-redacted-from-the-mueller-report/831743)
**Author:** [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2019, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-media-assumes-i-know-why-grand-jury-processes-should-be-redacted-from-the-mueller-report/831743 "2019-04-01T08:45:26Z")
…but I admit I have no clue what grand jury processes are, or why they would be included in the Mueller report, or if they should be included, why they should be kept secret. They gloss over that part like it’s something… --- ## [Concrete Garage Patching Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concrete-garage-patching-question/831782)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2019, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concrete-garage-patching-question/831782 "2019-03-31T21:14:20Z")
I live full time in Montana and have a long driveway that I plow during the winter months. We park the plow truck in the garage when not using it and over the years the plow has chipped a lot of holes in the concrete flo… --- ## [Are animals ever prescribed stimulants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-animals-ever-prescribed-stimulants/831778)
**Author:** [@Apanthro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apanthro)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2019, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-animals-ever-prescribed-stimulants/831778 "2019-03-31T20:54:14Z")
Hey everyone, new to the board. First time posting in general. I was hoping somebody could help me put a bizarre question to rest. I recently sat through a thunderstorm with my friends dog, an enormous Great Dane named … --- ## [Can a web site detect and deny an attempt to use it in an iframe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-web-site-detect-and-deny-an-attempt-to-use-it-in-an-iframe/830222)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2019, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-web-site-detect-and-deny-an-attempt-to-use-it-in-an-iframe/830222 "2019-03-31T15:56:54Z")
I built a web page for myself that uses iframes to show the schedule pages for several music venues I follow, so I can have them all on one page. Today I am getting a “refused to connect” error on one of them even though… --- ## [Bangladesh tower fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bangladesh-tower-fire/831663)
**Author:** [@dflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dflower)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2019, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bangladesh-tower-fire/831663 "2019-03-31T15:50:56Z")
Are those air conditioning compressors on the exterior of the high rise building? And why are there so many? I don’t know how they set up a tall building for HVAC in Bangladesh. Do you? --- ## [Jovian Gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jovian-gravity/831709)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2019, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jovian-gravity/831709 "2019-03-31T02:07:58Z")
So how close can one get to Jupiter before the gravity exceeds 1G? Inside the atmosphere? --- ## [Official Daily Nutritional Requirements of Adult Male](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-daily-nutritional-requirements-of-adult-male/831776)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2019, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-daily-nutritional-requirements-of-adult-male/831776 "2019-03-30T21:39:36Z")
Because of responses in a previous thread I’m going to start eating 3 cups of black beans a day for fiber to keep the stomach bugs happy. From time to time I take up a restricted diet for a limited time to learn somethi… --- ## [Do we know enough about orbital mechanics and gravity to safely move a planet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-enough-about-orbital-mechanics-and-gravity-to-safely-move-a-planet/831681)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2019, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-enough-about-orbital-mechanics-and-gravity-to-safely-move-a-planet/831681 "2019-03-30T18:17:17Z")
Leave aside how we’d move the planet. What I want to know is, if we could move, say, the Earth to a different orbit or if we wanted to chuck it right out of the solar system (or whatever), do we know enough about orbita… --- ## [Kombucha and other live probiotics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kombucha-and-other-live-probiotics/831607)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2019, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kombucha-and-other-live-probiotics/831607 "2019-03-30T18:07:47Z")
It’s been clear to me for years that I need a better population of bacteria in my gut. We don’t need to get into why. So, probiotics. I’m told yogurt has some at one point but most are killed in the pasteurization pro… --- ## [PCI compliance & CVV numbers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pci-compliance-amp-cvv-numbers/831748)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pci-compliance-amp-cvv-numbers/831748 "2019-03-30T17:51:23Z")
I’m trying to find out if merchants are required to ask for (and key in) a CVV number when handling a credit card transaction over the phone. If the merchant skips that step, do they still maintain PCI compliance? Every… --- ## [Family with inherited (from colonial times) license/warrant to fish in the Delaware River?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-with-inherited-from-colonial-times-license-warrant-to-fish-in-the-delaware-river/831764)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2019, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-with-inherited-from-colonial-times-license-warrant-to-fish-in-the-delaware-river/831764 "2019-03-30T16:06:32Z")
I vaguely recall being told, as a child, that the Treaty of Paris preserved some inheritable rights, and that there is still a family today that has permission to fish in the Delaware River by some means that otherwise w… --- ## [If station gets 0 calls one day and 1 call the next, what percentage of an increase mathematically](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-station-gets-0-calls-one-day-and-1-call-the-next-what-percentage-of-an-increase-mathematically/831678)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-station-gets-0-calls-one-day-and-1-call-the-next-what-percentage-of-an-increase-mathematically/831678 "2019-03-30T15:27:36Z")
Last year, I was listening to a radio station and the presenter said “Yesterday we got no calls to the show and today we got one call. That’s a 100% increase” and I thought “Huh that’s not right” Of course if they had on… --- ## [Chemical engineering degree vs. chemistry degree.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chemical-engineering-degree-vs-chemistry-degree/831394)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2019, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chemical-engineering-degree-vs-chemistry-degree/831394 "2019-03-30T14:27:10Z")
First off, what’s the difference between having a degree in chemical engineering vs. a degree in chemistry? Secondly, why is this duality only for chemistry? You can’t get a degree in “electricity” (which would coincide… --- ## [Has any mythological creature or phenomina been later proved real](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-mythological-creature-or-phenomina-been-later-proved-real/830643)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2019, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-mythological-creature-or-phenomina-been-later-proved-real/830643 "2019-03-30T03:02:19Z")
A lot of people believe aliens, crypt-zoological creatures and various paranormal phenomena based on anecdotal evidence that currently are believed to be mythological by the scientific community at large due to lack of … --- ## [Brexit related: could th UK cede NI to Ireland unilaterally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brexit-related-could-th-uk-cede-ni-to-ireland-unilaterally/831715)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2019, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brexit-related-could-th-uk-cede-ni-to-ireland-unilaterally/831715 "2019-03-29T22:01:29Z")
The Brexit situation started fueling crazy ideas in my head, or rather questions, that I assume have factual answers. So… Could the British government throw their hands up after all these years and tell Ireland that as … --- ## [How Dangerous is CO2 Build-Up in a Confined Space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-co2-build-up-in-a-confined-space/831638)
**Author:** [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-co2-build-up-in-a-confined-space/831638 "2019-03-29T19:52:27Z")
I work in logistics for a large clinical lab company. We routinely use dry ice (frozen CO2) for transporting frozen specimens. I recently took an annual safety training course on handling dry ice. It included warnings th… --- ## [Question regarding animal math skills](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-animal-math-skills/831548)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2019, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-animal-math-skills/831548 "2019-03-29T17:28:21Z")
Hi Is it passible to speak of an animal’s reasoned math skills (as oppose to an inherent one) and by extension, when we speak of animal culture and inherent or reasoned math skills, can we then speak of some form of p… --- ## [Could You See A 60k-Lumen Flashlight From An Airplane (say, 32k feet)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-see-a-60k-lumen-flashlight-from-an-airplane-say-32k-feet/831690)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-see-a-60k-lumen-flashlight-from-an-airplane-say-32k-feet/831690 "2019-03-29T16:12:56Z")
In this video, the host dicks around with a 32k lumen flashlight. Further research reveals that consumer models that put out 60k lumens are available, for the right price. I’m wondering if one of those could be seen by … --- ## [How Bright Can A Consumer Flashlight Get, With Current Technology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bright-can-a-consumer-flashlight-get-with-current-technology/831688)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bright-can-a-consumer-flashlight-get-with-current-technology/831688 "2019-03-29T15:12:55Z")
The world’s brightest consumer flashlight, according to this website, shines at 60k lumens. Yours for $549.00. I’ve seen YouTube videos (example) where people dick around with 32k lumen flashlights, and my god. How far… --- ## [My phone has no Internet at all](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-phone-has-no-internet-at-all/831667)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2019, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-phone-has-no-internet-at-all/831667 "2019-03-29T15:07:43Z")
My phone (an Android Moto G4) is currently on my home WiFi, and can’t connect to the Internet. The WiFi itself is working, because one of my computers has no network cables going into it, only a WiFi connection, and it’… --- ## [My bank account got cleaned out (fraudulently)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bank-account-got-cleaned-out-fraudulently/829760)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2019, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bank-account-got-cleaned-out-fraudulently/829760 "2019-03-29T11:45:49Z")
I just have a couple quick questions: On my online statement, the fraudulent transaction is listed as a “signature purchase” in Lansing, Michigan. Is a signature purchase one where a customer is physically present with … --- ## [What causes "ghost images" on iPhone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-ghost-images-on-iphone/831691)
**Author:** [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2019, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-ghost-images-on-iphone/831691 "2019-03-29T00:24:40Z")
This isn’t a problem and I don’t need answer fast ;). It’s just something I’ve noticed over the years. I have an iPhone 7+ and I’m a big fan of double tapping the home button to change between or exit applications. I’ve … --- ## [Does any organism eat human dandruff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-organism-eat-human-dandruff/831620)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2019, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-organism-eat-human-dandruff/831620 "2019-03-28T22:28:39Z")
This question comes from a weird image from a recent dream – is there any organism that specifically eats just human dandruff? --- ## [In recent years, are former U.S. military pilots able to join the major airlines directly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-recent-years-are-former-u-s-military-pilots-able-to-join-the-major-airlines-directly/828443)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-recent-years-are-former-u-s-military-pilots-able-to-join-the-major-airlines-directly/828443 "2019-03-28T17:09:18Z")
I was talking to a friend last night who was in the Air Force academy with a pilot slot, but lost it due to a minor medical issue. He’s about to start work at a regional airline and has to do about 5 years there to rack… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=476) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=478)