# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=482 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 483 --- ## [Email Client help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-client-help/831031)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2019, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-client-help/831031 "2019-03-12T21:56:48Z")
I’ve been using Thunderbird for years to have an offline storage of my Gmail emails. Thunderbird has been playing up and freezing a lot lately so I’m trying to replace it. For some reason there doesn’t appear to be an ea… --- ## [Engine braking & cruise control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engine-braking-cruise-control/830873)
**Author:** [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2019, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engine-braking-cruise-control/830873 "2019-03-12T20:22:05Z")
When you engage the cruise control on a car, and then the road becomes downhill, the car usually shifts down and uses engine braking to maintain speed, correct? So if there’s a sign that says “Engine Braking Prohibited,… --- ## [Must I use a switched HDMI splitter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-i-use-a-switched-hdmi-splitter/830966)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2019, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-i-use-a-switched-hdmi-splitter/830966 "2019-03-12T19:13:43Z")
I have three devices that I’d like to input to my TV. The TV has only two HDMI input slots. I figured I could simply get some sort of splitter that would accept two inputs for one of those slots. (The cable system goe… --- ## [Basic Electrical Wiring Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-electrical-wiring-question/830981)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2019, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-electrical-wiring-question/830981 "2019-03-12T04:28:24Z")
I had to relocate the microwave (and the cart on which it sits) to the next room for a day or two while we have the kitchen flooring redone by an experienced friend. My wife still needs to use the microwave rated at 14.0… --- ## [law question: what does "It is the policy of the state" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-question-what-does-it-is-the-policy-of-the-state-mean/830856)
**Author:** [@Roadfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roadfood)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-question-what-does-it-is-the-policy-of-the-state-mean/830856 "2019-03-11T23:16:33Z")
I ran across this California law, and I’m wondering what its effect actually is. I’m assuming that “It is the policy of the state” does not carry the same weight as saying that something is unlawful, right? So is it basi… --- ## [Skills for rebuilding a Tesla](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skills-for-rebuilding-a-tesla/830811)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skills-for-rebuilding-a-tesla/830811 "2019-03-11T20:58:19Z")
I’m assuming some skills similar to ICE car rebuilding and some completely different. So if I wanted to rebuild a Tesla from a junkyard what skills will I need? --- ## [Why Doesn't Congress Subpoena Trump's Tax Docs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-congress-subpoena-trumps-tax-docs/830723)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-congress-subpoena-trumps-tax-docs/830723 "2019-03-11T17:57:33Z")
I am no political scientist, so can someone explain why Congress is not (or, cannot?) subpoena Trump’s taxes for the last seven years? And, if Congress could if they wanted, why is there all this pussyfooting around? --- ## [Did Tesla predict the smartphone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-tesla-predict-the-smartphone/716220)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2015, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-tesla-predict-the-smartphone/716220 "2015-04-07T00:09:33Z")
Vala Afshar tweeted a quote attributed to Nikola Tesla: Before I start bringing this quote into conversations, I want to confirm it’s true. It appears to be taken from When Woman is Boss, an interview with John B. Ken… --- ## [Looking for a definition for "totally wired".](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-totally-wired/830950)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-totally-wired/830950 "2019-03-11T17:08:48Z")
Hi I just came across the following expression in an MSNBC broadcast. Richard Haas (?) talking about a future summit at Maralago between Trump and Xi Jing Ping 4.10 minutes into the video. I don’t know if its a common … --- ## [Question about Jussie's boys](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-jussies-boys/830264)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-jussies-boys/830264 "2019-03-11T16:24:11Z")
Do Jussie Smollett’s accomplices/the Osundairo brothers get to keep the $3,500? --- ## [Trying to distinguish between coup d'état, usurpation and revolution.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-distinguish-between-coup-detat-usurpation-and-revolution/830746)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-distinguish-between-coup-detat-usurpation-and-revolution/830746 "2019-03-11T15:19:55Z")
Hi, I know there are differences between coup d’état, usurpation and revolution, but dictionary definitions don’t make these distinctions very clear and may not be to everyone’s satisfaction. From my reading a coup d’ét… --- ## [Did Archimedes really reject Aristarchus's heliocentric model?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-archimedes-really-reject-aristarchuss-heliocentric-model/830894)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-archimedes-really-reject-aristarchuss-heliocentric-model/830894 "2019-03-11T14:49:59Z")
Hi I always assumed that Archimedes had rejected/dismissed Aristarchus’s heliocentric model and favored, like most scientists/naturalists of the day, the geocentric model . I recently came across websites casting doubt … --- ## [Screen Savers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screen-savers/830931)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screen-savers/830931 "2019-03-11T13:25:51Z")
My desktop came with Win 10 on it. Win 10 comes with some screen savers. I’ve found another I want to add to the folder with the Win scr files. But I cannot find any scr or screensaver files. So what I want to know is wh… --- ## [USB-C Female to Micro USB adapter, possible? Safe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-c-female-to-micro-usb-adapter-possible-safe/830774)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-c-female-to-micro-usb-adapter-possible-safe/830774 "2019-03-11T11:25:56Z")
My next phone will have a USB-C adapter. Currently, my phone and all of my devices are Micro USB (e-book, head phones, Bluetooth speakers, etc.). So, I have tons of Micro cables everywhere – I plan on buying a bunch of… --- ## [Maximum power draw through a 6 AWG copper line](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-power-draw-through-a-6-awg-copper-line/830860)
**Author:** [@CanTak3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanTak3)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-power-draw-through-a-6-awg-copper-line/830860 "2019-03-11T03:39:09Z")
I live in the U.S. I have a NEMA 14-50 outlet in my garage. The wiring in my wall is 6 AWG copper stranded. I have been trying to calculate the maximum load I can safely run through these wires. The formula I see online… --- ## [Diego Garcia base: what are these rectangular holes in the coral for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diego-garcia-base-what-are-these-rectangular-holes-in-the-coral-for/677075)
**Author:** [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diego-garcia-base-what-are-these-rectangular-holes-in-the-coral-for/677075 "2019-03-11T03:33:12Z")
I was looking at aerial images of the US base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean on Google Maps and noticed lots of quite regular rectangular holes seemingly cut/blasted out of the coral just off shore. \[utl=http://goo.… --- ## [What is this type of door lock called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-type-of-door-lock-called/830823)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-type-of-door-lock-called/830823 "2019-03-11T01:57:13Z")
One of our restrooms at work is a unisex bathroom with 1 toilet and a sink, no stall. The door handle is permanently locked and you need a key to get in. On the inside there is a button on the door handle. When pushed a… --- ## [What Is This Feature On A Ship (Hole At The Bow That Dumps Water)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-feature-on-a-ship-hole-at-the-bow-that-dumps-water/830828)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2019, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-feature-on-a-ship-hole-at-the-bow-that-dumps-water/830828 "2019-03-11T00:07:08Z")
You can see an example in this video (I’ve set the timer so you’ll see it right when you click the link, no need to fast-forward). Is it the wastewater dump? --- ## [A Bajoran Carrying a Human Child: Cross Species Gestation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bajoran-carrying-a-human-child-cross-species-gestation/830634)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2019, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bajoran-carrying-a-human-child-cross-species-gestation/830634 "2019-03-10T11:38:29Z")
OK, hold on here. Last night I was blowing up potatoes with fireworks and got some up my nose. I sneezed many, many times following that. For the record, exploded potato mixed with gunpowder is downright caustic. So,… --- ## [Co-signing on a mortgage on a house I'm already on the title for.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-signing-on-a-mortgage-on-a-house-im-already-on-the-title-for/830813)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2019, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-signing-on-a-mortgage-on-a-house-im-already-on-the-title-for/830813 "2019-03-10T05:11:56Z")
My father owns a townhouse.Apparently he put myself and my sister’s names on the title so it won’t have to go through probate. There’s an existing mortgage on the house. Today he approached me about wanting to refinance … --- ## [Q re. House of Representatives and a de-populated state](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-re-house-of-representatives-and-a-de-populated-state/830834)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-re-house-of-representatives-and-a-de-populated-state/830834 "2019-03-10T01:17:16Z")
In Congress, each state will have a number of representatives based upon that state’s population. Suppose during the next census, a state is found to have a significant enough number of people who “left”…died, moved to … --- ## [Ex-smoker;s chance of getting cancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-smoker-s-chance-of-getting-cancer/823640)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2019, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-smoker-s-chance-of-getting-cancer/823640 "2019-03-10T00:02:15Z")
I have often read that ten years after a heavy smoker gives up smoking his chance of getting cancer is (on average, of course) half of what it was when he smoked. But I have never seen an estimate of the chance that smo… --- ## [Is Moving Money Between Multiple Accounts Likely to Get Flagged/Investigated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-moving-money-between-multiple-accounts-likely-to-get-flagged-investigated/830764)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2019, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-moving-money-between-multiple-accounts-likely-to-get-flagged-investigated/830764 "2019-03-09T23:47:09Z")
Suppose you move an amount of money - over $10K - from Account A to Account B and then to Account C (accounts are at 3 different financial institutions) within a few days. Your reasons are entirely benign (having to do w… --- ## [Why Were The Rosenbergs Executed By New York State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-the-rosenbergs-executed-by-new-york-state/830552)
**Author:** [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2019, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-the-rosenbergs-executed-by-new-york-state/830552 "2019-03-09T18:36:09Z")
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of the federal crime of espionage. They were executed for that crime by the State of New York at Sing Sing prison. Why weren’t the Rosenbergs executed by the federal government… --- ## [Internet connection speed question (looking for advanced help)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-speed-question-looking-for-advanced-help/830826)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2019, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-speed-question-looking-for-advanced-help/830826 "2019-03-09T14:27:06Z")
Preface: I have worked in IT support for over 25 years, so assume I have already done the “standard” checking… (but keep me honest…) I recently upgraded my home internet service to 200 MB. I use a desktop computer in my… --- ## [Elevator buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elevator-buttons/830722)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2019, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elevator-buttons/830722 "2019-03-09T07:22:35Z")
So in the elevators in our office, there are the typical buttons that you normally see in most elevators. I’m curious if anyone knows the differences between ones that are used to either close or open the doors. I norm… --- ## [Question about home owner/renters insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-home-owner-renters-insurance/830778)
**Author:** [@justmeetee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justmeetee)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2019, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-home-owner-renters-insurance/830778 "2019-03-09T06:34:33Z")
I’m retired and live on social security only, so in other words, tight budget. I own a 50x10 mobile home that is in a trailer park. The assessed value is only $3000. But the contents of the house and garage are in the ne… --- ## [What is this valley in Arizona?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-valley-in-arizona/830725)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2019, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-valley-in-arizona/830725 "2019-03-09T05:27:00Z")
As seen here. First of all: does anyone know its name? I’m asking here because I don’t even know what to Google for. Anyone know its geology? – It doesn’t look erosional because there are several places where the elev… --- ## [How is a human corpse brought through the airport onto a flight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-human-corpse-brought-through-the-airport-onto-a-flight/830243)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2019, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-human-corpse-brought-through-the-airport-onto-a-flight/830243 "2019-03-09T03:30:16Z")
Hi What are the individual steps taken by someone who wants to escort human remains/a corpse onto a commercial airliner? I’ve never seen caskets brought through the front doors of an airport. How are they actually broug… --- ## [What happens with your law enforcement DNA test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-with-your-law-enforcement-dna-test/830812)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2019, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-with-your-law-enforcement-dna-test/830812 "2019-03-09T03:27:27Z")
Say you are a witness or person of interest, but not arrested, in a criminal case and volunteer to take a DNA test. What happens to the test results after the test shows that you are clearly not involved in the crime?… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=481) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=483)