# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=483 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 484 --- ## [How good is the Michel Thomas method for learning languages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-the-michel-thomas-method-for-learning-languages/818398)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2019, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-the-michel-thomas-method-for-learning-languages/818398 "2019-03-09T02:36:43Z")
I learned French and Spanish in high school in Canada, then studied both these languages in university. This helped me to learn English grammar and to learn other languages at a basic level. I’ve learned a few language… --- ## [Car windows are always fogging up!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-windows-are-always-fogging-up/830235)
**Author:** [@cornopean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornopean)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2019, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-windows-are-always-fogging-up/830235 "2019-03-09T02:19:52Z")
I have this strange issue in my 2007 Impala. The car windows are always fogging up like crazy. It’s so bad some mornings that I have my defroster on high and I am still peering through a 8 inch hole on my windshield. … --- ## [Is there a name for this type of fence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-type-of-fence/485904)
**Author:** [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-type-of-fence/485904 "2009-02-15T16:08:39Z")
In the last hours of writing a zoning code, I just noticed a style of fence that I’ve only seen in the Austin area, although it may exist elsewhere. It has a wood frame, and a mesh of thick woven wire. Is there a formal … --- ## [Inheritance of British noble titles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inheritance-of-british-noble-titles/829947)
**Author:** [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2019, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inheritance-of-british-noble-titles/829947 "2019-03-08T19:48:36Z")
So I’m finally getting around to watching “Downton Abbey”. One of the major story arcs concerns an English nobleman who has no close male relatives to inherit his title, raising the possibility that his estate will go to… --- ## [Screen protector laid over broken smartphone glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screen-protector-laid-over-broken-smartphone-glass/830736)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screen-protector-laid-over-broken-smartphone-glass/830736 "2019-03-08T19:45:35Z")
Dropped my LGV30 and was told the glass screen would cost $200+ to replace. Wonder if it would work to just put a screen protector over the entire glass screen as a giant tape to hold it together? The screen still regist… --- ## [Can a sentence a judge hands down for a crime be appealed as too lenient?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-sentence-a-judge-hands-down-for-a-crime-be-appealed-as-too-lenient/830740)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-sentence-a-judge-hands-down-for-a-crime-be-appealed-as-too-lenient/830740 "2019-03-08T18:02:35Z")
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was sentenced to 47 months in prison. According to this article the, “Federal sentencing guidelines call for 19 to 24 years for the crimes Manafort was convicted of, but the … --- ## [A disappointing 20,000 jobs added in February.... how is that possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-disappointing-20-000-jobs-added-in-february-how-is-that-possible/830779)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2019, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-disappointing-20-000-jobs-added-in-february-how-is-that-possible/830779 "2019-03-08T18:01:48Z")
According to this article, January saw over 300,000 jobs added. February was expected to add 180,000 jobs. But we only got 20,000. That seems less like a disappointing month and more like something is hinky with the num… --- ## [How can I remove Powelik and Adclicker trojans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-remove-powelik-and-adclicker-trojans/700843)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2019, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-remove-powelik-and-adclicker-trojans/700843 "2019-03-08T10:48:41Z")
I keep getting attacked by the Powelik Trojan and a minute or so later by the Adclicker Trojan. After the attack my computer is slows to almost to a stop and I have to shut down and restart. I have run Norton several t… --- ## [Warships on shore leave; how many crew on leave at a time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warships-on-shore-leave-how-many-crew-on-leave-at-a-time/830675)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2019, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warships-on-shore-leave-how-many-crew-on-leave-at-a-time/830675 "2019-03-08T10:04:58Z")
When an aircraft carrier docks at, say, Japan and the crew go on shore leave, do they have to take turns by position so that at any given moment the carrier has enough engineers, pilots, mechanics, etc. on board? --- ## [Computer Gurus: What Does This Message Mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-gurus-what-does-this-message-mean/830701)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2019, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-gurus-what-does-this-message-mean/830701 "2019-03-08T07:55:04Z")
What can you tell me about when or why one’s browser returns the following message after entering a “https” URL that I know is valid and secure? “Certificate error: There is a problem with this website’s security certif… --- ## [Question regarding the meaning of A\*AA score for Oxford University](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-meaning-of-a-aa-score-for-oxford-university/830735)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2019, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-meaning-of-a-aa-score-for-oxford-university/830735 "2019-03-08T06:36:39Z")
Hi I’ve been reading about entrance requirements for Computer Science at Oxford University. I came across the following. AAA with the A in Maths, Further Maths or Computing/Computer Science Please explain the AAA t… --- ## [Question on-Statute of Limitations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-statute-of-limitations/830599)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2019, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-statute-of-limitations/830599 "2019-03-08T06:31:31Z")
A recent report on the Me, Too movement mentioned the possibility of extending the statute of limitations on crimes of abuse of women, from, say, five years to twenty years, This would permit criminal prosecution against… --- ## [Are tulpas real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-tulpas-real/830689)
**Author:** [@yellow\_sausage\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellow_sausage_bandit)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2019, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-tulpas-real/830689 "2019-03-08T03:25:18Z")
So Tulpas are a concept from Buddhism, basically objects/companions created through meditation. 4channers discovered it 10 years ago and started using the same techniques to create imaginary girlfriends/companions which … --- ## [Are other marsupials as poor transmission vectors as the New World opossum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-other-marsupials-as-poor-transmission-vectors-as-the-new-world-opossum/830728)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-other-marsupials-as-poor-transmission-vectors-as-the-new-world-opossum/830728 "2019-03-07T23:01:56Z")
It’s well documented that the rabies virus does rather poorly in the opossum, commonly believed that the rabies virus does not thrive well in the somewhat lower body temperature. The info on other marsupials is less obv… --- ## [Is it OK to pick up Bird Scooters in your car and move to another location to use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-pick-up-bird-scooters-in-your-car-and-move-to-another-location-to-use/821773)
**Author:** [@Mesquite-oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mesquite-oh)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2019, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-pick-up-bird-scooters-in-your-car-and-move-to-another-location-to-use/821773 "2019-03-07T19:55:12Z")
Is it OK to pick up Bird Scooters (rental scooters that you rent through an app) in your car and move to another location to use, or is that stealing for borrowing them without paying the company for rental time? Althou… --- ## [Clarification on soap-making procedure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-on-soap-making-procedure/830696)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2019, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-on-soap-making-procedure/830696 "2019-03-07T18:52:43Z")
The ounces here are weights, right? Except that it asks for 2 ounces of lavender oil, which is a liquid, and is 60ml, which sounds like waaaaay too much. Is there an implied change in the use of the term “ounce” here? --- ## [Best way to cut thick metal pipe.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-cut-thick-metal-pipe/655608)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-cut-thick-metal-pipe/655608 "2019-03-07T18:10:35Z")
What’s the best way to cut thick metal pipe, say 2-3", without getting into anything too exotic like acetylene torches. I tried a Sawzall with a metal blade, and it worked, but it wore out the blade with one pass and bla… --- ## [Why was Queen Elizabeth I considered 'technically' illegitimate despite the Third Succession Act ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-queen-elizabeth-i-considered-technically-illegitimate-despite-the-third-succession-act/830425)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-queen-elizabeth-i-considered-technically-illegitimate-despite-the-third-succession-act/830425 "2019-03-07T17:56:14Z")
Hi Why was Queen Elizabeth I considered ‘technically’ illegitimate as queen, despite the Third Succession Act restoring her to the line of succession to the throne? I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Looking at (non-weapon) nuclear reactions: Bright enough light to blind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-at-non-weapon-nuclear-reactions-bright-enough-light-to-blind/830473)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-at-non-weapon-nuclear-reactions-bright-enough-light-to-blind/830473 "2019-03-07T16:36:31Z")
Question about nuclear reactions (such as those inside a nuclear reactor, or the kind when a plutonium core is accidentally allowed to go critical, as happened in some 1950s fatal accidents): Is there a lot of light emit… --- ## [What is a "p\*\*\*"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-p/830523)
**Author:** [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-p/830523 "2019-03-07T15:34:54Z")
I just came across this story: They say part of the racial abuse was the British woman called her formerly South African neighbour “a p\*\*\*” I understand the f\*\*\* that they use later, but I’m baffled by a p\*\*\*. I thou… --- ## [Dog Nutrician Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-nutrician-question/830659)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2019, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-nutrician-question/830659 "2019-03-07T13:50:17Z")
When we have left over beef, usually steak, we will cut up a couple of ounces and mix it in with our dog’s regular dry dog food. We"ll do the same with chicken. In doing so, we do not include any fat or skin. Neither … --- ## [How Much Wold Alcatraz Island (Developed) Be Worth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-wold-alcatraz-island-developed-be-worth/571240)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-wold-alcatraz-island-developed-be-worth/571240 "2019-03-06T18:20:50Z")
I was watching a travel show, which featured a trip to Alcatraz. The old prison looks like its in bad shape, and I cannot nderstand why people are interested in touring it. It is jst an old jail, with peeling paint and … --- ## [A question about retitement insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-retitement-insurance/830479)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-retitement-insurance/830479 "2019-03-06T18:13:37Z")
Insurance Queston With TIAA, and I assume other companies offering retirement accounts, you have money in a pool made up of your contributions and interest they have warned. You have the option, which many people take,… --- ## [2 grapes + microwave = plazma?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-grapes-microwave-plazma/830545)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2019, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-grapes-microwave-plazma/830545 "2019-03-06T14:42:33Z")
Can you make the 4th state of matter in your microwave? I am trying this the second I get home, but even if I get the same results as the video I was wondering if that glow is really plasma. --- ## [audiophiles: why do receivers/amplifiers not use RCA jacks for speakers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audiophiles-why-do-receivers-amplifiers-not-use-rca-jacks-for-speakers/830510)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2019, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audiophiles-why-do-receivers-amplifiers-not-use-rca-jacks-for-speakers/830510 "2019-03-06T00:06:29Z")
I had occasion today to dismantle my primary audio equipment. Detaching the usual number of RCA plugs for phono, tape, AUX-in I also detached the wire-wrapped speaker wires. Even back in 1974, when I purchased this rece… --- ## [Mixed recycling gets compacted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mixed-recycling-gets-compacted/828638)
**Author:** [@LiveFree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveFree)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2019, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mixed-recycling-gets-compacted/828638 "2019-03-05T22:38:52Z")
My local transfer station collects ALL recycling materials in the same place. AND THEN gets compacted so that it can be trucked away to the recycling facility. Cardboard, paper, cans, glass, etc. How is it even possib… --- ## [Drain in bathtub doesn't work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drain-in-bathtub-doesnt-work/830446)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2019, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drain-in-bathtub-doesnt-work/830446 "2019-03-05T19:29:49Z")
I have an old-fashioned trip-lever drain stopper that uses a lift-bucket plunger. (Looks like this.) You flip the lever up to keep the tub from draining and push it down to drain the water. Over the last few weeks the d… --- ## [My girlfriend and my computer are paired. How did this happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-girlfriend-and-my-computer-are-paired-how-did-this-happen/830509)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-girlfriend-and-my-computer-are-paired-how-did-this-happen/830509 "2019-03-05T18:40:24Z")
I bought a refurbished computer. I picked it up on the way to my girlfriends so hers was the first network that I sign on to for WiFi. Everything worked great except that her internet bookmarks show up on my computer … --- ## [Help me remember - weird bug with a weird name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-remember-weird-bug-with-a-weird-name/830268)
**Author:** [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-remember-weird-bug-with-a-weird-name/830268 "2019-03-05T18:25:52Z")
I am racking my brain trying to remember the name for this bug. It’s a harmless, but reasonably big insect, with sort of long, bent, pincher arms, and kind of a flat body. The name is something cutesy, like reminds me of… --- ## [The ins and outs of NDAs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ins-and-outs-of-ndas/830529)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2019, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ins-and-outs-of-ndas/830529 "2019-03-05T18:06:42Z")
Inspired by this article in The Atlantic: The History Behind the NDAs Trump Wants to Weaponize - The Atlantic (which I only skimmed) I was wondering what a typical “punishment” would be if someone were to break an NDA. H… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=482) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=484)