# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=488 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 489 --- ## [Why do web sites (computer) = separate apps (cell phone)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-web-sites-computer-separate-apps-cell-phone/829720)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-web-sites-computer-separate-apps-cell-phone/829720 "2019-02-21T01:14:50Z")
On the computer, I have one application (aka “program”, “executable”), a web browser, that suffices for any and all web sites I choose to point it at. When smartphones came onto the scene, “apps” were made available by … --- ## [How are password managers (e.g., Dashlane) different than what is built into Chrome for free?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-password-managers-e-g-dashlane-different-than-what-is-built-into-chrome-for-free/829913)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-password-managers-e-g-dashlane-different-than-what-is-built-into-chrome-for-free/829913 "2019-02-21T00:15:21Z")
As an example, Dashlane offers a subscription version for $5/month to manage unlimited passwords on unlimited devices (free version includes one device), with auto form and payment autofill. Chrome does all that for free… --- ## [Scoring anagrams of different lengths](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scoring-anagrams-of-different-lengths/829880)
**Author:** [@Johnegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnegee)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scoring-anagrams-of-different-lengths/829880 "2019-02-20T22:39:51Z")
February 20, 2019 I have a thinking problem that my own personal thinker can’t seem to solve. I’ve spent way too many hours playing with various simple formulas and I am still unsatisfied, so I’m turning to y’all for h… --- ## [Circuit breakers go bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circuit-breakers-go-bad/829856)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circuit-breakers-go-bad/829856 "2019-02-20T22:20:04Z")
For the first time in my life I’ve had a circuit breaker fail. I didn’t even know they did that. The breaker tripped, I tried resetting it but it felt “loose” and wouldn’t click into the on position, and the circuit rema… --- ## [Amazon's new Headquarters--what do 25 thousand people do there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-new-headquarters-what-do-25-thousand-people-do-there/829641)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-new-headquarters-what-do-25-thousand-people-do-there/829641 "2019-02-20T21:45:49Z")
Amazon is in the news a lot today because they’re abandoning New York, and there is much debate about how much NY is losing/gaining by not having 25000 new jobs. So I got thinking—why does Amazon need 25000 people in it… --- ## [Failure rates of antilock break systems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failure-rates-of-antilock-break-systems/378910)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failure-rates-of-antilock-break-systems/378910 "2019-02-20T18:20:42Z")
A friend of a friend (so I may not have all the details correct) recently hit someone who slammed on her breaks in front of him on the highway. He slammed on his breaks as well, but the ABS did not engage. He didn’t he… --- ## [Cell phone Question - Europe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-question-europe/829870)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-question-europe/829870 "2019-02-20T17:27:13Z")
We’re off to Europe in May. Three days in Barcelona and a week in Normandy. If I want to maintain the ability to receive and send calls and text messages while I’m there what’s the best/simplest way to make it happen? --- ## [Chimpanzee's closest relative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chimpanzees-closest-relative/829586)
**Author:** [@EmbarrassingDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmbarrassingDad)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chimpanzees-closest-relative/829586 "2019-02-20T15:53:51Z")
I often hear it’s humans, but what about bonobos? Surely they are more closely related, or are they actually the same species with merely differing cultures? --- ## [exit tax/fee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exit-tax-fee/829790)
**Author:** [@fedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exit-tax-fee/829790 "2019-02-20T13:39:54Z")
does Jamaica still have entrance and exit tax or fee? --- ## [Water Fluoridation Good? What else could we add?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-fluoridation-good-what-else-could-we-add/818662)
**Author:** [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-fluoridation-good-what-else-could-we-add/818662 "2019-02-20T11:21:00Z")
I believe it’s generally accepted that adding fluoride to drinking water is generally a good thing; it helps with dental health and the mild mind control effects help to keep a society peaceful. What I’m curious about t… --- ## [Do matches now have less sulfur now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-matches-now-have-less-sulfur-now/829771)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-matches-now-have-less-sulfur-now/829771 "2019-02-20T06:19:33Z")
This is in the US. I buy matches from Costco. The brand name is Diamond, which you can buy in other stores too. I notice that my recent batch smells less sulfurous than the previous. A change in formulation, or am I … --- ## [How long does it take for the body's blood to completely clot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-for-the-bodys-blood-to-completely-clot/829852)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-for-the-bodys-blood-to-completely-clot/829852 "2019-02-20T04:42:49Z")
No. I don’t need an answer fast. Watching a murder mystery show where the killer takes a chainsaw to his latest already dead victim, and my dad and I comment on the bloody mess that would result. My stepmum says that if… --- ## [The Holy Platter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-holy-platter/829770)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-holy-platter/829770 "2019-02-20T01:59:54Z")
There are many legends about the cup Jesus drank from during The Last Supper(aka the Holy Grail), but are they any about the platter the bread sat on? While the wine in the cup represented his blood, the bread on the pl… --- ## [Second hand weed smoke and driving](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-hand-weed-smoke-and-driving/829750)
**Author:** [@HowSoonIsThen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HowSoonIsThen)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-hand-weed-smoke-and-driving/829750 "2019-02-20T01:21:10Z")
If this turns into a debate, by all means move it to another forum, but at this point I’m really just after a simple (if possible) answer. Suppose marijuana is legal where I am and I’m walking to my car past a large gro… --- ## [Why is UK so cautious about electrical sockets and wiring?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-uk-so-cautious-about-electrical-sockets-and-wiring/829309)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2019, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-uk-so-cautious-about-electrical-sockets-and-wiring/829309 "2019-02-20T01:00:54Z")
Why does British culture treat electrical outlets as so incredibly dangerous? Is there some historical reason, or is it just part of the general European health and safety culture? (“health and safety” is sort of like t… --- ## [A Plumbing Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-plumbing-question/829753)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2019, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-plumbing-question/829753 "2019-02-19T16:49:35Z")
I live in a twenty-story apartment building in a city. Because the building has a water tower on the roof water pressure is very strong and, as a result, toilets are great. They flush like jet engines, can be flusher ag… --- ## [2014 VW Jetta TPMS question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-vw-jetta-tpms-question/829791)
**Author:** [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-vw-jetta-tpms-question/829791 "2019-02-19T16:05:41Z")
Hello everyone. I am reading (and have been told) that the 2014 VW Jetta does not have a direct tire pressure monitoring system. Rather, is has an indirect tire pressure monitoring system using the ABS (anti lock break… --- ## [Are photo ids racist ? (White Balance)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-photo-ids-racist-white-balance/829506)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-photo-ids-racist-white-balance/829506 "2019-02-19T15:58:01Z")
As a person of color, I often find that my picture taken for an ID badge looks awful (lacking facial features). Reading how face detection software are preferential to white faces, I started digging up and saw this YouTu… --- ## [During a traffic stop, the officer asks permission to search my vehicle. I decline. Now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/during-a-traffic-stop-the-officer-asks-permission-to-search-my-vehicle-i-decline-now-what/828981)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2019, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/during-a-traffic-stop-the-officer-asks-permission-to-search-my-vehicle-i-decline-now-what/828981 "2019-02-19T15:24:10Z")
That’s pretty much the question. If I am stopped for some legitimate reason (speeding, busted tail light, whatever) and the officer asks for permission to search my vehicle, my first instinct is to decline. However, is… --- ## [Climate catastrophe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-catastrophe/829802)
**Author:** [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2019, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-catastrophe/829802 "2019-02-19T12:26:06Z")
There are studies which point in the direction of a true climate catastrophe, possibly involving a runaway greenhouse effect. This would be due to positive feedbacks involving the release of methane currently sequestered… --- ## [A variation on the Monty Hall Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-variation-on-the-monty-hall-problem/829772)
**Author:** [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2019, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-variation-on-the-monty-hall-problem/829772 "2019-02-19T03:43:23Z")
I was watching Lets Make a Deal this morning and this game was played: There are 7 numbers with hidden items underneath. 4 have zonks (no prize), 1 has $500, 1 has $1000, 1 has a car. You can get rid of 3 of the zonks b… --- ## [Could this climate change fix work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-this-climate-change-fix-work/829798)
**Author:** [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2019, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-this-climate-change-fix-work/829798 "2019-02-19T01:33:23Z")
Suppose we genetically modify plankton so that photosynthesis becomes more efficient. Photosynthesis is currently very inefficient. This could increase the amount of carbon deposited into the ocean sink. Of course, this … --- ## [Explain the rules, regs, protocols, etc. of saluting in the US armed forces](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-rules-regs-protocols-etc-of-saluting-in-the-us-armed-forces/829667)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2019, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-rules-regs-protocols-etc-of-saluting-in-the-us-armed-forces/829667 "2019-02-19T00:15:15Z")
Putting this in GQ, because I assume these are not matters of opinion. And I’m talking about the US armed forces, but comments re foreign armed forces of interest, too. Who salutes whom? Who doesn’t? Does a uniformed m… --- ## [Does anybody live in a house where front and back doors are in different countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-live-in-a-house-where-front-and-back-doors-are-in-different-countries/828671)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2019, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-live-in-a-house-where-front-and-back-doors-are-in-different-countries/828671 "2019-02-18T23:48:44Z")
The most likely place I can think of is RoI/UK, but could be somewhere else, just curious it there is any private residence in the world where one side is in country X and the other in country Y? due to the ease of trave… --- ## [What the heck are "Dude Eggs"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-are-dude-eggs/247712)
**Author:** [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2019, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-are-dude-eggs/247712 "2019-02-18T22:06:23Z")
I was watching Viva La Bam on MTV, and there’s a scene where they buy a jar of “Dude Eggs”, and coerce uncle Vito to eat one. When he discovers that they are labled “dude eggs”, he spits it out and claims they are human… --- ## [School districts with no public highschools -- how prevalent? (US)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-districts-with-no-public-highschools-how-prevalent-us/828885)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2019, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-districts-with-no-public-highschools-how-prevalent-us/828885 "2019-02-18T18:04:13Z")
While reading a Maine newspaper, we noticed an advertisement for George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, ME: It sound like some towns that are too small to run their own high schools use their public education funds to se… --- ## [Red Bull high diving competition question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-bull-high-diving-competition-question/829619)
**Author:** [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2019, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-bull-high-diving-competition-question/829619 "2019-02-18T17:40:56Z")
I was in a bar and the Red Bull high diving competition on was on television. They were in Columbia and the divers were jumping (27 meters, if I recall) from a platform into some harbor or natural body of water outdoors.… --- ## [Need help identifying something found with my Catholic MIL's things!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-something-found-with-my-catholic-mils-things/829296)
**Author:** [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-something-found-with-my-catholic-mils-things/829296 "2019-02-18T17:25:46Z")
I’m cleaning up some old boxes from my late mother-in-law’s house. She was a devout Catholic and I am not, and I’m having trouble figuring out what this is: … --- ## [Why no "Ring of Fire" around the Atlantic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-ring-of-fire-around-the-atlantic/829479)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2019, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-ring-of-fire-around-the-atlantic/829479 "2019-02-18T17:21:37Z")
So, there’s the ring of fire around the Pacific Ocean. Why no ring of fire around the Atlantic? What’s the difference ? --- ## [Are There Any Useless Elements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-useless-elements/829494)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-useless-elements/829494 "2019-02-18T15:53:42Z")
Are there any elements for which we have no use? Even the non-reactive noble gasses can be used in lighting elements. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=487) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=489)