# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=51 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 52 --- ## [How can I disable the right CTRL key on my Windows 11 laptop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-disable-the-right-ctrl-key-on-my-windows-11-laptop/1015882)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-disable-the-right-ctrl-key-on-my-windows-11-laptop/1015882 "2025-03-21T23:52:50Z")
I have been doing some hardware house cleaning the last few days. I had a Toshiba Satellite C-50 with a failed boot HDD and another Toshiba with a failed mainboard, but a functioning SSD. So I scavenged that laptop for t… --- ## ['You must update your apple account" --Apple won't let me get past the privacy screen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-must-update-your-apple-account-apple-wont-let-me-get-past-the-privacy-screen/1015916)
**Author:** [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-must-update-your-apple-account-apple-wont-let-me-get-past-the-privacy-screen/1015916 "2025-03-21T17:27:10Z")
Just trying to link my apple account so I can watch Apple TV. I don’t use any actual apple devices, this is through my cable box. When I try to link the subscription, it forces me to log in. Fine. But when I do, I get… --- ## [Hypothetical defense to possession of contraband](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-defense-to-possession-of-contraband/1015870)
**Author:** [@MinkMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MinkMan)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2025, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-defense-to-possession-of-contraband/1015870 "2025-03-21T16:08:02Z")
N.B. For this hypothetical legal question, assume that it takes place in California, United States. Feel free to comment with interesting facts or opinions from other jurisdictions though. Also, this is all hypothetical,… --- ## [2700 litres of water to make one T-shirt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2700-litres-of-water-to-make-one-t-shirt/1015805)
**Author:** [@SpicyDuckBillyHunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpicyDuckBillyHunt)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2025, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2700-litres-of-water-to-make-one-t-shirt/1015805 "2025-03-21T15:09:46Z")
I saw an article saying we should stop buying clothes because of the water wasted. A search showed many websites giving this same figure of 2700 litres to produce one T-shirt. Red flag to me. Does anyone have any real d… --- ## [What's this thing that came out of my toilet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-thing-that-came-out-of-my-toilet/1015534)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2025, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-thing-that-came-out-of-my-toilet/1015534 "2025-03-21T02:01:17Z")
So my toilet had a block and I reached in as far as I could and this came out. It’s like a circle of flexible and somewhat s… --- ## [Comparing Internet Reviews More Accurately with Mathematics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-internet-reviews-more-accurately-with-mathematics/1015653)
**Author:** [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-internet-reviews-more-accurately-with-mathematics/1015653 "2025-03-20T23:15:00Z")
Nowadays, it’s become routine for all of us to compare google/amazon/tripadvisor/whatever reviews before making a purchase or choosing a restaurant/hotel. Usually, these reviews are on a scale from one star to five, wit… --- ## [Repotting a Boston fern](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repotting-a-boston-fern/1015888)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repotting-a-boston-fern/1015888 "2025-03-20T22:56:05Z")
I rescued a Boston fern in very bad shape our next door neighbors left in the driveway. I moved it to a larger pot, it was quite root bound. Is this root mass from the single plant, or did it divide into many plants? S… --- ## [What mental health issues can be diagnosed by neurological scans or blood tests, as opposed to mental health questionnaires](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mental-health-issues-can-be-diagnosed-by-neurological-scans-or-blood-tests-as-opposed-to-mental-health-questionnaires/1015827)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2025, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mental-health-issues-can-be-diagnosed-by-neurological-scans-or-blood-tests-as-opposed-to-mental-health-questionnaires/1015827 "2025-03-20T21:29:35Z")
It seems to me that most mental illnesses are diagnosed because a mental health professional asks them questions to identify symptoms to narrow down a diagnosis. Are there other ways to test for mental illness like bloo… --- ## [Liquid pressure differential gage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-pressure-differential-gage/1015221)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-pressure-differential-gage/1015221 "2025-03-20T21:03:43Z")
Going to make a little pressure differential gage for measuring low air pressures ( below 2" - and +) I will be using clear plastic hose with no vent. I would like it to express itself over a longer distance than would … --- ## [Has the "cell phone at gas pump = disaster" warning been debunked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-cell-phone-at-gas-pump-disaster-warning-been-debunked/1015610)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2025, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-cell-phone-at-gas-pump-disaster-warning-been-debunked/1015610 "2025-03-20T12:42:15Z")
About to gas up, and i need to make a call. Is it safe? --- ## [Cruise ships: Why does the ship gather your bags and then deliver to your room?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruise-ships-why-does-the-ship-gather-your-bags-and-then-deliver-to-your-room/1015466)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2025, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruise-ships-why-does-the-ship-gather-your-bags-and-then-deliver-to-your-room/1015466 "2025-03-20T05:15:37Z")
I have not been on many cruises (one really) but I have watched videos and it seems passengers always give up their bags when embarking and then staff delivers them to your room a bit later. That seems a lot of work for… --- ## [Are there any places in the world that drive on the same side of the car and the road?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-in-the-world-that-drive-on-the-same-side-of-the-car-and-the-road/1015752)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2025, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-in-the-world-that-drive-on-the-same-side-of-the-car-and-the-road/1015752 "2025-03-19T22:46:43Z")
I know that I’m the USVI, traffic is on the left side of the road because reasons, but since they’re part of the US, their cars are intended for the American market. Viz, both steering wheel and traffic are on the left. … --- ## [What day of the week was the Ides of March, 44BC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-day-of-the-week-was-the-ides-of-march-44bc/206164)
**Author:** [@refusal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/refusal)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-day-of-the-week-was-the-ides-of-march-44bc/206164 "2025-03-19T22:08:28Z")
I know the Ides was 15th March, but I was idly wondering what day of the week Julius Caesar was killed. (I’m assuming this date is in the Julian Calendar, which was introduced in 45 BC.) I did a cursory web search, but… --- ## [Tell Me About "Green Card Holders"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-green-card-holders/1015671)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2025, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-green-card-holders/1015671 "2025-03-19T05:38:11Z")
So the Immigration people arrested a student from Columbia University. It seem the Powers That Be did not like his activities relating to protests on campus. Much is being made that he is married to an American, has a ch… --- ## [Explain Dry Water To me- Not That Kind The Other Kind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485)
**Author:** [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2025, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485 "2025-03-19T00:08:31Z")
The first kind of dry water is made with a silicon dioxide coating. This results in micro encapsulation or something. People of my generation are familiar with the use of micro encapsulation in Scratch N Sniff stickers. … --- ## [What would have actually happened to the gold in the "Goldfinger" scenario?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-actually-happened-to-the-gold-in-the-goldfinger-scenario/1014889)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2025, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-actually-happened-to-the-gold-in-the-goldfinger-scenario/1014889 "2025-03-18T23:49:56Z")
Assume a very small nuke is set off in the Fort Knox vault. It really isn’t very deep so I don’t think the explosion would be contained underground like the real underground bomb tests. Would the gold be vaporized and be… --- ## [Will a German copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements display menus, etc, in English? Will I have other problems running it in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-german-copy-of-adobe-photoshop-elements-display-menus-etc-in-english-will-i-have-other-problems-running-it-in-the-us/1015790)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-german-copy-of-adobe-photoshop-elements-display-menus-etc-in-english-will-i-have-other-problems-running-it-in-the-us/1015790 "2025-03-18T21:19:47Z")
I can buy a new, unregistered copy of the edition of Photoshop Elements I want from Germany, but will I have any issues using it here in the US? Can I switch it to English menus, and use standard US keyboard layout? Any … --- ## [Is there a limit to how -little- a bank will finance on a car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-limit-to-how-little-a-bank-will-finance-on-a-car/1015686)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2025, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-limit-to-how-little-a-bank-will-finance-on-a-car/1015686 "2025-03-18T21:14:32Z")
Let’s say Joe Buyer has his eyes on a $20k car. He’s emptied his savings account, pulled all the cash out from under his mattress, scrounged up loose change, etc. He has $19k, and the dealer won’t come down on the price.… --- ## ["Gap" insurance for policy not owned by me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gap-insurance-for-policy-not-owned-by-me/1015723)
**Author:** [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2025, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gap-insurance-for-policy-not-owned-by-me/1015723 "2025-03-18T04:26:24Z")
I’m not sure that factual questions is the right place - mods, please move if I’ve landed wrong. So, I own a condo and the condo community is in a flood zone. The Association carries flood insurance for the structures.… --- ## [Does Martin Eberhard have the second Tesla Roadster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-martin-eberhard-have-the-second-tesla-roadster/1015552)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2025, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-martin-eberhard-have-the-second-tesla-roadster/1015552 "2025-03-18T00:02:45Z")
Continuing the discussion from An exact duplicate of the Voyager I craft passes by Earth; how close for our equipment to detect it?: With all due respect, can you support that assertion? I didn’t hear anything about it… --- ## [Parents or other relatives of intellectual or artistic prodigies: What tipped you off, and how old was the child?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-or-other-relatives-of-intellectual-or-artistic-prodigies-what-tipped-you-off-and-how-old-was-the-child/1014893)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2025, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-or-other-relatives-of-intellectual-or-artistic-prodigies-what-tipped-you-off-and-how-old-was-the-child/1014893 "2025-03-17T20:12:53Z")
I’m just curious. One of my nieces is highly intelligent (Oh, they both are, but one in particular is off the charts) and in her case, she was 8 months old and sitting in her exersaucer. My brother, her dad, said, “Bou… --- ## [Wal-Mart Equate Brand Product is "Women Owned"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-equate-brand-product-is-women-owned/1015351)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2025, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-equate-brand-product-is-women-owned/1015351 "2025-03-17T12:50:28Z")
So, I’ve been using Wal-Mart’s Everyday Clean shampoo for years now. It’s sold under their Equate brand, which according to Wikipedia is a private label store brand of Wal-Mart’s, and which they’ve owned since 1993. The… --- ## [Question about different "areas" in a home basement foundation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-different-areas-in-a-home-basement-foundation/1015446)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2025, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-different-areas-in-a-home-basement-foundation/1015446 "2025-03-17T06:05:24Z")
A new house is being built near me. Right now, the foundation is poured. It will have a full basement - with 3 “escape” windows. When I look at the foundation, it is divided into 4 separate “areas.” The main area (wi… --- ## [How do you decelerate a spaceship powered by a solar sail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-decelerate-a-spaceship-powered-by-a-solar-sail/1015643)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-decelerate-a-spaceship-powered-by-a-solar-sail/1015643 "2025-03-16T17:35:39Z")
My understanding is that one hypothetical way for a spaceship to travel to a nearby star system is a solar sail. A laser based on the earth or the moon would push a solar sail attached to a spaceship, causing it to accel… --- ## [Cincinnati Greek Chili](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-greek-chili/34219)
**Author:** [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-greek-chili/34219 "2025-03-16T16:18:58Z")
AKA “Gold Star Chili” or “Skyline Chili”. The thread about “Chicago Style” hot dogs made me think about food named for cities, and hence, this stuff. I’ve never had it, only heard accounts of it, which make me curious. … --- ## [Antimatter speculation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antimatter-speculation/1015570)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2025, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antimatter-speculation/1015570 "2025-03-16T01:14:10Z")
We have built an amazingly powerful (fast) spaceship, which we have been using to traverse the great void. We have visited most of the galaxies in our supercluster and made mundane and awesome discoveries. Now we venture… --- ## [Where could people legally immigrate to \*immediately\* after WWII?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-could-people-legally-immigrate-to-immediately-after-wwii/1015567)
**Author:** [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-could-people-legally-immigrate-to-immediately-after-wwii/1015567 "2025-03-15T19:36:44Z")
There is just tons of information on immigration (displaced persons and otherwise) from 1947 though the early 1950s and beyond. But what I’m looking for is the late 1944 (when parts of Europe were getting liberated) thr… --- ## [How did stashes of porn end up in the woods in the 1970s and 1980s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-stashes-of-porn-end-up-in-the-woods-in-the-1970s-and-1980s/511703)
**Author:** [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2009, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-stashes-of-porn-end-up-in-the-woods-in-the-1970s-and-1980s/511703 "2009-10-17T05:36:22Z")
It seems like all my friends have stories about when they were kids in the 1970s or early 1980s, they found a stash of porn magazines while exploring woods or a very large parcel of undeveloped land near their house. Me… --- ## [Human Foot Washed Up on Beach: Male or Female?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-foot-washed-up-on-beach-male-or-female/458917)
**Author:** [@A\_Man\_A\_Plan\_A\_Canal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Man_A_Plan_A_Canal)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2025, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-foot-washed-up-on-beach-male-or-female/458917 "2025-03-14T23:17:24Z")
This morning a sixth human foot was found inside a shoe washed up on a beach in Washington state somewheres. Previous feet which have washed up have been identified as having belonged to a male or female. How is this e… --- ## [Name for Irrational numbers that follow a pattern](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-irrational-numbers-that-follow-a-pattern/1015301)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-irrational-numbers-that-follow-a-pattern/1015301 "2025-03-14T16:39:51Z")
Is there a name for irrational numbers that follow a pattern (or maybe better: a rule), like 0.10110011100011110000…. or 1.357911131517…. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=50) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=52)