# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=529 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 530 --- ## [Excel/Access non-display character?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-access-non-display-character/823099)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2018, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-access-non-display-character/823099 "2018-10-18T15:39:56Z")
I need to import .csv files into Access, so I make sure there are no commas or manual line breaks in the data. But there’s one file that’s weird. When I import it into Access, some fields have double-quotes around thei… --- ## [I can open/close my eustachian tubes voluntarily - is this unusual?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-can-open-close-my-eustachian-tubes-voluntarily-is-this-unusual/83383)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2018, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-can-open-close-my-eustachian-tubes-voluntarily-is-this-unusual/83383 "2018-10-18T14:13:05Z")
I’ve been able to do it for as long as I remember (they used to offer sweets on airliners to make you swallow as the plane was ascending/descending and the act of swallowing also usually opens the tubes too, but I can ju… --- ## [Why was sound quality so poor on wax cylinders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-sound-quality-so-poor-on-wax-cylinders/822650)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2018, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-sound-quality-so-poor-on-wax-cylinders/822650 "2018-10-18T11:51:55Z")
Wax cylinder recordings had a lot of high-frequency noise ‘static’ . I think, even when new. Am I right? If so, why? --- ## [Why Don't Pencils Explode (Air Pressure)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-pencils-explode-air-pressure/823086)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2018, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-pencils-explode-air-pressure/823086 "2018-10-18T11:02:09Z")
There’s a surprising amount of air pressure, esp. the closer you are to earth. Reportedly enough to crush a steel drum. You just don’t feel it, because the pressure is the same inside and out your body. Also, things lik… --- ## [Is there a place online where I can view the weather radar image from 5 hours ago?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-place-online-where-i-can-view-the-weather-radar-image-from-5-hours-ago/595082)
**Author:** [@Pann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pann)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2018, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-place-online-where-i-can-view-the-weather-radar-image-from-5-hours-ago/595082 "2018-10-18T08:12:37Z")
I’ve found a myriad of sites that show the current radar. Most of these will also show the past hour or so in motion. But what if I want to see what the radar looked like this morning? Is there any site that does this… --- ## [Why dont banks just buy m0?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-banks-just-buy-m0/823124)
**Author:** [@mustang19](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mustang19)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2018, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-banks-just-buy-m0/823124 "2018-10-18T05:30:46Z")
Under fractional reserve banking everything comes from m0. Therefore banks could just buy m0 repeatedly and create infinite money. What stops this? Is it a specific law or just procedural things like the government block… --- ## [Life Insurance and Accidental Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-insurance-and-accidental-death/822815)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2018, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-insurance-and-accidental-death/822815 "2018-10-18T03:51:35Z")
Say a person has an implanted pacemaker/defibrillator. At some point he has a non-fatal heart issue but, due to a temporary drop in blood pressure, faints and hits his head. The heart issue straightens itself out but he… --- ## [First Dose of Heroin Free?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dose-of-heroin-free/822934)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2018, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dose-of-heroin-free/822934 "2018-10-18T02:35:08Z")
Easy one, do drug dealers traditionally give away the first dose of some gruesome drug free in order to addict new customers? --- ## [What's an Amazon sign-in code?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-amazon-sign-in-code/823070)
**Author:** [@Skyo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skyo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2018, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-amazon-sign-in-code/823070 "2018-10-17T22:57:43Z")
I just got an email from them giving me a multi-digit code number. I have no idea what they are talking about. I have always had an ID and a password which is how I sign in. Anyone else get this message? --- ## [Google Wifi Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-wifi-question/823069)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-wifi-question/823069 "2018-10-17T20:23:51Z")
Is Google Wifi, vs other products, a good way to improve connectability throughout my house? --- ## [How long computers, modem/router can withstand 45 Fahrenheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-computers-modem-router-can-withstand-45-fahrenheit/823084)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2018, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-computers-modem-router-can-withstand-45-fahrenheit/823084 "2018-10-17T15:50:34Z")
Suppose heating is out and the house has to be in 45 Fahrenheit temps indoors for a couple of days until the technician comes - how long can laptops and modems/routers survive if turned off? What if turned on? --- ## [Torque Wrench Extension - physics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/torque-wrench-extension-physics/823039)
**Author:** [@Steven\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_G)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2018, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/torque-wrench-extension-physics/823039 "2018-10-17T15:14:51Z")
Need some help in the calculation of the torque multiplication if you use an extension. I am referring to an extension that increase the length of the toque wrench AFTER to place where you normally attach a socket (not… --- ## [Google just reported a "Critical security alert" What's going on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-just-reported-a-critical-security-alert-whats-going-on/822855)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2018, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-just-reported-a-critical-security-alert-whats-going-on/822855 "2018-10-17T13:14:14Z")
I got this email from Google “Google prevented someone from signing in to your account using a non-Google app. If this wasn’t you, they know your password and you should change it immediately.” Based upon the IP addres… --- ## [Legal Hypothetical: Can the Defense "Provoke" a Mistrial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-hypothetical-can-the-defense-provoke-a-mistrial/822763)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2018, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-hypothetical-can-the-defense-provoke-a-mistrial/822763 "2018-10-17T13:04:00Z")
Here’s a legal hypothetical. Let’s say that there’s a defense lawyer, and he’s defending his client, who is accused of murder. There is some piece of evidence that the prosecution failed to disclose. Maybe they did this … --- ## [Persistent smell in bathroom sink](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persistent-smell-in-bathroom-sink/822907)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2018, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persistent-smell-in-bathroom-sink/822907 "2018-10-17T05:39:00Z")
New place, there’s a funky smell in one of the bathroom sinks coming from the overflow hole. No problem, I use the drain blaster to clear out some gunk and pour boiling water down the hole, problem solved. Only the sme… --- ## [iPhone - how do I delete photos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-how-do-i-delete-photos/775727)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-how-do-i-delete-photos/775727 "2016-12-28T18:00:03Z")
As part of my storage issue, I’m trying to delete pix from my iPhone. But when I hit delete, it says the picture will be deleted from my iCloud and related devices. But I want to take old pix off my iPhone to free up sp… --- ## [Using visas to escape Nazi murder camps.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-visas-to-escape-nazi-murder-camps/705901)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Bow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Bow)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2018, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-visas-to-escape-nazi-murder-camps/705901 "2018-10-17T03:07:56Z")
I’ve always knows about Raoul Wallenberg, and recently read about John Rabe, Chiune Sugihara, Aristides de Sousa Mendes, and other foreign dignitaries who saved tens of thousands of Jews from murder camps by issuing visa… --- ## [Downloading 26 minute instructional You Tube video to my Samsung 10.1 galaxy tablet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downloading-26-minute-instructional-you-tube-video-to-my-samsung-10-1-galaxy-tablet/823074)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downloading-26-minute-instructional-you-tube-video-to-my-samsung-10-1-galaxy-tablet/823074 "2018-10-17T00:19:15Z")
I’m going to attempt to assemble a giant 12 X 20 foot gazebo. I need a portable large screen video guide to help me figure out the instructions. How do I download the video to my tablet? --- ## [Are there any cities (or counties) other than San Francisco that offer a health insurance plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-or-counties-other-than-san-francisco-that-offer-a-health-insurance-plan/822954)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-or-counties-other-than-san-francisco-that-offer-a-health-insurance-plan/822954 "2018-10-16T23:01:46Z")
We have health insurance plans on the state and federal level of the United States like medicare, medicaid, the ACA, etc. But San Francisco has a plan called the healthy san francisco plan. It covers health insurance f… --- ## [Oldest solved cold case?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-solved-cold-case/822859)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-solved-cold-case/822859 "2018-10-16T17:44:50Z")
The oldest solved cold case was widely believed to have been the murder of Maria Ridulph, but it turned out the man they eventually found and convicted in 2012 for her murder was exonerated, released, and officially decl… --- ## [Is this false advertising?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-false-advertising/822829)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-false-advertising/822829 "2018-10-16T17:12:42Z")
Note I’m not going to stir up trouble for the local restaurant discussed below. I’m just curious. So there is a restaurant that has a sign out front that says “4 out of 5 dentists prefer our restaurant.” Now, I’m going … --- ## [Question about JFK Jr. at his dads funeral...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-jfk-jr-at-his-dads-funeral/284334)
**Author:** [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDeath_the_Mad)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2005, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-jfk-jr-at-his-dads-funeral/284334 "2005-01-13T00:16:01Z")
Just what the heck is he wearing? Everytime I see him saluting, it totally looks like he’s wearing a dress! Is it a dress, or is he wearing shorts and a puffy jacket? MtM --- ## [Low voltage DC power supplies -- how do they make them efficient?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-voltage-dc-power-supplies-how-do-they-make-them-efficient/823034)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2018, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-voltage-dc-power-supplies-how-do-they-make-them-efficient/823034 "2018-10-16T16:19:10Z")
It’s common to make DC power from AC supplies by using a transformer (if voltage change is needed) and a full wave diode bridge, often followed by capacitance and active regulator circuits. But in silicon that bridge dro… --- ## ["Automatic" Allen wrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-allen-wrench/822537)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-allen-wrench/822537 "2018-10-16T13:27:18Z")
I’m putting together a large “pre-cut”/ pre-drilled gazebo. The manufacturer enclosed an Allen Wrench, but I’ll be here all day and night using it to put together all these parts. What tool should I be using? --- ## [What kind of security do Supreme Court Justices receive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-security-do-supreme-court-justices-receive/822364)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2018, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-security-do-supreme-court-justices-receive/822364 "2018-10-16T12:14:28Z")
Supreme Court Justices wield enormous power, and often make very controversial decisions. I’d be shocked if they didn’t receive death threats. Do they have any kind of security detail protecting them? What about other Fe… --- ## [What is a stock Intel cooler 1155 compatible with?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-stock-intel-cooler-1155-compatible-with/823025)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2018, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-stock-intel-cooler-1155-compatible-with/823025 "2018-10-16T11:07:24Z")
I upgraded a year ago from a Celeron LGA 1155 to a I5 that’s also LGA 1155 and so I got 2 stock coolers, I guess that they are pretty much the exact same thing and I’m accumulating money to buy other parts, so I want to … --- ## [iPhone questions (redux)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-questions-redux/822904)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2018, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-questions-redux/822904 "2018-10-15T13:46:25Z")
My ‘iPhone questions’ thread kind of went off the rails due to my frustration with attempting to log into iCloud. (The original question had been answered.) Let me try again… Last night my iPhone’s battery was charged… --- ## [Why don't more websites charge for ad-free versions of the site?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-more-websites-charge-for-ad-free-versions-of-the-site/822881)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2018, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-more-websites-charge-for-ad-free-versions-of-the-site/822881 "2018-10-16T00:22:47Z")
One of the things I appreciate about the Dope is that I can shell out a fairly modest amount of money (IIRC, it’s $29.99 for 2 years) to not have to deal with ads. Why don’t more websites do this? As I understand it, G… --- ## [Can the POTUS fire the VPOTUS or cause him to be removed from office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-potus-fire-the-vpotus-or-cause-him-to-be-removed-from-office/822952)
**Author:** [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-potus-fire-the-vpotus-or-cause-him-to-be-removed-from-office/822952 "2018-10-15T22:33:11Z")
Lets say that Pence has a change of heart/mind/anti-psychotic meds and decides to openly oppose Trump’s policies. He describes the POTUS in terms that would make a doper blush while actively supporting the opposition par… --- ## [Muscles soreness, rest and gains](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muscles-soreness-rest-and-gains/822931)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muscles-soreness-rest-and-gains/822931 "2018-10-15T17:20:56Z")
Are there data or at least rules of thumb in terms of how long to wait until you do exercise a muscle group heavily again for best gains in terms of fitness or strength? Presumably, the sorer a muscle is, the more you s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=528) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=530)