# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=544 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 545 --- ## [Microsoft Outlook: Change font size in viewing panels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-outlook-change-font-size-in-viewing-panels/820534)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2018, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-outlook-change-font-size-in-viewing-panels/820534 "2018-09-01T04:28:59Z")
I’d like to make the font bigger in the viewing panel for my Inbox and Sent mails in Outlook; too tiny and I’m having to squint. I know I used to be able to do that, but I can’t remember how I did it. Any suggestions? … --- ## [Just found out "hair trigger" is a real thing. In what situations is it used?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-hair-trigger-is-a-real-thing-in-what-situations-is-it-used/819052)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-hair-trigger-is-a-real-thing-in-what-situations-is-it-used/819052 "2018-08-31T19:48:55Z")
It’s a real thing, metaphorically, for asingle-set trigger: A single set trigger is usually one trigger that may be fired with a conventional amount of trigger pull weight or may be “set” – usually by pushing forward on… --- ## [How do you mathematically convert a ship's displacement of water to its weight on land?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-mathematically-convert-a-ships-displacement-of-water-to-its-weight-on-land/820556)
**Author:** [@Sloe\_Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sloe_Moe)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-mathematically-convert-a-ships-displacement-of-water-to-its-weight-on-land/820556 "2018-08-31T19:22:00Z")
This assumes it’s floating on fresh water (density = 1). The only thing i can understand is Archimedes’ rule that a sinking ship’s weight is reduced by its volume x density of the water. But if the weight is less than th… --- ## [How does this candy fail happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-candy-fail-happen/820552)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-candy-fail-happen/820552 "2018-08-31T17:11:13Z")
My local surplus store had these bags of Robin Eggs for $2.99, so I stocked up a couple of months back. If you aren’t familiar with them, they are a hard candy shell surrounding a somewhat chocolate-like layer surroundin… --- ## [Turned on cooking stove, came back 2-3 minutes later....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turned-on-cooking-stove-came-back-2-3-minutes-later/820520)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2018, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turned-on-cooking-stove-came-back-2-3-minutes-later/820520 "2018-08-31T17:02:39Z")
…and the cooking flame was out. I assume this means the stove was still pumping gas into the air but it just wasn’t being ignited (doesn’t stop emitting gas just because the flame isn’t there?) I’ve opened some windows. … --- ## [Is there a good way to measure economic contributions...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-good-way-to-measure-economic-contributions/820460)
**Author:** [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-good-way-to-measure-economic-contributions/820460 "2018-08-31T14:29:37Z")
…of individual players in an established industry? Lemme 'splain. Say the city of Middlesville has a middling amount of tourism, and a middling-sized hotel industry to deal with their accomodation needs - worth about, … --- ## [Original price of a vintage East German wristwatch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-price-of-a-vintage-east-german-wristwatch/820488)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2018, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-price-of-a-vintage-east-german-wristwatch/820488 "2018-08-31T10:59:38Z")
Last year I bought a vintage automatic GUB 75 (Glashütte)Spezimatic wristwatch on eBay. It looks identical to the model shown on this page. Googling indicates that the GUB 75 series was manufactured from 1964 to 1979 o… --- ## [Why the “grandfather” paradox - time travel related](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-grandfather-paradox-time-travel-related/820452)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2018, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-grandfather-paradox-time-travel-related/820452 "2018-08-31T02:55:34Z")
In the zombie thread just bumped, Chronos says, “As for why it’s generally believed to be impossible, the classic example is the “grandfather paradox”. Suppose that I invent a time machine, and go back in time to before … --- ## [Who was the North Vietnamese general that Carlos Hathcock shot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-north-vietnamese-general-that-carlos-hathcock-shot/713480)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-north-vietnamese-general-that-carlos-hathcock-shot/713480 "2018-08-31T01:46:18Z")
It’s his second most famous shot; who was the victim? --- ## [Laptop Just Flashes Colors!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-just-flashes-colors/820389)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2018, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-just-flashes-colors/820389 "2018-08-30T23:58:41Z")
My son’s Dell Laptop Insperion will only flash colors the very instant it powers up - not even allowing one to enter “Safe Mode”. At last start-up…after an automatic update to Windows 10\*, he says he went into settings t… --- ## [Beard that grows more on one side?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beard-that-grows-more-on-one-side/397317)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2018, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beard-that-grows-more-on-one-side/397317 "2018-08-30T22:36:29Z")
How common or rare is it to have significantly more hairgrowth on one cheek than on the other? --- ## [Refrigerator won't work or works intermittently on one outlet, works fine on another](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-wont-work-or-works-intermittently-on-one-outlet-works-fine-on-another/820515)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-wont-work-or-works-intermittently-on-one-outlet-works-fine-on-another/820515 "2018-08-30T22:07:21Z")
I can’t think of any reason for this? I know my tenant plugs too much of her crap into an outlet on the same breaker, think rice cooker, microwave, elec. skillet, deep fat fryer and god knows what else. I’ve explained t… --- ## [Horoscope Readers/Writers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horoscope-readers-writers/820220)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2018, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horoscope-readers-writers/820220 "2018-08-30T12:59:33Z")
Do these people use some sort of rules and principles in reading people’s horoscopes or writing horoscope columns, or is it all just completely made up randomly? If two horoscope readers read someone’s horoscope, is ther… --- ## [Does Queen Elizabeth have her own private medical staff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-queen-elizabeth-have-her-own-private-medical-staff/820367)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2018, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-queen-elizabeth-have-her-own-private-medical-staff/820367 "2018-08-30T09:16:08Z")
The Queen seems to be in relatively good health, but given her wealth and advancing age you might expect her to have a private doctor close by and on call 24 X 7 in case she suddenly falls ill. Is that in fact the case,… --- ## [52nd Ward? WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/52nd-ward-wtf/697204)
**Author:** [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2018, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/52nd-ward-wtf/697204 "2018-08-30T06:48:57Z")
I was walking on West Armitage Avenue near Lincoln Park High School today, and spotted this office door: https://z-1-scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10538064\_840315362653674\_796635350531907221\_o.jp… --- ## [GQ on Priest Sexual Abuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gq-on-priest-sexual-abuse/820400)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2018, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gq-on-priest-sexual-abuse/820400 "2018-08-30T03:13:23Z")
Why is it I always hear about such cases that “the church investigated” such claims?!? Isn’t that the fox guarding the hen house? Where’s the police investigations into all these claims? Isn’t it only the law enforcemen… --- ## [Incoming ICBM, what do you see?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incoming-icbm-what-do-you-see/600378)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2018, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incoming-icbm-what-do-you-see/600378 "2018-08-30T00:52:36Z")
Just finished reading this thread: And I recalled a rather morbid question I’ve wondered about. The scenario: The enemy has launched a nuclear attack on your homeland using ICBM’s and you’ve become aware of that fact.… --- ## [Trying to remember term for a type of statistical regression/transformation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-remember-term-for-a-type-of-statistical-regression-transformation/820490)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-remember-term-for-a-type-of-statistical-regression-transformation/820490 "2018-08-29T23:53:09Z")
If I have a set of paired data (x,y) and I want to find a linear transformation such that F(x) is approximately equal to y. Now I could fit a simple regression, but that will assume that all of the error is coming from … --- ## [What is the proper architectural term for a line of decorative statues on the roofs of buildings.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-proper-architectural-term-for-a-line-of-decorative-statues-on-the-roofs-of-buildings/820339)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-proper-architectural-term-for-a-line-of-decorative-statues-on-the-roofs-of-buildings/820339 "2018-08-29T22:15:28Z")
Hi What is the proper architectural term for a line of decorative statues on the roofs of buildings. I’ve seen them in Moscow. I look forward to your feedback --- ## [Are clergy, as employees, covered by EEOC laws? (Ref. priest sex scandal, obviously, but in general)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-clergy-as-employees-covered-by-eeoc-laws-ref-priest-sex-scandal-obviously-but-in-general/820471)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-clergy-as-employees-covered-by-eeoc-laws-ref-priest-sex-scandal-obviously-but-in-general/820471 "2018-08-29T20:04:00Z")
See query. Can the corporate body of the local church be sued for allowing sexual harassment, and the normal legal avenues be followed? I guess the same could be asked about OSHA (lepers invited by church to come to con… --- ## [Regina: Rhymes with?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regina-rhymes-with/820366)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regina-rhymes-with/820366 "2018-08-29T18:39:20Z")
See query. I checked Seinfeld and I suppose it must be in Dryden somewhere, and I could see if I get any clues. Plus I think there’s a city in the Northwest named that somewhere. Any help, to avoid undoubted snickering? … --- ## [Where to find up to date crime statistics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-up-to-date-crime-statistics/820438)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-up-to-date-crime-statistics/820438 "2018-08-29T17:45:14Z")
What’s a good website to find current and accurate crime statistics on US cities? --- ## [Why don't red lights function as alternating stop signs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-red-lights-function-as-alternating-stop-signs/819910)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-red-lights-function-as-alternating-stop-signs/819910 "2018-08-29T17:43:30Z")
My son asked me this question the other day and I don’t have an answer. (Perhaps it belongs in IMHO, but I’m guessing that traffic issues are studied enough such that the answer should be known. Perhaps not.) His idea i… --- ## [Why do refrigeration systems commonly use CFCs/HCFCs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-refrigeration-systems-commonly-use-cfcs-hcfcs/820399)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-refrigeration-systems-commonly-use-cfcs-hcfcs/820399 "2018-08-29T17:34:40Z")
In theory, you could make a refrigeration system using air as the working fluid: Compress air. Air temp increases due to adiabatic heating. Cool air back down to room temperature. Expand air. Air temp decrease… --- ## [Garage Door Sensor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garage-door-sensor/820440)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garage-door-sensor/820440 "2018-08-29T16:35:11Z")
I am fairly certain that my garage door sensor is bad. When trying to close it only goes a few inches then reverses, I can close it by holding down the button, and one of the sensors has a blinking red light. It is a m… --- ## [Social Security Disability hearing - religion questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-disability-hearing-religion-questions/820427)
**Author:** [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-disability-hearing-religion-questions/820427 "2018-08-29T16:05:56Z")
My GF just had a hearing regarding her denied SSDI benefits - she is unable to work due to crippling anxiety and depression that resists treatment. I wasn’t in the room, but she told me about it later - the judge asked h… --- ## [How doI fix google?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-doi-fix-google/820475)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-doi-fix-google/820475 "2018-08-29T15:49:52Z")
My office computer crashed last week, so now I have to set things up again. First, how do I make google my default search engine? On older systems, ISTR there was a button somewhere that said ‘Make google my default se… --- ## [Candles made from dead birds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candles-made-from-dead-birds/820250)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candles-made-from-dead-birds/820250 "2018-08-29T15:43:27Z")
I have a vague recollection about reading something about the use of dead birds as candles. I can’t recall now where or when I read it—it might even have been right here—but my searches are failing me. The idea I recall… --- ## [What’s with the long downward slope on I-90 as you go northwest past Albion, WI?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-the-long-downward-slope-on-i-90-as-you-go-northwest-past-albion-wi/820456)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-the-long-downward-slope-on-i-90-as-you-go-northwest-past-albion-wi/820456 "2018-08-29T12:29:29Z")
It was really striking to me as we got into the home stretch of our long family car trip this summer, because just a day or two earlier we had driven through Pennsylvania and experienced a similar long stretch as we desc… --- ## [How do I sell stuff from my country to USA online?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-sell-stuff-from-my-country-to-usa-online/820398)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2018, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-sell-stuff-from-my-country-to-usa-online/820398 "2018-08-29T06:49:11Z")
I’m still a student and never used post services in my life, so don’t be surprised if I say something dumb. So, I am from Serbia and I know how I can legally buy stuff from America by using several shipping companies th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=543) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=545)