# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=546 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 547 --- ## [Screeeeeeee! Brake noise](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screeeeeeee-brake-noise/820287)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screeeeeeee-brake-noise/820287 "2018-08-26T21:55:51Z")
As I turned down my street, one of my brakes went ‘Screeeeeeee!’ It sounds like metal dragging on the disc. ISTR this happening on one car or another many years ago, and I was told that a ‘clip’ came off. Does this so… --- ## [Root canal - what's going on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/root-canal-whats-going-on/820044)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/root-canal-whats-going-on/820044 "2018-08-26T20:18:09Z")
I just had a re-treatment of an old root canal. I guess because the tooth was near the front and they gave me protective glasses to wear, I was able to see pretty much everything that was going on. (Normally, I just clos… --- ## [No mechanical car door key. Battery dead as a doornail. How open door?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-mechanical-car-door-key-battery-dead-as-a-doornail-how-open-door/667798)
**Author:** [@ombre12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre12)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-mechanical-car-door-key-battery-dead-as-a-doornail-how-open-door/667798 "2018-08-26T19:55:32Z")
This hasn’t happened yet, but a friend of mine just bought a 2007 Lincoln Town Car and asked me about this because I work at auto auctions in my semi retirement, and am supposed to be an “expert” on this kind of stuff. … --- ## [Slope intercept form](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slope-intercept-form/819940)
**Author:** [@mbillings25](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbillings25)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2018, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slope-intercept-form/819940 "2018-08-26T15:25:51Z")
Slope intercept form is y=mx + b where m is the slope and b is the y intercept. Why does the equation use the y intercept instead of the x intercept. Can anyone explain? --- ## [How Toxic Is Toxic Mold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-toxic-is-toxic-mold/595758)
**Author:** [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2018, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-toxic-is-toxic-mold/595758 "2018-08-26T12:56:12Z")
Our upstairs has basically been just for storage since the kids moved out. One bedroom in particular is used for nothing but storing stuff we never use, so I hadn’t been in there for a year or more. Anyway, I went to s… --- ## [How to make under-cabinet lights come on and off with the ceiling lights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-under-cabinet-lights-come-on-and-off-with-the-ceiling-lights/820272)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2018, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-under-cabinet-lights-come-on-and-off-with-the-ceiling-lights/820272 "2018-08-26T11:21:41Z")
I have nice ceiling lighting in a room, in 2’ by 4’ fluorescent drop ceiling fixtures retrofitted to LEDs. But I have large low shelves over workbenches that cast a bit of shadow and want to add lighting under those, suc… --- ## [How Often Did Joe McCarthy Get It Right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-joe-mccarthy-get-it-right/820064)
**Author:** [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2018, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-joe-mccarthy-get-it-right/820064 "2018-08-26T09:13:30Z")
As the title says. It’s indisputable that there were Soviet agents in the U.S. government and nuclear weapons programs in the 1950s. With the declassification of materials after the end of the Cold War, particularly the … --- ## [The MostDangerous Game: Which animals can be trained to to hunt and kill humans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mostdangerous-game-which-animals-can-be-trained-to-to-hunt-and-kill-humans/819391)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2018, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mostdangerous-game-which-animals-can-be-trained-to-to-hunt-and-kill-humans/819391 "2018-08-26T03:36:02Z")
See query. Prompted by the unusual hunting method–unusual to me, and I presume most of you–of nomads whohunt all kinds of relatively large animals with trained golden eagles. I had this unpleasant thought on how easy the… --- ## [Steelinox? Wot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steelinox-wot/820280)
**Author:** [@Mumberthax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mumberthax)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2018, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steelinox-wot/820280 "2018-08-26T02:11:28Z")
I inherited an old wristwatch. On the inside of the clasp is the word STEELINOX. So…what’s STEELINOX? --- ## [Will a Strong Magnetic force destroy the Data on a Memory Card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-strong-magnetic-force-destroy-the-data-on-a-memory-card/820253)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2018, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-strong-magnetic-force-destroy-the-data-on-a-memory-card/820253 "2018-08-26T01:53:59Z")
If I put the memory card from my camera or phone on a magnet, will it damage the data stored on there? --- ## [Optimum (aka CableVision aks Altice) landline: Connecting to Internet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optimum-aka-cablevision-aks-altice-landline-connecting-to-internet/820270)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optimum-aka-cablevision-aks-altice-landline-connecting-to-internet/820270 "2018-08-26T01:30:16Z")
TLDR spoiler: Does a device exist which acquires an internet signal from WiFi (ideally) or ethernet (tolerable) and into which one plugs a conventional landline telephone in order to utilize Optimum’s internet-based tel… --- ## [Fuzzy FTP server question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuzzy-ftp-server-question/820152)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuzzy-ftp-server-question/820152 "2018-08-25T23:12:43Z")
We download data simultaneously from 240 separate devices that are servers with IP addresses in the 10.x.x.x range. It is done with the FTP server in Microsoft IIS. Each of the devices uploads several hundred files per s… --- ## [Do the US gold reserves still have any economic importance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-us-gold-reserves-still-have-any-economic-importance/820162)
**Author:** [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-us-gold-reserves-still-have-any-economic-importance/820162 "2018-08-25T23:09:59Z")
Do the US gold reserves still have any economic importance since the United States ended the gold standard in 1971? I mean I know the gold itself still has value. I’m wondering whether it would matter if the US governmen… --- ## [A friend died and I went to the Rosary. What was that all about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-died-and-i-went-to-the-rosary-what-was-that-all-about/365446)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-died-and-i-went-to-the-rosary-what-was-that-all-about/365446 "2018-08-25T21:02:17Z")
A friend of mine died Tuesday and the Rosary was held today. I have spent very little time attending Catholic services, so I didn’t really know what to expect. Can any of you take a moment to explain what all that was? … --- ## [Did Roman Buildings have Glass Windows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-roman-buildings-have-glass-windows/439752)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-roman-buildings-have-glass-windows/439752 "2018-08-25T19:53:25Z")
I ask because even Italy can be cold in the winter. The Romans made many things from glass (cups, pitchers, glasses, etc.).But did they ever master the technique of making large sheets of glass? I have read that they did… --- ## [Why do drained boils/abscesses heal very fast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-drained-boils-abscesses-heal-very-fast/820170)
**Author:** [@Sloe\_Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sloe_Moe)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-drained-boils-abscesses-heal-very-fast/820170 "2018-08-25T19:42:35Z")
In the few times I had an infection, it heals faster than an open cut or even bruises and abrasions. Why? --- ## [Polishing spray paint?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polishing-spray-paint/820261)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polishing-spray-paint/820261 "2018-08-25T19:38:52Z")
I bought some specific spray paint to refurbish a spare valve/rocker cover I have for the MGB. I sanded it, primed it, and then applied the red paint. The finish isn’t as smooth as I would like. My first thought was t… --- ## [Guatemalan Spanish/Spanish dialect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guatemalan-spanish-spanish-dialect/820161)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guatemalan-spanish-spanish-dialect/820161 "2018-08-25T19:10:01Z")
My housekeeper is from Guatemala. My Spanish is limited as is her English but we rub along mostly fine, with an assist from Google Translate when necessary. She’s an intelligent woman, but I suspect without a lot of fo… --- ## [Why condoms might NOT prevent HIV. (NSFW)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-condoms-might-not-prevent-hiv-nsfw/820205)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-condoms-might-not-prevent-hiv-nsfw/820205 "2018-08-25T18:29:40Z")
Not sure where else to discuss this, but this is pretty important considering STD risks. HIV and some other STDs are spread by contact with genital fluids. Depending on the size of the condom and the size of the owner,… --- ## [Id this wasp?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-wasp/820189)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-wasp/820189 "2018-08-25T18:28:29Z")
Pic Central South Carolina. Similar in size to a bald-faced hornet. Looks to be completely black except for two large yellow spots on the abdomen. --- ## [Why did the technology companies' release (launch) prices of their latest products increase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-technology-companies-release-launch-prices-of-their-latest-products-increase/820260)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-technology-companies-release-launch-prices-of-their-latest-products-increase/820260 "2018-08-25T17:32:01Z")
I compared the currencies of the developing countries against the US dollar and Euro. A significant percentage of the developing countries’ currencies lost value against euro (€) and the US dollar ($) in the last several… --- ## [What looks like steel wool and is carried in bulk by rail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-looks-like-steel-wool-and-is-carried-in-bulk-by-rail/819990)
**Author:** [@Hapax\_Legomenon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hapax_Legomenon)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-looks-like-steel-wool-and-is-carried-in-bulk-by-rail/819990 "2018-08-25T16:15:20Z")
While on the top deck of a passenger train recently, I saw a passing freight train which puzzled me. The first few cars were open wagons, full (to the top of the wagon) with something that looked very much like steel wo… --- ## [Did 19th century English know everyone's income?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-19th-century-english-know-everyones-income/819864)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-19th-century-english-know-everyones-income/819864 "2018-08-25T16:04:43Z")
In novels such as Jane Austen’s, characters often say things like, “He has 6000 pounds a year…” Did people really have a good idea of other peoples’ income and, if so, how? --- ## [Help me understand this clock based maths problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-this-clock-based-maths-problem/820129)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-this-clock-based-maths-problem/820129 "2018-08-25T12:40:25Z")
I’m not a natural mathematician so perhaps the answer is really obvious to others however I would love to understand it. It’s related to the number of times the hour hand and the minute hand cross over on a clock in a g… --- ## [Does Highway 301 in Florida have Traffic lights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-highway-301-in-florida-have-traffic-lights/820235)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-highway-301-in-florida-have-traffic-lights/820235 "2018-08-25T10:24:05Z")
Does Highway 301 in Florida have Traffic lights? Jacksonville area to Rt 75 heading for Tampa. I’ll be on it tomorrow if it works, otherwise I’ll probably take I-4 from 95 to Tampa. --- ## [British pronunciation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-pronunciation/820088)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-pronunciation/820088 "2018-08-25T07:00:05Z")
India is pronounced “Indiar” and Australia is pronounced “Austrailr”. I just saw a commercial where the jaguar automobile was pronounced “Jagua”. What is up with the British and R? --- ## [How long for ocean life to recover?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-for-ocean-life-to-recover/820187)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-for-ocean-life-to-recover/820187 "2018-08-25T06:52:39Z")
Everybody out of the pool. If people were to get out of and off of the ocean–no fishin, no cruisn’ no playin’ no fightin’–how long would it take for sea life to return to populations comparable to where they were in, sa… --- ## [Air movement in sealed containers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-movement-in-sealed-containers/819986)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-movement-in-sealed-containers/819986 "2018-08-25T06:07:31Z")
Suppose I had something like an aquarium that was 1’ X 1’ X 6 ft long with a sealed lid. Stored indoors at relatively stable temps. Would I have some air movement going on most of the time? How much doesn’t matter as lon… --- ## [Currency manipulation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/currency-manipulation/820131)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/currency-manipulation/820131 "2018-08-25T04:29:05Z")
An NPR podcast called The Indicator about how China and other countries have historically manipulated currency. (It’s a good, accessible, informative show albeit a little cutesy at times, especially this episode. But sho… --- ## [Ceiling fan, one speed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-fan-one-speed/820208)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2018, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-fan-one-speed/820208 "2018-08-25T04:00:51Z")
I installed a Hampton Bay ceiling fan along with the wall switch controller. The fan only has one speed, the buttons for Hi, Med, and Low do not work. I suspect I did some wiring incorrectly, but do not know to trouble… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=545) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=547)