# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=568 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 569 --- ## [Volcano plume seeding clouds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volcano-plume-seeding-clouds/816011)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2018, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volcano-plume-seeding-clouds/816011 "2018-07-02T14:50:58Z")
I was in Pahao a couple of days ago quite close to the Kilauea volcano. The plume from a large partial caldera collapse apparently came right over us. The rain that came down was falling at about 4 inches an hour accordi… --- ## [What causes ASMR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-asmr/817092)
**Author:** [@EricaRoche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EricaRoche)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2018, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-asmr/817092 "2018-07-02T08:55:36Z")
I have ha ASMR ever since I was about 8 or 9. I never knew the word for it until I was in my mid-teens when looking it up on the internet. It’s not a sexual feeling by any means (in fact have a low interest in sex) but … --- ## [Laptop Facial Recognition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-facial-recognition/816975)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2018, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-facial-recognition/816975 "2018-07-02T06:52:34Z")
I am not asking about facial recognition that people use as a sort of password. I mean the industrial-strength stuff the police use. How much computing horsepower does such a system take? Might it soon be possible for m… --- ## [How does the Harvard Lampoon pay the bills?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-harvard-lampoon-pay-the-bills/817053)
**Author:** [@Textual\_Assault](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Assault)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2018, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-harvard-lampoon-pay-the-bills/817053 "2018-07-02T03:03:32Z")
Saw a story about the organization on 60 Minutes and wondered how they pay for the upkeep on their ‘castle’ (taxes/water bills housecleaning and such). going by the 60 Minutes piece, the don’t get much if any advertisers… --- ## [Anyone with hands-on practical experience with fire bows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-with-hands-on-practical-experience-with-fire-bows/813330)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-with-hands-on-practical-experience-with-fire-bows/813330 "2018-07-02T02:02:07Z")
The basic rule of camp craft is “if you’ve never actually done it before, you only think you know how”. This is never more true than with fire starting, and my efforts to master the bow drill aren’t even getting off the … --- ## [How real is the threat of murderers being gunned down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-the-threat-of-murderers-being-gunned-down/817082)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2018, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-the-threat-of-murderers-being-gunned-down/817082 "2018-07-01T23:43:41Z")
We watch a lot of crime shows and invariably when murderers are transferred somewhere they are nattily attired in a bullet proof jacket. Example: Chardon High School shooting: THIRD classmate dies as TJ Lane's online ran… --- ## [Does anyone know the fonts for Windows error messages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-the-fonts-for-windows-error-messages/817077)
**Author:** [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2018, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-the-fonts-for-windows-error-messages/817077 "2018-07-01T22:20:14Z")
I would like to make a humorous (to me, anyway) fake error message. Getting the fonts right would be cool. --- ## [Linux keyboard function keys are messed up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linux-keyboard-function-keys-are-messed-up/817088)
**Author:** [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2018, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linux-keyboard-function-keys-are-messed-up/817088 "2018-07-01T21:16:36Z")
I’m using Maui Linux, KDE Plasma. An hour ago, while playing a game, my cat jumped up on my desk and started messing with my keyboard. Now the function keys are all messed up, and I can’t figure out what the hell is go… --- ## [Are change trays common in retail stores in Europe ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-change-trays-common-in-retail-stores-in-europe/816851)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2018, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-change-trays-common-in-retail-stores-in-europe/816851 "2018-07-01T19:42:12Z")
Something I noticed in Paris - most of the retail stores and dépanneurs I was in had a little change tray. I’d pay with a 5€ note, and the merchant would put my change into a little plastic tray, so no hand contact. Th… --- ## [Tech support for the slightly paranoid: Can surveillance cause intermittent internet outages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-support-for-the-slightly-paranoid-can-surveillance-cause-intermittent-internet-outages/816963)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-support-for-the-slightly-paranoid-can-surveillance-cause-intermittent-internet-outages/816963 "2018-07-01T19:17:42Z")
Over the last year, I’ve lived in three different places, hundreds of miles apart from each other. My internet has been cursed at all three, with frequent disconnects for a few minutes at a time, several times a week. Th… --- ## [What?? Is Straight Dope going away??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-straight-dope-going-away/817104)
**Author:** [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-straight-dope-going-away/817104 "2018-07-01T18:39:45Z")
Say it isn’t so --- ## [Why don't cars have foam-filled tires?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cars-have-foam-filled-tires/816978)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2018, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cars-have-foam-filled-tires/816978 "2018-07-01T14:44:46Z")
You can get foam filled tires for bicycles, lawn mowers and tractors, but why not on cars? --- ## [Do you need to regularly disinfect your cell phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-need-to-regularly-disinfect-your-cell-phone/816676)
**Author:** [@tein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tein)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2018, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-need-to-regularly-disinfect-your-cell-phone/816676 "2018-07-01T00:54:32Z")
I am used to wash my hands when I come home. But I carry my cell phone everywhere with me, in a warm dark pocket which must be ideal for germs. I use it after I handled money which who knows how many people came in cont… --- ## [Our home network no longer shows up in roommate's available list](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-home-network-no-longer-shows-up-in-roommates-available-list/817037)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2018, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-home-network-no-longer-shows-up-in-roommates-available-list/817037 "2018-06-30T23:57:05Z")
Hi, There’s four people who use our gateway. Please read carefully: Call me roommate A. I use a desktop PC with a wired connection. My phone can use the gateway, but is configured not to. I tried for diagnostic reason… --- ## [Is there a website that can read password protected docx files.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-website-that-can-read-password-protected-docx-files/817070)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-website-that-can-read-password-protected-docx-files/817070 "2018-06-30T21:44:50Z")
I’ve been given a password protected docx file by a bookmaker I use in response to a request. I can’t open it in Openoffice at all and Wordpad recognises the digital rights issue but can’t do anything about it. Is there … --- ## ["Half past kissing time, time to kiss again": How widespread? Other language equivalents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/half-past-kissing-time-time-to-kiss-again-how-widespread-other-language-equivalents/816849)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/half-past-kissing-time-time-to-kiss-again-how-widespread-other-language-equivalents/816849 "2018-06-30T17:52:06Z")
When you want to give an affectionate answer to a kid’s question “What time is it?”–or to answer when he’s boring you silly by repeating the question incessantly–sometimes you say “half past kissing time, time to kiss ag… --- ## ["Corporations have been enthroned, and an era of corruption in high places will follow." Lincoln?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporations-have-been-enthroned-and-an-era-of-corruption-in-high-places-will-follow-lincoln/816976)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporations-have-been-enthroned-and-an-era-of-corruption-in-high-places-will-follow-lincoln/816976 "2018-06-30T17:12:46Z")
Several variations of this quote have been attributed to Abraham Lincoln, but Snope calls it fake news. However, I have seen several other websites debate its historicity and they’re not as sure as Snopes that it was fa… --- ## [Why Can't I Highlight Text Anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-highlight-text-anymore/817043)
**Author:** [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2018, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-highlight-text-anymore/817043 "2018-06-30T17:06:47Z")
When I try to respond to a posting and want to just quote a bit of it, I’m unable to highlight the parts I want to delete. Is anyone else having this problem, and if so, what is the solution? Thanks all. --- ## [Can appendicits (not a burst appendix) present mildly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-appendicits-not-a-burst-appendix-present-mildly/816838)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-appendicits-not-a-burst-appendix-present-mildly/816838 "2018-06-30T16:08:36Z")
(Don’t worry … don’t need answer fast, and I have a GI appointment tomorrow :o ) The question in brief: Can mild, subclinical, but persistent pain be a symptom of appendicitis? Absent vomiting, diarrhea, fever, etc. … … --- ## [Advantages to having 2 engine on a go kart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advantages-to-having-2-engine-on-a-go-kart/816901)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2018, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advantages-to-having-2-engine-on-a-go-kart/816901 "2018-06-30T15:02:36Z")
Back in the 1960’s my Dad was really into go-karts. Built his own, went to meetings, raced it at this place near Road America, got the magazines, you name it. He had 2 engines on his and I’ve always wondered what the ad… --- ## [Hot sauce ---\> ER visit: what could they do for him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-sauce-er-visit-what-could-they-do-for-him/816740)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2018, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-sauce-er-visit-what-could-they-do-for-him/816740 "2018-06-30T13:05:11Z")
Video here, in which a man ingests injudicious amounts of increasingly hotter hot sauces. At around 9:00 in the video, he’s in the ER, explaining to the camera about the several abdominal pain he’s experiencing; later o… --- ## [Is there anywhere to buy discontinued, yet new and unused mobile phones? I'm out of ideas!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anywhere-to-buy-discontinued-yet-new-and-unused-mobile-phones-im-out-of-ideas/816909)
**Author:** [@guitario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guitario)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2018, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anywhere-to-buy-discontinued-yet-new-and-unused-mobile-phones-im-out-of-ideas/816909 "2018-06-30T12:16:23Z")
When it comes to smartphones, I’m not really a fan of change. I’ve had my HTC One Mini 2 for 4 years, and it’s still an amazing phone. Ok, the battery is on its last legs (dies around 40%) and it’s slowed down to the poi… --- ## [SWAT tactics for door breach facing fire (Las Vegas killer, eg)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swat-tactics-for-door-breach-facing-fire-las-vegas-killer-eg/797967)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2018, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swat-tactics-for-door-breach-facing-fire-las-vegas-killer-eg/797967 "2018-06-30T01:59:32Z")
Not sure if this is GQ down the line (obviously “the answer” may vary), but in the case of the LV slaughter, the shooter apparently was set up to fire directly through his door entering the corridor. SWAT approach later… --- ## [Security issues sharing internet connection among different users](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-issues-sharing-internet-connection-among-different-users/816869)
**Author:** [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2018, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-issues-sharing-internet-connection-among-different-users/816869 "2018-06-29T21:33:30Z")
A non-profit organization I help to run may need to share its new office space by subleasing a portion to an unaffiliated non-profit. My organization expects to provide internet access to its tenant. The organization wil… --- ## [US immigration...up, down or the same?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-immigration-up-down-or-the-same/816936)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2018, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-immigration-up-down-or-the-same/816936 "2018-06-29T21:27:49Z")
My wife sent me an email last week with one of those Onion snippets about how foreigners were confused by the recent ruling to go forward with the Presidents ban on immigration from selected countries. The joke was they… --- ## [Can computer viruses form randomly from computer code?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-computer-viruses-form-randomly-from-computer-code/816930)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2018, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-computer-viruses-form-randomly-from-computer-code/816930 "2018-06-29T14:24:33Z")
Inspired by this thread. :smiley: I’m not talking about a poorly written program that does what the writer didn’t intend it to do, but bits of random coding interacting to form computer virus. I don’t know much about … --- ## [Emergency trunk release handles, how much light exposure needed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-trunk-release-handles-how-much-light-exposure-needed/816991)
**Author:** [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2018, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-trunk-release-handles-how-much-light-exposure-needed/816991 "2018-06-29T20:13:21Z")
New and recent cars in the U.S. have a glow-in-the-dark emergency handle to release the trunk lid, but how much light exposure do they need to glow? My Googling only confirms that they glow after exposure to light, but a… --- ## [World Cup. Portugal vs. Brazil. Can players communicate with each other?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-portugal-vs-brazil-can-players-communicate-with-each-other/816746)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-portugal-vs-brazil-can-players-communicate-with-each-other/816746 "2018-06-29T19:11:33Z")
Brazil hasn’t been part of the “Portuguese Empire” for hundreds of years. Portugal is over 4600 miles away on a different continent. Has the Portuguese language evolved in these two countries to the point where communica… --- ## [DoI need a bedbug exterminator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doi-need-a-bedbug-exterminator/816874)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2018, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doi-need-a-bedbug-exterminator/816874 "2018-06-29T17:56:54Z")
I was being eaten alive by … something, on my overstuffed couch where I spent most of my time. I found a few bedbugs full of my blood, creeping around, and lifting up a couch covering, found signs of them, and about h… --- ## [Personally inspiring and law \[Laws inspired by particular acts not previously considered crimes\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personally-inspiring-and-law-laws-inspired-by-particular-acts-not-previously-considered-crimes/816863)
**Author:** [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personally-inspiring-and-law-laws-inspired-by-particular-acts-not-previously-considered-crimes/816863 "2018-06-29T17:09:27Z")
Curiosity has struck me again. Are there many examples of a person doing something that everyone knows is bad but is technically legal because no one had thought of it yet, after which a law was made to specifically sto… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=567) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=569)