# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=604 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 605 --- ## [Common.dll not found](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-dll-not-found/810999)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-dll-not-found/810999 "2018-03-23T22:33:56Z")
Lately, I’ve been getting this error message when I attempt to run my registry cleaner. Apparently, others get this error when running gaming platforms. Is there a scan I can run to repair this program? --- ## [How do we know there are 7.6 Billion People on Earth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-know-there-are-7-6-billion-people-on-earth/810937)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-know-there-are-7-6-billion-people-on-earth/810937 "2018-03-23T20:26:13Z")
Is there a group that audits these numbers? What would stop a country like China or India from tacking on a few hundred million people to their population counts? As to why they would do something like that, who knows?… --- ## [What is this object in Antartica? (Google maps)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-object-in-antartica-google-maps/811075)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-object-in-antartica-google-maps/811075 "2018-03-23T17:12:33Z")
The usual suspects are saying its a partly hidden UFO, but that aside it does seem rather unusual. Any ideas what it is? Possibly a visual artifact and not real, or something else? Paste 66°16’24.1"S 100°59’04.8"E into … --- ## [Tehran Visa Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tehran-visa-question/810915)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tehran-visa-question/810915 "2018-03-23T16:15:17Z")
I have a flight upcoming (business) that has a layover in Tehran, (I am an American citizen) is it possible to stay in the airport or would I need a visa to deplane? My layover is only 4 hours in length and I don’t plan … --- ## [How long does it take from the time one eats a food until the food is ready to leave the body?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769 "2018-03-23T15:18:45Z")
While, obviously, there is considerable variation owing to a number of factors, how long, on average, does it take from the time one eats a food until the food is ready to leave the body? Liquids? --- ## [Generalization of absolute value](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generalization-of-absolute-value/810981)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2018, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generalization-of-absolute-value/810981 "2018-03-23T12:37:46Z")
Is there an equivalent of absolute value for reciprocals? The absolute value function outputs the magnitude of a real number; another way of saying this is that the absolute value function picks the larger of the input … --- ## [How long have the days of the week been in continuous use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-have-the-days-of-the-week-been-in-continuous-use/811028)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2018, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-have-the-days-of-the-week-been-in-continuous-use/811028 "2018-03-23T10:03:34Z")
How long have the days of the week been in continuous use? For example, 2.8 million days ago (400,000 weeks ago, circa 5650 BC), were there people who called it Thursday (or their tongue equivalent) and there has been a… --- ## [Which number is larger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-number-is-larger/811057)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2018, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-number-is-larger/811057 "2018-03-23T08:46:54Z")
Which number is larger: 3,756,801,695,685 x 2 ^666,669 ^=to the power of (the largest known prime) OR (10^87 -1)! ^=to the power of (The number of connections among all the particles … --- ## [How did Irish people remarry before 1997?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-irish-people-remarry-before-1997/810779)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2018, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-irish-people-remarry-before-1997/810779 "2018-03-23T08:10:42Z")
Until 1997, the Republic of Ireland had a constitutional prohibition on the granting of divorces. Before 1997, what options were available to spouses who wanted a legal form of disunion that would allow them to remarry?… --- ## [Dutch law allows 30 year adverse possession for stolen goods?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-law-allows-30-year-adverse-possession-for-stolen-goods/677112)
**Author:** [@kaltkalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaltkalt)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2018, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-law-allows-30-year-adverse-possession-for-stolen-goods/677112 "2018-03-23T05:13:13Z")
I saw a documentary about an art heist in Holland and they said the thieves may have done it because if they can hold on to the stolen paintings for 30 years, due to dutch law, they will legally become the rightful owner… --- ## [A question best suited to a rancher or cowboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-best-suited-to-a-rancher-or-cowboy/810948)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-best-suited-to-a-rancher-or-cowboy/810948 "2018-03-23T03:37:55Z")
A question best suited to a rancher or cowboy Say two cowboys are out on a \*very\* large ranch. In the far distance is a horse. One cowboy says to the other, “hey, there’s a horse”. It doesn’t matter that the c… --- ## [What is the science/technology behind Under Armour's "HeatGear" and "ColdGear"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-science-technology-behind-under-armours-heatgear-and-coldgear/811032)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2018, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-science-technology-behind-under-armours-heatgear-and-coldgear/811032 "2018-03-23T03:22:45Z")
I can’t find this anywhere. Not on their site, not googling this. And I don’t mean the really simple stuff. The simple stuff is that UA’s “HeatGear” is clothing you can wear in really hot heat or exercise and it cools… --- ## [Coal found in all states except Hawaii?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coal-found-in-all-states-except-hawaii/810871)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2018, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coal-found-in-all-states-except-hawaii/810871 "2018-03-22T19:45:40Z")
The US is awash in coal. Not just in the Appalachians and Rockies, but pretty much everywhere in between. And even further west. So I’m wondering if all the states except Hawaii have (or had) coal deposits. I assume, ba… --- ## [Poll: Do You Know What a Bar Ditch Is?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-know-what-a-bar-ditch-is/811022)
**Author:** [@Batano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batano)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2018, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-know-what-a-bar-ditch-is/811022 "2018-03-22T14:12:06Z")
Nm --- ## [New Research Shows That Time Travel Is Mathematically Possible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-research-shows-that-time-travel-is-mathematically-possible/810228)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2018, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-research-shows-that-time-travel-is-mathematically-possible/810228 "2018-03-22T13:48:00Z")
Physicists have developed a new mathematical model that shows how time travel is theoretically possible. They used Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity as a springboard for their hypothetical device, which they call a… --- ## [Electromagnetic pulse attack question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electromagnetic-pulse-attack-question/810879)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2018, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electromagnetic-pulse-attack-question/810879 "2018-03-22T13:17:47Z")
Would a submarine survive an EMP strike if it was submerged? Peter Vincent Pry — executive director of the task force on National and Homeland Security --- ## [I want to fly solo in a Spitfire. How can I achieve this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-fly-solo-in-a-spitfire-how-can-i-achieve-this/810919)
**Author:** [@Dahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahu)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2018, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-fly-solo-in-a-spitfire-how-can-i-achieve-this/810919 "2018-03-22T08:15:58Z")
Just a mad thought. Being British and almost 50, flying a Spitfire would be very close to no.1 on my bucket list (if I had one). I’ve got all the time in the world and a bit of money, but I’m not looking to spend over, … --- ## [Explain the Cambridge Analytica/Facebook debacle.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-cambridge-analytica-facebook-debacle/810958)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2018, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-cambridge-analytica-facebook-debacle/810958 "2018-03-22T04:10:35Z")
Cambridge Analytica is in the news for a number of activities related to the 2016 US presidential election. The one I’m interested here is their interaction with Facebook, in which they collected “personal” data of FB u… --- ## [How often are golf courses mowed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-are-golf-courses-mowed/305953)
**Author:** [@aerodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aerodave)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2016, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-are-golf-courses-mowed/305953 "2016-12-07T13:28:03Z")
While pushing my lawnmower around this evening, I thought about how fast my grass grows. After just a few days, it looks like it needs cut again, especially around this time of year. I’d love to do it less than weekly,… --- ## [The K-T Asteroid: Would Modern Instrumentation Have Seen It Coming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-k-t-asteroid-would-modern-instrumentation-have-seen-it-coming/804670)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2018, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-k-t-asteroid-would-modern-instrumentation-have-seen-it-coming/804670 "2018-03-22T02:41:03Z")
Would the equipment we use now to watch for ELE asteroids have picked up the K-T asteroid? If humans had been on the ground at the time, when would they have been able to see it with their own eyes? Hours before impact? … --- ## [General Time Machine hell, with external drive /fdsk hell \[need answer fastish, because no backups\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-time-machine-hell-with-external-drive-fdsk-hell-need-answer-fastish-because-no-backups/810843)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2018, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-time-machine-hell-with-external-drive-fdsk-hell-need-answer-fastish-because-no-backups/810843 "2018-03-21T23:38:24Z")
Now I’m wondering why Disk Utility on my 2 terabyte external is hanging on “checking multi-linked files.” This is a working backwards check following hours of trying to fix the following (unfixed) problems. OSX 10.13.3,… --- ## [Why do your ears "hurt" if you only have one window cracked open when driving fast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-your-ears-hurt-if-you-only-have-one-window-cracked-open-when-driving-fast/810964)
**Author:** [@Peripathetic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peripathetic)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-your-ears-hurt-if-you-only-have-one-window-cracked-open-when-driving-fast/810964 "2018-03-21T21:07:20Z")
Can anyone tell me why your ears “hurt” (for lack of a better word) if you’re driving down the interstate and only have one window cracked open? It doesn’t seem to happen until I’m going over 55-60 MPH and opening a para… --- ## [Question about Spanish Colonial architecture.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-spanish-colonial-architecture/810932)
**Author:** [@choosybeggar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choosybeggar)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-spanish-colonial-architecture/810932 "2018-03-21T19:19:18Z")
This is the lovely 17th century manor in which my wife and I were fortunate to stay during our recent travel to Cartagena, Columbia. Link My question concerns the purpose for the three doors (why so many?) on the front… --- ## [In cold weather, how many layers of clothing are sufficient?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-cold-weather-how-many-layers-of-clothing-are-sufficient/810885)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-cold-weather-how-many-layers-of-clothing-are-sufficient/810885 "2018-03-21T17:31:57Z")
So we’ve had one of the nastiest winters ever. And I’m following the expert’s advice and wearing layers. Clothing upon clothing upon clothing, etc. I even bought some oversized pants to wear over my normal sized pants. B… --- ## [Oreo update to T-Mobile Galaxy S8. Tips?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oreo-update-to-t-mobile-galaxy-s8-tips/810899)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oreo-update-to-t-mobile-galaxy-s8-tips/810899 "2018-03-21T16:45:38Z")
So last night my phone finally got the Oreo update. Galaxy S8 on T-Mobile, as well as Samsung Experience 9.0 (whatever the hell that is). I’ve checked a few sites but can’t really figure out what’s new with it, other tha… --- ## [How does UPS decide to leave a package or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ups-decide-to-leave-a-package-or-not/810923)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ups-decide-to-leave-a-package-or-not/810923 "2018-03-21T15:18:13Z")
It doesn’t seem to make sense to me which packages get left on my doorstep and which ones I have to go pick up myself. I once had a $1000 computer get left on my doorstep in the ice and rain( Luckily no damage), but tod… --- ## [leaving a charging cord attached to a device but not plugged into the wall - hard on battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-charging-cord-attached-to-a-device-but-not-plugged-into-the-wall-hard-on-battery/810924)
**Author:** [@baileygrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baileygrrrl)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2018, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-charging-cord-attached-to-a-device-but-not-plugged-into-the-wall-hard-on-battery/810924 "2018-03-21T11:56:30Z")
I have a habit of unplugging my husbands electric shaver from the wall socket but leaving the charging cord plugged into the shaver. He insists that this is very hard on the battery and will ruin the shaver. I call BS. H… --- ## [Has anyone ever risen from the lowest possible military rank to the highest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-risen-from-the-lowest-possible-military-rank-to-the-highest/804946)
**Author:** [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2018, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-risen-from-the-lowest-possible-military-rank-to-the-highest/804946 "2018-03-21T03:31:08Z")
I think that the very highest ranking military officials, which in the U.S. would by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, almost (?) always start either at the Service Academies or ROTC, and enter active duty as an officer (Lieute… --- ## [Why do only some artillery gunners need to plug their ears when firing the howitzer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-only-some-artillery-gunners-need-to-plug-their-ears-when-firing-the-howitzer/810902)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2018, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-only-some-artillery-gunners-need-to-plug-their-ears-when-firing-the-howitzer/810902 "2018-03-21T03:18:25Z")
Watching YouTube videos, I have noticed that some artillery gunners will plug their ears with their fingers when the M777 howitzer is being fired, but others standing by are just fine with not putting their fingers into … --- ## [How widespread were/are condom or Tampax vending machines in the US? Other countries had/have them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2018, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604 "2018-03-21T02:51:29Z")
See queries. Not only chronologically–I don’t even know when Tampax (or equivalent) was invented, but where do you see them nowadays? Me, no clue about female points-of-sale, but I’ve seen them in movies. I’m sure the n… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=603) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=605)