# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=607 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 608 --- ## [Using separate fan-only thermostat to balance upstairs and downstairs heating](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-separate-fan-only-thermostat-to-balance-upstairs-and-downstairs-heating/810398)
**Author:** [@wallewek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wallewek)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-separate-fan-only-thermostat-to-balance-upstairs-and-downstairs-heating/810398 "2018-03-16T20:56:38Z")
I have a bright idea I’d appreciate some input on. Our house has a fully finished basement – they call it a bi-level. We have an issue with the downstairs being uncomfortably cool in the winter. Yes, the airflow could… --- ## [How does one adjust the font size in Safari on an iPad Pro?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-adjust-the-font-size-in-safari-on-an-ipad-pro/810662)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-adjust-the-font-size-in-safari-on-an-ipad-pro/810662 "2018-03-16T19:39:34Z")
Title says it all. Under settings I can increase font sizes only for those iOS apps that use Dynamic Fonts. Safari isn’t one of them. I am on the Dope - and other sites- enough that the minuscule font size is maddening.… --- ## [Grammar question for grammar police.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-for-grammar-police/810376)
**Author:** [@PineappleShots63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PineappleShots63)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-for-grammar-police/810376 "2018-03-16T19:27:29Z")
This is my first post. I have been wondering. If a bird is flying and for some reason all of a sudden falls, would he (or she) be falling “out of midair” or “from midair” and why? This question has been bothering me for… --- ## [New York Stock Exchange question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stock-exchange-question/810612)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stock-exchange-question/810612 "2018-03-16T19:02:49Z")
What percentage of stocks sold/bought/traded on the NYSE is actually done on the trading floor, as opposed to business transacted entirely by computer? --- ## [Science people, critique my periodic table](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-people-critique-my-periodic-table/810492)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-people-critique-my-periodic-table/810492 "2018-03-16T18:26:40Z")
The person who bought the table for my classroom wall bought the dumbest one I’ve ever seen, without names or even the stairs to show the metalloids. Using suggestions I got here, I have modified a vector file of a table… --- ## [Need to insert iPhone photos into Microsoft Publisher document. It's probably easy to do, right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-insert-iphone-photos-into-microsoft-publisher-document-its-probably-easy-to-do-right/810538)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-insert-iphone-photos-into-microsoft-publisher-document-its-probably-easy-to-do-right/810538 "2018-03-16T17:28:00Z")
Lots of questions: Are iPhone photos Jpgs? (iPhone 8, if it matters). If not, how to convert? Is the resolution high enough to print a small color image? How do I go about getting the photo from my phone into a Microso… --- ## [Cutting a newspaper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-a-newspaper/190539)
**Author:** [@Daver914](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daver914)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-a-newspaper/190539 "2018-03-16T15:33:57Z")
While cleaning out a storage room, I came across an old copy of Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days. For no particular reason, I sat down and read the whole thing in one night. In the text I came across a pract… --- ## [Stinky water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stinky-water/795753)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stinky-water/795753 "2018-03-16T14:27:43Z")
The cold water tap in the bathroom sink delivers stinky water. Kind of a sewery smell. The cold water in the deep sink in the laundry room doesn’t stink. The cold water in the washing machine doesn’t stink. The cold … --- ## [Could I build a house in Antarctica?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-build-a-house-in-antarctica/810273)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-build-a-house-in-antarctica/810273 "2018-03-16T14:07:47Z")
Let’s say I’m an eccentric millionaire that wants to retire and spend the rest of my days in Antarctica. Would there be any legal obstacles to me doing so? --- ## [What's the current status of things in Catalonia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-current-status-of-things-in-catalonia/810423)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-current-status-of-things-in-catalonia/810423 "2018-03-16T13:41:53Z")
Kind of looking for comments from someone that lives in that area if possible. Wife and I go to a different country in Europe every spring. We were in Madrid in 2012 but now Doll is itching to see Barcelona as we’ve nev… --- ## [Should one bother to block the phone numbers of spammers who call us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-one-bother-to-block-the-phone-numbers-of-spammers-who-call-us/810634)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-one-bother-to-block-the-phone-numbers-of-spammers-who-call-us/810634 "2018-03-16T13:26:11Z")
My current understanding is that most spammers are just using phony phone numbers anyway, that don’t represent the number the spam call is coming from. If that’s true, it’s rather pointless to waste time blocking the num… --- ## [Guinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guinea/810209)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guinea/810209 "2018-03-16T13:08:06Z")
I have been re-reading The Godfather and it’s clear that “guinea” has similar connotations to an Italian (or maybe a Sicilian) that “nigger” does to a black person. Can anyone tell me why that is and what the derivation … --- ## [Identify this car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-car/810593)
**Author:** [@TheSundial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSundial)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-car/810593 "2018-03-16T10:54:38Z")
The blue sedan/hatchback? at 17:25 parked in the driveway. Part of me wants to say Japanese then I also think possibly a European import? --- ## [Why do police not show up in court for traffic cases?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-police-not-show-up-in-court-for-traffic-cases/810490)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-police-not-show-up-in-court-for-traffic-cases/810490 "2018-03-16T08:13:04Z")
To make a long story short, I was a witness in a trial for a traffic accident where a driver ran a red light. Open and shut case, but the driver apparently requested a trial. I gave my testimony, and the judge asked if I… --- ## [Number of cabinet members](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-cabinet-members/810637)
**Author:** [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-cabinet-members/810637 "2018-03-16T04:43:29Z")
Has any president gone through more cabinet members than Trump. I realize that there are more departments now than Washington had so maybe in % of seats that have changed instead of the raw number. --- ## [Are there any notable American politicians who switched from liberal to conservative or vice versa?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-notable-american-politicians-who-switched-from-liberal-to-conservative-or-vice-versa/810369)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-notable-american-politicians-who-switched-from-liberal-to-conservative-or-vice-versa/810369 "2018-03-16T02:01:40Z")
What are some examples of prominent American politicians in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries - I am talking about high-profile ones, elected officials like Congressmen, Senators, or Governors - who have, over the… --- ## [Which workers are excluded from jobs reports?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-workers-are-excluded-from-jobs-reports/810631)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-workers-are-excluded-from-jobs-reports/810631 "2018-03-16T01:51:55Z")
The monthly jobs report emphasizes that it reports on nonfarm payroll. Who exactly counts as a farm worker? Some farms have side businesses such as restaurants, how are those workers counted? Are there any other ca… --- ## [Origin of phrase "man or mouse?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-phrase-man-or-mouse/355215)
**Author:** [@fluffyemu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluffyemu)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-phrase-man-or-mouse/355215 "2018-03-15T23:53:09Z")
On an entirely different note from my previous thread, does anyone know the origin of the phrase “man or mouse?” I’m sure it’s on the internet somewhere, but my attempts on searching google for it have resulted in nothi… --- ## [Math question: Highest possible tie scores on Jeopardy!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-question-highest-possible-tie-scores-on-jeopardy/810594)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-question-highest-possible-tie-scores-on-jeopardy/810594 "2018-03-15T20:30:12Z")
At one point or another almost everyone who watches Jeopardy! has wondered what the highest possible final score is, mathematically speaking. This is actually pretty easy to figure out. You just need to assume that (1)… --- ## [Lienar algebra eigen value question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lienar-algebra-eigen-value-question/810564)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lienar-algebra-eigen-value-question/810564 "2018-03-15T20:26:33Z")
I can’t find anything on line that addresses this question and can’t really figure out if it’s impossible (very hard). I have an n x n correlation matrix (so it’s symmetric and the main diagonal is all 1’s). All other e… --- ## [How to kill fat cells](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-kill-fat-cells/810607)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-kill-fat-cells/810607 "2018-03-15T18:29:19Z")
For starters this is NOT a weight-loss thread. This is very specific about a certain aspect of weight control. This is not about “losing fat” but specifically killing fat cells. So I have always learned that once you … --- ## [Did 80,000 Russian soldiers really die in the battle of Berlin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-80-000-russian-soldiers-really-die-in-the-battle-of-berlin/810476)
**Author:** [@Kamaski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamaski)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-80-000-russian-soldiers-really-die-in-the-battle-of-berlin/810476 "2018-03-15T17:21:00Z")
I was recently reading about the Soviet war memorial in Berlin and how it was erected immediately after the battle of Berlin to show the sacrifice of 80000 Russian soldiers who died taking the city. That number seems hug… --- ## [Laptop Cooling Fan - Recommendation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-cooling-fan-recommendation/810595)
**Author:** [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-cooling-fan-recommendation/810595 "2018-03-15T15:48:33Z")
I’m looking for the above and if it makes a difference, it’s actually for a bedroom DVR (Tivo Bolt) but they are sold as laptop cooling fans. The features I seek are: No LED lights, or an ‘on/off’ switch for the LED’s … --- ## [If teachers are allowed to carry, will it be open carry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-teachers-are-allowed-to-carry-will-it-be-open-carry/810584)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-teachers-are-allowed-to-carry-will-it-be-open-carry/810584 "2018-03-15T13:27:05Z")
Just curious. Is the proposal that teachers should be able to open carry? Handguns only, or also long-guns? I’m genuinely interested in what the proposals are. --- ## [Are hotels curtains designed to always allow some natural light in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hotels-curtains-designed-to-always-allow-some-natural-light-in/810003)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hotels-curtains-designed-to-always-allow-some-natural-light-in/810003 "2018-03-15T08:36:09Z")
I’ve stayed in hundreds of hotel rooms, sometimes dead-tired and wanting precious sleep. Before I go to sleep, I always try to close the curtains such that the sunlight won’t wake me in the morning. However, no matter … --- ## [Anybody Have a Home Media Server?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-have-a-home-media-server/810567)
**Author:** [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-have-a-home-media-server/810567 "2018-03-15T04:55:03Z")
Primarily for Blu-ray discs. My blu-ray collection is starting to get out of hand - over 160 titles and will probably get a lot bigger. I also have 200-300 DVD titles as well, and I do have two 400-disc changers for tho… --- ## [Photographers: is there a universal (unitless) scale for focal length?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographers-is-there-a-universal-unitless-scale-for-focal-length/804682)
**Author:** [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographers-is-there-a-universal-unitless-scale-for-focal-length/804682 "2018-03-15T04:54:43Z")
Nowadays, there are so many different image size formats in cameras that it is difficult to know what a particular focal length corresponds to. Many camera manufacturers will give you actual focal length, along with a “3… --- ## [Black passengers on London Underground in 1940? (Churchill movie scene)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-passengers-on-london-underground-in-1940-churchill-movie-scene/810383)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-passengers-on-london-underground-in-1940-churchill-movie-scene/810383 "2018-03-15T04:03:36Z")
The movie The Darkest Hour is supposedly a historically accurate story of Winston Churchill’s first month as Prime Minister. Except for one scene that is awful Hollywood sap: when Churchill goes into the underground sta… --- ## [What is this artillery? anti-air?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-artillery-anti-air/810581)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-artillery-anti-air/810581 "2018-03-15T03:08:00Z")
Is that the S-400 anti-air system? Some kind of variant of the Kaytusha or Grad? This was taken at a Russian military facility a few weeks ago. --- ## [What do the Snap-on/MAC tools trucks do at the mechanic's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-snap-on-mac-tools-trucks-do-at-the-mechanics/810511)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-snap-on-mac-tools-trucks-do-at-the-mechanics/810511 "2018-03-15T01:54:33Z")
I’ve been curious about this for a while. I know the NAPA truck is usually just dropping off a parts order. But When the tool company trucks stop by the mechanic’s and hang around for half an hour or hour or more,at le… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=606) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=608)