# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=614 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 615 --- ## [Does AT&T have a code for obtaining expedited tech service?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-at-t-have-a-code-for-obtaining-expedited-tech-service/809636)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2018, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-at-t-have-a-code-for-obtaining-expedited-tech-service/809636 "2018-02-28T06:48:02Z")
And by “expedited” I mean “pulling field technicians off jobs they have already reported to so they can work on something that’s more important, and by “more important” I mean “Jack Bauer Millions of people will DIE” lev… --- ## [USA zip code.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-zip-code/809602)
**Author:** [@layalhasan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/layalhasan)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2018, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-zip-code/809602 "2018-02-28T05:00:29Z")
In US, can one zip code area be partially in one county and partially in another county? What if the boundary of county changes or counties merge? --- ## [Austrian government sues itself: how is this even possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/austrian-government-sues-itself-how-is-this-even-possible/809673)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2018, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/austrian-government-sues-itself-how-is-this-even-possible/809673 "2018-02-28T01:17:01Z")
Yesterday The Guardian reported that the Austrian public broadcaster, ORF, is suing the Austrian vice-chancellor, Heinz-Christian Strache, for libel. Given that ORF is wholly owned by the Austrian government, how is suc… --- ## [I solved this math puzzle, but I can't remember how.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-solved-this-math-puzzle-but-i-cant-remember-how/738338)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-solved-this-math-puzzle-but-i-cant-remember-how/738338 "2018-02-28T00:34:36Z")
Many years ago (more than 26), I picked up a fun little book of Mensa-level puzzles with which to tease my brain and exercise my problem-solving muscles. The final section of the book contained a sort of “practice” Mensa… --- ## [Bible question: Abram to Abraham name change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-question-abram-to-abraham-name-change/809567)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2018, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-question-abram-to-abraham-name-change/809567 "2018-02-27T21:52:17Z")
I have a question about Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16: \[quote\] When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2Then I will make my coven… --- ## [Is cold bad for ALL batteries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cold-bad-for-all-batteries/809697)
**Author:** [@mdcatdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mdcatdad)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2018, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cold-bad-for-all-batteries/809697 "2018-02-27T21:20:44Z")
How come cold weather is bad for car batteries (sapping their long-term charging potential) but it’s (allegedly, anyway) good to put your AA and AAA batteriess in the fridge “so they’ll last longer”? --- ## [What is lowest SAT-Math score of one with college math professor potential?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-lowest-sat-math-score-of-one-with-college-math-professor-potential/809672)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2018, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-lowest-sat-math-score-of-one-with-college-math-professor-potential/809672 "2018-02-27T15:26:31Z")
What was the lowest SAT (quantitative, i.e., math SAT) score that would still make possible eventually becoming a math professor at a (1) selective college and (2) any college. NOTE: I do not refer here to a rare talent… --- ## [Which article of the US Constitution allows state laws to prohibit the implementation of gun laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-article-of-the-us-constitution-allows-state-laws-to-prohibit-the-implementation-of-gun-laws/809566)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2018, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-article-of-the-us-constitution-allows-state-laws-to-prohibit-the-implementation-of-gun-laws/809566 "2018-02-27T15:08:09Z")
Hi Which article (if any) of the US Constitution allows state laws to prohibit the implementation of gun-control laws? Does this come under the heading of state rights? Do all individual state constitutions allow the st… --- ## [Light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light/809657)
**Author:** [@Ganymede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ganymede)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light/809657 "2018-02-27T14:22:37Z")
Suppose I were in a perfect mirrored glass sphere (with the mirror on the inside surface). Suppose I had a light. Would the mirror prevent photons from escaping the sphere? Would the light get brighter and brighter? … --- ## [High MERV rating Air Filters on older HVAC system, bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-merv-rating-air-filters-on-older-hvac-system-bad/809574)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2018, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-merv-rating-air-filters-on-older-hvac-system-bad/809574 "2018-02-27T05:32:57Z")
I have an HVAC system that is older (analog thermostat) but seems to work fine; someone in HVAC warned me that using too high a “MERV” rating would be bad for it, because the motor would blow out, and that I should use o… --- ## [Japanese name origin: Kinkisharyo (rail vehicles manufacturer)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-name-origin-kinkisharyo-rail-vehicles-manufacturer/809618)
**Author:** [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2018, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-name-origin-kinkisharyo-rail-vehicles-manufacturer/809618 "2018-02-27T02:32:01Z")
Call-out to those who speak Japanese: What does the name ‘Kinkisharyo’ mean? This is the manufacturer of rail rolling stock, including light rail vehicles used in Los Angeles. Wikipedia gives the Japanese script for the… --- ## [If scratching is bad for you why does it feel so good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-scratching-is-bad-for-you-why-does-it-feel-so-good/809597)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-scratching-is-bad-for-you-why-does-it-feel-so-good/809597 "2018-02-27T01:30:12Z")
If scratching is bad for you why does it feel so good? Basically that (scritch scritch) If you have an insect bite or acne or a rash or a wound that’s healing or whatever, when it starts healing, it gets very itchy. Bu… --- ## [Weightless in a vacuum holding a dustbuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weightless-in-a-vacuum-holding-a-dustbuster/809296)
**Author:** [@smam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smam)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weightless-in-a-vacuum-holding-a-dustbuster/809296 "2018-02-26T22:51:19Z")
Like the title. Say I was weightless and motionless in a sealed vacuum. I’m wearing a spacesuit and holding a DustBuster tm. I switch the handy household gadget on. Do I move? What is it sucking? If there is a bag on… --- ## [What's the consensus on aspartame?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-consensus-on-aspartame/797990)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2018, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-consensus-on-aspartame/797990 "2018-02-26T21:19:37Z")
Is there a general consensus on aspartame’s health effects? Does it cause the body to increase insulin? --- ## [Are montessori schools better than public schools](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-montessori-schools-better-than-public-schools/751097)
**Author:** [@0xEFF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/0xEFF)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-montessori-schools-better-than-public-schools/751097 "2018-02-26T19:14:14Z")
As a measurement, please consider “better” to specifically mean lifetime earning of the average student who attended the school. Given this measurement, are Montessori schools better than traditional public schools? --- ## [Is it possible to download Windows 7 and product code?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-download-windows-7-and-product-code/809463)
**Author:** [@kaiwik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaiwik)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2018, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-download-windows-7-and-product-code/809463 "2018-02-26T14:19:36Z")
At some point during my move from another state I lost a binder full of computer disks, including my copy of Windows 7. I ran a scan yesterday and when I restarted it a message came up saying that it could not restart. M… --- ## [Ratchety Android operation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ratchety-android-operation/774126)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ratchety-android-operation/774126 "2016-12-12T18:45:32Z")
GQ because I’d like simple, factual answers instead of a load of tech-hate or whatever, thanks… My Note II has always been a wonderful phone/phablet, but beginning about six months ago it developed a terrible… stutter i… --- ## [Oldest common law trademark still in use](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-common-law-trademark-still-in-use/809350)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2018, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-common-law-trademark-still-in-use/809350 "2018-02-26T05:11:34Z")
The wikipage on trademarks says re: oldest trademark: \[not sure what the third one is, but I’m going to guess it’s the first one registered under the 1881 law.\] Anyway, that’s for registered trademarks. For unregister… --- ## [Why are MRI's So Loud?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mris-so-loud/809351)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2018, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mris-so-loud/809351 "2018-02-26T03:08:58Z")
Had my first MRI yesterday. I’d heard all sorts of horror stories about them, but while I’m not fond of tight spaces I closed my eyes and concentrated on the music piped through the headphones. Actually dozed off at le… --- ## [Is there such a thing as "empty space? What is the temperature (if any) of "empty space"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-empty-space-what-is-the-temperature-if-any-of-empty-space/809265)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2018, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-empty-space-what-is-the-temperature-if-any-of-empty-space/809265 "2018-02-26T03:04:37Z")
1.In the physical world is there such a thing as “nothing” (“empty space”)? A vacuum is filled with virtual particles. But is there empty space between these virtual particles? Or does the term lose meaning at this lev… --- ## [Computer hit by lightning - is it fixable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-hit-by-lightning-is-it-fixable/579752)
**Author:** [@seosamh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seosamh)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2018, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-hit-by-lightning-is-it-fixable/579752 "2018-02-26T02:42:38Z")
My house was hit by lightning last week. It had been a wonderfully sunny and warm Good Friday in West London but at about 5.30 the heavens opened. Right in the middle of the new Doctor Who (curses!), there was a huge ZA… --- ## [How long did it take before everyone in the US knew the civil war was over?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-did-it-take-before-everyone-in-the-us-knew-the-civil-war-was-over/809481)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-did-it-take-before-everyone-in-the-us-knew-the-civil-war-was-over/809481 "2018-02-25T18:24:02Z")
So, Robert E. Lee surrendered on April 9, 1865, and that’s considered the end of the civil war. There was no internet, no radio, and a lot of newspapers weren’t daily but weekly at that time, if an area had a paper at al… --- ## [Returned US mail - unable to forward](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/returned-us-mail-unable-to-forward/809432)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2018, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/returned-us-mail-unable-to-forward/809432 "2018-02-25T17:25:09Z")
I sent a letter and I got it back with the notice 'not deliverable as addressed, unable to forward" Does this mean they had a forwarding address but it expired after a year? Or is there something else that happened? … --- ## [Bank of America bugging me for information when I log in](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bank-of-america-bugging-me-for-information-when-i-log-in/800258)
**Author:** [@Troy\_McClure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bank-of-america-bugging-me-for-information-when-i-log-in/800258 "2018-02-25T17:20:53Z")
Hi Dopers, Lately when I log into my BoA credit card account they’ve been presenting a pop-up asking me to verify my information, which then takes me to a screen where they ask 1) if I have dual citizenship, 2) occupat… --- ## [Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) turning into dioxin after being heated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volatile-organic-compounds-vocs-turning-into-dioxin-after-being-heated/809547)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volatile-organic-compounds-vocs-turning-into-dioxin-after-being-heated/809547 "2018-02-25T15:43:59Z")
Thread title says it all…wonder if VOCs (like the noxious-smelling vapors coming from a new shower curtain or newly-unpackaged household appliance) turn into dioxins if you let the objects sit in a room that also has, sa… --- ## [Adding "a-" in front of a verb: why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-in-front-of-a-verb-why/809411)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2018, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-in-front-of-a-verb-why/809411 "2018-02-25T15:33:52Z")
As in “the times they are a-changing”. Or if you prefer Van Morrison, “laughin’ and a-running, skipping and a-jumping”. Is there a name for this construction? Are there rules for when it’s used? It doesn’t seem to ad… --- ## [Can someone point to an HP laptop audio driver?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-point-to-an-hp-laptop-audio-driver/809448)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2018, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-point-to-an-hp-laptop-audio-driver/809448 "2018-02-25T11:50:05Z")
I was FORCED to update Windows 10, and now Windows says my audio device isn’t working. I can’t find any audio drivers for a ProBook G1 450, even using HP’s own support assistant. I would actually pay for help. If you kn… --- ## [The mail widget on my phone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mail-widget-on-my-phone/809521)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2018, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mail-widget-on-my-phone/809521 "2018-02-25T03:50:03Z")
On the home screen of my phone (Moto G running Android 5.1) I have, or rather had, an email widget, which showed me the topic lines of the most recent few e-mails, so I could tell at a glance if there was anything new. … --- ## [NYC Street Addresses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-street-addresses/809333)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2018, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-street-addresses/809333 "2018-02-25T01:09:49Z")
On an episode of “Taxi”, a rich client asked to go to his residence at 6 Central Park West (or some number). What kind of address is that? Although I unfamiliar with NYC, still…how can someone live at Central Park? Is th… --- ## [Dryer Lint](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/808215)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2018, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/808215 "2018-02-25T00:30:43Z")
So yesterday I took a closer look at the dryer lint system. What we have is a gas dryer connected from behind to a duct in the wall which runs up through the attic and out the roof. Occasionally when the dryer starts tak… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=613) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=615)