# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=678 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 679 --- ## [How Do Blind People Know Where the Braille Writing Is?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-blind-people-know-where-the-braille-writing-is/795641)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2017, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-blind-people-know-where-the-braille-writing-is/795641 "2017-09-08T03:25:28Z")
Obviously if you give a blind person some literature written in Braille, they can make their way through it. But you see all sorts of things written in Braille in public places, e.g. near entrances to restrooms and the l… --- ## [How to open a specific PowerPoint file when PowerPoint starts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-open-a-specific-powerpoint-file-when-powerpoint-starts/795726)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2017, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-open-a-specific-powerpoint-file-when-powerpoint-starts/795726 "2017-09-08T03:16:27Z")
I have created a file called Macros.pptm that contains PowerPoint macros that I want to be available on the Ribbon and quick access toolbar. PowerPoint does not have a standard file that opens whenever the application is… --- ## ["Intro to Relativity" books I read](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intro-to-relativity-books-i-read/795147)
**Author:** [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2017, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intro-to-relativity-books-i-read/795147 "2017-09-08T03:15:20Z")
About 15 years ago I read a couple of books that explained relativity in simple/layman’s terms, with illustrations and thought experiments - things like (as I recall) throwing a ball forward and backward in a moving trai… --- ## [Big Calorie Deficit, Not Hungry. Why not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-calorie-deficit-not-hungry-why-not/795706)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2017, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-calorie-deficit-not-hungry-why-not/795706 "2017-09-08T03:11:28Z")
I’m working on getting myself fit again. No more excuses. I’ve bought a Fitbit to help me achieve these goals. So today, my Fitbit tells me I’ve used 4699 calories. I’ve consumed 2204 calories. So that’s a 2055 calories … --- ## [Nuclear fallout mask](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-fallout-mask/795583)
**Author:** [@legion60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legion60)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2017, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-fallout-mask/795583 "2017-09-08T00:36:19Z")
Can anyone recommend me a reasonably priced mask suitable for protection against moderate levels of radioactive fallout? Preferably not involving battery’s etc. Just strap it on and go. --- ## [Where to get lower-priced hearing aids](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-get-lower-priced-hearing-aids/795758)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-get-lower-priced-hearing-aids/795758 "2017-09-07T23:21:10Z")
My Mom’s doctor recommends that she resume using a hearing aid–years ago she stopped using the one she had, which failed, and it has run out of warranty. The doctor suggested I try Wal-Mart or other places to find one. I… --- ## [Music just not playing on Android phone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-just-not-playing-on-android-phone/795699)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-just-not-playing-on-android-phone/795699 "2017-09-07T20:21:59Z")
We transferred our music files from iTunes to Windows Media Player & they worked just fine on my PC’s. Then we transfer the music to our Android Phone but all but four of the songs will not play via the Music App that co… --- ## [The Financial Planning Industry And What To Do If You Suspect Criminal Activity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-financial-planning-industry-and-what-to-do-if-you-suspect-criminal-activity/795738)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-financial-planning-industry-and-what-to-do-if-you-suspect-criminal-activity/795738 "2017-09-07T19:20:36Z")
In a TV show I watch, a financial planner juggles around several scams in order to launder money for a Mexican cartel. In a flashback episode, you see how the cartel’s money man first started trying to generate a relatio… --- ## [Where is this location in California?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-this-location-in-california/789956)
**Author:** [@TheSundial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSundial)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-this-location-in-california/789956 "2017-09-07T17:15:35Z")
https://s3.postimg.org/pt2qslvb7/Image.jpg I assume it’s somewhere in Big Sur. It seems like a place that would be named and also possibly have a geological name for this kind of physical occurrence/landscape. --- ## [Why EA's Sims series have no copy-cat from other gaming companies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-eas-sims-series-have-no-copy-cat-from-other-gaming-companies/720340)
**Author:** [@sonder999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sonder999)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2015, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-eas-sims-series-have-no-copy-cat-from-other-gaming-companies/720340 "2015-05-21T21:12:31Z")
The Sims series is a highly successful series and they made so money they made EA what it is today. Unlike games like Simcity, which has many copy-cats from other gaming companies, the Sims, which is WAY MORE successful … --- ## [Mountaineering question on the "Jesus nut"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mountaineering-question-on-the-jesus-nut/795352)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mountaineering-question-on-the-jesus-nut/795352 "2017-09-07T15:24:53Z")
Hi I’ve been searching for a satisfactory definition of the “Jesus nut” or “Jesus pin” or “clip-on-nut”“bomber”. Are all of these terms synonymous? Where exactly does it go? Above or below the anchor? What is the idea … --- ## [How early did early Americans know of coming hurricanes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-early-did-early-americans-know-of-coming-hurricanes/795519)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-early-did-early-americans-know-of-coming-hurricanes/795519 "2017-09-07T15:21:30Z")
Were/are there signs of an approaching storm that Americans utilized before the days of satellites and other modern tools? Or were they basically surprised every time? --- ## [Why do you need to finish a course of antibiotics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-to-finish-a-course-of-antibiotics/788000)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-to-finish-a-course-of-antibiotics/788000 "2017-09-07T12:27:02Z")
As long as I can recall doctors have always warned me whenever I need to take antibiotics to finish the course even if the infection has cleared. Thus if they give you a week’s supply and the infection clears in three or… --- ## [Another electrical Q, polarity reversal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-electrical-q-polarity-reversal/795638)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-electrical-q-polarity-reversal/795638 "2017-09-07T05:40:20Z")
This time not OCD related. My stuff is good, just wondering what would happen if an outlet had only both neutrals connected on one side and both hots on the other side as in both the brass and silver having neutrals and… --- ## [Families with the same middle names?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/families-with-the-same-middle-names/434834)
**Author:** [@FlightlessBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlightlessBird)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/families-with-the-same-middle-names/434834 "2017-09-07T04:57:42Z")
I was just talking with a workmate who told me that her family always uses the same middle name for all the girls in her family and another middle name for all the boys. Coincidentally her husband’s family did the same, … --- ## [Railroading Protocol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/railroading-protocol/795606)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/railroading-protocol/795606 "2017-09-07T04:38:23Z")
Recently, we were stopped at a railroad crossing due to a train. Even after the train cleared the crossing, the gates did not go up. The train was out of sight \[and this is not the situation where the train pulled into a… --- ## [Portable Battery Packs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/portable-battery-packs/788830)
**Author:** [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/portable-battery-packs/788830 "2017-09-07T04:24:17Z")
My question: Is there a way for a regular Joe to check if a portable battery pack is delivering the stated mAh capacity? I purchased a brand name 11,000 mAh lithium-ion battery pack at Best Buy last year for travel use… --- ## [HELP! Cashier's Check that is Past the Void Period](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-cashiers-check-that-is-past-the-void-period/794792)
**Author:** [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-cashiers-check-that-is-past-the-void-period/794792 "2017-09-07T03:24:38Z")
I’ve been pretty stupid. I was issued a cashier’s check for a lot of money (to me) about 14 months ago. Recently a family member reminded me that while some cashier’s checks do not have “Void By” dates, others do, so I… --- ## [Does "Blairsville, Michigan" Even Exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-blairsville-michigan-even-exist/795521)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-blairsville-michigan-even-exist/795521 "2017-09-07T01:25:53Z")
Some of you may already know why I’m asking. The rest of you, read on. One of the latest scare stories some of my (even more) conservative (than me) friends and relatives regularly deluge me with involves a town in Mic… --- ## [Native American assimilation before the Civil War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-american-assimilation-before-the-civil-war/795398)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-american-assimilation-before-the-civil-war/795398 "2017-09-06T23:32:42Z")
Hello all, I’ve been looking for resources, including websites and books, that focus on Native American assimilation before it became Federal policy after the Civil War. While the post-1860 transition is a very interesti… --- ## [How does the body decide which metabolic pathway to use to convert ethanol into acetaldehyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-body-decide-which-metabolic-pathway-to-use-to-convert-ethanol-into-acetaldehyde/795677)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-body-decide-which-metabolic-pathway-to-use-to-convert-ethanol-into-acetaldehyde/795677 "2017-09-06T22:27:25Z")
I was reading Duff McKagan’s biography where he talked about drinking up to a gallon of vodka a day. Since a gallon of vodka has about 8,000 calories in it, I was confused how that is possible without gaining 2 lbs a da… --- ## [Measure the time I spend using Microsoft Word?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measure-the-time-i-spend-using-microsoft-word/795462)
**Author:** [@lriemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lriemann)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measure-the-time-i-spend-using-microsoft-word/795462 "2017-09-06T17:12:36Z")
Hi all! I’m looking for a way to measure the time I spend using Microsoft Word. I need it to have an overview of how many hours I work per day. I installed a program called Timekeeper but it doesn’t seem to work… Any… --- ## [Did someone change the forum format?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-someone-change-the-forum-format/795648)
**Author:** [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-someone-change-the-forum-format/795648 "2017-09-06T15:21:54Z")
Everything got big today, giant fonts etc. And my browser isnt zoomed in either, all i did was refesh the site from lastnight --- ## [Claim - There was never racial segregation in New York - Is this a fact?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claim-there-was-never-racial-segregation-in-new-york-is-this-a-fact/608807)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claim-there-was-never-racial-segregation-in-new-york-is-this-a-fact/608807 "2017-09-06T14:02:09Z")
A respondent to this article about some historic B&W photos of the NY subway system claims that the article commenting that is nonsensical as there were never any bars to begin with. Is this true? --- ## [How do cars roll backwards after they spin out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-cars-roll-backwards-after-they-spin-out/794904)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-cars-roll-backwards-after-they-spin-out/794904 "2017-09-06T13:24:37Z")
On Top Gear, they regularly end up spinning cars 180 degrees or more while test driving. Almost every time, the car ends up drifting backwards (on it’s wheels, so it looks like just normal reversing) for a short distance… --- ## [summit everest without climbing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summit-everest-without-climbing/79362)
**Author:** [@fecal\_nugget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fecal_nugget)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summit-everest-without-climbing/79362 "2017-09-06T07:58:49Z")
I’ve been batting this idea around for awhile in my head, and I’m wondering what it would take: I want to have a helicopter take me to the top of Mt. Everest, drop me off for a few pictures, and wisk me off again. this … --- ## ["Waiting for pr.comet.yahoo.com or just Waiting on comet.yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waiting-for-pr-comet-yahoo-com-or-just-waiting-on-comet-yahoo-com/795598)
**Author:** [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waiting-for-pr-comet-yahoo-com-or-just-waiting-on-comet-yahoo-com/795598 "2017-09-06T02:50:29Z")
Hello This is the message I get when I try to get into my e-mail and it takes FOREVER on my W7 machine. This has been going on for 3 days. The other prob is the racing cursoe. I use google chrome as my browser, but I ca… --- ## [Can Marijuana Use Cause Heart Attacks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-marijuana-use-cause-heart-attacks/212176)
**Author:** [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-marijuana-use-cause-heart-attacks/212176 "2017-09-06T02:44:54Z")
Howstuffworks.com mentions in their “How Marijuana Works” article that marijuana “has also been linked to heart attacks”. I haven’t heard this before and was curious as to whether it’s true or not. Here’s the article: --- ## [What's up with my iPhone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-my-iphone/795527)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-my-iphone/795527 "2017-09-06T00:30:15Z")
As I reported in last month’s mini-rants thread in the Pit, I recently got my iPhone replaced. All seemed well for the first few days, but this past week has seen some weirdness. Both my Firefox and my Sudoku icons went… --- ## [Looking at the Sun - non-eclipse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-at-the-sun-non-eclipse/795554)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-at-the-sun-non-eclipse/795554 "2017-09-06T00:12:47Z")
During the recent eclipse there was an enormous amount of publicity about the dangers of looking directly at the partially-concealed Sun. As I understood it, the issue is that looking directly at the Sun (for more than a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=677) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=679)