# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=685 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 686 --- ## [Could you patent a book-long method? Eg an RPG like Dungeons & Dragons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-patent-a-book-long-method-eg-an-rpg-like-dungeons-dragons/794466)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-patent-a-book-long-method-eg-an-rpg-like-dungeons-dragons/794466 "2017-08-24T01:01:07Z")
Most books fall under copyright, but what about a book that fleshes out a method that would mainly fall under patent law, that really requires the whole book for the method to exist in full? I know technically you could… --- ## [Anyway to block all calls from a certain area code (that aren't in my contacts)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyway-to-block-all-calls-from-a-certain-area-code-that-arent-in-my-contacts/794484)
**Author:** [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyway-to-block-all-calls-from-a-certain-area-code-that-arent-in-my-contacts/794484 "2017-08-23T23:21:43Z")
Phone is a Google Pixel on Sprint. I have a 309 area code phone number and lately I’ve been getting a surge of spam 309 calls. I block every one but the numbers keep changing. The thing is, I no longer live in the 309 a… --- ## [Is there a scientific explanation as to why people respond emotionally to a eclipse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-scientific-explanation-as-to-why-people-respond-emotionally-to-a-eclipse/794292)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-scientific-explanation-as-to-why-people-respond-emotionally-to-a-eclipse/794292 "2017-08-23T23:05:30Z")
I have heard a couple of accounts on radio shows lately by people who are either eclipse buffs or scientists who travel all around the world to see eclipses. They always emphasize the emotionally moving aspect of the exp… --- ## [Merging MP3 files into a long file?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merging-mp3-files-into-a-long-file/794229)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merging-mp3-files-into-a-long-file/794229 "2017-08-23T21:07:25Z")
Is this a freeware, or pay thing? I’ve got audacity and it doesn’t look like you can do it there. This is making one long file from the contents of a digital recorder. --- ## [Who is the woman at the right hand side of this photo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-woman-at-the-right-hand-side-of-this-photo/794474)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-woman-at-the-right-hand-side-of-this-photo/794474 "2017-08-23T19:11:22Z")
Not an American, so apologies if the question has an obvious answer. She is frequently in photos with McConnell. Photo here. --- ## [Space Shuttle Columbia disaster: why did Cain order GC to "lock the doors?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-shuttle-columbia-disaster-why-did-cain-order-gc-to-lock-the-doors/683628)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-shuttle-columbia-disaster-why-did-cain-order-gc-to-lock-the-doors/683628 "2017-08-23T19:02:47Z")
Regarding the space shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003: In the first moments when flight director Leroy Cain realized that the space shuttle Columbia was probably lost, he calls on Ground Control to “lock the doors.” Wh… --- ## [Odd furniture stripping "blocks"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-furniture-stripping-blocks/794463)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-furniture-stripping-blocks/794463 "2017-08-23T18:48:38Z")
I don’t know if this product still exists (or even if I’ll be able to describe it clearly) but in the late 70s/ early 80s there were “As Seen On TV”- type television commercials for these stiff rectangular blocks of som… --- ## [Finding exponentials with a calculator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-exponentials-with-a-calculator/794094)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-exponentials-with-a-calculator/794094 "2017-08-23T18:06:56Z")
I wanted to find “4 to the 7th power” (from a line of a song by C. W. McCall) on my Smartphone calculator. It has buttons for e to the x power, x squared, and y to the x power. Can any of those find the exponential I wan… --- ## [Viewing the solar eclipse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viewing-the-solar-eclipse/793174)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viewing-the-solar-eclipse/793174 "2017-08-23T17:54:26Z")
I remember from perhaps 50 years ago using 35 mm B & W film that had been exposed to sunlight for 60 seconds and then developed to view the partial solar eclipse which presented around Washington, D.C. We used a layer … --- ## [Electricity - what's normal kilowatt hour usage per month?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricity-whats-normal-kilowatt-hour-usage-per-month/794425)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricity-whats-normal-kilowatt-hour-usage-per-month/794425 "2017-08-23T17:53:51Z")
Let’s say two extremes: family of four. Most meals cooked on electric range. Many loads of laundry. Keeps temperature regulated through electric heating and air conditioning. sole resident in two bedroom apartment.… --- ## [Long term storage for viable sperm and eggs for most of the population](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-storage-for-viable-sperm-and-eggs-for-most-of-the-population/794377)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-storage-for-viable-sperm-and-eggs-for-most-of-the-population/794377 "2017-08-23T17:16:09Z")
This might be an easy question to answer. I just don’t know enough about biology. Let’s say as a hypothetical that we wanted to save the sperm and eggs of most of the people on the planet as a long term repository to r… --- ## [Did sub-Saharan Africa really not have wheels or written languages before Europeans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-sub-saharan-africa-really-not-have-wheels-or-written-languages-before-europeans/794007)
**Author:** [@JessicaHoyt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessicaHoyt)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-sub-saharan-africa-really-not-have-wheels-or-written-languages-before-europeans/794007 "2017-08-23T16:58:12Z")
This is what I’ve sometimes seen claimed online. --- ## [Home Scale Accuracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-scale-accuracy/560912)
**Author:** [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-scale-accuracy/560912 "2017-08-23T16:53:07Z")
I’ve been using this scale for about five years, assuming it’s been accurate. My new (guy) room mate gets on the scale and has a fit. “There’s no way I only weigh 140!” He swears the scale is off by ten pounds, which … --- ## [Total Eclipse Pics Make No Sense...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-eclipse-pics-make-no-sense/794426)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-eclipse-pics-make-no-sense/794426 "2017-08-23T14:20:00Z")
Although an amateur astronomer, this was my first total solar eclipse. I always thought the sky would be black as night at total, but it is not. It hit me the reason I think so is because of the pictures shot through a s… --- ## [Do they make a Time-Only Ink Stamp?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-make-a-time-only-ink-stamp/794230)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-make-a-time-only-ink-stamp/794230 "2017-08-23T11:41:30Z")
My google-foo has failed me. I thought what I was looking for would be easy to find. Here’s some backstory. I’m selling tickets to a multi-day film festival. Last year I sold daily passes and used different colored ty… --- ## [Do we actually need sebum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-actually-need-sebum/794395)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-actually-need-sebum/794395 "2017-08-23T04:17:29Z")
Sebum is oil that your skin secretes. Its allegedly supposed to moisturize your skin and prevent deliver antioxidants, but it can also cause acne and dandruff. Another bad thing about sebum is that the same bacteria tha… --- ## [Max Eclipse vs. Max Totality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-eclipse-vs-max-totality/794427)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-eclipse-vs-max-totality/794427 "2017-08-23T03:56:37Z")
I was hoping some SDoper could explain in simple terms the difference between max eclipse and max totality? For this solar eclipse, max eclipse occurred over Carbondale, IL; however, max totality occurred over Hopkinsvil… --- ## [excel question, finding the row number of a value](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-finding-the-row-number-of-a-value/794311)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-finding-the-row-number-of-a-value/794311 "2017-08-23T02:20:18Z")
I have a column that contains a series of positive numbers (I used the technique that OLDGUY so helpfully provided) that is terminated by a negative number. I need to scan through this column to find the row number of th… --- ## [How did ancient people see eclipses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-ancient-people-see-eclipses/794013)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-ancient-people-see-eclipses/794013 "2017-08-23T02:14:53Z")
Not what explanations and opinions they had on eclipses, but how did they actually view them? Yes, the total eclipses would have been dead obvious, but what about partial eclipses. Did people stare directly at the sun, o… --- ## [Windows 10 - pinning program to Task Bar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-pinning-program-to-task-bar/794405)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-pinning-program-to-task-bar/794405 "2017-08-23T00:14:59Z")
I’ve just got a new computer with Windows 10. I like playing older games like Civilisation 4 and Colonisation. I put the discs into the drive and load + run the programs successfully. However when I try to pin the pro… --- ## [An eclipse question. No, not that one. April 2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-eclipse-question-no-not-that-one-april-2024/794284)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-eclipse-question-no-not-that-one-april-2024/794284 "2017-08-22T23:38:56Z")
I was looking up eclipses, because reasons. There’s one in April 2024 that, if not for the fall of night, would reach the UK: Watching the video animation of the path of this eclipse, it really does look like it shoul… --- ## [Furthest wadeable place from land?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furthest-wadeable-place-from-land/794018)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furthest-wadeable-place-from-land/794018 "2017-08-22T23:31:12Z")
Where can you walk from land to a place farthest from land that is still in, say, 4 feet or less of water? Doesn’t matter if it is permanent or tide-dependent, it only matters how deep the waters are at the time you’re w… --- ## [Wait what? Were there two "Ich bin ein Berliner" speeches by JFK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-what-were-there-two-ich-bin-ein-berliner-speeches-by-jfk/794415)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-what-were-there-two-ich-bin-ein-berliner-speeches-by-jfk/794415 "2017-08-22T23:19:54Z")
I was watching a cold war documentary on the German channel zdfInfo, and the building of the Wall came up with its aftermath. Then a segment from a Kennedy speech in Berlin 1963 in black and white was shown, and I though… --- ## [Eclipse: So what will be the most important thing discovered/observed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eclipse-so-what-will-be-the-most-important-thing-discovered-observed/794278)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eclipse-so-what-will-be-the-most-important-thing-discovered-observed/794278 "2017-08-22T21:26:08Z")
See query. Watching NASA prequel: Helium, massive solar coronas, Einstein’s GTR proved all discovered, observed first time in total solar eclipses. What are science people salivating for? --- ## [How did having piercings in the right ear become associated with homosexuality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-having-piercings-in-the-right-ear-become-associated-with-homosexuality/705309)
**Author:** [@gracefulfatsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracefulfatsheba)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-having-piercings-in-the-right-ear-become-associated-with-homosexuality/705309 "2017-08-22T20:32:46Z")
How did having piercings in the right ear become associated with homosexuality? It’s something I’ve heard for a long time and never questioned it until now. Whenever I see a guy with an earring, I instinctively check if … --- ## [Eclipse, Aug. 21, 2017: how long was totality where I was?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eclipse-aug-21-2017-how-long-was-totality-where-i-was/794397)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eclipse-aug-21-2017-how-long-was-totality-where-i-was/794397 "2017-08-22T20:16:31Z")
I was in Prairie Home, MO for the eclipse. Totality seemed to last less than a minute there. How can I find out how long it actually lasted? J. --- ## [What should Luke Cage's shirt look like? Bulletholes and invulnerability.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-luke-cages-shirt-look-like-bulletholes-and-invulnerability/794151)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-luke-cages-shirt-look-like-bulletholes-and-invulnerability/794151 "2017-08-22T19:16:28Z")
Okay, so something very silly has been bugging me about Luke Cage. Disclaimer: I know special effects are unrealistic for the sake of entertainment. Moving on. Luke cage has unbreakable skin. People shoot him a lot, any… --- ## [Is this story about a town being taken over true?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-story-about-a-town-being-taken-over-true/794308)
**Author:** [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-story-about-a-town-being-taken-over-true/794308 "2017-08-22T19:01:22Z")
I heard from I don’t know where/when that there was a small town in the US and due to loose residency requirements, a person was able to pay or persuade enough people, mostly homeless to move there, register to vote, the… --- ## [Spanish translation help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-translation-help/794339)
**Author:** [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-translation-help/794339 "2017-08-22T18:34:02Z")
I’d like if someone could accuracy-check the following translation for me: English: “We no longer believe”, or “We don’t believe anymore” Spanish: “Nosotros no creemos nunca mas”? “Nosotros creemos” was a Kansas City … --- ## [Fried retinas from eclipse - any repair possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fried-retinas-from-eclipse-any-repair-possible/794275)
**Author:** [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fried-retinas-from-eclipse-any-repair-possible/794275 "2017-08-22T17:51:26Z")
I have a weird question (well, it is weird to me). I know staring at the sun can cause irreparable damage to your eyes. However, I am curious - is there anything an ophthalmologist can do after the fact to reduce (note I… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=684) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=686)