# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=700 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 701 --- ## [Melting Glass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melting-glass/791682)
**Author:** [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melting-glass/791682 "2017-07-21T16:49:52Z")
Can glass (ordinary glass, like a soda bottle or mayonnaise jar) be melted, or at least softened, enough to reshape in a home oven? I don’t want to actually liquefy the glass, just soften it enough to re-shape it a bit. … --- ## [Enable or disable gnome extensions in Fedora 26](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enable-or-disable-gnome-extensions-in-fedora-26/791769)
**Author:** [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enable-or-disable-gnome-extensions-in-fedora-26/791769 "2017-07-21T16:34:57Z")
I just upgraded my linux box to Fedora 26. When I added an extension to gnome (through activities -\> software) it brought up a graphical manager that allowed me to enable and disable extensions. I cannot figure out how t… --- ## [Help with minor maths puzzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-minor-maths-puzzle/791583)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-minor-maths-puzzle/791583 "2017-07-21T15:49:51Z")
This isn’t homework (I just got my pensioner’s bus pass :cool:), but comes from a newspaper puzzle. There was an equation with square roots on both sides and you had to simplify/solve it. It was something like: square… --- ## [Frying pan handle repair; wood to metal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frying-pan-handle-repair-wood-to-metal/791679)
**Author:** [@wellanuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wellanuff)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frying-pan-handle-repair-wood-to-metal/791679 "2017-07-21T15:14:36Z")
(I would just buy a new frying pan, but it’s not up to me…) “Expensive Japanese Frying Pan” has a wooden handle. The handle is held in place by a long screw that goes through the length of the handle and into a hole i… --- ## [Are Untouchables still discriminated against in India?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-untouchables-still-discriminated-against-in-india/791774)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-untouchables-still-discriminated-against-in-india/791774 "2017-07-21T15:09:36Z")
I read that India’s new President, Ram Nath Kovind, is a Dalit or Untouchable and assumed that this meant the caste was no longer treated as pariahs by the other castes. But I’m sure I saw recently that the caste system … --- ## [Do Animals Behave Differently Because of an Eclipse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-animals-behave-differently-because-of-an-eclipse/791739)
**Author:** [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-animals-behave-differently-because-of-an-eclipse/791739 "2017-07-21T14:51:45Z")
In anticipation of the August 21 total eclipse observable in some parts of the USA, I did a little research and came across this quote, “Can I bring my pets? NO! Animals will be scared senseless by the eclipse, and you w… --- ## [Skill that human kind has lost](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skill-that-human-kind-has-lost/791381)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skill-that-human-kind-has-lost/791381 "2017-07-21T13:59:17Z")
Is there any skill that humans have completely lost with no possibility of ever re-learning? Not to include extinct languages. --- ## [I put E85 in my accord. How bad is that?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-put-e85-in-my-accord-how-bad-is-that/791772)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-put-e85-in-my-accord-how-bad-is-that/791772 "2017-07-21T13:23:46Z")
I have a 2016 Accord. I put a tank full of E85 fuel in it before I saw the warnings about dangers to non-flex fuel vehicles. Just how much/what kind of damage will this tank of gas do to my car? --- ## [What elastomeric coating to use on a rubber roof?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-elastomeric-coating-to-use-on-a-rubber-roof/525359)
**Author:** [@Wheeljack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheeljack)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-elastomeric-coating-to-use-on-a-rubber-roof/525359 "2017-07-21T11:53:10Z")
Thread title says it all. It’s coming up on time to recoat the rubber roof on our house (according to the people we bought it from) but all of the elastomeric sealants I can find at Home Depot say “do not use on rubber r… --- ## [Why don't they throw trash into holes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-throw-trash-into-holes/791723)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-throw-trash-into-holes/791723 "2017-07-21T09:36:55Z")
Abandoned mines? Old sinkholes? --- ## [Charity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charity/791578)
**Author:** [@ShutUp\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShutUp_1)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2017, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charity/791578 "2017-07-19T12:50:16Z")
Is there a way to tell how much a business contributes to charity? --- ## [All my DVDs on a drive; Plex questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-my-dvds-on-a-drive-plex-questions/663077)
**Author:** [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-my-dvds-on-a-drive-plex-questions/663077 "2017-07-21T07:03:25Z")
Mrs. R, for some reason, has decided that it would be great if all our DVDs (1385 titles) were on a hard drive somewhere and she could just call them up on the TV, like she can Netflix (we use a Roku). I was looking at … --- ## [Last of the Mohicans - tomahawk / knife fighting style](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-of-the-mohicans-tomahawk-knife-fighting-style/791544)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-of-the-mohicans-tomahawk-knife-fighting-style/791544 "2017-07-21T05:15:25Z")
In the 1992 version of Last of the Mohicans we see Wes Studi’s character, and I think Daniel Day-Lewis’, fighting with a tomahawk in one hand and a knife in the other. About a minute into this clip Magua draws his weapon… --- ## [Could the "visible light" images of some galaxies look the same to us as the Hubble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-visible-light-images-of-some-galaxies-look-the-same-to-us-as-the-hubble/791256)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-visible-light-images-of-some-galaxies-look-the-same-to-us-as-the-hubble/791256 "2017-07-21T03:12:40Z")
See, for example, the mind-blowing (cue Bowman of 2001) whirlpool galaxy M51. I know many spectacular space images are composites of all sorts of spectra “colorized” for our visual understanding. And any image is taken … --- ## [Bankruptcy Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bankruptcy-question/791676)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bankruptcy-question/791676 "2017-07-21T01:09:26Z")
Any bankruptcy lawyers out there? This is a general question about bankruptcy. I am not asking for legal advice and you are not my attorney. Sorry for the long post. A few years after she turned 18 my daughter borrowed … --- ## [How Far Back (or Forward) in Time Can I Use Stars to Determine the Date?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-or-forward-in-time-can-i-use-stars-to-determine-the-date/791571)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2017, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-or-forward-in-time-can-i-use-stars-to-determine-the-date/791571 "2017-07-20T22:11:10Z")
Quasi-inspired by this thread, let’s say I have a TARDIS I bought off eBay from a sketchy-looking Sontaran, and I have discovered that the navigation and sensing is hosed. So when I step out into a tropical jungle, I can… --- ## [Tears and red eye in cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tears-and-red-eye-in-cats/791683)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2017, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tears-and-red-eye-in-cats/791683 "2017-07-20T19:20:50Z")
Today, I saw that one of my cats had a year in his right eye. Now, that same eye is bloodshot. He doesn’t seem to be in pain. Have you seen something like this happen? What might help until he gets a vet visit? --- ## [Taxation of contest winnings in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxation-of-contest-winnings-in-the-us/791174)
**Author:** [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxation-of-contest-winnings-in-the-us/791174 "2017-07-20T18:46:03Z")
Just a (hopefully) quick question—in the US, are you required to pay taxes on prize money from contests? Say, you won some money in a literary competition, or something in that vein, do you have to pay taxes on those win… --- ## [Keeping old CDs (disc and/or case) out of landfill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-old-cds-disc-and-or-case-out-of-landfill/791251)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2017, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-old-cds-disc-and-or-case-out-of-landfill/791251 "2017-07-20T18:09:22Z")
I’m finally converting acres of CDs to digital and am having a hard time finding anything to do with the discs and cases that doesn’t involve a trash can. What’s the straight dope: is there ANY legitimate means of recyc… --- ## [Are all super-glues the same?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-super-glues-the-same/791704)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2017, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-super-glues-the-same/791704 "2017-07-20T15:47:42Z")
There is cheap super-glue and expensive super-glue. Even super cheap super-glue. They all seem to work the same. Are they different? Is more expensive a better glue? --- ## [A question about Hajj](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-hajj/605760)
**Author:** [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2011, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-hajj/605760 "2011-12-13T05:02:46Z")
I’ve done a fair amount of traveling, but there are some places I’ve never been and would like to go. Mecca would certainly be one. Assuming for the moment that I undergo a philosophical and religious conversion to Isla… --- ## [Trim/Finishing Nails Sticking Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trim-finishing-nails-sticking-out/791602)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2017, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trim-finishing-nails-sticking-out/791602 "2017-07-20T06:51:00Z")
Tired of tearing socks and getting mop threads stuck. Every few months I notice a few finishing nails in a random wall baseboard molding strip starts to stick out (about 1/8 inch). Why do they keep pushing out? I was car… --- ## [Mouse Pointer Problem Fix?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-pointer-problem-fix/791552)
**Author:** [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2017, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-pointer-problem-fix/791552 "2017-07-20T03:18:29Z")
Good Morning! What’s a good fix for when one’s cursor suddenly changes shape and runs down the page like a bat out of hell? I always appreciate your help! Quasi --- ## [Collar Bone Knockout](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collar-bone-knockout/789347)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2017, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collar-bone-knockout/789347 "2017-07-20T01:33:36Z")
What, exactly, is happening in THIS video? --- ## [Grammar: making a list of mountains](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-making-a-list-of-mountains/791674)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2017, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-making-a-list-of-mountains/791674 "2017-07-20T00:14:54Z")
When you make a list of doctors by name, you generally don’t put “Doctor” before each name, you just write it once (in plural form) at the start of the list: “Doctors Olsen, Johnson, and Torsten” Should you do the same… --- ## [When excel is confusing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-excel-is-confusing/791465)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2017, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-excel-is-confusing/791465 "2017-07-19T22:09:53Z")
Can someone give me some hints. I am really frustrated. How do you affect the size of the image? How do you affect the template for the width of the columns in a sheet? How do you change the default? I ask because I wa… --- ## [Freaking clamshell packaging](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2017, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457 "2017-07-19T21:56:54Z")
So how are clamshell packages actually meant to be opened without risking serious injury? --- ## [Legal Question: Collecting Petition Signatures on Public Property (County Fair, Specifically)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-collecting-petition-signatures-on-public-property-county-fair-specifically/791538)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2017, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-collecting-petition-signatures-on-public-property-county-fair-specifically/791538 "2017-07-19T21:51:05Z")
STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY: You are not my lawyer, I am not your client, etc. The Missouri Marijuana Legalization movement is collecting signatures for a petition to put a legalization initiative on the ballot for the N… --- ## [What if we just burned all our trash - everything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-just-burned-all-our-trash-everything/791653)
**Author:** [@komolono](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/komolono)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-just-burned-all-our-trash-everything/791653 "2017-07-19T19:37:21Z")
I find it very difficult to seperate my trash. I should have at least bio metal glass plastic drugs batteries and electric components … and so on wastebags/garbage bins. If I just delivered everything to my company an… --- ## [Toilet flow problems. Is my toilet haunted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-flow-problems-is-my-toilet-haunted/791645)
**Author:** [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-flow-problems-is-my-toilet-haunted/791645 "2017-07-19T18:20:59Z")
Sorry for the flip post title. Obviously, not haunted, but it damn near seems like it is. The issue: For the past month and a half, literally every 11 minutes, my toilet makes a noise as if it were re-filling the bowl.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=699) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=701)