# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=71 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 72 --- ## [Value of a Piece of Eight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-of-a-piece-of-eight/985978)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-of-a-piece-of-eight/985978 "2024-10-08T17:05:11Z")
When I see tales of buccaneers fighting over pieces of eight, I always wonder, just how much was one of them worth at the time. How much could a single coin purchase? Was it a day’s wages? A month? An hour? I realize … --- ## [How do mechanical watches keep time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-mechanical-watches-keep-time/1008498)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2024, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-mechanical-watches-keep-time/1008498 "2024-10-08T14:09:39Z")
I understand that there is a main spring and a balance wheel that release force at regular intervals, but what allows it to be so exact? What physical phenomenon allows the balance wheel to always swing at the same rate? … --- ## [iTunes/PC/iPhone Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itunes-pc-iphone-question/1008518)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2024, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itunes-pc-iphone-question/1008518 "2024-10-07T17:17:01Z")
I’ve downloaded iTunes music on my PC. From there I move it to my IPhone. Question: If I delete a song on my PC will it be deleted from my phone? Will it be deleted from the cloud? Thx. --- ## [What does it mean that “Message +will be shutting down effective 11/7/24”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-that-message-will-be-shutting-down-effective-11-7-24/1008508)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-that-message-will-be-shutting-down-effective-11-7-24/1008508 "2024-10-07T16:14:34Z")
I just found this message on my phone. I don’t know (or care) that I am a “message+” user (if I really am) nor what it means to use one message system and not another. But it’s possible that this is some sort of scam, I … --- ## [UK law: What’s the legal status of Buckingham Palace relative to St James’s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-law-what-s-the-legal-status-of-buckingham-palace-relative-to-st-james-s/1006420)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2024, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-law-what-s-the-legal-status-of-buckingham-palace-relative-to-st-james-s/1006420 "2024-10-07T09:08:57Z")
The British monarchy resides at Buckingham Palace. Every child knows that, and that’s the building with the famous balcony they wave from. But wait, it’s not that simple. Buckingham Palace is used for official functions… --- ## [How is there a sand shortage in the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-there-a-sand-shortage-in-the-world/987767)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2024, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-there-a-sand-shortage-in-the-world/987767 "2024-10-05T22:25:27Z")
You can find more articles like the one above with a simple Google search. I don’t doubt that this is a real issue, I seem to see similar articles popping up every few months. But, it seems to me there is abundant sa… --- ## [Frankenstorm hits on election day--what happens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frankenstorm-hits-on-election-day-what-happens/639114)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frankenstorm-hits-on-election-day-what-happens/639114 "2024-10-05T16:07:50Z")
The title says it all, basically. Suppose the upcoming storm gathers in strength for a few more days. And instead of affecting “only” 60 million people, it is even worse. This could, I think, make it one of the wors… --- ## [What is this thing attached to my built in microwave?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726 "2024-10-05T14:47:12Z")
My built-in microwave broke. When pulling out the old one, there’s this metal thing with some kind of metal tape attached to the side: … --- ## [20 independent events happening in 10 hour period Probability breakdown for at least 2 in an hour?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-independent-events-happening-in-10-hour-period-probability-breakdown-for-at-least-2-in-an-hour/1008388)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2024, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-independent-events-happening-in-10-hour-period-probability-breakdown-for-at-least-2-in-an-hour/1008388 "2024-10-05T10:27:47Z")
Could somebody calculate this for me? Over a 10 hour period event X will happen exactly 20 times, independently random across the 10 hour period. If we split the 10 hour period up into 10 discrete hours and check them in… --- ## [Sanewashing -- Originator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanewashing-originator/1008411)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2024, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanewashing-originator/1008411 "2024-10-04T22:21:48Z")
In the last couple-three weeks, I’ve seen the term sanewashing (sometimes hyphenated) used to discuss people interpreting the speeches of a certain politician.† Does anyone know who invented/first used this term? . † P… --- ## [Boiling water, electric stove, noise. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boiling-water-electric-stove-noise-why/1008385)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boiling-water-electric-stove-noise-why/1008385 "2024-10-04T14:32:00Z")
Most of my life I have had residential electric stoves, but until recently, they had “conventional”, flat-coiled burners. All of those – when boiling water, no matter what kind of container or pot I used – made a loud n… --- ## [Amino acids and DNA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amino-acids-and-dna/1008386)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2024, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amino-acids-and-dna/1008386 "2024-10-04T03:50:39Z")
In DNA, the various amino acids are encoded by triplets of nucleotides. Some amino acids have more than one encoding. It is my understanding that the encodings are almost identical across all the species we know which is… --- ## [Chromebook: how to type a single straight quote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chromebook-how-to-type-a-single-straight-quote/1008417)
**Author:** [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2024, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chromebook-how-to-type-a-single-straight-quote/1008417 "2024-10-04T03:45:14Z")
Not a ‘,\`or a ‘. We need a ’ No combination of key mashing produces the desired result. Google documentation is less than helpful. On review the font here also doesn’t show what I mean:( My iPhone keyboard shows \`‘’’ … --- ## [Who studies non-CTE brains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-studies-non-cte-brains/1008423)
**Author:** [@StrongStyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StrongStyle)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2024, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-studies-non-cte-brains/1008423 "2024-10-04T03:37:41Z")
This isn’t a well defined question, I don’t think. However, when Junior Seau died, his brain was studied at Boston University to confirm ge suffered from CTE. When professional wrestler Daffney Unger did her last stream … --- ## [Restore Session stymied by appxstaging](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restore-session-stymied-by-appxstaging/1008433)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2024, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restore-session-stymied-by-appxstaging/1008433 "2024-10-04T03:13:41Z")
I’ve recently needed to restore to a previous stable point a few days ago, but kept getting an unsuccessful restoration due to “appxstaging”. Is this a virus, or a malfunctioning app? How do I get around this pothole a… --- ## ["archive page is disabled" when opening Chrome. What's it mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archive-page-is-disabled-when-opening-chrome-whats-it-mean/1008402)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2024, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archive-page-is-disabled-when-opening-chrome-whats-it-mean/1008402 "2024-10-03T10:13:15Z")
I have Chrome on a PC with Windows 10. When I open Chrome, I get a window in the top right corner of the screen that says: “Archive Page is disabled” “To re-enable it, accept the new permissions” under these two line… --- ## [Thieves steal laptop with child sex-abuse images, turn it - and themselves - in. If this happened in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thieves-steal-laptop-with-child-sex-abuse-images-turn-it-and-themselves-in-if-this-happened-in-the-us/1008202)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2024, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thieves-steal-laptop-with-child-sex-abuse-images-turn-it-and-themselves-in-if-this-happened-in-the-us/1008202 "2024-10-02T23:05:07Z")
This video purports to tell the story of thieves in Britain who broke into a home and stole a laptop computer, only to find it contained images of child sex abuse (apparently “child pornography” is out as a term these da… --- ## [Help Identify this tank](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identify-this-tank/1008342)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identify-this-tank/1008342 "2024-10-02T17:14:05Z")
1983 E Kilgore Rd - Google Maps M-60 or an M-48? --- ## [Why does being sick make my enthusiasm go down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-being-sick-make-my-enthusiasm-go-down/1008290)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2024, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-being-sick-make-my-enthusiasm-go-down/1008290 "2024-10-02T10:00:07Z")
I recently had a bad cold (possible bout of COVID but it didn’t feel the same) and all I wanted to do was slump in bed and feel crappy. No interest in doing anything. Is it something to do with endorphins? Or is this jus… --- ## [Is there some idea of a largest likely intact single crystal diamond on the surface?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-idea-of-a-largest-likely-intact-single-crystal-diamond-on-the-surface/1006094)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2024, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-idea-of-a-largest-likely-intact-single-crystal-diamond-on-the-surface/1006094 "2024-10-02T09:39:47Z")
Triggered by this find, but I’ve wondered about it for a while. Is there thoughts on if internal stresses of diamonds brought to the low-pressure frigid surface might cause diamonds above a certain size to shatter? None … --- ## [Table based calculations of actuarial present values](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-based-calculations-of-actuarial-present-values/1008222)
**Author:** [@Richardpurvey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richardpurvey)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/table-based-calculations-of-actuarial-present-values/1008222 "2024-10-01T17:01:24Z")
It seems that modern course books still show table based calculations of the APVs of mthly life contingencies being done using lx tables which only have lx tabulated for integer values of x, leading, if m\>1, to the calcu… --- ## [Hotkey for signature in outlook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotkey-for-signature-in-outlook/1007383)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotkey-for-signature-in-outlook/1007383 "2024-09-30T18:50:28Z")
I commonly have to attach my calendar link in emails. I have it as part of my signature, but I commonly need to copy and paste it from my signature for other emails and documents. I want to have a quick hotkey that wil… --- ## [San Franciscans: Will Hardly Strictly Bluegrass screw up traffic for travelers going north?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-franciscans-will-hardly-strictly-bluegrass-screw-up-traffic-for-travelers-going-north/1008203)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2024, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-franciscans-will-hardly-strictly-bluegrass-screw-up-traffic-for-travelers-going-north/1008203 "2024-09-30T16:08:36Z")
We’re about to take a trip up to Oregon, and usually pass through San Francisco to do this. We take 19th Street, go through Golden Gate Park, and so on up to the Golden Gate Bridge. Now I see that the Hardly Strictly B… --- ## [Are "artisanal" items in tourist areas mass produced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-artisanal-items-in-tourist-areas-mass-produced/1007273)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2024, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-artisanal-items-in-tourist-areas-mass-produced/1007273 "2024-09-30T12:50:34Z")
We just returned from a trip to Kenya. As we drove around, we stopped at several gift shops (they have rest rooms, and the roads have no rest areas.) The shops all had carved masks and animals, and beadwork items. Eac… --- ## [Actuarial early retirement pension factors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actuarial-early-retirement-pension-factors/1008244)
**Author:** [@Richardpurvey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richardpurvey)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2024, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actuarial-early-retirement-pension-factors/1008244 "2024-09-30T03:42:58Z")
Why can’t ALL actuarial early retirement pension factors be calculated accurately instead of only discrete accurate factors being tabulated with ‘in-between’ ones being interpolated? --- ## [Lake Michigan frog behavior question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-frog-behavior-question/637875)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2024, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-frog-behavior-question/637875 "2024-09-30T00:02:21Z")
Was wondering if any of you might have any thoughts as to this frog activity I noticed yesterday. In short, yesterday evening along the S shore of Lake Michigan, there were several large frogs, mostly sitting along the … --- ## [Who first called Reagan “The Great Communicator”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-first-called-reagan-the-great-communicator/1008241)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2024, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-first-called-reagan-the-great-communicator/1008241 "2024-09-29T14:39:57Z")
In the song “Popular” from Wicked, Galinda has the line When I see depressing creatures/With unprepossessing features/I remind them on their own behalf/To think of/Celebrated heads of state/Or ‘specially Great Communicat… --- ## [Accent eradication](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accent-eradication/1007709)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2024, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accent-eradication/1007709 "2024-09-29T11:27:14Z")
Has there been any study of the age at which acquiring a native accent in a second language falls off a cliff? Anecdotally, my relatives who’ve immigrated in their youth (mainly from Slavic-speaking countries) tend to sp… --- ## [Historicity of the Kingdom of Rome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historicity-of-the-kingdom-of-rome/1007808)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2024, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historicity-of-the-kingdom-of-rome/1007808 "2024-09-29T04:20:49Z")
Roman oral tradition held that before it was a Republic, Rome was a kingdom, like many contemporaneous polities. However, my understanding is that there are no surviving sources from this time period, and very little is … --- ## [Do people's veins ever fully recover from blood tests and IV's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-peoples-veins-ever-fully-recover-from-blood-tests-and-ivs/1007748)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2024, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-peoples-veins-ever-fully-recover-from-blood-tests-and-ivs/1007748 "2024-09-28T03:42:44Z")
My mom was a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and sometimes got called in to start IV’s in patients with bad veins I"ve always been a difficult stick. Especially now after a lifetime of blood tests and IV’s. I had surgery in … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=70) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=72)