# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=726 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 727 --- ## [Questions about training vehicles equipped with two steering wheels.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-training-vehicles-equipped-with-two-steering-wheels/146743)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-training-vehicles-equipped-with-two-steering-wheels/146743 "2017-05-25T23:52:13Z")
With two brakes and two gas pedals! I Remember some old movie had the hero going to driving school, and using one of those cars. Recently, it looks like they are not used much, even in driving schools. Why? As I read a… --- ## [Are dangerous criminals ever transported on commercial flights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dangerous-criminals-ever-transported-on-commercial-flights/635695)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dangerous-criminals-ever-transported-on-commercial-flights/635695 "2017-05-25T23:49:56Z")
There’s an episode of Seinfeld where George pisses off a criminal by taking the last copy of Time magazine in which he was on the cover. He later meet the guy in the bathroom of the plane and gets beat up or something. … --- ## [Does my fantasy iPod docking station exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-fantasy-ipod-docking-station-exist/787434)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-fantasy-ipod-docking-station-exist/787434 "2017-05-25T20:34:10Z")
I would very much like to own a docking station for my iPod Classic that displays the album covers. Ideally the display would be as large as a CD case more or less. I realize it would suck up a good deal of battery juice… --- ## [What exactly is MS17-010 meant to define?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-ms17-010-meant-to-define/787273)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-ms17-010-meant-to-define/787273 "2017-05-25T20:13:38Z")
What exactly is MS17-010 meant to define? Is it a Microsoft news bulletin, a software vulnerability, a name of a Trojan ransomware virus? Scanning Google searches, the code MS17-010 is being used to mean all of the prece… --- ## [Draining a smartphone battery quickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draining-a-smartphone-battery-quickly/787212)
**Author:** [@Johnegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnegee)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draining-a-smartphone-battery-quickly/787212 "2017-05-25T19:12:41Z")
May 22, 2017 I have two related questions about draining the battery of a smartphone, which sometimes I want to do. First, what is the quickest way to eat a smartphone battery down to zero percent? All I can think of … --- ## [Law question: forced testimony? \[open spoilers in thread\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-question-forced-testimony-open-spoilers-in-thread/787199)
**Author:** [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-question-forced-testimony-open-spoilers-in-thread/787199 "2017-05-25T17:27:05Z")
I was watching a TV show the other day and the following we go premise was advanced: immunity can be forced on you. So they don’t actually offer immunity, they tell you you have it like it or not. if you have immun… --- ## [How much would a regional airport cost to build?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-a-regional-airport-cost-to-build/787310)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-a-regional-airport-cost-to-build/787310 "2017-05-25T15:01:45Z")
I saw some thread on Quora where a guy asked the same question, but for a airport that can handle the A380, which is the largest airliner in existence, which probably translate to extreme costs, extreme amounts of passen… --- ## [Unclaimed money notification, scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclaimed-money-notification-scam/787333)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unclaimed-money-notification-scam/787333 "2017-05-25T13:59:33Z")
Hello Everyone, I received a letter in the mail from The Stage of Florida Department of Financial Services. The letter claims that I have what they’re calling “unclaimed funds”. The letter refers me to a website. I ent… --- ## [Why can't I see my nose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-see-my-nose/787366)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-see-my-nose/787366 "2017-05-25T13:24:17Z")
It should almost always be in my line of vision but I rarely see it. The fact that it is in my line of vision is borne out when there is something strange going on with it. If, say, there is an exceptionally shiny spot o… --- ## [Ransomware: What is the alternative to paying the ransom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ransomware-what-is-the-alternative-to-paying-the-ransom/786731)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ransomware-what-is-the-alternative-to-paying-the-ransom/786731 "2017-05-25T13:12:52Z")
This article from CBS News is titled, “‘WannaCry’ ransomware attack losses could reach $4 billion”. But if you read even the third paragraph, you’ll see that that figure “includes lost productivity and the cost of conduc… --- ## [When did US civil engineering reach "peak efficiency"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-us-civil-engineering-reach-peak-efficiency/787314)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-us-civil-engineering-reach-peak-efficiency/787314 "2017-05-25T09:51:35Z")
It is commented on that many modern large US engineering projects take longer than those that that proceeded them, even though they are smaller in scope and have the advantage of modern technology (e.g. 2nd Ave Subway or… --- ## [Why no scaled animals with turkey hips?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-scaled-animals-with-turkey-hips/787175)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-scaled-animals-with-turkey-hips/787175 "2017-05-25T02:07:43Z")
It sounds like the principal identifying feature of a dinosaur and bird is the shape of the hips and this separates them from the lizards. So the dinosaurs split off from the lizards, and then later their scales turn in… --- ## [Which came first: gaudy, or Gaudi?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-came-first-gaudy-or-gaudi/261672)
**Author:** [@foolcourtpress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolcourtpress)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-came-first-gaudy-or-gaudi/261672 "2017-05-25T00:41:04Z")
If not a burning question, a sparkly one: Does anyone know if the adjective “gaudy” (adj: Too highly ornamented to be in good taste; syns: tacky, chintzy, tawdry) was derived from the wickedly bespangled works of Spanis… --- ## [LSD and what it exactly does in comparison to other drugs..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lsd-and-what-it-exactly-does-in-comparison-to-other-drugs/787304)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lsd-and-what-it-exactly-does-in-comparison-to-other-drugs/787304 "2017-05-25T00:34:34Z")
Don’t need an answer fast. Not planning on consuming any illicit drugs. Know a few guys though in my former high school who offered LSD to students. A bit interested but I remember them warning me that mental instabilit… --- ## [Is it even possible for Solidworks to create illustrations like these?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-possible-for-solidworks-to-create-illustrations-like-these/787236)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-possible-for-solidworks-to-create-illustrations-like-these/787236 "2017-05-24T22:36:40Z")
Is it possible for SolidWorks to create illustrations like the following examples I found out on the web? http://www.sankey-diagrams.com/wp-content/gallery/o\_gallery\_204/alberta\_industry\_sankey.png http://prod.static.r… --- ## [Question on IRA contributions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-ira-contributions/787360)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-ira-contributions/787360 "2017-05-24T21:59:06Z")
I am changing second jobs and so I want to roll over my 401k (about $4000) from the previous job to a Traditional IRA at my current broker. I also have about $1500 in current stock that I want to put into my IRA. Assumi… --- ## [Is there any information on the relative economic effects of an investment vs consumption multiplier](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-information-on-the-relative-economic-effects-of-an-investment-vs-consumption-multiplier/787371)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-information-on-the-relative-economic-effects-of-an-investment-vs-consumption-multiplier/787371 "2017-05-24T21:05:41Z")
Take 1 person that earns a million dollars a year in after tax dollars. Let’s assume that A dollars per year goes to lifestyle expenses and debt service, B dollars go to investments. Compare that to 10 people that earn… --- ## [Craigslist, is there a way to have your listing shown nation wide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-is-there-a-way-to-have-your-listing-shown-nation-wide/787351)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-is-there-a-way-to-have-your-listing-shown-nation-wide/787351 "2017-05-24T18:15:12Z")
Hello Everyone, I’m selling a pre paid ticket to attend one of the nation’s best firearms training schools. It would be of interest to more people than just my local area. Is there a way to have your for sale past on … --- ## [In the animal kingdom, roughly what percentage of species excrete poop and pee separately?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-animal-kingdom-roughly-what-percentage-of-species-excrete-poop-and-pee-separately/787186)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-animal-kingdom-roughly-what-percentage-of-species-excrete-poop-and-pee-separately/787186 "2017-05-24T16:28:10Z")
A spin-off from something I, for one, was schooled on ina current thread where everyone is learning stuff about chickens. And for poop and pee, as I learned, I think the definition of excretory functioning is not “one’s… --- ## [Pleading the 5th vs Refusal to Supply Documents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pleading-the-5th-vs-refusal-to-supply-documents/787288)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pleading-the-5th-vs-refusal-to-supply-documents/787288 "2017-05-24T13:27:48Z")
So, Flynn is refusing to supply documents citing the 5th Amendment. I thought that the 5th protected testimony, not documents. A quick Google search turned up United States v. Hubbell, which says that documents are only … --- ## [One hundred chicks peck a random neighbor. How many go unpecked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-chicks-peck-a-random-neighbor-how-many-go-unpecked/786696)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-chicks-peck-a-random-neighbor-how-many-go-unpecked/786696 "2017-05-24T11:14:45Z")
Not homework. Winning (final) question in math competition. Article in NYTimes. If they’re sitting in a circle? In a line? As a big old radially symmetric bunch of birds in a space defined by the stacking of of… --- ## [What repairs are usually done to a non working LCD Monitor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-repairs-are-usually-done-to-a-non-working-lcd-monitor/786908)
**Author:** [@Loyuod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loyuod)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-repairs-are-usually-done-to-a-non-working-lcd-monitor/786908 "2017-05-24T08:23:34Z")
If the Monitor has been well looked after & just stayed put on a desk subjected to typical use in summer & winter along with an average to high humidity & low dust. Then what repairs are usually done to get them going a… --- ## [Any advances in artillery since Gulf War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advances-in-artillery-since-gulf-war/786867)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advances-in-artillery-since-gulf-war/786867 "2017-05-24T04:36:27Z")
I’m curious have there been any notable advancements/improvements in conventional artillery capabilities since the Gulf War was fought over a quarter century ago? Has this technology hit something of a plateau? --- ## [Literally un-believable data from my Macintosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-un-believable-data-from-my-macintosh/787184)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-un-believable-data-from-my-macintosh/787184 "2017-05-24T03:51:59Z")
I’m running Sierra. On a Mac Mini, era Mid-2011. I upgraded from Yosemite on the advice of Apple Care. --cough-- Not smart. The machine is soooooo sluggish now. Bigger hungrier OS. I get that. But I did something to t… --- ## [What insect is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-insect-is-this/787317)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-insect-is-this/787317 "2017-05-24T03:12:11Z")
I sometimes, rarely, stumble upon these insects, but I have no idea what they’re called. https://s20.postimg.org/oeo7h7qnx/432542.png I zoomed it up a little, he’s about half the size in reality, are they dangerous and … --- ## [Car speaker – 8 Ω to 4 Ω](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-speaker-8-to-4/787231)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-speaker-8-to-4/787231 "2017-05-24T01:41:08Z")
Will a 25 watt, 4 ohm resistor in line with a 4 ohm speaker safely replace a 8 ohm speaker? The original speaker is labeled 8 Ω, NOM. 10W, MAX. 20W. The diameter is 3½ inches. Apparently 4Ω speakers in this size are rea… --- ## [Need help booking flight with Sprit Airlines.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-booking-flight-with-sprit-airlines/787230)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-booking-flight-with-sprit-airlines/787230 "2017-05-23T20:28:41Z")
Hello Everyone, I’m trying to book a flight online with Spirit Airlines and I’m confused. When I get a price for the flight it gives me two prices, in this case $29 and $49, but there is no information on what the dif… --- ## [Question about employment statistics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-employment-statistics/787271)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-employment-statistics/787271 "2017-05-23T19:24:23Z")
I was looking through the list of Maine’s largest employers and noticed something strange. Sometimes, subsidiaries of a company are listed seperately, and other times, they are lumped together. For example, there is an… --- ## [We Buy Diabetic Test Strips - Huh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-buy-diabetic-test-strips-huh/569361)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-buy-diabetic-test-strips-huh/569361 "2017-05-23T17:34:38Z")
At the local dive BBQ take-out joint they had a bulletin board full of business cards left by various small entreprenuers. Home remodeling, lawn services, Mary Kay, used cars, etc. So far, so ordinary. But … I found … --- ## [Converting a factory to produce military gear , how hard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-a-factory-to-produce-military-gear-how-hard/787150)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-a-factory-to-produce-military-gear-how-hard/787150 "2017-05-23T17:05:01Z")
In WW 2 some US factories were converted to make planes, tanks, etc. I assume that would be much more difficult now with robots and computers that are used in just about everything? Maybe the best they could do now i… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=725) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=727)