# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=727 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 728 --- ## [ABC News: what's with the tiny text on graphics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-news-whats-with-the-tiny-text-on-graphics/787286)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-news-whats-with-the-tiny-text-on-graphics/787286 "2017-05-23T16:48:19Z")
If you have a DVR and a rather large TV, watch ABC News tonight, and pause it when they present an all-graphics screen, e.g. with stock market performance or some other kind of data. That information will be in a nice b… --- ## [Lubricating Door Joint/Hinges in Cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lubricating-door-joint-hinges-in-cars/786970)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lubricating-door-joint-hinges-in-cars/786970 "2017-05-23T16:10:14Z")
Is there an actual recommended product for this, as in used by manufacturers? In my experience that WD-40 crap is only good for loosening rusted stuff, I NEVER use it to lubricate. I have used that General Purpose 3In1 O… --- ## [Tell me how beyoncefan666 made those twitter predictions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-how-beyoncefan666-made-those-twitter-predictions/787272)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-how-beyoncefan666-made-those-twitter-predictions/787272 "2017-05-23T15:19:20Z")
Beyoncefan666 made some outrageous true predictions including brexit, trump, katie perry and Beyonce. Its all there for you to see. The predictions are precise and made months in advance. How did that person do it on t… --- ## [Why do calendars sold in stores start 2 months from current month?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-calendars-sold-in-stores-start-2-months-from-current-month/787225)
**Author:** [@greenpurple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenpurple)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-calendars-sold-in-stores-start-2-months-from-current-month/787225 "2017-05-23T11:45:27Z")
Went to a store on May 21. Needed a calendar. All the calendars start in July. WTF? --- ## [Where does it say POTUS can fire FBI director?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-it-say-potus-can-fire-fbi-director/786655)
**Author:** [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-it-say-potus-can-fire-fbi-director/786655 "2017-05-23T10:13:47Z")
All of the articles I’ve read recently about Trump’s firing of FBI Director Comey mention somewhere that it is the President’s prerogative to fire the FBI director? My Google-Fu skills appear to be lacking and i cannot … --- ## [Removing filings from magnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-filings-from-magnet/787146)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-filings-from-magnet/787146 "2017-05-23T08:17:13Z")
Take a small permanent magnet and pour iron filings over and around it, the way children sometimes play. The question is, is there an efficient way to remove the particles, leaving the magnet clean again? --- ## [Linux alternative for photo editing with layers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linux-alternative-for-photo-editing-with-layers/787161)
**Author:** [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linux-alternative-for-photo-editing-with-layers/787161 "2017-05-23T07:06:48Z")
Hey everyone. First, good to see you all, it’s been a while. Question: I’m working for an online newspaper now and my Windows box just died. I’m thinking of transitioning to a total Linux Mint system since most of our s… --- ## [How is the average Russian reacting to the political upheaval going on in Washington?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-average-russian-reacting-to-the-political-upheaval-going-on-in-washington/787042)
**Author:** [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-average-russian-reacting-to-the-political-upheaval-going-on-in-washington/787042 "2017-05-23T04:06:11Z")
Is our current political situation being reported on and discussed much in Russia? By the average citizen, that is, not by their governing elite. --- ## [What contingency plans are there for a death at the Space Station?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-contingency-plans-are-there-for-a-death-at-the-space-station/787170)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-contingency-plans-are-there-for-a-death-at-the-space-station/787170 "2017-05-23T01:29:33Z")
It’s remarkable that MIR or ISS hasn’t experienced their first death. A potentially big problem without Freezers. Are there any firm plans? Maybe similar to a burial at Sea? Let them float off into space? I guess they’… --- ## [Vote verifiability vs voting under duress: mutually exclusive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vote-verifiability-vs-voting-under-duress-mutually-exclusive/787244)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vote-verifiability-vs-voting-under-duress-mutually-exclusive/787244 "2017-05-23T01:25:45Z")
I’m trying to figure out whether a ballot receipt is inherently vulnerable to vote coercion. Is there any way to make a voting system where: A voter can audit his or her vote in a public ledger, probably by matching th… --- ## [Weird Windows 10 dual-monitor issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-10-dual-monitor-issue/787226)
**Author:** [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-10-dual-monitor-issue/787226 "2017-05-22T23:41:48Z")
Out of nowhere today, I lost my second monitor. It was fine when I got to the office this morning, then it suddenly… wasn’t. Two identical monitors, Dell P2312s, running extended desktop. The thing is… If I choose to… --- ## [Did Bill Clinton Ever Say 'I Feel Your Pain'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bill-clinton-ever-say-i-feel-your-pain/221111)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bill-clinton-ever-say-i-feel-your-pain/221111 "2017-05-22T23:31:23Z")
As a cliché, it is something that we will always associate with President Clinton. It sounds like something he would have said during the 1992 presidential campaign, or perhaps shortly after taking office in early 1993. … --- ## [Merge into PowerPoint](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merge-into-powerpoint/787235)
**Author:** [@jaceysac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaceysac)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merge-into-powerpoint/787235 "2017-05-22T21:23:23Z")
Hello all, I am creating a powerpoint presentation for an end of the year promotion ceremony. Each page should have the studetnt’s picture on it, which I figured out how to do with photo album. NOW… I want to use the … --- ## [Standing Healtier than Sitting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standing-healtier-than-sitting/787160)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standing-healtier-than-sitting/787160 "2017-05-22T20:56:48Z")
Marilyn von Savant stated in her column published today that sitting at work is healthier than standing, stating that prolonged standing causes an additional load on the circulatory system, thus increasing the progressio… --- ## [Can Clerks Void A Mega Millions Ticket?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-clerks-void-a-mega-millions-ticket/787157)
**Author:** [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-clerks-void-a-mega-millions-ticket/787157 "2017-05-22T20:32:20Z")
I was in 7-11 today and someone bought a Mega Millions ticket and she told the girl, you put the wrong number in, void this and give me these numbers. She didn’t use the card, but wrote numbers on a piece of paper. The … --- ## [What is a physician feeling for with "turn your head and cough"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-physician-feeling-for-with-turn-your-head-and-cough/759927)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-physician-feeling-for-with-turn-your-head-and-cough/759927 "2017-05-22T18:08:44Z")
When a man goes in for a hernia exam they touch your testicles and ask you to cough. I’d like to ask, just what are they feeling for? Is it a bounce or motion? Many hernia are located in the stomach. Also how in medica… --- ## [New outdoor spigot tied into kitchen sink water supply- good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-outdoor-spigot-tied-into-kitchen-sink-water-supply-good-idea/787183)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-outdoor-spigot-tied-into-kitchen-sink-water-supply-good-idea/787183 "2017-05-22T17:48:46Z")
I know it’s not the conventional way of doing it, but I was going to put a frost-free spigot through the wall into the space under the kitchen sink, have a few feet of pex, then tap into the copper supply line with a Sh… --- ## [Religious ritual with doorway?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-ritual-with-doorway/785921)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-ritual-with-doorway/785921 "2017-05-22T17:06:56Z")
I think this is GQ and not IMHO… So I’m sitting in a tire shop this morning, and an employee came in the front door of the waiting area. As he did so, he made a quick gesture of touching the threshold, and then his fore… --- ## [Icebergs have drier water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icebergs-have-drier-water/786929)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icebergs-have-drier-water/786929 "2017-05-22T17:05:14Z")
The AP ran an article, Dubai firm dreams of harvesting icebergs for water. That’s an old idea that someone may make feasible some day. Or not. But I was struck by this sentence. What exactly does he mean by this? --- ## [Why do patent trolls love east Texas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-patent-trolls-love-east-texas/640534)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-patent-trolls-love-east-texas/640534 "2017-05-22T16:21:39Z")
What is it about East Texas that makes it the preferred venue (from the point of the plaintiff) for patent litigation? in particular, what makes it so hospitable for non-practicing entities? I know it’s because of some … --- ## [Do animals self identify with a name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-animals-self-identify-with-a-name/786709)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-animals-self-identify-with-a-name/786709 "2017-05-22T16:19:47Z")
Hello Everyone, At the OBBN home we have 5 cats, 4 dogs, two houses and two mini donkeys. They of course each have a name and they will respond to their name by coming when called, looking in the direction of the nam… --- ## [Legality of looking over backyard fences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-looking-over-backyard-fences/787174)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-looking-over-backyard-fences/787174 "2017-05-22T14:56:45Z")
I play sports every weekend in a park which is situated such that the boundary fence of the park is also the back fence of the backyard of a bunch of houses (ie, the back onto the park, but have a 6-foot-or-so-fence, man… --- ## [What is the significance of color in Saudi garb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-significance-of-color-in-saudi-garb/787139)
**Author:** [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-significance-of-color-in-saudi-garb/787139 "2017-05-22T14:56:44Z")
In the coverage of Trump’s Saudi visit I notice folks appear to wear differentiating colors. Some are in all white, others have black or gold and many have red checked scarves. I assume there is more to this than just st… --- ## [Trying to find clip of David Letterman pre-movie message](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-clip-of-david-letterman-pre-movie-message/787123)
**Author:** [@cprattm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cprattm)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-clip-of-david-letterman-pre-movie-message/787123 "2017-05-22T14:51:09Z")
About ten years ago, David Letterman had a little service announcement that showed before or during previews in theaters. It featured a giant tub of popcorn that I think a kid jumped out of and that Dave called “…a bett… --- ## [Does formatting allocation size matter for a thumb drive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-formatting-allocation-size-matter-for-a-thumb-drive/761212)
**Author:** [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-formatting-allocation-size-matter-for-a-thumb-drive/761212 "2017-05-22T12:22:01Z")
When formatting a 64GB USB thumb drive to FAT32, you can select several different “allocation unit sizes”… Default, 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, and 32K. Because the thumb drive is a solid state drive and not a me… --- ## [Demanding Mistress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demanding-mistress/787112)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demanding-mistress/787112 "2017-05-22T01:01:09Z")
What is the derivation of this phrase? I had an argument a long time ago about whether it was a boss/school mistress or a lover mistress. I can’t seem to get much on google. I’m pretty sure I was right that it means a bo… --- ## [do plan crashes always result in flights being made safer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-plan-crashes-always-result-in-flights-being-made-safer/787119)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-plan-crashes-always-result-in-flights-being-made-safer/787119 "2017-05-22T00:37:58Z")
On the show ‘Air Disasters’, every crash results in changes being made (to laws, procedures, planes, or facilities) to prevent a crash like that happening ever again. Are all air traffic incidents really handled this wa… --- ## [Microwave broken/harming me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microwave-broken-harming-me/787165)
**Author:** [@weiming](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/weiming)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microwave-broken-harming-me/787165 "2017-05-21T23:21:19Z")
The new microwave I recently purchased is always warm when I put my hand in it in the course of normal use. When I put my hand in the oven, specifically near the magnetron, it is significantly warmer than room temperatu… --- ## [German identity during the Cold War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-identity-during-the-cold-war/758197)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2017, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-identity-during-the-cold-war/758197 "2017-05-21T21:48:42Z")
When Germany was divided between east and west during the Cold War, how did it affect national identity? Specifically, did Germans in the two countries view themselves as a common people divided or more like two differe… --- ## [sound system for small stage productions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-system-for-small-stage-productions/787045)
**Author:** [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-system-for-small-stage-productions/787045 "2017-05-21T18:38:40Z")
I just attended a really outstanding production at my granddaughter’s school. The direction was excellent, the talent excellent, the choreography excellent, the costumes even better…the only thing lacking was a sound sy… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=726) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=728)