# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=764 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 765 --- ## [Another WWII Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-wwii-question/781344)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-wwii-question/781344 "2017-03-10T16:31:17Z")
During WWII, for any given battle did the winners confiscate the weapons of the fallen enemy soldiers and use those confiscated weapons in future engagements? --- ## [Question about 18th century guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-18th-century-guns/781759)
**Author:** [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-18th-century-guns/781759 "2017-03-10T15:39:14Z")
This afternoon I was reading a description of the murder of Jean-Etienne Waddens, a Canadian fur trader, who supposedly died at the hands of explorer Peter Pond at a remote Athabascan outpost in 1782. The description is… --- ## [Prison visiting with glass wall/phone. Can say what they like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-visiting-with-glass-wall-phone-can-say-what-they-like/781531)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-visiting-with-glass-wall-phone-can-say-what-they-like/781531 "2017-03-10T15:19:28Z")
In a lot of American films/tv series either set in or having an episode set in prison, they have the visiting set up so that the visitor is on one side of a glass wall whilst the inmate is on the other, and they talk via… --- ## [A question on atoms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-on-atoms/781852)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-on-atoms/781852 "2017-03-10T14:03:14Z")
Specifically holmium atoms. In this Gizmodo article on single atom data storage I read the following. I don’t understand this. If the goal is to prevent the magnetic field falling apart owing to the influence of other… --- ## [Were the victims the Brisevo massacre Croat or Muslim?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-victims-the-brisevo-massacre-croat-or-muslim/781828)
**Author:** [@HenryIX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HenryIX)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-victims-the-brisevo-massacre-croat-or-muslim/781828 "2017-03-10T13:58:11Z")
A tad on the obscure side, I know. However, it is well-documented as a crime against humanity by the ICTY and Human Rights Watch so the information is there if one digs deep enough. It was purportedly the worst atrocity … --- ## [iTunes question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itunes-question/781654)
**Author:** [@MTVhike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTVhike)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itunes-question/781654 "2017-03-10T13:28:36Z")
Prior to the demise of my system disk, I noticed that it was getting very full. Examination of the contents revealed much of the data was taken up by music. I moved those files to another disk and successfully made my iT… --- ## [Older versions of MSword free?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-versions-of-msword-free/781810)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-versions-of-msword-free/781810 "2017-03-10T11:37:28Z")
I need to get Microsoft 3 to open some important files and I was wondering if there was any place to get it free on the net anywhere? --- ## [Quantum numbers in the electron cloud](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quantum-numbers-in-the-electron-cloud/781818)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quantum-numbers-in-the-electron-cloud/781818 "2017-03-10T09:00:25Z")
I can memorize the possible values for the numbers, but what governs what they can be? Why does l start at zero? Why does ml start at negative l? I know that gives you the number of orbitals in the subshell, but why exp… --- ## [How Are Those Automatic Toilet Flush Valaves Powered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-those-automatic-toilet-flush-valaves-powered/299559)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2005, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-those-automatic-toilet-flush-valaves-powered/299559 "2005-04-18T12:34:47Z")
Most modern buildings now have bathrooms equipped with amazing stuff…automaic flush toilets, automatic washbasin taps, automatic towel dispensers! My question is: how are these things powered? They don’t appear to have a… --- ## [Why no school zones for private schools?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-school-zones-for-private-schools/781557)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-school-zones-for-private-schools/781557 "2017-03-10T05:48:26Z")
I mean, I know there has to be a law or three specifying only public schools get slow zones with flashing lights and 15 MPH limits when lit, but a school is a school, right? \[I’m in Florida, if laws are different elsewhe… --- ## [The Wikileaks CIA data dump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wikileaks-cia-data-dump/781729)
**Author:** [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wikileaks-cia-data-dump/781729 "2017-03-10T05:48:03Z")
How significant is this development? --- ## [What is this weird gun confiscated by the Baltimore Police Dept?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-weird-gun-confiscated-by-the-baltimore-police-dept/781509)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-weird-gun-confiscated-by-the-baltimore-police-dept/781509 "2017-03-10T05:41:43Z")
Never seen anything like it. Gun here --- ## [First cousin marriage and degrees of "cousin-ness"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-cousin-marriage-and-degrees-of-cousin-ness/662192)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-cousin-marriage-and-degrees-of-cousin-ness/662192 "2017-03-10T02:54:05Z")
The subject of first cousin marriage has come up here lately, prompting me to think about a few questions. First of all, which are the states that permit first-cousin marriage? Next, let me ilustrate the case of my dad… --- ## [poaching eggs in the microwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poaching-eggs-in-the-microwave/781290)
**Author:** [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poaching-eggs-in-the-microwave/781290 "2017-03-10T01:44:53Z")
I can do it the exact same way: 1:15 for one egg and it’s perfect. except if the yolk explodes when I go to dip a corner of my toast into it and tiny bits of yolk go everywhere. SAD. :rolleyes: breaking the yolk befor… --- ## [Fries were considered Fresh vegetables?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fries-were-considered-fresh-vegetables/781811)
**Author:** [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fries-were-considered-fresh-vegetables/781811 "2017-03-10T01:14:40Z")
Cecil, my curiosity is piqued (again) and this time I won’t ignore it. Back in 2004, you revealed the history of the Reagan administration’s “Ketchup is vegetables” scandal. I’ve seen that article in your ‘from the arch… --- ## [Unemployment: Definition of "unemployed through no fault of your own"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployment-definition-of-unemployed-through-no-fault-of-your-own/385175)
**Author:** [@Doberman\_Pinscher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doberman_Pinscher)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2017, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployment-definition-of-unemployed-through-no-fault-of-your-own/385175 "2017-03-10T00:30:36Z")
I live in NC. I got terminated from my job. I work in call center and was terminated because of performance, basically I got 5 write ups for different errors I made and the 5th resulted in termination. I met alot of othe… --- ## [Allergies - Disabling car's automatic air intake feature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergies-disabling-cars-automatic-air-intake-feature/781758)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergies-disabling-cars-automatic-air-intake-feature/781758 "2017-03-09T22:24:25Z")
I’m not sure exactly what to call it. Older cars, if you turn on the fan, or AC or heat, you could select to have it intake air from the outside or re-circulate the air in the cabin of your car. I have allergies, very b… --- ## [Products like Ensure or Boost](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-like-ensure-or-boost/781787)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-like-ensure-or-boost/781787 "2017-03-09T21:27:30Z")
How well can someone survive, exclusively on products like Ensure or Boost, totally not augmented by actual food? --- ## [60,000 calories](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-000-calories/781482)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-000-calories/781482 "2017-03-09T21:16:42Z")
What would keep me alive longest: 60,000 calories consisting exclusively of fat, protein or carbohydrate? (Don’t worry, I have plenty of water!) --- ## [Excel questions - calculated dates and pivot tables](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-questions-calculated-dates-and-pivot-tables/781763)
**Author:** [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-questions-calculated-dates-and-pivot-tables/781763 "2017-03-09T21:03:34Z")
I have a table in Excel which contains the following columns: \*\*PQR End \*\*- this is formatted as a date PQR Freq - this is formatted as a number, representing the frequency in number of years PQR Due - this is a formu… --- ## [Jump starting a car with a Cell Phone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jump-starting-a-car-with-a-cell-phone/22577)
**Author:** [@PATC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PATC)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jump-starting-a-car-with-a-cell-phone/22577 "2017-03-09T20:46:58Z")
One of the guys here at work claims to have jump started his 87’ Saab with a cell phone. One night his battery had run down so that the engine would crank(the ruh-ruh sound), but not start. He then plugged in his phone t… --- ## [Rejecting Certified Mail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rejecting-certified-mail/240778)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rejecting-certified-mail/240778 "2017-03-09T20:35:09Z")
Is there a way to simply not accept certified mail? --- ## [Tranquility Base](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tranquility-base/780026)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tranquility-base/780026 "2017-03-09T19:35:28Z")
Are there any videos, photographs or diagrams of the boulder field that Neil Armstrong rejected as Tranquility Base? I’m not about to deny the Moon Landings; quite the contrary, I’m fascinated as to just how difficult i… --- ## [Is Obamacare to blame for the 'Open Enrollment Period'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obamacare-to-blame-for-the-open-enrollment-period/781709)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obamacare-to-blame-for-the-open-enrollment-period/781709 "2017-03-09T19:17:45Z")
I’m struggling to get individual health insurance in California because due to a complicated series of circumstances related to moving here from another country I wasn’t given a social security number (necessary to apply… --- ## [Blocking a particular e-mail sender's messages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-a-particular-e-mail-senders-messages/780873)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-a-particular-e-mail-senders-messages/780873 "2017-03-09T18:35:58Z")
Specifically, a sender who posts on Facebook. This sender clogged my Hotmail e-mail Inbox with twenty-two e-mails overnight! Is there a specific link, or website, or something, to go to, in order to effect a block to kee… --- ## [Profuse sweating after showering?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/profuse-sweating-after-showering/690959)
**Author:** [@HelloKindWorld](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKindWorld)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/profuse-sweating-after-showering/690959 "2017-03-09T17:54:10Z")
Hey guys. As you may have guessed from the title that you just clicked on, I experience excessive sweat after showering. Specifically, on my back… a bit under the armpits sometimes, but not as often or nearly as severely… --- ## [What's going on when a pill gets stuck in your throat? (Slight TMI)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-when-a-pill-gets-stuck-in-your-throat-slight-tmi/724496)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-when-a-pill-gets-stuck-in-your-throat-slight-tmi/724496 "2017-03-09T17:39:04Z")
Yesterday I took a fish oil mini soft gel like I do every day. The damned thing got stuck in my throat. I chugged half a can of soda and it still wouldn’t go down. Then I took a couple of my other pills and they went ri… --- ## [How easy/hard is it to topple a headstone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-hard-is-it-to-topple-a-headstone/781569)
**Author:** [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-hard-is-it-to-topple-a-headstone/781569 "2017-03-09T17:31:23Z")
The recent reports of headstones being toppled at Jewish cemeteries got me wondering how difficult it is to knock one over. I know there are many, many different types of grave markers, and the age and original quality … --- ## [Marijuana social clubs in USA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marijuana-social-clubs-in-usa/781764)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marijuana-social-clubs-in-usa/781764 "2017-03-09T17:09:36Z")
In Maine, the referendum that legalized marijuana allowed for social clubs, where people could go and smoke. However, they are not allowed until 2018, to give governments time to regulate them. Do any of the other sta… --- ## [What is the constitutional basis for private prisons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-constitutional-basis-for-private-prisons/781693)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-constitutional-basis-for-private-prisons/781693 "2017-03-09T15:42:14Z")
On what legal authority can a private person hold another in custody? Traditionally, the state convicts a person and then carries out the sentence. So I am not questioning whether the state has the power to keep a perso… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=763) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=765)