# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=772 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 773 --- ## [Firmware is the software inside my printer, yes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firmware-is-the-software-inside-my-printer-yes/780233)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firmware-is-the-software-inside-my-printer-yes/780233 "2017-02-21T20:10:45Z")
Got a new printer (a nice Epson to replace the HP hunk o’junk we’ve been struggling with), and it said it needed a firmware update. I clicked the appropriate buttons on the Epson interface, and the printer whirred happi… --- ## [Can non-disruptive protesters go inside Trump rally with signs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-non-disruptive-protesters-go-inside-trump-rally-with-signs/780142)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-non-disruptive-protesters-go-inside-trump-rally-with-signs/780142 "2017-02-21T18:25:31Z")
I’m surprised there hasn’t been a stronger coordinated movement to make his rallies look like failures. There have been rambunctious protesters in the past, but can people peacefully attend with anti-trump signs? --- ## [Colonoscopy/prostate question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonoscopy-prostate-question/780016)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonoscopy-prostate-question/780016 "2017-02-21T17:42:52Z")
I’m 56. I’ve had a few colonoscopies in my life, and will get another this summer (routine check because of age). It’s also time for another prostate check. I’m just wondering, would a colonoscopy also include, or dete… --- ## [What are the limits of active noise cancellation. Can you actively cancel a loud scream or shout?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-limits-of-active-noise-cancellation-can-you-actively-cancel-a-loud-scream-or-shout/780287)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-limits-of-active-noise-cancellation-can-you-actively-cancel-a-loud-scream-or-shout/780287 "2017-02-21T17:24:51Z")
Re this wiki on noise cancellation. If I am in 10 x 10 room with standard timber construction and sheetrock walls and I shout something as loud as I can as a adult male, can active noise cancellation entirely make my s… --- ## [What can I do with a hunk of 99.99% pure Gallium?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-a-hunk-of-99-99-pure-gallium/780359)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-a-hunk-of-99-99-pure-gallium/780359 "2017-02-21T16:22:39Z")
See query. A gift from a friend, in a tube somewhat like a cross between a .50 calibre shell and a suppository for an ox, with a replaceable cap. Told me “it was cool and melts easily.” Is it dangerous? --- ## [Do Any Zip Codes Cross County Lines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-zip-codes-cross-county-lines/780234)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-zip-codes-cross-county-lines/780234 "2017-02-21T14:01:21Z")
Far as I can tell, Zip Codes are contained without County boundaries. Are there any exceptions, Zip Codes that comprise parts of more than one county? --- ## [Question about UV light from my 1st grader](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-uv-light-from-my-1st-grader/780356)
**Author:** [@busmol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/busmol)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-uv-light-from-my-1st-grader/780356 "2017-02-21T13:12:52Z")
So my daughter never ceases to amaze me with her questions. She asked if she had a marker that only writes in UV, and she wrote on a white sheet of paper, what color (if any) would you see? My gut reaction was to say a… --- ## [name and source for a threaded adapter...killing me!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-source-for-a-threaded-adapter-killing-me/779455)
**Author:** [@Richox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richox)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-source-for-a-threaded-adapter-killing-me/779455 "2017-02-21T08:57:45Z")
I am having a meltdown trying to find a particular threaded adapter. I have a 1/2" aka 15mm female threaded hole in my pipe. I want to connect, as neatly, securely and shortly (short = length of adapter) a 3/4" aka 20m… --- ## [French pronunciation of "jet" ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-pronunciation-of-jet/780161)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-pronunciation-of-jet/780161 "2017-02-21T07:51:24Z")
I was reading about the Matra Djet and it states, “The car was named Djet, because Bonnet thought the French could not pronounce the word jet correctly.” What would be the problem with the French pronunciation? Denni… --- ## [Third Grade Math question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-grade-math-question/779477)
**Author:** [@ashtayk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashtayk)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-grade-math-question/779477 "2017-02-21T04:40:45Z")
My son got this question in a class assignment and it’s been messing with my head all morning. So, I’d check with doperati. John’s mom has 4 water bottles. She needs to fill three cups with water. What fraction of water… --- ## [Can someone do the chi-square test on this distribution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-do-the-chi-square-test-on-this-distribution/780298)
**Author:** [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-do-the-chi-square-test-on-this-distribution/780298 "2017-02-21T03:41:43Z")
This is not homework (but thank you for thinking that I’m young enough to be in school), nor is it something for my job. There’s a distribution that I want to test the randomness of. I presume that it’s possible to use… --- ## [Do electrons affect atomic mass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-electrons-affect-atomic-mass/780065)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-electrons-affect-atomic-mass/780065 "2017-02-21T03:01:08Z")
I am looking at a table of the atomic masses of atoms here. The precision of these measurements astounds me. The mass of an electron being 1/1800 that of a proton or neutron would certainly make a difference in most o… --- ## [Senses that shut down when you sleep](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senses-that-shut-down-when-you-sleep/780340)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senses-that-shut-down-when-you-sleep/780340 "2017-02-21T02:45:38Z")
The question relates to deep sleep and not the time when you are in the zone when you are not fully asleep. The sense of sight is obviously shut down whilst the sense of hearing is not, or else we would never hear that … --- ## [Can You Plagiarize Yourself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-plagiarize-yourself/779505)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-plagiarize-yourself/779505 "2017-02-21T01:44:54Z")
Let’s say you publish an academic paper about Topic X, and your paper includes a few paragraphs about a related side issue, relevant to your research. Years later, you’re working on an academic paper about Topic Y, and y… --- ## [Question for Irish Speakers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-irish-speakers/780062)
**Author:** [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-irish-speakers/780062 "2017-02-21T01:12:57Z")
Here’s hoping that An Gadaí and some of the others from Éire show up and chime in. I apologize if this post looks like a series of one-line “paragraphs”. I am looking for information about the word “uimh”, which Google… --- ## [How do you cut the bottom off of a SPAM can?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294 "2017-02-20T23:09:34Z")
That’s it. I don’t have tin snips. --- ## ["Italics supplied."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italics-supplied/780209)
**Author:** [@Al\_Bumen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bumen)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italics-supplied/780209 "2017-02-20T23:04:56Z")
A non-fiction book from the early 20th century that I read placed a quote in italics and followed that quote with the phrase “italics supplied” in brackets. After poring through various manuals on style, I have yet to re… --- ## [Weird thing about dreaming - anyone else notice this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-thing-about-dreaming-anyone-else-notice-this/780344)
**Author:** [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-thing-about-dreaming-anyone-else-notice-this/780344 "2017-02-20T21:07:19Z")
I used to remember my dreams quite vividly as a younger man. In the past decade or so, not so much. A lot of the time, I recall drifting off to sleep, then being awake the next morning (or whenever), but nothing in betwe… --- ## [What was the most concentrated artillery bombardment in history?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-concentrated-artillery-bombardment-in-history/780115)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-most-concentrated-artillery-bombardment-in-history/780115 "2017-02-20T20:26:14Z")
In terms of shells per-minute, per-square mile. What was the most concentrated artillery bombardment in history? Not the largest in total (which was, IIRC D-day) but the largest bombardment, in the shortest time, on the … --- ## [Brushing your teeth with gold](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brushing-your-teeth-with-gold/780218)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brushing-your-teeth-with-gold/780218 "2017-02-20T19:45:36Z")
A couple years ago on a trip to Korea I bought a few tubes of gold toothpaste. Or at least, that’s what the shiny golden box says — “500 PPM Au”, which is the only Latin-script text on it. A Korean colleague of mine re… --- ## [Was motion blur depicted before photography?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-motion-blur-depicted-before-photography/780215)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-motion-blur-depicted-before-photography/780215 "2017-02-20T17:50:52Z")
Was motion blur ever used in art before the advent of photography? I think that people must have always known that fast-moving objects cause blurs and after-images — easily observed by waving your hand in front of your … --- ## [Could we build huge classical warships today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-build-huge-classical-warships-today/779988)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-build-huge-classical-warships-today/779988 "2017-02-20T17:40:38Z")
Gibbon mentions that in the Hellenistic era Demetrius Poliorcetes built warships of fifteen or sixteen banks of oars and that Ptolemy Philadelphus even built a colossus of forty banks of oars, though this was never used … --- ## [If my conjoined twin commits a crime, would I have to go to jail too?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-my-conjoined-twin-commits-a-crime-would-i-have-to-go-to-jail-too/779753)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-my-conjoined-twin-commits-a-crime-would-i-have-to-go-to-jail-too/779753 "2017-02-20T16:27:21Z")
Say my conjoined twin commits a crime-not a murder or anything I witnessed or participated in, but something like embezzling money via the internet that merits a jail sentence. If convicted, how would the justice system … --- ## [ICBM missile crews refusing to launch? (possibly apocryphal incident)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icbm-missile-crews-refusing-to-launch-possibly-apocryphal-incident/597501)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icbm-missile-crews-refusing-to-launch-possibly-apocryphal-incident/597501 "2017-02-20T16:19:43Z")
I recall reading once of an incident which allegedly occurred in the late 70’s in the US. Supposedly the powers that be were wondering how many ICBM crews would actually launch if given the order to do so. So to test thi… --- ## [NASA studies human waste removal.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-studies-human-waste-removal/780256)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-studies-human-waste-removal/780256 "2017-02-20T15:02:09Z")
NASA gave prizes for the best ideas of how to remove waste from a spacesuit. At the end of the article: How did we get from pooping to “catastrophic” and “save the crew”? --- ## [of skimmers and gas-pumps …](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-skimmers-and-gas-pumps/780200)
**Author:** [@albino\_manatee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/albino_manatee)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-skimmers-and-gas-pumps/780200 "2017-02-20T10:12:22Z")
was i victimized by skimmer? driving up to a QT (quicktrip) gas-pump … this time i did not hear the familiar “beeps” when punching in my security-code … but there were beeps for choosing “cre… --- ## [Computer Upgrade Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-upgrade-question/780071)
**Author:** [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2017, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-upgrade-question/780071 "2017-02-18T13:18:18Z")
Dell 745 4 gig ram, up-gradable To 8 gig, IF I’m running 64 bit. Belarc says the processor is 64 bit ready. Question: Where do I begin to start the process to upgrade to 64 bit? --- ## [I have a fairly serious leak in my plumbing somewhere. Not sure what to do next](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-fairly-serious-leak-in-my-plumbing-somewhere-not-sure-what-to-do-next/780206)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-fairly-serious-leak-in-my-plumbing-somewhere-not-sure-what-to-do-next/780206 "2017-02-20T07:05:44Z")
I’ve lived here for 20 years now. My water bills have effectively tripled over the past 2 years. My house (and I assume the plumbing) is circa 1956 and there are large pines in the front yard so it’s not inconceivable th… --- ## [ID this skillet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-skillet/780214)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-skillet/780214 "2017-02-20T04:59:59Z")
I have a small metal skillet in my kitchen cabinet that I mainly use to cook things like quesadillas or fried eggs or sausages. Here are three pictures of it. I don’t know how old it is. It came into my possession about… --- ## [Now that all women are shaving their hoo-hahs...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-all-women-are-shaving-their-hoo-hahs/780285)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2017, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-all-women-are-shaving-their-hoo-hahs/780285 "2017-02-20T01:35:37Z")
:slight\_smile: …what will they feel pressure from society/ men to do next? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=771) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=773)