# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=845 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 846 --- ## [Academic CV: Lapsed professional memberships](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-cv-lapsed-professional-memberships/765892)
**Author:** [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2016, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-cv-lapsed-professional-memberships/765892 "2016-09-14T16:48:44Z")
I became a member of some professional societies in the past and paid annual dues to them. This allowed me to present at their conferences. However, if I do not intend to go to a conference in a given year, then I see no… --- ## [Why can't I block cell phone calls at home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-block-cell-phone-calls-at-home/765727)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-block-cell-phone-calls-at-home/765727 "2016-09-14T16:41:53Z")
I asked this on another forum a few years ago. The answer was fairly technical, the land line doesn’t simply read the digits of the incoming call displayed on the caller ID. Instead, it reads some embedded data. Or somet… --- ## [Excel question -- Formulas in footnotes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-formulas-in-footnotes/765932)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2016, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-formulas-in-footnotes/765932 "2016-09-14T15:34:20Z")
I have a standard spreadsheet format that I use repeatedly throughout the year. I input an effective month and year for updates and annual update percentage in designated cells; the spreadsheet uses this information to … --- ## [Is it a crime to walk between subway cars in NYC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-crime-to-walk-between-subway-cars-in-nyc/765631)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2016, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-crime-to-walk-between-subway-cars-in-nyc/765631 "2016-09-14T11:37:13Z")
Inquiring minds, who may one day do this innocently, want to know. --- ## [Is There A Hack, Chrome Extension, Or Whatever To Get Look At Multiple Craigslist Results At Once](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-hack-chrome-extension-or-whatever-to-get-look-at-multiple-craigslist-results-at-once/765882)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2016, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-hack-chrome-extension-or-whatever-to-get-look-at-multiple-craigslist-results-at-once/765882 "2016-09-14T04:20:24Z")
Let’s say I’m looking for a rare and hard-to-find priceless collectible, and think I’ll give Craigslist a shot. Is there a way to put my keywords in the search function and then see the results from Albuquerque, Anchorag… --- ## [South Beach Diet - limiting protein on Phase 1](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-beach-diet-limiting-protein-on-phase-1/765891)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-beach-diet-limiting-protein-on-phase-1/765891 "2016-09-13T23:24:31Z")
I have been on the South Beach Diet Phase 1 for a week or so and am finding different guidelines about the amount of protein allowed. There is an Everyday Health pdf (of Phase 1 foods that says you should start with a to… --- ## [Early voting outside the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-voting-outside-the-us/765523)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-voting-outside-the-us/765523 "2016-09-13T20:22:54Z")
Is early voting allowed or common in Europe, Japan, etc. ? As you may or may not know there are court battles over early voting in some places in the US. In general democrats favor early voting but the GOP does not. --- ## [Graduated Class of 95. Class of 88. What does that mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graduated-class-of-95-class-of-88-what-does-that-mean/765796)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graduated-class-of-95-class-of-88-what-does-that-mean/765796 "2016-09-13T20:03:47Z")
School starts in mid August and ends in May. Two different years. Graduated Class of 95 Were they in the Aug 95 - May 96 school year? Or the Aug 94 - May 95 school year? A new coworker insists the 1st option is corr… --- ## [Subpoenaed but can't enter US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subpoenaed-but-cant-enter-us/765545)
**Author:** [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subpoenaed-but-cant-enter-us/765545 "2016-09-13T19:41:28Z")
This is a purely hypothetical question stimulated by the Border Security programs I love watching. I am a Canadian citizen living in Canada. Let’s suppose I have been naughty (maybe a history of marajuana use or somethi… --- ## [Infinite sums with factorials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infinite-sums-with-factorials/765744)
**Author:** [@Kimble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimble)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infinite-sums-with-factorials/765744 "2016-09-13T17:35:50Z")
So, I was doing 538’s puzzle of the week (The Riddler) and came up with a nasty (to me, anyway) infinite sum as part of my answer: Σ \[k=0 to inf\] \[sub\]2k\[/sub\]C\[sub\]k\[/sub\]/3\[sup\]2k+1\[/sup\] I have no idea how to solve … --- ## [Blocking a spoofed number belonging to real contact?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-a-spoofed-number-belonging-to-real-contact/765804)
**Author:** [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-a-spoofed-number-belonging-to-real-contact/765804 "2016-09-13T17:34:04Z")
Like most people, I receive numerous calls on my cell phone from both personal and business contacts (because I don’t want to have two phones). And since I work for a big company here in San Diego, any 858, 619, or 760 a… --- ## [Can I reasonably expect my apartment management to cover my vet bill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-reasonably-expect-my-apartment-management-to-cover-my-vet-bill/764445)
**Author:** [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-reasonably-expect-my-apartment-management-to-cover-my-vet-bill/764445 "2016-09-13T17:33:55Z")
I live in Pennsylvania, in an apartment building owned by a management company which owns several properties. Bottom line: my apartment’s A/C broke on Saturday, I was promised several times it would be fixed “first thin… --- ## [Does a professionally-administered driver assessment shield you from legal liability?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-professionally-administered-driver-assessment-shield-you-from-legal-liability/765849)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-professionally-administered-driver-assessment-shield-you-from-legal-liability/765849 "2016-09-13T17:16:30Z")
There are companies out there, like this one, that deliver professionally-administered assessments of elderly drivers. Assuming an elderly driver receives a “you’re OK to continue driving” rating, would that be expected… --- ## [Re-naturing alcohol... possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-naturing-alcohol-possible/231910)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-naturing-alcohol-possible/231910 "2016-09-13T16:21:38Z")
Is there a method to go from denatured alcohol to re-natured alcohol? What changes are involved in denaturing alcohol to begin with? --- ## [Why did the two political parties trade sides after the Civil Rights era?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-two-political-parties-trade-sides-after-the-civil-rights-era/765639)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-two-political-parties-trade-sides-after-the-civil-rights-era/765639 "2016-09-13T15:48:44Z")
Prior to the civil rights era, Republicans were liberals, who believed in racial equality, and Democrats were conservatives, who didnt. Why did they end up trading positions? --- ## [What CPU is needed for max wifi speed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cpu-is-needed-for-max-wifi-speed/765770)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cpu-is-needed-for-max-wifi-speed/765770 "2016-09-13T15:46:45Z")
What are the CPU requirements for fastest speed using public wifi? This would be a laptop running Linux \[probably Mint\] with occasional boots from a Linux Tails LiveUSB. I don’t want an “over-powered” CPU with capabili… --- ## [Why no Nobel prize for Hawking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-nobel-prize-for-hawking/761061)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-nobel-prize-for-hawking/761061 "2016-09-13T14:23:02Z")
I’m no expert, but I thought he has made a lot of important discoveries. I guess the Nobel people are not impressed by his stuff. --- ## [Any way to disable the relocating video in browsers (Chrome)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-disable-the-relocating-video-in-browsers-chrome/765759)
**Author:** [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-disable-the-relocating-video-in-browsers-chrome/765759 "2016-09-13T13:38:11Z")
This CNN site has a video that autoplays and then relocates to a floating placeholder when the page is scrolled down. I haven’t been able to find an extension that disables this feature, because I don’t know the “proper”… --- ## [LED Question- Really Weird](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-question-really-weird/765792)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-question-really-weird/765792 "2016-09-13T13:23:43Z")
One of my ceiling fans takes three small bulbs. For years I’ve used those small candle-shaped incandescent bulbs. Looking for more light I purchased and installed three LED bulbs. Turn them on and all is fine. This where… --- ## [Where to find wearable airbag for elderly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-wearable-airbag-for-elderly/765556)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-wearable-airbag-for-elderly/765556 "2016-09-13T11:48:58Z")
My parents are quite elderly and have fallen a number of times. I’ve been looking for some kind of device that could help them if they fall and found various references to wearable airbags. One of them looks like a fat… --- ## [Tuesday Morning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuesday-morning/765782)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuesday-morning/765782 "2016-09-12T20:32:07Z")
Why did this discount store adopt that name? --- ## [Question on Adobe Illustrator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-adobe-illustrator/765184)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-adobe-illustrator/765184 "2016-09-13T07:35:07Z")
Need answer fast. I have to print an 8ft by 4ft poster. I have access to the printer through the print shop and they suggested I use Adobe Illustrator to make the poster. What do I need to know? Is it as simple as se… --- ## [Math problem for a dope, Part Deux...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-problem-for-a-dope-part-deux/765665)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-problem-for-a-dope-part-deux/765665 "2016-09-13T06:48:14Z")
Thanks to everyone who helped with my previous question. I humbly turn to you all again for help as I stare into the cheering abyss of numbers and confront my own bewilderment. I am trying to set up a very simple swappi… --- ## [New iPhone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-iphone/765836)
**Author:** [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-iphone/765836 "2016-09-13T06:29:21Z")
Just upgraded from (I think) a 4S to a 6SE and suddenly, if I do something in email on the phone, it is mirrored on my laptop. Bad things like if I delete an email on the phone, it disappears on the computer! Anyone kn… --- ## [What was MTV broadcasting during 9/11?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-mtv-broadcasting-during-9-11/220792)
**Author:** [@glilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glilly)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-mtv-broadcasting-during-9-11/220792 "2016-09-13T05:34:05Z")
I was home during the 9/11 attacks and watched as events unfolded. At some point, I got curious as to which stations had interrupted normal programming to broadcast news of the event. Of course, the networks preempted … --- ## [The opposite of "good faith"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-opposite-of-good-faith/765354)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-opposite-of-good-faith/765354 "2016-09-13T01:44:40Z")
We hired someone to do something and she (arbitrary pronoun) failed to do it, despite representing being highly qualified. We entered the contract based, for the most part, on this representation. It may have been she … --- ## [combat aircraft: how much extra weight to accomodate crew?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combat-aircraft-how-much-extra-weight-to-accomodate-crew/765762)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combat-aircraft-how-much-extra-weight-to-accomodate-crew/765762 "2016-09-13T01:44:35Z")
I’m curious how much extra a fighter/bomber/attack aircraft weighs in order to accommodate its onboard crew. It’s hard for me to estimate this based on currently existing aircraft. Example, a Predator drone maxes out … --- ## [Is this poison oak?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-poison-oak/765575)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2016, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-poison-oak/765575 "2016-09-13T01:20:19Z")
Photo One. Photo Two. It’s growing right outside my house. I want to pull it out, but it struck me that it might be poisonous. It looks kinda like the pictures of poison oak that popped up in the Google machine. If i… --- ## [Is Clean Coal on a very small scale possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-clean-coal-on-a-very-small-scale-possible/765666)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2016, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-clean-coal-on-a-very-small-scale-possible/765666 "2016-09-12T22:32:27Z")
Can a coal-fired pizza joint keep from polluting the air, at least partly? Today’s USA Today Life Sunday in the Indianapolis Star had a splashy piece on various styles of pizza. The first American pizza style, writes La… --- ## [\[Possibly\] dumb question from a city boy about farming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibly-dumb-question-from-a-city-boy-about-farming/765240)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2016, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibly-dumb-question-from-a-city-boy-about-farming/765240 "2016-09-12T22:08:39Z")
The price of eggs are back down to only a little more than free. I paid 48 cents for a dozen at Aldi today. That’s 4 cents per egg. The store, distributors, etc. must split at least half that. The average hen only lays… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=844) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=846)