# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=885 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 886 --- ## [How do I kill my #@&!\*%$ trumpet vines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-kill-my-trumpet-vines/315074)
**Author:** [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-kill-my-trumpet-vines/315074 "2016-06-24T21:55:30Z")
I have lots and lots of trumpet vines, as well as honeysuckle, jasmine, wisteria and grape vines. There used to be poison ivy and kudzu, but I got rid of those long ago. Apparently, the former owners were a little nuts… --- ## [Can I bridge more than two wifi routers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-bridge-more-than-two-wifi-routers/757456)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-bridge-more-than-two-wifi-routers/757456 "2016-06-24T21:27:32Z")
This scenario: I have a wifi router connected to the internet and need two access points in separate rooms which provide wired ethernet. So I did a little research about bridged routers and finally decided to do the foll… --- ## [Microsoft Excel question: Can I make a pivot table from other pivot tables?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-excel-question-can-i-make-a-pivot-table-from-other-pivot-tables/758263)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-excel-question-can-i-make-a-pivot-table-from-other-pivot-tables/758263 "2016-06-24T21:03:45Z")
My boss’s boss wanted me to make a big old spreadsheet with a tab for 30 different people where managers of the different departments can put the hours for the people. Then a chart would be made that could show the hours… --- ## [What do really big online clothes retailers do with all the returns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-really-big-online-clothes-retailers-do-with-all-the-returns/758147)
**Author:** [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-really-big-online-clothes-retailers-do-with-all-the-returns/758147 "2016-06-24T20:00:17Z")
These big online clothes retailers must get humongous amounts of returns. What do they do with it? Many have returns for free, and so it is not uncommon to “order” say five pair of jeans, try them out, and send back four… --- ## [Why do things photographed at a distance look smaller in photos than they do to your eyes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-things-photographed-at-a-distance-look-smaller-in-photos-than-they-do-to-your-eyes/758200)
**Author:** [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-things-photographed-at-a-distance-look-smaller-in-photos-than-they-do-to-your-eyes/758200 "2016-06-24T19:45:13Z")
For some reason, I was reminded tonight of our family trip to Disney World in 1985, and the photo I took of Spaceship Earth from the far end of the International Lagoon or whatever they called it. To my eyes, Spaceship E… --- ## [Where was this photo taken? (Rock tower)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-this-photo-taken-rock-tower/758176)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-this-photo-taken-rock-tower/758176 "2016-06-24T17:35:37Z")
https://www.flickr.com/photos/46909841@N04/24556958992/ --- ## [Predicting political events: polling organizations vs. bookmakers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predicting-political-events-polling-organizations-vs-bookmakers/758025)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predicting-political-events-polling-organizations-vs-bookmakers/758025 "2016-06-24T17:25:38Z")
Bookmakers not only offer lines on sporting events, but also on big political events such as the upcoming Brexit referendum. While the surveys taken by polling organization predict a close race (and the last polls taken … --- ## [Can I pre-emptively disable auto-play videos on websites ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-pre-emptively-disable-auto-play-videos-on-websites/758239)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-pre-emptively-disable-auto-play-videos-on-websites/758239 "2016-06-24T16:42:09Z")
It seems a lot of websites now have various things that are activated when you open the site. The two that come to mind are videos and pop-ups that block what you’re trying to view. They annoy me mightily. Is there some … --- ## [What changes for the UK after Brexit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-changes-for-the-uk-after-brexit/758233)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-changes-for-the-uk-after-brexit/758233 "2016-06-24T16:20:08Z")
Now that the UK is leaving the European Union, what can/will be done differently in the UK? Will it be harder for people in the EU to enter the UK for work/residence/tourism? Different regulations/tariffs on goods impo… --- ## [Scientifically, is the Muslim 'halal' way of animal slaughtering more humane than contemporary ways?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientifically-is-the-muslim-halal-way-of-animal-slaughtering-more-humane-than-contemporary-ways/758027)
**Author:** [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientifically-is-the-muslim-halal-way-of-animal-slaughtering-more-humane-than-contemporary-ways/758027 "2016-06-24T15:49:15Z")
Need help from you guys regarding the science behind…and terribly curious. Read too many accounts from Muslims and non-Muslims, whom each advocate their way of slaughtering for being more humane. The scientists of each … --- ## [Is it "Breggzit" or "Breksit?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-breggzit-or-breksit/758221)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-breggzit-or-breksit/758221 "2016-06-24T14:42:07Z")
See query. Like what prompted a previous query on Chic-Fil-A (sp?) which prompted disbelief, I don’t listen to radio or tv news, and have never heard it. (It’s never come up in conversation.) \[Why’ll we’re at it, is it… --- ## [Fastest PC CPU?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fastest-pc-cpu/758094)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fastest-pc-cpu/758094 "2016-06-24T14:31:39Z")
Long story short, my laptop burned out and I am taking that as a sign from the gods that it is time to build a new computer. I am going the desktop PC route this time- hopefully it will be upgradeable in the future and … --- ## [How long until magstripe credit cards go away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-until-magstripe-credit-cards-go-away/758053)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-until-magstripe-credit-cards-go-away/758053 "2016-06-24T14:25:54Z")
They are a big fraud risk. But still, many stores don’t even have the equipment set up for chip cards. How much longer will magstripe continue to be used? --- ## [Desktop WiFi](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desktop-wifi/757755)
**Author:** [@Jrubas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jrubas)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desktop-wifi/757755 "2016-06-24T14:15:11Z")
Can a desktop computer be somehow…made to operate on Wi-Fi rather than a landline? --- ## [Could waste heat be harnessed in some way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-waste-heat-be-harnessed-in-some-way/757711)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-waste-heat-be-harnessed-in-some-way/757711 "2016-06-24T12:44:05Z")
Buildings with lots of equipment, like machine shops, hospitals and server farms, put out lots of waste heat. Which is counteracted with energy-sucking AC. Is there any way that the heat could be harnessed instead of j… --- ## [Anybody here an expert on arrow/spear points?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-here-an-expert-on-arrow-spear-points/758202)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-here-an-expert-on-arrow-spear-points/758202 "2016-06-24T12:37:40Z")
A local antique store went out of business recently after the owner died. They sold off much of his stock. One thing I picked up was a display case of about 25+ arrow and spear points, but there was no provenance for the… --- ## [Can an object radiate ultraviolet light without also radiating in the visible spectrum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-object-radiate-ultraviolet-light-without-also-radiating-in-the-visible-spectrum/757733)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-object-radiate-ultraviolet-light-without-also-radiating-in-the-visible-spectrum/757733 "2016-06-24T10:10:05Z")
No special reason for asking. I’m just curious. --- ## [Why is gigabit fiber so cheap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-gigabit-fiber-so-cheap/758038)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-gigabit-fiber-so-cheap/758038 "2016-06-24T08:16:44Z")
Isleboro, Maine is looking to launch a service offering it to everyone in town for $30/month. This makes the telecom companies look like extortionists. Many of the ISPs charge much more for significantly slower servi… --- ## [why such a long delay between conventions and general?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-a-long-delay-between-conventions-and-general/758017)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-a-long-delay-between-conventions-and-general/758017 "2016-06-24T05:58:43Z")
So as a non US person, I understand somewhat the reasons why you have such a long drawn out primary process. But why on earth do you have five months between the conventions and the general election? From what I unders… --- ## [How do they project election results nowadays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-project-election-results-nowadays/753232)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-project-election-results-nowadays/753232 "2016-06-24T04:47:39Z")
Coming this November, most of us will be watching the Election Day coverage and watching many races projected within minutes of the poll closing. My question is how do they do this? I know a few decades ago, they used … --- ## [Does vaping act as an appetite suppressant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-vaping-act-as-an-appetite-suppressant/757971)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-vaping-act-as-an-appetite-suppressant/757971 "2016-06-24T03:09:26Z")
A lot of people pile on lbs when they quit smoking. Does vaping nicotine have the same appetite suppressing effect as smoking tobacco? --- ## [Life on Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-mars/757933)
**Author:** [@Vicsage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vicsage)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-mars/757933 "2016-06-24T02:42:02Z")
Its been 50 years since the Vikings landed on Mars. They did experiments to see if there was life there. The experiments at first seemed to say yes, but after further analysis the vast majority of scientists said the … --- ## [Malware in ads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/malware-in-ads/757934)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/malware-in-ads/757934 "2016-06-24T02:22:57Z")
I was having a lot of problems with ads on the site crashing either the JS or Flash engine on Chrome (for Mac). In the thread about it (I wanted to complain that the problems were still occurring, but Chrome kept crashi… --- ## [Browser App Disconnect Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browser-app-disconnect-question/757618)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browser-app-disconnect-question/757618 "2016-06-24T01:30:52Z")
I am also asking our IT folks, but I wanted to ask the larger community since someone may have previous experience with this. We run a version of Salesforce.com for our Customer Support organization. It works great for … --- ## [Royal Voting in the UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/royal-voting-in-the-uk/758152)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/royal-voting-in-the-uk/758152 "2016-06-24T01:10:09Z")
As I understand it, the British Royal Family has no say in national or local politics, and in fact never publicly comments on political matters, but I assume they can vote just as any other registered UK voter can. Wheth… --- ## [Educational requirements for elected office](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educational-requirements-for-elected-office/758127)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educational-requirements-for-elected-office/758127 "2016-06-24T00:42:37Z")
Article 101 of the Turkish constitution stipulates that the President of Turkey has to have a “higher education diploma” which in this context means: a (4-year) university degree. Apparently, there is some controversy as… --- ## [How hard is it to fly a plane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-fly-a-plane/68674)
**Author:** [@furnishesq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furnishesq)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-fly-a-plane/68674 "2016-06-24T00:33:56Z")
I was watching the Discovery Wings Channel last night and they had a show which said that in the near future that the common person will use small planes, instead of cars to travel – thus eliminating the congestion on ou… --- ## [Leaking hand torch tank, stuck-on giant Barney head, dog fall: re firehouse emergency response rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaking-hand-torch-tank-stuck-on-giant-barney-head-dog-fall-re-firehouse-emergency-response-rules/758139)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2016, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaking-hand-torch-tank-stuck-on-giant-barney-head-dog-fall-re-firehouse-emergency-response-rules/758139 "2016-06-24T00:15:41Z")
Is it a law that any time the fire department sends a truck or engine on a logged civilian call they must turn on their sirens and lights? What about their smaller vehicles? Because I’ve had to call 911 for the police a… --- ## [Help me clear out my smartphone memory!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clear-out-my-smartphone-memory/757991)
**Author:** [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2016, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clear-out-my-smartphone-memory/757991 "2016-06-23T23:24:53Z")
I don’t have that many apps on my phone but I seem to constantly be running out of memory. Some of this is my fault (a few too many pictures, though no videos), but it also seems to be that all the auto updates just eat… --- ## [Link in one Windows 10 virtual desktop uses browser in other desktop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/link-in-one-windows-10-virtual-desktop-uses-browser-in-other-desktop/758138)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2016, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/link-in-one-windows-10-virtual-desktop-uses-browser-in-other-desktop/758138 "2016-06-23T22:13:01Z")
If I am in desktop #2 and click on a hyperlink in an email or document, it opens the new tab in the browser open in desktop #1 instead of the current desktop. Even though there are browser windows open on both desktops, … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=884) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=886)