# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=904 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 905 --- ## [How fast can a Nimitz class aircraft carrier go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-can-a-nimitz-class-aircraft-carrier-go/466426)
**Author:** [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2016, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-can-a-nimitz-class-aircraft-carrier-go/466426 "2016-05-18T22:49:09Z")
I know the official speed is “30+ knots” and all my sources online say “30+ knots” Ok i know it can do AT LEAST 30 knots but how fast could one go really? I mean we know how much it weighs right? We know its displacement… --- ## [Dusting Off After My Rehab \[house renovation dust\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dusting-off-after-my-rehab-house-renovation-dust/755076)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Mama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Mama)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2016, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dusting-off-after-my-rehab-house-renovation-dust/755076 "2016-05-18T21:24:21Z")
I have now lived through a nine-month rehab of our 1891-crate-of-a-house. EVERYTHING (and I do mean everything) is now covered with nasty old horsehair plaster dust, sanded drywall dust, sawdust, and {yes} white cat hair… --- ## [Best Place to Buy Digital Downloads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-buy-digital-downloads/755022)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2016, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-buy-digital-downloads/755022 "2016-05-18T18:20:28Z")
It’s getting to where it seems kind of pointless to buy the actual disk if I want to own a movie, but if I’m going to invest in digital versions I’d rather find someplace where you can actually download the media, not st… --- ## [Military term for incoming cruise missile](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-term-for-incoming-cruise-missile/755026)
**Author:** [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2016, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-term-for-incoming-cruise-missile/755026 "2016-05-18T16:48:25Z")
Based on Tom Clancy, and other recent research I’ve done, I know that the US Navy uses the term ‘Vampire’ for incoming Anti-Ship missiles. Is there a term used by the military for other types of incoming missiles. I’m p… --- ## [Syncing files to different users](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syncing-files-to-different-users/755024)
**Author:** [@Rain\_Soaked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rain_Soaked)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2016, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syncing-files-to-different-users/755024 "2016-05-18T15:52:00Z")
I’m looking for suggestions on how best to handle this situation. We have a number of tradesman that have Windows 10 computer tablets (Surface Pros) for viewing mechanical drawings. There are many different projects an… --- ## [How many meals a day are common?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-meals-a-day-are-common/755011)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2016, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-meals-a-day-are-common/755011 "2016-05-18T08:10:37Z")
We talk here in the USA sometimes about “three square meals a day.” While I think most think that’s the ideal, I suspect that most people don’t actually have only three meals a day. Myself, I typically have 4 to 5 meal… --- ## [ID this firearm.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-firearm/755068)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2016, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-firearm/755068 "2016-05-18T06:58:07Z")
I’ve been recently watching a series of Made for TV movies. Or maybe they’re direct to disc. They’re based on the Robert B Parker “Jesse Stone” series of novels and star Tom Selleck. In one movie, a character uses a lev… --- ## [Is it possible for a man to ejaculate without any physical stimulation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-for-a-man-to-ejaculate-without-any-physical-stimulation/754987)
**Author:** [@GlowingDarkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GlowingDarkness)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2016, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-for-a-man-to-ejaculate-without-any-physical-stimulation/754987 "2016-05-18T06:35:51Z")
While awake? I know people watch porn but that arouses mental stimulation. Could it ever make a man “cum” without him having sex, or touching his penis? --- ## [Cheapest protective gear to wear to protect against vicious dog?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheapest-protective-gear-to-wear-to-protect-against-vicious-dog/754879)
**Author:** [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2016, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheapest-protective-gear-to-wear-to-protect-against-vicious-dog/754879 "2016-05-18T04:45:05Z")
What’s the cheapest way I could armor myself against a vicious dog? Plate mail would be great, but way out of my price range. Leather pants and coat? Not sure if it would be protective enough. Ideas? --- ## [Continuous Paganism in Europe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/continuous-paganism-in-europe/754436)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2016, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/continuous-paganism-in-europe/754436 "2016-05-18T02:03:16Z")
Is there a good example of a survival of pagan practices / religion in Europe? And I don’t mean a revival of ancient beliefs. (I think Wicca would be an example of this; please correct me if I’m wrong.) I am referring to… --- ## [Carbon monoxide alarm false alarm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carbon-monoxide-alarm-false-alarm/754982)
**Author:** [@weef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/weef)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carbon-monoxide-alarm-false-alarm/754982 "2016-05-17T23:03:35Z")
My carbon monoxide alarm went off last night at midnight shortly after everyone went to bed. Instead of leaving the house (stupid, I know) I checked the alarm and it showed 0 ppm so I removed the batteries and replaced t… --- ## [Would it be possible to successfully convert one of the major over-the-air networks to the HBO model](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-possible-to-successfully-convert-one-of-the-major-over-the-air-networks-to-the-hbo-model/754981)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-possible-to-successfully-convert-one-of-the-major-over-the-air-networks-to-the-hbo-model/754981 "2016-05-17T18:27:26Z")
When we first got cable in the late 70’s I marveled at HBO. They provided interesting programming with no ads and you paid a premium for it. The fact that it thrives today is a testament to the model. People dislike … --- ## [Vehicle warning bell/turn signal sound](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670 "2016-05-17T18:17:55Z")
We have a 2009 Chevy Silverado pickup (white - I know the CarTalk guys always asked for the color.) We noticed a while ago that when the turn signals are activated, we don’t hear the click-click to accompany to flashes,… --- ## [How many aircraft carriers equal Earth's mass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-aircraft-carriers-equal-earths-mass/754959)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-aircraft-carriers-equal-earths-mass/754959 "2016-05-17T17:10:45Z")
6,569,200,000,000,000,000,000 tons of Earth = 65,692,000,000,000,000 CVN That is the number I got. --- ## [Usage of a/an with parenthesis within sentence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-of-a-an-with-parenthesis-within-sentence/754881)
**Author:** [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-of-a-an-with-parenthesis-within-sentence/754881 "2016-05-17T14:39:06Z")
John had a thought. \[“a” to match “thought”\] John had an idea. \[“an” to match “idea”\] Obviously the above are correct - but what about the following? John had \_ (very interesting) idea. \[“a” to match “very”, or “an” t… --- ## [Aircraft turns from headwind to tailwind - loss of IAS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aircraft-turns-from-headwind-to-tailwind-loss-of-ias/522386)
**Author:** [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aircraft-turns-from-headwind-to-tailwind-loss-of-ias/522386 "2016-05-17T13:23:25Z")
An air accident report (Warning: 1.3MB PDF) was published yesterday, into the tragic crash of a light aircraft in the Wicklow Mountains in rough weather, resulting in the death of 4 people. The report’s conclusion is tha… --- ## [Power Outage Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-outage-question/569924)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-outage-question/569924 "2016-05-17T13:18:35Z")
I’m in Chicago during the current blizard, and have run across an unusual power outage situation. Basically, only half the house is out of power–pretty much everything on one side of my circuit breaker panel. It’s as i… --- ## [Car salesman asked how I owed on my trade in.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-salesman-asked-how-i-owed-on-my-trade-in/754487)
**Author:** [@Cold\_Dish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cold_Dish)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-salesman-asked-how-i-owed-on-my-trade-in/754487 "2016-05-17T13:13:31Z")
Looking to trade my vehicle. The salesman says ‘If you don’t mind my asking, how much do you owe on your car?’ Turns out I do mind. Is it to his advantage to know this? Does it effect the trade in value of my car? --- ## [Native (pre-European) exploration beyond Tierra del Fuego](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-pre-european-exploration-beyond-tierra-del-fuego/754986)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-pre-european-exploration-beyond-tierra-del-fuego/754986 "2016-05-17T12:43:11Z")
Is there any evidence of native exploration beyond Tierra del Fuego? Did anyone reach the Falklands or South Georgia Islands, or anywhere near Antarctica? --- ## [Questions concerning the Ideal Spindle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-concerning-the-ideal-spindle/754975)
**Author:** [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-concerning-the-ideal-spindle/754975 "2016-05-17T12:17:51Z")
My friend wants to get into spindle making. That is, spindles used for spinning thread for weaving. I asked her what qualities make a great spindle. She said they spin fast and they spin for a long time. This got me wo… --- ## ["The Balloon Went Up."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-balloon-went-up/754956)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-balloon-went-up/754956 "2016-05-17T09:54:21Z")
You see this phrase as the opening of hostilities, as in “If the balloon goes up, I’ll go go from reserve status to active.” What’s the origin of that? What balloon, where? --- ## [how do pilots know a missile is coming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-pilots-know-a-missile-is-coming/754913)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-pilots-know-a-missile-is-coming/754913 "2016-05-17T07:49:58Z")
Inspired by this thread, which describes the shoot-down of a military helicopter that appears to take no evasive action. The basic question: how do military aircraft and/or their pilots know when a missile has been laun… --- ## [Measuring "Controlled Explosions"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-controlled-explosions/754848)
**Author:** [@Kiber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiber)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-controlled-explosions/754848 "2016-05-17T07:31:18Z")
For those who don’t know - todays Manchester United game was cancelled after a suspicious package was found at the stadium. Apparently this is the first time a Premier League game has been cancelled for security reasons… --- ## [Simple iPad-based visual messaging system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-ipad-based-visual-messaging-system/754730)
**Author:** [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-ipad-based-visual-messaging-system/754730 "2016-05-17T06:40:52Z")
I’m looking for something that I can only describe as a visual communication link between two to four iPads / iPhones for food sales. Sort of a dummied-down visual texting, perhaps, or a menu ordering system, but without… --- ## [How can I make a single wireless network over my whole house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-make-a-single-wireless-network-over-my-whole-house/753513)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-make-a-single-wireless-network-over-my-whole-house/753513 "2016-05-17T04:35:09Z")
I have a wireless router downstairs, and I have a long Ethernet cable going from the router to the upstairs part of the house. I have the Ethernet cable going into a crappy router (provided by my ISP which has very limit… --- ## [What is nuclear waste worth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-nuclear-waste-worth/675281)
**Author:** [@Robrein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robrein)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-nuclear-waste-worth/675281 "2016-05-17T03:37:13Z")
G’day learned doppers, Say tomorrow our economy down here hits the fan, and we decided to build a world class nuclear waste repository out in the desolate outback. We’ll take anything (LLW to spent fuel) that any govern… --- ## [Linux/Ubuntu question - Access-Your-Private-Data.desktop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linux-ubuntu-question-access-your-private-data-desktop/754909)
**Author:** [@Clarence01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clarence01)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linux-ubuntu-question-access-your-private-data-desktop/754909 "2016-05-17T03:01:48Z")
I’ve used Ubuntu for a few years now… one thing that’s never worked for me was the “Access-Your-Private-Data.desktop” icon that theoretically should prompt me for a password to allow access to an attached drive. The bes… --- ## [Does anyone remember the Brothers Matzoriley?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-remember-the-brothers-matzoriley/53130)
**Author:** [@AtomicDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomicDog)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2016, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-remember-the-brothers-matzoriley/53130 "2016-05-17T01:59:28Z")
This was an obscure cartoon from the mid 60’s which was part of a show called “The Super 6”. It featured a character which was Siamese triplets (3 heads on one body) who got into different adventures each episode. One he… --- ## [Is the calcium chloride attracting water to it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-calcium-chloride-attracting-water-to-it/754941)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-calcium-chloride-attracting-water-to-it/754941 "2016-05-16T23:48:30Z")
In the basement of our apartment building, we have 10+ bags of calcium chloride stacked up; they are used to melt sidewalk ice in the winter. I’ve noticed that there is a constant wet spot on the cement under and around… --- ## [Some sites have ads/scripts that lock up both my work & home PCs. Is this normal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-sites-have-ads-scripts-that-lock-up-both-my-work-home-pcs-is-this-normal/754894)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2016, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-sites-have-ads-scripts-that-lock-up-both-my-work-home-pcs-is-this-normal/754894 "2016-05-16T23:38:38Z")
On news sites like Huffpost, Salon, Fark and even the Straight Dope if I stay on the site for any length of time without exiting and re-entering memory use for that website will eventually very often spiral to over a gig… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=903) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=905)