# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=914 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 915 --- ## [Are we any closer to beam me up scotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-any-closer-to-beam-me-up-scotty/752118)
**Author:** [@nansbread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nansbread)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2016, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-any-closer-to-beam-me-up-scotty/752118 "2016-04-29T00:03:35Z")
Since the phrase was used for the first time on Star Trek have we taken any step in the direction of it becoming a reality. Even the tinest little advancement to beam a person from one place on earth to another place on … --- ## ["Computer Hardware 101" question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-hardware-101-question/752863)
**Author:** [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-hardware-101-question/752863 "2016-04-28T22:26:32Z")
We have a Dell tower from roughly 2008 and inherited a newer Dell tower recently. Newer Dell has a busted CD player. If I take the CD player from 2008 Dell and install it in Newer Dell, what else would I need to do to ma… --- ## [What accounts for an extremely low house-purchase price?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-accounts-for-an-extremely-low-house-purchase-price/753198)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-accounts-for-an-extremely-low-house-purchase-price/753198 "2016-04-28T22:10:23Z")
We were looking at residential real-estate web sites to get an idea of prices for very small houses–about 600-800 square feet, 2-bedroom 1-bath. We found one valued currently about $120-$130k–typical for this area–that … --- ## [What is this stuff which is sold as Non-Alcoholic Wine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-stuff-which-is-sold-as-non-alcoholic-wine/753353)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-stuff-which-is-sold-as-non-alcoholic-wine/753353 "2016-04-28T20:50:46Z")
So I was looking on the website of Sainsbury’s in the UK at some bottles of Non-Alcoholic Wine and it says 0.05% alcohol. And it says that at that level any alcohol in it is very hard to detect and anything less than 0.… --- ## [Wombats in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wombats-in-america/77200)
**Author:** [@Arken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arken)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wombats-in-america/77200 "2016-04-28T18:40:28Z")
I’ve been told that many an Australian has a pet Wombat and that they make especially good, affectionate pets. I also think they’re extremely cute. Is it possible to get a pet wombat in the US? --- ## [How does the IRS handle returns for which documentation is lost/destroyed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-irs-handle-returns-for-which-documentation-is-lost-destroyed/753255)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-irs-handle-returns-for-which-documentation-is-lost-destroyed/753255 "2016-04-28T17:59:26Z")
I have a very small business I run from my home. Over the course of a tax year, paper receipts for the various expenses accumulate in a folder, and electronic records likewise accumulate. Suppose my house burns down at… --- ## [Pay rate and paid time off calculation question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-rate-and-paid-time-off-calculation-question/753304)
**Author:** [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-rate-and-paid-time-off-calculation-question/753304 "2016-04-28T14:05:00Z")
I started a new contract and apparently different people with the exact same position through the same recruiter are making different wages and have different benefits. Fine. I was not aware of the big picture initially … --- ## [successful wars against guerilla insurgents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/successful-wars-against-guerilla-insurgents/753016)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/successful-wars-against-guerilla-insurgents/753016 "2016-04-28T13:14:18Z")
AFAIK there have been very few successful wars waged against guerrilla forces which have the support of the local population. I can think of only one clear example: Boer War: which invented the concept of Guerrilla wa… --- ## [Practical uses for extreme human physical/mental abilities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-uses-for-extreme-human-physical-mental-abilities/753276)
**Author:** [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-uses-for-extreme-human-physical-mental-abilities/753276 "2016-04-28T12:28:14Z")
For some reason the search page doesn’t work for me so if this has been done before apologies… Apart from the more lucrative sports and the entertainment business, is there really any practical application for the small… --- ## [could someone explain this for me please? \[Neo-Nazi code words\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-someone-explain-this-for-me-please-neo-nazi-code-words/752866)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-someone-explain-this-for-me-please-neo-nazi-code-words/752866 "2016-04-28T12:25:11Z")
So, I was reading "The Great Outage"down in the pit, there was mention of a user who’s username initials are hh, and the fact that he seems (is? I don’t know) a neo-Nazi, or Nazi supporter or whatever. Now my understand… --- ## [How do ultra-orthodox Jewish men get those perfect side curls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ultra-orthodox-jewish-men-get-those-perfect-side-curls/753257)
**Author:** [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waltzes_with_Cacti)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ultra-orthodox-jewish-men-get-those-perfect-side-curls/753257 "2016-04-28T02:55:04Z")
You probably know the curls I mean, but here’s a pic: http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b71f69e20134889f2908970c-popup Some ultra orthodox men wear side curls that are lank and loose, but many have tight, p… --- ## [Ethane and Intoxication](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethane-and-intoxication/753305)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethane-and-intoxication/753305 "2016-04-28T02:17:43Z")
Can you get drunk breathing ethane? --- ## [Slow Network Speeds only on One PC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-network-speeds-only-on-one-pc/753300)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-network-speeds-only-on-one-pc/753300 "2016-04-28T01:57:23Z")
Hi Folks I was hoping one of the IT-genius dopers could helps with something that has me stumped. In the house, we have several laptops, tablets, etc. All are running at 25-30 Mbps, as they should because that’s what w… --- ## [Popup on computer encrypting all files](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popup-on-computer-encrypting-all-files/753059)
**Author:** [@lckinsinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lckinsinger)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popup-on-computer-encrypting-all-files/753059 "2016-04-28T00:47:49Z")
My husband’s PC which is running Windows 7 had a message popup saying that an RSA4096Key was installed and all files were encrypted with the public key which has been transferred to your computer via the internet. You h… --- ## [Is paper a carbon sink?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paper-a-carbon-sink/753295)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2016, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paper-a-carbon-sink/753295 "2016-04-28T00:09:50Z")
Paper is made of carbon compounds from wood. My question is, does paper in any form store more carbon then is released in its production? --- ## [How do flight upgrades work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-flight-upgrades-work/753105)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2016, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-flight-upgrades-work/753105 "2016-04-27T23:54:14Z")
I fly a lot. Not “Up in the Air” a lot, but still—minimum one cross-country round-trip a month. In the next year, I’ll likely be flying to Toronto, New York (2-3 times), San Diego, Boston, Hawaii, China, India, Thailand,… --- ## [Cutting the thread in my suit pockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-the-thread-in-my-suit-pockets/752882)
**Author:** [@thenewkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thenewkid)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2016, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-the-thread-in-my-suit-pockets/752882 "2016-04-27T22:43:18Z")
Hey guys, I’ve recently bought a new suit (my first) for a formal event coming soon (Bar III extra slim from Macy’s, if you’re wondering). I’ve been reading up on suits for the past couple of weeks, and I know I can cut… --- ## [What would Bronze Age people have used as the nearest thing to plastic or rubber?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-bronze-age-people-have-used-as-the-nearest-thing-to-plastic-or-rubber/753244)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-bronze-age-people-have-used-as-the-nearest-thing-to-plastic-or-rubber/753244 "2016-04-27T20:20:32Z")
Well clearly they didn’t have plastic and rubber back in the Bronze Age, or it would have been called the Plastic or Rubber Age. But they may have had a need for things that had a certain give to them. For things like ba… --- ## [Best Way to Kill Widespread Poison Oak?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-kill-widespread-poison-oak/753148)
**Author:** [@DoggyDunnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoggyDunnit)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-kill-widespread-poison-oak/753148 "2016-04-27T17:18:27Z")
So, here’s the next installment of me requesting the SDMB’s help with an issue regarding my friend’s house. Since the last thread, we’ve made tremendous progress. One of the tasks on the agenda now is restoring the west… --- ## [Where's the cheapest place to get a car battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-cheapest-place-to-get-a-car-battery/751884)
**Author:** [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-cheapest-place-to-get-a-car-battery/751884 "2016-04-27T14:36:58Z")
I don’t need it to be great, I need it to run the car while I sell the car. Long and way overcomplicated story, I’d had this car I need to sell in the possession of a family friend who was brokering it for me, who had i… --- ## [Backup Strategy.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backup-strategy/753124)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2016, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backup-strategy/753124 "2016-04-27T13:38:29Z")
I realise that there are computer forums where I can ask this question, but I thought I would try here where there is a wider variety of informed opinions. I have a laptop and a desktop. The files I would be sorry to lo… --- ## [Out of the way directions -- Google maps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-of-the-way-directions-google-maps/752076)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2016, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-of-the-way-directions-google-maps/752076 "2016-04-27T08:55:54Z")
I was listening to the news today talking about the elections in Syria and that Asaad and his wife voted in Damascus, which got me thinking about the distance between Jerusalem and Damascus, which was a common journey re… --- ## [Dowsing with pictures of people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dowsing-with-pictures-of-people/753241)
**Author:** [@dervesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dervesh)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2016, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dowsing-with-pictures-of-people/753241 "2016-04-27T05:01:17Z")
…I am a 40 year old Lawyer from Pakistan) ( also lived and studied law in UK) , basically a level headed guy ….My question IS about a Month Back just for fun I used pictures of friends and relatives FOR DOWSING (commun… --- ## [How similar are neuronal and transistor networks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-similar-are-neuronal-and-transistor-networks/753202)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2016, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-similar-are-neuronal-and-transistor-networks/753202 "2016-04-27T01:11:32Z")
Both neurons and transistors act as switches and amplifiers of signals, correct? Does either do anything else? Do neurons form logic gates like transistors do? How similar is neuroplasticity to FPGAs? How come FPGAs ca… --- ## [What does 'Alcatraz' really mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-alcatraz-really-mean/458004)
**Author:** [@deg007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deg007)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-alcatraz-really-mean/458004 "2016-04-26T21:15:57Z")
Hi all, this is my first visit here, so I will be on my best behavior and your answers must all be clever, concise, and perfectly accurate. :dubious: If you research enough on the internets, you will find both the tra… --- ## [Where were the last shots of WWII fired?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-were-the-last-shots-of-wwii-fired/752988)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-were-the-last-shots-of-wwii-fired/752988 "2016-04-26T17:07:42Z")
After VE and VJ day in Europe and the Pacific respectively, I’ve read that the fighting didn’t immediately stop like turning off a light switch but was more comparable to a bunch of candles sputtering out…to follow the a… --- ## [Is there a general catch-all term for the "Street" part of a street name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-general-catch-all-term-for-the-street-part-of-a-street-name/753083)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-general-catch-all-term-for-the-street-part-of-a-street-name/753083 "2016-04-26T16:46:57Z")
If I ask someone for an address and they tell me it’s “123 Washington” but I need to make sure that I have an absolutely accurate address I might ask, “Is that Washington Street? Washington Lane? Washington Boulevard? Wa… --- ## [Russians Hanging Carpets on the Walls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russians-hanging-carpets-on-the-walls/753108)
**Author:** [@MegaNazz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaNazz)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russians-hanging-carpets-on-the-walls/753108 "2016-04-26T16:35:04Z")
I was wondering if anyone of Russian descent (or really anyone in general) can confirm to me whether this article about why Russians hang luxury rugs from their walls is accurate. I have a friend who’s obsessed with it a… --- ## [lowest satellite orbiting the moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowest-satellite-orbiting-the-moon/753102)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowest-satellite-orbiting-the-moon/753102 "2016-04-26T16:34:11Z")
Is there are theoretical limit as to how low a satellite could maintain an orbit around the moon? I know there about mountains so it must orbit above those. There is also a very thin atmosphere but I don’t know if that… --- ## [DSL hardware question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsl-hardware-question/753161)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsl-hardware-question/753161 "2016-04-26T16:26:01Z")
So I’m having a weird problem at my house right now. My DSL Internet connection keeps coming and going, with the system constantly retraining. That is, until I was on the landline phone with someone. I noticed it came o… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=913) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=915)