# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=915 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 916 --- ## [How does one use a PC without a mouse? Can one...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-pc-without-a-mouse-can-one/752085)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-pc-without-a-mouse-can-one/752085 "2016-04-26T16:25:13Z")
I just dropped my mouse. No harm done. But, suddenly I recalled that I had never used a PC without a mouse. Somewhere there must have once been instructions on how to navigate and enter without a mouse. Quickest way t… --- ## [Scientists and other Scholars who publish work considered "crank" by most peers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-and-other-scholars-who-publish-work-considered-crank-by-most-peers/752174)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-and-other-scholars-who-publish-work-considered-crank-by-most-peers/752174 "2016-04-26T16:02:25Z")
This is probably a big ask but I am hoping to find out who exists–or has recently existed–who fits the following criteria: Is an academic who could be considered well-published in their field Has a view that is conside… --- ## [Relandscaping questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relandscaping-questions/753152)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relandscaping-questions/753152 "2016-04-26T15:19:09Z")
The previous owner thought she was a landscape architech. Most of the fixed are pretty straightforward but some issues I want feedback on. The sprinklers are currently in-ground hoses leading to the plastic heads on st… --- ## [Political donations fraud](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-donations-fraud/753188)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-donations-fraud/753188 "2016-04-26T15:06:36Z")
It seems like this election cycle has attracted more small donors than other cycles have. I am getting tons of requests on my e email. Are there more fraudulent solicitors than in past years? --- ## ["I've talked about it; therefore, I have fixed it."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-talked-about-it-therefore-i-have-fixed-it/753051)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-talked-about-it-therefore-i-have-fixed-it/753051 "2016-04-26T14:33:45Z")
There is some sort of psychological effect/syndrome/behaviour that happens when somebody talks about some weakness, IDK, wifebeating, drinking, who knows. So, as I understand it, there is some sort of effect that tells o… --- ## [AMRAAMs on wingtips and Sidewinders on pylons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amraams-on-wingtips-and-sidewinders-on-pylons/753146)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amraams-on-wingtips-and-sidewinders-on-pylons/753146 "2016-04-26T14:06:29Z")
I’ve seen some F-16s carry AMRAAMs on wingtips and Sidewinders on inner pylons. Doesn’t having the heavy AMRAAM on the wingtip, from a physics standpoint, put more stress on the wing than having the lighter Sidewinder on… --- ## [Do obese men have trouble urinating? (kinda gross question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-obese-men-have-trouble-urinating-kinda-gross-question/102485)
**Author:** [@hudley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hudley)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-obese-men-have-trouble-urinating-kinda-gross-question/102485 "2016-04-26T13:40:48Z")
For some time now, here at work sometimes I go into the mens room and find that the toilet is covered in urine with the seat down (not lid, just the seat). It is splashed on the floor, etc… totally nasty. I figured t… --- ## [Explain my dog's behavior](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-my-dogs-behavior/752614)
**Author:** [@MeDrewNotYou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeDrewNotYou)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-my-dogs-behavior/752614 "2016-04-26T13:20:46Z")
First some background. We got Sophie (a shi-poo) when she was very young- around 4-5wks but within a couple days she was right at home (Possibly relevant- Since I’m up at all hours we put her makeshift bed in my room in … --- ## [Is there a term for a person with ambiguous first/last names?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-a-person-with-ambiguous-first-last-names/751077)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-a-person-with-ambiguous-first-last-names/751077 "2016-04-26T12:21:44Z")
I am wondering what might be the best way to describe someone whose surname and given name could both be interpreted as a first name. For example: Kyle Maxwell, Duncan Kennedy, Wilson James. --- ## [ass over tea kettle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ass-over-tea-kettle/753103)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ass-over-tea-kettle/753103 "2016-04-26T06:55:19Z")
Hello Everyone, When a person takes a hard fall I’ve heard others describe it as falling ass over tea kettle. What does a tea kettle have to do with it? --- ## [What are the practical differences between a gas and a plasma?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-practical-differences-between-a-gas-and-a-plasma/752650)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-practical-differences-between-a-gas-and-a-plasma/752650 "2016-04-26T05:37:23Z")
In terms which might interest an engineer in a given field, how does the gas state differ from the plasma state? What current technologies would fail if their plasma were replaced with merely hot gas? Which plasma-based… --- ## [4 years after Windows 8 is there a good in depth article that explaned how it came to be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-years-after-windows-8-is-there-a-good-in-depth-article-that-explaned-how-it-came-to-be/753022)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-years-after-windows-8-is-there-a-good-in-depth-article-that-explaned-how-it-came-to-be/753022 "2016-04-26T04:26:39Z")
I could obviously read the wiki but I’m looking for a more “behind the scenes” take on how it evolved and the personalities involved. Anything like that been written? --- ## [Why does external HD (judging by its lights) never stops puttering, even after 10 hrs of CPU sleep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-external-hd-judging-by-its-lights-never-stops-puttering-even-after-10-hrs-of-cpu-sleep/753097)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-external-hd-judging-by-its-lights-never-stops-puttering-even-after-10-hrs-of-cpu-sleep/753097 "2016-04-26T02:12:11Z")
See query. Macbook. I understand that while the computer is in operation, or shortly after a shutdown, housekeeping is required, or even if the auto-save Time Machine needs to wake itself up, check for somnambulation, an… --- ## [Is metformin 2-4x more effective at lowering A1C than regular exercise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-metformin-2-4x-more-effective-at-lowering-a1c-than-regular-exercise/752910)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2016, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-metformin-2-4x-more-effective-at-lowering-a1c-than-regular-exercise/752910 "2016-04-26T00:53:29Z")
I guess that is just surprising, exercise is treated as the de facto treatment for type 2 diabetes (along with changes in diet) but the research I’m seeing shows that exercise is about 4x less effective than the… --- ## [What was this hawk doing in my back yard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-hawk-doing-in-my-back-yard/753089)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2016, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-hawk-doing-in-my-back-yard/753089 "2016-04-25T21:51:48Z")
I looked out in my back yard. About 30m away was a large hawk with its wings outstretched and rocking right-to-left on its feet. After about 30 seconds, it stopped rocking, but kept its wings outstretched. After anoth… --- ## [Is the term to "pay collect" a proper term?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-term-to-pay-collect-a-proper-term/753042)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2016, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-term-to-pay-collect-a-proper-term/753042 "2016-04-25T21:18:09Z")
Hi Is the term to “pay collect” a proper term? I had heard someone use the term “pay collect” meaning to reverse the charge or payment. I’ve heard of making a collect call (not sure if it’s still possible to do that th… --- ## [Clicks? Military unit of distance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicks-military-unit-of-distance/121572)
**Author:** [@kgriffey79](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kgriffey79)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2016, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicks-military-unit-of-distance/121572 "2016-04-25T21:01:46Z")
In a lot of war movies I have seen, the actors refer to clicks. It seems they are referring to a unit of distance. But the only thing I could find on the net about ‘clicks’ was about aiming one’s rifle. So… How far is… --- ## [How do I turn off "Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-sent-from-my-iphone-using-tapatalk/751804)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-sent-from-my-iphone-using-tapatalk/751804 "2016-04-25T20:25:38Z")
Suddenly any post I make from my iPhone has an annoying little tag at the end: “Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk”. I have no idea why it suddenly started doing that, nor how to turn it off; any suggestions? Thanks! … --- ## [Bookmarks in Fiefox](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bookmarks-in-fiefox/753060)
**Author:** [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bookmarks-in-fiefox/753060 "2016-04-25T19:24:40Z")
I’ve been having problem with the bookmarks in Firefox. They seem to be indestructible. They can be deleted, but the next time Firefox opens they have returned. Just a few minutes ago I manually deleted all of them. … --- ## [Circuit breaker trouble](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circuit-breaker-trouble/752509)
**Author:** [@Crushcader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crushcader)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2016, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circuit-breaker-trouble/752509 "2016-04-25T17:47:59Z")
So only half of our house has power and after looking around and doing some research I had came to the conclusion that the 125a service/main breaker is only half working. However just to be sure, we still called an elect… --- ## [The Techno-Peasant is Puzzled: What is a Denial of Service attack, please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-techno-peasant-is-puzzled-what-is-a-denial-of-service-attack-please/752856)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-techno-peasant-is-puzzled-what-is-a-denial-of-service-attack-please/752856 "2016-04-25T17:17:21Z")
I tried to read the wiki article and my head hurts. All I got is that someone set up computers to keep sending requests to the SDMB and it crashed or something? --- ## [What happens to iTunes when you move?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-itunes-when-you-move/753088)
**Author:** [@kbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kbear)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-itunes-when-you-move/753088 "2016-04-25T17:03:50Z")
I live in the UK but both my children will be attending university in Canada starting in the fall…probably won’t return to the UK to live. I’m wondering what happens to their iTunes content if they change the country on … --- ## [How to kill small tree stump plus sapling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-kill-small-tree-stump-plus-sapling/752948)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-kill-small-tree-stump-plus-sapling/752948 "2016-04-25T15:06:06Z")
So I grew up in the desert basically, and have no idea about trees growing too well :wink: And looking on google gives dozens of suggestions, and as usual many are ads for some snake oil and the rest contradict each oth… --- ## ["Winston Is Back" telegram](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winston-is-back-telegram/752810)
**Author:** [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2016, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winston-is-back-telegram/752810 "2016-04-25T08:11:59Z")
This was allegedly sent when Churchill was reinstated as First Lord of the Admiralty in the early part of the Second World War. It was supposed to have been sent to all stations etc and everyone knew he was back after ge… --- ## [What makes food "disagree" with you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-food-disagree-with-you/752981)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-food-disagree-with-you/752981 "2016-04-25T01:14:19Z")
I have found that a close relative avoids certain foods–for example, chocolate, root beer, and “snickerdoodle” ice cream, because they seem to be disruptive to her body functions. Why should this be? What ingredient in f… --- ## [Streaming, data limits, wifi and SlingTV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-data-limits-wifi-and-slingtv/752768)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2016, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-data-limits-wifi-and-slingtv/752768 "2016-04-25T00:12:23Z")
This is long, but please read everything because I’ve tried to ask my question as clearly as possible. Thank you. I have AT&T internet service. Not their cable tv package–just wifi. I watch TV with my Roku (which, in ca… --- ## [Are there massage places where women can get happy endings, outside of PornoReality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-massage-places-where-women-can-get-happy-endings-outside-of-pornoreality/707912)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-massage-places-where-women-can-get-happy-endings-outside-of-pornoreality/707912 "2014-12-23T02:58:44Z")
see hed. Cite omitted. --- ## [Document with limited editable fields.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/document-with-limited-editable-fields/752755)
**Author:** [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2016, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/document-with-limited-editable-fields/752755 "2016-04-24T19:56:55Z")
I’m interested in creating an electronic document lease with limited editable fields. I am willing to spend a small amount of money, say $100. I was using Foxit Phantom PDF editor that came with my ASUS notebook that see… --- ## [My cell phone can work in a moving car but not an elevator. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cell-phone-can-work-in-a-moving-car-but-not-an-elevator-why/752809)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2016, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cell-phone-can-work-in-a-moving-car-but-not-an-elevator-why/752809 "2016-04-24T19:16:56Z")
I’m sure it’s not just me because this has been true for as long as I’ve owned cell phones. What gives? Is it the large metal box of the elevator? If it were, I’d think that as soon as the doors closed, I’d lose the s… --- ## [Saturday Mail Delivery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saturday-mail-delivery/752917)
**Author:** [@Whitney\_Harper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whitney_Harper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saturday-mail-delivery/752917 "2016-04-24T17:44:05Z")
Is the United States Post Office still going to stop mail delivery on Saturdays within the next several years? I haven’t heard anything about it for a while. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=914) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=916)