# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=948 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 949 --- ## [Could I use this cattle trough for a tub?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-this-cattle-trough-for-a-tub/746642)
**Author:** [@cornopean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornopean)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-this-cattle-trough-for-a-tub/746642 "2016-02-22T19:48:49Z")
We are hoping to buy an old house that has an old unfinished basement. I wanted to install a tub in the basement b/c the kids splash water all over the place and make a mess of a finished bathroom. Do you think I could… --- ## [Another Julius Caesar question: any cities, towns, geographical features named for him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-julius-caesar-question-any-cities-towns-geographical-features-named-for-him/745789)
**Author:** [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-julius-caesar-question-any-cities-towns-geographical-features-named-for-him/745789 "2016-02-22T19:23:48Z")
I thought of this question when talking about Mark Twain and his hometown, Hannibal, MO. If there’s a town named for Hannibal, what is there named for Julius Caesar? Apart from the month of July and the Julian calendar? --- ## [What is the practical limit on tall buildings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-practical-limit-on-tall-buildings/686485)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-practical-limit-on-tall-buildings/686485 "2016-02-22T17:48:39Z")
Prompted by this story. Saudi Arabia to begin building world’s tallest building. Cities keep leapfrogging over each other to have the prestige of the world’s tallest but surely there has to be a limit somewhere. So wh… --- ## [How did David Copperfield reassemble this Honus Wagner card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-david-copperfield-reassemble-this-honus-wagner-card/652504)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-david-copperfield-reassemble-this-honus-wagner-card/652504 "2016-02-22T17:39:56Z")
The video is grainy and features some very cheesy “Copperfield banter”. Anyway, I remember this trick from when it aired and am curious how it works. Here is the video. --- ## [Hackers aquitted because of welcome message on server](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hackers-aquitted-because-of-welcome-message-on-server/746764)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hackers-aquitted-because-of-welcome-message-on-server/746764 "2016-02-22T16:50:53Z")
I have been studying information security. A common anecdote I have read many is that hackers broke into the server of a college and did a lot of damage. When they ended up in court, they went free because the first thi… --- ## [Can an electrical engineer do anything that an electrician can do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-electrical-engineer-do-anything-that-an-electrician-can-do/746542)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-electrical-engineer-do-anything-that-an-electrician-can-do/746542 "2016-02-22T16:23:48Z")
Just curious. Would being an electrical engineer let you understand inherently almost anything that an electrician would need to do to fix or install something and let you do it yourself if you had the tools? Is there s… --- ## [Does drinking cologne make poop smell good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-drinking-cologne-make-poop-smell-good/746668)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-drinking-cologne-make-poop-smell-good/746668 "2016-02-22T16:17:55Z")
Disregard the fact that cologne consumption is poisonous. If I were to drink it and survive, would my poop smell like cologne? --- ## [Oxygen sensor - a hoax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxygen-sensor-a-hoax/396313)
**Author:** [@Bob55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob55)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxygen-sensor-a-hoax/396313 "2016-02-22T14:13:21Z")
Occasionally my cars have their “check engine” lights come on, and it seems to always be the oxygen sensor. I usually just replaced it, but keep wondering how something can constantly go bad on a car so often. I unders… --- ## [Can you designate a lawyer preemptively and in perpetuity ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-designate-a-lawyer-preemptively-and-in-perpetuity/746176)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-designate-a-lawyer-preemptively-and-in-perpetuity/746176 "2016-02-22T13:30:47Z")
I am not seeking legal advise and this is hypothetical. This is in regards to the US justice system I have seen Law and Order episodes where an entire confession is thrown out, even when the suspect did not ask for a la… --- ## [How long would it take for all traces of our current civilization to disappear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-it-take-for-all-traces-of-our-current-civilization-to-disappear/746528)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-it-take-for-all-traces-of-our-current-civilization-to-disappear/746528 "2016-02-22T08:35:10Z")
Some disaster, disease, an asteroid, more likely a nuclear exchange and subsequent nuclear winter, wipes out most of humanity. The few humans remaining are obviously reduced to a stone age type existence. How long before… --- ## [1/2 re Apple: Illegal for Police to Open Mail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-2-re-apple-illegal-for-police-to-open-mail/746616)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-2-re-apple-illegal-for-police-to-open-mail/746616 "2016-02-22T06:55:14Z")
In listening to a CBS news radio story about the ongoing debate over whether Apple should help the FBI open the encrypted I-Phones in the San Bernardino case… CBS noted that it is illegal for the government to open the … --- ## [Why am I not hungry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-not-hungry/275382)
**Author:** [@Kkrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kkrose)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-not-hungry/275382 "2016-02-22T05:03:08Z")
Ok, Lately I have been having a hard time remembering to eat. I know this sounds strange but I just am not getting hungry. There will be days where it becomes five o’clock and I am getting headachy, someone will ask m… --- ## [Antennae question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antennae-question/746641)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antennae-question/746641 "2016-02-22T03:00:55Z")
All else being equal, is a 200 watt antennae better than a 50 watt antennae? Does the 200 watt antennae need a larger amp to increase performance, or would simply using the 200 watt antennae have better results? --- ## [Question about muscle repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-muscle-repair/746741)
**Author:** [@Luk3112](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luk3112)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-muscle-repair/746741 "2016-02-22T02:56:23Z")
Ok so I have a question which extensive Googling has failed me on with regards to protein quality and muscle repair. Generally people always say things like ‘Yeah burgers are high in protein but its a bad source of prot… --- ## [Ants immune to boric acid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ants-immune-to-boric-acid/746434)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ants-immune-to-boric-acid/746434 "2016-02-22T00:53:18Z")
OK, we’re having ant infestations in this house. They eat the regular boric-acid-based ant bait like candy and come back for more. First we tried a borate-based ant bait my landlord had (I forget the brand name) and then… --- ## [Longest lasting data medium?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-data-medium/184271)
**Author:** [@effac3d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/effac3d)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-data-medium/184271 "2016-02-21T23:50:08Z")
Assuming i want to save some data files for the longest time possible what would be my best bet aside from inscribing the 1&0’s on a sheet of steel? And yes i am well aware of the fact that should my data survive i prob… --- ## [Slow computer response](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-computer-response/746630)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-computer-response/746630 "2016-02-21T23:11:59Z")
OK my computer gets so slow sometimes I can’t believe it’s right. I have multiple screens open in the same application and it takes time to respond, I get a white screen when I return to one that was already open, I get… --- ## [Is there a way to create a pdf of a large, high-resolution Google map?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-create-a-pdf-of-a-large-high-resolution-google-map/746656)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-create-a-pdf-of-a-large-high-resolution-google-map/746656 "2016-02-21T23:06:24Z")
I am trying to get a large map printed with highway/street level data. I found a printer who will print the map, but they need a pdf of the image I need. Is there an easy way to obtain such an image using Google maps or… --- ## [How to Scan Good](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-scan-good/746703)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-scan-good/746703 "2016-02-21T22:31:04Z")
My scanner is a Brother J475DW. I have just upgraded to Windows 10. In Win7 I could preview and then scan, cropping as I wished. With Win 10 I cannot scan jpeg at greater than 300 dpi, and when I use the Brother app … --- ## [Question about how solar panels work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-how-solar-panels-work/746677)
**Author:** [@KellyCriterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyCriterion)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-how-solar-panels-work/746677 "2016-02-21T21:48:38Z")
This question was asked on Reddit: The answers seemed to indicate that solar panels cause electrons to flow in a kind of closed loop, eg: If solar panels simply cause a fixed supply of electrons to loop over and over… --- ## [Why are suspects always "operating" "motor vehicles"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suspects-always-operating-motor-vehicles/746650)
**Author:** [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-suspects-always-operating-motor-vehicles/746650 "2016-02-21T21:42:04Z")
Why can’t they ever just drive a car? In fact, just yesterday I was following a story and a police officer corrected herself in a press briefing after saying the suspect was driving a silver something-or-other to saying… --- ## [Could a star far bigger than Earth's sun have a large enough range of 'life-sustaining distance'...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-star-far-bigger-than-earths-sun-have-a-large-enough-range-of-life-sustaining-distance/746654)
**Author:** [@lithrawind\_gmail.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lithrawind_gmail.com)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-star-far-bigger-than-earths-sun-have-a-large-enough-range-of-life-sustaining-distance/746654 "2016-02-21T19:48:53Z")
…for multiple planets orbiting it to fall within? In other words, could a very big star (scuse me having no idea how big that would be) potentially have more than one planet orbiting it at a distance that, with the right… --- ## [Damn Squeaky Dryer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-squeaky-dryer/746659)
**Author:** [@llively](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/llively)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-squeaky-dryer/746659 "2016-02-21T17:38:56Z")
I tried WD-40 on the belts before I looked online to see if that was a good option to stop the squeaking…it wasn’t. The fix lasted for about 30 minutes. What is the correct lubricant for dryer belts? Yes, I know this f… --- ## [A stoopid but perplexing computer conundrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stoopid-but-perplexing-computer-conundrum/746265)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stoopid-but-perplexing-computer-conundrum/746265 "2016-02-21T16:35:12Z")
I just started using a new Windows laptop. On my primitive work PC, if you want to see all the various drives and what may be plugged into them, you hit the start button and go to “My Computer”. On the new laptop which… --- ## [So, ISIS may have/get Iridium 192](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-isis-may-have-get-iridium-192/746376)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-isis-may-have-get-iridium-192/746376 "2016-02-21T16:03:32Z")
According to the UK Independent Iraq is searching for “highly dangerous” radioactive material stolen last year amid fears it could have fallen the hands of Isis jihadis. The material, stored in a protective case the si… --- ## [What was the definition of free will in antiquity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-definition-of-free-will-in-antiquity/746680)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-definition-of-free-will-in-antiquity/746680 "2016-02-21T12:29:11Z")
Given the fact that positions as determinist, libertarian, and compatibilist were fully formed 2,000 years ago, I wonder how the notion of free will was defined in antiquity, long before monotheism became popular and bef… --- ## [Heating element in clothing dryers - how hot does it get?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heating-element-in-clothing-dryers-how-hot-does-it-get/746652)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heating-element-in-clothing-dryers-how-hot-does-it-get/746652 "2016-02-21T12:17:46Z")
What’s the ratio? Does the heating component have to exceed, say, 300 F, in order to heat the incoming passing air to 150 F? --- ## [Why doesn't Israel/\[insert country\] have jet bombers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-israel-insert-country-have-jet-bombers/731131)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-israel-insert-country-have-jet-bombers/731131 "2016-02-21T04:29:39Z")
Sparked by thread on bomber cat-and-mousing. You’re planning your defense funding for strategic weaponry. Money is not no-object. F-15s, 22s, 35, yes, yes, and yes. More, please. Israel doesn’t have the kind of bomber… --- ## [Hammond J100 organ sound?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hammond-j100-organ-sound/547665)
**Author:** [@cm215](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cm215)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hammond-j100-organ-sound/547665 "2016-02-21T04:16:56Z")
From what I’ve gathered from various sources online, the Hammond J100 series organs are described as “not having that Hammond sound” … So what exactly do they sound like? I know it’s difficult to describe, but how it is … --- ## [How Much Does It Cost To Die (USA)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-it-cost-to-die-usa/745112)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-it-cost-to-die-usa/745112 "2016-02-21T02:57:51Z")
About how much is the barest of bare-bones (heh) cremations, in the US? I mean, in as little as the funeral home is legally allowed to let you spend? The deceased body is cremated and then given to his next-of-kin in a F… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=947) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=949)