# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=958 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 959 --- ## [Numismawhosis \[Philatelists: looking for price on 1937 Hitler's birthday commemorative stamps\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/numismawhosis-philatelists-looking-for-price-on-1937-hitlers-birthday-commemorative-stamps/745106)
**Author:** [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/numismawhosis-philatelists-looking-for-price-on-1937-hitlers-birthday-commemorative-stamps/745106 "2016-02-04T22:39:24Z")
Am I having a brain damage moment or is there a numismatist lurking here? I need to find a price on some 1937 Semi Postal Hitler Birthday Commemorative sheet? there are 4 stamps per sheet, and 4 different sheets with a … --- ## [Junction points in Windows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junction-points-in-windows/745128)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junction-points-in-windows/745128 "2016-02-04T22:01:03Z")
New Win10 user here coming from XP. “For backward compatibility, the old locations have junction points that point to the new locations. For example, C:\\Documents and Settings is now a junction point that points to C:… --- ## [Ring resizing technique?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-resizing-technique/730462)
**Author:** [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-resizing-technique/730462 "2016-02-04T21:40:47Z")
No giggling at the back! Recently married, my lovely wife took my wedding ring to the high street jewellers where it was bought today - I wanted it reduced, if possible, by half a ring-size. We were expecting the shop … --- ## [Does Windows 10 use more or less resources than 7?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-windows-10-use-more-or-less-resources-than-7/742536)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-windows-10-use-more-or-less-resources-than-7/742536 "2016-02-04T19:13:04Z")
I’m on a 2012 Windows 7 Toshiba laptop. It is a Satellite L775. Specs: Processor Intel® Core™ i3-2350M CPU @ 2.30GHz, 2300 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s) 8 gb ram(came with 4, I upgraded) 500 gb hard drive, a… --- ## [How Can They Know Zika is a STD?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-they-know-zika-is-a-std/745131)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-they-know-zika-is-a-std/745131 "2016-02-04T16:02:56Z")
On the surface, this seems obvious. No need to get graphic here. However, as I thought about this, I wonder if STDs - as they now say Zika is - are really spread by “sucking face” more than anything else. How do they … --- ## [Is anyone in the Bible real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-in-the-bible-real/744548)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-in-the-bible-real/744548 "2016-02-04T15:50:41Z")
Since this is a question about religion and the Bible and that sort of thing, I hope to tread lightly in my asking of this and that others will try to tread lightly in the replies. I’m not looking to debate God, the Bibl… --- ## [Writing directions around the world](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-directions-around-the-world/744940)
**Author:** [@Aghris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aghris)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-directions-around-the-world/744940 "2016-02-04T13:58:03Z")
I understand why most of the Western world writes left to write. Since most people are right handed, it makes sense to start on the left and end on the right, so as not to smudge the ink with your writing hand. But what… --- ## [Another transmission mode for Zika?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-transmission-mode-for-zika/745096)
**Author:** [@Skyo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skyo)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-transmission-mode-for-zika/745096 "2016-02-04T13:54:58Z")
If a person carrying the Zika virus were bitten by one of our local mosquitoes, would that home-grown mosquito then be a carrier and be able to pass the virus to the next person she bites? --- ## [Islam and images of beings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islam-and-images-of-beings/745069)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islam-and-images-of-beings/745069 "2016-02-04T12:54:12Z")
Is the following accurate: At first, it was forbidden within Islam to create images of living beings (or just animals?). Then that prohibition was narrowed to creating images of humans then further narrowed to images of… --- ## [How loud is the sound of a standing man urinating into a toilet? Of washing dishes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-loud-is-the-sound-of-a-standing-man-urinating-into-a-toilet-of-washing-dishes/745051)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-loud-is-the-sound-of-a-standing-man-urinating-into-a-toilet-of-washing-dishes/745051 "2016-02-04T12:53:54Z")
See subject. Just the water in water/sink. In decibels. I want to compare it with the decibel level of a normal conversation, which I’m pretty sure I can easily look up. Because it drives me crazy when one drowns out th… --- ## [Is a zero balance HELOC in jeopardy of being canceled?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-zero-balance-heloc-in-jeopardy-of-being-canceled/745053)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-zero-balance-heloc-in-jeopardy-of-being-canceled/745053 "2016-02-04T05:29:29Z")
A few years ago during the credit crunch, one of the credit cards I paid off each month sent me a letter saying they were reducing my credit limit. We hardly put anything on that charge card, but I called and asked why t… --- ## [Can you vote absentee in a primary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-vote-absentee-in-a-primary/745025)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-vote-absentee-in-a-primary/745025 "2016-02-04T04:10:45Z")
Google search indicates that one cannot vote absentee in a caucus, but search results on voting absentee in primaries was inconsistent. What is the straight dope? Mods, if this belongs in elections, please feel free to … --- ## [Posession with intent to sell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posession-with-intent-to-sell/745071)
**Author:** [@Caldazar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caldazar)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posession-with-intent-to-sell/745071 "2016-02-04T00:40:25Z")
For no particular reason at all, I started to recall a time when I served on a jury in California. The defendant was accused of possession of illegal drugs with the intent to sell. One of the possible scenarios, I’ve al… --- ## [Supreme Court - possible for 1 judge to set conditions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-possible-for-1-judge-to-set-conditions/744785)
**Author:** [@Zach29](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zach29)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-possible-for-1-judge-to-set-conditions/744785 "2016-02-03T21:25:16Z")
I was reading about the Supreme Court and how not all the judges agree. Usually one side will sign on to the majority opinion and the other side will write a dissenting minority opinion, but there have been several cases… --- ## [Car wont move in drive but can in reverse and gears 1 2 3](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wont-move-in-drive-but-can-in-reverse-and-gears-1-2-3/744964)
**Author:** [@Copes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Copes)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wont-move-in-drive-but-can-in-reverse-and-gears-1-2-3/744964 "2016-02-03T20:04:07Z")
So last night i was driving and then i parked my car and went to grab something to eat but when i got back in and started the car, everything seemed fine no random noises and i reversed fine but then i put it in drive an… --- ## [Airline Check in Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-check-in-question/744943)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-check-in-question/744943 "2016-02-03T19:24:19Z")
Does anyone know why there is a seemingly arbitrary 24 hour time limit before you can check into most airlines online prior to travel? What would happen if someone was able to check in 25 or 26 hours in advance? Would it… --- ## [What constitutes wiretapping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-wiretapping/745076)
**Author:** [@iceiso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iceiso)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-wiretapping/745076 "2016-02-03T19:00:58Z")
I’m trying to understand the definition of a “recording” as it applies to wiretapping laws. With the powerful signal processing capabilities that are available on computers and cellphones, is there a point where you can … --- ## [Real Estate Tax Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-estate-tax-question/744967)
**Author:** [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-estate-tax-question/744967 "2016-02-03T18:53:10Z")
I sold a rental property at the end of 2015 and the proceeds were sitting in an exchange account until mid-January. Since I technically never touched the money in 2015, does this go on 2015 taxes or 2016 taxes? PS I k… --- ## [Do retail store (B&M) revenues correlate with residential property prices ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-retail-store-b-m-revenues-correlate-with-residential-property-prices/745027)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-retail-store-b-m-revenues-correlate-with-residential-property-prices/745027 "2016-02-03T18:47:47Z")
Under consideration are big chain stores like Walmart, Homedepot, Lowes, Walgreens, etc. Does the revenue of stores like this correlate with the residential property values ? Say the average property value in a certain … --- ## [What kind of phone scam was this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-phone-scam-was-this/744948)
**Author:** [@iceiso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iceiso)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-phone-scam-was-this/744948 "2016-02-03T17:59:02Z")
Hello, About a month ago, I got a phone call from an unknown number. Upon picking up, the person said verbatim, “Sorry I am having difficulty with my phone. I will call you right back”. They hung up and about 30 seconds… --- ## [How can I let people upload documents to my website?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-let-people-upload-documents-to-my-website/508612)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-let-people-upload-documents-to-my-website/508612 "2016-02-03T16:11:02Z")
I have a website–I Grade Your Paper–wherein I try to sell a service that involves looking over people’s college papers and telling them how to improve them. The way it currently works, I have them email me their papers.… --- ## [What is the point of pleading the 5th?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-pleading-the-5th/744271)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-pleading-the-5th/744271 "2016-02-03T05:59:01Z")
When you plead the 5th, you’re effectively saying that you’re guilty. In the OJ case, Detective Furhman is asked by the defense “Did you manufacture or plant any evidence in this case?” to which he pleads the 5th. Why … --- ## [What would humanity look like if we had no population bottleneck 70,000 years ago?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-humanity-look-like-if-we-had-no-population-bottleneck-70-000-years-ago/744809)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-humanity-look-like-if-we-had-no-population-bottleneck-70-000-years-ago/744809 "2016-02-03T04:00:55Z")
The exact nature of the population bottleneck is controversial but I think it’s widely accepted that at some point 70,000-100,000 years ago Homo Sapiens came pretty close to extinction. Some estimates put the surviving … --- ## [Unknown Marker](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-marker/744913)
**Author:** [@n5tp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/n5tp)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-marker/744913 "2016-02-03T03:51:17Z")
This is a photo of a fountain at UT Arlington. Can someone please identify anything about it? http://tiny.cc/i51r8x Thank you. --- ## [What's the difference between the Monte Carlo method and polling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-the-monte-carlo-method-and-polling/744772)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-the-monte-carlo-method-and-polling/744772 "2016-02-03T02:26:10Z")
Maybe there’s a distinction between the two I’m missing but reading about MC, it sounds like the kind of polling which is commonly done for elections, public opinion and marketing but applied to finance/science/computers… --- ## [Which businesses are the most and least cashless in the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-businesses-are-the-most-and-least-cashless-in-the-usa/744224)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-businesses-are-the-most-and-least-cashless-in-the-usa/744224 "2016-02-03T01:56:46Z")
Just curious. There are a variety of people who use credit or debit cards to pay for everything from the 50¢ pack of gum to the $500 TV set, others who prefer to use cash for everything, and those who use cash on the sma… --- ## [Wood finishing: what’s causing/how do I avoid these lines in my projects?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wood-finishing-what-s-causing-how-do-i-avoid-these-lines-in-my-projects/744955)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wood-finishing-what-s-causing-how-do-i-avoid-these-lines-in-my-projects/744955 "2016-02-02T23:48:21Z")
These are two different projects with similar issues. The cutting boards started out as rough-cut slabs of walnut and maple. Among other things, they went through a Delta jointer, then a Powermatic planer and then sande… --- ## [Bacteria: Embrace or Avoid...does it matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacteria-embrace-or-avoid-does-it-matter/744924)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacteria-embrace-or-avoid-does-it-matter/744924 "2016-02-02T23:17:08Z")
My friend is a bit of a germaphobe, not to the point where it interferes with life, but he will sanitize shopping cart handles, grab a bathroom door with the paper towel; little things that “prevent” spreading germs. My… --- ## [is there a "most likely" easy fix for this? 3 laptop keys not working correctly.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-most-likely-easy-fix-for-this-3-laptop-keys-not-working-correctly/744945)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-most-likely-easy-fix-for-this-3-laptop-keys-not-working-correctly/744945 "2016-02-02T23:07:40Z")
Its a Dell XPS L502X. The “?”, the “5” and the parenthesis key just above the “?” dont work unless you press down really hard. Its worse when I first power on the laptop. They seem to get slightly more responsive aft… --- ## [Where is the place with the most lightning in the US? In the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-place-with-the-most-lightning-in-the-us-in-the-world/744992)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-place-with-the-most-lightning-in-the-us-in-the-world/744992 "2016-02-02T22:19:59Z")
Do not need answer fast – certainly not lightning speed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=957) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=959)