# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=96 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 97 --- ## [Does a booster hot water tank make sense in this situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-booster-hot-water-tank-make-sense-in-this-situation/999487)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2024, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-booster-hot-water-tank-make-sense-in-this-situation/999487 "2024-03-31T06:20:27Z")
I read through previous posts, but most are old and things may have changed. No speculation please, I’m looking for facts from people who have successfully solved a problem similar to mine. Here’s the story. I’m in the … --- ## [Windows cursor poblem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-cursor-poblem/999256)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2024, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-cursor-poblem/999256 "2024-03-30T23:30:52Z")
has anyone else been having problems with Windows the last month? When I place my cursor on email/link/box, instead of opening up I get popup boxes (back, reply, save link menus), and then continues to popup 4-5 times un… --- ## [Question about Vehicle Back-up Cameras](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-vehicle-back-up-cameras/998766)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-vehicle-back-up-cameras/998766 "2024-03-30T21:29:35Z")
The car we currently own (and have owned for the last 11 years) does not have a back-up camera. I have, however, rented a number of cars that have them and I have been a passenger in friends’ cars that have them. Just re… --- ## ["Rattling like a Ford"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattling-like-a-ford/999536)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattling-like-a-ford/999536 "2024-03-30T19:21:50Z")
I’m reading The Royal Book of Oz, the first Oz book published after L. Frank Baum’s death, written by Ruth Plumly Thompson and published in 1921. In one scene, Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, and a knight in armor named Sir … --- ## [Is it possible for a blind person to differentiate between US currency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-for-a-blind-person-to-differentiate-between-us-currency/999600)
**Author:** [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2024, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-for-a-blind-person-to-differentiate-between-us-currency/999600 "2024-03-30T18:49:39Z")
Title is it, but not asking about coinage, just bills. Thanks ETA: Seems like there should Braille on there --- ## [Is there a data base that tracks the political leanings of election threats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-data-base-that-tracks-the-political-leanings-of-election-threats/999574)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2024, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-data-base-that-tracks-the-political-leanings-of-election-threats/999574 "2024-03-30T16:17:44Z")
I tried to simplify my question but doubt it is clear. (I’m hoping this can be a factual question and answer vs political debate.). I preface my question with the general impression that most threats and warnings are is… --- ## [Legal question about old Quincy episode](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-about-old-quincy-episode/999482)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-about-old-quincy-episode/999482 "2024-03-30T15:48:05Z")
Our favorite shouty (punk-music-hating, too) forensic pathologist has managed to take an old thighbone found in a ditch, and uncovered enough evidence of murder that the killer is now holding Quincy at gunpoint, working … --- ## [What's the furthest back a person alive today could trace their ancestry (reliably)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-furthest-back-a-person-alive-today-could-trace-their-ancestry-reliably/996850)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2024, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-furthest-back-a-person-alive-today-could-trace-their-ancestry-reliably/996850 "2024-03-30T14:43:22Z")
I’m guessing the average, non-royal, person could only go back to about the 1700s, with a lot of luck. But is there someone alive today who could verify, to a reasonable degree, a lineage back to, say, the 1500s? 1300s? --- ## [What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-lawyer-do-i-need/999170)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2024, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-lawyer-do-i-need/999170 "2024-03-30T13:21:34Z")
I am having serious issues with the Auto Insurance Industry (serving my State) overstepping their authority and collecting records on drivers in my family NOT on their plans. What kind of lawyer would defend claims of vi… --- ## [Why would anyone get a bond for an appeal in a court case?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-anyone-get-a-bond-for-an-appeal-in-a-court-case/999354)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2024, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-anyone-get-a-bond-for-an-appeal-in-a-court-case/999354 "2024-03-30T12:34:22Z")
Yes, this is inspired by Trump and I will use him as an example but this is meant to ask for factual answers. Former president Trump needed to come up with a ~$500 million bond to appeal his court case won by the New Yo… --- ## [Removed YouTube Channel Help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removed-youtube-channel-help/999599)
**Author:** [@brasstacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brasstacks)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2024, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removed-youtube-channel-help/999599 "2024-03-30T08:55:25Z")
I deleted my youtube channel out of frustration with the internet a bit ago. It may have been a few months. I know they keep them for a bit. I don’t know how long. I had thousands of videos saved on there and about 500 c… --- ## [What is this connector for a DC water pump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-connector-for-a-dc-water-pump/999562)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2024, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-connector-for-a-dc-water-pump/999562 "2024-03-29T18:42:23Z")
And is there anything similarly sized that is more resistant to water? It’s in a high humidity environment and prone to corrosion. And if that direct link to the photo doe… --- ## [How were vehicles kept off the FS Key bridge before it collapsed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-vehicles-kept-off-the-fs-key-bridge-before-it-collapsed/999480)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-vehicles-kept-off-the-fs-key-bridge-before-it-collapsed/999480 "2024-03-29T16:33:41Z")
It seems that all the fatalities were those of workers on the bridge. While I did hear one very early report that mentioned “cars in the water,” I haven’t heard that repeated and I have heard news sources say that the ma… --- ## [Help Needed: Cat pees on floor.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-needed-cat-pees-on-floor/253429)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2024, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-needed-cat-pees-on-floor/253429 "2024-03-29T13:01:27Z")
We have an elderly cat named Clapton. Much beloved, he has been with us almost 20 years. Over the last few months, he has taken to peeing, and sometimes crapping on the floor. He’s got a heart murmer, so no spanking. … --- ## [What’s the significance of the zeroth law of thermodynamics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-significance-of-the-zeroth-law-of-thermodynamics/999484)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2024, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-significance-of-the-zeroth-law-of-thermodynamics/999484 "2024-03-28T22:03:18Z")
The zeroth law states that if 2 systems are in thermodynamic equilibrium with a third system, then they are in equilibrium with each other. I assume that this is really important since it’s a law but it seems akin to say… --- ## [Ice on swelling: how long is it effective?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-on-swelling-how-long-is-it-effective/999481)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-on-swelling-how-long-is-it-effective/999481 "2024-03-28T14:19:46Z")
When one gets an injury, such as happens playing sports, one of the treatments is to put ice on the injury. This is to suppress swelling of the injured part. How long is this an effective way of reducing swelling? Is the… --- ## [Explain the Artemis in-orbit refueling requirement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-artemis-in-orbit-refueling-requirement/999098)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2024, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-artemis-in-orbit-refueling-requirement/999098 "2024-03-27T22:42:39Z")
55 years ago, a Saturn V rocket put men on the moon and returned them to Earth after having been fueled up prior to departure - no mid-flight refueling was required. Artemis 2 looks like once it gets into its initial Ea… --- ## [Why does my phone give me the time every time I plug in the aux cable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-phone-give-me-the-time-every-time-i-plug-in-the-aux-cable/999353)
**Author:** [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2024, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-phone-give-me-the-time-every-time-i-plug-in-the-aux-cable/999353 "2024-03-27T14:28:16Z")
got an Android 8 I think? It’s a few years old. but lately it’s been doing something odd. I plug it into aux cable connected to a stereo every day to have it play music while I work. But lately, when I do that, somehow G… --- ## [How do I search for a specific first and last name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-search-for-a-specific-first-and-last-name/999341)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2024, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-search-for-a-specific-first-and-last-name/999341 "2024-03-27T04:05:00Z")
I am trying to get information and possibly pictures about a specific person, but unfortunately this person’s first and last name are also used to describe something else. For example, if his name was Van Tower I would … --- ## [Has interviewing serial killers been useful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-interviewing-serial-killers-been-useful/999143)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2024, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-interviewing-serial-killers-been-useful/999143 "2024-03-27T02:23:54Z")
Most people have seen Silence of the Lambs or perhaps the show Mindhunter, and obviously, people have gone to interview serial killers in real life as described in the inspiration for the show. But have the killers actua… --- ## [White House Roosevelt room books](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-roosevelt-room-books/965051)
**Author:** [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2024, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-roosevelt-room-books/965051 "2024-03-26T17:16:23Z")
What are those books on the fireplace mantle in the Roosevelt room? I think they have the presidents names on them but what’s in them? --- ## [Location of depositories in art museums](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/location-of-depositories-in-art-museums/999219)
**Author:** [@FirstTimeHere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FirstTimeHere)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2024, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/location-of-depositories-in-art-museums/999219 "2024-03-26T10:15:38Z")
Where is the depository usually located in art museums? Underground, on the first floor or on the higher floors and why? --- ## [How does Facebook, Google, etc., take revenue from publishers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-facebook-google-etc-take-revenue-from-publishers/999249)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2024, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-facebook-google-etc-take-revenue-from-publishers/999249 "2024-03-25T13:03:11Z")
In the March Harper’s Magazine, their feature Harper’s Index using various numbers to report trends says that Google and Facebook are responsible for losses in the billions to publishers because they are using publishers… --- ## [Does anyone here remember a change happening with the booths at Cheesecake Factory? (circa 2015)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-remember-a-change-happening-with-the-booths-at-cheesecake-factory-circa-2015/999313)
**Author:** [@SaSaLeLe2011](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaSaLeLe2011)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2024, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-remember-a-change-happening-with-the-booths-at-cheesecake-factory-circa-2015/999313 "2024-03-25T01:37:11Z")
When I was about 3, I used to be very scared to go to the cheesecake factory because of the design on the booth, it had red spirals and white bird wings on a pale background, and my 3-year-old mind got creeped out by thi… --- ## [Diameter of raw tree trunk for 20m span](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diameter-of-raw-tree-trunk-for-20m-span/999284)
**Author:** [@FirstTimeHere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FirstTimeHere)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2024, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diameter-of-raw-tree-trunk-for-20m-span/999284 "2024-03-24T22:03:39Z")
I saw in one heavy looking building main structure of the ceiling made of raw tree trunks. But it was pretty small span. What would be the diameter of the raw trunk for 20m span between walls? Or what are usual maximum s… --- ## [Can anyone identify this? Those that speak Japanese would help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-those-that-speak-japanese-would-help/999267)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-those-that-speak-japanese-would-help/999267 "2024-03-24T20:18:14Z")
It’s about 2 inches in length, 1/2 inch wide. Made of wood. Painted, and the letters are engraved. From Japan. It has a made in Japan sticker on it. Background - My mother was an artist (at times in her life). I found t… --- ## [How is video for political ads obtained?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-video-for-political-ads-obtained/998941)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2024, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-video-for-political-ads-obtained/998941 "2024-03-24T03:00:20Z")
Political Candidate does something in front of news cameras That video shows up in political ads. (First question) Is that actually true, that video from journalists does commonly show up in ads, or is it that the vid… --- ## [When did the Cheesecake Factory change their booths from these weird spirals and bird wings to orange concentric circles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-cheesecake-factory-change-their-booths-from-these-weird-spirals-and-bird-wings-to-orange-concentric-circles/999264)
**Author:** [@SaSaLeLe2011](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaSaLeLe2011)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-cheesecake-factory-change-their-booths-from-these-weird-spirals-and-bird-wings-to-orange-concentric-circles/999264 "2024-03-24T01:30:27Z")
I’m guessing this happened around 2014 or 2015 but there are no results when you do research online. I was very little when this happened and my brain is super curious. --- ## [How damaging would a cannonball be today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-damaging-would-a-cannonball-be-today/998163)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2024, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-damaging-would-a-cannonball-be-today/998163 "2024-03-24T00:55:13Z")
Assume I have a perfectly good cannon with unlimited cannonballs (Civil War model? I don’t know cannons) and decided to start firing it off in the middle of a big city. Would it smash in a car door? Flatten it? Punch thr… --- ## [Older Chgo dopers - Cardinal Stritch slept with amputated arm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-chgo-dopers-cardinal-stritch-slept-with-amputated-arm/999142)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2024, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-chgo-dopers-cardinal-stritch-slept-with-amputated-arm/999142 "2024-03-23T21:09:06Z")
Had to be mid to late 50s. Cardinal Stritch of Chicago had his arm amputated. I’m almost sure I remember that he slept that night with the amputated arm. I can’t find any reference to it, so now I’m doubting my memory… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=95) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=97)