# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=960 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 961 --- ## [Installing an SSD: Reformatting vs. Imaging, Windows Key Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/installing-an-ssd-reformatting-vs-imaging-windows-key-questions/744274)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/installing-an-ssd-reformatting-vs-imaging-windows-key-questions/744274 "2016-02-01T07:05:31Z")
Okay, so I finally (welcome to 2011, I know) went ahead and ordered an internal SSD for my desktop. It comes with a product key for something called Acronis True Image HD, which appears to be imaging software. Does any… --- ## [What do these symbols mean "Ø = Ü M"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-symbols-mean-o-u-m/744805)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-symbols-mean-o-u-m/744805 "2016-02-01T06:44:18Z")
I just got a text with just these these symbols in it. Ø = Ü M Anyone know what it means? What were the people trying to say? --- ## [Migration from South America to Polynesia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/migration-from-south-america-to-polynesia/744730)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/migration-from-south-america-to-polynesia/744730 "2016-02-01T05:54:19Z")
Incredibly, I’ve just now started reading Kon-Tiki, by Thor Heyerdahl. I don’t know why I never picked up this book. The introduction to the book made my jaw drop, as it dealt with his early theory of how the population … --- ## [Has the price premium on "Premium" (high octane) fuel gone up \[in the US\]?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-price-premium-on-premium-high-octane-fuel-gone-up-in-the-us/744747)
**Author:** [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-price-premium-on-premium-high-octane-fuel-gone-up-in-the-us/744747 "2016-02-01T02:16:28Z")
With the falling price of oil has come a drop in the prices at the pump. It’s even a recurring topic in the news, how many more states now have an average price of under $2 a gallon. Even where I live, in NYC (usually … --- ## [Outdoor Antenna's. Why so many designs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-antennas-why-so-many-designs/744631)
**Author:** [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-antennas-why-so-many-designs/744631 "2016-02-01T01:22:44Z")
Today I was noticing all the houses that still had outdoor antenna’s and almost all of them were different in some way or another, it seemed no 2 were exactly alike. Some appeared like arrows of various designs, some had… --- ## [Why is Green an unlucky colour?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-green-an-unlucky-colour/145244)
**Author:** [@Theom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theom)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-green-an-unlucky-colour/145244 "2016-01-31T22:57:34Z")
Here is the question, why is it considered in Britain unlucky to wear green? I have done some google searches but all I seem to find are a couple of american pages claiming it is so as not to insult the faeries. This se… --- ## [What is period gas and why is it so bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-period-gas-and-why-is-it-so-bad/744543)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-period-gas-and-why-is-it-so-bad/744543 "2016-01-31T20:42:55Z")
I’ve heard women talk about period farts before, and just wanted to know what they are, and why they have such a reputation. --- ## [The US Constitution and the Bundys](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-constitution-and-the-bundys/744483)
**Author:** [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-constitution-and-the-bundys/744483 "2016-01-31T14:04:11Z")
I have been half following the progress of the Malheur refuge occupation. Those guys seem to like waving around their printed copies of The Constitution, and set great store by Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17: Could so… --- ## [Bullet in hand carry luggage at Schipol!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullet-in-hand-carry-luggage-at-schipol/744371)
**Author:** [@agent47](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/agent47)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullet-in-hand-carry-luggage-at-schipol/744371 "2016-01-31T13:44:07Z")
Hi everyone, A bit of background. I was traveling to Prague in 2014 from Schipol and I had accidentally left a bullet in the pocket of my jeans inside my hand luggage. This bullet showed up in the security and I had to … --- ## [Bet 5 paired survey answers out of 15](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bet-5-paired-survey-answers-out-of-15/744240)
**Author:** [@Stone.Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stone.Jane)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bet-5-paired-survey-answers-out-of-15/744240 "2016-01-31T07:14:20Z")
This question has probably been asked and answered already, if so please tell me how to search the site or post a link to the answer. I’m trying to figure out how to query a MS Access table with 20 possible answers for … --- ## [Do Illegal Immigrants Vote In U.S. Elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-illegal-immigrants-vote-in-u-s-elections/548529)
**Author:** [@Sinisterniik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinisterniik)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-illegal-immigrants-vote-in-u-s-elections/548529 "2016-01-31T06:02:26Z")
I hear all the time about how the illegals are voting in our elections: But I have a terribly hard time finding reputable (nonpartisan) sources documenting this type of voter fraud. Can anyone find any numbers on how … --- ## [Was a 2 by 4 ever a true 2 by 4?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-a-2-by-4-ever-a-true-2-by-4/336206)
**Author:** [@ombre3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre3)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-a-2-by-4-ever-a-true-2-by-4/336206 "2016-01-31T03:20:51Z")
A 2 by 4 today is just a nominal size-------meaning noticeably, although quite predictably -------smaller. Was there ever a time when a 2 by 4 really meant 2 inches by 4 inches? If so, why the change?-------kind of lik… --- ## [speaking in tongues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-in-tongues/744541)
**Author:** [@abtmc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abtmc)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-in-tongues/744541 "2016-01-31T02:31:29Z")
:smack:Is speaking in tongues a real thing? I see a resurgence in it, but I always thought it started at the Tower of Babel where many different languages were spoken and they could not understand. But, the Holy Spirit a… --- ## [How secure is the typical public library computer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-secure-is-the-typical-public-library-computer/744606)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-secure-is-the-typical-public-library-computer/744606 "2016-01-31T02:02:44Z")
I wonder if this question can be answered with any certainty: What if I want to conduct some financial business using a computer at a medium/large USA city public library computer–are these publicly available computers … --- ## [Crimestopper tip money payout question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crimestopper-tip-money-payout-question/744663)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crimestopper-tip-money-payout-question/744663 "2016-01-31T01:45:22Z")
I just heard an interesting podcast explaining how Crimestopper programs work. Apparently, when it’s time to pay the reward a time and place is set with the anonymous tipster an he or she is paid with an envelope of cash… --- ## [House ep.: Does this technology exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-ep-does-this-technology-exist/744696)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-ep-does-this-technology-exist/744696 "2016-01-31T00:53:00Z")
I’m watching an episode of House (s. 6, ep. 16) and they have some gadget that can show images from the patient’s subconscious mind. I’ve never known this to be a science-fiction show, and hospitals have lots of stuff I … --- ## ["Mass is that portion of energy which cannot be transformed away in any reference frame"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-is-that-portion-of-energy-which-cannot-be-transformed-away-in-any-reference-frame/744628)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-is-that-portion-of-energy-which-cannot-be-transformed-away-in-any-reference-frame/744628 "2016-01-31T00:03:37Z")
In this thread (post #18), Chronos said: I have never heard ‘mass’ described/defined so succinctly and clearly. I sense that an epiphany could be coming my way and so would love to hear more along those lines. Indeed,… --- ## [Cell phone through washing machine. Anything Saveable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-through-washing-machine-anything-saveable/612318)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-through-washing-machine-anything-saveable/612318 "2016-01-30T23:04:51Z")
I am the luckiest man in the world. My wife never searches through my pockets, which would be great if i was having an affair. However, since I am not nor do I ever plan to have an affair, her lack of rifling through m… --- ## [How far away until the Sun is no brighter than the full moon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-away-until-the-sun-is-no-brighter-than-the-full-moon/744599)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-away-until-the-sun-is-no-brighter-than-the-full-moon/744599 "2016-01-30T19:20:09Z")
I’m often surprised by pictures from probes which show the far off planets much brighter than I would expect. When these same probes take pictures of the Sun, it is no more than a tiny dot. I would have thought the lig… --- ## [Does Facebook allow sockpuppeting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-facebook-allow-sockpuppeting/744521)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-facebook-allow-sockpuppeting/744521 "2016-01-30T18:56:40Z")
Sockpuppet question about Facebook, not the Dope: Is it breaking any rules for one person to create multiple Facebook pages associated with different names? Is it accepted or discouraged? Is it disreputable to do this on… --- ## [Can I get a virtual/voip number in China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-virtual-voip-number-in-china/744174)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-virtual-voip-number-in-china/744174 "2016-01-30T18:44:54Z")
I have business associates in China (mostly Shenzhen). I’m in the USA. Can I set up a local Chinese number that they can call, and have it redirect to me in the USA? I know it’s possible to do that for numbers in the USA… --- ## [Common for mothers to have sex with their sons in 0 AD britain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-for-mothers-to-have-sex-with-their-sons-in-0-ad-britain/744200)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-for-mothers-to-have-sex-with-their-sons-in-0-ad-britain/744200 "2016-01-30T16:57:27Z")
I read a non fiction book about 10 or so years ago that claimed that in some tribes in 0 AD Britain it was common for mothers to introduce their male children to sex by having the first encounter with them. They then we… --- ## [Question on foreclosing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-foreclosing/744273)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-foreclosing/744273 "2016-01-30T16:43:13Z")
I know the basics. Mortgagee doesn’t pay so you foreclose. You sell the house/property making sure you do your fiduciary duty to get the most you can for the property and take out what you are still owed. If there is … --- ## [Question regarding the proper use of the word "ditto"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-proper-use-of-the-word-ditto/744644)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-proper-use-of-the-word-ditto/744644 "2016-01-30T15:50:36Z")
Hi Can anyone tell me if the following use of “ditto” is correct? “I promptly set out for the mountain. Ditto my friends.” I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Is this a Personality Disorder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-personality-disorder/744531)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-personality-disorder/744531 "2016-01-30T14:29:02Z")
Searching is not bringing up anything, but I’m not sure how to word it. I met a woman who leaves out details during conversations and then gets irate when I start asking questions to fill in the details. She has had oth… --- ## [Explain Six Sigma to me (in this context)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-six-sigma-to-me-in-this-context/307738)
**Author:** [@joemama24\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemama24_98)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-six-sigma-to-me-in-this-context/307738 "2016-01-30T04:35:42Z")
I understand the premise of Six Sigma - if you engineer something such that the rate defects in your resulting product falls within six standard deviations of some established norm (which works out to 99.8% error-free, o… --- ## [proposed explanation for the phenomena of mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-explanation-for-the-phenomena-of-mass/744005)
**Author:** [@Zach29](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zach29)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-explanation-for-the-phenomena-of-mass/744005 "2016-01-30T01:58:50Z")
I had a thought. It is known that mass is equivalent with energy, and that if a piece of matter loses energy it loses a small degree of mass (such as the nuclei of atoms). But scientists have never really been able to d… --- ## [Student Visa Question (need answer kinda fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-visa-question-need-answer-kinda-fast/744592)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Hamsandwich)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-visa-question-need-answer-kinda-fast/744592 "2016-01-30T01:44:55Z")
Hey guys, I have a question about studying overseas. My German professor has told us of an opportunity to study in Austria for two weeks. I want to take advantage of this as even sven astutely points out: take advantage … --- ## [Nobility and Names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobility-and-names/744540)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobility-and-names/744540 "2016-01-30T00:56:00Z")
So I was watching the third season of “Todd Margaret” and the thing that leapt out at me as an error: There’s a Lord Mountford (the series takes place in London), and Mountford’s son is referred to as “Dave Mountford.” … --- ## [Weight capacity of residential flooring?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-capacity-of-residential-flooring/744618)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-capacity-of-residential-flooring/744618 "2016-01-30T00:34:04Z")
Title really says it all, I’ve often wondered this when I decide to drag something new into my house. What about commercial floors? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=959) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=961)