# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=974 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 975 --- ## [Pre-paid phone - who is my carrier?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-paid-phone-who-is-my-carrier/662266)
**Author:** [@Bartman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bartman)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-paid-phone-who-is-my-carrier/662266 "2016-01-08T12:16:08Z")
My son recently found his old pre-paid phone. It disappeared into one of those black holes that sometimes appear in teenaged boys’ rooms. Now that it is back, I would like to buy some minutes for him… but no one can reme… --- ## [Black powder grain size](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-powder-grain-size/740237)
**Author:** [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-powder-grain-size/740237 "2016-01-08T05:42:38Z")
A question has occurred to me concerning the use of black powder related to its use in pyrotechnics and firearms. Why, as per specifications related to pyrotechnic black powder rocket construction and the loads for a pr… --- ## [Did Humans Evolve on Mars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-humans-evolve-on-mars/379318)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-humans-evolve-on-mars/379318 "2016-01-08T05:17:42Z")
The earth’s rotation 9day0 is 24 hours, but the circadian rhythm 9which is the internal clock that humans run on) is about 24 hours, 53 minutes-almost excatly the length of a martian “day”. So is it possible that humans… --- ## [How to setup Windows routing to avoid having to log into a access node to get to a private lab node?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-setup-windows-routing-to-avoid-having-to-log-into-a-access-node-to-get-to-a-private-lab-node/742231)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-setup-windows-routing-to-avoid-having-to-log-into-a-access-node-to-get-to-a-private-lab-node/742231 "2016-01-08T02:51:42Z")
In my development environment, the developers write code on their desktop Windows machines. The testing machines are on a private networks in the lab and we have to first log into a host node in the lab and then from th… --- ## [What are the main components of computer chip costs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-main-components-of-computer-chip-costs/741103)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-main-components-of-computer-chip-costs/741103 "2016-01-08T01:52:31Z")
The advantages of using a smaller node is require less energy, producing less heat and being able to fit more transistors on a silicon wafer, right? I’ve heard many times that going to a smaller node means lower process… --- ## [5th wheel electrical question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5th-wheel-electrical-question/742395)
**Author:** [@Cgall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cgall)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5th-wheel-electrical-question/742395 "2016-01-08T00:23:30Z")
I just rented a 5th wheel. It is stationary with dedicated hydro to hook into. There are 2 hydro plugs, one is being used. Full sized water heater. Heat is run by propane as well as the stove. The fridge and microwave ar… --- ## [Legal status of submerged real estate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-status-of-submerged-real-estate/742182)
**Author:** [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-status-of-submerged-real-estate/742182 "2016-01-08T00:10:26Z")
Suppose I own a piece of coastal land. The seas rise, the land sinks, and my property is permanently flooded. Do I still own it? Is there some legal procedure whereby my property rights are terminated and it becomes a co… --- ## [Human test subjects-chemical/biological agents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-test-subjects-chemical-biological-agents/742432)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-test-subjects-chemical-biological-agents/742432 "2016-01-08T00:09:10Z")
50 U.S. Code § 1520a - Restrictions on use of human subjects for testing of chemical or biological agents I’m pretty sure most people here are aware of the above law which appears to be saying something to the effect th… --- ## [Help me understand the Planck charge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-the-planck-charge/742374)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-the-planck-charge/742374 "2016-01-07T22:58:08Z")
I understand a lot of the Planck units, e.g. the Planck time is the time it takes light to travel one Planck length, the Planck temperature is the temp where the blackbody photon wavelength is one Planck length, the Plan… --- ## [When East meets West (by sea)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-east-meets-west-by-sea/446978)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-east-meets-west-by-sea/446978 "2016-01-07T22:14:04Z")
When going by sea from Europe, you would obviously go east to go to Africa, the Middle East, India, Indonesia and probably Australia and China. If you were going to the Americas and possibly as far west as Hawaii, you wo… --- ## [Can sugar clog kitchen drains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sugar-clog-kitchen-drains/742335)
**Author:** [@birchtree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/birchtree)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sugar-clog-kitchen-drains/742335 "2016-01-07T17:36:43Z")
In the morning, I often have coffee with sugar remaining in my cup that I want to dump. Does pouring it down the kitchen drain create a possible problem of the sugar “clumping” and over time, maybe creating a drain bloc… --- ## [What/Where/When/Etc. Are 'Tachyons'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-where-when-etc-are-tachyons/742300)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-where-when-etc-are-tachyons/742300 "2016-01-07T16:50:46Z")
Will someone please explain Tachyons to me? Let me explain my confusion. I looked it up in my dictionary once (interesting note too–I wasn’t even looking for the term, I just came across it). It says Tachyons are theore… --- ## [SanDisc Media Drive Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandisc-media-drive-question/742401)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandisc-media-drive-question/742401 "2016-01-07T15:27:23Z")
Is it possible to load movies/content, from the Internet, to the media drive? Or, maybe onto the card that goes into the drive? If it is, how? (Please make it simple!) Thanks you, in advance, for any light you can she… --- ## [Check to the owner or business name, both legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-to-the-owner-or-business-name-both-legal/742305)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-to-the-owner-or-business-name-both-legal/742305 "2016-01-07T15:21:21Z")
A few scenarios: 1)A licensed electrician comes to your home to do electrical work. When it comes time to pay the bill, he asks to make the check payable to his full name not the name of his LLC which he is the sole pro… --- ## [Germany in 1944](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germany-in-1944/742104)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germany-in-1944/742104 "2016-01-07T14:30:48Z")
By 1944 Germany was being regularly bombed by the Allies, and the life of your average German citizen had degraded significantly. Certainly by this time the German military knew they were losing the war and the Russians … --- ## [Good butter and good cheese, is Good English and Good Fries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-butter-and-good-cheese-is-good-english-and-good-fries/239305)
**Author:** [@Daver914](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daver914)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-butter-and-good-cheese-is-good-english-and-good-fries/239305 "2016-01-07T12:20:17Z")
To clarify, this is a thread about language, not food. I’ve often heard the couplet “Good butter and good cheese, is Good English and Good Fries”, used to show the close relationship between English and Frisian, the lan… --- ## [What executive action is Obama taking on guns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-executive-action-is-obama-taking-on-guns/742227)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-executive-action-is-obama-taking-on-guns/742227 "2016-01-07T01:10:38Z")
While it’s all over the news, I haven’t seen what exactly what the changes are. All I know is that what sellers will require an FFL is changing. Thanks, Rob --- ## [What's the difference between heath, moor, steppe, prairie, savannah, veldt, meadow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-heath-moor-steppe-prairie-savannah-veldt-meadow/345703)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-heath-moor-steppe-prairie-savannah-veldt-meadow/345703 "2016-01-07T08:56:55Z")
I mean, they all seem to refer to more or less flat ground with plenty of grass but few trees. --- ## [How is last name "Tufte" pronounced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-last-name-tufte-pronounced/742331)
**Author:** [@birchtree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/birchtree)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-last-name-tufte-pronounced/742331 "2016-01-07T03:30:48Z")
I’m reading the book Artful Sentences: Syntax as Style, by Prof. Virginia Tufte, mother of Prof. Edward Tufte. How is “Tufte” pronounced? tuft…tuf-tee…tuf-teh…? \[wikipedia’s International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) isn’t… --- ## [Nuclear Warheads; select-a-yield?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-warheads-select-a-yield/87442)
**Author:** [@1kBR\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1kBR_Kid)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-warheads-select-a-yield/87442 "2016-01-07T01:17:51Z")
On another forum, some guy who thinks we should “kill 'em all” says our nuclear warheads can be set to a low yield. I’ve never heard of this. Is it possible? Is there some way of controlling the size of the explosion? W… --- ## [What type of weapon is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-weapon-is-this/742264)
**Author:** [@Maeganspop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeganspop)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-weapon-is-this/742264 "2016-01-07T00:50:03Z")
I was looking at photos taken by Lucian Reed. I came across this one and the weapon caught my eye. I have never seen one of these. What is it? Afghan Soldier --- ## [\[Number\] Foods You Should Never Eat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-foods-you-should-never-eat/742158)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2016, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-foods-you-should-never-eat/742158 "2016-01-06T23:15:16Z")
We’ve all been seeing these ad on the internet for years: “4 foods you should never eat!”, “For a flat belly avoid these foods!”, etc. etc. What are those foods, and why do they say you should avoid them? Also, what d… --- ## [When Did The Internet Become Forever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-internet-become-forever/717898)
**Author:** [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-internet-become-forever/717898 "2016-01-06T22:25:37Z")
I’ve heard the expression, “The Internet is Forever,” said numerous times online, on the radio and TV. But when did this happen? I’ve been online since the 1990s and despite numerous posts and comments I made on bulletin… --- ## [How much counterfeit money is estimated to be in cirulation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-counterfeit-money-is-estimated-to-be-in-cirulation/740446)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2016, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-counterfeit-money-is-estimated-to-be-in-cirulation/740446 "2016-01-06T21:41:44Z")
A recent article said that the New York subways took in about $70k in counterfeit money, about 0.002% of their total. It got me to wondering if that was a normal percentage. Tell me about counterfeit money. Is counte… --- ## [How are errors in survey due to plate tectonics fixed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-errors-in-survey-due-to-plate-tectonics-fixed/742143)
**Author:** [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-errors-in-survey-due-to-plate-tectonics-fixed/742143 "2016-01-06T21:30:08Z")
Continents drift in one direction or another. Relative/absolute speeds vary from 0.6 cm to 8 cm a year. I no longer know which definitive cite to use but this blog is close to it: http://hypertextbook.com/facts/ZhenHuan… --- ## [How does Amazon pre load their devices with your account info?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-amazon-pre-load-their-devices-with-your-account-info/742267)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2016, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-amazon-pre-load-their-devices-with-your-account-info/742267 "2016-01-06T21:18:31Z")
If you order a fire stick or a Kindle directly through Amazon, the device is already set up with your account info. If you purchase from a retail store, you have to register it yourself. I’m sure there aren’t cubicles … --- ## [Have Any Dogs Completed Astronaut training and been on the ISS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-dogs-completed-astronaut-training-and-been-on-the-iss/742217)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-dogs-completed-astronaut-training-and-been-on-the-iss/742217 "2016-01-06T20:58:42Z")
It would seem that if we are serious about going to Mars, we need to have canines who can adapt to life there. So has anyone subject suitable breeds to astronaut/cosmonaut training? I would think that getting a dog … --- ## [Verizon vs. WiFi speed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verizon-vs-wifi-speed/742271)
**Author:** [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2016, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verizon-vs-wifi-speed/742271 "2016-01-06T20:57:51Z")
I have a Verizon Fios connection - 25Mbps and solid as a rock. I also have their modem/router they force you to use and for the six months that I’ve had the service, it’s been great - Speed tests on my iPad (which uses W… --- ## [Proper use of "i.e."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-use-of-i-e/742200)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-use-of-i-e/742200 "2016-01-06T20:51:19Z")
If you’re starting a sentence with “I.e.” should the initial “I” be capitalized? --- ## ["It gets me mad"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-gets-me-mad/742291)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2016, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-gets-me-mad/742291 "2016-01-06T20:06:41Z")
From Obama’s speech today on gun control. This has nothing to do with gun control, but with speech. “It gets me mad”? I don’t think I’ve ever heard that construct before. It makes me mad. I get angry when… But “it … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=973) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=975)