# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=980 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 981 --- ## [How easily can weak encryption be cracked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easily-can-weak-encryption-be-cracked/741547)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2015, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easily-can-weak-encryption-be-cracked/741547 "2015-12-29T00:11:42Z")
Currently, I’m using GNU Privacy Guard \[1\] and Veracrypt \[2\] to protect sensitive information on my hard drive with a password. A password that is only 7 characters long is usually considered much too weak to be of any u… --- ## [Is there a shopping Bot to crawl the internet based on a price and a product name/number](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-shopping-bot-to-crawl-the-internet-based-on-a-price-and-a-product-name-number/741585)
**Author:** [@loninappleton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loninappleton)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2015, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-shopping-bot-to-crawl-the-internet-based-on-a-price-and-a-product-name-number/741585 "2015-12-29T00:02:58Z")
Hello, Please say of there is any free or commissioned service to crawl the web for a product based on a item number like a Disk Drive and a price less than or equal to a given amount. I have looked at Search Engine wa… --- ## [Spatial Relationship??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spatial-relationship/741581)
**Author:** [@CT\_Damsel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CT_Damsel)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2015, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spatial-relationship/741581 "2015-12-28T19:53:29Z")
Is there a term for the ability to look at a set of objects of various shapes and sizes and select a larger container and have all the smaller ones fit in without loads of left over space? --- ## [Is there a name for this email variant of Murphy's Law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-email-variant-of-murphys-law/741563)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2015, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-email-variant-of-murphys-law/741563 "2015-12-28T19:00:07Z")
When an email reply is written specifically to someone besides you and nobody else needs to see this reply, the sender will hit “Reply All.” When a reply needs to be seen by everyone, the user will just hit “Reply.” --- ## [Could a bad guy actually take over the airwaves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-bad-guy-actually-take-over-the-airwaves/741561)
**Author:** [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-bad-guy-actually-take-over-the-airwaves/741561 "2015-12-28T16:35:59Z")
In fiction, there is a common trope where the villain of the story takes over all the television stations. He then taunts the hero by threatening Gotham’s water supply, or telling the populace they can’t trust the gover… --- ## [Weird psychology question regarding visualization.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-psychology-question-regarding-visualization/297938)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-psychology-question-regarding-visualization/297938 "2015-12-28T16:12:59Z")
Do a little excercise. Imagine a big wheel, like you’d see in an old fashioned mill, or one of those giant wheels that propel river boats. Picture it from the side. Now, imagine the wheel gradually speeding up, until i… --- ## [Voices from cell phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voices-from-cell-phone/740122)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2015, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voices-from-cell-phone/740122 "2015-12-28T16:04:20Z")
Had the phone’s hot spot on for a few minutes, the device I was testing wouldn’t connect. Turned off hot spot. Hadn’t made a voice call for at least 4 hours. Phone sitting on my desk and I start hearing people talking. … --- ## [Spinal Cord Stimulators & EM Pollution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinal-cord-stimulators-em-pollution/741538)
**Author:** [@riffraffselbow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/riffraffselbow)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2015, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinal-cord-stimulators-em-pollution/741538 "2015-12-28T09:08:05Z")
Hi, I’ve got an odd one for you all today, but this is SDMB so I’m not too worried. Spinal Cord Stimulators ( Spinal cord stimulator - Wikipedia ) are medical devices implanted in the bodies of patients, which administe… --- ## [manufacturing cost of SpaceX first stage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manufacturing-cost-of-spacex-first-stage/741388)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2015, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manufacturing-cost-of-spacex-first-stage/741388 "2015-12-28T07:58:32Z")
Has SpaceX ever released the estimated manufacturing cost of the Falcon 9 first stage? From published reports, they talk about the total manufacturing cost of the rocket as about 60 million. Obviously a good part of tha… --- ## [Remotes (for appliances)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remotes-for-appliances/741513)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2015, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remotes-for-appliances/741513 "2015-12-28T03:06:32Z")
I live in a climate with moderate humidity. This often wrecks havoc with the remote controls for the tv, ceiling fans, etc. Specifically, condensated water forms a barrier between the rubber button and the electrical co… --- ## [Question about spring steel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-spring-steel/741467)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-spring-steel/741467 "2015-12-27T23:18:13Z")
When bending spring steel does the compressed portion of the metal become denser or does it distort or is it a combination of both? --- ## [What is this fallacy called ("Selective Suggestion Dichotomy?")](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fallacy-called-selective-suggestion-dichotomy/741442)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-fallacy-called-selective-suggestion-dichotomy/741442 "2015-12-27T20:50:11Z")
Suppose a media network runs a population-representative survey of 10,000 respondents (sample is also carefully selected in order to be statistically representative of America’s population): \* "Yes or No: Would you like … --- ## [French Fighter Planes of the 1930s-Why The problems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-fighter-planes-of-the-1930s-why-the-problems/741466)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-fighter-planes-of-the-1930s-why-the-problems/741466 "2015-12-27T20:08:24Z")
France had one of the most advanced aircraft industries in the world, at the end of WWI. later, in the mid-1930s, they seem to have gotten into trouble-all of their designs were a good 50 MPH slower than similar Britis… --- ## [Windows Keeps Updating to Win 10](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-keeps-updating-to-win-10/741425)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-keeps-updating-to-win-10/741425 "2015-12-27T20:00:24Z")
I’ve had Windows 10 for months now, but occasionally when I boot up, the system “updates” to Win 10. This is irritating because all my favorites, passwords, etc. are lost and I have to set them up again. Why does it do t… --- ## [Is Cancer Largely a Disease of Middle to Old Age?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-largely-a-disease-of-middle-to-old-age/741437)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-largely-a-disease-of-middle-to-old-age/741437 "2015-12-27T17:19:06Z")
If cancer (mostly) results from the degradation of DNA, then it would be logical to think that one’s chances of getting cancer increase as one ages. Is this the case? In historical times (when the average life span was l… --- ## [What do I need to know about no-contract wi-fi/cell hotspots?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-no-contract-wi-fi-cell-hotspots/741334)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-no-contract-wi-fi-cell-hotspots/741334 "2015-12-27T17:02:20Z")
We’re heading out to spend eight days in a hotel in Denver. We’ll need to work, so need a basic broadband connection. The hotel is going to charge us about $140 for the week. I figure that gives us a budget of around $20… --- ## [Question on conservatives and the 2009 federal deficit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-conservatives-and-the-2009-federal-deficit/741106)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-conservatives-and-the-2009-federal-deficit/741106 "2015-12-27T16:10:49Z")
This isn’t meant to be a debate, but if it turns into one, I apologize for plopping it into the wrong forum. I got into a conversation with a staunch conservative on a facebook post (I actually didn’t mean to debate, I … --- ## [Could water supercool if it was in a strong enough container?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-water-supercool-if-it-was-in-a-strong-enough-container/741414)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-water-supercool-if-it-was-in-a-strong-enough-container/741414 "2015-12-27T14:37:03Z")
Is there a material strong enough that if you put water in a container made of it, the water wouldn’t be able to freeze? --- ## ['Non-rechargeable batteries only' - what happens if you use rechargeables?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-rechargeable-batteries-only-what-happens-if-you-use-rechargeables/741336)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-rechargeable-batteries-only-what-happens-if-you-use-rechargeables/741336 "2015-12-27T08:01:13Z")
We just got the Firebug some toys for Christmas that we knew needed batteries, but the instructions say they only take non-rechargeables. We have been only using rechargeables for some time now, so it looks like I’m goi… --- ## [How does this flash drive phone interface work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-flash-drive-phone-interface-work/741446)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-flash-drive-phone-interface-work/741446 "2015-12-27T06:06:28Z")
I bought my buddy a high-capacity thumb drive for Christmas. I didn’t notice when I bought it, but the non-USB end had a cap underneath which is a plug that fits into a standard cellphone. How do you use this? Pluggin… --- ## [Question about neutrinos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-neutrinos/741267)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-neutrinos/741267 "2015-12-27T03:36:06Z")
If you had a sample of pure carbon 14, could you change the decay rate by bombarding it with neutrinos or starving it if same? Thanks, Rob --- ## [U.S. legal system: significance of the Clerk of Courts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-legal-system-significance-of-the-clerk-of-courts/741108)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-legal-system-significance-of-the-clerk-of-courts/741108 "2015-12-27T03:25:26Z")
I’m interested in a criminal case which is currently in its early stages before the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Orange County, Florida. In order to look up court documents, one has to go to this website: h… --- ## [How was randomness achieved in older video games?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-randomness-achieved-in-older-video-games/741023)
**Author:** [@gracefulfatsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracefulfatsheba)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2015, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-randomness-achieved-in-older-video-games/741023 "2015-12-27T02:40:18Z")
In some older video games, the behavior of enemies or the results of given actions appear to be randomly decided and unpredictable. How was this achieved on a technical level? These old video game consoles (1980s and be… --- ## [SodaStream question - What happens if you re-carbonate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sodastream-question-what-happens-if-you-re-carbonate/648195)
**Author:** [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sodastream-question-what-happens-if-you-re-carbonate/648195 "2015-12-26T23:05:13Z")
Got one of these for Xmas and they’re great. It mentions several times to only ever carbonate plain water, to not carbonate (or re-carbonate) with the flavor already mixed in. My question is why? What will happen if you … --- ## [Being tried on two charges for the same crime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-tried-on-two-charges-for-the-same-crime/741382)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-tried-on-two-charges-for-the-same-crime/741382 "2015-12-26T22:59:31Z")
This question comes out of the movie “The Judge” but is a factual question, not an entertainment question. The character was being tried for killing someone with his car. They gave two verdicts: One for first-degree mur… --- ## [Does energy exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-energy-exist/547826)
**Author:** [@SyuRi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SyuRi)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-energy-exist/547826 "2015-12-26T22:46:05Z")
On the real world, or is it just a theoretical concept created by humans to facilitate on understanding and calculations? I was discussing this the other day, and it seemed that we couldn’t say an object had energy, but… --- ## [Modern American conception of Santa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-american-conception-of-santa/741390)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-american-conception-of-santa/741390 "2015-12-26T21:07:58Z")
Before Clement Moore’s “The night before Christmas”, was Santa ever depicted as a jolly old elf wearing a red suit with white trim and a black belt with round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly? … --- ## [Coming back from the \[legally declared\] dead.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coming-back-from-the-legally-declared-dead/741224)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coming-back-from-the-legally-declared-dead/741224 "2015-12-26T18:41:03Z")
Was sipping coffee tonight, and reading another site’s blog post. The film “Cast Away” had come up, where . . . \[spoiler warning\] My question is this: There are probably cases around where folks have just disappeared… --- ## [Is 401(k) catch-up accounted for separately?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-401-k-catch-up-accounted-for-separately/741282)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-401-k-catch-up-accounted-for-separately/741282 "2015-12-26T15:31:28Z")
This is for those over 50 years of ago. The IRS allows $18K plus $6K catch-up. Do you have to manage these as two separate things or is it accounted for as a total of $24K without a problem? Should the employer’s plan be… --- ## [Can I get a tax deduction for my cell phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-tax-deduction-for-my-cell-phone/741346)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-tax-deduction-for-my-cell-phone/741346 "2015-12-26T15:27:31Z")
I have worked all year doing field IT work. I have a very high cell phone bill, and I need a lot of data for work. Can I get a tax deduction for this? I believe it is a business expense. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=979) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=981)