# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=984 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 985 --- ## [Muslims Who Are Too Or Infirm To Bow Down In Prayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-who-are-too-or-infirm-to-bow-down-in-prayer/740345)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-who-are-too-or-infirm-to-bow-down-in-prayer/740345 "2015-12-22T06:35:24Z")
I’ve seen photos of Muslims in prayer - knees on the floor, head bowed down all the way to the ground. That pose would be impossible for a Muslim who is old or infirm - are they just expected to do the best they can? Do … --- ## [Is it legal to make (or give instructions to make) your own personal supply of a patented drug?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-make-or-give-instructions-to-make-your-own-personal-supply-of-a-patented-drug/740515)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2015, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-make-or-give-instructions-to-make-your-own-personal-supply-of-a-patented-drug/740515 "2015-12-22T05:45:00Z")
I was watching this video. The guy apparently has a decent background in organic chemistry. In this video, he is making propionic acid, with the ultimate aim of making Pyrimethamine. Though he doesn’t discuss it, Pyrimet… --- ## [Lawyer\> TV\> My client is not answering any more questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyer-tv-my-client-is-not-answering-any-more-questions/740504)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2015, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyer-tv-my-client-is-not-answering-any-more-questions/740504 "2015-12-22T02:58:36Z")
When you see the lawyer on TV walk into the questioning room at the police station on TV and say “My client is not answering any more questions”… that is just theatrics for television for TV right? In other words, in rea… --- ## [Anyone ordered HBO streaming without a cable service provider?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ordered-hbo-streaming-without-a-cable-service-provider/740965)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ordered-hbo-streaming-without-a-cable-service-provider/740965 "2015-12-22T00:29:05Z")
I went to the HBO website, and it referred me to Amazon to order. Except I can’t find anything at Amazon to subscribe, except an Android app so I can run an HBO service on my phone. Well, I don’t want to watch HBO on m… --- ## [Whither electrons and/or quarks? Question about the Standard Model](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-electrons-and-or-quarks-question-about-the-standard-model/740779)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-electrons-and-or-quarks-question-about-the-standard-model/740779 "2015-12-22T00:18:30Z")
Does the Standard Model account for why there are quarks and electrons and neutrinos? I seem to recall that it’s an unanswered question why they have all these flavors with different masses, but IANAPhysicist. Do we kn… --- ## [Factual basis for the claim: The French National Front is a direct lineal descendant of Vichy Regime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-basis-for-the-claim-the-french-national-front-is-a-direct-lineal-descendant-of-vichy-regime/741027)
**Author:** [@Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weird_AL_Einstein)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2015, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-basis-for-the-claim-the-french-national-front-is-a-direct-lineal-descendant-of-vichy-regime/741027 "2015-12-22T00:00:16Z")
I read this claim a week or so ago, can’t remember where now. My eyes just glided over it but a week later I had the “hey wait a minute” reaction. I have googled and not found anything conclusive, but remain curious. --- ## ["If W2 is sent to the wrong address, $50 for a new one"-Legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-w2-is-sent-to-the-wrong-address-50-for-a-new-one-legal/741034)
**Author:** [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-w2-is-sent-to-the-wrong-address-50-for-a-new-one-legal/741034 "2015-12-21T23:10:35Z")
I work at a job I’d rather not disclose, have only been here for 2 months. It is okay but nothing great. I just got an email saying to check the addresses you have on file with my employer, because a new one will cost … --- ## [Christmas penguins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-penguins/740923)
**Author:** [@dhricenak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhricenak)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-penguins/740923 "2015-12-21T22:13:33Z")
It’s the holiday season and penguins are all over the stores, on cards, wrapping paper, ornaments, everything. It seems to me that this “tradition” isn’t all that old but when and how did it start? I’ve tried every key… --- ## [Spending Habits of the Blue Collar Wealthy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spending-habits-of-the-blue-collar-wealthy/740721)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spending-habits-of-the-blue-collar-wealthy/740721 "2015-12-21T21:28:48Z")
There are blue collar jobs that pay over $100K/yr (for example). To the extent this has been studied by those who care (such as marketers) are their spending habits in general similar to white collar workers with similar… --- ## [Comets and Dyson spheres](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comets-and-dyson-spheres/740969)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comets-and-dyson-spheres/740969 "2015-12-21T21:19:20Z")
So the Overlords come to our solar system and, out of the goodness of their hearts, install a Dyson sphere for us overnight. They don’t mention exactly how massive it is, but it’s as big around as Earth’s orbit and it’s … --- ## [Need help with a brief English-to-Spanish translation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-brief-english-to-spanish-translation/740944)
**Author:** [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-brief-english-to-spanish-translation/740944 "2015-12-21T21:10:27Z")
I’m writing a story, and one of the characters is a Mexican-American mother who speaks very little English. Mostly I just say she speaks Spanish and her son translates for her, but I’ve got a few quick sentences in Spani… --- ## [Prayer directions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-directions/740847)
**Author:** [@Deflagration](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deflagration)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-directions/740847 "2015-12-21T18:13:30Z")
I believe this has a factual answer, so I’m placing it here. Let say I am an Islamic person on a ship on the South Pacific Ocean at S 24° 50’ 47" W 133° 14’ 31" and it comes to prayer time. I could therefore commence\* … --- ## ["Given" name De Nyse. Meaning, origin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-name-de-nyse-meaning-origin/740956)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-name-de-nyse-meaning-origin/740956 "2015-12-21T17:30:49Z")
Any one know the meaning or origin of the name De Nyse? --- ## [Reinstalling Windows 7](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reinstalling-windows-7/740454)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reinstalling-windows-7/740454 "2015-12-21T15:36:29Z")
If I use the disk that came with my old computer to reinstall Windows on that same computer, can I pick and use which software remains on the computer after the installation? Specifically, I want to eliminate all the ext… --- ## [Are there any unfound missing planes on land](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-unfound-missing-planes-on-land/740703)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-unfound-missing-planes-on-land/740703 "2015-12-21T15:00:54Z")
I was reading over a list of missing aircraft the other day. It was quite fascinating as it included some pretty large planes. However, all of them had been presumed lost at sea. Are there any missing planes that disapp… --- ## [Roman Sword in Nova Scotia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-sword-in-nova-scotia/740641)
**Author:** [@Diocletian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diocletian)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-sword-in-nova-scotia/740641 "2015-12-21T14:18:07Z")
Hello everyone! This is my first post on The Straight Dope forum, so I hope I’m not posting this in the wrong category. Anyway, someone pointed out a link to me about a Roman sword found on Oak Island (yeah, oh boy). In… --- ## [Ethan Couch "Affluenza" Probation Violation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethan-couch-affluenza-probation-violation/740947)
**Author:** [@lalaith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalaith)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethan-couch-affluenza-probation-violation/740947 "2015-12-21T11:44:42Z")
Ethan Couch, who at age 16 killed 4 people while driving drunk and was sentenced to rehab and 10 years probation, has gone on the lam with his mother after a video surfaced which may prove he violated his probation terms… --- ## [Oh shit, do I need to replace my motherboard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-do-i-need-to-replace-my-motherboard/740954)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-do-i-need-to-replace-my-motherboard/740954 "2015-12-21T10:52:51Z")
My Ausus P6T system has been hiccuping. Latest: intermittently not recognizing the existence of two of my HDDs (in POST or in Windows) connected to a JMicron JMB363 controller. My 2009-era system is based on an Asus P6T… --- ## [Tire Pressure Monitoring System (valve stem)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tire-pressure-monitoring-system-valve-stem/740926)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tire-pressure-monitoring-system-valve-stem/740926 "2015-12-21T10:16:01Z")
If you have a TPMS attached to the valve stems, when changing the tire, is there a wire attached to the inside of the wheel and connected to the stem, or can the tire be removed without worrying about damaging the TPMS? … --- ## [Why arent signatures for credit card transactions ever checked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-signatures-for-credit-card-transactions-ever-checked/740578)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-signatures-for-credit-card-transactions-ever-checked/740578 "2015-12-21T08:50:26Z")
This is why it has been so easy for criminals to commit credit card fraud. The signature that everyone asks for is never checked. This is why crooks can make fake cards and rack up charges on them. Why not check the s… --- ## [Were Africans ever in the majority on the American continent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-africans-ever-in-the-majority-on-the-american-continent/740814)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-africans-ever-in-the-majority-on-the-american-continent/740814 "2015-12-21T03:02:24Z")
At the height of the slave trade to North and South America, did Africans ever out number all Europeans and Native Americans? It seems feasible to me, before the European population of the colonies exploded. With the ma… --- ## [Record rainfall in a continental U.S. state in one month?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/record-rainfall-in-a-continental-u-s-state-in-one-month/740705)
**Author:** [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/record-rainfall-in-a-continental-u-s-state-in-one-month/740705 "2015-12-20T21:13:19Z")
Hey all, I’m trying to find out what the all-time monthly record rainfall is for a continental U.S. state. This seems like it should be an easy question to answer, but I am not having any luck at all. The problem is th… --- ## [Which pre-2000 Internet companies are still around and successful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-pre-2000-internet-companies-are-still-around-and-successful/740670)
**Author:** [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2015, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-pre-2000-internet-companies-are-still-around-and-successful/740670 "2015-12-20T20:46:24Z")
Obviously Google, Amazon, eBay, and Yahoo are still around and succesful. But how many others? The company started on the Internet (sorry ESPN’s successful internet websites - RIP Grantland) The company started before … --- ## [Medically inclined 'dopers...what's the deal with post-anti-biotic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medically-inclined-dopers-whats-the-deal-with-post-anti-biotic/740776)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2015, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medically-inclined-dopers-whats-the-deal-with-post-anti-biotic/740776 "2015-12-20T20:21:09Z")
For years I’ve been hearing about anti-biotic resistant bacteria, pan resistant strains and how more and more anti-biotics are becoming less and less effective. Also, that new anti-biotic drugs are very difficult to mak… --- ## [RF Modulator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rf-modulator/740849)
**Author:** [@DougP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougP)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2015, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rf-modulator/740849 "2015-12-20T19:15:19Z")
Do they make a RF Modulator which accepts both composite and component video inputs and provides a coaxial output for connection to an older TV? --- ## [Plant ID, Please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plant-id-please/740868)
**Author:** [@ZomZom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZomZom)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plant-id-please/740868 "2015-12-20T16:20:29Z")
Here’s a pic of the berries on a plant in my Maryland back yard, taken in October. It now looks like this in December. Any ID on what this plant is would be appreciated. TIA --- ## [Bloodless Star Wars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloodless-star-wars/646)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2015, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloodless-star-wars/646 "2015-12-20T08:03:17Z")
I finally saw the new Star Wars flick today, and considering it was after all a war movie, the violence was noticeably unnoticeable. Even during the land war scenes it was just about impossible to see anything even remot… --- ## [Riverboat Casinos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riverboat-casinos/802)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2015, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riverboat-casinos/802 "2015-12-20T07:52:22Z")
States across the US have been legalizing casino gambling, but requiring the casinos to be on riverboats. In understand that in St Louis, a small lake was dug to float a boat which held a casino. My question – Why a boat… --- ## [Could an AESA be used for the visible spectrum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-aesa-be-used-for-the-visible-spectrum/740805)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2015, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-aesa-be-used-for-the-visible-spectrum/740805 "2015-12-20T05:39:22Z")
If we used an active electronically scanned array that emitted and received in the visible spectrum, what would the be advantages and disadvantages? Would it be possible to make an AESA flashlight as emitter with the hu… --- ## [Soviet Union combat experience after WWII?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soviet-union-combat-experience-after-wwii/740773)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2015, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soviet-union-combat-experience-after-wwii/740773 "2015-12-20T01:07:19Z")
The USSR obviously got a lot of combat experience during WWII. But between WWII and the invasion of Afghanistan, it seems like they had very mild opportunities to train in battle. The invasions of Hungary and Czechoslova… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=983) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=985)