# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=992 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 993 --- ## [Is this rat cage size info correct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-rat-cage-size-info-correct/739746)
**Author:** [@Brodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brodi)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2015, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-rat-cage-size-info-correct/739746 "2015-12-08T14:06:28Z")
For all you rat owners, is the above correct? --- ## [Terraforming: what Earth life forms are needed to support human civilization?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terraforming-what-earth-life-forms-are-needed-to-support-human-civilization/739444)
**Author:** [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2015, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terraforming-what-earth-life-forms-are-needed-to-support-human-civilization/739444 "2015-12-08T08:47:54Z")
Suppose you have just terraformed a formerly lifeless planet. You’ve added enough microbes, algae, and whatnot to get yield an Earth-like atmosphere and fertile soils. You now want to make it possible for humans to live … --- ## [Could a Mosque Be Sued?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mosque-be-sued/739322)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2015, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mosque-be-sued/739322 "2015-12-08T07:32:27Z")
(For inciting a crime)? Suppose the following would happen: -a local imam preaches a sermon at a local mosque, calling on all muslims to commit violent acts. A young man, inspired by the sermon, goes out and commits m… --- ## [Pat Boone -- Dick in a Box](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-boone-dick-in-a-box/516730)
**Author:** [@The\_Cleveland\_Steamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Cleveland_Steamer)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2015, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-boone-dick-in-a-box/516730 "2015-12-08T03:01:13Z")
Is that Pat Boone dick-in-a-box picture real? --- ## [How do I find out if a property is in a flood plain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-out-if-a-property-is-in-a-flood-plain/739734)
**Author:** [@El\_Zagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Zagna)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2015, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-out-if-a-property-is-in-a-flood-plain/739734 "2015-12-08T02:20:29Z")
I thought that it would be easy enough to find out, but I’ve had no luck. Most google links take you to FEMA, which then takes you into bureaucratic hell. --- ## [XBox One problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-one-problem/739596)
**Author:** [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-one-problem/739596 "2015-12-08T01:54:20Z")
I just got an XBox One and I’m trying to get Rise of the Tomb Raider (my only game so far) working. I put in the CD and…you’d think it would just…y’know…play, right? Wrong. First it has to download something. (possibl… --- ## [Please help me identify this spider NOW with pictures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-identify-this-spider-now-with-pictures/739694)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-identify-this-spider-now-with-pictures/739694 "2015-12-08T01:54:12Z")
As I said before, this spider has built a really large gossamer web that is so fine as to be nearly invisible. It is not a classic bull’s-eye type web, but rather an extremely fine weaving, like a piece of cloth. The s… --- ## [How did transportation companies avoid double booking, before enterprise-wide IT systems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-transportation-companies-avoid-double-booking-before-enterprise-wide-it-systems/739383)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2015, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-transportation-companies-avoid-double-booking-before-enterprise-wide-it-systems/739383 "2015-12-08T01:26:30Z")
I’m curious how railroads and bus companies managed their inventory in the days before real time computerized systems, in order to avoid double bookings. For instance, let’s say the entire route of a Santa Fe train, bac… --- ## [Terminator 2: a physiology question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terminator-2-a-physiology-question/739712)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2015, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terminator-2-a-physiology-question/739712 "2015-12-08T01:22:36Z")
There is a scene in Terminator 2 in which Miles Dyson, bleeding profusely after having been shot several times, is holding a heavy weight above a detonator trigger button with the intent of triggering the explosion when … --- ## [Wiring garage door sensor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring-garage-door-sensor/739727)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring-garage-door-sensor/739727 "2015-12-07T23:21:54Z")
My garage door currently will only go down with constant pressure on the wall switch. There is no red light on the beam, but when I connect it to power unit directly I get a red light. From this I suspect the wiring it… --- ## [Cleaning a faucet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-a-faucet/739588)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-a-faucet/739588 "2015-12-07T21:49:31Z")
The bathroom faucet has some scaly stuff on it. I’ve tried scrubbing with a Dobie pad and soap, and with a Dobie pad and CLR. I thought the CLR would work for sure. How do I get this stuff off? Mrs. L.A. said she’d h… --- ## [Pineapple nani](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pineapple-nani/738802)
**Author:** [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pineapple-nani/738802 "2015-12-07T19:28:52Z")
Hey dopers. Here to sip at your cup of wisdom again. Anyone have the straight dope on eating things to make your nani (vulva) taste better? If I eat only gamy foods and garlic and fish all day every day, is my partner… --- ## [Famous People With "Love" Children?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-with-love-children/273198)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-with-love-children/273198 "2015-12-07T19:03:24Z")
The late Henry Ford (the founder of FORD Motor Co,) had an illegitimate son , whom he never (publicly) acknowledged. This man wound up becoming an executive at FORD, and retired after a lifelong career at FORD. I don’t t… --- ## [Bluetooth speakers for Galaxy S3 alarm function](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-speakers-for-galaxy-s3-alarm-function/670740)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-speakers-for-galaxy-s3-alarm-function/670740 "2013-10-18T01:11:15Z")
I recently got a new phone (Galaxy S3) and while I like it a lot, the alarm is a little too quiet for my taste. Does anyone know if Bluetooth speakers will work with the phone’s alarm function/sound? I assume they woul… --- ## [Lionel train question...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lionel-train-question/739552)
**Author:** [@fwbauer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fwbauer)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lionel-train-question/739552 "2015-12-07T17:41:59Z")
1936 Lionel engine from my youth… not played with since the 50’s… I am trying to get it to run again around the base of my 2015 Christmas tree… it runs on a small circle track but it seems to slow down the longer it runs… --- ## [Zuckerbergs mega-donation question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zuckerbergs-mega-donation-question/739292)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zuckerbergs-mega-donation-question/739292 "2015-12-07T17:35:58Z")
So apparently the Facekook founder is not giving 99 percent of his shares to charity, he’s giving them to a for-profit foundation which he will control. http://says.com/my/news/what-no-one-is-telling-you-about-mark-zuck… --- ## [Ripping CDs from Library](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-cds-from-library/637935)
**Author:** [@Modevo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Modevo)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-cds-from-library/637935 "2015-12-07T16:34:23Z")
In theory, couldn’t I just borrow any music cd’s from the library, rip the songs onto my pc, and then transfer them to my iPhone? Lather, rinse repeat? Or is that illegal if it is possible? --- ## [How / where to measure if a vehicle is level?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-where-to-measure-if-a-vehicle-is-level/739356)
**Author:** [@icbm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icbm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-where-to-measure-if-a-vehicle-is-level/739356 "2015-12-07T16:27:33Z")
Sometimes you need your car to be level, like when aiming headlights or adding essential fluids. Generally you’re supposed to make sure the surface you’re parked on is level, the tires are properly inflated, there’s a ce… --- ## [What's the legal difference between e-mail spam and B2B Cold-Email Prospecting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-legal-difference-between-e-mail-spam-and-b2b-cold-email-prospecting/717288)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-legal-difference-between-e-mail-spam-and-b2b-cold-email-prospecting/717288 "2015-12-07T14:21:53Z")
I recently interviewed for a sales job for a successful silicon valley technology company. My role would be talking to prospective clients on the phone about a Software-as-a-Service platform for businesses. I inquired … --- ## [Christmas Folklore Question: Kris Kringle as Santa Claus's Man?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-folklore-question-kris-kringle-as-santa-clauss-man/739431)
**Author:** [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-folklore-question-kris-kringle-as-santa-clauss-man/739431 "2015-12-07T13:40:52Z")
Not sure if this is a GQ question or a CS one. Really it is about folklore, but the question arises from a song. The old (and possibly quite obscure) song “Kris Kingle” (also known as “The Christmas Tree”) seems to depi… --- ## [Would a horse do this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-horse-do-this/739514)
**Author:** [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-horse-do-this/739514 "2015-12-07T10:54:57Z")
Here’s something found on the net… 1861 Horse Care 320. FOOD AND STARVATION How to make a horse stand by his food and starve to death. Grease the front teeth and roof of the mouth with common beef-tallow, and he will … --- ## [DVDs played fine on my Blu-Ray player--once.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvds-played-fine-on-my-blu-ray-player-once/739683)
**Author:** [@Pazu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pazu)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvds-played-fine-on-my-blu-ray-player-once/739683 "2015-12-07T06:16:58Z")
I have a number of (older) DVDs that I remember watching successfully on our Blu-Ray player (Samsung BD-P2500) in the past, but now when I try to play them, they seem to read as defective. Two of them (the Doctor Who st… --- ## [2003 Yukon cuts out, doors unlock, and brake lights come on in dash when hit a bump in road. Please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2003-yukon-cuts-out-doors-unlock-and-brake-lights-come-on-in-dash-when-hit-a-bump-in-road-please/739678)
**Author:** [@Pbbls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pbbls)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2003-yukon-cuts-out-doors-unlock-and-brake-lights-come-on-in-dash-when-hit-a-bump-in-road-please/739678 "2015-12-07T05:58:55Z")
I have a 2003 GMC Yukon. Upon a cold start it spits and sputters like crazy and tries to die out. Sometimes, if it doesn’t start it will turn over like it is trying but will not unless you press the gas pedal to the floo… --- ## [Computer hack alert!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-hack-alert/739331)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-hack-alert/739331 "2015-12-07T05:10:06Z")
Is there some virus going around that disables access to data in websites? I tried to get Facebook pages and YouTube views, and neither would show up; a box would appear mentioning “event” software that is lacking, with… --- ## [Ruth's Chris Steakhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse/739334)
**Author:** [@jamers74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jamers74)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruths-chris-steakhouse/739334 "2015-12-07T02:55:42Z")
What credit cards are accepted at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse? We have a larger party and want to use one card only. --- ## [Catholics who bomb abortion clinics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholics-who-bomb-abortion-clinics/739486)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholics-who-bomb-abortion-clinics/739486 "2015-12-07T02:35:28Z")
On the TV news just now, the lawyer of the family of the Sacramento jihadists compared his clients’ relatives to “Catholics who have bombed abortion clinics.” I think he was making a point that Muslims shouldn’t be singl… --- ## [In Nuclear Fission, What happens to The Quarks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-nuclear-fission-what-happens-to-the-quarks/739206)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-nuclear-fission-what-happens-to-the-quarks/739206 "2015-12-07T01:52:55Z")
When mass disappears during fission, that mass is replaced by energy (according to E=Mc2). What happens to the quarks that make up the mass/particles that disappear? --- ## [Gear or Shat Driven Overhead camshaft?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gear-or-shat-driven-overhead-camshaft/738910)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gear-or-shat-driven-overhead-camshaft/738910 "2015-12-07T01:05:54Z")
OHC engines are popular, because they make the operation of the valves efficient. However, driving the camshafts presents problems-you can use a chain or a belt, but either can slip or break. has anyone designed an engin… --- ## [Do HDMI cables affect the way the cable box works?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-hdmi-cables-affect-the-way-the-cable-box-works/739420)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2015, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-hdmi-cables-affect-the-way-the-cable-box-works/739420 "2015-12-07T00:10:56Z")
We recently replaced our main TV. The old one had the cable box connected by component video cables, but the new TV has enough inputs that we connected the cable box with an HDMI cable. Nothing else has changed. With co… --- ## [Treasure ship found worth $1bn - why so much on one ship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/treasure-ship-found-worth-1bn-why-so-much-on-one-ship/739555)
**Author:** [@Dahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahu)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/treasure-ship-found-worth-1bn-why-so-much-on-one-ship/739555 "2015-12-06T23:17:23Z")
This seems like a huge amount to trust to one ship. I don’t know the stats, but there must have been a good chance back then of the ship being attacked or hit by a storm. If the value was so important why not split it… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=991) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=993)