# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=998 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 999 --- ## [How do I get my email settings back?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-email-settings-back/708660)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2015, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-email-settings-back/708660 "2015-11-28T02:40:17Z")
I am using Internet Explorer on Windows 8. One day everything was working normally, and the next day I couldn’t get on the internet, just the browser frame with no content. After a few calls to tech support with no res… --- ## [Are there any charities that provide musical instruments to needy kids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-charities-that-provide-musical-instruments-to-needy-kids/738773)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2015, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-charities-that-provide-musical-instruments-to-needy-kids/738773 "2015-11-28T01:29:14Z")
I have a extra guitar that I want to donate to a needy kid. My first guitar was given to me by a friend of my dad. I was 11 and it helped me develop a lifelong interest in playing music. It’s time to give back and help a… --- ## [Residue asbestos left after cement boards removed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residue-asbestos-left-after-cement-boards-removed/738645)
**Author:** [@jimdigritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimdigritz)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2015, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residue-asbestos-left-after-cement-boards-removed/738645 "2015-11-28T01:11:24Z")
I’m getting my old garage block removed which has a cement board roof containing asbestos. I’ve got a builder/contractor who is taking this down and removing it to a certified waste disposal centre. My question is, am … --- ## [How is ISIS Financed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-isis-financed/738515)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2015, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-isis-financed/738515 "2015-11-28T00:41:18Z")
Assuming that they have 30,000 fighters, it must cost about $20.00/day for food…throw in another $30.00 for ammunition. plus, their tanks and trucks need fuel and pare parts…so is a monthly estimate of about $45 millio… --- ## [Processed meats vs. carved supermarket meats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/processed-meats-vs-carved-supermarket-meats/738707)
**Author:** [@Toastmaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toastmaker)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2015, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/processed-meats-vs-carved-supermarket-meats/738707 "2015-11-28T00:14:18Z")
In reading about how bad "processed’ meats can be for you with all the preservatives - nitrates- and colorings and chemicals, etc. to be found in packaged lunchmeat-type products, I began to wonder about other ways to bu… --- ## [How Much Do Outdoor Animals Suffer in the Cold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-outdoor-animals-suffer-in-the-cold/680610)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-outdoor-animals-suffer-in-the-cold/680610 "2015-11-27T23:30:37Z")
Meaning your everyday outdoor creatures, squirrels, rabbits, deer, birds etc. (As opposed to polar bear, musk oxen, penguins etc.) They’re obviously built to survive the cold. But people can also survive a lot more cold… --- ## [An insult? "Hijo de la flauta"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-insult-hijo-de-la-flauta/53263)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-insult-hijo-de-la-flauta/53263 "2015-11-27T21:44:07Z")
I’ve nearly finished Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye. About halfway through it, a Mexican houseboy in California called Marlowe “Hijo de la flauta.” Marlowe left, “wondering how an expression meaning ‘son of a flute’… --- ## [Incandescent tungsten](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incandescent-tungsten/738705)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incandescent-tungsten/738705 "2015-11-27T21:43:52Z")
Inspired by a combination of two XKCD What-Ifs: Hair Dryer, which postulates the effects of a one-meter cube radiating heat at certain power levels; and Extreme Boating, which mentions a lake of liquid tungsten. It occu… --- ## [Any newer auto's AC systems which don't automatically switch to external intake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-newer-autos-ac-systems-which-dont-automatically-switch-to-external-intake/738445)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-newer-autos-ac-systems-which-dont-automatically-switch-to-external-intake/738445 "2015-11-27T19:34:05Z")
At one time, in a car’s AC system you had either two choices. 1)recirculate the air, 2)Intake from the outside air. This was fine by me, because I could control it. Some areas have terrible air quality and I want to keep… --- ## [How do you prevent sweat stains on dress shirts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-prevent-sweat-stains-on-dress-shirts/738642)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-prevent-sweat-stains-on-dress-shirts/738642 "2015-11-27T17:36:40Z")
I have some dress shirts developing very faint sweat stains around the collar and armpits. It’s not noticeable unless you really look for it, but it has me concerned about my shirts in the future. I wear undershirts in … --- ## [Obama created/generated more debt than all previous presidents combined?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-created-generated-more-debt-than-all-previous-presidents-combined/738690)
**Author:** [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-created-generated-more-debt-than-all-previous-presidents-combined/738690 "2015-11-27T16:51:07Z")
Is there any fact to this statement? Maybe “Under the Obama administration” would be more accurate, but I posted what was said to me. When I was presented with this “fact” I was told to “Google it” to verify its accurac… --- ## [Why Aren't Steel Beams Riveted Anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-steel-beams-riveted-anymore/738514)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-steel-beams-riveted-anymore/738514 "2015-11-27T16:04:44Z")
I was just watching a new highway overpass being built (Rt. 128). The steel I-beams are connected by plates with bolts aatching them to the beams. Why don’t they use rivets anymore? isn’t rivetting faster and stronger? --- ## [Why does my phone ruin every charger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-phone-ruin-every-charger/738620)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-phone-ruin-every-charger/738620 "2015-11-27T15:56:18Z")
I have a galaxy s5 and every charger is plugged into it has gotten ruined. It starts off saying please "connect to the original charger "after i used it for a few weeks. Sometimes even when it is plugged in to a OEM ch… --- ## [AR 15 Rifle Kits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ar-15-rifle-kits/738493)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ar-15-rifle-kits/738493 "2015-11-27T15:06:40Z")
While shopping for an AR, I saw that a couple of manufacturers sell AR 15 kits. One kit was very simple, two pieces, an upper and a lower. Another consisted of 25 or so pieces. I’d consider both manufacturers somewhat … --- ## [Quad audio CD?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quad-audio-cd/738626)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quad-audio-cd/738626 "2015-11-27T14:58:37Z")
A friend said he is sending me a quad audio CD of his band. I have been Googling this and the best I can figure out what he is referring to is DTS audio, does that sound right? OK, now what do I have to play this thing … --- ## [What's going on in Argentina?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-in-argentina/738578)
**Author:** [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-in-argentina/738578 "2015-11-27T14:23:06Z")
I just came across a news story that American Airlines will no longer accept Argentinian pesos as payment for tickets. It seems that American Arlines can’t find anybody willing to take them. I’ve heard that Brazil is i… --- ## [iPhone question from BlackBerry user](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-question-from-blackberry-user/738477)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-question-from-blackberry-user/738477 "2015-11-27T14:17:27Z")
One of the most popular features of the BlackBerry is the flashing red light that indicates that you’ve got a voicemail, email, text, or that you’ve missed a call. In addition, on the screen of the phone (when the screen… --- ## [What's a RAF Wing Commander do, and what would be a U.S. equivalent role/rank?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-raf-wing-commander-do-and-what-would-be-a-u-s-equivalent-role-rank/738581)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-raf-wing-commander-do-and-what-would-be-a-u-s-equivalent-role-rank/738581 "2015-11-27T03:38:20Z")
See subject. Just met a nice Brit who told me her father is a Wing Commander, and we didn’t have time to talk about it really. She also said he was never a pilot, which blew my mind. Can that happen in the U.S.? --- ## [French Grammar Question: When does a pronoun succeed a verb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-grammar-question-when-does-a-pronoun-succeed-a-verb/738415)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-grammar-question-when-does-a-pronoun-succeed-a-verb/738415 "2015-11-27T02:21:07Z")
Hi In my reading of French recipes recently I came across a series of basic steps in making a salad and then discovered the sentence ending in “…éplucher les.(…peel them)” I wasn’t aware that pronouns can succeed verbs … --- ## [How Do Rich people Invest Their Money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-rich-people-invest-their-money/738187)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-rich-people-invest-their-money/738187 "2015-11-27T02:16:38Z")
If you are very wealthy, you do not content yourself with the paltry returns offered by bonds (less than 2%), or buy stocks (with the hope of appreciation). I have noticed that there are a lot of “private equity” firms … --- ## [The SU-24 shoot down: can the mid-air photos reveal air-to-air vs. ground missile? 2) Eject options](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-su-24-shoot-down-can-the-mid-air-photos-reveal-air-to-air-vs-ground-missile-2-eject-options/738488)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-su-24-shoot-down-can-the-mid-air-photos-reveal-air-to-air-vs-ground-missile-2-eject-options/738488 "2015-11-27T01:28:37Z")
This is a two parter, sparked of course by the Turkish shoot down of a Russian SU 24 earlier today. Earlier news reports had contradictory claims, of ground-to-air or air-to-air missile (missiles?). Putin now says air-t… --- ## [VA Home loan question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-home-loan-question/738463)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-home-loan-question/738463 "2015-11-27T00:27:39Z")
None of the following is going to happen any time soon so I don’t need the answer fast. One of the stipulations for a VA home loan is that it must be for your primary residence. No vacation home. No rental properties. M… --- ## [Holographic wills--do witnesses have to read them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holographic-wills-do-witnesses-have-to-read-them/738566)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holographic-wills-do-witnesses-have-to-read-them/738566 "2015-11-26T23:14:40Z")
I just read a story that took place in London. It was a minor plot point that a holographic could not be accepted because one witness could not testify that she had read the will although she had witnessed the signature… --- ## [What happens to the U.S - Mexico border at the coast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-u-s-mexico-border-at-the-coast/738588)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-u-s-mexico-border-at-the-coast/738588 "2015-11-26T19:11:35Z")
I dont live in america, so i can’t find out - does it continue into the water, or is there a guard there watching the coast, or a boat? --- ## [Does a heater using candles and flower pots really work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-heater-using-candles-and-flower-pots-really-work/680271)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-heater-using-candles-and-flower-pots-really-work/680271 "2015-11-26T18:15:13Z")
Recently, there seems to be a large number of youtube videos claiming that people can heat a small room almost for free using some flower pots and candles (aka tea lights). There are several different methods shown by d… --- ## [How do you pronounce Daesh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-daesh/738350)
**Author:** [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-daesh/738350 "2015-11-26T17:36:53Z")
What it says on the tin. Daesh is the Arabic language equivalent to ISIS or ISIL. It’s an acronym for the Islamic State, only using Arabic alphabet letters instead of Latin alphabet letters. How should English language … --- ## [Another Evolution Question: The fate of the falkland Islands Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-evolution-question-the-fate-of-the-falkland-islands-wolf/738623)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-evolution-question-the-fate-of-the-falkland-islands-wolf/738623 "2015-11-26T16:47:29Z")
When the first Europeans colonized the Falkland Islands, they found a local canine, which they thought was a wolf. These animals were hunted to extinction-the last one was killed around 1880. Since the islands are very … --- ## [Want to buy a laptop this week. Possible to buy a Win10 machine and a Win7 disc to overwrite the OS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-buy-a-laptop-this-week-possible-to-buy-a-win10-machine-and-a-win7-disc-to-overwrite-the-os/738615)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-buy-a-laptop-this-week-possible-to-buy-a-win10-machine-and-a-win7-disc-to-overwrite-the-os/738615 "2015-11-26T11:43:29Z")
We’re looking to pick up a work laptop in the BF/CM sales. For a host of reasons (privacy, security, usability, etc.), we’re not going to have a Windows 10 machine in the house and office until LTS runs out on Win 7 in f… --- ## [I need help with my Vintage onkyo amp!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-with-my-vintage-onkyo-amp/738399)
**Author:** [@jamkap9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jamkap9)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-with-my-vintage-onkyo-amp/738399 "2015-11-26T06:08:01Z")
I have an ONKYO TX-4500 (1977). Its clear as a bell with my Cerwin vega AT-10s When the stereo is on FM is great. When i use the CD player-the sound sucks!! HELP!! --- ## [What would happen if somebody was re-arrested after dismissal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-somebody-was-re-arrested-after-dismissal/738557)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-somebody-was-re-arrested-after-dismissal/738557 "2015-11-26T05:45:49Z")
Say you charged somebody with murder. 1 day before the trial the only witness decides they don’t want to testify, and you have no case. If you proceed, you will lose the trial and you won’t be able to charge him with mur… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=997) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=999)