# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1162 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1163 --- ## [Pros and cons of home security systems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pros-and-cons-of-home-security-systems/678203)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2014, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pros-and-cons-of-home-security-systems/678203 "2014-01-14T02:06:22Z")
We just moved into a house that has an ADT alarm system. It’s probably at least 5 years old, and may be original to the house, 15 years old. I’ve just called ADT, and they’d want almost $40 a month (and at least a one-ye… --- ## [What time should I leave for SEA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-should-i-leave-for-sea/678711)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2014, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-should-i-leave-for-sea/678711 "2014-01-14T02:02:33Z")
The SO is leaving on her medical missionary trip this Friday. Her plane departs approximately 2330. It’s approximately 123 miles from the house to the airport. The first leg of the flight is domestic, so we’re thinkin… --- ## [Any home rememdies for seborrhoeic dermatitis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-home-rememdies-for-seborrhoeic-dermatitis/678575)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2014, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-home-rememdies-for-seborrhoeic-dermatitis/678575 "2014-01-14T01:10:23Z")
Tried the anti-fungal lotions and creams and shampoos, no help. Oral ketoconazole, no help but troublesome side effects. Tried applying milk of magnesia(magnesium hydroxide in water) to my face patches and washing it o… --- ## [Quick question about the law with respect to dogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-question-about-the-law-with-respect-to-dogs/678641)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2014, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-question-about-the-law-with-respect-to-dogs/678641 "2014-01-14T00:54:08Z")
Postulate a building which has been subdivided into several separate units. The building has a fenced and gated yard surrounding it which is understood to be a common area. The tenants in one unit have a pitt bull who … --- ## [Basketball hoops at the end of the driveway](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basketball-hoops-at-the-end-of-the-driveway/624075)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basketball-hoops-at-the-end-of-the-driveway/624075 "2014-01-13T22:17:10Z")
Why is this allowed? Why is this not considered dangerous? Now the kids are playing out in the street where the cars drive. The route I take home every day has one such house, as the second house on the corner. The road… --- ## [Does anyone know if you can use a 529 for this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-if-you-can-use-a-529-for-this/678655)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-if-you-can-use-a-529-for-this/678655 "2014-01-13T20:30:01Z")
I want to get the comptia A+ and network+ certifications. They are not offered by my college and willnot count towards my degree. If I took these classes somewhere else would I be allowed to use the money in the 529 pl… --- ## [Are these "high voltage" power lines or just regular ones?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-high-voltage-power-lines-or-just-regular-ones/678479)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-high-voltage-power-lines-or-just-regular-ones/678479 "2014-01-13T20:06:40Z")
Here is the street view. To be more precise in my question (this is in Houston area) are these the type of “power lines” that would lower the price/desirability of homes that back on them? I understand that regular abov… --- ## [Do you find praying mantises cute?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-find-praying-mantises-cute/678051)
**Author:** [@Peaton\_of\_peat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peaton_of_peat)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-find-praying-mantises-cute/678051 "2014-01-13T17:31:10Z")
Got in a disagreement with somebody over whether mantises are cute or not, and I’m turning to you guys to resolve it. I’m not explaining WHY you should find them cute because I don’t want to taint the poll results, I jus… --- ## [Sexism in Graphic Design?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexism-in-graphic-design/678661)
**Author:** [@dav5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dav5)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexism-in-graphic-design/678661 "2014-01-13T17:05:41Z")
Hello all, I am collecting primary research for my University degree design project report. What are your views of sexism in the design industry? Does it exist? Has anyone suffered from sexism in the industry? All com… --- ## [I may have ice damming, do I need a new roof?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-have-ice-damming-do-i-need-a-new-roof/678635)
**Author:** [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-have-ice-damming-do-i-need-a-new-roof/678635 "2014-01-13T16:34:43Z")
A few days ago I was down in my basement and noticed a bit of water dripping from pretty high up the wall. I have a few vertical cracks in my poured concrete foundation that will leak a bit when it’s pouring outside, but… --- ## [How do I measure my car's engine coolant level](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-measure-my-cars-engine-coolant-level/678607)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-measure-my-cars-engine-coolant-level/678607 "2014-01-13T15:19:31Z")
I have a 2007 hyundai Sonata. Under the hood there is a sticker on the engine coolant reservoir it says to measure coolant levels while the engine is cold. When I do that, the coolant levels are low. In the owners manua… --- ## [When someone pushes another round of drinks on you.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-pushes-another-round-of-drinks-on-you/678131)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-pushes-another-round-of-drinks-on-you/678131 "2014-01-13T13:41:34Z")
Unlike many of my contemporaries, I’ve started enjoying alcohol only in the last few years both in the house and out in public. Dealing this this kind of situation is new to me. A few days ago, I attended a retirement b… --- ## [Pay a debt agency, or not (for an ambulance bill)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-a-debt-agency-or-not-for-an-ambulance-bill/677920)
**Author:** [@Gateway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gateway)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-a-debt-agency-or-not-for-an-ambulance-bill/677920 "2014-01-13T13:13:12Z")
I have a debt agency calling me telling me that they will offer a settlement for half the price of what is an ambulance bill (about 1000 dollars). I talked to my dad and he says that I may have had insurance back when th… --- ## [Uh oh, the Colonials lost the war to the British! Now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-oh-the-colonials-lost-the-war-to-the-british-now-what/678442)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-oh-the-colonials-lost-the-war-to-the-british-now-what/678442 "2014-01-13T09:17:05Z")
So Mr. Washington and his rabble-rousing cohorts are defeated & rounded up and and hanged like common criminals. The Continental Army is annihilated & disbanded, and the remaining movers & shakers in the North American c… --- ## [Simple software questions (screen captures of DVDs)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-software-questions-screen-captures-of-dvds/674487)
**Author:** [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-software-questions-screen-captures-of-dvds/674487 "2014-01-13T09:07:03Z")
This is for a PC, so no Mac answers, please. I just need a simple program that, while playing a DVD on my laptop, I can pause the DVD and create a JPEG (or other format) off of the screen capture of that frozen moment. … --- ## [Has prison deterred you from committing a crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-prison-deterred-you-from-committing-a-crime/661450)
**Author:** [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-prison-deterred-you-from-committing-a-crime/661450 "2014-01-13T07:14:22Z")
I’m not trying to run a statistical survey here, but I am just flabbergasted by the idea that prison somehow deters crime. I have never, ever thought to myself, “I would commit this crime if only I knew I would never get… --- ## [Six months ago, my mom died. Four months ago, my dad started dating.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-months-ago-my-mom-died-four-months-ago-my-dad-started-dating/677826)
**Author:** [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-months-ago-my-mom-died-four-months-ago-my-dad-started-dating/677826 "2014-01-13T03:51:16Z")
And I’m not okay. Last June, my mom went into the hospital for a colonoscopy. She’d been having bleeding problems for a while, and her doctor sent her to the ER. She had had many health problems over the years, includin… --- ## [What do USAnians spend their change on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-usanians-spend-their-change-on/677979)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-usanians-spend-their-change-on/677979 "2014-01-13T03:42:40Z")
Just came back from two great weeks in the US visiting the in-laws. A week in Tampa, FL and a week in NYC. Naturally in both I spent a large sum of money (and due to some anti-fraud thing, my bank barred me from using m… --- ## [Is my retirement portfolio diverse enough?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-retirement-portfolio-diverse-enough/678554)
**Author:** [@Willcross](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Willcross)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-retirement-portfolio-diverse-enough/678554 "2014-01-13T02:32:33Z")
I understand diversification mostly. You don’t want all your eggs in one basket. That way if a segment of the market fails, your whole retirement isn’t shot. I have 35 years until retirement. My main goal is becoming d… --- ## [Yaris or Rio?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yaris-or-rio/678629)
**Author:** [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yaris-or-rio/678629 "2014-01-13T02:04:20Z")
I’m going to buy a car this week. Right now I’m driving a 91 Corolla with only 98,000 miles but it’s starting to have issues so I’m finally going to take the plunge. It’s been 16 years since I bought that car and I’m h… --- ## [How to stop pet rats from fighting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-stop-pet-rats-from-fighting/107342)
**Author:** [@Daowajan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daowajan)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-stop-pet-rats-from-fighting/107342 "2014-01-13T01:23:25Z")
My sister’s got three rats - Willow, Briar and Guenevere. W & B are littermates, but Guen’s from a different litter. They normally get along really well, but sometimes they fight. It seems that two gang up on a third, bu… --- ## [How can one overcome past academic failures?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-overcome-past-academic-failures/678572)
**Author:** [@Spaghettifrier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spaghettifrier)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2014, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-overcome-past-academic-failures/678572 "2014-01-13T00:47:35Z")
I’m wondering how long flunking out of university stays on ones records and how it might affect future admittance into graduate/doctoral programs. Specifically, I’m 25 and starting school over. In the past, I flunked ou… --- ## [US Navy Officers Investigated in Kickback Scheme](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-navy-officers-investigated-in-kickback-scheme/678501)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-navy-officers-investigated-in-kickback-scheme/678501 "2014-01-12T23:40:10Z")
Several US Navy officers are accused of steering US Navy ships to certain foreign ports for replenishment/repairs. These deals resulted in the navy paying up to 5 times normal docking charges. What will happen to thes… --- ## [Do you pronounce the "th" in "clothes"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pronounce-the-th-in-clothes/678376)
**Author:** [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pronounce-the-th-in-clothes/678376 "2014-01-12T20:44:29Z")
I never heard anyone say the “th” until I was in college. I’ve never said it that way and can’t even when I try. In case it’s a regional thing, here’s my background: Father is from SE Texas, mother is from Western PA, I … --- ## [What is your awareness of swollen glands?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-awareness-of-swollen-glands/678522)
**Author:** [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-awareness-of-swollen-glands/678522 "2014-01-12T19:55:21Z")
Yesterday I was feeling a little under the weather. At some point I was unconsciously rubbing my own throat and suddenly flashed back to my childhood. When I was a kid and woke up feeling unwell I’d tell my mom “I don’t… --- ## [Can AT&T home security system really turn off the water in your sink?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-at-t-home-security-system-really-turn-off-the-water-in-your-sink/678254)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2014, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-at-t-home-security-system-really-turn-off-the-water-in-your-sink/678254 "2014-01-12T18:39:29Z")
There’s this commercial by AT&T home security. A kid mentions to his father he had to stop by the house. The concerned father asked “Did you shut everything off?”…“Sure” concerned father having his doubts picks up his sm… --- ## [My transition to poly has been rough](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-transition-to-poly-has-been-rough/678016)
**Author:** [@Themis00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Themis00)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2014, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-transition-to-poly-has-been-rough/678016 "2014-01-12T18:37:04Z")
31 Female Married Bisexual Me and my husband has recently decided to “open” our marriage. So far, I have been pursuing women. I would like to pursue men also, but my husband is not down for that. First of all, I get … --- ## [get well card for shot police officer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-well-card-for-shot-police-officer/678579)
**Author:** [@mytime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mytime)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-well-card-for-shot-police-officer/678579 "2014-01-12T16:50:22Z")
only takes a few secs, even if you dont know him it means alot to him and his family:cool: --- ## [Vacation Accommodations: how low will you go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacation-accommodations-how-low-will-you-go/678048)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacation-accommodations-how-low-will-you-go/678048 "2014-01-12T15:42:12Z")
We are leaving for St Martin at the end of this week. Our preferred vacation involves Caribbean beaches, sun, good food, alcohol, etc. The dead last least important variable to us is where we sleep. Each day we awaken… --- ## ["I don't own tv" people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-own-tv-people/675859)
**Author:** [@Earth001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earth001)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-own-tv-people/675859 "2014-01-12T15:03:55Z")
So, what are your thoughts on people who don’t own a television? I have noticed that a lot of people who blog about not owning a tv tend to gloat about it or act like they are superior to everyone else because they don’t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1161) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1163)