# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1535 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1536 --- ## [Chain tax store vs private vs software](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-tax-store-vs-private-vs-software/619209)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-tax-store-vs-private-vs-software/619209 "2012-04-19T02:36:19Z")
I’m trying to get my taxes done. I’m wondering how cost (charge) and benefits (doing taxes correctly, getting largest potential refund, negotiating lower penalties) compare between chain tax stores, private filers, softw… --- ## [On the Attempted Conversion of My Daughter to Christianity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-attempted-conversion-of-my-daughter-to-christianity/618632)
**Author:** [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Replies:** 202\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-attempted-conversion-of-my-daughter-to-christianity/618632 "2012-04-19T01:40:56Z")
My daughter is a twelve year old UU atheist. She’s pretty darn sure there is no God, in good atheist fashion, and in good Unitarian fashion, is aware that there are multiple paths and beliefs worthy of respect - IF ther… --- ## [Is chicken pox treated like a serious disease in your country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chicken-pox-treated-like-a-serious-disease-in-your-country/618824)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chicken-pox-treated-like-a-serious-disease-in-your-country/618824 "2012-04-19T01:13:14Z")
I grew up in the USA and like upwards of 90% of other adults my age contracted chicken pox, its pretty much a non issue and outbreaks were limited to young children. Then I moved to Trinidad where VERY few adults have e… --- ## [You Are Stuck On The Titanic-What Can You Do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-stuck-on-the-titanic-what-can-you-do/618499)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-stuck-on-the-titanic-what-can-you-do/618499 "2012-04-18T22:44:23Z")
All the lifeboats have left-but you are determined to save yourself. You have a knife and some rope-can you build a raft that will keep you from getting wet (and freezing)? Sppose you lashed some wooden deckchairs toge… --- ## [I have a smart phone; feed my apps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-smart-phone-feed-my-apps/618655)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-smart-phone-feed-my-apps/618655 "2012-04-18T20:33:45Z")
I have my first smart phone, which means I get apps (It’s Android HTC if that matters). Never even used one of these before. Please suggest the best apps to get, preferably free. Useful ones preferably, but I’ve a feel… --- ## [Is my (IBM version) iTunes misbehaving, or is this a common thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-ibm-version-itunes-misbehaving-or-is-this-a-common-thing/619076)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-ibm-version-itunes-misbehaving-or-is-this-a-common-thing/619076 "2012-04-18T18:12:56Z")
Yesterday I Pitted iTunes because it doesn’t know how to sort properly. For instance, when I sort by title in ascending order, songs that start with “I’ve …” come before songs that start with “I …” The same goes for oth… --- ## [Your Next Career Step: Where can your job take you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-next-career-step-where-can-your-job-take-you/614307)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-next-career-step-where-can-your-job-take-you/614307 "2012-04-18T17:55:53Z")
I’m working for Company XYZ. I’ve been there two years. I want to work for Company ABC. Company ABC is at the core of Company XYZ. (No, they are not competitors.) Company XYZ is general. Company ABC is specific. Compan… --- ## [If someone replied to a topic with \*FapFapFap\*, would you know what it referenced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-replied-to-a-topic-with-fapfapfap-would-you-know-what-it-referenced/618883)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-replied-to-a-topic-with-fapfapfap-would-you-know-what-it-referenced/618883 "2012-04-18T17:46:04Z")
Yet another “How well known/wide spread is this lingo” thread. Without reading the replies, if you saw someone in a thread going Fap Fap Fap Fap Fap, would you understand what it meant? \[spoiler\]It’s supposed to be the… --- ## [Pilot sends plane into dive after mistaking Venus for oncoming plane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-sends-plane-into-dive-after-mistaking-venus-for-oncoming-plane/619095)
**Author:** [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-sends-plane-into-dive-after-mistaking-venus-for-oncoming-plane/619095 "2012-04-18T15:56:03Z")
What a maroon. I’ve been a pilot since I was 17 years old, and I can tell you this as a certainty: pilots are weather guys. The sky, the atmosphere, and anything you see up there is of vital interest to us all. Now… --- ## [Do we want a convection oven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-want-a-convection-oven/614614)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-want-a-convection-oven/614614 "2012-04-18T14:52:14Z")
Long story short, it looks like we’ll be replacing our double wall oven (bottom oven works fine, top oven triggers an error whenever we try to use it, a repairman wanted well over 300 dollars to even LOOK at it…). Assumi… --- ## [Auto insurance liability claims - from the inside](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-insurance-liability-claims-from-the-inside/618231)
**Author:** [@drewc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewc)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-insurance-liability-claims-from-the-inside/618231 "2012-04-18T13:04:08Z")
As posted a few times, I work in auto liability claims, for a company most (all?) of you - in the US at least - have heard of. I often see misconceptions regarding legal liability, what the insurance company (we’ll call… --- ## [Tell me about being a Geologist...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-being-a-geologist/608184)
**Author:** [@YoDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YoDoc)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-being-a-geologist/608184 "2012-04-18T12:23:41Z")
I have recently changed majors in college, from History to Geology. How is the pay? Is it easy to find a job working mostly outside? Is it a “life on the road” type job? Anything else you can tell me? --- ## [Is the modern-day golddigging reminiscent of a historical marriage of convenience?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-modern-day-golddigging-reminiscent-of-a-historical-marriage-of-convenience/619033)
**Author:** [@SDMBKL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SDMBKL)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-modern-day-golddigging-reminiscent-of-a-historical-marriage-of-convenience/619033 "2012-04-18T09:34:54Z")
A marriage of convenience is (\*plural \*marriages of convenience) is a marriage contracted for reasons other than the reasons of relationship, family, or love. Instead, such a marriage is orchestrated for personal gain or… --- ## [Does a tough background motivate people to succeed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-tough-background-motivate-people-to-succeed/618986)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-tough-background-motivate-people-to-succeed/618986 "2012-04-18T02:36:12Z")
I’ve noticed an interesting observation in my peers vs my wife’s peers. My wife, and most of her friends/family are Latino, and the children of immigrants. For my wife and her friends, they are the first in their familie… --- ## [Child-raising issue: disparity between academic and social development](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-raising-issue-disparity-between-academic-and-social-development/618691)
**Author:** [@Haunted\_Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haunted_Pasta)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-raising-issue-disparity-between-academic-and-social-development/618691 "2012-04-18T01:54:13Z")
Possibly the wrong forum here, but my main goal is to see what other people think is the best option. Mods can move this as they see fit. First off, I don’t want anyone to think my real purpose here is sneak-bragging, … --- ## [Innocuous things with bad associations for you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocuous-things-with-bad-associations-for-you/618129)
**Author:** [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2012, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocuous-things-with-bad-associations-for-you/618129 "2012-04-18T00:11:20Z")
I was just thinking of a few things that I prefer to avoid or not think about too much, because they are connected with an unpleasant memory. I’m guessing many of us have some of these, so let’s post them here. You don’… --- ## [How to quash Annoying Girl (TLDR)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-quash-annoying-girl-tldr/618961)
**Author:** [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-quash-annoying-girl-tldr/618961 "2012-04-17T23:30:12Z")
I’ve got a situation that’s been brewing with a sort-of friend, and I could use some advice on how to deal with it. So I took up running a few years ago, and I’ve made lots of new running friends along the way. In the p… --- ## [Internet doctors, please lend assistance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-doctors-please-lend-assistance/619009)
**Author:** [@CheeseDonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheeseDonkey)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-doctors-please-lend-assistance/619009 "2012-04-17T22:27:02Z")
What strange malady do you think is afflicting me? Symptoms: Raspy voice/lost voice Green poop Minimal coughing Occasional sneeze Minimal mucous No fever I don’t really “feel” sick. I just have peculiar symptoms. … --- ## [Is tickling ok](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tickling-ok/618842)
**Author:** [@JerriJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerriJ)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tickling-ok/618842 "2012-04-17T21:54:01Z")
I think at some point or another every one of us have been tickled by either a sibling, cousin, parent, friend, etc. I think some of us may have a story or two of being tickled longer than we want which makes us want to… --- ## [Why hasn't the Neighborhood Watch shooter been arrested?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 4271\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504 "2012-04-17T21:01:27Z")
Story here. Synopsis: A teenager visiting relatives in a gated community is seen by the neighborhood watch captain, who calls 911 to report a “suspicious person”. The operator tells the captain not to do anything and j… --- ## [I suspect a cell phone jammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-suspect-a-cell-phone-jammer/618906)
**Author:** [@BTEzra04](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BTEzra04)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-suspect-a-cell-phone-jammer/618906 "2012-04-17T19:04:28Z")
My phone was working fine until about 7 this evening in my apartment. I was getting texts just fine, sending them fine, able to call people if needed. Now that isn’t happening. I’ve never known the apartment to be a dead… --- ## [Why is Facebook's timeline freaking people out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-facebooks-timeline-freaking-people-out/618818)
**Author:** [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-facebooks-timeline-freaking-people-out/618818 "2012-04-17T17:59:23Z")
There’s a threadin GD right now about how a person is so annoyed with Facebook’s timeline feature that they’re willing to deactivate their account. This isn’t the first time I’ve read this: a few of my Facebook friends h… --- ## [Kiva - what are your opinions on it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834)
**Author:** [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834 "2012-04-17T17:23:13Z")
Have anyone use Kiva before? It’s a site that allows you to give micro-loans to people from poor countries who are in need. Is it effective in helping those people? Are there any catch in using them? --- ## ['Washier' meaning shallow for Chinese](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washier-meaning-shallow-for-chinese/618956)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washier-meaning-shallow-for-chinese/618956 "2012-04-17T15:31:41Z")
I had an email that I had to try to parse from a Chinese colleague. He described a groove in a part as being ‘too washy’. Later he described it as ‘washier’ I wasn’t sure what he meant or how he came to use the word w… --- ## [Another "screaming kids in a restaurant" thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-screaming-kids-in-a-restaurant-thread/618125)
**Author:** [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Replies:** 207\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-screaming-kids-in-a-restaurant-thread/618125 "2012-04-17T13:22:14Z")
Today, while eating at Long John Silver’s, someone was letting their kid run around, yelling and being a bother to everyone. The kid found her way to an empty booth, grabbed the bottle of malt vinegar, uncapped it and l… --- ## [Best laptop brands for durability](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-laptop-brands-for-durability/603790)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-laptop-brands-for-durability/603790 "2012-04-17T12:05:14Z")
I am in the market for a new or refurbished laptop, and am wanting to spend less than $400. For that price I can get a pretty decent system (4GB RAM that can be upgraded to 8GB, 300-500GB hard drive, good processor, etc)… --- ## [Now we're prosecuting teens for piercing? Most of my gen would be in jail then.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-were-prosecuting-teens-for-piercing-most-of-my-gen-would-be-in-jail-then/618506)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-were-prosecuting-teens-for-piercing-most-of-my-gen-would-be-in-jail-then/618506 "2012-04-17T09:43:43Z")
The majority of girls in my junior high pierced their ears. Some got their mom or aunt to do it. Others got school friends to do it. All you needed was a piece of ice and a needle, ice pick and rubbing alcohol. The ice n… --- ## [I don't have a refrigerator and I'm never buying one.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-have-a-refrigerator-and-im-never-buying-one/618033)
**Author:** [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-have-a-refrigerator-and-im-never-buying-one/618033 "2012-04-17T07:37:28Z")
All this newfangled technology is a sucker’s game. Like my great-grandfather, and his father before him, I don’t own a refrigerator and I refuse to buy into this whole “convenience” garbage people keep saying about moder… --- ## [Should I go BACK to my doctor about this? Breathing problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-back-to-my-doctor-about-this-breathing-problems/618680)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-back-to-my-doctor-about-this-breathing-problems/618680 "2012-04-17T05:46:18Z")
After reading the “reasons to go to the emergency room” thread, I’m wondering if I need to do more about this problem. Here’s the situation. For the past several months, it has hurt to breath deeply. This seemed to st… --- ## [On what date had half your life gone by?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-date-had-half-your-life-gone-by/618692)
**Author:** [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-date-had-half-your-life-gone-by/618692 "2012-04-17T05:11:24Z")
The revived semi-zombie 30 years ago now versus 30 years ago 30 years ago, started 01-14-2011, 10:51 AM by Colophon, and responded to a few times in the past day or two, got me to wondering about what day would be the h… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1534) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1536)