# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=365 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 366 --- ## [Thinking of buying my own home... How the hell do I start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-buying-my-own-home-how-the-hell-do-i-start/841492)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2019, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-buying-my-own-home-how-the-hell-do-i-start/841492 "2019-10-12T19:03:44Z")
So I recently got converted to a full time employee from a limited contract. I’ve been renting the same apartment for a very long time now, and now that I’ve got some security, I’m giving serious thought to owning my own… --- ## [Repair or replace (with what?) my MacBook Pro?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-or-replace-with-what-my-macbook-pro/841664)
**Author:** [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2019, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-or-replace-with-what-my-macbook-pro/841664 "2019-10-12T15:25:32Z")
It’s a MacBook Pro 13-inch from early 2015 with 8 GB. I am not a technical computer person - I’m an end user but I don’t know any of the technical details. Apparently little MacBook has developed a logic board issue. … --- ## [Anyone ever been to Solvang, California?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-been-to-solvang-california/841342)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2019, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-been-to-solvang-california/841342 "2019-10-12T15:03:12Z")
Thinking of going there in the spring on one our Worldmark excursions, and was wondering what it really was like there-things to do and see, things to avoid etc. --- ## [Your experiences with mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-experiences-with-mobile-payments-apple-pay-google-pay-etc/841570)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-experiences-with-mobile-payments-apple-pay-google-pay-etc/841570 "2019-10-12T14:58:29Z")
I’ve noticed a number of places in my city switching to cards only, no cash or checks allowed. Although they primarily take debit/credit cards, they also mention they take stuff like Google Pay and Apple Pay. It got me… --- ## [Portable Air Conditioner Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/portable-air-conditioner-question/721899)
**Author:** [@Blunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blunt)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2015, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/portable-air-conditioner-question/721899 "2015-06-10T08:40:27Z")
I live in a 2 story condo which does have central air, however it doesn’t do a great job of cooling the upstairs (pretty typical for 2 story buildings from what I hear). Pretty much I can crank it down to 70 downstairs,… --- ## [You've taken over Trump's body for five minutes. What do you do to get his supporters to turn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-taken-over-trumps-body-for-five-minutes-what-do-you-do-to-get-his-supporters-to-turn/841615)
**Author:** [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-taken-over-trumps-body-for-five-minutes-what-do-you-do-to-get-his-supporters-to-turn/841615 "2019-10-11T21:21:51Z")
You find yourself magically transferred into Trump’s body, and somehow know that you have 5 minutes before you switch back. Thinking quickly, you realize that he famously said that he could shoot someone on fifth avenue… --- ## [Two-factor authentification - is it sometimes just data phishing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-factor-authentification-is-it-sometimes-just-data-phishing/841465)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-factor-authentification-is-it-sometimes-just-data-phishing/841465 "2019-10-11T19:40:50Z")
There’s a vendor I work with that has a rewards program. You get points for buying their services and then redeem them for gift cards and whatnot. Today I try to log in and find that they’ve implemented two-factor authe… --- ## [Consuming meat despite being exposed to certain sad facts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consuming-meat-despite-being-exposed-to-certain-sad-facts/841415)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consuming-meat-despite-being-exposed-to-certain-sad-facts/841415 "2019-10-11T19:05:41Z")
I am not a vegetarian or vegan. I am not proud about this. I am not ashamed either. This isn’t a question of being proud or ashamed, I believe. From time to time, the images of how animals are being mistreated and kille… --- ## [iPhone car mount](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-car-mount/841605)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-car-mount/841605 "2019-10-11T18:11:57Z")
I’m beginning, just, to see the desirability of having my iPhone mounted where I can see it while I’m driving. For example, it would be nice to be able to see it when I’m following directions, rather than try to prop it… --- ## [Has anyone won a prize on Amazon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-won-a-prize-on-amazon/829945)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-won-a-prize-on-amazon/829945 "2019-10-11T17:55:38Z")
I don’t mean those spam “You won a $10,000 Amazon gift card” popovers. I mean the daily give always on the Amazon site. I diligently click the prize box whenever I see it even if it’s for something I will never need. Nev… --- ## [Polish People Satirized.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polish-people-satirized/841509)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polish-people-satirized/841509 "2019-10-11T17:20:11Z")
Why are Polish people often satirized as being dumb? My mother was mostly Polish. And she could speak two languages. Plus she practically remodeled our whole house. So why are they (seriously or half-seriously) portray… --- ## [Did morons build my house?? Busted water heater in tiny utility room in the hall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-morons-build-my-house-busted-water-heater-in-tiny-utility-room-in-the-hall/841575)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-morons-build-my-house-busted-water-heater-in-tiny-utility-room-in-the-hall/841575 "2019-10-11T13:07:04Z")
The heat pump is in there too, I think is the word, not the compressor for the A/C but the rest. I will not, I don’t think, get the water heater out to install a new one without tearing up the door jamb and part of the d… --- ## [Miss Diagnosis Parkinsons disease](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-diagnosis-parkinsons-disease/841589)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-diagnosis-parkinsons-disease/841589 "2019-10-11T13:06:53Z")
12 years ago my younger sister was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. She had a constant relentless tremble so bad she could hardly use eating utensils. Last week she changed Dr’s and the new Dr. discovered she was taking lithi… --- ## [Home Generator Experiences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-generator-experiences/765540)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-generator-experiences/765540 "2019-10-11T11:24:24Z")
So we moved into our home a few years ago. It’s a great house in a great neighborhood. But we weren’t prepared for how unreliable the power grid is here. There’s a lot of old growth trees, and all the power lines are abo… --- ## [Do you like the new Google logo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-new-google-logo/729807)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-new-google-logo/729807 "2019-10-11T06:29:07Z")
Which one do you prefer? --- ## [How was it done: cattle in E Oregon dispatched without marks or blood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-it-done-cattle-in-e-oregon-dispatched-without-marks-or-blood/841497)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2019, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-it-done-cattle-in-e-oregon-dispatched-without-marks-or-blood/841497 "2019-10-11T00:02:35Z")
NPR story here. Not precisely without marks, since the genitals and tongues were removed with a sharp instrument. But no bullet wounds, no blood on the ground, no tracks on the ground, and no sign of any interference wi… --- ## [Open your door, smack a biker?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-your-door-smack-a-biker/266196)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-your-door-smack-a-biker/266196 "2019-10-10T19:44:29Z")
This is my last sincere question today, I promise. It’s a beautiful day, so I went for a drive. So did a buncha bikers. I know this to be a fable near and dear to the hearts of many motorcyclists, but I suspect urban le… --- ## [Why no new operating systems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-new-operating-systems/840710)
**Author:** [@vonespy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vonespy)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-new-operating-systems/840710 "2019-10-10T17:01:24Z")
UNIX is 50 years old this year. Windows is 33 years old. OSX is 30 years old (if you consider NeXTStep to be proto-OSX). Linux, a derivative of UNIX is 28 years old. IOS is based on NeXTStep, Android is based on Linux. W… --- ## [Lawyers: What is ethical when working on contingency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-what-is-ethical-when-working-on-contingency/841226)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-what-is-ethical-when-working-on-contingency/841226 "2019-10-10T16:56:11Z")
Hypothetical: A law firm accepts a plaintiff’s civil suit on contingency. They will keep 33% of the award, if there is one; nothing if there is not. Halfway through the case, the defendant presents evidence that was une… --- ## [Should I re-finance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-re-finance/841555)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-re-finance/841555 "2019-10-10T16:16:49Z")
My lender is offering a re-finance. The cost to me is $9,900, and due to a reduction in interest rate I will save $183 per month. The re-fi cost is, of course, rolled into the mortgage amount owed, and the clock will be … --- ## [Is the pink for October era over?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-pink-for-october-era-over/841360)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-pink-for-october-era-over/841360 "2019-10-10T16:00:53Z")
Back in June, many major companies added a rainbow flag to their logo on social media as well as flying the Pride flag. Now, it is October which usually overwhelms you with endless pink. And yet, until today, I haven’t s… --- ## [Oh, H-E Double toothpicks! The end of profanity is near!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-h-e-double-toothpicks-the-end-of-profanity-is-near/841359)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-h-e-double-toothpicks-the-end-of-profanity-is-near/841359 "2019-10-10T15:53:11Z")
The "F "word is losing its oomph! “M F” is starting to sound trite. The “C” word? In a year or so I’ll probably hear my mother utter it. What’s left? What’s the future for profanity? --- ## [Recommend a Portable Computing Device](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-portable-computing-device/406398)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-portable-computing-device/406398 "2019-10-10T13:22:12Z")
Here’s what I’m looking for in order of importance:\[ul\] \[li\]Sells for about $50 on eBay.\[/li\]\[li\]Has either a decent keyboard or able to recognize handwriting\[/li\]\[li\]WiFi or network capable\[/li\]\[li\]A MS Word compatible… --- ## [Device to stop neighbor's dog from barking, do they work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/device-to-stop-neighbors-dog-from-barking-do-they-work/841204)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/device-to-stop-neighbors-dog-from-barking-do-they-work/841204 "2019-10-10T12:08:08Z")
I have seen several devices on the market which emit an ultrahigh sound that only dogs can hear. Human’s can’t hear it. It’s an annoying sound to the dogs, and when they bark these device emit the sound. The theory is th… --- ## [Anyone sought a good mp3 to text conversion software, free, for pay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-sought-a-good-mp3-to-text-conversion-software-free-for-pay/841462)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-sought-a-good-mp3-to-text-conversion-software-free-for-pay/841462 "2019-10-10T01:20:55Z")
I’m just starting. I need to convert audio diaries. --- ## [Why would any sane person want to be the next potus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-any-sane-person-want-to-be-the-next-potus/841322)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2019, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-any-sane-person-want-to-be-the-next-potus/841322 "2019-10-09T16:26:16Z")
Would you? Would most of those that know you consider you to be sane? If so, then please explain. --- ## [Dental Implants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-implants/841422)
**Author:** [@fjs1fs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fjs1fs)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2019, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-implants/841422 "2019-10-09T12:13:15Z")
I’ve had two teeth pulled in back lower right side of mouth. Dentist wants to put in two implants. Can’t do bridges because it’s the last two teeth, so no tooth to connect to. His logic is that I’m “wasting” the back … --- ## [What term would you like used to refer to YOUR dead body?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-term-would-you-like-used-to-refer-to-your-dead-body/841031)
**Author:** [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2019, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-term-would-you-like-used-to-refer-to-your-dead-body/841031 "2019-10-09T02:49:59Z")
Let’s face it, we are all going to die. What happens to our soul/essence is unknown to science. But we’ll all leave a dead body on this earth. Wills and the cooperation of loved ones allow us to hopefully determine th… --- ## [Blacksmiths, what's your opininion of Alec Steele](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blacksmiths-whats-your-opininion-of-alec-steele/841430)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2019, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blacksmiths-whats-your-opininion-of-alec-steele/841430 "2019-10-08T23:06:51Z")
I’ve been watching Youtube blacksmith Alec Steele and bear in mind I have zero experience blacksmithing. At first I was entertained but there’s something off. I think part of it is that he continually calls layered met… --- ## [Does your family know who your dentist is?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-family-know-who-your-dentist-is/841450)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2019, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-family-know-who-your-dentist-is/841450 "2019-10-08T22:22:09Z")
I heard that they asked the brother of one of the victims of the B-17 crash for dental records to confirm the body. So I’ll ask my fellow dopers, especially the single ones; does anyone know who your dentist is? I’d … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=364) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=366)