# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=5 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 6 --- ## [Electricians: can I do this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-can-i-do-this/1032475)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2026, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-can-i-do-this/1032475 "2026-08-24T23:08:19Z")
In my 1950s-era garage, there is an ceiling outlet served by a 20A breaker that powers the garage door opener. Emerging from that surface-mounted box is a romex cable stapled to the ceiling and running down to the wall, … --- ## [Should I let my 13-year old listen to these heavy metal groups?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-13-year-old-listen-to-these-heavy-metal-groups/526508)
**Author:** [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Replies:** 192\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-13-year-old-listen-to-these-heavy-metal-groups/526508 "2026-08-24T20:32:44Z")
My son just turned 13 years old. Within the last year, he got the video games Guitar Hero 3 and Rock Band 2 (both rated “T”; we don’t let him play games rated “M.”) This has exposed him to a lot of music he’d never heard… --- ## [How does my Internet speed compare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-internet-speed-compare/1032296)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2026, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-internet-speed-compare/1032296 "2026-08-24T18:23:38Z")
I didn’t find any recent threads on this so I’d just like to see how good my connection is. I get about 50mbps download and 20 mbps upload. Over to you… --- ## [Ohio's bizarre crosswalk law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohios-bizarre-crosswalk-law/1032459)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2026, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohios-bizarre-crosswalk-law/1032459 "2026-08-24T02:59:13Z")
I’m a fanatic when it comes to stopping for pedestrians – I consider people on foot the natural state of the universe and cars must operate around them. I thought that I was backed up by Ohio law, which gives pedestrians… --- ## [Is it just me, or is the free version of Duolingo kind of useless? What's a good free resource for learning basic Spanish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-the-free-version-of-duolingo-kind-of-useless-whats-a-good-free-resource-for-learning-basic-spanish/1026966)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-the-free-version-of-duolingo-kind-of-useless-whats-a-good-free-resource-for-learning-basic-spanish/1026966 "2026-08-24T00:26:34Z")
Got a trip to Mexico coming up in a couple weeks, and I’ve been doing the free version of Duolingo to learn some basic Spanish. I’ve gone through quite a few lessons now, and it seems to just be repeating the same basic … --- ## [Do you suffer from Visual Snow Syndrome?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-visual-snow-syndrome/1031849)
**Author:** [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-visual-snow-syndrome/1031849 "2026-08-23T21:09:28Z")
poll I recently watched a video about Visual Snow Syndrome, where your vision is overlaid with a noisy pattern similar to a detuned TV or film grain. It dances on your vision at all times, but it’s often easier to notice… --- ## [Yet Another Electrical Question: Cooktops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-electrical-question-cooktops/1032278)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-electrical-question-cooktops/1032278 "2026-08-23T19:06:56Z")
OK. Let’s start with the fact that I am well aware of all the ways this is not up to code. I don’t need that lecture- I didn’t do this, and it’s been this way for literally decades. What I have: Separate electric cookt… --- ## [Do you remember your bedtime as a kid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-your-bedtime-as-a-kid/584164)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-your-bedtime-as-a-kid/584164 "2026-08-23T06:39:24Z")
I was talking to some friends this week about our childhood bedtimes. I could only remember that by age 10 my bedtime was 10:30 pm on school days and pretty much open ended on non school days. (In practice I could only… --- ## [Does Cloaked Dot Com work? (No stories about spam in general, please)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cloaked-dot-com-work-no-stories-about-spam-in-general-please/1032484)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cloaked-dot-com-work-no-stories-about-spam-in-general-please/1032484 "2026-08-22T14:36:49Z")
I have seen a lot of ads for Cloaked dot com, a service for removing your name from a lot of spam lists. There doesn’t seem to be many complaints about the service, but I was wondering about your experience with this o… --- ## [Connecting my Shark robot vacuum to GFiber](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-my-shark-robot-vacuum-to-gfiber/1032455)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-my-shark-robot-vacuum-to-gfiber/1032455 "2026-08-22T03:22:32Z")
Anyone have success with this? I have three Ninja Shark robots who need 2.4ghz internet. I just got Google Fiber and cannot connect any of these things to it. I already created a 2.4ghz band, set it to WPA2 protection (… --- ## [Does your marriage have its own version of the "same old argument that never resolves," and if so, what is it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-marriage-have-its-own-version-of-the-same-old-argument-that-never-resolves-and-if-so-what-is-it/1030032)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 181\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-marriage-have-its-own-version-of-the-same-old-argument-that-never-resolves-and-if-so-what-is-it/1030032 "2026-08-22T00:44:08Z")
I read somewhere that many if not most marriages always have some sort of core never-resolvable disagreement or “same old quarrel” in it - such as one spouse feeling unloved but the other not feeling capable of giving th… --- ## [US Strategic Oil Reserves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-strategic-oil-reserves/1032328)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-strategic-oil-reserves/1032328 "2026-08-21T16:34:35Z")
I struggled with where to ask this, but I’m mostly interested in facts and maybe some educated guesses, so I’ll try it here in GQ. (Or FQ I guess – still not used to that.) I’ve known for a while that we’ve been drawing… --- ## [Watch strap glue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2026, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-strap-glue/1032373 "2026-08-21T03:38:33Z")
The little strip that holds the loose end of my watch strap broke. I tried using cyanoacrylate, but it didn’t last long. Right now, I have a piece of cellophane tape holding it. As I would rather not spend $118 on a n… --- ## [Social Etiquette: When does an invite extended to one person implicitly include or exclude their partner/family?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-etiquette-when-does-an-invite-extended-to-one-person-implicitly-include-or-exclude-their-partner-family/1032225)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-etiquette-when-does-an-invite-extended-to-one-person-implicitly-include-or-exclude-their-partner-family/1032225 "2026-08-21T00:02:35Z")
I’ve had a couple of instances in the past where I know Person A very well and have a vague idea they have a spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend/partner/situationship/etc. Person B who I don’t know very well. I’ll invite Person … --- ## [Fixing a shower valve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-shower-valve/1032379)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2026, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-shower-valve/1032379 "2026-08-20T12:15:20Z")
I have a shower valve that, over the years, got pretty gummed up. It has an inner flower-like controller for temperature and an outer handle for flow level and direction (just through the hand-held, just through the ove… --- ## [WTF is this contraption my neighbor has in their front yard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-this-contraption-my-neighbor-has-in-their-front-yard/1023382)
**Author:** [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-this-contraption-my-neighbor-has-in-their-front-yard/1023382 "2026-08-19T22:34:06Z")
Last week I was walking down my street when I noticed a weird set-up in my neighbor’s front “yard.” (Not really a yard, just a small span of concrete). It appears to be some kind of garden storage unit jury-rigged with … --- ## [Tap student ID to ride school bus: safer, Orwellian, or both?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tap-student-id-to-ride-school-bus-safer-orwellian-or-both/1031907)
**Author:** [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tap-student-id-to-ride-school-bus-safer-orwellian-or-both/1031907 "2026-08-19T21:20:49Z")
My local school system is instituting a requirement for students to tap their IDs to board or exit the school bus. That will help keep track where students are, and that they are on the right bus. My kids long since aged… --- ## [PT lumber deck: sand the railings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pt-lumber-deck-sand-the-railings/1032378)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pt-lumber-deck-sand-the-railings/1032378 "2026-08-19T12:55:51Z")
We just had our front deck replaced. Like the others, it’s constructed entirely of pressure treated lumber. There has arisen some controversy about the tops of the railings, 2X6 boards – should they be sanded to eliminat… --- ## [Flies, how to get rid of](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flies-how-to-get-rid-of/1032258)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flies-how-to-get-rid-of/1032258 "2026-08-18T20:32:54Z")
The thread on ants reminds of the fact that we have been invaded by flies. Any thoughts on how to deal with them? What happened is that our air conditioner has stopped working. Try to get an air conditioner repairman to… --- ## [What do you think will happen when the water level at Lake Mead falls below 1050 feet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 248\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2026, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-happen-when-the-water-level-at-lake-mead-falls-below-1050-feet/954201 "2026-08-17T05:27:20Z")
Lake Mead sits just outside Las Vegas, created by the construction of the Hoover Dam back in the 1930s. Lake Mead is the largest capacity water reservoir in the US and that water is used, in part, to generate electricit… --- ## [Digitising my home filing system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digitising-my-home-filing-system/1032334)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digitising-my-home-filing-system/1032334 "2026-08-16T21:51:12Z")
I have a disorganised pile of assorted letters, statements, etc., that I need to keep and may or may not need access to at some point in the future. I have ordered a scanner with the intention of scanning them and putti… --- ## [I'm taking another Amtrak adventure. Also, seeking tips for Glacier National Park](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-taking-another-amtrak-adventure-also-seeking-tips-for-glacier-national-park/1031695)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2026, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-taking-another-amtrak-adventure-also-seeking-tips-for-glacier-national-park/1031695 "2026-08-16T20:19:57Z")
I enjoyed my last Amtrak trip so much, I decided to take another one. This time, I booked a whole vacation package to Glacier National Park through Amtrak Vacations. Besides the trains, the package includes a stay at t… --- ## [What’s your favorite slang term from any time in history?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-favorite-slang-term-from-any-time-in-history/1031888)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2026, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-favorite-slang-term-from-any-time-in-history/1031888 "2026-08-16T00:59:11Z")
When my mom died a few years ago, I got a couple of boxes full of pictures and old mementos. Among the random things she had kept was an old junior high school yearbook, from the mid 60s, in Southern California. Readin… --- ## [Does blood pressure medication always suck?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-blood-pressure-medication-always-suck/998471)
**Author:** [@Jebbilene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jebbilene)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2026, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-blood-pressure-medication-always-suck/998471 "2026-08-15T18:10:49Z")
Looks like I am going to have to go medication for high blood pressure. I hear nothing but terrible things about the side effects. Coughing, headaches, joint pain, and more, depending on the medication. Anyone have any … --- ## [Please help me sell my mobile number](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-sell-my-mobile-number/1031835)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-sell-my-mobile-number/1031835 "2026-08-15T17:39:35Z")
I’ve recently decided to give up my mobile and rely on my landline (which is being upgraded.) When I got my mobile, I chose a memorable number (it cost £5.) Apparently such numbers are valuable :sunglasses: I’ve had an… --- ## [How and/or where do US citizens learn that the USA is the best country in the world etc?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-and-or-where-do-us-citizens-learn-that-the-usa-is-the-best-country-in-the-world-etc/1031943)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 220\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2026, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-and-or-where-do-us-citizens-learn-that-the-usa-is-the-best-country-in-the-world-etc/1031943 "2026-08-15T17:13:05Z")
I’m Canadian and I don’t think that Canada is “the best country in the world”, though I do believe that Canada is one of the best. I also believe that I’m bloody fortunate to be a Canadian. I am also fully capable of loo… --- ## [What kind of noise do you require for sleep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-noise-do-you-require-for-sleep/1031566)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-noise-do-you-require-for-sleep/1031566 "2026-08-14T18:48:00Z")
This was an issue for me and Mrs. H when we first moved in together. I’ve slept with a fan since I was a tween+, and I can’t sleep without it. I find the silence deafening. She always slept with a radio on, but for me, m… --- ## [Advice, please: dealing with insurance after an auto accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-please-dealing-with-insurance-after-an-auto-accident/1031179)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-please-dealing-with-insurance-after-an-auto-accident/1031179 "2026-08-14T17:53:57Z")
My wife was siedswiped in her 2004 Prius by another driver who moved into her lane in a traffic circle. It was clearly the other driver’s fault. The police arrived, issued a crash report, and didn’t ticket my wife. (We d… --- ## [Tell me about home solar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-home-solar/1020878)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2026, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-home-solar/1020878 "2026-08-14T10:19:41Z")
We are currently in the beginning stages of looking for a new house. Yesterday we drove around the area we are interested in looking at some of the houses currently on the market. I’m sure that by the time we are serious… --- ## [Using AI in 2026 - specific funny experiences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-ai-in-2026-specific-funny-experiences/1031158)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2026, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-ai-in-2026-specific-funny-experiences/1031158 "2026-08-13T21:55:37Z")
Figuring AI is part of the future, I have been mucking about with Claude. This has increased my concern for AI as well as appreciate it as a helpful tool. The weaknesses are obvious. Every answer is delivered with con… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=6)