# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=70 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 71 --- ## [Material suggestions ( prototyping)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/material-suggestions-prototyping/1011759)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/material-suggestions-prototyping/1011759 "2024-12-18T17:23:06Z")
I will be making something that will have a shape almost identical to the plastic lid on a 5 gal bucket. It has to be several times stronger and rigid. Any suggestions. Right now I am thinking fiberglass But there might … --- ## [eBay "return" advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-return-advice/1011471)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-return-advice/1011471 "2024-12-18T16:11:02Z")
My phone started having a bulge and glitching up, after overheating. So I decided to get a new phone. The phone seemed fine the day I got it (3 days ago), but today has crashed and started bootlooping (just keeps rebooti… --- ## [What's with the Veteran of Foreign Wars membership criteria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-veteran-of-foreign-wars-membership-criteria/1011647)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-veteran-of-foreign-wars-membership-criteria/1011647 "2024-12-18T00:54:30Z")
They only allow you if you’re literally a veteran of a foreign war, so people who served in the military but were never in an actual war or during wartime were stationed stateside don’t count. Also it has to be a declare… --- ## [Antarctic colony](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antarctic-colony/1011204)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antarctic-colony/1011204 "2024-12-17T23:15:55Z")
Could we set up a colony in Antarctica that could live for hundreds or thousands of years without resupply with today’s technology? --- ## [Will Asad Pull an Idi Amin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-asad-pull-an-idi-amin/628615)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2024, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-asad-pull-an-idi-amin/628615 "2024-12-17T18:33:30Z")
I just heard that the Syrian Defense Minister was assassinated (suicide bomber). Assad’s army still seems reliable-but there have been defections among some units. I’m sure that Assad has a loyal “Praetorian Guard” unit… --- ## [How can you securely share large files over the internet with someone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-securely-share-large-files-over-the-internet-with-someone/1011664)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2024, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-securely-share-large-files-over-the-internet-with-someone/1011664 "2024-12-17T11:42:40Z")
If you have someone who takes a lot of high quality family photos and as a result they have hundreds of GBs worth of photos and family videos, is there a way to transfer that securely to another person? Attachments in e… --- ## [Will butter soften if set out in your kitchen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-butter-soften-if-set-out-in-your-kitchen/1011676)
**Author:** [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2024, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-butter-soften-if-set-out-in-your-kitchen/1011676 "2024-12-17T10:10:18Z")
As I was setting out some butter to soften this morning for toast, I recalled a comment from someone in the UK a few years ago that their kitchen was never warm enough in the winter to have spreadable butter. She acted l… --- ## [Summer in Antwerp](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-in-antwerp/1008939)
**Author:** [@Sooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sooner)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2024, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-in-antwerp/1008939 "2024-12-17T09:35:24Z")
My wife and I (in Charlotte NC) have rented an apartment in Antwerp for a couple months next summer. We will be taking our two dogs (Jack Russells) that are each right at 20 pounds. American Airlines, which is most con… --- ## [A major organisation has a major ethical failing. What do you expect/prefer to happen next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-major-organisation-has-a-major-ethical-failing-what-do-you-expect-prefer-to-happen-next/1011629)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2024, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-major-organisation-has-a-major-ethical-failing-what-do-you-expect-prefer-to-happen-next/1011629 "2024-12-17T08:21:45Z")
Some major organisation, let’s say one that does a lot of things that are socially very useful, also has a history of egregious systemic failure in some aspect of their ethical behaviours (we’ll have an example in a mome… --- ## [Let's talk about vehicle apps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-vehicle-apps/1011634)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-vehicle-apps/1011634 "2024-12-16T20:58:53Z")
I have a 2021 Mazda that pairs with a pretty nice app. I can start the car, check my mileage, view my fuel level, be alerted to open or unlocked doors, etc. Nice, right? Problem is, I just learned that I had only three … --- ## [Rule of thumb maintenance policy for lazy people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-of-thumb-maintenance-policy-for-lazy-people/1011409)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-of-thumb-maintenance-policy-for-lazy-people/1011409 "2024-12-16T20:34:26Z")
This may not work for any but the laziest, and may not work at all for anyone but me, but it seems to be working just fine for me: whenever I’m instructed to maintain something at a certain level of attention, whether m… --- ## [Why was the stored program concept developed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-stored-program-concept-developed/1010242)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-stored-program-concept-developed/1010242 "2024-12-16T18:58:55Z")
Putting here instead of FQ because I know the answer - or knew it after I researched it. Whether von Neumann invented the stored program concept is a bit controversial, but this thread isn’t about that. As a computer ar… --- ## [Engine death: how was I supposed to prevent this without indicators?!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engine-death-how-was-i-supposed-to-prevent-this-without-indicators/1008707)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engine-death-how-was-i-supposed-to-prevent-this-without-indicators/1008707 "2024-12-16T12:06:52Z")
Keeping it simple. 2014 Kia Soul 70k miles. Purchased used at 25k miles Regular oil changes. 1 serious problem in 2019, the precise nature of which is locked away, but I expect to get the details from the repair shop… --- ## [Fast Food Kitchens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fast-food-kitchens/1011494)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fast-food-kitchens/1011494 "2024-12-16T00:13:01Z")
Maybe this belongs in IMHO, feel free to move it. I pondered this the other day as I stood waiting for my food at Taco Bell. Why do so many fast food restaurants have the view of their kitchen in plain view? I do not wa… --- ## [I need a new TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-tv/1011681)
**Author:** [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-tv/1011681 "2024-12-15T18:58:10Z")
I have a 10-ish year old non-smart Samsung TV that I’m looking to replace. It still works fine but I’m thinking I want to replace before someone starts slapping tariffs on everything. I also have a fairly new Roku devi… --- ## [What kind of spam is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-spam-is-this/1011523)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-spam-is-this/1011523 "2024-12-15T14:49:42Z")
Phone rings. I pick it up and say “Hello”. A recorded message says, “The service you have tried to reach is unavailable at this time. Please hold.” Of course, I hung up. What are they doing? --- ## [What’s fair to reimburse this seller?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-fair-to-reimburse-this-seller/1011584)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-fair-to-reimburse-this-seller/1011584 "2024-12-15T11:44:04Z")
I’ll try to make this brief as possible, I met a lady selling overnight oat packs at a farmers market this summer, tried them, and really liked them. Even though she’s located two towns over I’ve purchased from her webs… --- ## [Were your childhood friends from your school? Neighborhood? Both? Other?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-your-childhood-friends-from-your-school-neighborhood-both-other/1011463)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-your-childhood-friends-from-your-school-neighborhood-both-other/1011463 "2024-12-15T10:39:56Z")
This morning my sister and I were discussing our childhood neighborhood - NW side of Chicago in the late 50s-70s. Our block had 16 nearly identical bungalows on each side of the street. I asked who lived in a certain h… --- ## [Mapfre Insurance Advantage Elite Add-on](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mapfre-insurance-advantage-elite-add-on/1011611)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mapfre-insurance-advantage-elite-add-on/1011611 "2024-12-15T08:35:50Z")
OK. I am hoping someone here is familiar with the optional add-on to Mapfre homeowner’s insurance, Advantage Elite. Background: A relative who is a first-time home buyer asked me to review the insurance quote, since she… --- ## [Forced choice ideas for card trick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-choice-ideas-for-card-trick/1011635)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-choice-ideas-for-card-trick/1011635 "2024-12-15T04:11:01Z")
I’ve been working on my own version of a card trick I’ve seen and am looking for ideas on the forced choice portion. I have four piles of cards and four participants. I need participant #1 to end up with pile #1. Doesn’… --- ## [How stressful is it to "hang" a jury?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-stressful-is-it-to-hang-a-jury/1011447)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-stressful-is-it-to-hang-a-jury/1011447 "2024-12-15T02:00:35Z")
The Daniel Penny trial, plus multiple viewings of “12 Angry Men” has me wondering… Suppose you’re on a jury and you are the holdout. You’re the only member keeping the group from deciding a verdict. How difficult is tha… --- ## [Can we talk about socks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-socks/1011519)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-socks/1011519 "2024-12-14T19:47:03Z")
I wear sandals for as long as I can get away with it. But it’s dipping into the 40s here and time for this old lady to once again embark on her annual quest for Good Socks.\* I want socks that are seamless, truly seamless… --- ## [Please help me find a Gaming Laptop. I come to you for aid(again!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gaming-laptop-i-come-to-you-for-aid-again/1010678)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2024, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gaming-laptop-i-come-to-you-for-aid-again/1010678 "2024-12-05T00:36:18Z")
I come to you again in my hour of need. I have probably asked here about this and also for various other tech needs(HDTV’s, etc.) and you are all so very good and helpful. OK, so now that I have buttered you up, here is … --- ## [Have you ever bought anything from a hotel minibar? Why?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-bought-anything-from-a-hotel-minibar-why/1010275)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-bought-anything-from-a-hotel-minibar-why/1010275 "2024-12-14T18:12:23Z")
I think almost everyone understands the massive rip-off hotel minibars are (What inspired this topic was watching a video about current Las Vegas scams that has a single can of Coke which retails for $1 at most today goi… --- ## [What do you expect from health insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-expect-from-health-insurance/1011581)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-expect-from-health-insurance/1011581 "2024-12-14T17:12:50Z")
If you have private Healthcare, assume that you are being told you will get Healthcare as part of a job Americans and other people who don’t have public Healthcare: what do think would be covered by Healthcare insuranc… --- ## [Recommend me an online pharmacy -- must take Medicare and supplementary insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-online-pharmacy-must-take-medicare-and-supplementary-insurance/1011621)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-online-pharmacy-must-take-medicare-and-supplementary-insurance/1011621 "2024-12-14T16:05:29Z")
My current online pharmacy, which is associated with our Medicare supplement insurance, has become impossibly incompetent to deal with, and I want to change. So I have come here, as with so many other issues, to get reco… --- ## [Why dentists went to open spaces for patient treatment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dentists-went-to-open-spaces-for-patient-treatment/1011560)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dentists-went-to-open-spaces-for-patient-treatment/1011560 "2024-12-14T03:08:48Z")
Continuing the discussion from Fast Food Kitchens: Or maybe the rash of sexual abuse cases in the 80s & 90s I believe? --- ## [Medical folks -- what do you think of Mangione's back X-ray?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-folks-what-do-you-think-of-mangiones-back-x-ray/1011554)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-folks-what-do-you-think-of-mangiones-back-x-ray/1011554 "2024-12-14T00:35:40Z")
Luigi Mangione, the United Healthcare CEO’s killer, had posted an X-ray of his back, showing fixation hardware for a fusion of L5 and S1. It’s obvious that L5 was too forward of S1. The X-ray appears in lots of places o… --- ## [Increasingly, people are being killed over smaller and smaller things](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increasingly-people-are-being-killed-over-smaller-and-smaller-things/983613)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2024, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increasingly-people-are-being-killed-over-smaller-and-smaller-things/983613 "2024-12-13T13:20:35Z")
Not sure if this is GD or IMHO (mods can decide), but there were two excellent op-eds that came out recently: A man getting choked to death just for shouting loudly on a New York subway, a woman shot because she was… --- ## [Toys for the needy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-for-the-needy/1011570)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-for-the-needy/1011570 "2024-12-12T23:22:28Z")
Remember those Hohner harmonicas I donated? Our local Community Assistance Program has (or will provide) a Community Toy Store. New, unwrapped toys are donated, and then they are offered for sale to needy people for 25… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=69) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=71)