# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=854 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 855 --- ## [Does anyone know about Pottery Barn Kids furniture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-about-pottery-barn-kids-furniture/181117)
**Author:** [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2003, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-about-pottery-barn-kids-furniture/181117 "2003-06-12T16:39:42Z")
I have this bonus program at work and through it I can buy stuff at Pottery Barn Kids. I need cribs for my twin girls and a couple of Chloe Cribs look like they would do the trick. I’m having a hard time finding a revi… --- ## [Job Advice Needed Desperately](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-advice-needed-desperately/132035)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2002, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-advice-needed-desperately/132035 "2002-10-25T04:11:02Z")
Finding myself suddenly unemployed again, I need some help folks. A.) I have absolutely no idea why I was let go from my most recent job. It was literally, they showed up, told me to collect my things and to leave befo… --- ## [Overquaified for a Job?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overquaified-for-a-job/729704)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2015, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overquaified-for-a-job/729704 "2015-09-09T01:52:50Z")
I’m trying to launch a career as a free-lance writer and in the meantime I need something simple to pay the bills. The job market is tough here so I’ve been applying to a broad range of jobs/skillsets. My local grocer j… --- ## [Tell me about wood-burning fireplace inserts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-wood-burning-fireplace-inserts/527853)
**Author:** [@Kyrie\_Eleison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyrie_Eleison)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-wood-burning-fireplace-inserts/527853 "2010-02-05T23:35:07Z")
I want one. I’m tired of burning loads of wood for marginal, if any, heating benefit. I’m tired of waking up to an ice-cold living room floor because of the cold air that flowed down the chimney after last night’s fire… --- ## [Teachers: Employer's rights to your IP that you use to do your job](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teachers-employers-rights-to-your-ip-that-you-use-to-do-your-job/730342)
**Author:** [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2015, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teachers-employers-rights-to-your-ip-that-you-use-to-do-your-job/730342 "2015-09-09T01:02:05Z")
I know that in IT and other jobs where people are hired for the specific task of creating content for the employer, it’s made pretty clear when you take the job that your stuff belongs to them. What about teachers? If … --- ## [Which books (2015) would academics choose on bees, ants and earthworms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-books-2015-would-academics-choose-on-bees-ants-and-earthworms/730310)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-books-2015-would-academics-choose-on-bees-ants-and-earthworms/730310 "2015-09-08T23:09:02Z")
Hi, I’m interested in some very comprehensive books (with an academic bent) on bees, ants and earthworms. Which books (published in 2015 if possible) would you recommend? Is Edward O. Wilson still recommended reading? … --- ## [What is your reaction when someone says they "don't do computers?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-reaction-when-someone-says-they-dont-do-computers/725111)
**Author:** [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-reaction-when-someone-says-they-dont-do-computers/725111 "2015-09-08T20:15:22Z")
Do you encounter this attitude often? What are the reasons someone would not use computers, aside from a disability or just plain old stupidity? Would you be irritated if a person who did not use computers was constant… --- ## [Need a new desktop computer. Looking for advice (buy/build; hardware; etc.).](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-desktop-computer-looking-for-advice-buy-build-hardware-etc/730210)
**Author:** [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-desktop-computer-looking-for-advice-buy-build-hardware-etc/730210 "2015-09-08T19:09:52Z")
Note: I am not a gamer. Anyone who recommends a $500 video card in this thread will be ignored :):):slight\_smile: I love having a desktop computer. I like have plenty of screen real estate, i like that you can get plen… --- ## [Impossible diagnose my car at a double distance thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impossible-diagnose-my-car-at-a-double-distance-thread/730211)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impossible-diagnose-my-car-at-a-double-distance-thread/730211 "2015-09-08T18:46:20Z")
My wife is about 200 miles away from me and just texted that the brakes on our car have just started to “feel rough,” and make a “rough sound”. She says she feels (and hears) vibration. To me this sounds like it could b… --- ## [Pictures not showing on Yahoo. What gives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-not-showing-on-yahoo-what-gives/730248)
**Author:** [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-not-showing-on-yahoo-what-gives/730248 "2015-09-08T17:38:26Z")
Beginning yesterday, when I open Yahoo (in Chrome), none of the photos that accompany the articles are showing up. Just a light gray box with an icon in the corner that doesn’t do anything. Of course, all the ads are s… --- ## [Tell me about finding a wedding officiant (Washington DC)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-finding-a-wedding-officiant-washington-dc/730008)
**Author:** [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-finding-a-wedding-officiant-washington-dc/730008 "2015-09-08T16:50:21Z")
My fiancee and I are planning our wedding (T-minus 7 weeks, yikes), and we are now in the “find an officiant, get the license” stage. We are living in the Boston area, but we are getting married in Washington DC. It wi… --- ## [Block a merge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/block-a-merge/601178)
**Author:** [@R\_s\_passenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R_s_passenger)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/block-a-merge/601178 "2015-09-08T16:08:10Z")
There are quite a few comments on the definition of “getting cut off”. My question is related to that. If you see someone accelerating to merge, is it ok for you to try to accelerate to block their merge? If they’re s… --- ## [Heart rate monitors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-rate-monitors/340955)
**Author:** [@biddee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biddee)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2006, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-rate-monitors/340955 "2006-01-21T15:31:18Z")
I have been doing some research on heart rate monitors as part of our diet and fitness regime and from what I can tell the Polar ones are the best but they’re also pretty complex and expensive. The most reasonably priced… --- ## [What's the answer, transgendered students in high school gym dressing rooms.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-answer-transgendered-students-in-high-school-gym-dressing-rooms/730083)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 198\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-answer-transgendered-students-in-high-school-gym-dressing-rooms/730083 "2015-09-08T14:28:35Z")
It’s a tough issue. On one hand, you feel that a person has a right to identify with whatever gender they are most comfortable with. On the other hand, you feel students who are anatomical females might feel uncomfort… --- ## [Constructive tips on interior painting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constructive-tips-on-interior-painting/730322)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constructive-tips-on-interior-painting/730322 "2015-09-08T14:22:09Z")
Ugly wall paper. Removed ugly wall paper, but it doesn’t go nicely. Ends up tearing off parts of the drywall paper and leaves parts of the wall looking rough. So we use TSP to clean the walls. Do some sanding, and then… --- ## [Is It Impossible To Start a New Car Manufacturing Company Today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-start-a-new-car-manufacturing-company-today/729906)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-start-a-new-car-manufacturing-company-today/729906 "2015-09-08T14:03:49Z")
It seems that many startups have been costly failures-from Preston Tucker to Daewoo, to the more recent Fiskars car, most of them have been flops. Tesla is the bright spot-but the firm is not profitable, and depends upon… --- ## [Does white work against you in a diverse workplace?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-white-work-against-you-in-a-diverse-workplace/730321)
**Author:** [@Gotlift](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gotlift)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-white-work-against-you-in-a-diverse-workplace/730321 "2015-09-08T13:43:11Z")
I work for a major corporation that is committed to hiring and maintaining a very diverse workforce. Locally, the company is in a state of decline and we have endured several layoffs in the past few years, downsizing to … --- ## [Any experience with Ally Online Banking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experience-with-ally-online-banking/665881)
**Author:** [@cncdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cncdad)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experience-with-ally-online-banking/665881 "2015-09-08T13:38:42Z")
I am looking to move some money from my local bank’s savings account into a hitgher interest account. Checked out Ally and the interest rate is 0.84 which is a lot higher than I currently get. So does anyone have any opi… --- ## [Alternatives to Al-Anon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternatives-to-al-anon/730221)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternatives-to-al-anon/730221 "2015-09-08T12:15:35Z")
I believe that I am living with a secret drinker (who isn’t very good at keeping secrets). I need help, as I have never had to deal with this in my life before. I am not interested in any group that refers to a “higher … --- ## [travel comparison sites ... your expirience](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-comparison-sites-your-expirience/729819)
**Author:** [@ToughLife](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToughLife)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-comparison-sites-your-expirience/729819 "2015-09-08T02:45:45Z")
Tried searching the board … no luck. Do they (comparison sites / airlines ) really hike the price after a few attempts of searching? That happened to me on more than one occasion. Does it happen routinely ? Kayak … --- ## [If The Brady Judge Had Had Brady On His Fantasy Football Team...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-brady-judge-had-had-brady-on-his-fantasy-football-team/729962)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-brady-judge-had-had-brady-on-his-fantasy-football-team/729962 "2015-09-08T01:57:56Z")
I figured this is more the subject of opinion, so I went with IMHO. Anyway, there’s a joke going around FB that suggests that the Brady judge had Tom on his fantasy team. Nyuck nyuck. If that were true, would he have a… --- ## [Is income inequality such a big problem is there is an adequate safety net?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-income-inequality-such-a-big-problem-is-there-is-an-adequate-safety-net/729786)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-income-inequality-such-a-big-problem-is-there-is-an-adequate-safety-net/729786 "2015-09-07T23:15:12Z")
It seems the really horrible thing about income inequality is if people are actually starving in the street or have no where to sleep, I realize it isn’t ideal for economic health. But as long as not able to work doesn’… --- ## [Brussels Midi Train Station - how's the neighborhood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brussels-midi-train-station-hows-the-neighborhood/730069)
**Author:** [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brussels-midi-train-station-hows-the-neighborhood/730069 "2015-09-07T22:23:01Z")
I’m getting the impression that the neighborhood around the Brussels Midi Train Station is a bit rough. There seem to be hotels, but I’m reading hotel reviews and turning up comments about there not being restaurants ne… --- ## [Do you assign personalities to numbers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-assign-personalities-to-numbers/729796)
**Author:** [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-assign-personalities-to-numbers/729796 "2015-09-07T21:47:53Z")
This thread was prompted by the current survey on xkcd, one question of which is which number (out of 1 to 5) is your favourite. From a very early age when I first learned numbers, I somehow developed very strong ideas … --- ## [If You Pledged A Fraternity/Sorority In College: Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-pledged-a-fraternity-sorority-in-college-why/729651)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-pledged-a-fraternity-sorority-in-college-why/729651 "2015-09-07T13:30:15Z")
I never pledged - I rushed a couple frats, but apparently I didn’t give the right impression, and I made through college just fine without that part of college life. If you did pledge, I’m curious about your motivations… --- ## [Switching political opinions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-political-opinions/730039)
**Author:** [@TygerTrip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TygerTrip)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-political-opinions/730039 "2015-09-07T11:42:36Z")
I was wondering how common it is for people to switch political opinions. To be more precise, I am curious about anecdotal accounts of straightdope posters and lurkers having done so. Also, I mean actually changing you… --- ## [Newton vs. Leibniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newton-vs-leibniz/730030)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newton-vs-leibniz/730030 "2015-09-07T07:23:30Z")
I just finished reading The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World. Excellent book, BTW. It’s so good I’ve gone back to Page 1 and am reading it again. :slight\_smile: The… --- ## [The Funniest Unfunny Thing You Ever Saw](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-funniest-unfunny-thing-you-ever-saw/727884)
**Author:** [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-funniest-unfunny-thing-you-ever-saw/727884 "2015-09-07T05:15:10Z")
I think I just saw (participated in) mine. Less than an hour ago I was in Nordstrom’s Rack buying a badly needed new pair of workout shoes. The woman at the counter just in front of me was also buying shoes and looked … --- ## [Tell me about garden hoses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-garden-hoses/729618)
**Author:** [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-garden-hoses/729618 "2015-09-07T04:02:54Z")
I have to purchase a hose for my front yard. I have a new tree and in order not to void the warrantee I have been instructed to leave a hose at a slow trickle for an hour once weekly to soak the roots. That means the o… --- ## [How hard should I be allowed to hit this guy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-should-i-be-allowed-to-hit-this-guy/726693)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-should-i-be-allowed-to-hit-this-guy/726693 "2015-09-07T02:05:19Z")
So, I went out today after work and drank for a while. I ran into a couple of friends and friends of friends. One of these guys was a dude named Brett. When me, Jordan, and Brett decided to leave a bar we were at, all… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=853) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=855)