# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=993 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 994 --- ## [Firewood/Fireplace](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firewood-fireplace/705226)
**Author:** [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2014, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firewood-fireplace/705226 "2014-11-23T04:44:22Z")
I got into a discussion today at work about firewood and the virtues or lack thereof of a wood burning fireplace. I had a face cord of wood delivered today and it was $115 dumped, $125 stacked. It was from someone I’ve … --- ## [The five-year coma challenge!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-five-year-coma-challenge/705228)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2014, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-five-year-coma-challenge/705228 "2014-11-23T04:18:22Z")
At the end of the First World War David Lloyd George said that had a man at the start of 1914 had been shipwrecked on a desert island returned to civilisation in 1919 the change would induce him to believe that he had go… --- ## [Where can I find paintings online?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-find-paintings-online/705043)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-find-paintings-online/705043 "2014-11-22T20:51:33Z")
I have been tasked with decorating my own office. The walls are empty now and I have to find pictures to fill them up. My boss asked me to find him some paintings that he can buy. Where do I look? So far I’ve checked Ik… --- ## [Favorite Surnames](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-surnames/704812)
**Author:** [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-surnames/704812 "2014-11-22T18:56:07Z")
At first I thought this was MPSIMS material, but since it’s an opinion type thing I’ll put it in here. What last names have you come across or know of that you wish you had? Of course, it’s not really a consequential th… --- ## [Road trip from Vegas to Wyoming in November, anything I need to know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-trip-from-vegas-to-wyoming-in-november-anything-i-need-to-know/700924)
**Author:** [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-trip-from-vegas-to-wyoming-in-november-anything-i-need-to-know/700924 "2014-11-22T17:52:28Z")
So, I’m planning to drive from Las Vegas to Cheyenne, Wyoming sometime around the end of November. It occurs to me that I should find out if there’s anything I need to know in regards to interesting things to see on the… --- ## [Cold e-mails with completely out of the question job offers. How to respond?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-e-mails-with-completely-out-of-the-question-job-offers-how-to-respond/705031)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-e-mails-with-completely-out-of-the-question-job-offers-how-to-respond/705031 "2014-11-22T16:04:36Z")
In the last two days, I’ve gotten two cold e-mails from (apparently) recruiters offering me jobs — contract jobs thousands of miles away requiring experience and skills that are nothing (and I mean NOTHING) like anything… --- ## [Do You Pee In The Pool?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/119631)
**Author:** [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pee-in-the-pool/119631 "2014-11-22T15:35:08Z")
Now that summer is here, and we’ve already determined in another thread that almost everyone here pees in the shower, I have to ask- Do you pee in the pool? I sure do. I can’t imagine getting out of the pool, drying of… --- ## [Actual cost of kids poll](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actual-cost-of-kids-poll/704839)
**Author:** [@Textual\_Innuendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Innuendo)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actual-cost-of-kids-poll/704839 "2014-11-22T14:25:20Z")
Hi all, I was reading some data-centric blogs and came across the following graph: http://dadaviz.com/i/1621 For those that don’t want to click through, it essentially says that for middle income folk, the estimated an… --- ## [Language question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/language-question/705049)
**Author:** [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/language-question/705049 "2014-11-22T11:36:07Z")
Hello everyone, My question is about the adjective “flat” in below sentence: He was intrigued by the acclaimed flat he received. Why this adj has come after the noun? A case of author pen style or test register? When… --- ## [Is Alex Trebek actually that smart?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111)
**Author:** [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111 "2014-11-22T06:22:56Z")
Or is he just a pretentious douche who pretends to be a genius because he already has all the answers? --- ## [What's your interpretation of this EULA clause?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-interpretation-of-this-eula-clause/705315)
**Author:** [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-interpretation-of-this-eula-clause/705315 "2014-11-22T04:48:39Z")
I purchased some software that turns out not to work very well on my laptop (most likely due to an unusual hardware profile). Checking the EULA, I read this: I contacted the vendor and was told that the software and l… --- ## [Inter-Generational Decline in Intellectualism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inter-generational-decline-in-intellectualism/705233)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inter-generational-decline-in-intellectualism/705233 "2014-11-22T03:17:03Z")
Apologies for the thread title. The phenomenon I ask about is a decline in intellectual tendencies across a generation for no obvious reason. This excludes situations where a particularly exceptionally brilliant parent o… --- ## [Direct TV Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/direct-tv-question/705195)
**Author:** [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/direct-tv-question/705195 "2014-11-22T02:00:42Z")
OK, I’ve had Dish for 10 happy years, but due to their dispute with Turner they’ve been dropping some channels I like. I know it’s all about the money, but if they drop TNT I’m planning to switch. The Genie looks pretty… --- ## [Is there a time limit for health flex spending accounts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-time-limit-for-health-flex-spending-accounts/705295)
**Author:** [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-time-limit-for-health-flex-spending-accounts/705295 "2014-11-22T00:49:23Z")
I know that you usually have up to 3 months after the year deadline to spend money in your healthcare flex spending account, but what about the reverse? Let’s say end of 2013 I incurred an unexpected medical expense, but… --- ## [Adam Lanza, Sandy Hook and Mental Health Reform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-lanza-sandy-hook-and-mental-health-reform/705301)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-lanza-sandy-hook-and-mental-health-reform/705301 "2014-11-21T23:55:41Z")
There’s a new report out from the State of Connecticut’s Office of the Child Advocate about Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook tragedy, missed opportunities and suggestions for reform in the system: I expect this will be filed… --- ## [High cholesteral, when to treat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-cholesteral-when-to-treat/705259)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-cholesteral-when-to-treat/705259 "2014-11-21T23:50:38Z")
I often read about individuals with ideal cholesteral readings having plugged arteries and others with reading through the roof that have no problems. Is their a way to actually examine the condition of our arteries to s… --- ## [How do you quit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189 "2014-11-21T23:01:54Z")
I’m normally all for very straightforward, no-nonsense emails, so my first instinct is to send an email to my supervisor that just says something like “I am resigning my position effective January 9, 2015.” Then if they … --- ## [How should I finish my basement stairs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-finish-my-basement-stairs/705169)
**Author:** [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-finish-my-basement-stairs/705169 "2014-11-21T20:46:41Z")
When we redid the carpet in the basement, I pulled the old carpet off the stairs and thought the wood was in good enough shape that I could easily clean it up and use some kind of varnish instead. My knee jerk answer is … --- ## [Tell Me About Your First Cigarette](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-first-cigarette/422858)
**Author:** [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-first-cigarette/422858 "2014-11-21T19:49:19Z")
This is for anyone who has ever tried a cigarette, whether or not you continue(d) to smoke. Why did you first light up a cigarette? How old were you? What do you remember about the experience? Do you still smoke? If… --- ## [Should this be an indoor cat, and outdoor cat, or both?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-an-indoor-cat-and-outdoor-cat-or-both/703920)
**Author:** [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-an-indoor-cat-and-outdoor-cat-or-both/703920 "2014-11-21T17:10:13Z")
In May of 2012 I brought a second cat into my home. He and the first cat, Izzie put up with each other grudgingly. In August of this year Philo walked out the door, and eluded all attempts to locate him. On Tuesday he… --- ## [Does POTUS really need that much security?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-potus-really-need-that-much-security/704822)
**Author:** [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-potus-really-need-that-much-security/704822 "2014-11-21T15:13:33Z")
So the G20 summit has just concluded in my home town of Brisbane. There was security theater galore, but thankfully nothing like the scenes from Toronto occurred. I suppose Australia was too far to travel for the super-s… --- ## [Experiences with video/DVD copy/conversion software for Mac please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-video-dvd-copy-conversion-software-for-mac-please/684074)
**Author:** [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-video-dvd-copy-conversion-software-for-mac-please/684074 "2014-11-21T09:00:04Z")
I’m in the local equivalent of Netflix (Quickflix) and I want to time-shift some of the DVDs they send me. So I’m paying to watch them, I just want to watch them at the time of my choosing instead of the erratic timing t… --- ## [Is illegitimate births a social stigma anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-illegitimate-births-a-social-stigma-anymore/704459)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-illegitimate-births-a-social-stigma-anymore/704459 "2014-11-21T06:50:43Z")
I can recall even in the late 70’s pregnant teen girls went out of town and lived with relatives for a few months. Heck the teen daughter of my neighbor across the street disappeared for awhile in the early 90’s. Her par… --- ## [Would these behaviors be relationship red flags for you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-these-behaviors-be-relationship-red-flags-for-you/701435)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-these-behaviors-be-relationship-red-flags-for-you/701435 "2014-11-21T05:18:35Z")
This past weekend, a good number of my out-of-state relatives came into town for a family event. Among them were my first cousin, “Rick,” his new wife, “Lori,” and Rick’s 13-year-old son. I’d never met Lori before; likew… --- ## [Oldest appliance or electronics you use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-appliance-or-electronics-you-use/687147)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-appliance-or-electronics-you-use/687147 "2014-11-21T04:29:51Z")
I was reading the microwave settings thread when I noted this post That surprised me that people would still use a 30-year old microwave. Then I remembered my fridge that came with my apartment is even older than that… --- ## [Things that most dopers would hate you for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-most-dopers-would-hate-you-for/702986)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 181\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-most-dopers-would-hate-you-for/702986 "2014-11-21T04:15:59Z")
I…feed the pigeons in the park. Yes my kid loves watching the swarm and running at them and getting them to take wing, so if we have some stale or moldy bread I bring it and give it to the flying rats. I’m sure many he… --- ## [Web Page Authoring Software](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/web-page-authoring-software/705211)
**Author:** [@stanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stanger)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/web-page-authoring-software/705211 "2014-11-21T02:15:16Z")
I have a website that I created with a web page authoring program, that I use to distribute information about certain automotive parts and promote the parts and services I have available. Over the years, I have used a co… --- ## [HSA Spending Accounts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hsa-spending-accounts/704184)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2014, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hsa-spending-accounts/704184 "2014-11-20T23:44:02Z")
If you have a HSA, have ever really looked hard at the online stats concerning your activity to date? I can’t call to ask until Monday, but their cute little online graphics shows total costs 2x what I’ve paid in to thi… --- ## [PC Upgrades - worth it or not.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-upgrades-worth-it-or-not/705040)
**Author:** [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2014, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-upgrades-worth-it-or-not/705040 "2014-11-20T22:32:10Z")
Ages ago, I was much better at knowing when (and what) I could upgrade or when I should just pick up a new PC. These days are not those days, but I’ve always been impressed by the Dope’s PC savvy experts and their opinio… --- ## [Question about Windows Disk Defrag](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-windows-disk-defrag/704620)
**Author:** [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2014, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-windows-disk-defrag/704620 "2014-11-20T20:20:18Z")
This might be a better question for a Tech Forum, but there’s probably at least a few Tech Ops Dopers out there, so here goes… I have a Windows 7 VM which reboots every 5 minutes (it’s deliberate) (don’t ask). I want t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=992) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=994)