# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=674 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 675 --- ## [Wanted: Shade Analysis For Balcony](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-shade-analysis-for-balcony/994574)
**Author:** [@Guapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guapo)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-shade-analysis-for-balcony/994574 "2023-12-13T23:30:00Z")
I have a balcony that faces south and gets sun all day long. Umbrellas are little use because in the morning the sun com --- ## [What are your favorite songs that begin with the letter O? \[Final Poll added\] See rules in OP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-songs-that-begin-with-the-letter-o-final-poll-added-see-rules-in-op/994099)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2023, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-songs-that-begin-with-the-letter-o-final-poll-added-see-rules-in-op/994099 "2023-12-14T02:13:04Z")
Rules : NEW : 5 nominations only please. The 5 noms plus 1 alternate system did not work from my end. Too much chaos, confusion, and heartache. If you edit your already-posted entry to make a change, I may not see … --- ## [What are your favorite songs that begin with the letter N? See rules in OP: Tiebreaker Poll Added](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-songs-that-begin-with-the-letter-n-see-rules-in-op-tiebreaker-poll-added/993472)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-songs-that-begin-with-the-letter-n-see-rules-in-op-tiebreaker-poll-added/993472 "2023-12-14T02:04:51Z")
Rules: If you edit your already-posted entry to make a change, I may not see it. Please do not re-post your entire list – this gets confusing - just add a new post with changes or additions only. EXAMPLE: Remove “Yest… --- ## [Anybody have any good hints about getting value from Amazon UK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-have-any-good-hints-about-getting-value-from-amazon-uk/994573)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-have-any-good-hints-about-getting-value-from-amazon-uk/994573 "2023-12-13T23:12:19Z")
I reguarly win a competition at another forum and the prize is always Amazon gift credit I’ve already had a new tablet, phome, PC, microwave, oven and various sundries from Amazon. I don’t really need any more electrica… --- ## [Question on the economics of global corporations selling in poorer nations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-the-economics-of-global-corporations-selling-in-poorer-nations/994556)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-the-economics-of-global-corporations-selling-in-poorer-nations/994556 "2023-12-13T23:08:37Z")
I was watching a YT video in which an American in Lagos, Nigeria showed how much food could be purchased with $1 U.S. $1 US = 900 Naira at the exchange rate of the time the video was filmed. Of course, it turned out he… --- ## [Compulsive Helpers Anonymous, come in here!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsive-helpers-anonymous-come-in-here/697188)
**Author:** [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsive-helpers-anonymous-come-in-here/697188 "2023-12-13T22:41:01Z")
I’ve decided that want to quit my habit of helping people who haven’t asked for my help in any way and probably don’t need my help, either. I’m not enabling anyone, I’m just much, much too eager to help and improve stuff… --- ## [Regular Mailbox Surprises](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-mailbox-surprises/994243)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-mailbox-surprises/994243 "2023-12-13T21:58:53Z")
I am a man between worlds. A kid who grew up with regular issues of Highlights, Boys Life, Mad Magazine and Cracked now is an adult that only gets depressing bills. That little half cylinder at the end of your driveway… --- ## [Gifts under US$6: ebooks, paperbacks, coloring books](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-under-us-6-ebooks-paperbacks-coloring-books/825531)
**Author:** [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-under-us-6-ebooks-paperbacks-coloring-books/825531 "2023-12-13T21:44:37Z")
This is a consolidation thread for all the threads I’ve made over the years for my books. The occasion: I’ve done some tinkering with the shading on some pictures in my coloring book Wise Words from Shakespeare: A Color… --- ## [Bad bad bad Forest fires, Fly infestations and a TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-forest-fires-fly-infestations-and-a-tv/994390)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-forest-fires-fly-infestations-and-a-tv/994390 "2023-12-13T20:38:55Z")
Beware of fire in the woods. We had one. It was on the state land that abuts our land. No hunky forest firemen or exciting water drops from helicopters. Nah. They just had the local yokel timber company goofs plow up a … --- ## [Cash and a paycheck: what was my boss up to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-and-a-paycheck-what-was-my-boss-up-to/994381)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-and-a-paycheck-what-was-my-boss-up-to/994381 "2023-12-13T20:21:00Z")
During high school I worked at the local steakhouse. It had always been for sale (as I’m told all restaurants are) but about 1991 the owners got to haggling with someone who’d apparently expressed real interest. During … --- ## [Medications in prison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medications-in-prison/994565)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medications-in-prison/994565 "2023-12-13T19:20:20Z")
I recently messaged Qadgop the Mercotan about how prescription medication are distributed in the prison system. I wondered about how things like diabetic medicines are given out. He said that if I started a thread abou… --- ## [David Drake RIP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-drake-rip/994439)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-drake-rip/994439 "2023-12-13T18:33:59Z")
Looks like the author of Hammers Slammers and other sci-fi has died. I was a real fan of the slammers books as a kid and I liked some of his collaborations like the “The General” series. I’ll probably have more to say … --- ## [Remember those children who were taken from their parents at the border in 2018](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-those-children-who-were-taken-from-their-parents-at-the-border-in-2018/982515)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-those-children-who-were-taken-from-their-parents-at-the-border-in-2018/982515 "2023-12-13T17:58:51Z")
\[Not sure if this belongs here. It IS politics, but please move if in the wrong place.\] LOS ANGELES — The Trump administration intentionally separated thousands of migrant children from their parents at the southern … --- ## [Lemonade stands and other childhood enterprises](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lemonade-stands-and-other-childhood-enterprises/994298)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lemonade-stands-and-other-childhood-enterprises/994298 "2023-12-13T17:20:03Z")
Anyone run a lemonade stand in their driveway on a sunny summer afternoon in days of yore? I recall running one where we sold lime Kool Aid and charged 25 cents a cup. I believe we cleared $1.50 that afternoon. I also re… --- ## [If Ancient Greek had no lowercase forms of letters, why are so many texts in Ancient Greek written with letters in their lowercase counterparts instead of their uppercase counterparts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ancient-greek-had-no-lowercase-forms-of-letters-why-are-so-many-texts-in-ancient-greek-written-with-letters-in-their-lowercase-counterparts-instead-of-their-uppercase-counterparts/994389)
**Author:** [@Jagraze1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jagraze1)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ancient-greek-had-no-lowercase-forms-of-letters-why-are-so-many-texts-in-ancient-greek-written-with-letters-in-their-lowercase-counterparts-instead-of-their-uppercase-counterparts/994389 "2023-12-13T15:54:53Z")
Uppercase letters were only introduced later. There was no distinction between lowercase and uppercase letters, it was all uppercase. If that’s the case, why are so many texts written in lowercase letters instead of uppe… --- ## [Denny Laine, rock star: Go Fund Me to pay medical bills? {He has died as of December 5, 2023}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denny-laine-rock-star-go-fund-me-to-pay-medical-bills-he-has-died-as-of-december-5-2023/991292)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denny-laine-rock-star-go-fund-me-to-pay-medical-bills-he-has-died-as-of-december-5-2023/991292 "2023-12-13T15:26:45Z")
I heard recently that Denny Laine is having some health issues, so his wife started a Go Fund Me page to help cover his medical costs. They’ve raised about $41,000 so far. She says he doesn’t have health insurance. Ther… --- ## [NFL 2023: Week 14 days in a fortnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-14-days-in-a-fortnight/994206)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-14-days-in-a-fortnight/994206 "2023-12-13T15:23:29Z")
The playoff hunt is now officially in high gear, and races are tightening up in both conferences. There’s a massive matchup in the NFC East, while the Jaguars may have to protect their slim lead without their starting q… --- ## [Can "Now And Then" Be Considered An Authentic Beatles Song?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-now-and-then-be-considered-an-authentic-beatles-song/994408)
**Author:** [@wt1963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wt1963)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-now-and-then-be-considered-an-authentic-beatles-song/994408 "2023-12-13T15:21:17Z")
Going back and forth on this. To my understanding (outside of the orchestra), John, Paul, George and Ringo are the only ones playing or singing on the song, so many would say that, yes, it’s a Beatles song. On the other… --- ## [Any Slack users -- a bit of help?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-slack-users-a-bit-of-help/994488)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-slack-users-a-bit-of-help/994488 "2023-12-13T14:15:13Z")
The organization I do volunteer work for now uses Slack for group messaging and to coordinate events. I have it on my Android phone and on my Windows 10 PC using Opera browser. We had no training in it, mostly it seemed … --- ## [Did you ever or do you now possess a pogo stick?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-ever-or-do-you-now-possess-a-pogo-stick/991919)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-ever-or-do-you-now-possess-a-pogo-stick/991919 "2023-12-13T13:44:33Z")
Questions for Pogo Stick owners (past and present): Are they fun? Do you (did you) play with it a lot? Were you any good at Pogo Sticking? What qualifies as an amazing Pogo-related achievement? --- ## [Top Shot - how much is real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-shot-how-much-is-real/599232)
**Author:** [@Bosstrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstrain)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-shot-how-much-is-real/599232 "2023-12-13T13:37:43Z")
I understand that the soap opera drama part of it is over the edge and most likely staged, but is the contest itself real? Are the contestants actually making those shots and the victor is decided by their skill? Or is… --- ## [Talk to me some Dune](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-to-me-some-dune/994064)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-to-me-some-dune/994064 "2023-12-13T13:30:03Z")
With the new movie out and the sequel/second half due out in March, I have waded back in to the Duniverse to reassess everything. Note: I have not engaged any of the Brian Herbert works. I am constraining myself to the… --- ## ["I keel you. I keel you all!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-keel-you-i-keel-you-all/597467)
**Author:** [@Ashley\_Pomeroy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashley_Pomeroy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-keel-you-i-keel-you-all/597467 "2023-12-13T12:49:44Z")
Don’t worry, I’m not actually going to kill you, at least not deliberately. Not you, not the person next to you. I don’t want to. Lots of movie quotes have entered the language and mutated into new forms, but I’m curiou… --- ## [Am I over-reacting? (Relationship stuff...)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-over-reacting-relationship-stuff/994430)
**Author:** [@IDKittyKat967](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IDKittyKat967)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-over-reacting-relationship-stuff/994430 "2023-12-13T11:31:03Z")
Hi everyone! I’d just like your thoughts on this scenario. My boyfriend and I went out to a restaurant for dinner, and an attractive waitress (in my opinion) happened to be serving us tonight. Throughout the dinner, he d… --- ## [My girlfriend still lives with her ex...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-girlfriend-still-lives-with-her-ex/337761)
**Author:** [@nuke8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nuke8)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-girlfriend-still-lives-with-her-ex/337761 "2023-12-13T11:12:39Z")
How long do I wait before I give up on her moving out? She has been attempting to get out for months now and run into some challenges but am I wrong in insisting she stop living with a man she professes not to love, does… --- ## [The life of stupid people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-life-of-stupid-people/994258)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-life-of-stupid-people/994258 "2023-12-13T07:06:06Z")
ok, first off - sorry for the click-baity title … I’d be interested in your thoughts of how is the life of a “not-so-smart” (say 80ish IQ) person different from a smart person (say IQ 110-120) … Kinda hard to explain w… --- ## [Complete pliosaur skull found in the Dorset cliffs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complete-pliosaur-skull-found-in-the-dorset-cliffs/994385)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complete-pliosaur-skull-found-in-the-dorset-cliffs/994385 "2023-12-13T05:11:57Z")
Or is it the cliffs of Dorset? Anyway, it’s a very good-looking skull, apparently. Apologies in advance, there’s some annoying ads that obscure part of the article and I’m not sure how to get rid of them. --- ## ["New" shipwreck found in the Baltic Sea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-shipwreck-found-in-the-baltic-sea/994484)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-shipwreck-found-in-the-baltic-sea/994484 "2023-12-13T05:05:04Z")
Not new as in a new ship obviously, but new as in undiscovered before now. It will be interesting to see where it’s from originally, and if it’s a “known” lost ship from elsewhere that was pushed off course by wind and w… --- ## [In Galveston for two days, what to do, what to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-galveston-for-two-days-what-to-do-what-to-do/994391)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-galveston-for-two-days-what-to-do-what-to-do/994391 "2023-12-13T04:38:40Z")
Thinking about touring a mansion or two (Moody, Bishop’s Palace), walking along the beach, maybe Galveston Island State Park, maybe the Strand district? This all comes from just poking around on the World Wide Web. I’d … --- ## [Help With Laptop Battery Icon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-laptop-battery-icon/994519)
**Author:** [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-laptop-battery-icon/994519 "2023-12-13T03:47:09Z")
The battery symbol on the bottom right of my laptop screen has disappeared. How do I restore it? Thank you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=673) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=675)