# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=702&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 703 --- ## [Gas control valve question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-control-valve-question/992703)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-control-valve-question/992703 "2023-11-06T21:28:35Z")
This relates to a control mechanism for keeping a solar panel at optimum angles to the sun. It is really more of a thought problem than a practical solution I just found this to be the best example for building a model. … --- ## [Sam Loomis On Screen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-loomis-on-screen/992712)
**Author:** [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-loomis-on-screen/992712 "2023-11-06T21:15:21Z")
Watching an episode of ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’ recently (‘Craig’s Will’ S5 E6), I couldn’t help but notice that one of the characters was named Sam Loomis (played by Harry Tyler). ‘Craig’s Will’ first appeared on TV… --- ## [Does a bathroom washbasin need a U-bend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-bathroom-washbasin-need-a-u-bend/992659)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-bathroom-washbasin-need-a-u-bend/992659 "2023-11-06T20:15:07Z")
Title is the question. I recently had a plumber in to fix my bathroom washbasin. He did a bad job, with a lot wrong, which I won’t list here. One thing is, there’s no sign of a U-bend or other trap. I’m not a plumb… --- ## [Cats have multiple raised patches of fur on their backs, what is it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-have-multiple-raised-patches-of-fur-on-their-backs-what-is-it/992684)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-have-multiple-raised-patches-of-fur-on-their-backs-what-is-it/992684 "2023-11-06T19:54:39Z")
I tried looking up common skin conditions in cats on Google images but nothing seemed to match. Basically two of my indoor cats suddenly on their backs towards the rear (area between midsection and tail) got multiple ra… --- ## [“The Tyranny of Morning People”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-morning-people/992608)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-morning-people/992608 "2023-11-06T19:54:07Z")
Some people seem to be night owls and others getting up before the sunrise. I don’t judge. I’ve been both. But this article rang true. We’ve seen the CEOs who claim to get up at 4am for a ninety minute workout before… --- ## [Hardie board exterior siding — incorrect installation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardie-board-exterior-siding-incorrect-installation/989382)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardie-board-exterior-siding-incorrect-installation/989382 "2023-11-06T19:43:44Z")
For installing Hardie board exterior siding, I’m wondering if my crew is doing it correctly or not. As they install each lateral plank, from the bottom and working their way up, they align each plank correctly (I believe… --- ## [Question about Federally insured savings accounts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-federally-insured-savings-accounts/991335)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-federally-insured-savings-accounts/991335 "2023-11-06T18:38:00Z")
I know that, for the most part, the FDIC covers the first $250,000 in the account. If I put multi-millions in one account will I get the stated interest on the entire amount, or just the first $250,000? --- ## [Characters Brought Back to Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/characters-brought-back-to-life/992322)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/characters-brought-back-to-life/992322 "2023-11-06T17:40:04Z")
A companion to the thread about non-aging characters. What happens when a character is so popular they have to bring him or her back, but they’ve very definitely been killed? Doyle killed off Sherlock Holmes, to his gre… --- ## [Credit Card fees per transaction--what about debit card transactions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-fees-per-transaction-what-about-debit-card-transactions/991256)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-fees-per-transaction-what-about-debit-card-transactions/991256 "2023-11-06T17:25:35Z")
I came across this article last week, indicating that the cost of processing credit card transactions, which are normally passed on to the business selling the product, increases the cost of the product. This is, unders… --- ## [Open enrollment period in Medicare, why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-enrollment-period-in-medicare-why/992610)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-enrollment-period-in-medicare-why/992610 "2023-11-06T17:15:07Z")
I just read in the Times that this is the start of the open enrollment period. Is there any principled reason you can’t enroll at any time. If I moved to the US in June, would I be banned for half a year? --- ## [What can you tell me abut the American Humane Society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-tell-me-abut-the-american-humane-society/992617)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-tell-me-abut-the-american-humane-society/992617 "2023-11-06T16:52:23Z")
Not the National Humane Society, or the International Humane Society or any of the other animal rights organizations. I am looking for information about a group specifically called the American Humane Society. For the… --- ## [Testing positive with the at-home tests](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-positive-with-the-at-home-tests/992695)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-positive-with-the-at-home-tests/992695 "2023-11-06T16:31:43Z")
I know that the PCR test can have positive results for months. Is it also true for the at-home COVID tests? I think those are the antigen tests, right? I tested positive a week ago Sunday, so this is day nine and I ju… --- ## [Technology: Friend or Foe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-friend-or-foe/988002)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-friend-or-foe/988002 "2023-11-06T16:28:43Z")
An extended ComEd outage has my district back in the Stone Age. The network, the internet and the phone system are down. The intercom, the electronic door access system, the security system, and Open Time Clock are down.… --- ## [Creepy Halloween in the Woods!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepy-halloween-in-the-woods/992421)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepy-halloween-in-the-woods/992421 "2023-11-06T16:19:09Z")
Every afternoon I take the three dogs on the trail in the woods behind our house. I let the dogs loose back there so they can run off some energy and sniff to their hearts’ content. Yesterday, as we were walking along th… --- ## [I should never use bookmarks, because they are a security risk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-should-never-use-bookmarks-because-they-are-a-security-risk/992475)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-should-never-use-bookmarks-because-they-are-a-security-risk/992475 "2023-11-06T16:16:34Z")
My online banking tech support told me I should never use bookmarks, because they are a security risk that expose my personal and financial information to hackers. Is this right??? This is the bank that updated their we… --- ## [What are your holiday movie traditions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-holiday-movie-traditions/992468)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-holiday-movie-traditions/992468 "2023-11-06T15:58:42Z")
I only have a handful: Christmas: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation It’s a Wonderful Life Elf (sometimes, I’m not a huge fan) Thanksgiving: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles I think that’s about it. mmm --- ## [NFL Week 8 Is Never Enough](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-8-is-never-enough/992188)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-8-is-never-enough/992188 "2023-11-06T15:17:07Z")
I don’t see a Week 8 thread, so here goes. Games and betting lines: Thursday Tampa Bay @ Buffalo (BUF -8.5; Buffalo won 24-18) Sunday Early LA Rams @ Dallas (DAL -6.5) Minnesota @ Green Bay (GB -1) Atlanta @ Tenne… --- ## [Dog shit and really good nail polish!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-shit-and-really-good-nail-polish/992623)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-shit-and-really-good-nail-polish/992623 "2023-11-06T14:55:45Z")
So a few weeks ago I was in Bali for a bit of a sojourn, and for the VERY first time I had a pedicure AND got my nails painted, For me, at 63, that was a bit of a milestone, AND, the nail polish (bright red for those int… --- ## [antimatter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antimatter/58240)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antimatter/58240 "2023-11-06T14:20:49Z")
Does antimatter fall…up? --- ## [Can someone step by step me through unlocking facebook protection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-step-by-step-me-through-unlocking-facebook-protection/987007)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-step-by-step-me-through-unlocking-facebook-protection/987007 "2023-11-06T11:28:31Z")
I’ve been trying for a couple hours and it keeps sending me in Catch-22 spirals. --- ## [What is this (presumed) scam/spam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-presumed-scam-spam/989135)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-presumed-scam-spam/989135 "2023-11-06T09:20:45Z")
For the past few months, I’ve been sporadically getting text messages from some insurance company. The most recent one (which is fairly typical) says Almost all of them use the same name, and mention the same vehicle.… --- ## [(Old) Tricks, treats, and a brand new month in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 317\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297 "2023-11-06T06:15:57Z")
Did you pull Halloween pranks? Did you have favorite treats or favorite homes to get treats from? Did you have a favorite costume? That should get us started. As for me: No pranks - I was and remain a goody-goody. F… --- ## ["Wikipedia is more one-sided than ever”: Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikipedia-is-more-one-sided-than-ever-wikipedia-co-founder-larry-sanger/946774)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikipedia-is-more-one-sided-than-ever-wikipedia-co-founder-larry-sanger/946774 "2023-11-06T05:17:08Z")
“Wikipedia is more one-sided than ever,” Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger said. “It is not too far to say that Wikipedia, like many other deeply biased institutions of our brave new digital world, has made itself into … --- ## [What's the big deal about offshore banks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-offshore-banks/747329)
**Author:** [@sudont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sudont)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-offshore-banks/747329 "2023-11-06T04:37:53Z")
“But when you factor in postage and bank fees, the tax savings may not do much more than buy you two six-packs instead of one.” Pfft, the ten G’s in my savings account haven’t earned enough interest to buy a candy bar, … --- ## [Pork 'panko breadcrumbs'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-panko-breadcrumbs/992661)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-panko-breadcrumbs/992661 "2023-11-06T04:07:17Z")
I saw an ad for pork ‘panko breadcrumbs’, a keto alternative to… well, panko breadcrumbs. I assume they’re meant as a coating. But could I smash up a bag of Baken-Ets, and successfully use a cup of them in a meatloaf ins… --- ## [Panko breadcrumbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panko-breadcrumbs/992656)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panko-breadcrumbs/992656 "2023-11-06T00:48:40Z")
I saw an ad for panko breadcrumbs, a keto alternative to… well, breadcrumbs. I assume they’re meant as a coating. But could I smash up a bag of Baken-Ets, and successfully use a cup of them in a meatloaf? --- ## [Advice on a recalcitrant lamp post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-a-recalcitrant-lamp-post/992550)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-a-recalcitrant-lamp-post/992550 "2023-11-05T23:15:31Z")
You guys helped me with re-wiring my chandelier and fixing the trim on my house, which was great. Now I have a new one! A tree branch came down on the old lamp post in front of my house and wrecked it. I decided to repl… --- ## [Estate consumed by Assisted Living costs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/estate-consumed-by-assisted-living-costs/992613)
**Author:** [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/estate-consumed-by-assisted-living-costs/992613 "2023-11-05T22:28:02Z")
Dad is in Assisted Living. His estate (my inheritance) is being consumed by the $8,000/month cost. Medicaid will start covering costs only when his estate is completely gone. There is only $102,000 left currently. I’d l… --- ## [When did the word safari not mean hunting anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-word-safari-not-mean-hunting-anymore/992645)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-word-safari-not-mean-hunting-anymore/992645 "2023-11-05T22:18:01Z")
When googling, most sources say that safari originally meant hunting animals, but today it means viewing animals. When did this shift occour? --- ## [If hearsay isn’t objected to, is it admitted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hearsay-isn-t-objected-to-is-it-admitted/991839)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hearsay-isn-t-objected-to-is-it-admitted/991839 "2023-11-05T22:14:14Z")
If an obvious hearsay statement is made by a witness but the opposing counsel doesn’t object to it because he was distracted, not paying attention, conferring with his client, etc, is the statement still left to stand or… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=701&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=703&state=tracking)