# Things you are shocked people don't know

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [September 19, 2016, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348 "2016-09-19T14:50:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 16

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**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/301 "2016-09-30T00:43:58Z")

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I’m often shocked what people who own and operate chainsaws don’t know about how to safely do so, including:  
Without ear protection, you _will_ damage your hearing  
Bare skin, loose clothing and nearby people / creatures are all to be avoided  
You really want to have _both_ hands on a running saw  
Moving the saw back and forth as it cuts does little to improve its performance  
Trees can be made to fall in a desired direction, but the key to this is a properly formed hinge, not a rope and a prayer  
A fallen tree compresses its branches, often storing lots of energy  
For acceptable performance, a chain must be sharpened occasionally  
Even touching a moving chain to the ground will dull it  
Refueling should involve topping up both fuel and chain oil

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/302 "2016-09-30T00:46:01Z")

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> [@panache45](#):
>
> The map orientation issue is what I dislike about driving with GPS. The orientation is constantly changing, and I can’t get used to it.

Granted, I’ve only used a handful of GPS devices, but all had the option to keep north fixed as “up” on the screen. It’s the first thing I change when I’m using GPS, as the default usually is to follow and have “up” on the screen as being what’s in front of you. I prefer keeping north up because it’s easier for me to make a mental map of the area and continually know which direction I’m going in.

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**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/303 "2016-09-30T02:27:51Z")

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> [@WildBlueYonder](#):
>
> In Michigan, its required-I cant imagine why any state would not

Only for handguns, and Michigan is one of the few exceptions I was talking about.

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/304 "2016-09-30T03:24:00Z")

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> [@pulykamell](#):
>
> Granted, I’ve only used a handful of GPS devices, but all had the option to keep north fixed as “up” on the screen. It’s the first thing I change when I’m using GPS, as the default usually is to follow and have “up” on the screen as being what’s in front of you. I prefer keeping north up because it’s easier for me to make a mental map of the area and continually know which direction I’m going in.

Thanks, I didn’t know that was an option. I’ll have to check it out.

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