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| − | ==Explanation== | + | == Explanation == |
| − | [[Cueball]] has messed up his {{w|Linux server}} (which can have the prompt ~# or ~$), {{tvtropes|WalkingTechbane|apparently not for the first time}}. [[Megan]] offers to take a look at the PC and types in "ls" — a basic command that lists the files in the current directory. The computer returns a bizarre error message — it trips over one of the simplest commands, indicating that Cueball's system is messed up. ''Really'' messed up. | + | [[Cueball]] has messed up his Linux server, apparently not for the first time. He asks [[Megan]] for help, and she casually types in 'ls' — a very basic command that lists the files in the current directory. The computer returns a bizarre error message — it trips over one of the simplest commands, indicating that Cueball's system is messed up. ''Really'' messed up. |
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| − | On Linux, most commands are executables usually found in either /bin or /usr/bin. The /usr/share folder, on the other hand, is where "architecture-independent shared data" is stored. Adobe is a software company that produces Acrobat, Photoshop, and a wide range of other software for manipulating work revolving around a 2D canvas. "android_vm" would likely be a virtual machine for Android. The .jar extension suggests a Java-language program. None of the above items are related to the command "ls", nor do they have anything to do with each other, with the semi-exception that Android is based on Java. Executables should also never be found within /usr/share or within directories named "example" or "doc" - indeed, by default Linux does not even look in the /usr/share directory for items that can be run unless the user {{w|PATH (variable)|tells it to do so by changing the $PATH variable}}. The presence of "ls.jar" within a folder called "android_vm" suggests Cueball was attempting to boot up a virtual Android device, but somehow wound up directing the Linux server to use the executable files meant for the virtual system instead of the correct ones in /bin or /usr/bin.
| + | The {{w|Filesystem Hierarchy Standard#Directory structure|/usr/share}} path should indicate "architecture-independent shared data". Adobe is a software company that runs Acrobat, Flash and Photoshop. Android VM would be a virtual machine for the mobile Operating System created by Google called Android. The .jar extension suggests a Java-language program. None of Adobe, Android, or Java are needed at all to run 'ls'. All of the above have nothing to with each other. Also, executables like 'ls' would never be placed within /usr/share or within some 'example' or 'doc' directory either. On Linux, executables don't have filename extensions like ".exe" (for Windows) or ".jar". Additionally, it would require the folder to be within {{w|PATH (variable)|$PATH}}. Long story short, the error message is utter nonsense. |
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| − | In the last frame Megan is bewildered by this result and asks ''"What did you do!?"''. Cueball suggest a course of action which mimics a common error message: "[X] is busy, please try again later." Obviously he has seen this type of message frequently enough to try it as a general cure in all similar cases (even scarier, there is a good possibility that his tech issues are so bizarre that it often works for him).
| + | [[Megan]] is bewildered by this result and tells Cueball to "shut down the system and wait for the {{w|technological singularity|singularity}}," referring to a hypothetical future event when superintelligence can be artificially created. Since future superintelligent humans/computers transcend our comprehension, we can't predict or even understand what will happen after the singularity. One interpretation is that Megan is telling Cueball that his system is such a mess that it will take a post-singularity superintelligence to fix it. |
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| − | Megan then tells Cueball to "shut down the system and wait for the {{w|technological singularity|singularity}}," referring to a hypothetical future event when superintelligence can be artificially created. Since future superintelligent humans/computers transcend our comprehension, we can't predict or even understand what will happen after the singularity. One interpretation is that Megan is telling Cueball that his system is such a mess that it will take a post-singularity superintelligence to fix it (or run it in its current state, as only an intelligence beyond present comprehension would be capable of doing). It also indicates that either [[1782: Team Chat]] or [[1668: Singularity]] could be the sequel to this comic. Since the singularity is a hypothetical event that may never happen, or may happen at a date unimaginably far in the future, Megan is essentially telling Cueball to give up completely on fixing his server. This is her way of declaring that no human can fix or understand his server.
| + | The last frame has Cueball recommending a course of action which mimics a common error message: "______ is busy, please try again later." Obviously he has seen this type of message frequently enough to try it as a general cure in all similar cases. |
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| − | The title text is yet another [[:Category:Protip|protip]] from [[Randall]]. {{w|Ray Kurzweil}} is an author and futurist who has {{w|Singularity Summit|talked}} and {{w|The Singularity Is Near|written}} much about a ''{{w|technological singularity}}''. Presumably, mangling the jargon (by confusing the concept of the "singularity" with the science fiction term "{{w|cyberspace}}") is something Kurzweil (as an expert) would find annoying. Also, as Randall later pointed out in [[1573: Cyberintelligence]], the prefix "cyber" has not really been used for a decade...
| + | In the title text, Ray Kurzweil is an author and futurist who has talked and written much about the singularity. |
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| | ==Transcript== | | ==Transcript== |
| − | :[Cueball at his computer calls out for Megan who comes walking in to the frame.]
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| | :Cueball: I, um, messed up my server again. | | :Cueball: I, um, messed up my server again. |
| − | :Megan: I'll take a look. You have the ''weirdest'' tech problems. | + | :Megan: I'll take a look. You have the ''weirdest'' tech problems |
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| − | :[Zoom in on only Megan who uses the root prompt on the computer.] | + | :[Megan uses the root prompt.] |
| − | :<code><font color="gray">~#</font> ls</code> | + | :<code>~# ls</code> |
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| − | :[Megan stands next to the computer, Cueball sits behind her on his chair. The computer returns the following:] | + | :[Computer returns the following.] |
| | :<code>/usr/share/Adobe/doc/example/android_vm/root/sbin/ls.jar:</code> | | :<code>/usr/share/Adobe/doc/example/android_vm/root/sbin/ls.jar:</code> |
| | :<code>Error: Device is not responding.</code> | | :<code>Error: Device is not responding.</code> |
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| − | :[Megan turns towards Cueball who lifts his hands with palm up.]
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| | :Megan: What did you ''do!?'' | | :Megan: What did you ''do!?'' |
| | :Cueball: Maybe the device is busy. Should I try it later? | | :Cueball: Maybe the device is busy. Should I try it later? |
| | :Megan: You should shut down this system and wait for the Singularity. | | :Megan: You should shut down this system and wait for the Singularity. |
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| − | == Trivia ==
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| − | * This is the first comic to have a high-resolution (pixel-doubled) version of its image.
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| | {{comic discussion}} | | {{comic discussion}} |
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| | [[Category:Linux]] | | [[Category:Linux]] |
| | [[Category:Protip]] | | [[Category:Protip]] |
| − | [[Category:Singularity]]
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| − | [[Category:Cueball Computer Problems]]
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| − | [[Category:Comics featuring real people]]
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