explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

1024: Error Code

2012-08-22T21:11:10Z

150.65.47.97: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1024
| date = March 2, 2012
| title = Error Code
| image = Error code.png
| imagesize =
| titletext = It has a section on motherboard beep codes that lists, for each beep pattern, a song that syncs up well with it.
}}

== Explanation ==
Complex computer programs often incorporate a numbering system for errors that are anticipated might occur. This way, the code can be referenced to tech support so that there is some feedback from the program as to what is wrong (akin to a car dashboard with multiple lights telling you if you have a battery problem or an engine problem or a cooling problem, etc.) Most people have seen at least one error code in their life. Perhaps the most famous error code is seen in web browsers, 404 (not found). Another code is 403 (forbidden).

In this comic, character 1 gets the error "-41" on his computer, but cannot tell even what program it comes from. So, character 2 decides to look up the code in the famous book. The book then indicates to go to a lake instead of how to resolve the computer problem. Which seems like a great solution because it would be very relaxing!

The beep codes referenced in the title text refers to the error codes produced by motherboards. Because the motherboard is sort of the “heart” of the computer, the designers apparently did not want to rely on any form of error display that might be compromised by the error itself (i.e. a visual display). Instead, motherboards typically have a code consisting of beeps from the system “pc” speaker which is expected to work without error in most situations, as it’s wired directly to the motherboard. In a sort of {{w|Morse code|morse-code}}-type system, certain lengths and numbers of beeps refer to different errors like memory problems, video card problems, etc. Most people are familiar with the one quick beep that occurs on boot which I guess is the “no error” code. Anyone who has built a few computers is probably familiar with less happy beep sequences.

{{Comic discussion}}

1096: Clinically Studied Ingredient

2012-08-22T10:43:17Z

150.65.47.97: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1096
| date = August 17, 2012
| title = Clinically Studied Ingredient
| image = Clinically Studied Ingredient.png
| titletext = Blatantly banking on customers not understanding that it's like a Hollywood studio advertising that their new movie was 'watched by Roger Ebert'.
| imagesize =
}}

== Explanation ==

This comic is poking fun at a phrase which some ads use to boost sales of their product. They state that their product contains a "clinically studied ingredient", which consumers assume means that the ingredient has been clinically tested and ''proven effective'' (or at the very least, not harmful), although the latter is, strictly speaking, not implied by that statement. The phrase just states an ingredient was clinically studied, and doesn't mention the findings of that study (which, for all we know, could have found the ingredient to be ineffective or harmful). In other words, the phrase is used in elusive marketing techniques, making consumers believe something (which encourages them to buy the product), without committing to saying it explicitly.

In the comic, we come in the middle of a conversation with a female character telling [[Cueball]] that she's been tested, the implication being she's talking about {{w|STD}}s. However she does not reveal the results of the tests (which is the primary information Cueball could be worried about), and when Cueball inquires, she acts like he is being unreasonable to also want that information. In this way, [[Randall Munroe|Randall]] is making an analogy to how the marketer might think consumers would be unreasonable to want to know the ''results'' of the clinical studies on the ingredient.

In the title text, {{w|Roger Ebert}} is a famous film critic whose favourable reviews are few and far between. However, we can expect most big name movies to be watched by him. Simply stating that he saw a movie doesn't necessarily mean that he liked it.

{{Comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]