explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

1760: TV Problems

2016-11-17T00:12:49Z

173.245.48.73:

{{comic
| number = 1760
| date = November 16, 2016
| title = TV Problems
| image = tv_problems.png
| titletext = Certified skydiving instructors know way more about safely falling from planes than I do, and are way more likely to die that way.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Some links to previous comics where things go unexpectedly wrong could probably be added.}}
In this comic, [[Cueball]] has broken his computer's software so much that he is unable to "turn on the news" as requested by [[White Hat]]. Since his computer is not working at all, he is using the next best thing to download a fix: his smartphone, via a {{w|CD}}. He later states that even that first step of mending won't be enough to display the news, as his computer's state is so bad that being able to send information to the TV screen is just the first step of debugging. In the last panel, he tells White Hat that his computer science degree just helps him understand ''how'' he ended up with such a terrible situation, but did not give him enough foresight to prevent the most unexpected issues. The title text clarifies this statement with a similar problem- when things start to go horribly wrong while falling from a plane, certified skydiving instructors will be able to better understand why and how bad the situation is, but won't be able to do anything if their usual tools have failed them. Besides, while they are less likely to make a fatal mistake on a given flight and fall, they are more likely to make one in their life, because of the far greater number of attempts.

This comic is probably political, as were 1756 & 1759. Cueball is doing everything that he can not to watch the news; even after he fixes his computer, he still won't be able to bear watching it. White Hat misinterprets him, asking about his computer science degree to imply he ought to be able to take care of a simple thing like this. Cueball replies that no, this is not the case - much as his computer science degree allows him to diagnose computer problems, being well educated does not help him to perform anything more than a postmortem on how wrong election forecasts were. The title text might imply that knowing something about a topic has nothing to do with determining how events actually transpire: knowledge must be put into action.

This may also be a joke on how many millennials believe that they need to use their phone as a remote control for a TV and are not aware that the remote control that came with their TV is simpler and easier to use.<ref>Martin_Samuelson, [https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/3w32by/eddy_cue_says_were_working_on_a_new_apple_tv/cxt0noy/ "Physical buttons are great"]</ref> In this instance Cueball has his single tasking phone busy while he downloads to it and cannot interrupt what he's doing just to use the phone as a remote for the TV, although it appears more that the TV is one of the things he is trying to fix.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball is sitting by his TV, holding his phone, when White Hat walks in.]
:White Hat: Hey, turn on the news.
:Cueball (Sitting on the floor in front of a computer holding a cell phone): Can't. Downloading a CD onto my phone.

:White Hat (off panel): Why?
:Cueball: So I can use it to fix my computer's operating system enough that I can teach it to talk to my TV screen.

:White Hat: But then you'll be able to watch the news?
:Cueball: (off panel): No.

:White Hat: Don't you have a computer science degree?
:Cueball: That just means I ''understand'' how everything went so wrong.

==References==
<references />

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Computers]]

1760: TV Problems

2016-11-16T17:55:12Z

173.245.48.73: Trimmed the run-on sentence filled with Captain Kirk Commas

{{comic
| number = 1760
| date = November 16, 2016
| title = TV Problems
| image = tv_problems.png
| titletext = Certified skydiving instructors know way more about safely falling from planes than I do, and are way more likely to die that way.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Some links to previous comics where things go unexpectedly wrong could probably be added.}}
In this comic, [[Cueball]] has broken his computer's software so much that he is unable to "turn on the news" as requested by [[White Hat]]. Since his computer is not working at all, he is using the next best thing to download a fix: his smartphone, via a {{w|CD}}. He later states that even that first step of mending won't be enough to display the news, as his computer's state is so bad that being able to send information to the TV screen is just the first step of debugging. In the last panel, he tells White Hat that his computer science degree just helps him understand ''how'' he ended up with such a terrible situation, but did not give him enough foresight to prevent the most unexpected issues. The title text clarifies this statement with a similar problem- when things start to go horribly wrong while falling from a plane, certified skydiving instructors will be able to better understand why and how bad the situation is, but won't be able to do anything if their usual tools have failed them. Besides, while they are less likely to make a fatal mistake on a given flight and fall, they are more likely to make one in their life, because of the far greater number of attempts.

This may also be a joke on how many millennials believe that they need to use their phone as a remote control for a TV and are not aware that the remote control that came with their TV is simpler and easier to use. In this instance Cueball has his single tasking phone busy while he downloads to it and cannot interrupt what he's doing just to use the phone as a remote for the TV, although it appears more that the TV is one of the things he is trying to fix.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball is sitting by his TV, holding his phone, when White Hat walks in.]
:White Hat: Hey, turn on the news.
:Cueball (Sitting on the floor in front of a computer holding a cell phone): Can't. Downloading a CD onto my phone.

:White Hat (off panel): Why?
:Cueball: So I can use it to fix my computer's operating system enough that I can teach it to talk to my TV screen.

:White Hat: But then you'll be able to watch the news?
:Cueball: (off panel): No.

:White Hat: Don't you have a computer science degree?
:Cueball: That just means I ''understand'' how everything went so wrong.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Computers]]

1178: Pickup Artists

2016-10-15T22:37:08Z

173.245.48.73:

{{comic
| number = 1178
| date = February 25, 2013
| title = Pickup Artists
| image = pickup artists.png
| titletext = It sounds like a great way to make friends! Is it near that Friend Zone you keep talking about? I wanna go!
}}

==Explanation==
A {{w|pickup artist}} is a person who considers himself skilled at picking up (finding, attracting and seducing) women (or men), through various psychological tactics and tricks. The term "{{w|Pick-up game|pickup}}" in "pickup basketball" means informal and spontaneous. In pickup basketball the players are not part of an organized league or team but rather are just people who are available to play at that time and location. [[Beret Guy]] thinks (or wants to think) that what pickup artists really do is gather spontaneously to practice {{w|art|artistry}}, like the {{w|visual arts}}. This makes the world seem a happier place, especially considering his own disposition for (eccentric) art, and generally ability to always see the best in every situation.

[[Randall]] does not believe that pick-up artists have healthy attitudes towards women and has elaborated on this previously in [[1027: Pickup Artist]] (also featuring [[Hairy]]) and in [[800: Beautiful Dream]].

The title text also shows Beret Guy's belief that the "{{w|friend zone}}" is a physical place. The "friend zone" refers to the state of a relationship in which one party has romantic interests, but the other person only wants to be friends. Once the friend zone is established, it is said to be difficult to try to move beyond that point into a romantic relationship. Randall previously expressed criticism towards trying to just slip into a romantic relationship from the friend zone in [[513: Friends]].

==Trivia==

This comic is one of a small set of comics with the same or almost the same title as another comic (only plural form of artist the difference).

==Transcript==
:[Beret Guy is talking with Hairy]
:Beret Guy: What've you been up to lately?
:Hairy: I've been hanging out with some pickup artists.
:Hairy: I'm learning a ''lot!''
:Beret Guy: Oh, that sounds like fun!

:[Caption below the panel:]
:The world seems like a happier place if you think "pickup artist" is like "pickup basketball player".

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Basketball]]
[[Category:Comics sharing name|Pickup Artist02]]

1178: Pickup Artists

2016-10-15T22:35:45Z

173.245.48.73: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1178
| date = February 25, 2013
| title = Pickup Artists
| image = pickup artists.png
| titletext = It sounds like a great way to make friends! Is it near that Friend Zone you keep talking about? I wanna go!
}}

==Explanation==
A {{w|pickup artist}} is a person who considers himself skilled at picking up (finding, attracting and seducing) women (or men), through various psychological tactics and tricks. The term "{{w|Pick-up game|pickup}}" in "pickup basketball" means informal and spontaneous. In pickup basketball the players are not part of an organized league or team but rather are just people who are available to play at that time and location. [[Beret Guy]] thinks (or wants to think) that what pickup artists really do is gather spontaneously to practice {{w|art|artistry}}, like the {{w|visual arts}}. This makes the world seem a happier place, especially considering his own disposition for (eccentric) art, and generally ability to always see the best in every situation.

[[Randall]] does not believe that pick-up artists have healthy attitudes towards women and has elaborated on this previously in [[1027: Pickup Artist]] (also featuring [[Hairy]]) and in [[800: Beautiful Dream]].

The title text also shows Beret Guy's belief that the "{{w|friend zone}}" is a physical place. The "friend zone" refers to the state of a relationship in which one party has romantic interests, but the other person only wants to be friends. Once the friend zone is established, it is said to be difficult to try to move beyond that point into a romantic relationship. Randall previously expressed criticism towards trying to just slip into a romantic relationship from the friend zone in [[513: Friends]].

==Transcript==
:[Beret Guy is talking with Hairy]
:Beret Guy: What've you been up to lately?
:Hairy: I've been hanging out with some pickup artists.
:Hairy: I'm learning a ''lot!''
:Beret Guy: Oh, that sounds like fun!

:[Caption below the panel:]
:The world seems like a happier place if you think "pickup artist" is like "pickup basketball player".

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Basketball]]
[[Category:Comics sharing name|Pickup Artist02]]

1178: Pickup Artists

2016-10-15T22:34:51Z

173.245.48.73: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1178
| date = February 25, 2013
| title = Pickup Artists
| image = pickup artists.png
| titletext = It sounds like a great way to make friends! Is it near that Friend Zone you keep talking about? I wanna go!
}}

==Explanation==
A {{w|pickup artist}} is a person who considers himself skilled at picking up (finding, attracting and seducing) women (or men), through various psychological tactics and tricks. The term "{{w|Pick-up game|pickup}}" in "pickup basketball" means informal and spontaneous. In pickup basketball the players are not part of an organized league or team but rather are just people who are available to play at that time and location. [[Beret Guy]] thinks (or wants to think) that what pickup artists really do is gather spontaneously to practice {{w|art|artistry}}, like the {{w|visual arts}}. This makes the world seem a happier place, especially considering his own disposition for (eccentric) art, and generally ability to always see the best in every situation.

[[Randall]] does not believe that pick-up artists have healthy attitudes towards women and has elaborated on this previously in [[1027: Pickup Artist]] (also featuring [[Hairy]]) and in [[800: Beautiful Dream]].

The title text also shows Beret Guy's (pretended?) belief that the "{{w|friend zone}}" is a physical place. The "friend zone" refers to the state of a relationship in which one part has (hidden) romantic interests, but the other person only wants to be friends. Once the friend zone is established, it is said to be difficult to try to move beyond that point into a romantic relationship. Randall previously expressed criticism towards trying to just slip into a romantic relationship from the friend zone in [[513: Friends]].

==Transcript==
:[Beret Guy is talking with Hairy]
:Beret Guy: What've you been up to lately?
:Hairy: I've been hanging out with some pickup artists.
:Hairy: I'm learning a ''lot!''
:Beret Guy: Oh, that sounds like fun!

:[Caption below the panel:]
:The world seems like a happier place if you think "pickup artist" is like "pickup basketball player".

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Basketball]]
[[Category:Comics sharing name|Pickup Artist02]]

1176: Those Not Present

2016-10-15T22:26:14Z

173.245.48.73: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1176
| date = February 20, 2013
| title = Those Not Present
| image = those not present.png
| titletext = 'Yeah, that squid's a total asshole.' [scoot scoot]
}}

==Explanation==
[[Cueball]] (likely representing [[Randall]]), has decided to leave conversations deemed toxic, by scooting a little bit away any time somebody badmouths someone not present. In each panel, he scoots progressively further away until he reaches an area with [[Megan]], [[Hairy]], and [[Beret Guy]], discussing [https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Giant_squid giant squids]. He decides to join them, as this conversation is far more interesting to him than one criticizing people behind their backs.

The title text jokes that the second group, is, in fact, dissing the giant squid rather than discussing how cool it is. As the squid is not present{{Citation needed}}, Cueball scoots back.

==Trivia==
In the first panel originally the word "friends" was misspelled as "frends".

==Transcript==
:Every time someone says something negative about a person who's not in the room, I scoot my chair back a few inches.
:[Cueball, Ponytail and two other people are sitting at a table drinking.]
:Person: ''He's'' not so bad, but his ''friends''...
:[Cueball scoots away from table.]
:''Scoot scoot''

:Ponytail: His band is never gonna take off if...
:[Cueball scoots further away.]
:''Scoot scoot''

:[Megan, Beret Guy, and Harry come into view.]
:Off-screen: Yeah, his sister is even ''weirder''.
:Off-screen: Did you see she had...
:''Scoot scoot''
:Beret Guy: ...and there's a video, but it's blurry...

:[Cueball turns around and leans his arm on his chair.]
:Cueball: What're you talking about?
:Hairy: Giant squid!
:Cueball: Mind if I join you?

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]

1176: Those Not Present

2016-10-15T22:24:32Z

173.245.48.73: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1176
| date = February 20, 2013
| title = Those Not Present
| image = those not present.png
| titletext = 'Yeah, that squid's a total asshole.' [scoot scoot]
}}

==Explanation==
[[Cueball]] (likely representing [[Randall]]), has decided to leave conversations deemed toxic, by scooting a little bit away any time somebody badmouths someone not present. In each panel, he scoots progressively further away until he reaches an area with children and [[Beret Guy]], discussing [https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Giant_squid giant squids]. He decides to join them, as this conversation is far more interesting to him than one criticizing people behind their backs.

The title text jokes that the children and Beret Guy, are, in fact, dissing the giant squid rather than discussing how cool it is. As the squid is not present{{Citation needed}}, Cueball scoots back.

==Trivia==
In the first panel originally the word "friends" was misspelled as "frends".

==Transcript==
:Every time someone says something negative about a person who's not in the room, I scoot my chair back a few inches.
:[Cueball, Ponytail and two other people are sitting at a table drinking.]
:Person: ''He's'' not so bad, but his ''friends''...
:[Cueball scoots away from table.]
:''Scoot scoot''

:Ponytail: His band is never gonna take off if...
:[Cueball scoots further away.]
:''Scoot scoot''

:[Megan, Beret Guy, and Harry come into view.]
:Off-screen: Yeah, his sister is even ''weirder''.
:Off-screen: Did you see she had...
:''Scoot scoot''
:Beret Guy: ...and there's a video, but it's blurry...

:[Cueball turns around and leans his arm on his chair.]
:Cueball: What're you talking about?
:Hairy: Giant squid!
:Cueball: Mind if I join you?

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]

Talk:1728: Cron Mail

2016-09-02T17:09:42Z

173.245.48.73: Just a thought

I think the "MAILTO" variable in "/etc/crontab" is meant, so only only cron-mails would go to this address, not all mails for the user

[[User:Rincewind|Rincewind]] ([[User talk:Rincewind|talk]]) 13:09, 2 September 2016 (UTC)

The huge question is whether adding an email message to crontab would result in cron producing even more mail - or whether it would cause cron to fail in some way. The latter would do damage by killing some (possibly critical) cron tasks - the former could rapidly fill up the hard drive with an exponentially-growing crontab. An intermediate situation would be that cron simply ignores the junk and continues to function as before - in which case Cueball's change will have little practical impact on disk space consumption - but probably gradually slow cron's crontab parser to a crawl, which would also have rather severe effects. On most Linux setups, the mail directories are on a different partition to /etc. There is often very little spare space on the partition with /etc on it - so it's likely that Cueball's change will eventually do terrible damage in that case too. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.69.98|162.158.69.98]] 14:42, 2 September 2016 (UTC)
:On my Mint/Ubuntu/Debian-based Linux system, adding junk to /etc/crontab put a message is /var/log/syslog about "cron[1495]: (*system*) ERROR (Syntax error, this crontab file will be ignored)". So it looks like appending garbage to the crontab will just break cron entirely (or at least those handled by /etc/crontab; it may be private cron and /etc/cron.d/* jobs may continue to run, but cron.hourly, cron.daily, and cron.weekly jobs on my system are initiated through /etc/crontab so they would not run with a broken /etc/crontab). I don't know if other non-Debian distributions have a cron that behaves differently, however. [[User:N0lqu|-boB]] ([[User talk:N0lqu|talk]]) 15:18, 2 September 2016 (UTC)
:Seems like it wouldn't break the existing stuff, they'd still get run and then cron would start parsing the noise and complaining - the "intermediate" situation, though the "export MAILTO" seems wrong. If Cueball did it in his .bashrc, it might get into some of *his* cron jobs but unless it's in /etc/crontab (and there, no "export" is needed/used), it wouldn't matter. His jobs probably wouldn't have rights to write to /etc/crontab either. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.48.73|173.245.48.73]] 17:09, 2 September 2016 (UTC)

The current explanation misses a part of the joke present in Cueball's last statement: he is considering the cron program to be somehow sentient and able to make a decision between sending the email (is it really important?) and its self-preservation by not trashing its own config file. He is thus daring cron to continue sending emails at the risk of 'self-destruction'.