https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Ddurangoexplain xkcd - User contributions [en]2026-05-20T12:07:46ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1328:_Update&diff=606461328: Update2014-02-20T12:42:03Z<p>Ddurango: /* Explanation */</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1328<br />
| date = February 10, 2014<br />
| title = Update<br />
| image = update.png<br />
| titletext = I have a bunch of things open right now.<br />
}}<br />
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==Explanation==<br />
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When developers responsible for fixing errors on a specific {{w|Operating System|operating system}} release a patch, the operating system often ask users to restart the computer after installing. This is often done by popup window shown to the user where he can choose to restart immediately or choose to be reminded later.<br />
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Many messages from these popups emphasize the importance of installing the updates, but [[Cueball]] is just annoyed about this. Sometimes, these issues are minor and do not affect most computers using the operating system. Often other programs, not part of the operating system, ask for a reboot because the updated routine only runs after the next reboot. Regardless, reboots can take a long time — a typical user doesn't like this. The user can choose to be reminded later multiple times. Because {{w|Reboot (computing)|rebooting}} a computer takes a significant amount of time and closes any programs running, a user may delay the update repeatedly to avoid interrupting what they were doing at the time. <br />
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The comic is making two jokes simultaneously: the core comic jokes that reboots are so tedious and disruptive it would actually be preferable for a laptop to burst into flame than to go through one, while the title text suggests that the real problem is that humans are so incapable of delayed gratification and/or risk evaluation they would rather risk bodily harm than suffer a minor inconvenience. <br />
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The joke uses an "exploding laptop battery" as an exaggeration for comedic effect. Most software doesn't affect hardware issues like burning {{w|Lithium-ion battery#Safety|laptop batteries}}. However, low-level software, such as the {{w|kernel (computing)|kernel}} or {{w|driver (software)|drivers}}, might cause hardware to misbehave.<br />
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The title text reflects the fact that the average user will have multiple applications open and a reboot would require closing them. They would then have to open all their applications again after the computer has restarted. This can also refer to a browser application having multiple tabs open. This is becoming less of an issue because browsers have an option to restart the last session again after being closed, as would happen with a reboot, but many users still don't trust it to work properly.<br />
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==Transcript==<br />
:[Cueball sits at a desk. A message is being displayed on Cueball's laptop screen.]<br />
:'''Urgent''': Critical update available!<br />
<br />
:[The message continues.]<br />
:'''''Details''''': Fixes an issue that was causing random laptop electrical fires.<br />
<br />
:(This update will require restarting your computer.)<br />
:[Cueball clicks on ''Remind me later''.]<br />
:''click''<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Computers]]</div>Ddurangohttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1326:_Sharks&diff=594571326: Sharks2014-02-05T19:33:10Z<p>Ddurango: /* Explanation */</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1326<br />
| date = February 5, 2014<br />
| title = Sharks<br />
| image = sharks.png<br />
| titletext = 'Now, minions, I'm off to inspect our shark cages.' 'Do you really need to inspect them this often?' 'PRISONERS MUST NEVER ESCAPE.'<br />
}}<br />
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==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|First draft, needs more detail.}}<br />
In this comic Cueball is an evil ruler that makes his minions send sharks after escaped prisoners. However, he also shows a softer side by accidentally mentioning that the sharks are not actually meant to catch the escaped prisoners, but are released to increase the endangered shark population.<br />
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In the title text Cueball again is hiding his interest in sharks by again claiming that the sharks are only there to stop the prisoners from escaping.<br />
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This is a play on an action movie trope from the 70s and 80s, where evil villains try to use sharks to kill off the protagonist (e.g. The Spy Who Loved Me, Thunderball, etc.). Since any halfway intelligent villain would just shoot the hero, this comic suggests the sharks aren't really about the hero at all.<br />
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==Transcript==<br />
:[Cueball is sitting in a throne.]<br />
:Offscreen: The prisoner escaped and is swimming toward the mainland!<br />
:Cueball: ''Release the sharks.''<br />
:Offscreen: Yes, sir.<br />
<br />
:Offscreen: The sharks are swimming away.<br />
:Cueball: They're escaping, too? Send sharks after them!<br />
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:Offscreen: Now ''those'' sharks are swimming away.<br />
:Cueball: '''''More sharks.'''''<br />
:Offscreen: ...Sir, what's going on?<br />
:Cueball: Prisoners, of course! Can't let 'em escape!<br />
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:Offscreen: Sir, are you trying to turn Doom Island into a marine biology center?<br />
:Cueball: ''Shark populations are in decline—'' *ahem* I mean, the world must fear us!<br />
:Offscreen: Right...<br />
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{{comic discussion}}</div>Ddurango