explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

787: Orbiter

2013-07-30T14:18:51Z

Gegueure: /* Explanation */ Corrected "become" to "became".

{{comic
| number = 787
| date = September 1, 2010
| title = Orbiter
| image = orbiter.png
| titletext = Normally, the Shuttle can't quite safely reach the orbital inclination required to pass over both those points from a Canaveral launch, but this is an alternate history in which either it launches from Vandenburg or everyone hates the Outer Banks.
}}

==Explanation==
This comic is about disputed territories and {{w|Polar orbit|polar orbits}}.

The two disputes referred to here are the {{w|Israeli–Palestinian conflict|Israeli-Palestinian dispute}} and the {{w|Greer County, Texas|Texas-Oklahoma dispute}}. The satellite would probably require a polar orbit to reach both Palestine and Oklahoma, which cannot be achieved from a launch at {{w|Kennedy Space Center|Cape Caneveral}}, as the launch trajectories would fall in heavily populated areas.

The reason the {{w|Vandenberg Air Force Base|Vandenburg}} option is an alternate history is because there actually were plans to launch shuttles from there before the {{w|Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|Challenger accident}} occurred. After Challenger was lost the polar orbiting missions were scrapped and Cape Canaveral became the sole launch site for the {{w|Space Shuttle|Space Shuttle}}.

In the alternate history the rules forbidding orbital launches from Caneveral don’t exist, either because nobody cares what happens to the {{w|Outer Banks}} (which would be in the flight path) or nobody likes them and they’re deserted.

==Transcript==
:Cueball: Okay, people. The orbiter is passing south of Iceland. The next scheduled check-in will be at 32.0N 35.5E, over the Palestinian territories.
:Off-screen character: You mean over Palestine?
:Frank (off-screen): You mean over Israel?
:[Beat panel.]
:Cueball: I've rescheduled the check-in for 35.2N 96.6W,over Oklahoma.
:Frank (off-screen): You mean occupied North Texas?
:Cueball: Dammit, Frank.
{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]

Talk:758: Raptor Fences

2013-07-30T12:09:11Z

Gegueure: Is he holding a cigar?

Is the Cueball on the left holding a lit cigar?

Talk:750: Book Burning

2013-07-29T19:53:08Z

Gegueure: Corrected a typo: "downloade" is now "download".

"...the Kindle edition is the preferred method of buying a book."? A bit subjective, really. Needs more qualifications to make that sound right. (Except for the aforementioned price, I'm not sure what argument would convince ''me'', however technophilic I am. I just like all my dead-tree publications, as a glance at my bookshelves and multiple other 'flat' surfaces around the house would confirm.)

Oh yeah, and as I forgot to sign the above, can I also add that I'm sure there's also a joke in that in an attempt to eradicate a book, the protesters are actually ''increasing'' the apparent demand for it. And, unlike a physical volume the misguided destruction of the electronic copy (or at least the medium it exists on) does not deplete any extant stocks. (In fact, the person who bought and downloaded the eBook can probably re-download the eBook if the download mechanism allows that for previously authorised purchases.) And do it enough and they may even print extra ''physical'' copies. (Soon to be coming to a remaindered book shop near you, and you, and you as well sir... Way to go to spread the Word!) "Epic Fail", anyone? [[Special:Contributions/178.98.192.132|178.98.192.132]] 23:44, 4 May 2013 (UTC)

Talk:702: Snow Tracking

2013-07-29T01:06:57Z

Gegueure: Title-Text could be a reference to Bugs Bunny.

The title-text could also be a reference to Bugs Bunny, many episodes had such play-on-words as title.
("A witch's tangled hare", "A Feather in his Hare", "Compressed Hare", many more...)

Talk:677: Asshole

2013-07-26T17:16:07Z

Gegueure:

Hybrids aren't generally plug-in - they run on gas and battery, which recharges itself through braking.[[User:MR|MR]] ([[User talk:MR|talk]]) 03:50, 1 March 2013 (UTC)MR
:...and also directly of the engine. The most sensible way of hybridding, IMO, is to have the engine only generating, so that it can be run at optimal fuel-consumption revs. But it only needs to run whenever the battery needs topping up ''or'' the motors can do with more electrical power than the batteries alone can supply. Add in some intelligent stop/start and some road-condition detection in addition to anything the driver can manually switch and that sounds about perfect (short of adding solar panels on top, as well). Don't know why the Hybrid concept initially went off on a tangent with electric-assist taking over for clutch-connected gas(/petrol)-power to the wheels at times. [[Special:Contributions/178.98.207.61|178.98.207.61]] 13:17, 17 May 2013 (UTC)

This is not a sedan, it is apparently a subcompact hatch or a Hot Hatch (Coupé).
In europe the subcompact class is known as supermini.
Not that it matters much but...
I found out i can edit the explanation directly so... I just did.

677: Asshole

2013-07-26T17:13:56Z

Gegueure: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number =677
| date =December 18, 2009
| title =Asshole
| image =asshole.png
| titletext =[Shortly thereafter, at a nearby bakery] ::CRASH:: ::RUMBLE:: ::VRRRRRR:: "... I don't know, officer. It just scooped up an entire rack of scones and drove away!"
}}

==Explanation==
SUVs are incredibly large personal vehicles with a massive amount of cargo space, and notorious gas-guzzlers. The stereotype is that SUV owners drive such massive cars because they're compensating for something. Upon hearing [[Cueball]] call him an asshole for driving an SUV, [[Beret Guy]], hoping to win peoples' approval, trades his SUV in at the dealership for a hybrid subcompact.

Hybrid sedans are vehicles that can be powered by both gasoline and electricity - that is, by plugging them into a wall socket between uses. The stereotype is that people drive them so that they can feel superior to others, and that's exactly what [[Megan]] says when Beret Guy drives past them a second time.

Annoyed, Beret Guy trades in his car a second time, this time to get a massive construction vehicle and smack them with it. In the title text, he also uses it to get himself a whole bunch of scones, one of Beret Guy's trademarks.

==Transcript==
:[A couple watches Beret Guy drive by in an SUV.]
:Cueball: Look at that asshole in his SUV, thinking he's so badass while he guzzles gas driving around suburbia.
:Beret Guy: Oh no! Am I an asshole? I hope not.

:[Beret Guy trades in his keys at the dealership.]

:[Now he is driving by in a hybrid sedan.]
:Megan: Look at that smug asshole thinking he's better than us because he drives a hybrid.
:Beret Guy: ...

:[He trades in his keys again.]

:[The couple is standing.]
:Off-panel: ''RUMBLE''

:[Beret Guy drives a backhoe in and smacks the couple out of the panel with the digger.]

:[He drives off, whistling.]

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

Talk:677: Asshole

2013-07-26T16:36:50Z

Gegueure: Not a sedan but a hatchback.

Hybrids aren't generally plug-in - they run on gas and battery, which recharges itself through braking.[[User:MR|MR]] ([[User talk:MR|talk]]) 03:50, 1 March 2013 (UTC)MR
:...and also directly of the engine. The most sensible way of hybridding, IMO, is to have the engine only generating, so that it can be run at optimal fuel-consumption revs. But it only needs to run whenever the battery needs topping up ''or'' the motors can do with more electrical power than the batteries alone can supply. Add in some intelligent stop/start and some road-condition detection in addition to anything the driver can manually switch and that sounds about perfect (short of adding solar panels on top, as well). Don't know why the Hybrid concept initially went off on a tangent with electric-assist taking over for clutch-connected gas(/petrol)-power to the wheels at times. [[Special:Contributions/178.98.207.61|178.98.207.61]] 13:17, 17 May 2013 (UTC)

This is not a sedan, it is apparently a subcompact hatch our a Hot Hatch (Coupé).
In europe the subcompact class is known as supermini.
Not that it matters much but...