explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:1474: Screws

2015-01-16T05:31:43Z

Mrmakeit: Created page with "This page is now on the first page of google for "uranium screw". ~~~~"

This page is now on the first page of google for "uranium screw". [[User:Mrmakeit|Mrmakeit]] ([[User talk:Mrmakeit|talk]]) 05:31, 16 January 2015 (UTC)

1474: Screws

2015-01-16T05:30:42Z

Mrmakeit: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1474
| date = January 16, 2015
| title = Screws
| image = screws.png
| titletext = If you encounter a hex bolt, but you only brought screwdrivers, you can try sandwiching the head of the bolt between two parallel screwdriver shafts, squeezing the screwdrivers together with a hand at either end, then twisting. It doesn't work and it's a great way to hurt yourself, but you can try it!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|First draft. Needs expansion, possibly with origins of the various real screws}}

The comic features various real or imagined types of screws, listed below.

Phillips head: One of the most recognizable types of screws that is commonly used in construction.

Flat head: Another of the more recognizable screws, the flat head is also commonly used in construction.

Star-shaped screw: Manufacturers sometimes used screws that require special heads in order to remove them, in order to prevent the customer tampering with the product and inadvertently break it. This is commonly seen in electronics. The reference to amazon is the speaker's suggestion to look on amazon for the appropriate screwdriver.

Cursed -1 phillips head: A screw can be stripped by either overuse or tightening the screw too much. This results in the plus symbol of the phillips head becoming worn off, and the screw can no longer be removed using an ordinary phillips head screw driver. This is what is meant by the addition of "cursed" to the title, it denotes that the screw is extraordinarily hard to remove. The -1 is a reference to Dungeons and Dragons, where magical items have a rating of either a positive or negative integer. As this screw head is cursed, it has a negative integer rating.

Rivet: A rivet is not a screw, but a bolt. The speaker notes surprise and displeasure because the rivet disrupts the theme, and is impossible to use without a rivet gun.

Phillips head ruiner: A reference to the fact that hex screws can, in a pinch, be removed with a Phillips screwdriver, but will likely damage the driver in the process.

Uranium Screw: ????

Phillip's head: This is a rather morbid interpretation of "phillips head". Rather than refer to the screw type, this "screw" is actually a bloody bag containing the severed head of someone named Phillip.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}

{{comic discussion}}

Talk:1378: Turbine

2014-06-06T06:22:07Z

Mrmakeit:

Why is it "horrible, horrible"? Do you really, really not like it? It's not like it's a shaggy dog cartoon which you wasted several minutes on... Oh, wait... [[Special:Contributions/108.162.208.9|108.162.208.9]] 05:51, 6 June 2014 (UTC)

For me, it just sucks that Randall chose to end the week on a lame pun. On Mondays/Wednesdays, the "suckiness" of something like this would be offset by a good "what-if?" on Tuesday. [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.225|103.22.201.225]] 06:00, 6 June 2014 (UTC)

While I agree it isn't the best xkcd could be, let's try and keep these pages objective, and leave the opinions in the comments. [[User:Mrmakeit|Mrmakeit]] ([[User talk:Mrmakeit|talk]]) 06:22, 6 June 2014 (UTC)

1378: Turbine

2014-06-06T06:20:39Z

Mrmakeit: edited to remove subjectivity. let's try to be objective with these explanations.

{{comic
| number = 1378
| date = June 6, 2014
| title = Turbine
| image = turbine.png
| titletext = Ok, plan B: Fly a kite into the blades, with a rock in a sling dangling below it, and create the world's largest trebuchet.
}}

==Explanation==

This is a pun. A windmill (where the blades are moved by the wind) is not a fan (where the fan blades move the air).

A {{w|trebuchet}} is a type of catapult.

==Transcript==
:[Megan is talking to a giant wind turbine.]
:Megan: I'll hold up a big kite, and you blow air at me until I lift off!
:Megan: What do you think of that idea?
:Wind turbine: I'm not a huge fan.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]

1361: Google Announcement

2014-04-28T05:07:14Z

Mrmakeit: Add initial explination

{{comic
| number = 1361
| date = April 28, 2014
| title = Google Announcement
| image = google_announcement.png
| titletext = The less popular 8.8.4.4 is slated for discontinuation.
}}

==Explanation==
Recently Vic Gundotra left Google. Being the head of Google+, this has caused many people, including [[http://techcrunch.com/2014/04/24/google-is-walking-dead/| TechCrunch]], to clams that Google+ is going to be shutdown, despite the continuing comments from Google that it will remain active and updated. This comic pokes fun at that by extending this "shutdown" to every serservice, except the lesser known DNS service located at IP address 8.8.8.8. The title text reference that 8.8.8.8 is better know than 8.8.4.4, and as such, the latter would be included in the shutdown list.

==Transcript==
:Cueball is standing at a podium marked Google.

:Cueball: The rumors ar true. Google will be shutting down Plus-

:Cueball: Along with Hangouts, Photos, Voice, Docs, Drive, Maps, Gmail, Chrome, Android, and Search-

:Cueball: To focus on our core project:

:Cueball: The 8.8.8.8 DNS Server.

{{comic discussion}}

Talk:1359: Phone Alarm

2014-04-23T07:05:08Z

Mrmakeit:

See also [[479: Tones]]. [[User:B jonas|B jonas]] ([[User talk:B jonas|talk]]) 06:06, 23 April 2014 (UTC)

I was just about to go hunt that one down for the explanation. Thanks B Jonas! [[User:Mrmakeit|Mrmakeit]] ([[User talk:Mrmakeit|talk]]) 06:13, 23 April 2014 (UTC)

I think it's safe to say that alarms give you some really weird dreams when you're too tired for them to actually wake you up. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.218|108.162.237.218]] 06:24, 23 April 2014 (UTC)

How do I keep screwing up his name. I guess that's what I get for writing an explanation at 2 in the morning. I'll get it right next time. [[User:Mrmakeit|Mrmakeit]] ([[User talk:Mrmakeit|talk]]) 07:03, 23 April 2014 (UTC)

Talk:1359: Phone Alarm

2014-04-23T07:03:51Z

Mrmakeit: Also fixed my misspelling of b jonas

See also [[479: Tones]]. [[User:B jonas|B jonas]] ([[User talk:B jonas|talk]]) 06:06, 23 April 2014 (UTC)

I was just about to go hunt that one down for the explanation. Thanks B Jonas! [[User:Mrmakeit|Mrmakeit]] ([[User talk:Mrmakeit|talk]]) 06:13, 23 April 2014 (UTC)

I think it's safe to say that alarms give you some really weird dreams when you're too tired for them to actually wake you up. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.218|108.162.237.218]] 06:24, 23 April 2014 (UTC)

How do I keep screwing up his name. I guess that's what i gett for writing an explanation at 2 in the morning. I'll get it right next time. [[User:Mrmakeit|Mrmakeit]] ([[User talk:Mrmakeit|talk]]) 07:03, 23 April 2014 (UTC)

Talk:1359: Phone Alarm

2014-04-23T06:13:40Z

Mrmakeit:

1359: Phone Alarm

2014-04-23T06:12:00Z

Mrmakeit: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1359
| date = April 23, 2014
| title = Phone Alarm
| image = phone_alarm.png
| titletext = Who's calling me?? WHY IS THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD CALLING ME!?
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|needs title text explained - i m not sure how to relate the title text.}}

The flowchart seems to show a problem Randel has with using alarms built into phones. Notably, that the sound is similar to a normal ring tone (probably related to [[479: Tones]]), making it sound like someone is calling him, and not waking him up. This translates to him answering the phone in the dream, talking, and eventually hanging up. Of course this doesn't stop the phone from ringing, and he ends up answering the phone again.

==Transcript==

A flowchart:

[alarm goes off]
: → [beep beep beep beep!]
:: ↺ back to [beep beep beep beep!]
:: → ["???"]
::: → [answer phone in dream] → [talk] → [hang up]
:::: → back to [beep beep beep beep!]

"My problem with phone alarms"

{{comic discussion}}

1359: Phone Alarm

2014-04-23T06:08:40Z

Mrmakeit:

{{comic
| number = 1359
| date = April 23, 2014
| title = Phone Alarm
| image = phone_alarm.png
| titletext = Who's calling me?? WHY IS THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD CALLING ME!?
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|needs title text explained - i m not sure how to relate the title text.}}

The flowchart seems to show a problem Randel has with using alarms built into phones. Notably, that the sound is similar to a normal ring tone, making it sound like someone is calling him, and not waking him up. This translates to him answering the phone in the dream, talking, and eventually hanging up. Of course this doesn't stop the phone from ringing, and he ends up answering the phone again.

==Transcript==

A flowchart:

[alarm goes off]
: → [beep beep beep beep!]
:: ↺ back to [beep beep beep beep!]
:: → ["???"]
::: → [answer phone in dream] → [talk] → [hang up]
:::: → back to [beep beep beep beep!]

"My problem with phone alarms"

{{comic discussion}}

Talk:887: Future Timeline

2014-04-04T05:03:59Z

Mrmakeit:

This one slipped under the transcripting radar. I may do it. --[[User:Quicksilver|Quicksilver]] ([[User talk:Quicksilver|talk]]) 20:52, 17 August 2013 (UTC)
:Do not talk about radars, just do it. The transcript is done right now, but the explain section still does need a big radar!--[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 20:20, 18 August 2013 (UTC)

Find the song! I have no idea so far but the repeating phrase "Social security trust fund exhausted" should match a refrain.--[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 20:20, 18 August 2013 (UTC)

They now have the dogs driving cars... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWAK0J8Uhzk Let's not wait for 2053.[[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.90|173.245.54.90]] 21:01, 20 March 2014 (UTC)

Out of curiosity (I'm new to the standards of explainxkcd), are out of date pages considered incomplete? Or is it up to editors to chose when to update a pages explination. I would assume the former, except that would make maintaining the pages significantly more difficult. Also, referencing the Linux takes over. Since Android is now a part of the libux kernel,should thia be changed? It would definently put linux over the 50% mark. [[User:Mrmakeit|Mrmakeit]] ([[User talk:Mrmakeit|talk]]) 05:03, 4 April 2014 (UTC)