Editing 1892: USB Cables
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
+ | {{incomplete|Created by a GUY WHO DOESN'T REALLY GET THE JOKE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | ||
In this comic, [[Randall]] states the 'Law of {{w|USB}} cables': You will never have more than one which has no problems now matter how many you get. Now that most devices charge off USB, having a cable (specifically, USB-A (the big end) to Micro-B or USB-C (the small end)) is essential. However, most USB cables are cheaply made, and carrying them around quickly damages them. This comic lists some common (and not so common) problems with USB cables. | In this comic, [[Randall]] states the 'Law of {{w|USB}} cables': You will never have more than one which has no problems now matter how many you get. Now that most devices charge off USB, having a cable (specifically, USB-A (the big end) to Micro-B or USB-C (the small end)) is essential. However, most USB cables are cheaply made, and carrying them around quickly damages them. This comic lists some common (and not so common) problems with USB cables. | ||
− | * ''' | + | * '''Carries power but not data''' - USB cables have separate data and power lines. To save money (and sometimes for security reasons), the data lines can be omitted. This means it can be used for charging, but not data transfer. |
− | * '''Carries data but not power''' - Not typically done, but it could happen if the wires or pins get damaged | + | * '''Carries data but not power''' - Not typically done, but it could happen if the wires or pins get damaged. |
* '''Too short''' - Another money saving wheeze, some devices ship with pathetically short cables. | * '''Too short''' - Another money saving wheeze, some devices ship with pathetically short cables. | ||
− | * '''Charges phone slowly''' - More likely a problem with the charger than the cable, but may happen if the wires are damaged. Refers to some chargers not delivering more than half an ampere | + | * '''Charges phone slowly''' - More likely a problem with the charger than the cable, but may happen if the wires are damaged. Refers to some chargers not delivering more than half an ampere. |
− | * '''Won't auto-activate portable charger''' - | + | * '''Won't auto-activate portable charger''' - Portable chargers (basically big batteries) should activate when the device is plugged in. Something about the cable (possibly the way the data lines are shorted) is interfering with this mechanism. |
− | * '''Has annoying ferrite lumps''' - {{w|Ferrite bead}}s are used to filter out interference from the cable. High-performance applications need these, but on a phone charger you're just adding unnecessary weight and bulk | + | * '''Has annoying ferrite lumps''' - {{w|Ferrite bead}}s are used to filter out interference from the cable. High-performance applications need these, but on a phone charger you're just adding unnecessary weight and bulk. |
* '''Heavy and not very flexible''' - Either a heavy-duty USB cable, with thicker insulation, or a shielded one with a metal sheath inside to keep out interference. | * '''Heavy and not very flexible''' - Either a heavy-duty USB cable, with thicker insulation, or a shielded one with a metal sheath inside to keep out interference. | ||
− | * '''Frayed''' - Cables | + | * '''Frayed''' - Cables experience a lot of bending force at the ends, near the connectors, and these can easily burst the insulation as shown here. |
− | * '''Plug doesn't fit through case''' - | + | * '''Plug doesn't fit through case''' - There's no standard for what the plastic housing around the USB connector should look like, and sometimes these are moulded so they don't quite fit in the phone socket or through the charging port of an external case. |
* '''Needs to be twisted to keep working''' - The wires inside are damaged, and only connect when held in just the right way. One step away from total breakage. | * '''Needs to be twisted to keep working''' - The wires inside are damaged, and only connect when held in just the right way. One step away from total breakage. | ||
− | * '''Weird shape''' - | + | * '''Weird shape''' - The silhouette isn't very clear here, but it looks a bit like a {{w|File:Connector USB 3 IMGP6033 wp.jpg|Micro-B SuperSpeed}}, which has weird extra bits on it that don't fit the standard Micro-B socket. Or maybe it is just a normal USB charger but the connector is moulded with a 90 degree turn for no apparent reason and might be not convenient in some situations. |
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− | + | "[http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/tag-yourself Tag yourself, I'm...]" is a popular meme used with pictures containing lots of strange phrases or other elements - people highlight individual details from the image with the phrase, usually self-deprecatingly. Here, Randall suggests like, like a USB cable, he's frayed. | |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | + | {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | |
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} |