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| − | < | + | <font size=5px>''Welcome to the '''explain [[xkcd]]''' wiki!''</font> |
We have collaboratively explained [[:Category:Comics|'''{{#expr:{{PAGESINCAT:Comics}}-9}}''' xkcd comics]], | We have collaboratively explained [[:Category:Comics|'''{{#expr:{{PAGESINCAT:Comics}}-9}}''' xkcd comics]], | ||
| − | <!-- Note: the -9 in the calculation above is to discount subcategories (there are | + | <!-- Note: the -9 in the calculation above is to discount subcategories (there are 8 of them as of 2013-02-27), |
| − | + | as well as [[List of all comics]], which is obviously not a comic page. --> | |
and only {{#expr:{{LATESTCOMIC}}-({{PAGESINCAT:Comics}}-9)}} | and only {{#expr:{{LATESTCOMIC}}-({{PAGESINCAT:Comics}}-9)}} | ||
({{#expr: ({{LATESTCOMIC}}-({{PAGESINCAT:Comics}}-9)) / ({{PAGESINCAT:Comics}}-9) * 100 round 0}}%) | ({{#expr: ({{LATESTCOMIC}}-({{PAGESINCAT:Comics}}-9)) / ({{PAGESINCAT:Comics}}-9) * 100 round 0}}%) | ||
remain. '''[[Help:How to add a new comic explanation|Add yours]]''' while there's a chance! | remain. '''[[Help:How to add a new comic explanation|Add yours]]''' while there's a chance! | ||
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== Latest comic == | == Latest comic == | ||
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<div style="border:1px solid grey; background:#eee; padding:1em;"> | <div style="border:1px solid grey; background:#eee; padding:1em;"> | ||
<span style="float:right;">[[{{LATESTCOMIC}}|'''Go to this comic explanation''']]</span> | <span style="float:right;">[[{{LATESTCOMIC}}|'''Go to this comic explanation''']]</span> | ||
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* If you're new to wikis like this, take a look at these help pages describing [[mw:Help:Navigation|how to navigate]] the wiki, and [[mw:Help:Editing pages|how to edit]] pages. | * If you're new to wikis like this, take a look at these help pages describing [[mw:Help:Navigation|how to navigate]] the wiki, and [[mw:Help:Editing pages|how to edit]] pages. | ||
| − | * Discussion about various parts of the wiki is going on at [[Explain XKCD:Community portal]]. | + | * Discussion about various parts of the wiki is going on at [[Explain XKCD:Community portal]]. Share your 2¢! |
* [[List of all comics]] contains a complete table of all xkcd comics so far and the corresponding explanations. The red links ([[like this]]) are missing explanations. Feel free to help out by creating them! [[Help:How to add a new comic explanation|Here's how]]. | * [[List of all comics]] contains a complete table of all xkcd comics so far and the corresponding explanations. The red links ([[like this]]) are missing explanations. Feel free to help out by creating them! [[Help:How to add a new comic explanation|Here's how]]. | ||
== Rules == | == Rules == | ||
| − | Don't be a jerk. | + | Don't be a jerk. There are a lot of comics that don't have set in stone explanations; feel free to put multiple interpretations in the wiki page for each comic. |
If you want to talk about a specific comic, use its discussion page. | If you want to talk about a specific comic, use its discussion page. | ||
Revision as of 05:35, 4 March 2013
Welcome to the explain xkcd wiki!
We have collaboratively explained Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ",". xkcd comics, and only Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ",". (Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ",".%) remain. Add yours while there's a chance!
Latest comic
| Balloon Internet |
 Title text: I run a business selling rural internet access. My infrastructure consists of a bunch of Verizon wifi hotspots that I sign up for and then cancel at the end of the 14-day return period. |
Explanation
|
This explanation may be incomplete or incorrect. If you see a way to improve it, edit it! Thanks. |
The comic references Google's new Project Loon, a balloon powered Internet service which was officially announced June 14, 2013 and is currently in proof-of-concept testing stages. A test above New Zealand, involving about 30 balloons and about 50 users, was successfully conducted on June 16th. The project, taglined "Internet for Everyone," is intended to eventually provide Internet access to people in rural areas and in disaster areas that have limited or no access to land-based Internet services.
Randall is poking fun at the tagline "Internet for Everyone" -- meant to mean anyone could have Internet access regardless of location -- by instead literally bringing the Internet to Cueball, who is reading a standard paper book and therefore has no immediate need or desire for the Internet. In the comic, one of the balloons sneaks up on Cueball before speaking and startling Cueball, effectively becoming a nuisance, interrupting Cueball's reading of a book and leaving Cueball wondering what has happened. In Randall's world, the tagline could be restated as "Internet for Everyone -- whether they want it or not."
Transcript
- [In a natural landscape, perhaps hills or sand dunes, Cueball reading.]
- [Cueball still reading. Small lighter-than-air balloon appears on top, descending.]
- [Cueball still reading. Balloon continues to descend, approaches Cueball's head closely from behind.]
- Balloon basket: Internet.
- Cueball: Augh!
- [Lighter-than-air balloon ascends. Cueballs looks behind him as if not understanding where the voice came from.]
Is this out of date? .
New here?
You can read a brief introduction about this wiki at explain xkcd. Feel free to sign up for an account and contribute to the wiki! We need explanations for comics, characters, themes, memes and everything in between. If it is referenced in an xkcd web comic, it should be here.
- If you're new to wikis like this, take a look at these help pages describing how to navigate the wiki, and how to edit pages.
- Discussion about various parts of the wiki is going on at Explain XKCD:Community portal. Share your 2¢!
- List of all comics contains a complete table of all xkcd comics so far and the corresponding explanations. The red links (like this) are missing explanations. Feel free to help out by creating them! Here's how.
Rules
Don't be a jerk. There are a lot of comics that don't have set in stone explanations; feel free to put multiple interpretations in the wiki page for each comic.
If you want to talk about a specific comic, use its discussion page.
Please only submit material directly related to —and helping everyone better understand— xkcd... and of course only submit material that can legally be posted (and freely edited.) Off-topic or other inappropriate content is subject to removal or modification at admin discretion, and users who repeatedly post such content will be blocked.
If you need assistance from an admin, feel free to leave a message on their personal discussion page. The list of admins is here.
