explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:2488: Board Game Argument: Legacy

2021-07-13T07:48:04Z

162.158.89.37:

So there is a game wherein one can write "sudu bring me a samich" as part of the rules? Excellent! [[Special:Contributions/172.69.63.7|172.69.63.7]] 06:47, 13 July 2021 (UTC)

The game Cueball is handlig seems to be Boggle, the one Meghan is leaning on might be Wingspan. Can someone identify the others? If we can get a full table, we should add it to the article. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.89.37|162.158.89.37]] 07:48, 13 July 2021 (UTC)

Talk:1998: GDPR

2018-05-28T12:15:34Z

162.158.89.37:

This comic is a joke privacy policy, playing off a few things.
Everyone right now is updating their privacy policy to meet the new requirements from the European Union coming into effect today, 2018-05-25, the GDPR. Link to wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation].
It also is pointing out that no one ever reads them "by using this website you opt in to quartering troops in your home", something you probably did not agree to.
--[[User:Fwacer|Fwacer]] ([[User talk:Fwacer|talk]]) 19:35, 25 May 2018 (UTC)

:Your wording "joke privacy policy" is really good and you should add it to the existing explanation. [[User:Lassombra|Lassombra]] ([[User talk:Lassombra|talk]]) 19:41, 25 May 2018 (UTC)
:: Thanks, I have added that. First edit! --[[User:Fwacer|Fwacer]] ([[User talk:Fwacer|talk]]) 20:25, 25 May 2018 (UTC)

Fortunately, this doesn't appear to supersede the Shadow Proclamation. Also, I wouldn't mind quartering troops in my home if they were sexy... [[Special:Contributions/172.68.90.82|172.68.90.82]] 20:56, 25 May 2018 (UTC) SiliconWolf

I wonder if this is the privacy policy of Beret Guy's company since he mentioned in the last comic that people keep sending them personal info even though they had asked them to stop.--[[Special:Contributions/172.69.42.112|172.69.42.112]] 21:07, 25 May 2018 (UTC)

What's the deal with the "Created by a Bot" coming up with relevant jokes as to what the explanation was created by? I didn't search exhaustively, but couldn't find any hints in other discussion pages. Is there a link to a discussion on this? Who did this? Dgbrt? I'm very curious. 00:30, 26 May 2018 (UTC) {{unsigned|DanB}}
:I've written the program creating the new pages when a new comic is out. It's run by the profile [[User:DgbrtBOT|DgbrtBOT]]. This ensures that all comic pages look similar, the navigation works, and more. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 01:12, 26 May 2018 (UTC)
::I see that now. But didn't it used to just say "Created by a bot" and not "Created by ''something relevant''"? Or has it always done that and I missed it? Is it a reference to a comic, or just something fun? Thanks for all your work on this site, by the way. [[User:DanB|DanB]] ([[User talk:DanB|talk]]) 17:40, 26 May 2018 (UTC)
:::The original text is: ''"Created by a BOT - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon."'' Check the history. And when a new comic is out there is always a race about being the first to change the word ''BOT'' to something else. It was funny when that happened first, but as every joke it isn't funny anymore when it's overused. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 19:01, 26 May 2018 (UTC)

It also means if you are not a citizen of the European Union, your organs can be harvested without permission, doesn't it? {{unsigned ip|162.158.62.39}}
:That depends on whether you have instructed that your whole body be supercool-vitrified and stored around Titan for until the exoplanet colony ships depart. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.34.106|172.68.34.106]] 05:54, 26 May 2018 (UTC)

This comic failed to allow me to turn off everything Trump has ever tried to pay for; therefore, Randall owes me €300,000. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.34.106|172.68.34.106]] 05:54, 26 May 2018 (UTC)

Point of technicality:
:''"purely out of the goodness of our hearts" is a phrase never expected to be found ever anywhere in any privacy policy''
Aren't I allowed to block ads from funding sources which include organizations whose privacy policies don't provide goods or services purely out of the goodness of their hearts? [[Special:Contributions/172.68.34.106|172.68.34.106]] 06:17, 26 May 2018 (UTC)

;...similar laws preventing troops being quartert in ones home also exist in European countries
I don't know every European constitution but I probably would know this. The ''Third Amendment to the United States Constitution'' seems to be very unique to me. Laws about troops should exist in every country but this is about a ''constitution''. If nobody disagrees this has to be removed or enhanced. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 14:58, 26 May 2018 (UTC)
::I don't know, I can say for myself that when I read "similar laws", I understood just that - laws. I don't think the sentence implies it is also part of the constitution in those countries. But if you misread it that way, others may, too, and ambiguity is never a good thing, so feel free to clear it up if you want, but I wouldn't remove the reference to those laws entirely. [[User:Jaalenja|Jaalenja]] ([[User talk:Jaalenja|talk]]) 06:06, 28 May 2018 (UTC)
:::In Germy, while not specifying statoning of troops directly, §13 Grundgesetz guarantees the inviolability of the apartment. Stationing troops in ones home would violate that part of the German constitution. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.89.37|162.158.89.37]] 12:15, 28 May 2018 (UTC)

;Moved from the first paragraph
:''- this is incorrect, EU law applies to all legal entities currently physically within the EU - just like every other law and state in the world. If xkcd has a legal representative of some kind in the EU then it would be enforceable on that representative. so much fud.)''
::False. GDPR art. 3 (2): "This Regulation applies to the processing of personal data of data subjects who are in the Union by a controller or processor not established in the Union, where the processing activities are related to: the offering of goods or services, irrespective of whether a payment of the data subject is required, to such data subjects in the Union; or the monitoring of their behaviour as far as their behaviour takes place within the Union." So, if you're not physically present in the UE it might be harder to enforce, but may still be applicable. Don't want that? Then don't track EU citizens, or simply don't do business there at all.--[[Special:Contributions/162.158.91.89|162.158.91.89]] 10:26, 28 May 2018 (UTC)
This was entered by IP 162.158.38.70 at the explanation but should be discussed here which may be followed by some changes in the explanation. Please do not enter discussions at the explanation. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 18:48, 26 May 2018 (UTC)

--suggest changing to "but then immediately forces the user to agree to quarter troops in their home, which is a violation of the Third Amendment to the United States Constitution and against the law in many other countries." or something along those lines, would read much clearer. Please excuse if my formatting sucks, this is my first wiki suggestion, ever, ya done popped my cherry. SPeD[[Special:Contributions/173.245.52.121|173.245.52.121]] 08:30, 28 May 2018 (UTC)

Talk:1924: Solar Panels

2017-12-05T14:55:27Z

162.158.89.37:

Sorry, but who, except the odd American, has *empty space* next to anything that belongs to him? ;-) --[[Special:Contributions/162.158.89.199|162.158.89.199]] 20:47, 4 December 2017 (UTC)

And really, if it moves, just keep the diesel engine in it, or switch to hybrid if you can. Batteries that are charged from power plants running on fossile fuel are an ecological nightmare. And car batteries are usually charged overnight, when solar panels are dead. --[[Special:Contributions/162.158.89.199|162.158.89.199]] 20:54, 4 December 2017 (UTC)

:You are right that charging batteries from power plants running on fossile fuel doesn't really bring any ecological advantages ... assuming the engine operates close to optimal parameters. Most cars doesn't operate near optimal parameters inside city, but do on highways, hence hybrid. Also, it is much more ecological to have batteries charged by nuclear power plants. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 04:15, 5 December 2017 (UTC)

: I always thought of the main advantage of electrical battery powered cars (instead of petrol or Diesel powered ones) was not so much the immediate ecological improvement, but rather that (once they are the norm) you don't need to convince EVERY SINGLE CAR USER to get rid of their old car and get a new one (Like you have to do now, when you invent engines which use less fuel or something). Instead, when you change the overall energy production of a country (hopefully to something more sustainable and envronmentally friendly), the cars will just passively follow. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.89.37|162.158.89.37]] 14:46, 5 December 2017 (UTC)

I think that the reference to solar panels on roads in the title text could also be talking about the disaster that is solar roadways.
[[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.244|108.162.221.244]] 22:50, 4 December 2017 (UTC)

I don't think it's appropriate to use rooftops as an example of where solar panels should not go when the title text of the comic specifically uses rooftops as an example of a good place for solar panels. How many people have an empty field near their house? I also think it's worth mentioning [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_highway#Photovoltaic_pavement Solar Freakin' Roadways] [[User:YM Industries|YM Industries]] ([[User talk:YM Industries|talk]]) 04:08, 5 December 2017 (UTC)

: I agree, rooftops are kinda the prime example for good places to put solar panels. Especially because even in small cities, there are tons of flat-roofed buildings (which would make the alignment to the sun possible) and it is often (nearly) unused space, whereas an "empty" (as in not-build-upon) space could be used for lots of other things, not least just some wild nature. I went ahead and changed the explanation accordingly, putting hte emphasis mor on inclined vs. flat surfaces (and this free to select optimal direction)[[Special:Contributions/162.158.89.37|162.158.89.37]] 14:46, 5 December 2017 (UTC)

1924: Solar Panels

2017-12-05T14:54:06Z

162.158.89.37: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1924
| date = December 4, 2017
| title = Solar Panels
| image = solar_panels.png
| titletext = This works for a surprising range of sunlit things, including rooftops (sure), highway surfaces (probably not), sailboats (maybe), and jets, cars, and wild deer (haha good luck).
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a SOLAR PANEL - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This handy decision tree aims to help in finding out whether a given object should have {{w|solar panel}}s installed on it.

The root question is whether the object of choice moves. If it doesn't and has no nearby empty space that would be more practical for the solar panel installation, then yes, the object should be equipped with the solar panels. If the object is static, but you could more easily install the panels somewhere else nearby, probably that's the best place. An example of this is a slanted rooftop of a house or a field on a hillside: it's certainly possible to put solar panels there, but it would generally be easier to put them on a flat surface, like a flat-roofed house or a level field if such is available. This way, you are not restricted as to the direction (which might not be optimal on a given incline) and the panels can face the optimal direction or even [https://www.linak.com/business-areas/energy move to track the sun]. For another example of things were "putting next to it" instad of "on it" is generally the easier (and arguably) option, see the "highway surfaces" of the title text.

If the object moves, the next question is whether its batteries can be recharged or swapped with ease, in which case batteries may be a better option than solar panels. The idea is that solar panels on a vehicle sound like an interesting idea, but batteries can be much more easily (and economically) recharged from a fixed electrical station than using solar panels on the vehicle as a power source.

Finally, if the object moves and batteries are not an option, the last question is whether the object heats up during operation. If not, solar panels may be an option. If it gets hot, [[Randall]] doubts it mockingly, presumably because any object that dissipates enough power to "get hot" probably requires more power than could be generated by photo-voltaic panels that could reasonably be mounted onto that object. Obviously, many animals are also "moving objects" fitting this condition, and installing solar panel on them, for any purpose, is bound to be a challenge.

But if changing batteries is not an option and heat production is minimal, then solar panels can be an excellent solution on a moving object. An excellent case for this is on probes and satellites, which are typically powered entirely by solar panels.

The title text suggests that this flow chart is very broadly applicable to anything the Sun hits; however, the flow chart does not mention if the thing in question actually ''needs'' solar panels.

"Highway surfaces" is likely a reference to "{{w|photovoltaic pavement}}". Engineers commonly regard the idea as a nightmare to implement; it would be more practical to install the solar panels ''beside'' the road where damage by cars is less of an issue.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|What about screen readers? Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

<big>Should I put solar panels on it?</big>

Does it move around?
| |
yes no
| |
Does it have Is there an empty space nearby
regular chances where it would be easier to
to recharge or put them?
swap batteries? | |
| | | |
no yes yes no
| | | |
When running, is it Probably Sure
hot to the touch? not
| |
no yes
| |
Maybe Haha
good luck

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Flowcharts]]

Talk:1924: Solar Panels

2017-12-05T14:46:03Z

162.158.89.37:

Sorry, but who, except the odd American, has *empty space* next to anything that belongs to him? ;-) --[[Special:Contributions/162.158.89.199|162.158.89.199]] 20:47, 4 December 2017 (UTC)

And really, if it moves, just keep the diesel engine in it, or switch to hybrid if you can. Batteries that are charged from power plants running on fossile fuel are an ecological nightmare. And car batteries are usually charged overnight, when solar panels are dead. --[[Special:Contributions/162.158.89.199|162.158.89.199]] 20:54, 4 December 2017 (UTC)

:You are right that charging batteries from power plants running on fossile fuel doesn't really bring any ecological advantages ... assuming the engine operates close to optimal parameters. Most cars doesn't operate near optimal parameters inside city, but do on highways, hence hybrid. Also, it is much more ecological to have batteries charged by nuclear power plants. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 04:15, 5 December 2017 (UTC)

: I always thought of the main advantage of electrical battery powered cars (instead of petrol or Diesel powered ones) was not so much the immediate ecological improvement, but rather that (once they are the norm) you don't need to convince EVERY SINGLE CAR USER to get rid of their old car and get a new one (Like you have to do now, when you invent engines which use less fuel or something). Instead, when you change the overall energy production of a country (hopefully to something more sustainable and envronmentally friendly), the cars will just passively follow. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.89.37|162.158.89.37]] 14:46, 5 December 2017 (UTC)

I think that the reference to solar panels on roads in the title text could also be talking about the disaster that is solar roadways.
[[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.244|108.162.221.244]] 22:50, 4 December 2017 (UTC)

I don't think it's appropriate to use rooftops as an example of where solar panels should not go when the title text of the comic specifically uses rooftops as an example of a good place for solar panels. How many people have an empty field near their house? I also think it's worth mentioning [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_highway#Photovoltaic_pavement Solar Freakin' Roadways] [[User:YM Industries|YM Industries]] ([[User talk:YM Industries|talk]]) 04:08, 5 December 2017 (UTC)

: I agree, rooftops are kinda the prime example for good places to put solar panels. Especially because even in small cities, there are tons of flat-roofed buildings (which would make the alignment to the sun possible) and it is often (nearly) unused space, whereas an "empty" (as in not-build-upon) space could be used for lots of other things, not least just some wild nature.[[Special:Contributions/162.158.89.37|162.158.89.37]] 14:46, 5 December 2017 (UTC)