explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

278: Black Hat Support

2013-03-22T18:02:15Z

Achituv: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 278
| date = June 18, 2007
| title = Black Hat Support
| image = black_hat_support.png
| titletext = So as not to leave you hanging -- it was a problem with select() calls.
}}

==Explanation==
Hackers are stereo-typically divided into "white hat" (good guys) and "black hat" (bad guys).
A "black hat" hacker is a hacker who "violates computer security for little reason beyond maliciousness or for personal gain"

This strip portrays a "black hat" support line, where the support person is providing annoying and unhelpful advice maliciously and for little reason beyond personal amusement.

The support line is clearly for Linux, as stated in the introduction, and the client on the phone clearly has a Linux problem.

However, the support person is intentionally giving irrelevant instructions that refer to Windows PC operation. (Start menu, my documents)

Finally, the support person asks the client on the phone to "bear with him"
only to suggest that the client should use an outdated mechanism to look for the answer to his problem (AOL keywords)

==Transcript==
[A man - wearing a black hat - is sitting at his computer, wearing a phone headset]
:Phone: Thank you for calling the Black Hat Support Line, your first source for Linux support. How may I assist?
:Man: Hi. I'm running an Apache server, and the load keeps climbing out of control.
:Phone: Okay. First, click on the Start Menu.
:Man: I'm sorry, this is the Linux helpline, right?
:Phone: Of course, Sir.
:Man: If you'll just open the "My Documents" folder-
:Phone: Just a damn minute, I think you're putting me on.
:Man: Please bear with me, Sir.
:Man: Now, load up your AOL and go to the Keyword "Linux"-
:Phone: *click*

{{comic discussion}}

278: Black Hat Support

2013-03-22T18:00:43Z

Achituv: creation

{{comic
| number = 278
| date = June 18, 2007
| title = Black Hat Support
| image = black_hat_support.png
| titletext = So as not to leave you hanging -- it was a problem with select() calls.
}}

==Explanation==
Hackers are stereo-typically divided into "white hat" (good guys) and "black hat" (bad guys).
A "black hat" hacker is a hacker who "violates computer security for little reason beyond maliciousness or for personal gain"

This strip portrays a "black hat" support line, where the support person is providing annoying and unhelpful advice maliciously and for little reason beyond personal enjoyment.

The support line is clearly for Linux, as stated in the introduction, and the client on the phone clearly has a Linux problem.
However, the support person is intentionally giving irrelevant instructions that refer to Windows PC operation.
Finally, the support person asks the client on the phone to "bear with him" only to suggest that the client should use an outdated mechanism to look for the answer to his problem (AOL keywords)

==Transcript==
[A man - wearing a black hat - is sitting at his computer, wearing a phone headset]
:Phone: Thank you for calling the Black Hat Support Line, your first source for Linux support. How may I assist?
:Man: Hi. I'm running an Apache server, and the load keeps climbing out of control.
:Phone: Okay. First, click on the Start Menu.
:Man: I'm sorry, this is the Linux helpline, right?
:Phone: Of course, Sir.
:Man: If you'll just open the "My Documents" folder-
:Phone: Just a damn minute, I think you're putting me on.
:Man: Please bear with me, Sir.
:Man: Now, load up your AOL and go to the Keyword "Linux"-
:Phone: *click*

{{comic discussion}}

179: e to the pi times i

2013-03-22T17:02:42Z

Achituv: typo (- missing)

{{comic
| number = 179
| date = November 3, 2006
| title = e to the pi times i
| image = e_to_the_pi_times_i.png
| imagesize =
| titletext = I have never been totally satisfied by the explanations for why e to the ix gives a sinusoidal wave.
}}

==Explanation==
The comic largely references {{w|Euler's identity}}. This identity states that e^(i*π) + 1 = 0. Therefore, e^(i*π) = -1.

The humour from this comic is because of the seemingly arbitrary relationship between e, π, and the identity of i (the square root of -1). e is the mathematical identity of which the derivative of e^x with respect to x is still e^x, while π is the relationship between the circumference of a circle divided by its diameter. Taking these two values and applying them to the value of i in such a manner seems counter-intuitive to getting i^2 (-1) from basic analysis. The above linked Wikipedia page goes into good detail of how to derive this identity.

The title text refers to how Euler's identity is called upon in complex form (separating real and imaginary numbers): e^(i*x) = cos(x) + i*sin(x).

==Transcript==
:[Two people standing at a board with writing on. One person is pointing a stick at the board]
:Person: Numbers of the form n√-1 are "imaginary," but can still be used in equations.
:Other person: Okay.
:Person: And e^(π√-1)=-1.
:Other person: Now you're just fucking with me.

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

[[Category:Math]]