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+ | <div class="toclimit-3" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;">__TOC__</div> | ||
+ | '''NOTE: The above is the first panel of an interactive comic.'''<br> | ||
+ | To actually experience the interactive content you need to go to this comic on xkcd (click on the date above the comic, which, as always, takes you to the xkcd comic).<br> | ||
+ | A page with pictures representing the other three main types of pages can be seen here: [[1506: xkcloud/Pictures of other pages|Pictures of other pages]].<br> | ||
+ | Similarly here is a page with some of the pictures of the comic created by users: [[1506: xkcloud/Pictures posted by users|Pictures posted by users]].<br> | ||
+ | There is also a [[1506: xkcloud/Transcript|transcript]] of these other pages. Here are also a list and explanations for the [[1506: xkcloud/Transcript#Reason for data loss|Reason for data loss]] and the other features like user names and like buttons etc. | ||
==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | + | In this interactive {{w|April Fools' Day}} comic [[Cueball]], presumably representing [[Randall]], admits to the readers he built a flimsy {{w|Cloud computing|cloud}} services company using spare computers and parts. Included in the cloud hardware are (from left to right) a {{w|Macintosh Classic}}, several old laptops, an {{w|Alienware}} tower, a {{w|Nintendo}} {{w|VirtualBoy}}, an old desktop with the cover off, and an {{w|Atari, Inc.|Atari}} {{w|Pong#Home_version|Pong Console}}. | |
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− | + | He named the company after xkcd, xkcloud being a [[:category:Portmanteau|portmanteau]] of "[[xkcd]]" and "{{w|Cloud computing|cloud}}", here pronounced XK-cloud. The portmanteau incidentally still contains all four xkcd letters in the correct order: xkcLOUd. | |
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− | He named the company after xkcd, xkcloud being a [[:category:Portmanteau|portmanteau]] of "[[xkcd]]" and "{{w|Cloud computing|cloud}}", here pronounced XK-cloud. The portmanteau incidentally still contains all four xkcd letters in the correct order: xkcLOUd | ||
After providing his services to various (very big) companies ({{w|Facebook}}, {{w|Twitter}} and {{w|Tumblr}}), that are very concerned with securing the users data, his setup failed (some portions may even have caught fire? He is not sure). This has caused him to lose the data he was required to preserve as part of his service. He thus requests the readers help to make up and re-imagine the lost data by pressing the large red button at the bottom of the comic. Preferably ''before Facebook & Co notice we lost it.'' | After providing his services to various (very big) companies ({{w|Facebook}}, {{w|Twitter}} and {{w|Tumblr}}), that are very concerned with securing the users data, his setup failed (some portions may even have caught fire? He is not sure). This has caused him to lose the data he was required to preserve as part of his service. He thus requests the readers help to make up and re-imagine the lost data by pressing the large red button at the bottom of the comic. Preferably ''before Facebook & Co notice we lost it.'' | ||
− | If you take him up on his request and | + | If the you take him up on his request and pushes the button you will be taken to a "survey" where you will get the chance to help by either trying to combine a posted picture with its lost text or, vice versa, by trying to combine a posted text with its lost picture. In either case you get a selection of texts/pictures to choose from but can also choose to write your own text or even draw the picture. After doing this you get to see this combination in the news feed together with several other posts (which other people have helped combine from other lost data). And then you can continue helping as long as you like. |
The content of the "surveys" appear to come from reader submissions, and are different upon every click. This is thus both an interactive and a dynamic comic with only the first picture shown on top of this page. By inviting the xkcd readers to add content that will be displayed in the comic later, the result of all the interactions leads to the generation of {{w|Crowdsourcing|crowd-sourced content}}. | The content of the "surveys" appear to come from reader submissions, and are different upon every click. This is thus both an interactive and a dynamic comic with only the first picture shown on top of this page. By inviting the xkcd readers to add content that will be displayed in the comic later, the result of all the interactions leads to the generation of {{w|Crowdsourcing|crowd-sourced content}}. | ||
− | It was not immediately clear if the reader-created drawings or captions are, in fact, being cycled into the surveys and feeds, or if the displayed items were all created by Randall and the reader-created content is simply discarded. With the huge amount of different comments and drawings | + | It was not immediately clear if the reader-created drawings or captions are, in fact, being cycled into the surveys and feeds, or if the displayed items were all created by Randall and the reader-created content is simply discarded. With the huge amount of different comments and drawings there already appeared on the first day, and since especially the drawings looks like they are created in the simple paint app. (i.e. not by Randall), there can be no doubt that most of the content are created by the users. However he must have made some pictures to get it all started, and at least one of these can be seen [[1506: xkcloud/Pictures posted by users#Randall's pictures|here]]. |
This comic resembles last years April Fools' comic [[1350: Lorenz]] where user input also generated a very complex crowd-sourced comic. In both comics it was possible to create a [[#Permalink|permalink]] to save a given version of the comic to share with others. | This comic resembles last years April Fools' comic [[1350: Lorenz]] where user input also generated a very complex crowd-sourced comic. In both comics it was possible to create a [[#Permalink|permalink]] to save a given version of the comic to share with others. | ||
− | An earlier comic was also related to problems with cloud computing | + | An earlier comic that was also related to problems with cloud computing [[908: The Cloud]]. |
Due to the very complex nature of this comic, there are lots of details that may need an explanation. This can be found in the sections below. | Due to the very complex nature of this comic, there are lots of details that may need an explanation. This can be found in the sections below. | ||
+ | ==Detailed explanation== | ||
*Note that there have been some [[#Changes and bugs|changes and bugs]] regarding this comic after it was first released. | *Note that there have been some [[#Changes and bugs|changes and bugs]] regarding this comic after it was first released. | ||
*Some of the pictures that are referenced below was saved before these changes took place. So consult [[#Changes in the comic|these changes]] if the pictures do not match the expectations. | *Some of the pictures that are referenced below was saved before these changes took place. So consult [[#Changes in the comic|these changes]] if the pictures do not match the expectations. | ||
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*Pressing the "Link" next to any given post takes you to the page of the permalink: | *Pressing the "Link" next to any given post takes you to the page of the permalink: | ||
**This page will show a version of the ''Help us recover more data'' page with the chosen post as the top post. | **This page will show a version of the ''Help us recover more data'' page with the chosen post as the top post. | ||
− | ** | + | **But when you clicked the permalink it takes you to this "new" page and this page will '''not''' show all the posts from the page where you chose it. |
**Only the post you saved via the "Link" next to it. | **Only the post you saved via the "Link" next to it. | ||
***All the other post will again just be chosen at random, and these will change again every time you reload this page via the saved permalink. | ***All the other post will again just be chosen at random, and these will change again every time you reload this page via the saved permalink. | ||
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====Details on the permalink==== | ====Details on the permalink==== | ||
− | *Since the post from the page where you choose the first permalink | + | *Since the post from the page where you choose the first permalink are reloaded... Can you then only save one post at a time? |
− | *The answer is "no" - you can save all | + | *The answer is "no" - you can save all post on any given page. |
**For each "Link" text on a given page, there has already been generated a unique permalink {{w|URL}}. | **For each "Link" text on a given page, there has already been generated a unique permalink {{w|URL}}. | ||
**Thus you can copy any permalink via the "Link", without actually pressing the "Link" to obtain the permalink for a given post. | **Thus you can copy any permalink via the "Link", without actually pressing the "Link" to obtain the permalink for a given post. | ||
**Furthermore, since this may be the only comic where you can copy the text, you can simple mark the entire page and copy paste it into a document that contains formating. If you do this then you will have all the text, pictures and most importantly the permalinks for all the posts. | **Furthermore, since this may be the only comic where you can copy the text, you can simple mark the entire page and copy paste it into a document that contains formating. If you do this then you will have all the text, pictures and most importantly the permalinks for all the posts. | ||
*If you click the Link and go to the permalink page there will be seven posts, six new and the one you just saved. | *If you click the Link and go to the permalink page there will be seven posts, six new and the one you just saved. | ||
− | **The behavior of the posts is very strange from here if you press more | + | **The behavior of the posts is very strange from here if you press more permalink on this first permalink page |
− | **Also it will not be the same again after this first time as compared to if you continue to help recover more data and | + | **Also it will not be the same again after this first time as compared to if you continue to help recover more data and uses the permalink later. |
− | **On this first permalink page, where your chosen post is at the top, if you click on another | + | **On this first permalink page, where your chosen post is at the top, if you click on another posts permalink the following will happen: |
***The post you originally choose disappears from the page, as the new chosen post is moved to the top. | ***The post you originally choose disappears from the page, as the new chosen post is moved to the top. | ||
− | *** | + | ***But the other five post remains in the same order, so there are not only 6 posts. |
− | ***If you continue to choose the other posts one at a time, they will simply exchange place with the one at the top | + | ***If you continue to choose the other posts one at a time, they will simply exchange place with the one at the top. All six post remaining. |
− | ***Once you have been through all of them, then the order of the post | + | ***Once you have been through all of them, then the order of the post have been determined. |
****So if you click on a "Link" that you have already once activated, then this page will just reload, and the post will have the same order as last time. | ****So if you click on a "Link" that you have already once activated, then this page will just reload, and the post will have the same order as last time. | ||
− | ****This is only until you choose | + | ****This is only until you choose reload, or when you load such a permalink later. Then again it will just be the chosen post, and then always six other new posts. |
**If you then at some point move on via the red button you kind of stay in the permalink page, now just with new options to choose from. | **If you then at some point move on via the red button you kind of stay in the permalink page, now just with new options to choose from. | ||
− | ***If you then | + | ***If you then creates a new post, six new posts will be loaded below. |
− | *** | + | ***But when you click on a permalink at this point, there will not be any reloading of the post (because it is not the first time). |
− | *** | + | ***So any post you click will move to the top, but all the other (six this time) will stay, the top post just moving down to another position. |
− | **** | + | ****And it is not always a direct exchange. Sometimes the top post moves to another position and then pushes the others down until they reach the now calculated position of the post now at the top. |
===Our policy regarding your personal data=== | ===Our policy regarding your personal data=== | ||
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===Don't contact us=== | ===Don't contact us=== | ||
− | *At the same time the permalink appeared, there was also suddenly a new link on all other pages than the front page | + | *At the same time that the permalink appeared, there was also suddenly a new link on all other pages than the front page: |
− | **It is located right beneath ''help'' at the bottom of the list of problems written under ''our policy regarding your data'' right beneath Cueball at his desk to the left (see [[1506: xkcloud/Pictures of other pages#After 18:00 ET on April 1st|picture here]]). | + | **The link is written in a very weak gray font; it can even be hard to see on some screens. However, it can be found using a simple ctrl-f. |
− | **In some cases | + | ***It has possibly changed color since it first appeared, as it was fairly easy to see then. |
− | *The link text reads '''Don't contact us''' and links to [https://euphoria.io/ | + | ***This is certainly intentionally done so by Randall, as it is a reference to another comic (see below). |
− | * | + | **It is located right beneath ''help'' at the bottom of the list of problems written under ''our policy regarding your personal data'' right beneath Cueball at his desk to the left (see [[1506: xkcloud/Pictures of other pages#After 18:00 ET on April 1st|picture here]]). |
− | **Several xkcd users began posting | + | **In some cases tilting the screen will help to make it visible. |
− | **After picking a username, you can chat in real time with the other users. You can change your username by clicking on it near the bottom of the screen and entering a new one. | + | **If you cannot see it, you can still find it with the cursor, or you can also highlight the text below Cueball all the way down and copy-paste it into a text editor to see what it says. |
− | ''We are open for anyone to chat here. Hey you! Come right over and say hello to us! ~ | + | *The link text reads '''Don't contact us''' and links to a chatroom at [https://euphoria.io/ euphoria.io]. |
− | + | *Clicking the link opens the [https://euphoria.io/room/xkcd/ xkcd chatroom] at Euphoria. (See a [[1506: xkcloud/Pictures of other pages#xkcd chat forum|picture here]]). | |
+ | **Several xkcd users began posting there at around 18:00 {{w|Eastern Time Zone|Eastern time}} (Randall's timezone). | ||
+ | **After picking a username, you can chat in real time with the other users. | ||
+ | **When you return later, the site will remember your user name. | ||
+ | ***You can change your username by clicking on it near the bottom of the screen, and entering a new one. | ||
+ | ''We are open for anyone to chat here. Hey you! Come right over and say hello to us! ~[https://euphoria.io/room/xkcd euphoria.io/room/xkcd] | ||
+ | We really need some activity at the moment. Come say hi!'' | ||
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====Undocumented Feature==== | ====Undocumented Feature==== | ||
− | *This chat room is reminiscent | + | *This chat room is reminiscent to the one in comic [[1305: Undocumented Feature]]. |
− | *As mentioned above | + | *As mentioned above Randall has linked to a chat room, that is: |
− | **You do get to choose your | + | **Hard to access! You need to know that there is a hidden link on the pages you get to by pressing a red button in {{xkcd|1506}}. |
− | * | + | **Only those who entered the page at the right time, would have a chance to learn about this themselves (else they have to come to a page like this). |
+ | **It is not easy to even find the "euphoria.io" home-page. | ||
+ | **You do get to choose your user name (this is not the case in Undocumented Feature) but you could change it. Or others could use the same. | ||
+ | *At the moment it came out, many users began using the chatroom. | ||
*Maybe Randall timed these extra features for when people came back from work all over the US. | *Maybe Randall timed these extra features for when people came back from work all over the US. | ||
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==Changes and bugs== | ==Changes and bugs== | ||
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*Sometime on April 2, Randall made an update to the names list. | *Sometime on April 2, Randall made an update to the names list. | ||
**That this happened could be seen since the names shown in permalinks did change. And since then they have stayed constant. | **That this happened could be seen since the names shown in permalinks did change. And since then they have stayed constant. | ||
− | **For instance, [http://xkcd.com/1506/#post/3c34fb48-1a07-51d2-a81d-5257a3681024 this permalink], to an atomic bomb explosion with the caption ''that's one nasty burn!'', had the name "Lauren Ibsen Dolores Amit" (a play on "{{w|Lorem ipsum|Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet}}"), but | + | **For instance, [http://xkcd.com/1506/#post/3c34fb48-1a07-51d2-a81d-5257a3681024 this permalink], to an atomic bomb explosion with the caption ''that's one nasty burn!'', had the name "Lauren Ibsen Dolores Amit" (a play on "{{w|Lorem ipsum|Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet}}"), but now displays the name "Virginia2006" next to a picture of a man with black hair. |
***(If this changes please make a note - then the names list have either been changed again, or the assumption that the names stay constant is wrong.) | ***(If this changes please make a note - then the names list have either been changed again, or the assumption that the names stay constant is wrong.) | ||
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**This also occurred after April 1. | **This also occurred after April 1. | ||
*Around 18:00 when all the changes occurred the xkcd page did not work properly. (Overload plus new features). | *Around 18:00 when all the changes occurred the xkcd page did not work properly. (Overload plus new features). | ||
− | ** | + | **Also the chat room was overloaded at this time. |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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:Desk: XKCD.COM | :Desk: XKCD.COM | ||
− | :[Cueball | + | :[Cueball points at a bunch of computers.] |
:Cueball: I figured starting a cloud services company would be easy. | :Cueball: I figured starting a cloud services company would be easy. | ||
:Cueball: After all, I've got ''tons'' of computers! | :Cueball: After all, I've got ''tons'' of computers! | ||
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:Cueball: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr— they all struggle to protect privacy and user data... | :Cueball: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr— they all struggle to protect privacy and user data... | ||
:Cueball: And '''''we''''' offered a solution. | :Cueball: And '''''we''''' offered a solution. | ||
− | :Cueball: | + | :Cueball: I forget what it was, though. |
:[Cueball is standing with his arms up.] | :[Cueball is standing with his arms up.] | ||
:Cueball: Anyway, long story short, we screwed up ''immediately'' and lost ''tons'' of their data. | :Cueball: Anyway, long story short, we screwed up ''immediately'' and lost ''tons'' of their data. | ||
− | :Cueball: | + | :Cueball: Also a bunch of stuff is literally on fire? |
:[Cueball standing behind a desk.] | :[Cueball standing behind a desk.] | ||
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**Where you can copy and paste most of the text from the comic. I.e it is not drawn but printed. | **Where you can copy and paste most of the text from the comic. I.e it is not drawn but printed. | ||
***This goes only for the follow up pages after the front page. | ***This goes only for the follow up pages after the front page. | ||
− | *** | + | ***But it does not only go for the user input. |
− | **These two | + | **These two fact could go together since the way this comic had to be created (i.e. it is not a single picture), there may not have been any possibilities for making a title text |
*Source code of elements in the drawing interactive contain the attribute "data-reactid", indicating it is written using the [http://facebook.github.io/react/ React JavaScript library,] developed to use with Facebook & Instagram. | *Source code of elements in the drawing interactive contain the attribute "data-reactid", indicating it is written using the [http://facebook.github.io/react/ React JavaScript library,] developed to use with Facebook & Instagram. | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:April fools' comics]] | [[Category:April fools' comics]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
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[[Category:Computers]] | [[Category:Computers]] | ||
[[Category:Portmanteau]] | [[Category:Portmanteau]] | ||
[[Category:No title text]] | [[Category:No title text]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Elon Musk]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Elon Musk]] | ||
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