Editing 2341: Scientist Tech Help
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
+ | {{incomplete|Created by a WASP-INFESTED LAB. An explanation for WebPlotDigitizer is needed. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | ||
In this comic, Randall pokes fun at stereotypes of scientists that "tech people" hold. | In this comic, Randall pokes fun at stereotypes of scientists that "tech people" hold. | ||
− | In the first panel Randall | + | In the first panel, Randall presents an idealized view of the tasks of tech people. Large portions of {{w|machine learning}} and {{w|data science}} hinge around finding a pattern (either regression or classification) in a given data set, but the more common, real-world problem is in {{w|data cleaning}} and preparation. For the most part, the rest can be done with preexisting implementations. These types of tasks are those that tech people would expect to perform. |
− | The second panel presents a different reality. | + | The second panel, however, presents a different reality. Because wasps had infested the lab, the scientists had to take photos of their equipment through the window. This created a much more fundamental problem of data format than normal (image vs spreadsheet, as opposed to something more normal like pixel-wise vs vertex-based segmentation). The joke is that the scientists' questions for their tech specialists are very mundane in nature. ([https://old.reddit.com/r/talesfromtechsupport/comments/hxt0fw/my_whole_computer_went_black_what_did_you_do/ This is true in real life] -- experts' expertise is usually deep, but not broad.) |
− | {{w|Polaroid Corporation|Polaroid}} is a brand of {{w|instant camera}}, though "Polaroid" is often used to refer to instant cameras in general. Excel is referring to {{w|Microsoft Excel}}, a spreadsheet | + | {{w|Polaroid Corporation|Polaroid}} is a brand of {{w|instant camera}}, though "Polaroid" is often used to refer to instant cameras in general. Excel is referring to {{w|Microsoft Excel}}, a spreadsheet creation program. |
− | The title text refers to [https://automeris.io/WebPlotDigitizer/ WebPlotDigitizer], a tool which may be used on visual displays of data such as graphs and charts in order to extract the underlying data. This tool would have the potential to solve the problem which the scientists have by extracting data from the images taken of the equipment. Randall acknowledges the usefulness of the tool, but also expresses some dislike | + | The title text refers to [https://automeris.io/WebPlotDigitizer/ WebPlotDigitizer], a tool which may be used on visual displays of data such as graphs and charts in order to extract the underlying data. This tool would have the potential to solve the problem which the scientists have by extracting data from the images taken of the equipment. Randall acknowledges the usefulness of the tool, but also expresses some dislike for it, perhaps because it shouldn't be necessary to have to use it - someone must have had the original data to draw the graph - if they had made the data available then he wouldn't have to reverse engineer the plot. Other possibilities are that he simply feels that the tool is too powerful and leaving him less work to do, or that tools so trite and seemingly unnecessary prove so useful in the end. |
[[2116: .NORM Normal File Format]] deals with nested file formats. | [[2116: .NORM Normal File Format]] deals with nested file formats. | ||
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :What tech people think scientists need help with: | + | {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} |
− | :[Cueball, Ponytail, and Megan are facing a second Cueball and Hairbun | + | :[There are two panels. The one on the left is titled "What tech people think scientists need help with:". The second panel is titled "What scientists actually need:".] |
+ | |||
+ | :[Cueball, Ponytail, and Megan are facing a second Cueball and Hairbun. The second Cueball has his finger raised.] | ||
:Ponytail: Please–our data, it's too complex! Can your magical machine minds unearth the patterns that lie within? | :Ponytail: Please–our data, it's too complex! Can your magical machine minds unearth the patterns that lie within? | ||
:Cueball 2: We shall marshal our finest algorithms! | :Cueball 2: We shall marshal our finest algorithms! | ||
− | + | :[The two Cueballs, Ponytail, Megan, and Hairbun are in the same position as before.] | |
− | :[The two Cueballs, Ponytail, Megan, and Hairbun are in the same position as before | ||
:Ponytail: For a few weeks in June, the lab was infested by wasps, so we had to take pictures of the equipment through the window. | :Ponytail: For a few weeks in June, the lab was infested by wasps, so we had to take pictures of the equipment through the window. | ||
:Ponytail: How do you get graphs from a Polaroid photo into Excel? | :Ponytail: How do you get graphs from a Polaroid photo into Excel? | ||
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[[Category:Science]] | [[Category:Science]] | ||
[[Category:Computers]] | [[Category:Computers]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Bees]] |