Difference between revisions of "2659: Unreliable Connection"

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{{comic
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Good day!
| number    = 2659
 
| date      = August 15, 2022
 
| title    = Unreliable Connection
 
| image    = unreliable_connection.png
 
| titletext = NEGATIVE REVIEWS MENTION: Unreliable internet. POSITIVE REVIEWS MENTION: Unreliable internet.
 
}}
 
  
==Explanation==
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You won't find a fluffier blanket elsewhere. Guaranteed.
In today's world, the Internet, pervasive mobile technology and the COVID pandemic have all caused an implicit expectation for many people to be available all hours of the day, whether for work or social communications, even when on vacation. In this comic, [[Randall]] addresses the issue with a deliberately suboptimal internet device that drops Internet connectivity intermittently and at unpredictable intervals, thereby causing activities that require a constant, uninterrupted connection to be unusable. The device appears to be an internet {{w|modem}} connected to an automated version of a {{w|Galton board}} or {{w|Jin Akiyama}}'s mathematical {{w|pachinko}} machine[https://arxiv.org/pdf/1601.05706.pdf] with a series of twelve switches at the bottom to be pressed by falling balls, eleven of which are linked to a the label "on" and one linked to a second label "off," both such sets of switches apparently controlling the connection. This solves the social problem of demands for the likes of {{w|synchronous conferencing|synchronous teleconferencing}}, by causing {{w|Asynchronous communication|asynchronous}} methods of communication to be relatively more reliable and efficient for personal use.  
 
  
This is funny because such a device could likely much more easily be implemented in the {{w|firmware}} of the internet or WiFi modem or {{w|Router (computing)|router}}s. (See [[1785: Wifi]] for an explanation of firmware.) It's not clear whether the switches merely interrupt the connection momentarily or control power to the modem, which would involve a much longer booting sequence. The "unreliable" connection provides an excuse to be unavailable for work or social calls, and thus free to enjoy one's vacation. However the device also allows the user to have a fast internet connection most of the time, enabling them to use it for leisure purposes, such as downloading movies for entertainment, or to connect with others on one's own terms. It thus retains most of the benefit of a good connection.
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Dogs and cats are the best snuggle buddies on unrelentingly cold days, but we need to keep our pets warm, too.
  
The probability of a ball hitting the "off" switch is 165/2048, or about 8% (assuming the machine is ordinary,[https://drops.dagstuhl.de/opus/volltexte/2018/8817/pdf/LIPIcs-FUN-2018-26.pdf] and the space between switches is disregarded) because it's in the ninth position. We don't know the frequency with which new balls are dropped, so we can't estimate the frequency at which the device is likely to trigger {{w|Session Initiation Protocol}}, {{w|Transmission Control Protocol}}, or similar {{w|Timeout (computing)|timeout}} conditions that would likely close synchronous {{w|VOIP}}, video conferencing, and e.g. {{w|VRChat}} connections. Even if such connections were to survive the induced service interruptions, the {{w|application layer}} call or teleconference quality would suffer during them. The device may cause interruptions rarely enough that the connection is usable for casual purposes, but the user can still reasonably claim that it's unreliable to get out of online obligations.
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One simple way to keep them cozy is to use a heated blanket or bed, but pet parents have expressed concerns over the potential fire hazard, and also high energy cost!
  
The title text reflects on today's increasingly always-connected world, where emphasis may be changing from finding rare vacation spots that have reliable internet, to now finding somewhere worthwhile to go that still doesn't have it. It could also be a comment on the mild paradox that a nominally unreliable internet connection has advantages for those whose communication schedule, volume, or style preferences make synchronous teleconferencing less practical, desirable, or both. The reviews for the new vacation spot indicate that disconnections are found to be both desirable and undesirable, possibly even by the same person.
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That’s why we designed the blanket with special materials as a self-warming mat.
  
==Transcript==
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It includes a reflective thermal ​layer inside the plush faux lambswool quilt, making it an incredibly efficient (and affordable) way for pets to keep cozy.
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
 
  
:[There are twelve switches under an automated Galton board or pachinko machine, eleven of which are linked to a large item marked "on" but the ninth of which is linked to one marked "off", apparently controlling the operation of a modem connected to a gigabit data-cable and also connected onwards to a WiFi router. There is a supply of balls in a hopper above the board, with the triangular configuration of pins directing the balls chaotically to one or other of the switches, as shown by a single released ball and a motion path partially showing how it had rebounded from around half-way down until after hitting and rebounding away off a bottom-layer "on" switch.]
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As fellow cat or dog owners, we get you want the best for your friend.
  
:[Caption below the panel]:
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The one thing we can wholeheartedly promise is that our blanket will change the way your pets relaxes and sleeps.
:My new vacation spot has very fast internet that turns off randomly every now and then, just so you can tell people you'll be staying somewhere without a reliable connection.
 
  
{{comic discussion}}
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"You will find these blankets everywhere in my home when watching my channel ! Cleo absolutely LOVES this fleece blanket mat. He sat on it as soon as I unboxed the product. Perfect for winter and the cold season. 10/10 recommend!"
[[Category:Internet]]
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[[Category:Social interactions]]
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Diana Olson - Youtuber, Pets channel
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<img src="https://www.levilands.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/img_9_Soft_Flannel_Thickened_Pet_Soft_Fleece_P-1.jpg"  alt="cat mat" />
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<a href="https://www.levilands.com/">Pet bed|pet blanket|pet mat|pet coshion|cat bed|cat blanket|cat mat|cat coshion|dog bed|dog blanket|dog mat|dog coshion|pet accesories|cat accesories|dog accesories|pet supplies|pet store|pet care|energy save|warm protection|warm blanket|warm mat|heating cotton|heating blanket|heating mat|Thermal Equipment|energy saving|heater|warmer|Heated Mattress|heating pad</a>:
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https://www.levilands.com
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 +
Best Regards,
 +
Janice

Revision as of 07:52, 20 November 2022

Good day!

You won't find a fluffier blanket elsewhere. Guaranteed.

Dogs and cats are the best snuggle buddies on unrelentingly cold days, but we need to keep our pets warm, too.

One simple way to keep them cozy is to use a heated blanket or bed, but pet parents have expressed concerns over the potential fire hazard, and also high energy cost!

That’s why we designed the blanket with special materials as a self-warming mat.

It includes a reflective thermal ​layer inside the plush faux lambswool quilt, making it an incredibly efficient (and affordable) way for pets to keep cozy.

As fellow cat or dog owners, we get you want the best for your friend.

The one thing we can wholeheartedly promise is that our blanket will change the way your pets relaxes and sleeps.

"You will find these blankets everywhere in my home when watching my channel ! Cleo absolutely LOVES this fleece blanket mat. He sat on it as soon as I unboxed the product. Perfect for winter and the cold season. 10/10 recommend!"

Diana Olson - Youtuber, Pets channel

<img src="https://www.levilands.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/img_9_Soft_Flannel_Thickened_Pet_Soft_Fleece_P-1.jpg" alt="cat mat" />

<a href="https://www.levilands.com/">Pet bed|pet blanket|pet mat|pet coshion|cat bed|cat blanket|cat mat|cat coshion|dog bed|dog blanket|dog mat|dog coshion|pet accesories|cat accesories|dog accesories|pet supplies|pet store|pet care|energy save|warm protection|warm blanket|warm mat|heating cotton|heating blanket|heating mat|Thermal Equipment|energy saving|heater|warmer|Heated Mattress|heating pad</a>: https://www.levilands.com

Best Regards, Janice