Difference between revisions of "727: Trade Expert"

Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb.
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(Explanation: More details, clean up on double links.)
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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
The {{w|Slash (punctuation)|forward slash}} (/) is the correct way to separate distinct parts of a web address like the web address "<nowiki>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_(punctuation)</nowiki>". Similarly, the slash serves as a separator in file paths on UNIX-like operating systems. Often, the part of the web address after the first slash ('wiki/Slash_(punctuation)' in the previous example) will correspond to a file with the same path on a web server. The example could have the path '/var/www/en/wiki/Slash_(punctuation)'. Newscasters who say "backslash" could be doing so because they don't know the difference between a forward slash and backslash; they are also being somewhat overzealous by trying to specify forward- or backslash since just saying "slash" would be sufficient.
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The {{w|Slash (punctuation)|forward slash}} (/) is the correct way to separate distinct parts of a web address; for example in the address "<nowiki>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_(punctuation)</nowiki>", a forward slash follows the "org" and the "wiki". However, some newscasters are unfamiliar with the distinction between the different types of slashes, thus confusing the forward slash with the {{w|backslash}} (\), the wrong character. They may also be somewhat overzealous by trying to specify forward- or backslash since just saying "slash" would be sufficient.
  
As referenced in the title text, the {{w|backslash}} serves as a separator in file paths on the Windows operating system. Thus a windows file path encoded in a {{w|Uniform resource identifier|URI (uniform resource identifier)}} would contain the backslash character. It is worth noting, however, that if a URI contains a Windows path, that URI would probably only be accessible inside of a local {{w|Windows domain}}. Sharing such a URI on a news show would be useless, as nobody would be able to access the file over the internet.
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The title text refers to how in the Windows operating system, the backslash is actually used instead of the forward slash as a separator (in contrast to Unix-based systems, which use the forward slash). Thus, the path to any Windows file encoded in a {{w|Uniform resource identifier|URI (uniform resource identifier)}} would correctly contain the backslash character. However, placing such a URI into a web address to be shared on a news show would be completely useless, as they are only accessible insie of a local {{w|Windows domain}} (usually one's own computer) and no one would be able to access that file over the internet.
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==

Revision as of 15:59, 17 July 2014

Trade Expert
I mean, it's been almost twenty years. Now, it's possible you're simply embedding Windows directory paths in your URIs, but in that case you need more than just a short lecture.
Title text: I mean, it's been almost twenty years. Now, it's possible you're simply embedding Windows directory paths in your URIs, but in that case you need more than just a short lecture.

Explanation

The forward slash (/) is the correct way to separate distinct parts of a web address; for example in the address "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_(punctuation)", a forward slash follows the "org" and the "wiki". However, some newscasters are unfamiliar with the distinction between the different types of slashes, thus confusing the forward slash with the backslash (\), the wrong character. They may also be somewhat overzealous by trying to specify forward- or backslash since just saying "slash" would be sufficient.

The title text refers to how in the Windows operating system, the backslash is actually used instead of the forward slash as a separator (in contrast to Unix-based systems, which use the forward slash). Thus, the path to any Windows file encoded in a URI (uniform resource identifier) would correctly contain the backslash character. However, placing such a URI into a web address to be shared on a news show would be completely useless, as they are only accessible insie of a local Windows domain (usually one's own computer) and no one would be able to access that file over the internet.

Transcript

[Anchorman sitting at newsdesk.]
Anchor: (to camera) And for more on the summit, we turn to trade expert Dr. Steven Berlee. Steven?
[Dr. Steven Berlee is sitting to the right of Anchor at newsdesk.]
DSB: I'm not actually a doctor or a trade expert. I'm just a programmer who lies to get on news shows.
[Close-up on DSB.]
Anchor: (off camera) What? Why?
DSB: To share a message with newscasters.
[Pull back to shot of both men.]
Anchor: Which is?
DSB: Every time you say "backslash" as part of a web address on air, I die a little.


comment.png add a comment! ⋅ comment.png add a topic (use sparingly)! ⋅ Icons-mini-action refresh blue.gif refresh comments!

Discussion

Most modern browsers will convert backslashes in a URL into forward-slashes on submit anyway. And typing a file path into Windows Explorer's address bar using forward-slashes will usually work as well. Not to say that I also despise people incorrectly referring to web addresses as much as the next programmer (probably more), mixing slashes doesn't really break anything. bungeshea (talk) 10:25, 4 March 2013 (UTC)

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that the explanation is incorrect, and should rather say something like: The forward slash (/) is the correct way to separate distinct parts of a web address (for example, the web address 'en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_(punctuation)'). However, Dr. Steven Berlee has apparently heard newscasters say 'backslash' instead of 'slash' or 'forward slash'. Therefore, this annoys him. As referenced in the title text, the backslash serves as a separator in file paths on the Windows operating system. Thus a Windows file path embedded in a URI would contain the backslash character. However, Dr. Steven Berlee thinks that if you embed a Windows file path in a lecture, then 'in that case you need more than just a short lecture' because this is not a good practice. 01:48, 22 May 2013 (UTC)

I can't believe nobody has pointed this out: Steven Berlee? Steven (Crocker|Wolff) and Tim Berners-Lee... Steven Berlee! Founders of the internet (ARPANET and whatnot). 141.101.81.216 13:36, 21 February 2014 (UTC)

What I cannot believe is why you did not add it to the explanation your self this being a wiki ;-) But at last after more than two years I got around to doing it for you. But great catch, and true that it would have been a shame not to have that in the explanation so thanks for sharing :-) --Kynde (talk) 10:45, 29 June 2016 (UTC)

This issue doesn't seem to crop up as much now--it's easier to irritate programmers by calling the # symbol (by itself) a "hashtag."
Note for those who may not know: Acceptable names for # include hash, mesh, number sign, pound sign, octothorpe, grid, crosshatch, hex, sharp, or even "tictactoe" or "waffle iron" if you're feeling silly. "Hashtag" refers to a post tag which uses the octothorpe as a delimiter. 108.162.216.209 03:24, 2 March 2015 (UTC)

I don't really think that this explain is incomplete; yes, it IS called "Trade Expert" because the 'trade expert' was mentioned in the first panel. I didn't remove it cuz i'm very new and not sure if I'm correct in doing so.. :p halfyou 19:46, 9 July 2016 (UTC)

Additionally I think this is a wordplay: The guy obviously is an expert in his trade. His trade just isn't trading stuff. ;-) --162.158.85.111 14:04, 11 July 2016 (UTC)

November, 2016 - The Red Cross automated telephone message reminding me of my blood donation appointment specified a web site and used the word "backslash" in the spoken URL. 172.68.54.136 (talk) (please sign your comments with ~~~~)

https://www.backslashbackslash.com Tobit (talk) 15:25, 25 March 2021 (UTC)

That's incredible. I'm glad that exists. 172.70.189.175 16:27, 21 January 2023 (UTC)
Agreed. Trogdor147 (talk) 20:23, 24 July 2023 (UTC)