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Is this one liner sufficently "say" what it should "say"?

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deuxhero Micromastophile from FL-24 Since: Jan, 2001
Micromastophile
#1: Dec 21st 2010 at 4:17:26 PM

Does it give the characterization I think it would while being funnyish at the same time?

  • Give me *the MacGuffin*.
  • No!
  • *pulls out gun* Perhaps I didn't parse that correctly. Sudo give me the *the MacGuffin*.

edited 21st Dec '10 4:19:50 PM by deuxhero

Madrugada Since: Jan, 2001
#2: Dec 21st 2010 at 4:36:10 PM

It probably will, for a certain part of the audience. It means nothing to me, except that I think I saw it in an xkcd once, and I didn't get it then, either.

Mammalsauce Since: Mar, 2010
#3: Dec 21st 2010 at 6:47:15 PM

Those who would understand it have probably heard it before; those who didn't and bothered to look it up would think it sounds nerdy more than funny. It would be lost on everyone else.

QQQQQ from Canada Since: Jul, 2011
#4: Dec 21st 2010 at 7:54:48 PM

Geeky, yes. But for non-programmers (aka The Rest of Everyone), the joke'll be lost on them.

OnTheOtherHandle Since: Feb, 2010
#5: Dec 21st 2010 at 8:42:43 PM

Well, I don't get it, but it would work, I'm sure. Just, if this is supposed to be a really big part of the story, it might be distracting to non-programmers.

"War doesn't prove who's right, only who's left." "Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future."
newtonthenewt Since: Jul, 2009
#6: Dec 22nd 2010 at 1:25:44 AM

I realize you added the "parsing" bit, but the fact that XKCD did it similarly is a double-edged sword. More people will get the joke, but more people will know where you got it from and it will sound old.

Basically, I'd say it's weak if it's used alone, but if it's expanded on it could work.

Also, you could try to use it subtly as a Shout-Out, though I have no idea how you'd do that.

And if your story isn't about computers, don't use it.

edited 22nd Dec '10 1:26:16 AM by newtonthenewt

She's playing with fire! He's not ready for Nibbly Pig!
EldritchBlueRose The Puzzler from A Really Red Room Since: Apr, 2010
The Puzzler
#7: Dec 22nd 2010 at 6:52:01 AM

I understand what you are saying, but I don't find it funny... :-/

What is going on at the time this conversation? Who are the people talking? If you plan on being funny you need to give people the context of where it comes from.

edited 22nd Dec '10 6:55:32 AM by EldritchBlueRose

Has ADD, plays World of Tanks, thinks up crazy ideas like children making spaceships for Hitler. Occasionally writes them down.
deuxhero Micromastophile from FL-24 Since: Jan, 2001
Micromastophile
#8: Dec 22nd 2010 at 12:46:46 PM

I'm asking if it conveys "character is really a nerd trying to sound badass".

Madrugada Since: Jan, 2001
#9: Dec 22nd 2010 at 1:13:07 PM

Like I said, it means nothing to me. So no, it wouldn't work for me.

QQQQQ from Canada Since: Jul, 2011
#10: Dec 22nd 2010 at 3:21:38 PM

Sudo (Pseudocode): Programming code meant for human reading rather than being parsed by an interpreter.
Parse: Interpreting the code.

It seems more like an Incredibly Lame Pun now that I think about it; not many people are going to be able to parse that pseudo-joke. Try a Stealth Pun / Genius Bonus instead.

edited 22nd Dec '10 3:23:20 PM by QQQQQ

chihuahua0 Since: Jul, 2010
#11: Dec 22nd 2010 at 3:44:55 PM

Is the line deliever a computer programmer? Then it will work.

SilentReverence adopting kitteh from 3 tiles right 1 tile up Since: Jan, 2010
adopting kitteh
#12: Dec 22nd 2010 at 4:07:21 PM

Overall agreed with the above. To make it better however it would be ideal if both characters have computer background, even if the potential audience doesn't, because it eases briefly jumping on a expospeak or flashback tangent.

Fanfic Recs orwellianretcon'd: cutlocked for committee or for Google?
TParadox Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: The captain of her heart
#13: Dec 22nd 2010 at 4:36:29 PM

I thought sudo was about delivering a command while temporarily elevating to admin status. "Super User Do" or similar.

edited 22nd Dec '10 4:36:52 PM by TParadox

Fresh-eyed movie blog
SilentReverence adopting kitteh from 3 tiles right 1 tile up Since: Jan, 2010
adopting kitteh
#14: Dec 22nd 2010 at 6:33:06 PM

Sudo is an Ubuntism that essentially means "I know I want this command to happen so shut up and obey", even when the first part of the assertion is usually false. So Yeah. The important part is that sudo means that the orderer is privileged and the command shall be carried out.

If anything, the actual problematic part with the dialog is the use of parse. You usually parse your input (what you receive), not your output (what you give). It should have been something using a verb like format, or maybe a *nixism of the cat family.

(pulls out gun) Perhaps I didn't format that correctly. Sudo give me the *the MacGuffin*.

Other options:

"You elevate me to be the root of your pain. (cocks gun) Give... me.. that... McGuffin." (not as geeky, but harder to parse)

"I know your deepest fears and secrets... so sudo give me that McGuffin." (clearer, but use it only it the context is appropiate)

"Perhaps I didn't format that correctly. Sudo !!" (like the original but extra geeky)

"My mistake then; s/^/sudo / ." (extremely geeky, use this one only if BOTH characters have programing background and even then at your own risk!!!)

edited 22nd Dec '10 6:33:57 PM by SilentReverence

Fanfic Recs orwellianretcon'd: cutlocked for committee or for Google?
EldritchBlueRose The Puzzler from A Really Red Room Since: Apr, 2010
The Puzzler
#15: Dec 22nd 2010 at 6:47:03 PM

[up][up]I thought sudo was that as well.

@ deuxhero: It doesn't sound badass either, partly because I have no clue what is going on. You say he is a nerd, but who is he as a character and a human being? What is the MacGuffin? What does it do, and more importantly why does he want it? Who is the person he is talking to now, and why does that person want the MacGuffin? Why does the first guy talk like he is programming something? Also do they have names?

edited 22nd Dec '10 6:47:40 PM by EldritchBlueRose

Has ADD, plays World of Tanks, thinks up crazy ideas like children making spaceships for Hitler. Occasionally writes them down.
Yej (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: They can't hide forever. We've got satellites.
#16: Dec 23rd 2010 at 1:34:17 PM

(extremely geeky, use this one only if BOTH characters have programing background and even then at your own risk!!!)
I honestly wouldn't use it at all, since the string "/^/" is not pronounceable. tongue

Also, for the non-UNIX-hackers, sudo means that you want to execute a command as the superuser, usually called root. In all (sensible) circumstances, the superuser has the permissions and rights to do everything, hence the line.

And yeah, you parse input. tongue

SilentReverence adopting kitteh from 3 tiles right 1 tile up Since: Jan, 2010
adopting kitteh
#17: Dec 23rd 2010 at 1:52:27 PM

Yeah, that's why I went with the "elevate to root" approach first.

And I and my haxx0r friends do speak in sed or regexes sometimes. It's not that hard so long as you use tone adequately or help yourself with AirQuotes.

Fanfic Recs orwellianretcon'd: cutlocked for committee or for Google?
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