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!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.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
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?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 blogSudo 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.
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?![]()
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.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.
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?

Does it give the characterization I think it would while being funnyish at the same time?
edited 21st Dec '10 4:19:50 PM by deuxhero