Split (1)

train · 14k rows

q_id stringlengths 6 6	title stringlengths 4 294	selftext stringlengths 0 2.48k	category stringclasses 1 value	subreddit stringclasses 1 value	answers dict	title_urls listlengths 1 1	selftext_urls listlengths 1 1
5smhk5	Self-checkout machines have existed for at least a decade now. Why has the technology not improved at all over that span of time?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddg88uw", "ddgaz73", "ddg9yhu", "ddgar6f", "ddg6ihn", "ddgaj78" ], "text": [ "Mind you, some grocery chains are heavily unionized and they have language in the contracts preserving jobs even with the rise in highly accurate automated check out systems. I'm willing to bet t...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5sngh1	why do vacuum cleaners make so much noise?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddgifj5" ], "text": [ "See URL_0 I've heard many times that they made quiet ones but they wouldn't sell because they didn't sound powerful." ], "score": [ 3 ], "text_urls": [ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1k33ip/eli5_why_do_vacuum_cleaners_make_s...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5sonm5	Why does the peak volume vary so much from different sources on the internet: music, videos, etc? Also why can't your computer/speakers artificially amplify the peak level?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddgrplh" ], "text": [ "It's actually more about average loudness than peak, but /u/swordgeek hit it - lack of standards. It used to be in some genres that musicians and/or engineers would push the loudness as high as possible into a peak limiter (therefore reducing dynamic range, which is a m...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5spy6p	How come during the 1950's, they were called 'Atomic' bombs, but were then called 'Nuclear' at the start of the Cold War?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddh1zy7", "ddgyc5o", "ddhg8yc", "ddgyhsz", "ddh59hf" ], "text": [ "They're all colloquial. \"Atomic bomb\" has historically referred to gun-type and implosion-type fission weapons first developed by the allies in the mid 1940s. In 1952, the United States introduced a new weapo...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5sqo8e	How to video game developers "balance" different aspects of video games (e.g. The different fighters in fighting games, different races in strategy games, etc.)	Are there certain established theories of game balancing, or is it more trial and error?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddh59a2", "ddh5hzd", "ddh582c" ], "text": [ "It's a really complicated topic. Games like Go have been around for a damned long time and are still working on how to properly balance the advantage of being the first person to be able to move. So part of it is trial and error. In more co...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5ssdfd	if we say an atomic clock is wrong 1 second for every 1 000 000 years, have we actually a better way of measuring time?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddhfe7p", "ddhsfy0", "ddhmh4r" ], "text": [ "Yes, two atom clocks. You do not know which one is right but it gives you an indication of how accurate they are.", "Not necessarily. But if you put ten atomic clocks in a room and come back and check them a year later, you can see if t...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5sss8k	Why do livestreams always have a small delay but group calls (on skype for example) don't	We can show our screen to everyone who's on the call (on skype) and it doesn't have a delay, then why do livestreams of games, for example, have that delay. Isn't it almost the same thing?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddhi738" ], "text": [ "Well, for starters, a video game stream is sending the data to sometimes hundreds of viewers (or more), whereas you're just sending data directly to your Skype contacts. In addition, the Skype video is likely nowhere near as high quality as the video game stream. Also...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5ssxo6	How can companies say their energy saving light bulbs will last 20 years?	How do they test them as i imagine they haven't been left on for 20 years as that would be impractical and they weren't invented that long ago. e.g. LED bulbs.	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddhjyvj" ], "text": [ "LED's have been around since the 1960's. they've been used in all kinds of industrial and commercial applications as instrument signal lights. using LED's as lighting instead of signaling has been around for a decade already in industrial and commercial. it's only recen...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5st26u	What are the differences between regular operating systems and real time operating systems, and why aren't all operating systems made to be the real time kind?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddhllw1", "ddhohrq", "ddhkyo4" ], "text": [ "The key feature of a real time OS is that if a request is made, it *will complete in X milliseconds or less. Everything else is secondary to that. If the computer is controlling a self-driving car, it is going to read data from sensors se...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5stzu1	When burning a CD, does a 4x vs a 1x write speed change the quality of the end product? Is there anything different about a 4x vs any other speed other than, speed?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddhx220", "ddhu9h9", "ddi110g", "ddi612a" ], "text": [ "I always thought this harkened back to the old days of CD burning, where buffer underruns occurred frequently. A buffer was created for the data being burned, and if the buffer emptied before the burning process is complete, ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5suj10	Power usage by smartphones is progressively growing, but battery capacity stays relatively same. Why?	To clarify the question: we've seen impressive changes in their processing power, display size and resolution. However, there's little to no development of battery cell capacity. Why is that? Edit: Thanks everyone for the answers!	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddhwalz", "ddiexzb", "ddhwfke" ], "text": [ "Circuits in the phone follow Moore's Law (transistors double every ~18 months). The more transistors a phone has, the more power it uses. Moore's law says that number keeps increasing at an exponential rate. Even with good efficiency techno...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5supxb	How people can hack your phone/computer with a USB drive?	Saw it on Mr. Robot, didn't know if it's movie magic or actually possible.	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddhxyco", "ddi127l", "ddi2ufs" ], "text": [ "It is technically possible. Heck, it may even be possible to hack your phone over the air. Hackers look for vulnerabilities in your software that allow them to install their own programs. They'll use these programs to gain root access and/o...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5suyt4	How does a Fitbit count your steps so accurately?	I recently got a fit bit and have loved playing around with it but it has kind of terrifying how accurate the step counting is. You can watch the number go up for every single step you take. Well, now I know that it isn't as accurate as I once thought. But, how does the Fitbit count your steps?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddhzs90", "ddi0bg1" ], "text": [ "~~It's actually under debate as to whether or not it can accurately track steps during heavy exercise. There's actually a class action lawsuit against Fitbit right now.~~ I was incorrect. The lawsuit is over the heart rate monitor not the step count.", ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5sv2zb	what exactly is 5G supposed to be and how is it different than 4G LTE?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddi5sj3" ], "text": [ "At the moment 5G is just a phrase and people do research on how to make things better then 4G. 5G is supposed to be better in any way then LTE. Faster, better energy efficiency, better range, use less bandwidth, etc. It's the next big thing in Communication and that's w...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5sxy9o	why the image of black and white television was so much sharper than the first several years of color television.		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddisr7j" ], "text": [ "Cathode ray tube TVs worked by having an electron gun draw each line of the image, one by one, around 30 times a second. The beam form the gun would strike a phosphor (think pixel), the strong the beam, the more brightly the phosphor glow. By adjusting the power of the ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5sy12t	Why do some scientists warn about AI becoming self aware?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddiprwf", "ddistku" ], "text": [ "Because we don't know what it will be capable of or what it's intentions will be. If an AI becomes capable of improving itself it could become out of control and escalate it's abilities, and without morals it could go on as rampage destroying financial sy...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5sy38v	Why do websites only display a small part of an article with a button "Read More" that displays the rest?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddiq8aa" ], "text": [ "the button click is recorded and it means the user is a human that expresses interest in the article content more than just the headline/first paragraph. this is a data point for creating a more accurate user profile's interests." ], "score": [ 8 ], "text_ur...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5sy5nk	Why does the iPhone require a passcode after restart if the fingerprint scanner is secure?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddiuqaj", "ddiqq8a", "ddj8hvy" ], "text": [ "As was made famous by the FBI/Apple confrontation from last year, recent iPhones do a pretty decent job of encrypting all content stored in the phone. The way the encryption works is that the master key—the big, 256-bit secret number that...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5syxuz	Playstation/Xbox CD's copy protection, how does it work?	How does playstation or xbox games on cd's copy protection work? I mean I know you can't put disc into optical drive on your PC and clone it to blank blu-ray disc, I mean it will work but disc wont be recognized by console (Not sure if this changed but back when PS1 was a thing I tried it and it didn't work). So how do...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddiz7tf" ], "text": [ "One method of optical media copy protection relies on the fact that legit media is pressed on specialized factories while pirated media is burned with home devices. When you burn an optical media you cannot control topologically where each piece of data will be located....	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5syzqz	Why do all sci-fi space helmets now have ambient lights on the inside?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddiwm9m", "ddiwyai" ], "text": [ "It's most likely just for cinematography's sake, it keeps the actors/actresses photogenic and easy to visually identify. It would unlikely ever be practical for the same reasons driving with your interior lights on is not practical.", "A dark mask exp...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5szw31	how it is ensured website domain names are unique when there are hundreds of hosting services		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddj27x2", "ddj2855" ], "text": [ "Hosting does not equal the management and sales of domain names. A host is a service that offers you webspace (i.e. the storage of your files that is accessible via the internet), basically the host is a company that builds and/or sells the house the home...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5t0fax	How is so much internet data sent through undersea cables simultaneously?	From what I understand, the vast majority the internet is sent through these cables, but I dont understand how so much data from billions of people can be instantly transmitted through so few of them. Like if I send an email, for a brief moment of time, is the entire cable dedicated to transmitting my message?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddj7tdm", "ddj6jis" ], "text": [ "> if I send an email, for a brief moment of time, is the entire cable dedicated to transmitting my message What you're describing is called a circuit switched network. That's how the telephone network used to work, and the telegraph network before that....	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5t1gsu	Film grain even in modern movie blurays, is it purposeful or why cant it be cleaned out?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddjdwrb" ], "text": [ "Film grain is a product of the chemistry that makes film. It can be made smaller, but the smaller grains take more light to switch on (expose). That makes finer grain film \"slower\" and it's a tradeoff between lighting and grain size. To eliminate it would take very in...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5t1qe0	Why are car batteries lead-acid monstrosities and not cutting edge 18650's cells?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddjg0uf" ], "text": [ "The cost is way lower. Both initial cost, and also in service lifetime over endless recharge cycles." ], "score": [ 11 ], "text_urls": [ [] ] }	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5t1zf7	Why won't companies like Whatsapp and Instagram enter the Ipad market?	I find it extremly difficult for me that these companies don't have an app. This leads to using other 3rd party apps with many crashes and bugs.	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddji847" ], "text": [ "They don't need to. Remember their goal is to capture users ? There are very few people with an ipad and not an iphone. There's no reason to build and support an ipad app for people who are already using your service." ], "score": [ 3 ], "text_urls": [ [...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5t3m5z	Why does desktop Windows 10 not support dynamic backgrounds when they are such a common feature in mobile OS?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddjvfdd" ], "text": [ "it might have if it came out in the dark days of cursor packs and desktop buddies. fortunately the desktop world has matured a bit and doesnt regard such gimmicks as a priority anymore. hopefully the mobile world will catch up soon" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5t4cu6	How do MRI's work?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddk2jpw", "ddk8e1o", "ddka6pa" ], "text": [ "The machine uses a very powerful spinning magnet that aligns the nuclei of water (H20) atoms inside your body (Since most of it is water), it creates a magnetic field that causes the atoms to resonate, a phenomenon called nuclear magnetic r...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5t6fhb	Why are some imgur-links viewable on reddit itself and some aren't?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddkhjx0" ], "text": [ "Depends on what you use to embed the picture. Also sole users tend to post the imgur URL ( URL_0 ) instead of what they should post which is the picture URL ( URL_1 )." ], "score": [ 9 ], "text_urls": [ [ "www.imgur.com/example", "i.imgur.com...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5t8zrc	Why has every washing machine I've used taken 10+ minutes longer than the timer said it would take?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddl3tve" ], "text": [ "Modern washing machines have sensors that judge the weight and sometimes the amount of dirt in the water. They don't judge these until it starts operating, and they may or may not update the time after the initial prediction. In addition, they may be judging the tempera...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5t9cza	Net Neutrality and its opposition		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddl40nh", "ddl5nn7" ], "text": [ "That's not Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality is treating all internet traffic equally. Here's an example: Comcast owns NBC and has a stake in Hulu. Comcast specifically makes your Netflix connection worse and gives priority to Hulu. This is Comcast specifica...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5t9p37	How Does Emulation Work?	Specifically: Why does it take so much more power to emulate a machine that has significantly less capabilities than the machine you're emulating it on?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddlav7p" ], "text": [ "Software developer here, Emulation isn't a 1:1 translation from one CPU instruction set to another, you also have to replicate missing hardware instructions, their side effects, and most importantly, their lockstep timing. The side effects and timing are the hardest par...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5t9sxv	How would abolishing net neutrality influence people outside the US?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddl9dru" ], "text": [ "Indirectly. There wouldn't be a difference up front because your ISPs are regulated by your own country's laws. But let's say Comcast decides to extort Netflix to pay millions of dollars or have their data throttled. Netflix has to recoup those losses from their custome...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tag6y	Pros and cons of solid state vs regular hard drive		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddlci4a", "ddleyw8", "ddldhxx" ], "text": [ "Pros for ssd's: -Smaller form factors available -Significantly faster read/write speeds -Very low thermal output -No vibrations -Substantially less degredation in speed over time Cons for ssd's: -Higher price Sorry for formatting, am on mob...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tapu3	why is it hard to diffuse a bomb?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddleifn", "ddlehyj" ], "text": [ "Because bombmakers don't want you to diffuse their bombs, generally speaking. So they will create paths where interruptions cause detonations, for instance, so that by yanking out all the wires you set off the trigger.", "It's not that easy to defuse ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5taqim	Why traditional hard drives never come in normal boxes and do not have backplate but just exposed board ?	Like seriously. I just got new hdd and it is sold just as hdd I got 20 years ago. In ESD shield wrap. No box. And they still have that fragile exposed board on the downside	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddleydg" ], "text": [ "That's OEM packaging, if you buy them in bulk, the come in a large box with foam slots in it. If you spend a bit more money, you can get retail packaging with a box and padding and cables and a manual. As for the exposed board, there is no reason to protect it. They are...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5taus9	How do USB/HDMI/DisplayPort keep getting faster?	Are they making new discoveries? If so what are they? Or are they simply making thicker cables? Eg. HDMI 2.0 -- > HDMI 2.1 went from 18Gbit/s to 48Gbit/s USB 3.0 -- > USB 3.1 went from 5Gbit/s to 10Gbit/s DisplayPort 1.2 -- > 1.3 went from 17.28 Gbit/s to 32.4Gbit/s This was last look at [5 years ago]( URL_0 ) with spe...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddlidkd" ], "text": [ "Improvements in various things. For example in HDMI the speed increase is associated with a higher clock rate. Much like faster processors increased in Mhz, and into Ghz. HDMI Max Clock frequency to Data throughput - HDMI 1.0 - 1.2: 165mhz = 4.95Gbps - HDMI 1.3 - 1.4: 3...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tbd9w	After years and years of pirating, why haven't they figured out a way to duplicate console game CDs in such a way the console can play them?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddljlxk" ], "text": [ "Several reasons First the basics, Each console has a developer signing key, that key is used to encrypt and mark the software you master to CD to make sure that even if you managed to copy it, it will not run becuase the copy is not signed with a valid key from the auth...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5td30u	How do cryptocurrencies work?	I have been googling around for the past hour and I still can't really get a good idea of what cryptocurrencies are. How do alt-coins work? Why are AMD GPUs better for mining? What are the best cryptocurrencies to mine? etc.	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddlxa3d" ], "text": [ "In a normal banking system you have central banks that keep track of all transactions between all bank accounts in a huge ledger. By summing up all the transactions related to a bank account you can get the current balance. So when a new transaction comes in the bank wi...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tdbhv	If I get youtube search results from 7 years ago and youtube never deletes videos, 30 years from now will my search results look exactly the same as they do now?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddlxq1j" ], "text": [ "People do delete videos and accounts even if the company doesn't. In addition new videos are added all the time and the ranking changes due to how many views and the duration of each view, so \"less popular\" videos drop down the search list." ], "score": [ 6 ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tdtu4	How is music digitally stored AND played?	I've been wondering about this for quite some time now, but can anyone explain it without sounding overly complicated? There are no musical instruments inside a speaker, so how is it able to play recorded music? And relatedly, how is a recording instrument able to store sounds/music?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddm1l3n" ], "text": [ "Every single sound is just a combination of waves in the air. Instruments and the like are designed to create certain specific combinations, which is why (for example) a trumpet sounds like a trumpet: it vibrates the air in a attern that is (more or less) unique. Speake...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tfy2w	Why do subscription services like Hulu or Netflix take down titles that are in demand?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddm8867", "ddm855i", "ddmc5b0" ], "text": [ "They license the titles with a certain time frame. After it expires, they can sign a new contract. Perhaps the licensor increase the price and Netflix doesn't want to pay for it.", "Being in demand does not matter. They take down titles...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tgxjf	How do LEDs work?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddmnkyc" ], "text": [ "Applying voltage to an LED makes electrons jump across a small gap between two crystals of different semiconducive materials. One with a higher energy state than the other. When they move from high to low, a photon is released. The frequency of this photon is determined...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5th9ix	Can you really find someones browsing history through Google?	So my friends have always told me that you can look up someones history through Google, if you just search their IP and shit. But I don't reallt believe that, I think it's totally BS. But is it really true?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddml4oq" ], "text": [ "You cannot find someone's browsing history through Google- the only way someone could see this would be if they had access to your computer or phone, or your ISP (the company that provides your internet) gave it away (they can see your Internet history). What you may be...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5thg2s	How do they make Gorilla Glass stronger than regular glass?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddmikyw", "ddmj5y7" ], "text": [ "I don't think there's really such a thing as \"regular glass\" as you might think of it. Take steel for example. Steel is what's called an \"alloy\" which in it's own case is Iron mixed with some ratio of other elements, usually carbon. There is no standa...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5thkds	Who puts together programme schedules? And in the case of 24/7 channels, is it somebody's job to watch TV all night?	Who puts together programme schedules? And for channels that run 24/7 - is it somebody's job to sit there and keep an eye on the channel all night as nobody else would be around if it say, shut down or there was an error?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddmjjwz" ], "text": [ "There are major network executives who buy shows and then programming coordinators are usually the ones who are involved with scheduling. If there is a 24 hour station, you best believe at least one person (if not a few more) are at the station making sure, if there is ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5thtnm	Why do advertisers allow their commercials to repeat over and over when aired on a steaming device? They must know it enrages their potential customers, right?	Is it so much to ask? I'm watching It's Always Sunny on my FX app on Apple TV and every god damn commercial is a delta spot with the stupid song from Snow White. It's driving me nuts! IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS TO US???	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddmnaqs" ], "text": [ "Most of the time the point of commercials is not to actually sell you anything but to get their brand in mind. You may not like that they play commercials so much on your device but you do remember who's commercials are responsible don't you? Now how many other of that ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tj6ie	Why are there so many available opportunities to learn to code for free online?	It seems like everyone is on board with coding to be a universally free and easily accessed thing. How is the market not being saturated, and the coders not outraged the skill that makes them valuable is so easily obtainable.	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddmxx8d", "ddn410q", "ddn7ct2" ], "text": [ "You can learn the basics pretty easy, but getting good is hard and takes a lot of work. Most people aren't willing to put in the effort.", "Learning the basics of programming in general, and becoming comfortable with some popular langua...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tjbeh	How do generative Artificial Neural Networks work? (AI that "imagines" images)	I have recently seen a [video]( URL_0 ) that blew my mind - ANN algorithm generates an image from text description. And then another algorithm increases it's resolution and makes it almost photorealistic. And then there was the whole deep art thing. Can you explain how these things work? I'm talking specifically about ...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddnanar" ], "text": [ "It's very hard to explain a neural network in simple terms. But I'll try my best. I'll have to explain the basics of ANNs in general, though. A neural network works just like the neurons in our brain - actually, the neurons on our brain are a huge neural network. Ar...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tjjhv	How does ethernet over power work?	Those devices that plug into wall outlets and extend a LAN through the wall outlets. How exactly do they work?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddn06y6", "ddn0452", "ddn7ulz" ], "text": [ "Normal ethernet works using several pairs of wires in a single cable. Each pair forms part of a circuit that can be used to send data via an electrical signal. Sending an ethernet signal through a single pair of power lines requires combini...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tjkg1	Why do the pictures NASA releases to the public look like CGI?	I always notice that NASA releases photos and they almost always looks like CGI planets rather than real ones. Why is this?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddn0r13", "ddmzuoy", "ddn66n3", "ddndkhf", "ddnbnog", "ddn7e22" ], "text": [ "Part of it is because space lacks reflections. Really good CGI makes great effort to map all of the light sources and reflections in a scene. And I don't mean just mirrored reflections, but also ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tjskw	Why is the range of AM radio stations longer at night?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddn2ml5" ], "text": [ "During the day, there's an upper layer of the atmosphere called the \"Ionosphere D Layer\". The D layer is a very good absorber of low frequency signals (such as AM broadcast bands at 550Khz to 1600Khz). As the sun goes down, the D layer of the ionosphere dissipates and...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tksxt	Why can you "brick" phones so easily, but not computers?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddnaeg0", "ddnanb6", "ddnf915", "ddni5j3", "ddnaww9", "ddnexo0", "ddndngl", "ddnfft8", "ddneox2", "ddnho6i", "ddnem2m", "ddnf67w", "ddniu5w", "ddnhe4p", "ddnjs84", "ddnmp2f", "ddnm73k" ], "text": [ "Bricking generally means makin...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tnxnd	Panasonics new "invisible tv", how is it transparent?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddo6tfn" ], "text": [ "[Their screen]( URL_0 ) is an array of very small LED lights (red, green, and blue ones) printed on a sheet of clear plastic (which is then placed behind the clear glass. When the shelf light behind the glass is turned off, it is black back there so the clear parts of t...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5to1ay	Why do phones have separate speakers for calls and media?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddnss3z" ], "text": [ "Generally one speaker is designed to sound good at very low energy, very close up; the other is designed to put out many times that amount of power, and if it started playing in your ear, it could damage your hearing. So they mount it separately, facing the other way. i...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5to9o2	How does mobile "Direct Deposit" work for checks?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddnu6h8" ], "text": [ "You take pictures, you enter amount, you send it in. They use a computer to analyze the check and the serial numbers to see if it's a true check, they also check the amount as well of course." ], "score": [ 3 ], "text_urls": [ [] ] }	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tphti	How do big companies/colleges maintain high internet speeds across hundreds of people's devices?	It was a random thought that occurred to me. I've heard about how connecting a ton of active devices to a home network can cause congestion (and slow it down?). I'm a university student and I am always able to have a fast internet connection even when there's hundreds of people in the same building as me using the netw...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddo1r97", "ddo3wf7", "ddo5y3h" ], "text": [ "Your building has lots and lots of access points all connected to many, many switches. Each switch is likely to be able to handle a Gbit of traffic on each port so for a 24 port switch that's a 24+ GBit back plane. Your college also has a...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tq8bo	What happens when a program is not closing when the "x" is being clicked and also when a program is closed due to "Force Quit" or "End Task" in the task manager?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddo6wcl" ], "text": [ "Clicking the \"X\" sends a signal to the program that tells it to gracefully stop what it's doing and shut down. This lets it properly save progress, close any open files, etc. Correct operation depends on the program responding; if it has crashed in certain ways this c...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tsb25	why are computer viruses being created and spread? Do they have a function other than wrecking computer software?	Been wondering about this for a while. Are all viruses just product of douchebaggery?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddon7tx", "ddomgna", "ddp04t3" ], "text": [ "Some are just douchebaggery, some are in good fun (the hello world virus), some are for profit (ransomware), some are for spying and then you have the viruses that have a very explicit goal (like stuxnet). There probably are other types, bu...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tsh0l	When my smartphone's battery dies, I have to wait a few minutes to use it again when it's on charge. When my laptop's battery dies, it works right away when on charge.		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddoninw", "ddq7dp7" ], "text": [ "Lazy ELI5 but. Laptops are designed to draw power straight from the cable so they are still usable without a battery. A Mobile phone only draws power from the battery so it needs power before it can power the device.", "> When my smartphone's battery ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tsoeo	How can encryption methods be open source?	I was reading about the signal protocol and saw it has a github page. Doesn't this mean anyone can figure out how the encryption works and break it?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddop3xx", "ddoxy0d", "ddopmnr", "ddov8av" ], "text": [ "It is a generally accepted security precept that \"The enemy knows the system.\" That is, when you are designing an encryption algorithm (or any security measure) that you assume the enemy knows its design. You assume that, e...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tszvw	Does repeatedly flicking a light on and off damage it?	I was told flicking the lights on and off quickly damages the light (maybe the bulb, maybe the switch?). Any truth to this?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddori0a", "ddosxmg", "ddouhkb", "ddp3424" ], "text": [ "Probably. Sending pulses of power into things causes a lot of stress on them. This is particularly a problem with delicate things like light bulb filaments. Plus it annoys the other people in the room and if someone throws a ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tt7l0	Why do wireless companies treat tethering data differently than mobile data?	if i pay for data, does it really matter how it's being used? if i use my phone to stream netflix, or use it to tether to my computer to stream netflix, isn't the data being used regardless? is tethering more strain on the network than mobile data? if i stream 2gb on my phone or tether 2gb, what is the difference betwe...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddosp1b", "ddpegjv" ], "text": [ "There is no technical reason for this, and a few years back they did not. The bottom line is that they can make more money selling you an additional service.", "Because they're greedy greedy pig fucks. They can make more money carving up your data i...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5ttoxf	Why did Obamas (and probably Trumps) phone have texting, calls and music removed, but not internet access?	As he described by Obama in [this]( URL_0 ) video, his iPhone has had the camera, music and phone functionality removed, yet it can access the internet. Why did they remove all of these functionalities, most of which are harmless (such as music or phone calls), yet leave in internet access (which would probably be more...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddp4q13" ], "text": [ "Security, if he had the phone call ability there, someone could listen in on any conversation the phone was near. If he had the camera someone could watch, music im not too sure about" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text_urls": [ [] ] }	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tu5lf	What causes you to hear a high pitched noise when a device, which has been fully charged, is still in the charger?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddp353a", "ddpveyw", "ddpi0ok", "ddpgj2t", "ddpzqaq" ], "text": [ "Small chargers today are switch mode power supplies. They work, simply said, by first rectifying the alternating mains current to direct current, then chopping it up again to pulses at a much higher frequency, ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tuark	Why is it recommended that new mobile phones be charged 6-8 hours before use?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddp2xzl" ], "text": [ "Lithium batteries have best long term shelf life when half charged. The battery will self discharge even not plugged in. So between your iphone leaves the factory in china, gets to dock warehouse in china, wait for the next boat, gets loaded, spends 2-3 weeks at sea, ge...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tvbxu	Why do websites push there mobile version when its usually inferior in functionality and usability ?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddpbhu4", "ddpgwlz", "ddpbjsr", "ddpdj4v", "ddpw15y", "ddpwnbu", "ddpwj92", "ddpe0i7", "ddpdw0p", "ddpc1aa", "ddpj7h6", "ddpxqdq", "ddpwamo", "ddpymrm" ], "text": [ "Load times, cleaner design and the perception is that if you're browsing on...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tw93c	Why is it possible to tell if you're watching an SNL skit just by the quality of the video itself?	Do they use like some sort of custom frame rate or some unique combination of zooming and panning back? The video/film quality isn't like any other TV show or movie I've seen.	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddpib2d", "ddpj64s" ], "text": [ "It's because the lighting is different. It's very similar to soap operas. They use evenly lit lights across the whole set, meaning that lighting is a lot less used for character focus and mood. The benefit is that they don't have to do a bunch of lighting...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5twg4z	If passwords are stored as hashes why is it more secure to have passwords with numbers, capital letters, etc.		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddpjdpj", "ddpjf5c" ], "text": [ "If the password database is stolen, or a security hole is discovered that lets the attacker try tons of combinations, they will probably immediately try a dictionary attack. They'll check to see if any of the hashed combinations match common words and com...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5twllf	why do vocoders require that weird tube in the person's mouth, and not a microphone?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddpletm", "ddplf8m", "ddpnbqz" ], "text": [ "Ah, perhaps you are conflating the all electronic vocoder (no tube) with the Heil Talk Box, made famous by Peter Frampton in 'Do you feel like we do'. The vocoder takes a microphone input and a synthesizer input, and mixes the two so the vo...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5txqlw	What, exactly, is a "bit", as in the fact that the Nintendo 64 was "64 bit"?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddpukop", "ddpygux", "ddpxbss", "ddq0heg" ], "text": [ "In computing terms, a bit is a \"binary digit,\" which is short just means either a 0 or a 1. When we talk about Nintendo64 being \"64 bit,\" its the same as having as 64 bit computer: the instructions used by that processor ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5ty232	What the difference is between x264 and x265 video encoding and which is better		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddpxai3", "ddpxbj2" ], "text": [ "The actual encoding is called h.264 and h.265; x264 and x265 are an implementation of that standard. The h.264 encoding is older and more widespread. There are a ton of devices that can do h.264 very quickly and/or very energy efficiently. The h.265 encod...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5ty4zj	How did television studios make words like show titles appear on screen before computers?	Sorry if that's worded poorly. I mean like when the words "I Love Lucy" or "The Honeymooners" or screen credits would appear over the live action footage.	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddq0y47", "ddpxo6d", "ddq17px", "ddq0tyr", "ddq15ar", "ddq0oz0", "ddqdrrr", "ddq4mv0", "ddq3rw8", "ddq727f", "ddqukib", "ddqj4q5", "ddqyi76", "ddq0qgv", "ddqbdbn", "ddqca4l", "ddqo4rs", "ddqq2zk", "ddqnvku", "ddqm6dl" ], ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5tzjyl	how can the government track GPS devices?	If I understand correctly GPS works because my cellphone receives a signal from a few satelites that basically represents the time on the clock of that satelite, and by reading the different times my phone can work out the distances to the satelites and map my location. Now I've been told that a government/foreing mili...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddq6lby" ], "text": [ "You're correct about GPS. A pure GPS device is just a radio receiver, it can't be tracked; and GPS satellites are just broadcasters, they have no idea what devices are listening. Your phone, though, uses a map of WiFi network identifiers and triangulates by cell phone s...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u1a7w	How did cameras on spacecraft film, and transmit data before we had digital cameras?	When I saw the Voyager Pale Blue Dot photo on the frontpage today, this sparked that question. I know Voyager was sent up at the dawn of digital photography, so I guess I can assume that they had that tech on voyager. But what about all the other probes and maned-missions before? How could they transmit images back in ...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddqjzqc", "ddqm5mp", "ddqkhwa" ], "text": [ "Radio waves, just like we still do today. If you want an example, think about how television worked in the 1940's and 1950's. Take an image and transmit it via radio to a receiver.", "Analog. Prior to 2009, most TV broadcasts were analo...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u1exw	Browser Fingerprinting	I've visited [ URL_0 ]( URL_0 ) and somewhat get the concept of Browser Fingerprinting, but how do they figure out who exactly you are? Like, can they look at these browsers characteristics and say, "Hey that's specifically Larry Jones from Nightmute, Alaska"? Yes! (You can be tracked!) 36.67 % of observed browsers are...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddqun6k" ], "text": [ "Because each additional piece of information makes things more unique. So how many people share your browser, browser version, build, is, OS version, os build. They also look at the browser resolution, if you have flash installed, the browser language, the browser plugi...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u1qq2	What is an api and what are restful api's ?	Tried reading explanations on the Internet ; learnt a few things about what apis are but couldn't make ahead or a tail about what restful apis are?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddqnmdt" ], "text": [ "API = Application Programming Interface. It's basically just a set of methods and properties in some software (usually someone else's software) that you can call or request to do stuff using your own software. REST = REpresentational State Transfer. REST or RESTful web ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u2nkx	What is a Linux Kernel?	How do you make one? How do you configure it? Where is the Kernel? Can you look at it? Can you change it? Do you want to change it? What changes can you make? Other questions about kernels.	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddqupe4", "ddr4u2h" ], "text": [ "A kernel is the core of any operating system. it has complete access and control over everything in and pertaining to the system and is the first thing loaded of your system. The kernel is responsible for, well, most everything low level. They are the mas...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u2qtu	What is the process professional Animator use when making movies?	For example, how does. Say, a Pixar animator go about animating? What program does he use, and what goes into it?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddqwods" ], "text": [ "Pixar uses their own RenderMan software to make movies. For 3D productions like their films, the process is a sort of hybrid of live action and traditional animation production since it's creating virtual 3D sets. That means in addition to regular animators, there are p...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u46wa	How easily can a modern vehicle be hacked?	With modern vehicles essentially being driving computers, how difficult is it for someone to get access to the vehicle's computer? Does the hacker need direct access or can it be done remotely? If it can be done, how much control over the vehicle does the hacker gain?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddr89ee" ], "text": [ "Someone else can write a better answer, but I'll try a quick one. Yes, it's possible. Cars with wifi are on a network, and many of them don't have the necessary safety precautions to prevent hackers from controling the engine. Check out [this link]( URL_0 ). Hackers shu...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u5055	How does a universal remote work?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddregmy", "ddrel11" ], "text": [ "Each kind of remote has its own special language. Universal remotes know all of the languages but you have to tell them which one to use Or it pretends to be what ever remote is needed to do what you want", "The way a remote works in general is that t...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u60mw	How do websites detect whether you are you using an ad-blocker or not?	I know about the bait JS but could you explain that part more too?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddrmrxy" ], "text": [ "Basically, they create a \"fake\" ad, code that uses common words adblocker uses to flag ads, and then checks to see if that code loaded, or not. If it didn't, adblock snatched it up, and it says \"hey. stop that\" I.e. ad fake = newAd(); load = check fake.isLoaded(true...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u6m4r	Why are some beautiful people not photogenic?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddrq9yu", "ddrr1vj", "dds0b1i", "dds0tap", "dds9fly", "ddrz4bi", "dds7m2f" ], "text": [ "Not an expert, but I think it has something to do with depth perception. Many people carrying a bit of extra weight look unappealing in still photos because when reduced to two dim...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u6rog	how a phone can actually trigger a bomb from a call		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddrqzv2", "dds7sep" ], "text": [ "The vibration function in the phone can be used to trigger the bomb. A terrorist using it as a trigger simply removes the motor causing the vibration and connects the circuit to the bomb /waves hi nsa", "Remove speaker from phone, wire speaker wires t...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u738m	Can someone please explain the mechanisms behind "overcharging" and damaging your phone battery?	I heard that if you leave your phone on charge when it's on 100% it can damage the battery. I was skeptical, but I have no knowledge of batteries or technology. Could someone please explain this to me? I'm sure most people do this, so hopefully will be of some interest. Thanks in advance.	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddrt0su", "dds9vdg", "dds2x38" ], "text": [ "It used to be possible with older batteries, and you also had to avoid charging it too often as well, but modern batteries cut themselves out from the power when they're fully charged. They will also leave the battery with a very small amou...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u7gvq	I grew up thinking that turning off your engine for a short stop only uses more fuel. How are the current start-stop functions a good idea if this is true?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddrvgdo" ], "text": [ "This is still true. Cars with automatic start-stop function won't stop again if the last start was not long enough ago." ], "score": [ 3 ], "text_urls": [ [] ] }	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u7vut	How does an artificial heart react when you get startled, or nervous or have sex?	I read an older article about a guy who had his heart removed and was walking around with a backpack machine acting as his heart. The question that occured to me last night while i was trying to see, was how does an artificial heart, which I presume regulates your blood flow at a set kind of pace, react compared to a p...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddrygz6" ], "text": [ "> how does the machine know to pump harder? It doesn't. There are a lot of things you can't do when you're depending on mechanical assistance to keep your blood flowing. One of them is use too much oxygen. Because your new \"heart\" has one speed, and if you overdo it y...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u8iwu	How do seeds work in games?	I mean, how can a few numbers decide billions of things in a generated world?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "dds3tbc" ], "text": [ "> I mean, how can a few numbers decide billions of things in a generated world? I'm going to give you not \"a few\" numbers, and not \"billions\" of things, but one number that can generate infinite things: 1. Start at 0. Add 1. Get 1. Add 1. Get 2. Add 1. Get 3. Add 1....	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5u8was	If putting metal in the microwave is wrong then why is the inside of a microwave metal?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "dds6fad" ], "text": [ "When metal gets hit by microwaves, the microwaves bounce back. This makes metal a necessary component in keeping the microwaves inside the cooking appliance. However, the oscillating magnetic field of the magnetron (the device that's actually making the microwaves) can ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5ub32e	How do youtube resolutions work? If I choose 1080p and watch it at fullscreen it's showing at 1080p. But if I'm looking at it on the small player what resolution is it?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddsq4ja" ], "text": [ "Still 1080p, you monitor just scales it to be whatever size it is, think of a sponge, same amount of sponge but if you fold it in half and squish it to the same height you end up with it in a smaller space" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text_urls": [ [] ] }	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5uca7y	Why do most modern helicopters have 4 or more blades, while most older helicopters have only 2?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddt4e1n", "ddt1o1o", "ddt97n5", "ddt205x", "ddt8rgh" ], "text": [ "The Bell 230 and the 212 are mediums that have two blades. Both those were replaced by 4-bladed versions (the 430 and the 412). There are many factors that determine the number of blades. But in general, the tr...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5ucr30	How did a phone connect to another phone overseas pre-1950's?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddt2y88", "ddt3yfx", "ddtl0dg", "ddt6k8s", "ddteqnh", "ddtn3d6", "ddtc1j1", "ddtd3ck", "ddt9efi", "ddtcfw8" ], "text": [ "Major cities had a \"long distance switchboard\" which had access to overseas telecom lines (typically cables running under the ocean)....	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5uf3se	How does port forwarding help improve ping in online games?	If the games need port forwarding, wouldn't they just have no connection at all? I turned it on for my computer's IP address and my ping went from ~400 to around 30, but before then I could still establish a connection.	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddthhby" ], "text": [ "Since you didn't say the exact game it's hard to say, but I would guess that the game has some sort of intermediary to help with that. So, without port forwarding you have: You < = > intermediary < = > other player While with it you have: You < = > other player If the i...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5ufc0i	Why are iPads experiencing such a steep decline?	Proof: URL_0	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddtj6ih", "ddtkfir", "ddtx7j7" ], "text": [ "That's just a search trends, not sales number, though it does suggest declinging interest in the platform. Here's some guesses Market saturation - everyone who's gonna get an iPad has one, and doesn't really feel like upgrading right no...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5ufvky	How are video games created from the ground up starting with nothing?	I realize you need to code the game but I don't understand how they incorporate all the actual models for the environment and character models. I also would like to know what specific language of code is used in making these games. Java, Python, C++, etc. For triple A games, do they have specific teams working on diffe...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddtqyb5" ], "text": [ "Former game developer here, Rare does a AAA title build from scratch, typically they'll use pre-existing engines, leaving the hard work to the pros. Also, engines are part of a games branding. Assets, being your models and textures for the purpose of this ELI5, are crea...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5uggi0	Before alarm clocks, how did people regulate their sleep schedule and wake up at different times?	Let's say a king wanted to have meeting at 7am back in the 1400s. How did people wake up at a precise time to make it to that meeting?	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddtrodn", "ddtsaut", "ddts8of", "ddtw2nz", "ddu4jp7", "ddtrxmk" ], "text": [ "> Let's say a king wanted to have meeting at 7am back in the 1400s. They didn't, because they didn't schedule like that. They would say \"an early meeting at daybreak\" and then the king would st...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5uk349	How do hackers hack a web cam?	And is it possible for them to record without the indicator light turning on? EDIT: specifically a laptop's built-in webcam - if that makes a difference...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddup8hi" ], "text": [ "> How do hackers hack a web cam? Bugs. A lot of software is insecure. Not all. A standalone webcamera is an \"Internet of Things\" device. Oh god, there are so many poorly secured IoT devices. > And is it possible for them to record without the indicator light turning o...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5uks3a	How does an API work?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddut1mh", "dduu0ej" ], "text": [ "It allows applications to use components of other existing applications with relative ease. For example, Google Maps is an application. The Google Maps API (Application Programming Interface) allows other applications or websites to pass commands to Googl...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5ulgk5	What could happen if the internet is not 'neutral'?	Explain the potential ramifications in a world without net neutrality.	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddux8v5", "ddux952", "ddux90i", "dduwtyh", "ddv4ivh", "ddvvg79" ], "text": [ "/u/tsuuga has done a decent summary. I'd like to explain it in a little more detail: With net neutrality in place, your ISP is obliged to provide you with an internet connection, the speed of whi...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5ulx0o	Can someone please explain what a quantum computer is and how its the future of computing?	I heard a scientist on the radio yesterday who was asked to explain what a quantum computer was. After listening to him I was more confused then when he started. Him - "current computers are a bunch of ones and zeros" (???? what) Him - "Quantum physics cant be measured or followed the way a thrown baseball is" WTF does...	Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddv0pwb" ], "text": [ "Okay. So the way current computers work is that they use electricity to process information. Modern computers only use 2 states. Either no electricity is flowing (0) or there is electricity (1). This might sound complicated but it's pretty easy. Think of a lamp. If you ...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]
5ulxyx	How do companies like RedHat and Canonical make money / remain in business?		Technology	explainlikeimfive	{ "a_id": [ "ddv04os" ], "text": [ "The big money in software is not directly in licensing but in support. Most software products bundle these together in some way. However RedHat and Canonical do not take any money for the development of their product but rather takes money on support. Imagine you are th...	[ "url" ]	[ "url" ]

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