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diff --git a/docs/random/xkcdbot.md b/docs/random/xkcdbot.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..48d75ff --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/random/xkcdbot.md @@ -0,0 +1,152 @@ +# xkcdbot + +First version 2022-11-29 + +Updated 2023-12-15 + + + +## Birth + +Back in 2019, I signed up for a Mastodon account on mastodon.technology. +Soon I began looking around for xkcd bots. There were several, but most of +them were defunct. I would soon make up my mind to create my own. + +I have little memory, but per the +[git log](https://github.com/fakefred/xkcdbot/commits/master) I finished +it in 9 days. It ran on Node.js, which unfortunately was my favorite tech +stack back then. + +I registered [@xkcdbot@botsin.space](https://botsin.space/@xkcdbot), then +daemonized the bot on the same server I hosted my comics (which, for which +I apologize, was also on a Node.js server). I wrote this bio: + +>I'm an xkcd bot who shows up at Randall's house at 3.3 millihertz and +>asks "Hello, did you publish a new comic?" I occasionally dress like +>a velociraptor just to freak him out. + +>If he admits he has drawn a new comic, I seize it and post it right here +>before Randall shoots me down with a drone. + +## Rise + +The bot account was created on 2019-08-19. + +On 2022-10-28, xkcdbot gained 1k followers. It took 1166 days. + +On 2022-11-23, the number grew to 2k. It only took 26 more days. + +Of course, the surge owes to Elon Musk for pissing off so many people off +Twitter, but I'm sure there are two more reasons as well: + +### Killer features + +- 5 minute polling interval +- explainxkcd link +- DM for "subscribers" +- Comic thumbnail is focused on top left, so no spoilers + + + +### Administration + +The bot lives by a few simple rules. It: + +- does its damn job +- has near-perfect uptime +- never solicits followers +- never interacts with people unless asked to +- has no new features for three years + +## Accidents + +My code broke in production exactly once. There were other accidents, but +they were all due to botsin.space downtime or Randall uploading the wrong +comic. + +## Conclusion + +I believe this resolves all remaining questions on this topic. No further +research is needed. + +## Update (2023-10-22) + +It turns out this does not resolve all remaining questions on this topic, +and further research is needed. + +The problem is accessibility. On xkcd.com, if you hover your mouse on the +comic, a tooltip shows up. This is known as "hover text" or "title text", +which uses the "title" HTML attribute. In 2019 I wanted to create +a similar experience, so I put it in the alt text. + +However it wasn't the intended purpose. The alt text is meant for: + +- A replacement when the image cannot be displayed +- Assistive technology such as screen readers + +On the fediverse it's mostly the latter. Right now, the awesome [Sam +Levine](https://botsin.space/@SRLevine@urbanists.social) is doing the +noble work of replying to every post with a captioned version of the same +comic. + +But it is a workaround. Around my reluctance to touch my rotten codebase, +my incompetence as a developer, and my lack of interest to caption the +comics myself. Whenever I post on my main handle, I make sure to caption +my images and audio. But sadly xkcdbot cannot do that right now. + +> Why not? + +Because Randall doesn't caption comics when they are posted. + +> Can't you fetch the caption from explainxkcd? + +That might take hours before it's ready. Plus, caption might be incomplete +and susceptible to vandals. + +> Just delay the post until the caption is ready! + +We don't know how long it will take. Also, I created the bot in order to +read xkcd as soon as possible. I cannot accept the delay. + +> Just edit the post! + +I made the bot in 2019, when "edit" wasn't a thing. I _could_ make this +feature right now, but I haven't touched my codebase for 4 years, and +I don't use Node.js anymore. + +## Conclusion + +Accessibility for a bot is not an easy task. It's not a tech problem; it's +a matter of community. I admit I cannot solve it by myself. Therefore, +I am going to ask for the community for help. + +To be continued. + +## Update (2023-10-25) + +This is fire! I reached out to Sam Levine, who agreed to co-maintain +xkcdbot and provide alt text with Mastodon's edit feature. + +I had intended to send a PGP-encrypted email, but Sam does not have that +or any E2EE. So after consideration, I committed the cardinal sin of +cybersecurity: I sent him* the password in plaintext via email. + +_i realized later that he/him might not be the best pronoun but they said +they're okay with any. i really oughtta be careful next time_ + +Say what you will but a bot that posts comics is just too trivial for +a lecture on asymmetric key cryptography. Like sure a hacker could get +access to the bot. Now what? They lock me and Sam out of it? + +- If they violate the TOS, we can certainly report it +- If they make it obvious that the account's been hacked, people would + know +- If they don't, they are impersonating us, which is pretty impressive + given they are doing two people's jobs in one + +I will now contact botsin.space's admin to know if we can recover the bot +in case that happens, but I doubt it ever will. + +Update same day: Colin (botsin.space admin) said yes 🔥 |