Comments | blackbirdxpie: {Entry Three}

blackbirdxpie

{Entry Three}

Jan 08, 2010 21:12

The data recording machine I've acquired from the Wilderness is much more advance than I anticipated. The complexity of the technology powering the machine is beyond my own recollection. Nevertheless, reviewing the included manual has allowed me to uncover its basic functions.

Might I inquire if anyone is familiar with such technology?

wilderness: mall of america, oblivious to century fail fail, modern technology is amazin', century fail, the world of tomorrow today

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ice_echani January 9 2010, 05:07:51 UTC

Can you describe the machine in more detail?

blackbirdxpie January 9 2010, 05:28:30 UTC

It's comprised of four major parts. First is what is labeled as the 'tower', which as I understand it serves as the source. The other three components attach to the tower: the monitor, a display of the information entered to the machine; a keyboard, it's easiest explained as a compact typewriter of sorts, though the key strokes appear on the monitor rather than printing to paper; and there is also attachment labeled the 'mouse', which displays a small arrow on the monitor. Moving the mouse allows one to navigate the displayed content.

I'm afraid I don't entirely understand the mechanics behind the system's operation, though if you require further clarification, I will do my best to explain.

ice_echani January 9 2010, 05:57:50 UTC

It sounds like a primi computer. I know how to use this sort of technology, although it may take me a bit of time to familiarize myself with that particular machine.

blackbirdxpie January 9 2010, 06:23:46 UTC

Yes. The machine is labeled, Apple iMac, Intel, Core 2 Duo. Would you be willing to assist me understand how to operate it? The favor, of course, would not go uncompensated.

log/quicklog/handwave? ice_echani January 9 2010, 06:28:04 UTC

I would indeed be willing. There is no need for repayment; after so long without exposure to computers it will be beneficial to me as well.

I'm down for a quicklog! blackbirdxpie January 9 2010, 06:40:20 UTC

I thank you. My residence can be found in Section One [more specific directions go here]. A time to meet would be at your convenience.

woo! ice_echani January 9 2010, 19:31:17 UTC

Very well. I will be there tomorrow afternoon.

[And Handmaiden comes knocking on his door at one, quite curious and intrigued at the news of this equipment.]

\o/ blackbirdxpie January 10 2010, 01:26:50 UTC

[Expecting company, Crow is quick to answer the door. Behind him, a desk is against the wall, with the computer setup on top. It even has a printer attached. He holds the door open and stands aside.]

Good day. Please, come in.

quicklog ice_echani January 10 2010, 04:10:05 UTC

Hello--I am Handmaiden. That is the computer?

[Pleasantries aren't really her thing, no... she heads over to the Mac and inspects it. The interface is rather more primitive than she feels used to, with the separate keyboard and the use of a mouse rather than the touchscreen. She begins familiarizing herself with it, moving the mouse around and clicking on some of the icons to figure out what the programs are.]

What specifically did you need assistance with?

quicklog blackbirdxpie January 10 2010, 04:32:40 UTC

Crow. Good to meet you, Handmaiden.

[Crow prefers just getting down to business, truth be told. Shutting the door behind them, he follows and comes to a stop next to the desk, watching the computer screen.]

Well, the manual provided information on configuring the machine itself, so I'm more curious toward its capabilities. [He points to the screen.] I've figured out the word processing program easily enough, for example, though there are others that only give me error messages. [He points to a blue 'e' icon labeled 'Internet Explorer'.] I open the program as I do any other, and it tells me the network is disconnected. I'm not sure what it's referring to.

quicklog ice_echani January 10 2010, 05:25:17 UTC

Likewise.

[Handmaiden nods, and clicks on the icon that Crow points out--it takes a second to line up the mouse to the right spot after overshooting and undershooting it. There's a loading page for a moment and... yes, the error message.]

I would guess that it is a program built for accessing a network of computers, but as there is no such network in Edensphere, it cannot function properly. Until someone does create a network for your computer to connect to, this Internet Explorer will be useless.

quicklog blackbirdxpie January 10 2010, 20:07:53 UTC

[A computer network. That makes sense to Crow on a very basic level.] I see.

[He then points to an icon of an envelope labeled 'Outlook Express'.] I would assume then that this program also functions with the availability of a computer network? At first, I thought it was a letter template, but the available options would suggest mail is capable of being sent through the computer.

quicklog ice_echani January 10 2010, 21:06:56 UTC

[She nods.]

Yes, it is a system for sending messages over a network. Like the Explorer program, I do not think it will function.

[She clicks around some more.]

Many of these appear to be reliant on a network connection... I am not sure what the function of this one is, though.

[She's clicked on Garage Band--when more clicking produces loud, computery-sounding tones she clicks off of it quickly.]

...I believe this is the volume adjustment.

quicklog blackbirdxpie January 10 2010, 22:04:36 UTC

[Crow nods, his eyes locked on the screen. When the Garage Band program is opened, the burst of sound has him flinching slightly from surprise.]

Ah. I believe you are correct.

[His gaze lowered to the keyboard, and he pointed to the row of keys at the very top, labeled 'F1', 'F2', 'F3', etc. Some of them also contained additional symbols.] Are you familiar with the function of these keys? Some of them open another program, but others don't show any sort of response. And then, there's this one. [He presses a key with the symbol for eject, though he doesn't recognize it as such. The CD drive clicks open and slides out.] I think something goes in there, though I'm not sure what.

quicklog ice_echani January 10 2010, 22:11:01 UTC

[Handmaiden presses a few of the buttons--one of them brings up a Help program, but others do not have any apparent function. She doesn't recognize some of the symbol meanings either.]

I am not sure. Their functions may be reliant on other programs running.

[She runs a finger over the CD drive and then peers into it, as much as she can anyway.]

It appears to be a slot for some sort of information disc. Did the machine come with anything that could fit in here?

quicklog blackbirdxpie January 10 2010, 22:30:23 UTC

I suppose their purposes will be uncovered in time then.

[His brow creases as he looks at the drive, noting the shape.]

A moment.

[He turns away, opening the packaging the computer came in. From it, he takes out a plastic bag containing the manual and removes a disc labeled 'System Diagnostic' inside an envelope with a cellophane cover exposing the disc. His attention returns to Handmaiden, with the envelope offered.]

Would this be what you are referring to?

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