Open Post

[not_a_computer]

Simeon's been in the library, and now he's sitting around the main room with a few books on circutry and computers, flipping through another about an early 21st century programming language. It's much simplier than the languages he's used to using, he doubts that one could create a genuine AI with it at all. Still, it's giving him a better idea

Comments

[silvereyedphage]

And there's a pale fellow who holds doctorate degrees in general medicine and surgery as well as an MS in genetics who's just entered the main room bringing a bowl of matcha (traditional green tea) with him and looking for a warm spot that's not in direct sunlight to sit and enjoy it, but he pauses, glancing at the thick book which this young man is reading. He won't interrupt, since he recognizes genius at work, but his piercing gaze might be palpable enough to distract Simeon for a moment.

[not_a_computer]

Simeon does look up as Muraki looks at him, and greets him with bit of a smile. "Oh, hi. I haven't seen you around before." He doesn't notice anything unusual about the man, he's only just gotten used to dealing with people face to face, rather than through cameras and screens.

[silvereyedphage]

"I imagine you wouldn't: I've been rather invisible since I arrived here two months ago; my entry to this world was somewhat painful and it took me that long to make a decent recovery," he says with a bit of a wry smirk. "But I couldn't help noticing that tome you're reading: are you a student of computer science?" he asks, curious.

[not_a_computer]

"You could say that." He grins. "I'm trying to learn more about the older programming languages and methods. Well, older compared to where I'm from. I haven't found anything around here that would have anywhere near the computing capacity that I'm used to." He realizes he's running his mouth a bit and shrugs. "What are you up to?"

[silvereyedphage]

He laughs a bit self-deprecatingly as he adds, "I have nothing but respect for those who can tame those mysterious creatures known as computers: I'm likely from the same era as the languages you're studying, but as the line from Shakespeare goes, it's all Greek to me. Everyone has their talents and mine lay in medical science: I've been thinking of setting up a laboratory here and I was going to start compiling a list of the things I'd need to stock it properly, but considering my field, it might be a test of the limits on what this world can provide."

[not_a_computer]

"I'm afraid I probably know about as much about medicine as you do about computers. Maybe less." He shrugs. "Good luck with finding your equipment, I hope you have an easier time of it than I've had finding computers or computer parts."

[silvereyedphage]

"Ah, so you build computer hardware as well as program the software? Impressive," he says, his good eye wide with curiosity. "I'm fortunate if I can remember my password some days," he adds with a low chuckle.

[not_a_computer]

"Well, I'm working on that part." He grins. "I've never physically constructed one before, and really it depends on the parts I can find."

[silvereyedphage]

"I've noticed this place or whatever forces or entities serve as custodians can be a little... capricious in providing for the items that one needs or desires," he says wryly. "But let's hope they treat you kindly." He adds, "I'm afraid I've let my interest in knowledge overstep my manners: I'm Dr. Kazutaka Muraki."

[not_a_computer]

'Simeon," he introduces himself, and adds after a brief pause, "No titles or anything else, I'm afraid, but it's nice to meet you." He grins. "And yeah, I've had a hell of a time finding even antique computers, let alone anything smart enough to actually do anything with."

[silvereyedphage]

"Smart enough as in having a fast enough processor or do you mean something more technical? I hope I'm not prying, but I do try to keep on top of technological developments as they emerge," he says, finding a chair and pulling it up before seating himself on it backwards.

[not_a_computer]

"Processing speed, memory, size of the hard drive....Anything and everything. What I've got here should be displayed in a museum, not actually used. Trying to do anything with them is like trying to teach a goldfish to do tricks."

[silvereyedphage]

He laughs gently. "I've never attempted any of what you're adept at, but I can imagine. And despite being told I have an IQ in the 150 range, my mind is just as plastic as goldfish's when it comes to learning how to use them."

[not_a_computer]

"It takes a lot of study and experience," he says. "I've been at it my whole life, though, so by this point it's second nature. I'm sure you'd get the hang of it, with a little work."

[silvereyedphage]

"A little work and a little patience, and yet it seems by the time I've mastered one device or one operating system, they've come out with something more efficient or the network has been overhauled, leaving me panting in the silicon dust," he says with a dry laugh.

[not_a_computer]

"It wasn't so hard near the edge of the galaxy," he says. He's exaggerating slightly but his station was pretty far out. "And most of the time the differences aren't so great that you're relearning from scratch."