00: Activation

[caincarnate]

With the death of one of your former teachers, I'll be taking over for the computer programming course, as well as filling in for any IT difficulties that may arise in the absence of any proper technician employed at this place. Considering the level of technology available here, this seems to be a rather disasterous oversight, hm?

My name's Naoya. I don't intend to teach a novice class, nor will I be hand-holding you through the course. So, here's a simple test: I've put a rudimentary filter on this network post with the class schedule underneath. Anyone who'd like to enroll should, at the very least, be able to crack it. Remember, you won't gain anything by relying on others for the answer. Don't disappoint me.

[As promised, all the details of the class schedule were behind the filter. Anyone relatively good with computers would be able to find it - Naoya didn't want to show up to an empty classroom, after all. But of course, if certain students were too computer illiterate, they'd probably just be able to ask around and show up to grate on his nerves.]

One more thing... I'm curious. Rumour has it the this wave of nonhuman sentiment originally started at the school. I've read up on the recent news, but it'd be more useful to get a first hand perspective of events.

Comments

perma-vidya. i regret nothing.

[gentlebird]

[ OH LOOK LOTS OF WORDS CROW DOESNT UNDERSTAND LETS JUST IGNORE EVERYTHING AND ]

So you work with these computer thingies a lot then, right? Can you make it so it can just like— I don't know— make it listen to me or something? That way I don't have to peck it to death all the time?

[ ... ]

Wait. Nevermind. It's not alive. So I can't peck it to death technically, can I?

[ ... ]

Unless... I can...?

[ what is even happening in this bird's head right now. ]

[caincarnate]

It will be dead in every way that matters... unless what you're asking is whether your computer feels pain when you stab at it. Or perhaps if it has a soul?

[This apparently seems to amuse him a bit, and Naoya gives a small chuckle.] But what you actually want is voice activated controls. Yes, that is possible.

super late :c

[gentlebird]

Uh... [ Oh my god. Those concepts were way more deep than Crow can even handle rn, gtfo. ]

Yes. The voice thing. That's what I want. Can you do that to mine? That would be great.

[derivativeofx]

[Copy's not especially concerned with this guy, but the content of his post is a little attention-catching. For one thing, it could make for an easy way to learn about the human-vs.-nonhuman affairs before his arrival. For another, that class setup sounds interesting; one could maybe benefit from knowing exactly who here is capable of some degree of hacking into the school network.

Well, just an idle thought, really.]

When you say you'll be handling IT, should one assume that applies exclusively to the school computers?

[caincarnate]

Primarily the school computers. But I plan to take a look at the stadium's inner workings, for starters, and work on improving integration for technology of different origins.

You sound like you have something specific in mind.

[derivativeofx]

As a matter of fact, I do. The school seems to be woefully ill-equipped to handle the upkeep of its artificial members. I suppose the expectation is that we visit the nurse for our needs, but I suspect they don't offer much by way of, say, antivirus software.

[voltecpower]

[For Pulse, a class on computers was like an ESL course for an English speaker. From his usual forum-perusing spot inside cyberspace, it was easy for him to see past the filter to the information hidden underneath, rather like lifting the edge of a post-it note. Nevertheless, he took interest in the fact that the computer lab had a new lab monitor (may GLaDOS rest in peace).]

Welcome, Mister Naoya. My name is Pulseman. I use the computer lab as a physical part of my dormitory, along with Alter Ego who is an AI. If you need any assistance in maintaining the lab, feel free to contact me. When I'm not in class, I'm usually here.

[caincarnate]

Naoya is my first name. You can call me Mister Minegishi if you absolutely need to.

I see - then it seems we'll be seeing a lot of each other. Am I to infer that the two of you live inside the network? Are you an AI yourself, or are you able to dissemble your body into data?

[text]

[cupofbatnoodles]

Another one, huh. Welp, better get this over with. You got an office, teach?

[caincarnate]

I'll be in TD-31, for the most part. Here are my hours.

[Pretend there is a list attached. No one better be bugging in him the dead of night, got it? That's when he works on his personal projects]

[Video]

[luneshalla]

Hmm... I was hoping to learn more about the technology of this world but if your test is the requirement to join I suppose I'll have soem self-learning to do before I can join up.

Nontheless, it's a pleasure to meet you. Name's Ellistree.

[caincarnate]

If you truly wanted to learn, you wouldn't need someone to feed it to you. What we achieve with our own power is what defines us.

[He leaned back in his chair to regard her properly.] If I had to guess, I'd say you were a manner of elf?

[video]

[majorjealousy]

Regarding the last statement, I've come to understand this as well. I wasn't here when that was the case, but I've had a lot of first hand experience with some of the events in the city limits.

[caincarnate]

Care to elaborate? I'd like to stay informed of everything if I'm living in the epicentre of this event.

[ video ]

[obfuskate]

Given the demise of a nonhuman in her human form, one who originated from this school, that isn't at all far off.

[ Shadow's just going to withhold any further details. He'll just give what he sees fit, when he sees fit. With the way his eyes are narrowing thinly, it's clear that he's unsure about this Naoya character, anyway. ]

Are you nonhuman? Specifically, some form of AI? [ Like her. ]

[caincarnate]

[Well, it looked like somebody wasn't keen on trusting him. This only seemed to amuse Naoya somehow.]

Hahaha, do I seem like one? [Well, his hair was the same colour as GlaDOS's? Regardless, Naoya shook his head.] No, I assure you I'm completely human.

Would that be a problem for you?

[video]

[raw_angel_power]

[There's this winged kid looking mildly peeved, sitting on the floor of his dorm. It's clear he's using his laptop.]

I can't find the schedule! Got any hints you could spare? I'm okay with just a teeny one. Even if it's in riddle form.

it begins... 1/?

[caincarnate]

[What...]

2/4

[caincarnate]

[They followed him here. He should've known He wouldn't just let him go. Of course, those hypocritical bastards...]

3/4

[caincarnate]

[Naoya didn't recognize this one, somehow, but... Look at him, playing innocent. He was being toyed with. Burning, black bile was rising in his throat, and it was all he could do to not grab his laptop screen and snap it in half.]

4/4

[caincarnate]

Which one are you. When did you follow me here?!

Text?!

[forgetbeam]

Will this course last into the summer if it is starting so late?

[If Naoya's got some program to keep track of how many attempts are made to crack the code, he might find that someone spent ALMOST THREE HOURS ON THIS...

And still can't figure it out. NO DAMN IT he wants this class. Some pretty important people in his life are kind of computers/robots/AI of some variety so it's a little relevant to his interests. He might have to end up getting hints from someone else later.]

[caincarnate]

[Of course; what kind of programmer would he be if he didn't have a simple monitoring program? It was hard to tell whether this three hour effort was impressive or just kind of pathetic - it wasn't as though the filter was that difficult. Anyone working at it for that long should've made some more leeway. And yet he persisted.

A person of extreme tenacity, but little skill. Well, at hacking, anyway. Might as well send him a message back.]

If you were enrolled in GlaDOS's class, I'll be carrying over your marks from her grading. If not, I will determine your potential with an aptitude test of my own. The semester will carry on as normal, with the option of remedial courses into the summer if you wish to improve your grade.

VIRTUAL SANDWICH DELIVERY SERVICE - An Email

[notstevejobs]

E-sandwich Delivery Initiated

Instructions:
1. Please make certain that a printer is connected to your computer and your broadband internet connection is functioning.
2. Select Sandwich from screen.





3. Wait ten seconds for sandwich to download.
4. Retrieve sandwich from default printer printing bay along with personalized message.
5. Enjoy sandwich!

[caincarnate]

[Hmmm... why not.

Naoya picked the grilled cheese sandwich. Who didn't like grilled cheese sandwiches.]