10/16/2010 [PF #140] - Nanoforge BSOD

[ChaosMageX]

I wonder if M-Corp is a vague reference to Microsoft.

I wonder if any of the operating systems stated in this comic (M-Corp OS, OpenVMS, Freax) are vague references or parodies of real world operating systems.

I'm not familiar with very many operating systems outside of Windows, Apple, and Unix/Linux.  I know there's one called Solaris.

Or does the nanoforge run on more a microprocessor operating system, such as something along the lines of a smartphone operating system, such as iOS or Android.  Then again, Android is also built on Linux, which is built on Unix.

Also, I just love Ashley's expression in the fourth panel.  It definitely personifies the anger we've all felt at our computers at one point or another, and those wing tentacles would be great for some unique forms of percussive maintenance.

[Madmann135]

I am just impressed that Dorcan has taken to being an android and is working with, repairing and trouble shooting something as high teck as a nano-forge.

[ChaosMageX]

I am just impressed that Dorcan has taken to being an android and is working with, repairing and trouble shooting something as high teck as a nano-forge.

Yeah, I've been wondering about that too.  From my vague recollection of FH, I know that Dorcan eventually chooses to pursue a degree in electrical engineering, but I could have sworn there was a scene parodying The Terminator before that happened.

[Tapewolf]

I am just impressed that Dorcan has taken to being an android and is working with, repairing and trouble shooting something as high teck as a nano-forge.

Think of it as on-the-job training.

I wonder if any of the operating systems stated in this comic (M-Corp OS, OpenVMS, Freax) are vague references or parodies of real world operating systems.

One's a parody, one's a vague reference.  Google should help...

Also, I just love Ashley's expression in the fourth panel.  It definitely personifies the anger we've all felt at our computers at one point or another, and those wing tentacles would be great for some unique forms of percussive maintenance.

Notice that the keyboard is gone in the later panel...

[LionHeart]

I'd have thought that Jakob would have rolled his own custom version of Linux to handle it.

Or contracted someone to do it for him.

[Tapewolf]

Incidentally, for those wondering what the Forge is, the upcoming chapter will deal with that.

I'm tempted to post some hints about the OS names, but I'll give that a couple of days first since I'm sure someone in the readership knows about at least one of them.

I will say that the guess about M-Corp is correct.

[RobbieThe1st]

Took me a few seconds, but I laughed at that. And yes, so very true - You don't run a M-corp OS on -anything- important. Especially not real-time high end industrial equipment.

Its references like this that keep me reading your comic.

[ChaosMageX]

Okay, since I was right about M-Corp being a parody/reference of Microsoft, here's my first guess for the other two:

OpenVMS = OpenVMS (since Tapewolf loves VAX if I recall correctly)

Freax = Linux

Here is my second guess if either of the two above are incorrect:

OpenVMS = OpenBSD (Open Berkeley Software Distribution)

Freax = Minix

[hapless]

Veni, vidi, $cmkrnli, rebooti.

And yes, Freax was Linus's original name for what later become Linux.

PS. The "Open" part of OpenVMS is silent in speech.

[Tapewolf]

PS. The "Open" part of OpenVMS is silent in speech.

Someone needs to tell my Dad that...

EDIT:
I couldn't think of a way of obfuscating (Open)VMS.  I was tempted to use FreeVMS instead, though.  Maybe I should have.

[Gabi]

Solaris is UNIX too.

Anyway, I assume VMS is a parody of BSD, but does the acronym have an actual meaning?

It was funny, the way Ashley freaked out. Especially because I've felt that way more than a few times.

[VAE]

Solaris is UNIX too.

Anyway, I assume VMS is a parody of BSD, but does the acronym have an actual meaning?

It was funny, the way Ashley freaked out. Especially because I've felt that way more than a few times.

http://www.vms.org.uk/
VMS is a competitor to Unix and Unix based systems made by DEC in the glorious ages past.

[Chairtastic]

Aww, Ashley is so cute when he's murderous.  

Who could this mysterious person standing behind Jakob be?    The Grim Reaper?  Colonel Sanders?  Barbara Streisand?  Curse you cliffhangers!  Curse you!

[joshofspam]

Well I find it surprising that are new android is finding that book so intriguing.

Must be much better then the cover sudjests. I was thinking it would be along the lines of the Disney's version of the three little pigs with a title like that.

[Tapewolf]

Who could this mysterious person standing behind Jakob be?    The Grim Reaper?  Colonel Sanders?  Barbara Streisand?  Curse you cliffhangers!  Curse you!

Someone Dorcan doesn't recognise, but is presumably allowed to be within the base since security would likely have found them otherwise.

[joshofspam]

Would it be possible to load a skill set with an android body, or even learn faster than normal?

It has me wondering if Dorcan will become an expert in the system then even Jacob gives him credit for.

[Tapewolf]

Would it be possible to load a skill set with an android body, or even learn faster than normal?

It has me wondering if Dorcan will become an expert in the system then even Jacob gives him credit for.

To a degree.  Josh, for instance, always knows what the time is and has vastly improved mental arithmetic.  Dorcan has an improved sense of balance.  As a rule motor skills are easiest to add, but Jayhawk tends to draw the line at adding new understanding or false memories, as they're a bit too easy to abuse.
A memory card which suddenly makes Dorcan know everything someone else has learned about electronics is not really the way they're heading, though they could make it easier for him to learn.

[ChaosMageX]

Would it be possible to load a skill set with an android body, or even learn faster than normal?

It has me wondering if Dorcan will become an expert in the system then even Jacob gives him credit for.

To a degree.  Josh, for instance, always knows what the time is and has vastly improved mental arithmetic.  Dorcan has an improved sense of balance.  As a rule motor skills are easiest to add, but Jayhawk tends to draw the line at adding new understanding or false memories, as they're a bit too easy to abuse.
A memory card which suddenly makes Dorcan know everything someone else has learned about electronics is not really the way they're heading, though they could make it easier for him to learn.

Such a shame, as adding new understanding or memories to an android's mind sounds like a great plot device.

You could have someone adapt Jacob's technology to be able to give (and even take away) understanding, memories, and skill sets from androids, and start an underground business from that technology, a la the TV series Dollhouse.

Seriously Tapewolf, if you are still under such a heavy writer's block, I'd strongly suggest watching that show for inspiration if it ever makes it overseas.

[Turnsky]

and i doubt Jacob wants to use an AI (especially those made by personality mapping) for his major machinery... they tend to wreak havoc after a fashion 

[joshofspam]

Probably would be easier to play games in your head while you sleep.

Wait do android bodies have a sleep/dream option?

I wonder if Dorchan could fix the problem if he hacked it like Johnny Mnemonic hacked his own brain?

[Tapewolf]

Wait do android bodies have a sleep/dream option?

Yes.

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

I wonder if Dorchan could fix the problem if he hacked it like Johnny Mnemonic hacked his own brain?

Depends. Do you mean the "could actually be coherently understood and actually made sense" book by William Gibson, the father of Cyberpunk, or the "piece of shit, throw myself amiably around the room" triviality done by Canoe Reeves?

[LionHeart]

Wait do android bodies have a sleep/dream option?

Yes.

Which of course brings up the question of whether they dream of electric sheep...

[joshofspam]

I wonder if Dorchan could fix the problem if he hacked it like Johnny Mnemonic hacked his own brain?

Depends. Do you mean the "could actually be coherently understood and actually made sense" book by William Gibson, the father of Cyberpunk, or the "piece of shit, throw myself amiably around the room" triviality done by Canoe Reeves?

Never knew there was a book before, but still going to have to go with the movie.

That's the problem sometimes with books to movies. For some reason the book never seems to translate well to the screen.

Have you ever read the books Jurassic park and Eragon? I can't even sit through Eragon the movie because my mind tells me that they aren't the same story.

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

...

Right. So, rather than a seminal work that inspired fifty years of duplication and innovation, you're going to go with the 90 minute splash in th pan that wasn't filmed until after the Pioneer was too weak to defend himself.


But, that's just my opinion.

[joshofspam]

Well yeah Learch. of course its sad. But until I can get my hands on the book I can't really use the impressions I get from it. I mean saying I know someones great work when I've never read it before seems to much of a lie to me.

I suppose it could have been worst. I could have said Tron movie.

Edit: I think its time for me to get some rest. Wonder if I can find that book at the library?

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

Look for Burning Chrome - it's a collection of short stories, of which Johnny Mnemonic is one of the ones in the middle, I think.

IIRC, towards the front of the middle, but it's been a few years since last I read the book.

Edit:
Oh, and both Eragon the book and Eragon the movie were... a bit meh. Nothing to write home about at the very least.

Speaking of movies that utterly, utterly murdered the very concepts of the book they were based on, compare Starship Troopers. Or, better yet, read the book, and forget that the movies were ever made...

[Corgatha Taldorthar]

Speaking of movies that utterly, utterly murdered the very concepts of the book they were based on, compare Starship Troopers. Or, better yet, read the book, and forget that the movies were ever made...

YES! WE AGREE!

Although in their defense, a movie about philosophical musings on how the use of force and military training affect people would probably be awful. Whether or not it would have been as awful as what came out....... Dunno

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

YES! WE AGREE!

Although in their defense, a movie about philosophical musings on how the use of force and military training affect people would probably be awful. Whether or not it would have been as awful as what came out....... Dunno

Possibly enough off-topic to annoy Tapewolf, but the worst thing I heard about this movie was from my brother, who went to see it on opening night.

Apparently they had some strobe lights that were set up to flash every time the guns were fired.

... wrongly, so that they were off by a couple seconds. >.<

[LionHeart]

Speaking of movies that utterly, utterly murdered the very concepts of the book they were based on, compare Starship Troopers. Or, better yet, read the book, and forget that the movies were ever made...

I, Robot.

That is all.