Network Features (text | un: finch)

[ornithologist]

Please complete the below survey regarding possible enhancements to our communication devices and network system. I will be working with Aurora to make these upgrades.

I may or may not respond to comments. Thank you.

Edit: Additional features being considered based on feedback that were not in the poll include: (1) ease of use features for those less familiar with technology, (2) Wikipedia or an equivalent, (3) banning specific users from personal posts or communications.

Edit 2: Adding (4) storage and sharing for image, audio and video files, primarily for entertainment or educational purposes and (5) expansion of the library to include digital lending of those materials.

Poll #32315

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 20

View Respondents

Which additional features would you utilize?

View Answers

Basic system functions such as timer, alarm, and calculator
8 (40.0%)

Real-time synchronous audio communication (like a phone rather than discrete message delivery)
13 (65.0%)

One-to-one private communications (standard security)
15 (75.0%)

Privacy settings allowing group selection for communications
12 (60.0%)

Advanced secure encrypted channels outside of Aurora's access
15 (75.0%)

Social media
6 (30.0%)

Something else not listed:

View Answers

Comments

text | un:castiel

[messenger]

How do we know that she can't bypass any privacy we're capable of establishing? And what of Echo?

[ he doesn't know much about computers, but as far as he can gather, encryption (which, suitably, is derived from a greek word for "hidden") is a lot like warding. useful, but only up to a point. there are always ways around it if you're creative enough. ]

[ornithologist]

We don't. I'm unconvinced real privacy is achievable, but since Aurora assured me it's possible to communicate beyond her reach, I'm willing to make the attempt.

What is it you miss about having a phone, Castiel?

[messenger]

I see.

[ he supposes they should assume all their communications are being surveilled. they don't know enough about echo to even guess at their power. ]

It was easier to use.

[ornithologist]

In what regard? Do you prefer physical buttons?

I could likely make something for you. Not like I have anything else to occupy myself with here.

[messenger]

Yes.

And being able to speak directly. And being able to use it without attaching it to my ear.

[ phones are bad enough! the ear piece is so finicky. and you have to worry about losing it. phones are everywhere. you can just buy them in stores. ]

[ornithologist]

That would be the synchronous audio communication feature.

Voice commands would be the most straightforward approach if you'd like a physical device that doesn't rely on eye movements. Would that work for you?

[messenger]

I

Yes? I think so.

[ he really does not like the eye movement feature. it unnerves him. ]

I wish we could communicate telepathically. That would be best.

1/2

[ornithologist]

Alright, I'll work on it.

Please do not communicate with me telepathically should the opportunity arise.

[ornithologist]

Were you telepathically communicating with my dog?

[messenger]

I won't. If you don't want me to.

Yes.

[ornithologist]

Thank you.

[ He appreciates that, at least. And-- given what Castiel had said after reading Bear's mind... ]

Please let me know if he is in need of anything he is unable to express to me.

[messenger]

Would you like me to ask him? He was fine when we spoke. He enjoys your company, and he's very healthy.

[ he didn't need to read bear's mind to know that, though. it's just something he can sense. ]

[ornithologist]

Just if you learn of anything, please inform me. I'm still somewhat new to owning a dog and I'd like to make sure I don't miss anything.

[messenger]

You are? I see.

I'll inform you if I notice anything amiss. But you have nothing to concern yourself with for the moment.

[ornithologist]

Thank you, Castiel.

Mr. Reese insisted I take Bear. I wasn't planning on acquiring a pet.

[messenger]

Was he his before?

I've never had a pet.
But I had to learn several tricks for the last mission.

[ornithologist]

I believe he recovered him from an unsavory previous owner.

You'll have to unpack that statement for me.

[messenger]

That's for the best, then.

Unpack...?

[ornithologist]

You seemed to be implying you played the role of a pet "learning tricks" for the last mission.

Which was car racing.

[messenger]

Ah. You want an explanation.

The bots gave us several "mini-missions" to complete, one of mine which was "Learn a new trick, such as 'fetch' or 'roll over'."

[ornithologist]

[ Oh it's actually somehow both better and worse than he expected. ]

Which trick did you learn?

[ He has to know. ]

[messenger]

Junior and Kyra taught me how to do something called "dabbing".

They also taught me how to balance a "treat" on my nose and flip it into my mouth without dropping it.

[ that one was much harder.

and he still doesn't know how to "shake". ]

[ornithologist]

What on earth is dabbing?

I suppose that's better than some of the alternatives...

[messenger]

It's a sort of arm/ upper body gesture. I don't know the cultural significance.

What kind of alternatives?

[ornithologist]

I see.

It doesn't sound like anything they asked you to do was inherently denigrating, which is really all I was hoping for.