5. Definitions needed.

[washerlocket]

[Because this is Merope, this and all her replies are text unless it says otherwise.]

I have been reading, and there are things that confuse me.

What is a computer? Is it a counting device? It works on electricity and not magic, yes?

Is an ipod like a computer but like a record too?

Does the internet just catch information? Am I doing it now?

Why do muggles need so many things to open a tin with?

How can a pencil be mechanic?

What is a condom and why do muggles care if people give them out in schools?

Why do muggles think that the Lucifer is a snake? Is it because of magic?

What is your favorite book?

Comments

[timesbureaucrat]

It doesn't just count; a computer can carry out a wide variety of tasks using sequences of arithmetic or logical operations. They can be designed to run on any power source. Early human computers use electricity, however.

An ipod is one of many types of computers that is specifically designed to store audio data. So, yes, it's a computer that plays music. An internet is simply any large system of computer networks. The Gallifreyan Matrix is a particularly sophisticated example. In as much as the communicators are computers, you are indeed participating in a Barge internet, or intranet more accurately, since, aside from a few occasional glitches, we can't access anything outside this small community.

I know little about human interactions with tins and pencils, but I suppose a pencil is mechanic whenever there's a mechanism involved in the instrument rather that just a stick of graphite and wood.

[He's aware of what a condom is, but he's just going to skip that question.]

The Lucifer and snake connection is, I believe, in one of the human religious texts. A book called "Genesis." I believe you can find a copy in the library.

And my favourite book is the Gallifreyan Constitution. [Not really, but that's what he likes to tell people.]

[washerlocket]

Logical operations.?

What is a Gallifreyan Matrix?

In the bible?

Your favorite book is a law book? Isn't Constitution law?

[timesbureaucrat]

In early human computers, binary.

The Matrix is a vast computer system on Gallifrey, part of the APC Net.

Yes, it's part of a collection of books in one of the bibles or another. [Narvin doesn't pay much attention to alien religions. He's much more interested in their computers.]

The Constitution is the foundation of all our laws and customs. For better or for worse. [He hasn't forgotten the flood where the Other edited up his copy.]

[washerlocket]

[Narvin, Merope does not get what you are talking about at all.]

Binary? Like as in two?

Are you pureblooded?

[This is not meant to be offensive, they're just the only people she knows of who are so interested in laws and customs.]

[timesbureaucrat]

Yes. Patterns are made from sequences of only two options. Ones and zeros. On and off.

Pureblooded? I'm fully Gallifreyan if that's what you mean.

[washerlocket]

I... See.