Computer Sciences - First Class

[Lawrence Galontauré-Jones]

This particular classroom is fitted out with the modernest of modern technologies. Instead of a blackboard, a large monitor takes up most of one wall. The desks all have power outlets and ethernet ports.

Professor Galontauré-Jones rolled in, a computer under his arm and a weary look on his face. He placed the computer on a lectern (specially built to account for his wheelchair) and gave the assembled students a careful examination.

"Good afternoon, everyone," he said. His voice, which had been quiet and unassuming in the cafeteria, was now direct and authoritative. "Welcome to this Computer Sciences course. Before we begin I must warn you that I am not an easy grader. You will be challenged by the content of this class. We cover multiple aspects of the modern computer, so you must learn to be adaptable."

He pressed a button on his laptop. The wall monitor began to fill out with a syllabus for the year. "Our topics will be vary from the physical - the actual electronic guts of the machine, its heart, if you will - to the move conventional aspects of programming and operations.

"Ideally you all will provide your own computers," he went on, "although if you lack the budget for a laptop one will be loaned to you. You will abide by the academy honor code. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action. Are there any questions?"

[Less Than Beta East Tundra]

"How many kinds of computers are there?" Less asked as he entered the classroom. He knew that cell phones were a type of computer, and the difference between a desktop and a laptop, but that was pretty much the extent of his knowledge. He really didn't know what there was to learn about them. Computers were just boxes of electronics, right?

[Lawrence Galontauré-Jones]

"Well, the term 'computer' as the public defines it falls into several different categories. The major ones are servers, desktops, laptops, and personal assistants, which includes smart phones. We'll be focusing our attention primarily on desktops and laptops."

[Less Than Beta East Tundra]

"When do we need to have our laptop by?" It would take some time to buy one and figure out how to do pretty much anything on it. Less would probably figure out how to break it faster than use it. Also, he would not ask why the professor was sitting in a moving chair. Presumably Galontaure-Jones had his reasons.

Werewolves with crippling injuries were generally left at the nearest human village until they recovered, so wheelchairs were unheard of. This was probably because of the difficulty of chasing caribou without functioning legs, and the reason for Less' confusion.

[Somariel Lamaron]

Somariel walked into the room, her laptop case over her shoulder, and looked around. Waving to Less, she found a seat near the front of the room and unpacked her computer. After plugging in the computer, she reached into the case again an removed a notebook and a pencil, which she placed on the desk.

[Kahlen Jeanne Nox]

Kahlen walked into the classroom, looking around for Less. She heard him saying that he was going to take this class. Kahlen had changed her mind about taking the class, wanting to try something new. Seeing Somariel and Less, Kahlen waved hello and sat near them.

She pulled her purple laptop out of her backpack and set it in front of her. She looked up at the monitor on the wall. This was going to be one interesting class. Kahlen paled a bit at the professor's mention of being a hard grader. Kahlen was glad that she was a fast learner, but she was going to have to work very hard in this class if she wanted to do well.

[Less Than Beta East Tundra]

Less Than Beta waved back at Kahlen as he doodled something in his notebook.

[Damien Griffiths]

Damien got in the room just in time, having been in the library a bit to look for interesting books. Again, familiar faces. However, since Less had already been cornered by the two girls, he instead took a seat behind him. "Afternoon. Should we be bringing our own computer? I think I'll need to call my mom to send me one or money to buy one, I don't know if I have enough with me."

[Lawrence Galontauré-Jones]

"We will begin using laptops in earnest by the third class, although as I said one can be loaned to you if need be. Any further questions?"

[Lawrence Galontauré-Jones]

"If there are no further questions, we shall proceed into the meat of the material, as it were." Lawrence hit another button on his laptop, which brought up a new screenful of information. "The computer has taken on increased importance in this modern era," he said. "Indeed, it can be rightly utilized as a symbol of modernity. Computers are always evolving, just like society. There will always be another patch, another upgrade to install." He allowed himself a smile. "It's quite exciting, actually."

"Now," he said, his tone changing as he shifted gears. "Does anyone know anything about the history of the computer?"

[Somariel Lamaron]

Raising her hand, Somariel said "I know a little bit. Computers started off very big--big enough to fill a room--and eventually got smaller as the technology to make them got more refined. The earliest computers had data entered via punch cards and were only found in business and industry. Home computer didn't exist until the technology got smaller and it's really only within the last ten to fifteen years that they've become a ubiquitous household item."

[Damien Griffiths]

Damien also raised his hand after Somariel had finished speaking. "Well, I can't say I know exactly when the first computer was made, but I do know that the development started out moderatly paced, but it's sped up since then, up to today's speed where computer hardware doubles in performance nearly every year, and software has grown so powerful that the race to improve performance is practically fueled by itself. It's crazy how fast new stuff comes out these days."

[Lawrence Galontauré-Jones]

Lawrence smiled. "Very good, all of you!" he said. He then went into a lengthy description of the history of computers, beginning with primitive programming attempts and the Babbage analytical machine up to the development of microprocessors and the modern personal computer.

[Less Than Beta East Tundra]

Dutifully, Less began taking notes. Though he didn't understand a word that the teacher was saying, he hoped he would be able to figure it out after a review session.

[Kahlen Jeanne Nox]

As the professor launched into his lecture, Kahlen pulled out a purple notebook and pen and began taking notes. She had perfected the art of writing quickly, so she was able to keep up with what the professor was saying.

Kahlen didn't know much about the history of computers aside from the brief overview that Somariel gave. As the professor was talking about Babbage, Kahlen doodled a large computer on one of her notebook pages.

[Damien Griffiths]

With quick, untidy scibbles Damien wrote down what was said. From a distance, it looked like his pen was running circlesjust pulling stripes across the paper, but he just had a tendency to make rather hooked letters. His notes were most likely illegible for anybody else - in fact they were, because they weren't in English at all, but in the script his mother had taught him.

(( draconic ftor the win! xD ))

[Somariel Lamaron]

Taking notes on the lecture, Somariel quickly found herself only jotting down the most important facts in order to keep up with the professor. Scrawling things down in her notebook, she occasionally doodled pictures in the margin or at the top until it seemed like there were just as many pictures as there were actual notes.

[Lawrence Galontauré-Jones]

The computer on Lawrence's desk chimed twice. "It appears that we are out of time for today," he said as he flicked a few buttons. The wall monitor went dark.

"Your assignment for next class is a two page paper on one aspect of the history of computers. You might write on the development of the laptop, or the use of punch cards as a programming method. If you don't have a printer, public ones can be found in the computer lab. If you have any questions about today's lesson plan or about the homework, I can be reached in my office."

He doesn't leave, but instead begins setting up for his hacking class (which comes immediately afterwards).

[Damien Griffiths]

Awesome, Damien thought to himself. Homework on the very first day of class, due in two days already. He quietly packed up his things. Hacking wasn't for him, evn this class was kind of pushing it. Computer were fine, but did he really need to know so much? It was probably a good investment for the future, though, so he'd stick with it.

[Less Than Beta East Tundra]

This would probably be less of a problem if Less knew how to type. As it was, he would probably break the first keyboard he used. He was still confident he could do it, though. How hard could two pages be? Pretty hard, considering he didn't know most of the necessary vocabulary, but surely it wouldn't be that bad...

[Kahlen Jeanne Nox]

Kahlen wrote down the assignment in her notebook. She decided that she would write about Babbage's work. She also noticed that he worked with Ada Lovelace. 'Must be where Ada got her name,' Kahlen thought.

After a second of thought, Kahlen decided to stay for the hacking class. 'Might as well get the best out of these classes.' She pulled out another notebook and put up her computer because she probably wouldn't be using it.

[Somariel Lamaron]

Putting aside her notebook after recording the assignment, Somariel started her laptop and opened up Photoshop to continue working on a piece of art she started the night before.