Computers & Fun #1, 5/24, Wednesday Afternoon

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

Abby smiled nervously as students filed into the computer lab, checking a stack of notecards. "Hey, I'm Professor Abby and this is the first workshop on computers." She paused and gulped a little nervously, starting to speak faster. "This class is going to help you get to know computers and have fun with them. If you're already a geek then I'll teach you a few tricks that I've learned over the years. Nothing really illegal or anything, but some really cool things. Plus if there's anything specific that you want to learn this summer, just let me know."

"But first I need to get to know you and find out what you know. So if everyone could go around and tell me your name, your grade and what experience you have with computers, that would rock!"

Placing a box on a desk, Abby drew out a handful of keychain-sized toys. "These are your first assignment. They're virtual pets and it's a pretty cool piece of computer technology. You enter data like food, playtime and attention and the computer updates your pets life, making it grow or die based on your actions. It will give you a chance to dip your toe in the water of technology for those of you who are new to things. For those who know what to do, I'm pretty sure you can find a way to hook two pets up and make them fight." Abby grinned and dumped the box out.

"I bought these here, so it's sort of a weird selection. Looks like we've got lizard, monkey, hippo, gremlin and floating head." Abby shrugged. "Yeah, I'm not really sure about that last one."

[threads up! Yay!]

Comments

Introductions

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"Okay, I'll start." Abby took a seat and smiled. "My name's Abby Sciuto and I'm currently on hiatus from my job as a forensic specialist with Navy Criminal Investigative Service or NCIS. It's sorta like the homicide cops of the navy."

"My computer know-how level is somewhere between geek and inserting a USB port under my skin. I'm not the best or anything, but I know my stuff."

Re: Introductions

[peter--parker.livejournal.com]

"Hi, I'm Peter Parker. I'm a junior. And my computer know-how is geeky enough to know what I'm doing with Linux, but not geeky enough to hack government databases or anything. Maybe someday."

Peter hoped the jokiness came through on that. It's not the world's smartest move to tell someone who works for the government that you aspire to hack government databases unless you're sure they know it's a joke.

Re: Introductions

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

It was instinct. This was a boy. He'd introduced himself as Parker.

Willow went to whap him on the arm.

Re: Introductions

[peter--parker.livejournal.com]

A small tingle went off in Peter's head, so he turned quickly and leaned back to watch as Willow's whap missed.

"Err... Hi?"

Re: Introductions

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"Great! It's good to have goals." Abby smiled. "Have you ever written any software or made modifications on exisiting programs?"

Re: Introductions

[peter--parker.livejournal.com]

"I haven't written anything from scratch, but I've made some mods for games, stuff like that," Peter said. "My Bitterwoman mod for Unreal Tournament is highly regarded on a couple boards."

Re: Introductions

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

Willow was far too excited about introducing herself.

"Willow Rosenberg, 16, junior, from Sunnydale, California," she said. "And you can have my computer when you pry it out of my cold, dead hand. Or - or if you're really nice and offer to upgrade it so that not only is it faster, it dispenses candy. Which is really neat."

Re: Introductions

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"I'm not really sure that I could make it dispense candy, but if you find one that makes Caff-Pow, let me know." Abby winked and checked her notecards for questions.

"So is there anything in particular you want to learn over the summer?"

Re: Introductions

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

"My current project is trying to program a CD player so that it can be used by dryads," Willow replied.

Re: Introductions

[twohalvesofaphd.livejournal.com]

"My name's Zack Addy, my computer knowledge is quite extensive," Zack paused and grimaced. "For 1997, hence one of my reasons for taking this class is to get back up to speed."

Re: Introductions

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"Whoa. Although '97 was a good year for computers. Deep Blue won a game of chess, there was the big winnuke hack and the Curse of Monkey Island game was released."

"I loved those little monkeys." Abby said wistfully. "So basically you just need a 2006 refresher course?"

Re: Introductions

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"I'm Bridge Carson, I'm a C-Squad cadet at SPD Academy. Most of my computer experience is with Sirian and Earth tech, and I know enough to be able to make a laptop make waffles."

Re: Introductions

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

Abby blinked. "Is this like a mess with the teacher on her first day sort of thing?"

Re: Introductions

[likethegun]

"Uh, I'm Sam Winchester, and I'm a freshman," he said. "My computer knowledge is pretty basic. I'm sort of a wannabe geek."

Re: Introductions

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"Wannabe's are always welcome, Sam." Abby smiled. "Do you have a laptop here at school or are you going to need to borrow one?"

Re: Introductions

[imac-kenzie.livejournal.com]

"I'm Mac, I'm a sophomore, and my iBook is pretty much an extra appendage and has been for... about as long as I can remember." She shrugs and smiles, careful to leave out any mention of her specific activities knowing very well that rather a lot of them are on the shady side of legal.

Re: Introductions

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"Mac with a mac. That rocks." Abby grinned. "I like your hair!"

Re: Introductions

[electric-sitar.livejournal.com]

Demyx looked really nervous. "Um..I'm Demyx. I know next to nothing about computers and I want to learn more, so that I don't accidentally destroy mine?"

Re: Introductions

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"You're in the right place Demyx." Abby smiled. "What sort of computer do you have?"

Re: Introductions

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"I'm Cally. And yes, Professor Abby sir, that's my last name on your roster list. I'm from Caprica, the best of the thirteen colonies even if our Pyramid Team kinda sucks. Oh, and I've not got a whole lot of experience with running computers. But I've got a boyfriend who is very internet savvy," she said.

And then she started snickering a little and looking to see who all would react to that last line.

Re: Introductions

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"Cally. Gotcha." Abby frowned a little. "Where exactly is Caprica? I don't think I've heard of it before."

Re: Introductions

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

"Um." He cleared his throat. "I'm John Connor. Been working with computers and guns my whole life. Student here at Fandom. Senior. Or will be."

Re: Introductions

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"So you're good at it, then?" Abby asked. "And will you need to borrow a computer from here for the class?"

Re: Introductions

[ranma-sao.livejournal.com]

"Hi... I'm Ranma Saotome. I'm a freshman. I don't know how to turn my computer on. I got this laptop because I was figuring I'd learn how to use it and, well, my handwriting is really bad."

He looks embrassed.

Re: Introductions

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"Good to have you in class, Ranma." Abby smiled gently. "By the end of the summer, you're going to be a whiz at this!"