Data-font: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:00, 21 February 2024

A data-font is a form of optical computer interface used by Cylons to access information in their datastream, as well as control various other Cylon technologies. Humanoid Cylons need only to place their palm on the illuminated port to instantly access the data stream ^{(TRS: "Exodus, Part I")}.

Caprica-Valerii performs a rough version of this technique with Colonial technology by inserting a fiber optic cable (which uses light as a data carrier) into an incision in her left arm to connect to Galactica's computer mainframe ^{(TRS: "Flight of the Phoenix")}. Another Eight interfaces with a Raptor's computer in the same manner ^{(TRS: "The Face of the Enemy")}. These abilities, including other observed interactions or reactions such as glowing spines^[1] and photo-sensitive eyes^[2] shows that many cells in their bodies are photo-sensitive and/or bio-luminescent.

Data-fonts are found on basestars in the ship's command and control center for data access and other ship functions. These data ports have a layer of water over the interface, which may have an aesthetic or functional purpose. These data-fonts (and the database circuitry used throughout the ship) are at least partially organic^[3] in design, as they are damaged after an infection kills or shuts down almost every Cylon entity and device on the basestar ^{(TRS: "A Measure of Salvation")}.

Models can only access information to which they are privy to, e.g. Eights can not learn anything meant for the Sixes only.^[4]

Notes

The term "data-font" comes from Ron D. Moore, who calls these devices as this in a forum post on SCIFI.com ^[4]. It is also used by the Hybrid in the episode "Six of One".
The Mirriam-Webster definition of font (aside from its modern usage as an element of a printed typeface) is a receptacle for baptismal water, such as those touched by members of the Roman Catholic church as they arrive and leave Mass.

References

↑ Caprica-Six in the Miniseries, Night 1 and Sharon "Athena" Agathon in "Six Degrees of Separation" show the glowing spines. Readers should note that this cinematic effect was discontinued by the writers after season 1.
↑ This occurs with Samuel Anders in "He That Believeth in Me."
↑ As Sharon "Athena" Agathon uses non-organic datacord salvaged from a Raptor to make repairs to a stricken baseship's FTL in "Faith," the full extent of organic technology throughout a baseship is not clear.
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 Q&A with Ron D. Moore (backup available on Archive.org) (in ). (5 November 2007). Retrieved on 11 April 2008.

[1] Caprica-Six in the Miniseries, Night 1 and Sharon "Athena" Agathon in "Six Degrees of Separation" show the glowing spines. Readers should note that this cinematic effect was discontinued by the writers after season 1.

[2] This occurs with Samuel Anders in "He That Believeth in Me."

[3] As Sharon "Athena" Agathon uses non-organic datacord salvaged from a Raptor to make repairs to a stricken baseship's FTL in "Faith," the full extent of organic technology throughout a baseship is not clear.

[SCIFI.COM-4] 4.0 ^4.1 Q&A with Ron D. Moore (backup available on Archive.org) (in ). (5 November 2007). Retrieved on 11 April 2008.

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[2]

[3]

[4]

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 [[Image:Cylon data port.jpg|thumb|200px|The '''data-font''' glows when activated.]]
-The '''data-font''' is a device used by [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] to access information in their [[datastream]], as well as control various other Cylon technologies. [[Humanoid Cylon]]s need only to place their palm on the port and they are able to instantly access the data stream ([[Exodus, Part I]]).
+A '''data-font''' is a form of optical computer interface used by [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] to access information in their [[datastream]], as well as control various other Cylon technologies. [[Humanoid Cylon]]s need only to place their palm on the illuminated port to instantly access the data stream {{TRS|Exodus, Part I}}.
-[[Sharon Agathon|Caprica-Valerii]] attempts a rough version of this technique with Colonial technology by inserting a fiber optic cable into her arm, thus allowing her connectivity to ''Galactica'''s computer mainframe ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).
+[[Sharon Agathon|Caprica-Valerii]] performs a rough version of this technique with Colonial technology by inserting a fiber optic cable (which uses light as a data carrier) into an incision in her left arm to connect to ''Galactica'''s [[Computers in the Re-imagined Series|computer mainframe]] {{TRS|Flight of the Phoenix}}.  Another Eight interfaces with a Raptor's computer in the same manner {{TRS|The Face of the Enemy}}. These abilities, including other observed interactions or reactions such as glowing spines<ref>[[Caprica-Six]] in the [[Miniseries, Night 1]] and {{callsign|Athena}} in "[[Six Degrees of Separation]]" show the glowing spines. Readers should note that this cinematic effect was discontinued by the writers after season 1. </ref> and photo-sensitive eyes<ref>This occurs with [[Samuel Anders]] in "[[He That Believeth in Me]]."</ref>  shows that many cells in their bodies are photo-sensitive and/or bio-luminescent.
-Data-fonts are also used on [[Basestar (RDM)|basestars]] in the ship's command and control center for data access and other ship functions. These data ports have a layer of water over the interface, which may have an aesthetic or functional purpose. These data-fonts (and the database circuitry used throughout the ship) are apparently organic in design, as they are damaged after an [[Lymphocytic encephalitis|infection]] kills or shuts down almost every Cylon entity and device on the basestar ([[A Measure of Salvation]]).
+Data-fonts are found on [[Basestar (RDM)|basestars]] in the ship's [[Basestar command|command and control]] center for data access and other ship functions. These data ports have a layer of water over the interface, which may have an aesthetic or functional purpose. These data-fonts (and the database circuitry used throughout the ship) are at least partially organic<ref>As {{callsign|Athena}} uses non-organic [[datacord]] salvaged from a [[Raptor]] to make repairs to a stricken [[Basestar (RDM)|baseship's]] [[FTL]] in "[[Faith]]," the full extent of organic technology throughout a baseship is not clear.</ref>  in design, as they are damaged after an [[Lymphocytic encephalitis|infection]] kills or shuts down almost every Cylon entity and device on the basestar {{TRS|A Measure of Salvation}}.
-Models can only access information to which they are privy to, e.g. [[Number Eight|Eights]] can not learn anything meant for the [[Number Six|Sixes]] only.<ref name="SCIFI.COM">{{cite_web|url=http://forums.scifi.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=2277157&view=findpost&p=4455731|title=Q&A with Ron D. Moore|date=5 Novemeber 2007|accessdate=11 April 2008|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>
+Models can only access information to which they are privy to, e.g. [[Number Eight|Eights]] can not learn anything meant for the [[Number Six|Sixes]] only.<ref name="SCIFI.COM">{{cite_web|url=http://forums.scifi.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=2277157&view=findpost&p=4455731|title=Q&A with Ron D. Moore|date=5 November 2007|accessdate=11 April 2008|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>
 == Notes ==
-* The term "data-font" comes from [[Ron D. Moore]], who calls these devices as this in a forum post on SCIFI.com.<ref name="SCIFI.COM"/>
+* The term "data-font" comes from [[Ron D. Moore]], who calls these devices as this in a forum post on SCIFI.com <ref name="SCIFI.COM"/>. It is also used by the [[Hybrid]] in the episode "[[Six of One]]".
-*That the humanoid Cylons can interface directly with a fiber-optical cable and light also plays a role in the physical interfaces, implies that some cells in their hands are photo-sensitive and bio-luminescent.
+* The [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/font Mirriam-Webster] definition of ''font'' (aside from its modern usage as an element of a printed typeface) is a receptacle for baptismal water, such as those touched by members of the [[w:Roman Catholic|Roman Catholic]] church as they arrive and leave Mass.
 ==References==
-<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>
+{{reflist}}
 [[Category:A to Z]]
 [[Category:Cylons]]
 [[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
-[[Category:Descriptive terms]]
 [[Category:Technology]]
 [[Category:Technology (RDM)]]
 [[Category:RDM]]