Data-font: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:33, 14 January 2009

The data-font is a device 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 port and they are able to instantly access the data stream (Exodus, Part I).

Caprica-Valerii performs a rough version of this technique with Colonial technology by inserting a fiber optic cable into an incision in her left arm, thus allowing her connectivity to Galactica's computer mainframe (Flight of the Phoenix). Her 'sister', the so-called "Sweet Eight", interfaced with a raptor's computer in the same manner in "Face of the Enemy". Whether other models share this capability has not yet been determined.

Data-fonts are also used 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 apparently organic in design, as they are damaged after an infection kills or shuts down almost every Cylon entity and device on the basestar (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.^[1]

Notes

The term "data-font" comes from Ron D. Moore, who calls these devices as this in a forum post on SCIFI.com ^[1]. 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. It should be noted that their spines are similarly bio-luminescent.
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

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Q&A with Ron D. Moore (backup available on Archive.org) (in ). (5 Novemeber 2007). Retrieved on 11 April 2008.

[SCIFI.COM-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Q&A with Ron D. Moore (backup available on Archive.org) (in ). (5 Novemeber 2007). Retrieved on 11 April 2008.

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 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]]).
-[[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 into an incision in her left arm, thus allowing her connectivity to ''Galactica'''s computer mainframe ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).  Her 'sister', the so-called "Sweet Eight", interfaced with a raptor's computer in the same manner in "[[Face of the Enemy]]".  Whether other models share this capability has not yet been determined.
 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]]).