Today, as we wait for Elect to Change to start, we focus on three companies who had huge technological impacts on day-to-day Terrenden communications in the 800s Terrenden Common Era (T.C.E.)
Flypp Technology
Flypp Industries was an important techological leader in various recording and storage devices in the 800s T.C.E. Some of these devices included:
- flyppad - This is a device about the size of a reporter's notebook used for writing, storing and retrieving reading material.
- flyppcard - This is a storage cartridge designed to be used with a flyppad or other reader. The earlier cartridges were about the size of your palm. Later cartridges shrank significantly. Some readers retrained backward-compatibility throughout the company's life.
- flyppen - This is a stylus used for writing or otherwise altering data on a flyppcard and flyppad combo.
- Flyppnet - This was an early form of internet for Terrenden. Unfortunately, for Flypp Industries, Holonet came out about the same time with a superior holographic-based technology which chased Flypp out of that business. However, flyppnet remained a feature on flyppad-type devices for several decades after losing the race. There remained a nerd-type fan following for much longer after that.
- flyppaper - This was a hugely significant breakthrough on Terrenden. This electronic paper helped reduce waste on the planet as newspapers and other forms of media could simply reprint each new issue on the old product. This industry became even more important after the 829 T.C.E. restrictions on single-use paper came into effect.
Trivia points:
To begin with, all the above terms would have been capitalized, as a term belonging to Flypp Industries. As new companies emerged with similar products, they dutifully renamed the products appropriately, but the original flypp-terms stuck.
An early advertisement from Flypp Industries used the catch phrase, "Flypp It!" to inspire the new generation to buy their products. It worked. However, it also inspired the same generation to use "Flypp it!" as a mild, but effective expletive for bad situations.
Holo Technology
Holo Industries was the first major company to produce devices for holographic entertainment. They are also sometimes referred to as Holographic Projection Systems (HPS for short) - though that was really just the name of their flagship product. Some of their devices included:
- HPS cam - a camera that can capture 4D imagery.
- HPS display - a simple 4D screen.
- HPS projector - for use with a HPS screen - and a linguistic annoyance for the educated (or pedantic.)
Holo Industries also provided words for various services including:
- holonet - the main world-wide internet provision. Most libraries have terminals, most individuals do not.
- holovision
- holonews
- holovideos/holovids
- holodramas
- holodocs - for documentary channels
The above services are provided by an agreement between the government, Holo Industries and a mandatory entertainment tax on anyone who uses any of the holovision services.
PCS Technology
Portable Communications Systems (PCS) was the first major company to provide personal communications linking devices. Examples include:
- PCS Unit - a desktop or countertop unit with a screen of various sizes. Not as 'portable' as the name suggests.
- PCS Net - as above, except with access to holonet.
- PCS Pad - a unit small enough to keep in a handbag or small case. There was a bit of a fight between PCS and Flypp over this device, but in the end it was decided that they were different enough to warrant separate patents. This is a very popular device - only a little more popular than the Flyppad.
- PCS Link - a wrist-worn device, often including access to holonet. Most people have one.
Hopefully, we'll be starting Elect to Change tomorrow or the next day - we have a technical issue with Dbooks at the moment, so just waiting for that to get fixed. In the mean time, I figured we could learn more about Terrenden!
(image info/credit in prologue)
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