BrainSpace

BrainSpace

Timothy Linnomme

...A Boundary will be shattered…

Contents Copyright Timothy Linnomme 2011

Published by Timothy Linnomme at Smashwords

Visit http://www.timothylinnomme.net for a full listing of titles and the latest information including up and coming releases!

Glossary of Terms

AntiTechs – Also often called Luddites or ATs, they comprise a small (relative) minority of people that despise the HumaNet world. Though such people are tolerated to an extent, more often than not, their behavior tends towards the criminal and the destructive. Their actions have ranged from virulent posts on message boards to illegal occupation of designated Legacy Areas and even assaults on Data Processing Centers (DCs)

BioWire – Also called BWs or 211’s, The HumaNet equivalent of a routing device; with their installed arrays, they can transfer data many times faster than any inorganic computing device.

Brain Array (BA) – A large mass of organic brain material capable of potential limitless storage and the core of the HumaNet; while Main BAs are responsible for most data throughput, Secondary BAs are used for proprietary functions such as dedicated speed pipelines. See Legacy System Network

BulletTrans - As with the co-opting of all available land and sea area for living habitat, personal vehicles went the same way for much the same reasons. The BulletTrans became the transport for the masses, reaching speeds up to 1000 kph under certain circumstances, such as transporting HumaNet personnel. AirCar transports are only allowed for Security Force personnel and Committee Members.

BurnWire – A burned out or otherwise damaged BioWire, usually from terminal damage to their Array. Though the damage usually occurs from an attack on the HumaNet, physical damage can have the same end result

Committee - The leaders of the technologically united Earth. Most of what they deal with involves situations that affect the Earth as a whole; minor matters are delegated down the ranks of functionaries to give at least the impression that the citizens actually matter to the government.

DataMedTech – Though still technically Normies, a DMT is part Engineer, part Doctor and is considered part of the HumaNet. Their purpose is to provide Medical and Technical Support to the BWs and Data Savants and the BAs that comprise the HumaNet.

Data Processing Array –Also called a DA, these were the original processing clusters used before the advent of the HumaNet; since that time, the DA areas have turned into Hubs

Data Processing Center – Also called a DC, these places were originally used as burst transmission points for data, but with the advent of the HumaNet, they are now places where BioWires and Data Savants congregate to fulfill their necessary functions.

Data Savant – Originally constructed as a go-between for a Brain Array and a BioWire, they now function as Secure Data Transport Entities or Express Data Devices (in case of a Priority Send.)

FrameQuake – With such a massive construct as the V-W, certain constraints must be obeyed. Fixed parameters such as size, item resolution, and occupant number are strictly enforced. The V-W was a lot like the Wild West when it first came to be, but the Administrators got tired of cleaning up some of the messes left behind. Vistas took so long to properly create, but they could be destroyed in a few moments time by an accident or malicious tampering, so the Administrators set certain control parameters off limits to even a Vista Builder. See Virtual World

FrameSpace – A mathematically defined area within the Virtual World

FrameSpace Theory – A large compendium of white papers concerning the structure and protocols of the Virtual World. Though most inside the V-W are there to be entertained, there are some who actually have a good understanding of the mathematics behind the creation of the V-W. For V-W Administrators, such knowledge is mandatory, but they keep a watchful eye on the BWs due to some of them causing problems at times. See FrameQuake.

Hub – A Hub at one time served as a DA, but with the advent of the HumaNet, they became Secondary DCs, handling either lower priority transmissions from the Legacy System Network or proprietary transmissions like NewsLink, the global source of News.

HuMAC Address – The equivalent of a MAC address of a legacy NIC used to identify separate BioWires.

HumaNet – The breakthrough in both data processing speed and storage that changed life on earth; while many said it was for the better, not all are of that mindset. The HumaNet consists of three primary roles and one secondary support role. The Brain Array is where large capacity storage and data transfer capabilities exist. The Data Savant currently interfaces with the BA and is used for both collecting data for SecureWire purposes along with what data that requires express routing. The BioWire routes data to its proper destination. The DataMedTech provides support and care for the HumaNet entities.

Intellisense – Also known as IRDS, it is the modern day equivalent of a Virus Detection Program. Without such an array in place, a BioWire would be even more open to attacks than they already are. The device is also used to regulate data flow and can also be used to protect the BioWire in case of a digital attack and filter out garbage data.

KillWire – Also referred to by its action (KillWired), the term is used to describe any attack upon a BW for purposes of (usually) commandeering their high end Speed Capacities. At one point such attacks also occurred against Data Savants, but that was before such entities were fully integrated into the BAs and protected by that action. WildWires and the ‘criminals’ behind them are suspects in such attacks, but as of the present time, nothing has been proven. What perpetrators that have been found fought to the death. The act of shoving data through a compromised BioWire is called DeadLinking.

Kiosk – The standard method of dispensing food and other needed items. While a Normie would be forced to use a communal kiosk, HumaNet workers have their own personal units which provide a wider array of choices across the board. Kiosk technology was only one such project that became feasible once the Fusion Grid was online. A common problem with at least the communal kiosks is that hackers invariably use them to produce various sorts of unauthorized and illicit goods, yet another game of cat and mouse. See Legacy Area.

Legacy Area - As more and more land was needed for living areas, certain parts were designated as wilderness areas allegedly ‘for the people’, but they were largely used as carrots for the masses of unemployed. Upon winning a lottery, you could be awarded from two to seven days in such places. Unfortunately, groups of ATs often try to settle in such places, something that isn’t tolerated. As fast as one group is rooted out and removed, another will arrive to take its place, an endless source of news for NewsLink and amusement for the masses.

Legacy System Network – Also called the LegaSys, this was the Primary means of moving data before the HumaNet. Once the HumaNet became active, the LegaSys became the domain for all public users. Its speed is limited to 10¹² versus 10³³ or higher for the HumaNet. HumaNet personnel, most specifically BWs, may not use their arrays on the LegaSys. Various intermediary speeds between the LegaSys and the HumaNet are used for specific purposes. For example, the NewsLink Service runs on a dedicated pipeline of 10²⁰ while Security Force Personnel use the 10²⁴ pipeline. Though there have been calls to increase the LegaSys throughput capacity, so far no changes have been made.

Normal - Also called Norms or Normies, they comprise the majority of the people on Earth.

Nutri-Food - Also called NutriGoo, it is the default food product for the masses. In its standard form it is largely flavorless but it provides all needed nutrition. Food kiosks are the primary target for tampering due to this fact.

Security Force – The global police agency that deals with the global population. Their tasks range from enforcing the relatively small number of laws governing Earth society to protecting HumaNet workers and combatting the ATs if necessary.

SecureWay – A guarded and fortified transport access for HumaNet workers. As the HumaNet was built, it became necessary to segregate the workers from the general population due to the disruptions the emerging technology caused. Secured living areas for the HumaNet workers also became necessary. A HumaNet worker could travel to work and back via a SecureWay and a BulletTrans without ever having to go outside, but not all are happy with that situation.

Virtual World – Also called the V-World or the V-W, it is a vast three dimensional world run in a Brain Array, but accessible worldwide by users. In the V-W, you can be whoever or whatever you wish depending on how you model your avatar. For many, the V-W is the closest thing they will see regarding actual undeveloped land; the population of the Earth made it necessary to co-opt all open land and sea for living areas. A vast variety of Vistas recreating all sorts of terrain types and even old style cities is available for the users; the V-W is where a lot of the population spends their time.

VWML – Virtual World Markup Language – Coding protocols that largely control what can be created in the Virtual World

WildWire – All children are required to be tested to see if they can be used as BioWires, and all BioWires are registered upon creation. Some people prevent their children from being tested, but that only delays the inevitable. Once the parents prevent the testing, they have no other choice but to go underground with their children, where an illegal network lays in wait to take advantage of them. A WildWire is an unregistered BioWire that usually is involved in criminal activities. See KillWire.

"Installing computer interface components into humans is yet another example of man trying to play God. It violates the sanctity of mankind. We roundly condemn such actions

Pope Innocent XIV 2062 A.D.

I wish we didn't have to use those freaks, but business is business

Anonymous Corporate Executive

Until I was tested, all I had to look forward to was the life of a Normie on the permanent give, but look at me now!

- Anonymous BioWire implantee

We all live in Future World; our life is full of joy; we say the word tomorrow without fear….

Helloween – Future World

I

BIOWIRE!

Girard Destier wasn’t in that much of a hurry; he was enjoying the actual feel of real weather upon his face, so he ignored the taunt. His indifference ended when the first bottle smashed against a wall, narrowly missing him.

Mutant freak! Why did you mutilate yourself!!?

You couldn’t make it as a human, so you have to walk around with wires in your head!

God will surely condemn you for this sacrilege!

Girard shook his head quietly at the last comment. With all the education available in this day and age, you still had some people who refused to partake of the opportunities available. In this day and age, organized religion had all but been disavowed, but Normies would always be what they were; they really couldn't help it. He glanced behind where he was, seeking the location of the comments; it was only a small crowd, but a few of them were swilling Amp, a favorite liquid stimulant; their vocal outburst was quickly attracting attention from the general populace in the area. Before any more missiles could be thrown or the crowd could grow, a local Security Force patrol arrived.

Okay people, fun is over! Break it up now and go home! Their megaphone system had a discordant, tinny sound. Girard continued on his path until, unexpectedly, the SF car stopped in front of him.

Thank you for your—

Don’t thank me, wirehead, the male officer snapped, My brother lost his job because of your kind. Hold it right there for a second! The female officer with him pulled out a scanner and passed it over Girard's array So, Mr. Destier, why aren't you using the SecureWay?

You have actual sunlight out here; Chicago is usually cloudy and gray.

The female SF officer smiled at him, but the male one wasn't very amused.

It's a shame we have to protect your kind from the humans! Stay the hell off the streets in our patrol area or the next time we may be too late to assist you! The SF car backed up and floated away in a cloud of dust.

Girard waved away some of the kicked up dirt and let out a breath of air he hadn't realized he was holding. Once he thought about what had happened, he realized that he had been scared. Emotions are good; it proves that you are still human. He shrugged off the feeling as he approached the place where he was going to work; he was on loan from Chicago for an indefinite period of time. Girard was twenty eight years old and whip thin; his appearance as such was increased due to the loose fitting black clothes that he wore. His skin tone was rather pale, but that could be explained by the fact that he was almost never outside. His brown hair and eyes were nondescript in appearance, though he kept his hair short mostly out of necessity. Approximately five centimeters above his right eye was an eight centimeter diameter area that was mix of plastic and metal versus cranial bone. A small line of LEDs were solid yellow in color, indicating his interface system was on standby mode. Girard liked wearing the color of black because it was an easy color to maintain as far as cleaning went; he hated loud colored clothing because he found it to be a distraction to his chain of thought at times especially out in the real world. He paused in front of the building that was his destination before entering it; it towered above his insignificant looking form as much as the HumaNet towered above most of humanity

The HumaNet didn't come into existence overnight; it was a combination of hard research and experimentation mixed in with essentially pure dumb luck. By the late 2030's, computer networks and data transmission had risen to unheard of speeds for the time, but the speed still wasn't fast enough. While processing power was increasing geometrically by factors of two, throughput demand was increasing by a factor of ten. The end result was collections of massive data processing arrays, or DPs, comprised of hundreds of thousands of pieces of equipment; maintaining such arrays was expensive and cost ineffective due to the number of breakdowns that occurred. Even industrial strength components would fail in short order if a constant and heavy load was placed upon them. Fatal accidents involving the aforementioned breakdowns were common. One such conflagration resulted in a badly burned individual having part of a network array fused to their head. Part of the array became imbedded in their brain. Though the person died some weeks later due to their injuries, a startling discovery was made: the accident victim could transport data using their damaged brain as a conduit!

It was only a few years later that the first throughput solution came to be. The first generation BioWires had to be plugged in to a server array at an assigned location to be functional, but even they drastically cut down on the accidents that often occurred. With their introduction, data processing arrays no longer had to be as massive as they were before. The server arrays the BioWires used still were an issue, but that was balanced out by the extra resources that could be brought to bear on the equipment. Still, it was only at best a stopgap solution. Means were developed for testing young children to see who would potentially be the best