His finger touched the >> YES << selection to start the tutorial. Afterwards the system opened view for view and explained everything.
The character screen still only showed his level and title. An explicit inquiry revealed that more details would be automatically added upon completion of the cultivation quest.
Furthermore, he had the possibility to expand the USB stick by a device that was able to quantify the human body and create metrics to estimate human performances. However, the construction plan or more detailed information on this device were not available.
The next view was the map. While a large version of the map was shown on his monitor, a kind of mini-map was shown on his mobile phone. The part that was displayed on the monitor could be moved with the fingers.
The map itself was quite boring because the largest area of it was black, which probably represented undiscovered areas. The area discovered was also anything but spectacular, with its solid Gray background and symbols marking some positions.
By using icons next to the mini-map, it was additionally possible to switch between different maps. When Ping did not understand the meaning of this feature the system helped:
>> These are maps from the present and the future. <<
In addition to the mini-map, a table on the mobile phone contained all objects in the field of view, which was currently limited to the five time capsules. Ping was grateful for the table because it wasn't that easy to tap a capsule on the small mini-map.
The table, showed a battery symbol next to the changeable name of the capsule and centred the map on the capsule when you tapped the name. The generated name for the capsules apparently consisted of an abbreviation for name, size and number. When tapping it, a dialogue with a context menu for the respective capsule appeared:
* Name: TC.M.02
* Battery: 98% - 13 hours left
* Location: 50 ° 6 '39.32 "N 8 ° 40' 55.656" E
*> Scanner
*> Network Configuration
*> API
*> Run Script
While the first details were self-explanatory, the last three links led into further dialogues.
With the help of the additional explanation of the tutorial, Ping found out that the primary function of 'Scanner' was to search for network devices.
The main purpose of 'Network Configuration' was to use devices as repeaters. Such devices were then robbed of their other functions, but increased the range of a scan or a command, which of course would only make sense if there was a device that could receive these commands.
The 'API' showed hardware-specific commands of the corresponding device, which in his case meant that he could continue to enter commands via the terminal, which he had already used to develop the capsules.
Apart from accessing the mechanical timer to save energy, Ping was not able to think of many applications for the hardware. The sensors as well as the dirt and rubbish covered cameras were hardly useful in stationary operation and he would not need a self-programmed calculator in this live stream.
'Run Script' was the most interesting option. These were not the scripts Ping knew from computer science, but programs from the future that the system made available. On one hand there were functions that he knew from other menus, for example the scanner and network function as well as a function which he could use to configure the communication range in exchange for battery power, on the other hand there were a number of programs that were reminiscent of mini-games or puzzles in video games - Ping would deal with these more closely as soon as he had to use them.
It was also possible to upload his own scripts. According to the system, it provided an interface for all functions used in the existing scripts and would allow Ping to write in any programming language he preferred. To do this, however, he would have to rummage through what he believed to be an infinitely large documentation describing all of these functions.
Overall, devices found by the scanner could be hacked via a script and would then appear in the list as permanent guests with the same functions as a time capsule.
The secondary function of the scanner was to create a 3D scene of the surrounding landscape. The method visualized physical objects with the help of Wi-Fi waves. Since the radiation was refracted and deflected on objects, it was possible to compute a hologram from the changes in the radiation field. The result could be used for accurate position determination, 3D scans or the detection of surrounding objects and, if a change of the own position was possible, for the optimization of the range or connection to a specific receiver.
For the procedure to work, a device within range had to serve as a reference antenna and another device had to scan and measure the change in radiation levels. It was good that Ping had taken the extra route to position all time capsules close together.
Of course, the scan function also had its limits, in general, objects needed a minimum size as well as a distance to the scanner while the signal was error prone and easy to disturb, which was especially the case when the capsules were communicating during a scan. Furthermore, he needed the photo of a landmark, similar to the requirement of in-door navigation in the sewer system, in order to calibrate the 3D scan within the map.
Ping was sure that sooner or later he would receive such a photo. After all, every core device built into the time capsules also had a camera. However, after opening the camera tab, Ping recognized that this task would wait until he could align the position of each time capsule.
The cameras showed nothing but black, which was to be expected. Finding other devices on site might be faster.
As soon as working cameras would available, interesting options could be activated. For example, the map, which, similar to real-time strategy games, was largely covered by a fog of war and black area, could be expanded and also enhanced by 3D scenes from panoramic images and photogrammetry.
The inventory was much more interesting than the camera. After he tipped on the corresponding time capsule, he saw a detailed view with icons for all installed components of each time capsule. It even included a description.
In addition, the position could be displayed with a click on the item. This function gave him a little surprise when he clicked on the system's USB device. Instead of the hoped-for map of his apartment, the usual city map opened with a dialogue:
>> Use last position data to expand the map? <<
Then part the station and rail system was suddenly visible on the map - so far only with symbols and not in 3D.
"Bloody hell!"
He already knew where the rails would soon lead to and now he knew why he couldn't find the USB stick. Did people really had to steal pens, lighters and USB sticks all the time? Most of them didn't even feel guilty, it was almost as if USB sticks had been declared public property. Nevertheless, he was too busy to call his sister and he would certainly not see the USB stick today if he did not want to follow her.
So he went back to looking at the inventory. He preferred not to try what would happen when clicking on 'Disassemble' and the other buttons were deactivated, but showed interesting prospects. There was a copy button that said '3D printer required', a blueprint button that said 'Additional computing power required' and a transfer button that said 'Dimensional device required'.
>> Tutorial: Views - Completed <<
Before Ping could take a breathe it went on.
>> Start tutorial? <<
"Really now? Another one?" Ping was a pragmatist and during his studies he had acquired his knowledge of programming, operating systems and all kinds of technologies, mainly through the realisation of small projects, which he thought was much more effective than book knowledge or memorizing slides from a lecture.
The new functions were overwhelming and it would take some time before he would be able to navigate through the menu and assess which function was appropriate without guidance. This time he chose >> NO << and decided to first become familiar with the functions himself or at least to look at all dialogues again.
>> In the next tutorial, re-try and bulk-execute concepts, the next system tasks as well as the usage of selected scripts are explained. The pause command will be implemented automatically until the tutorial is completed. <<
Even if did not understand everything the system said, the use of the scripts that he needed to hack other devices sounded interesting. He resisted the temptation to complete the tutorial immediately.
>> The tutorial can be continued any time via the following menu icon. << A round icon with a question mark appeared in the top bar.
Without wasting a second thought on tutorials, Ping opened the map and started scanning. The five time capsules were arranged like a trapezoid, three capsules on top and two below. Three capsules on the right formed a triangle, while two capsules on the left formed a diagonal line. Both sides were not connected, but at least each capsule had a partner to perform a 3D scan.