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Who: Cho Hakkai, Naoe Nagi and Omi Tsukiyono
What: Hakkai could really use some help setting up all of those ~~stolen~~ computers that Sonic just dropped off at the temple door. For one thing, how do you plug them in? Good thing he has a couple teenage hackers in his contacts.
Where: The temple of Menrva
When: April 1, afternoon
Warnings: Magic technology! ... but there shouldn't be anything else objectionable.

[The boxes are spread out across one of the library tables, and Hakkai has been carefully cutting open tape and unfolding them, peering inside. They're full of mysterious cables and accessories, besides the main, large boxes of the devices themselves. He's texted Omi and Nagi already, but this is simply fascinating.

He won't try putting anything together just yet (it's entirely possible that plugging something in wrong will end very badly) but he's going to take everything out, just to see.

Once it's all unboxed, he's going back to the first of them, and settling down to read the instructional manual from cover to thin, flimsy paper cover. Any visitors will find him there, engrossed in the user agreement.]

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[Omi isn't completely sure what to expect as he approaches the temple with Nagi. Setting up a computer could be as simple as downloading programs and customizing preferences or as complicated as assembling from Square One. That was doable (assuming the parts were all compatible), but it could be quite the headache if they weren't.

Fortunately, it proves a needless worry; Omi sees as they approach that the towers are already assembled and their job starts with connecting the cables and powering up.]

Excuse me? We're here...

[ Behind Omi stands Nagi, like a silent shadow. Over his shoulder he has a messenger bag, which includes his own laptop and an external hard drive containing various programs that he's already loaded for transfer. He peers inside where Hakkai sits reading instruction manuals, surrounded by boxes and cords.

For his own computer, Nagi is currently in the process of collecting parts, as he prefers to customize the machine to his own needs. But for Hakkai's computer lab, he figures these plug and play models will do just fine. He waits for his cue to get to work. ]

Ah! Hello!

[Hakkai appears from behind one of the boxes, folded instruction manual in one hand, and waves to them.]

Thank you so much for helping. I'm afraid I could be here all day.

[He puts his free hand on his hip and glances around at the computers.]

Oh -- there was this other one, as well, a "seven inch tablet"? It looks rather like a phone. [He points out that box.] I'm not sure if it's set up the same way as a computer or not.

[There seem to be fewer cords and accessories in that box. So perhaps it's not, he thinks, and lifts both hands in a small helpless shrug.]

Where should we start?

[Omi's expression melts into a smile.]

It's a pleasure. We're excited about the addition of computers. We'll just need a few minutes to get everything plugged in-- then we can power them up and look at what's on them.

[He looks at Nagi and tips his head towards one of the boxes.]

You take that one, I'll take the next?

[He detours from his own self-assigned computer, however, to peek at the tablet, and returns his attention to Hakkai.]

I'm actually not sure about this! I thought tablets were drawing aids for artists who like creating digital art... But I don't think that's what this is. Do you recognize this, Nagi?

[ Nagi is about to settle into opening the boxes for the computer, but he turns toward them again when he hears about this tablet. Of course, he came across them in his research as he was trying to get up to speed on the most current tech. He's never handled one before though, so he's actually quite curious about them. He can only surmise that he's from a time before they existed. ]

It's a tablet computer that runs a mobile OS similar to smartphones and incorporates a touchscreen interface.

[ He'd actually like to take a look at it, but maybe setting up these computers is what he's expected to do first... ]

I'm sorry, what?

[It feels like all of the important nouns in that sentence didn't make any sense at all. Hakkai blinks at him, picking up the tablet and glancing down at it. Well -- there was one word that made sense.]

... This is a computer?

[But it's so small. And it doesn't have a keyboard or mouse at all, only a screen.

Touch-screen? Dubiously, Hakkai runs a fingertip across the screen. It remains blank.]

Wow, really? That's pretty fancy...

[He watches Hakkai test the screen, not especially surprised when nothing happens. Bless this man's heart...]

Ah... I don't think it's turned on right now. And it probably needs to charge first. I bet it runs on a battery.

A tablet computer. [ Since it seems like Hakkai thinks it's the same thing as a desktop or laptop. But 'computer' is a generic term that can refer to anything that runs programs. Even a car has an on-board computer. ]

Similar to a laptop, I would guess. More mobile, but with less features.

[ He face doesn't register anything in particular as he watches Hakkai poke uselessly at the screen. Though he might be wondering what sort of universe this man had come from before he died. ]

Ah! That's a good point. I think there was a cord in the box.

[Hakkai promptly turns around, rummaging: yes, there's the smaller box that "tablet computer" had come in, and there is the coiled cord underneath it, with its plug. He busies himself briefly tearing open plastic bags and assembling the cord, then glances around.

Oh yes, he should be finding an outlet, shouldn't he?

There are shelves around nearly all of the walls in the library. He clears his throat.]

Maybe we should set these up in one of the study rooms.

Oh... yeah, we probably should. Okay! Lead the way to the best one.

[Omi in the meantime just... picks up one of the bigger boxes and waits for direction where to carry it. There are a lot of boxes, but it shouldn't take long with all of them working togeth--

Oh... wait a minute!

What is he doing?]

Hey, Nagi, how many of these can you move at once with your ability?

[ There's boxes enough to make three computers or so, which shouldn't be that heavy. There may be a lot of little things packaged around, but if they're in bags, he doesn't have to concentrate on all the elements at once. He shrugs. ]

Probably all of it.

Your ability?

[Hakkai blinks at Nagi, and steps back, gesturing at the boxes.]

As long as it won't damage them, please, feel free!

Perfect! That's a big help.

[Omi sets that big box right back down and looks to Hakkai.]

Please show us where you'd like them. And don't be alarmed when they start to float...

[ They do indeed begin to float, one by one as Nagi scans the room to make sure he's got all of them. He stares at them and they slowly float closer together to form a cube of boxes. It's easier to push them all into one mass so he doesn't have to break his concentration up into a lot of little pieces. ]

How useful! Well -- so long as you're sure you won't drop them -- this way, please.

[Hakkai heads for the library door, holding it open for Nagi and his floating pile of boxes.]

[It really is useful. Omi is still adjusting to the idea that this is an ability that serves as an asset to him now. He better remembers it more as something that recently sent him flying into a stone pillar.

He stays out of Nagi's way-- both the boxes he wields and the boy himself-- as everything is moved into the study room.]

[ He follows Hakkai through the door, the boxes floating ahead of him so he can see them as they're pulled up by the weight of his concentration. Fortunately, Nagi has a great degree of it, which prevents them from wobbling or dropping to the floor. Try not to chat him up too much right now, though. He's got a lot to juggle.

If all goes smoothly, he'll be setting those boxes down gently in the room of Hakkai's choice. ]

[The room of Hakkai's choice isn't very far away: one door down in the hallway outside the library, he turns left, and holds the door open for Omi, the cluster of boxes, and then Nagi behind them.]

All right! I should be able to help you plug everything in so long as you let me know if I'm about to do it wrong. [He beams cheerfully. This room does have tables in it, several of which have already been pushed up flush with the walls; it'll be much easier to access the plugs from here.

It's certainly a good thing that this temple comes wired for electricity (and whatever those other odd little square outlets are meant to be) rather than being properly Etruscan, he thinks. Properly Etruscan would be challenging to live in.]

[Omi for his part is most focused on staying out of Nagi's way while he's moving the boxes, but he spares a look at Hakkai with that... somewhat worrisome statement. They're going to be preoccupied plugging in the machines they're working on. But it shouldn't be too difficult to explain? Hakkai probably just wants to be helpful rather than standing around feeling idle.]

Okay. Leave the monitor to us-- that's the screen. The plug for it can be a little tricky if you're not familiar with it. You can get the keyboard and mouse hook-ups going, though. Those go into USB ports, usually found in the back of the tower.

[ The boxes float down and settle into the center of the room. Nagi watches Omi as he instructs Hakkai on which parts they'll be working on. He's not exactly sure what Omi means by tricky. It's just a plug. All you do is align the spokes and push it into place. A child could do it. But he doesn't argue. He picks out all the parts he needs based on the labels on the boxes and floats them to a nearby workstation to get it all set it up. The boxes pull open and all the unpacking materials float out and into a pile as he sorts through all the stuff to get to the machines and wires. ]

['USB ports' doesn't mean much to Hakkai, but as he unwraps the cords and inspects the connections, it's simple enough to match them to the similarly shaped slots. Keyboard, mouse; he stands back and collects the bits of scattered foam sleeves and wire twists, sweeping them into the garbage as he leaves the rest of the setup to Omi and Nagi.]

[Omi goes about hooking up the remaining cable connections after Hakkai connects each keyboard and mouse, motioning to Nagi that he's welcome to do the same. Outlet, monitor, speakers, and then situating all of the pieces so that everything is comfortably accessed and none of the cords are in the way.

After that, well... time to power up! He pushes the power button for the monitor and computer he just finished situating the cords for and watches the screen light up as the booting process begins.]

[ The computers are all plug-and-play, with no floating parts like video cards or the like to install, so things go pretty quickly. It doesn't take long before all the works stations are set up, with cords tied neatly together and plugged into the necessary outlets. Nagi is already sitting at one of the computers setting up the wifi. ]

Looks like they only come with the bare-bones programming. I'll have to do some installs.

Edited (formatting) 2016-07-24 16:20 (UTC)

I believe they came straight from a warehouse....

[Would that make a difference? Hakkai has no idea where "installs" are usually done, but if they weren't being displayed for sale quite yet, bare-bones makes sense. He leans over Nagi's shoulder, watching intently as new windows fountain swiftly up on the screen and disappear with a few keystrokes.]

Do you need anything else to do that?

An Internet connection, primarily. The programs can be downloaded off of product websites, and any manufactured computer should come with a web browser.

[Even if not necessarily the best one...]

That's a program designed for visiting websites, by the way. Nagi is taking care of the Internet connection now. Once he's finished, we'll add some other essentials, like the antivirus software. An automatic backup system would be good, too.

[He looks over his shoulder at his shinki.]

What's on your list of installations, Nagi?

I have some programs on the external, too.

[ He wasn't sure how fast the connection here would be, so it probably would have been easier to install directly. ]

Office suite, Photoshop, Adium, Skype, some media players.

And whatever else you think they need. Do you need any drivers?

[Hakkai's staying quiet: he doesn't recognize any of those names, and he's not quite sure what a driver is, but if he just keeps a very close eye on what they're doing he thinks maybe he'll be able to start identifying some patterns.

For now, he just nods, and keeps his attention riveted on the screen.]

It doesn't look like it... The keyboard and mouse are downloading automatically. And we don't have a printer...

[Which is just slightly scandalous if you ask Omi. No computer station in an academic or research facility should be without access to a printer! They'll have to get one for it.]

Adium and Skype are those new chat programs, right? One for aggregating logins and one for video calls?

[And while that's working on updating, Omi scans the desktop briefly for the provided web browser and enters in the first website he can think of: yahoo.com]

While I'm thinking about it-- here, Hakkai. This is what code looks like on a computer. One example of it, anyway...

[And with a couple of quick keystrokes, Omi has pulled up a second page that looks very, very different: lines and lines of writing, some of which comes in several short indented lines and other parts of which seem like a solid wall of text.]

This is basically a set of instructions for the computer about how the web page looks, including what's on it, where everything is relative to one another, sizes and colors, and which parts can be clicked to take the user to another page.

[ Nagi nods at Omi's question and continues working on the computer he's sitting at. It's going fairly quickly, but he wonders if maybe it could go faster if he could talk to the computer directly. He glances at him but Omi seems busy explaining things to Hakkai.

Well, if he wants him to change, he's here. Otherwise, they can do this the old-fashioned way. ]

Ah! Interesting.

[Hakkai leans forward, scanning the lines. His lips move as he reads, shaping the unfamiliar words: div? Href? Some of it seems to be in plain text, though. That's easier. This doesn't look impossible to learn at all, if he can just find a good reference for what things mean what.]

How did you display that exactly?

[Truth be told, Omi is doing well enough to have remembered he could summon Nagi's telekinesis! He's not used to having special powers at his disposal-- he even forgets his own power is there half the time.

He closes the source code window so that he can demonstrate the keys for Hakkai, going more slowly this time so as to be observable.]

Hold down the Control key, then press U. This combination is called a hotkey-- a shortcut to a desired action-- and it's common to all web browsers for a Windows computer. That's one of these, by the way.

Nagi is working on a Macintosh, which is... somewhat different.

Mac,

[ Nagi says, seemingly talking to himself as he's clicking away at the computer. ]

Or Apple. No one says Macintosh anymore.

Oh. Is that going to be a problem? That they're different?

[Now that Hakkai considers it, the designs and logos on the boxes and the devices themselves are rather distinct. The devices are roughly the same shape, but he hadn't really thought about the possibility that their functions might be distinct despite that.

So all computers aren't the same! That's another thing to learn, he supposes.]

[Omi looks at Nagi in surprise.]

Really? Oh...

[He feels so dated.]

It's... not really a problem. It does take some getting used to, though, if you're going to learn both. Most people choose one or the other based on personal preference.

[ Nagi taps away at the computer. The processor is very fast, which is pleasing. He lets Omi do the explaining of the differences between computers. Nagi isn't that great at teaching people things like this. Mainly because he's not sure what it is they don't know. ]

You might want to set up a website, for the school.

[ he says, still busy at the keyboard. ]

Edited 2016-08-02 03:11 (UTC)

Ah, that's a thought...

[He might not have understood the 'code' that Omi had displayed, but he's sure he can find some resources for translating it.]

Yeah, that's a good idea! You can post schedules and announcements, and set up a contact page for class requests.

[ Meanwhile, Nagi moves on to the second computer, since the first one is busy downloading stuff. He pulls up some things to install and gets to it, keyboard clacking away by an invisible hand. ]

Do you know how secure the networks are, here?

I have no idea.

[Hakkai spreads his hands helplessly. Today is the first time he's touched a computer! Please be gentle with the brand-new newbie.]

How would I tell how secure a network is?

[...brand new, but, the look in his eye says, planning to learn fast.]

[Omi motions Hakkai closer and points to the screen as he pulls up another browser window.]

For today, we'll take care of getting the network secure. But after we leave, I want you to be able to find the answers to questions on your own.

[He grins.]

There's something on the Internet called a search engine...

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sorry for the delay /)_(\

NP! Also, fastfowarding the set-up a little here, if that's okay...

Fine with me! /grin

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