[In-Depth FAQ] The PCD
Overview
The PCD, or portable communication device, is something every single character receives upon arriving in Adstringéndum, whether it is through finding it on the ground by them or someone running by, handing them one, and running off. In OOC terms, your character's journal represents their PCD and the friend list is a big network.
In this FAQ, details such as how a character actually does a voice post, where the camera on the PCD is located,etc. will not be discussed simply because it'd be too difficult to try to get everyone to remember and do the same thing. This is a case where "it works because it does" comes into effect.
In terms of what the device looks like it, think of it resembling a smartphone or BlackBerry. A touch-screen with an attached keyboard in other words. The following are the basic functions of the PCD.
Text: Type on the keypad and you have a text message. Generally most comments/posts are defaulted to text unless otherwise stated by the player.
Voice: A built in microphone allows the user to record audio and post them to the network. This is the equivalent of a Livejournal phone post in where the spoken dialogue is saved and posted and can be played and a person's convenience.
Video: A built in camera allows the user to record video to stream to the network. This is the equivalent of someone posting a Youtube video in their post.
Video can have audio included and it is also possible to end an audio or video feed and add text after it. Without making this too complicated, if you can do it on Livejournal, you can do it in an entry or reply. (Filters will be discussed later.)
Basic Programs
It is entirely possible to add additional programs onto the PCD and I will be covering those later, but these are the basic programs all PCDs have.
Network access: Everyone can automatically connect to the network and begin communicating with others. The assumption we will make here is when obtaining a new PCD, prior to logging onto the network, you will be asked a few questions (such as your name) that would tie the PCD to your character and provide a way to identify a user on the network.
--A note on icons: OOC, different icons are used to help convey the meaning of the message, but it would not be a stretch to say the icons are seen ICly especially as there is a camera that can be used.
A message notification system: Easy enough, this is a system that lets you know when your character received a message. A very basic email system.
Map: All PCDs come with a general map of the city that includes coordinates and a basic note systems that allows the user to make notes about certain locations. For reference, you can use the city map here, but assume it would not have the locations or lists of where people live marked from the start; that would be something the character would have to add in themselves.
Ability to make filters to and from [HACKABLE]: The very, very, very basic ability to make a filter to a single person or group of people, or filter away from a person/group, is included with every device, but these are very easy to hack. It's probably a basic program where you put in the people you want to filter it to, add in the message, then post it. No mess or fuss, but it's not secure.
Ability to send private messages to a single person [HACKABLE]: Much like above, this is the simple ability to send a message to a single person.
--The difference between "private" and "filter": Assume a private post is a message to one person while a filtered post is to two or more people. Beyond that there isn't much of a difference between them and is dependent on what terminology you want to use.
Camera: Take pictures of whatever you want, make small videos, I'll even say there's a very basic editing program (resizing and maybe one or two cheesy filters), but there is a camera and it can be used.
Transcribing program (Voice to text): Very basic transcribing program, this will take a voice post/comment someone made and transcribe it into text. This does not allow a person to speak into the PCD and have the program transcribe it for them. The audio must be recorded and posted already.
Advanced Programs/User-created programs
These are programs that not every PCD will have. The only way to get these programs onto your PCD is to either program one yourself or find someone who knows how to code the program and have them load it onto your PCD for you.
Voice-to-text auto transcribing: This program allows someone to speak into the PCD and have the program change everything into text for posting/replying purposes. Perfect for those who are poor typists or illiterate.
Advanced filters/private messages [Semi-hackable to unhackable]: To make filtered posts or send private messages that are unhackable or around that state, a person must either learn how to do it (either through trial-and-error or learning from someone else), obtain a program that does it for them, or have prior knowledge about hacking and coding and be able to protect their entries.
Posting anonymously: To post anonymously, a person must either create a program that allows them to do such or obtain another PCD to use. To obtain a PCD, you'd either have to find one that isn't being used, steal one from someone else (most likely a NPC), or fix up a broken one.
Games: Games can be programmed onto the PCD with the complexity of the game being entirely up to the person putting it together.
Miscellaneous questions:
Can I delete my entries?
OOCly, we can't stop you from doing so, but for posts that have already had an significant amount of interaction and things occur within the threads, we ask you not delete them unless there is a good reason to do so. We say this because other players might like to read the exchanges and its useful for the players involved as well. ICly, characters can delete journal entries for a variety of reasons, but we also ask you not delete the actual post and instead make an OOC note on the post saying the journal entry is deleted for x reason at x time period. Again, this is for people who may want to read the exchanges that happened and keep track of what occurred.
What about ICly editing comments or filters?
This is also something that can be done, but again, please note the changes that have occurred. Also remember that unless the players involved agree on the change of information, even if a comment is changed or filtered away, characters that saw the comment prior to the changes can still remember them.
Can I change a filter in someone else's post or comment?
ONLY if you have their permission to do so. Otherwise, no, you cannot change filters in someone else's post/comment. You can comment ICly asking them to change the filter for whatever reason, but you cannot do it yourself.
What is hacking? What defines hackable and unhackable?
Hacking is obtaining information that was otherwise private or filtered away through various means. Defining a post or comment as "hackable" or "unhackable" is enough to state the status of it. Information that is stated as unhackable CANNOT be hacked under any circumstances. Hackable is fair game. The amount of information that can be gained in a semi-hackable entry is up to the decision of the player who made the original post. If an entry has a filter, but no label stating whether it is unhackable or hackable, ask the player what the status of the entry is. Never assume something is hackable.
If you have any additional questions, please ask and we will get them answered as soon as possible!