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Cadaverous Pallor · 01-02-2009, 12:24 PM

Axlerod turns to face Brianna. "All the surveillance software, all the nannying bugs and tripwires were on the old computer. Using this new laptop, you will be free of all parental supervision. This computer is also equipped with plenty of anti-spy protection to allow you the freedom to be whomever you wish online. The depth of the connectivity between Brianna IRL and your virtual self is now at your discretion." He pauses and looks in her face for comprehension. Brianna manages a small smile and a nod, which he returns, then turns back to the podium.

"Ok, enough talk, let's put this shiny thing to work." The professor opens the laptop and it instantly springs to life, though only he and Brianna can see the screen. A white light blinks on the top of the laptop case, viewable by all.

"Because I cannot show everyone what I am about to do," he continues, "I'll describe it. I'm going to connect this laptop to the ScreenName Master." He began to type with finger flicks. "SNM can search nearly all registry sites for names in use. Brianna will type in her newly chosen screenname, and we will discover whether it is in wide usage or not." Just as quickly as he had started, he is done, and gestures towards Brianna to touch the new keyboard for the very first time.

Her hands hover above the keys, not wanting to make even one error, exposed as she is. One at a time, she types the letters of her new name. The monitor hides her motions from all except Axlerod, and as she finishes, he moves forward and presses Enter.

The screen gives a result and the professor tells the crowd, "The name she has chosen is in use by a few others, which is always to be expected. They are not highly active users. The name has been cleared for Brianna to use."

The crowd cheers and applauds. Brianna grins, even as everyone there knows that she made sure the name was available far before this day came.

Axlerod again steps away from the laptop. "Now, Brianna, please choose a social networking site for your first registration. It can be any site you wish." Brianna taps the keyboard, and the tech looks over her shoulder. "Ladies and Gentlemen, she's chosen Apropos." The gathering responds approvingly. "Yes, a very good start, indeed. She is entering her info, creating a password, and...."

Brianna hit Enter, and the light on the laptop changed from pulsing white to blue.

"She has done it."

Cheers, applause, shouts. Brianna can't stop grinning as Axlerod puts an arm around her shoulder. For a moment it is accolades and outbursts, but soon the tech quiets the crowd with upraised arms.

"Yes, yes, yes! She has registered. But what is a registration without contacts? What is a blogger without readers? What is a homepage without links? So we must insist that Brianna add some friends." Brianna begins typing, and he continues speaking. "She is now entering a short list of her inner circle of contacts, those that have known her as BriteLark and that she deems worthy of the honor of being among her first friends using her new name. Remember, this new name is hers to hand out alone, and should not be spoken aloud." Brianna finishes typing, then hits Enter and looks up from her keyboard. Nearly instantaneously, different beeps and rings and tones sound from the crowd, and 3 excited teens jump to their feet, pulling devices out of their pockets. Two girls and a boy, they laugh and wave, Brianna echoing their smiles. The chosen friends then tap their touchscreens to accept the contact requests. The laptop's light stops flashing and becomes a bright blue beacon.

Axlerod puts a hand on her shoulder warmly, speaking in personal tones. "Let me be the first to congratulate you. Your web-based life is now your own. You may decide to make your name public, to your family, to your future employer. But let me counsel you on this one point. Keep this name special. Keep this one clean of any real-world attachments. You may make more avatars, more personas. Some may be of use for contacting close family, others for networking in your chosen career. But no matter how free you feel with those groups, be aware of the social filters we must create. Keep one for yourself." Brianna nods firmly, and the professor seems satisfied.

"Well, Brianna, only one thing more remains to be said." He pauses, looks out at the happy faces, then back once more at the young woman next to him.

"Welcome to the Conversation."

01-02-2009, 12:24 PM	#2
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Axlerod turns to face Brianna. "All the surveillance software, all the nannying bugs and tripwires were on the old computer. Using this new laptop, you will be free of all parental supervision. This computer is also equipped with plenty of anti-spy protection to allow you the freedom to be whomever you wish online. The depth of the connectivity between Brianna IRL and your virtual self is now at your discretion." He pauses and looks in her face for comprehension. Brianna manages a small smile and a nod, which he returns, then turns back to the podium. "Ok, enough talk, let's put this shiny thing to work." The professor opens the laptop and it instantly springs to life, though only he and Brianna can see the screen. A white light blinks on the top of the laptop case, viewable by all. "Because I cannot show everyone what I am about to do," he continues, "I'll describe it. I'm going to connect this laptop to the ScreenName Master." He began to type with finger flicks. "SNM can search nearly all registry sites for names in use. Brianna will type in her newly chosen screenname, and we will discover whether it is in wide usage or not." Just as quickly as he had started, he is done, and gestures towards Brianna to touch the new keyboard for the very first time. Her hands hover above the keys, not wanting to make even one error, exposed as she is. One at a time, she types the letters of her new name. The monitor hides her motions from all except Axlerod, and as she finishes, he moves forward and presses Enter. The screen gives a result and the professor tells the crowd, "The name she has chosen is in use by a few others, which is always to be expected. They are not highly active users. The name has been cleared for Brianna to use." The crowd cheers and applauds. Brianna grins, even as everyone there knows that she made sure the name was available far before this day came. Axlerod again steps away from the laptop. "Now, Brianna, please choose a social networking site for your first registration. It can be any site you wish." Brianna taps the keyboard, and the tech looks over her shoulder. "Ladies and Gentlemen, she's chosen Apropos." The gathering responds approvingly. "Yes, a very good start, indeed. She is entering her info, creating a password, and...." Brianna hit Enter, and the light on the laptop changed from pulsing white to blue. "She has done it." Cheers, applause, shouts. Brianna can't stop grinning as Axlerod puts an arm around her shoulder. For a moment it is accolades and outbursts, but soon the tech quiets the crowd with upraised arms. "Yes, yes, yes! She has registered. But what is a registration without contacts? What is a blogger without readers? What is a homepage without links? So we must insist that Brianna add some friends." Brianna begins typing, and he continues speaking. "She is now entering a short list of her inner circle of contacts, those that have known her as BriteLark and that she deems worthy of the honor of being among her first friends using her new name. Remember, this new name is hers to hand out alone, and should not be spoken aloud." Brianna finishes typing, then hits Enter and looks up from her keyboard. Nearly instantaneously, different beeps and rings and tones sound from the crowd, and 3 excited teens jump to their feet, pulling devices out of their pockets. Two girls and a boy, they laugh and wave, Brianna echoing their smiles. The chosen friends then tap their touchscreens to accept the contact requests. The laptop's light stops flashing and becomes a bright blue beacon. Axlerod puts a hand on her shoulder warmly, speaking in personal tones. "Let me be the first to congratulate you. Your web-based life is now your own. You may decide to make your name public, to your family, to your future employer. But let me counsel you on this one point. Keep this name special. Keep this one clean of any real-world attachments. You may make more avatars, more personas. Some may be of use for contacting close family, others for networking in your chosen career. But no matter how free you feel with those groups, be aware of the social filters we must create. Keep one for yourself." Brianna nods firmly, and the professor seems satisfied. "Well, Brianna, only one thing more remains to be said." He pauses, looks out at the happy faces, then back once more at the young woman next to him. "Welcome to the Conversation."
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