That's something I've wondered about before.

Subject: That's something I've wondered about before.
Author: the Irish Samurai
Posted on: 2015-09-22 14:41:00 UTC

Although not in too much detail.

Even if we go with 21 as being a typical-high value for World One, what does that mean for people like elves? 21 is basically a toddler for them, isn't it?

Honestly, bartenders in HQ probably have one of the hardest jobs of all: never mind taking on Sue, just trying to figure out if they're supposed to be serving people or not could drive them insane!

Thinking about it, the only two ways I can see that would make sense are:
1) There is no minimum age, and all agents are expected to be sensible enough to determine at what age they individually should be able to drink alcohol.
2) Behind each bar is a huge cross-reference chart consisting of species and canon or origin (sub-divided by location in the case of those canons that are detailed enough to have multiple areas of jurisdiction with different ages), which gives the appropriate in-universe drinking age.

Or the meta explanation: if you think your agent should be able to get served, then they can get served. I'm guessing that, for human agents at least, most people will assume that the drinking age will match that the one for where they live - so for me, that's 18 (or 16 if you're ordering it with food and with a responsible adult).

- Irish

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Security badges? by ratbrainbasher on 2015-09-20 02:57:00 UTC Reply

I know that the PPC is about as unprofessional as a paramilitary organization can get, but I've decided that I will use security badges for my agents once I get permission. The thing is, I want to have them ready before I ask for permission. As such, I have no idea how to fill them out.

As in, what information should be displayed? I'd guess that an RC number, name, and department/division should be on there, but what else? A normal answer would be fine, but if someone were to make a chart (Different departments would probably have different information), I could have an even easier time doing this, for both myself and other people. Which reminds me, once I master doing this, I will be open to making badges for others.

And, lastly, I may or may not have asked this before. I'm one of those people who doesn't have any memory of what they post. So, uh, sorry if I have, in fact, asked before and forgotten.

Re: Security badges? by the Irish Samurai on 2015-09-22 11:19:00 UTC Reply

I could see this sort of thing being used. Although depending on the level of information you want to include, some kind of ID card (like a driving license or passport style of thing) might be better.

As has already been pointed out, agents already wear flashpatches that identify their department (and there is the recent idea of pins to indicate temporary assignments with different departments), so I'm not sure that a badge with just basic name/department info on it would serve much purpose, but a more detailed card might be useful(I'm assuming that Personnel have detailed files for each agent, and that this card would just be a brief summary).

Details that I can see being on this would be:
* Full name
* Maybe a photo if it's to be used for actual ID purposes (after all, you've got be able to prove to the HQ bartenders that you're old enough to drink somehow)
* Maybe some kind of unique ID number - agents could change their name, and Personnel having some kind of number for looking up a specific individual would probably make their paperwork easier to keep track of
* Age (see previous comment concerning bartenders)
* Species (might not always be obvious, particularly with human-looking aliens)
* Department
* Division
* Indication of experience (I know we don't have ranks like in the military, but some distinction between Newbie, Agent and Veteran Agent could be possible)
* Any special permissions/notes (such as licensed Sun Crusher pilot, completed lightsaber safety training course, etc.)
* Any special restrictions

- Irish

There's actually a precedent for IDs. by Neshomeh on 2015-09-22 16:58:00 UTC Reply

An old, old precedent it is, too. I think the only remaining (or just only?) example is Talia Nightsong's ID, which you can find on her LJ profile. Just scroll down a bit, it's got a front and back.

It seems to cover most of your data, Irish, with the addition of organ donor status and minis; and maybe the Psych Eval number stands in for experience and special notes? It's interesting to me that its presence seems to imply that every agent should have a psychological evaluation on file...

I think it would be fun to create more of these, with better-quality graphics. {= )

~Neshomeh

"No. There is... another." by Huinesoron on 2015-09-22 20:35:00 UTC Reply

And it's hosted on your website. Tut tut, Nesh!

Agent Lambda's SIELU ID

Based on which, it is apparently a good thing she never ran into Dafydd.

hS

Well, now there's three! by Neshomeh on 2015-09-22 21:51:00 UTC Reply

Because I went and spent my free time on it. This version is slightly modified from the Artemis one, since I hadn't realized Lambda's existed. (Also, I like this better anyway.)

And, I may regret saying this, but now that I've got a template, I can make more pretty easily. >.> I just need the relevant info, a decent image (preferably a headshot) at least 100x120, and (optionally) your choice of font for your agent's handwriting. For the record, I used this to get a random 8-byte hexadecimal code for the Psych Eval number.

I'm open to suggestions for modification, too, if there's anything people think desperately needs to be there.

~Neshomeh felt creative today.

Very nice! (nm) by the Irish Samurai on 2015-09-24 12:26:00 UTC Reply
Heeey, was that an offer? ^_^ by Huinesoron on 2015-09-23 16:26:00 UTC Reply

The easy one:

~

Selene Windflower
Image: This one
Species: Vampire - Dracula
RC: 7219

Age: 250ish
Sex: Female
Height: 5'11''
Build: Thin
Eyes: Red
Hair: Black

Department: Floaters
Division: N/A
HoD: Floating Hyacinth

Psych Eval: D871AAA10F7513C1
Blood Type: Any
Organ Donor: No
Partner: Kaitlyn Jackson
LO(s): Boromir/ Mini(s): None.
Other: Formerly DOGA. Under DIA monitoring.

~

I'm not sure if you were making minis/LOs a choice, so I've provided both.

And now, the tricksy one.

~

Kaitlyn Jackson
Image: Will this work?
Species: Human - World One(?)
RC: 7219

Age: 25
Sex: Female
Height: 5'5''
Build: Hobbity
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black

Department: DCPS, Floaters
Division: Lord of the Rings, N/A
HoD: Asphodel, Floating Hyacinth

Psych Eval: 11EF894186710F32
Blood Type: A-
Organ Donor: Yes
Partner: Chelsea Miller, Selene Windflower
LO(s): Lúthien, Hermione Granger/ Mini(s): None.
Other: OFUDisc graduate.

~

I will forgive you for not doing that.

(Also, have you considered replacing the barcode with a QR code containing the actual information? Most of it should probably fit.)

(I'm also now expecting a canonical explanation of the psych code from our resident FicPsych expert. I particularly want to know what that AAA in the middle of Selene's means. >:D)

hS

Selene & Kaitlyn, new style. by Neshomeh on 2015-09-26 21:36:00 UTC Reply

How do you guys like this new back, with the magnetic strip and QV code? I think I've won myself over, personally.

hS, any issue with the changes I made from what you submitted? I changed "Other" to "Special Status" after I did Nume's, and I don't really think transfer history or OFU-graduate status warrant special note. I also put Floaters first for Kaitlyn's ID, since I perceive Floaters to be her primary assignment these days (and I know she's not happy about it). I also mucked about with the color balance of her picture a fair bit, since the original is really dark and muddy. It was just big enough to work, though!

~Neshomeh

That's amazing. by Huinesoron on 2015-09-27 18:39:00 UTC Reply

I approve of all the changes (though I think Selene just arbitrarily decided at some point to be 250 until further notice). Kaitlyn won't be happy about the department order, but that's officeocracy for you.

I particularly approve of Selene's writing - that's pretty much perfect. And the QR/mag strip combo works wonderfully...

Thank you!

hS

Yay! by Neshomeh on 2015-09-27 19:14:00 UTC Reply

Glad you approve. ^_^

The font I used for Selene is Gare de Chambord, if you want it for your own use.

The offer is still open to change Kaitlyn's, if you run across something you like for her.

~Neshomeh

Oh, and: by Neshomeh on 2015-09-24 15:27:00 UTC Reply

What's a QR code, and how would I do that?

~Neshomeh, knew she was forgetting something.

One of these: by Huinesoron on 2015-09-24 16:08:00 UTC Reply

(URL)

That was generated from text entered on this website. If you plug the image URL into this other website, you can read the text back out.

It's probably a bit oversized for entering all the data, but you could do a name and department pretty easily:

(Impressively, the reader above can actually find and read the QR code on there! Try it and see.)

hS

Interesting! by Neshomeh on 2015-09-26 01:25:00 UTC Reply

Oh, those things. Didn't know that's what they were called. I'll try it for your two. If it works nicely, I'll redo the others to include 'em. (Gotta redo my two and Rina's anyway.)

It IS pretty impressive that the reader can just find it in any old image.

~Neshomeh

Gack, I almost didn't see this. by Neshomeh on 2015-09-24 15:25:00 UTC Reply

Phobos read the post before me, so the link was dulled. {= P But yes, it was an offer! I'll do 'em up tomorrow; won't have a chance today, unfortunately. I've already thought about how I'd handle a case like Kaitlyn's, though, so I will absolutely give it a shot.

To answer your questions: No, it wasn't meant to be a choice. I just forgot to edit the template before I did Ilraen's and didn't catch it before it was too late.

The official explanation for the code is... it's random. ^_~ It's a randomly generated filing number. Any arcane significance you read into the characters is all in your head. Incidentally, have you considered stopping in for an appointment sometime soon?

~Neshomeh
Oh, yeah, handwriting. by Huinesoron on 2015-09-23 16:30:00 UTC Reply

Selene's is spikey. Kaitlyn's is curly, probably a copperplate or calligraphy script if you've got one. And both of them will only sign their first names.

hS, almost capable!

Speaking of (and Ix, this goes for you, too) by Neshomeh on 2015-09-26 02:08:00 UTC Reply

I'll pick from what I've got for now, but if you want, I can redo it anytime with your choice from DaFont.com, which has a truly awesome amount of selection. You're sure to find something you like. I'm gonna be looking for my own characters.

~Neshomeh

Ooh, these are nice! by Iximaz on 2015-09-26 06:11:00 UTC Reply

Sweet Home Oklahoma for the Aviator (which I find hilarious, since I was born in Tornado Central), and Lefty Does Righty Charcoal for Zeb, because I figure trying to write with a pen in your mouth is about as easy. :P

(Allow me to reiterate how awesome you are, please?)

Will do! by Neshomeh on 2015-09-26 21:39:00 UTC Reply

... As soon as I know whether the new-style back will stick, anyway. D'you like it? I used your suggestion for a magnetic strip as well as hS's QR code. {= )

(And d'aw, thanks, for both times. T'ain't no big thang... ^_^; )

~Neshomeh
These gave me a funny idea... by Iximaz on 2015-09-26 06:36:00 UTC Reply

Wherein the Aviator (finally!) tries to teach Zeb how to write.

...I should really go to bed now. ^^;

(Oh, that reminds me for some reason, I corrected the weird coloration of the Aviator's eyes. Nice spot. :P)

Slight modifications, plus how to do non-humanoids by Neshomeh on 2015-09-22 23:50:00 UTC Reply

Did Ilraen's, corrected some minor things I found I didn't like in the template:

Changes I've made to accommodate him as a non-human are changing hair to fur (this could be swapped out for any particular identifying feature) and using blood type "X". This ought to cover it, yes? No?

~Neshomeh
If it's not too much trouble... by Iximaz on 2015-09-22 22:49:00 UTC Reply

Do you think you could make one for the Aviator? I'd ask for Zeb, too, but the only thing is, I'm not sure how well the template works for non-human(oid)s... ^^;

The Aviator
Species: Time Lord - World One
RC: 3-Apple-14

Age: 453
Sex: Female
Height: 5'10"
Build: Slender
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black

Department: Department of Mary-Sues
Division: Freelance
HoD: The Sunflower Official

Psych Eval: 6712A40AE881207DC664
Blood Type: O+ ~~Though, does this apply to Time Lords? I'd think their blood would be incompatible with anything else~~
Organ Donor: Yes ~~though they're also probably not compatible with most agents~~
Partner: Zeb
LO(s): None
Other: Licensed TARDIS pilot

Signature: The Aviator, in whatever font you've got closest to this.

As for a suggestion, I'm not sure if it's different anywhere else, but my own student ID has a magnetic stripe on the back that allows us to make purchases anywhere on campus (and a lot of stores in town, as well). Would that possibly be a thing in HQ? It would certainly be one way for the Flowers to give the agents their (negligible) wages, and it would be accepted as a method of payment in all official establishments in HQ, like the Cafeteria, the General Store, Rudi's, et cetera.

Aaand here's the Aviator's! by Neshomeh on 2015-09-23 04:16:00 UTC Reply

I've worked out almost all the kinks with the template. I'll almost certainly redo this and the others when I've got it all sorted out, but here it is for now!

(Speaking of kinks, did you know you used two eye colors in the image? They're ever so slightly different.)

And, if it wasn't clear in my above post with Ilraen's ID, I can totally do Zeb's. Just switch out "hair" for "fur" or whatever. {= )

~Neshomeh

Eeeeeeeee! by Iximaz on 2015-09-23 12:50:00 UTC Reply

Thankyouthankyouthankyou! *glomp* I love the font! That's awesome!

*takes a closer look* ...Huh, so I did. I did not notice. Whoops! ~~call it a quirk of regenerating~~

Okay. *cracks knuckles* Here's Zeb's reissued card!

Zeb

Species: Luxray - Pokémon
Age: 3
Sex: Male
Height: 4'5"
Build" Lion-like
Eyes: Yellow
Fur: Grey and blue

Department: Mary-Sues
Division: Freelance
HoD: The Sunflower Official

Psych Eval: (Apparently I managed to mess up Ave's. Somehow?)
Blood Type: X
Organ Donor: Yes
Partner: The Aviator
LO(s): None
Special Status: -

Signature: Would it be possible to make a completely unintelligible scribbling line? He would have tried to sign it with his mouth and... not succeeded. :P If not, Bradley Hand ITC would be great. All capital letters.

Thank you so much!!

Done! by Neshomeh on 2015-09-23 15:31:00 UTC Reply

I couldn't find a scribbly font, alas. I used to have some fun ones that might've worked, but I haven't figured out how to put new fonts on my new laptop yet. Sigh.

The only trouble with the Aviator's psych eval number was that it was two bytes too long (20 characters instead of 16). I just whacked the extra characters off the end, that's all. {= )

Switched "lion-like" to "lionesque" 'cause it's a cool word. Hope it's okay.

~Neshomeh

Leonid? =] (nm) by Scapegrace on 2015-09-23 16:17:00 UTC Reply

That's a noun, though, innit? by Neshomeh on 2015-09-24 15:15:00 UTC Reply

And apparently it refers to a meteor shower occurring around November 15 and appearing to originate from the constellation Leo.

The more you know...

~Neshomeh

Clippy says: by Huinesoron on 2015-09-24 15:56:00 UTC Reply

"It looks like you're trying to find a synonym for 'lion-like'.

"Have you considered 'leonine'?"

Actually, that can't be Clippy; it's much too helpful.

hS

Speaking as a Classics student (ish)... by To The Scapemobile! on 2015-09-24 20:00:00 UTC Reply

Leonid and leonine are both fine; it's mostly a question of what you're referring to. Latin is godawful. Let's not mince words. =]

*glomps again* by Iximaz on 2015-09-23 15:34:00 UTC Reply

Nesh, has anyone ever told you you're the best? Because you're the best! :D

A very old precedent indeed. by the Irish Samurai on 2015-09-22 19:46:00 UTC Reply

That looks kinda familiar - I think I probably came across it on Talis' wiki page (which just shows the front).

I would think that most agents should have a psych eval on file - given the known dangers of field work, I would think that agents would be required to have a little chat with one of the FicPsych nurses before being cleared for field duty. Not sure if they'd bother with that for non-field staff, like the guys in Building Maintenance or the Intel sorters, but for everyone else it just seems like a sensible precaution.

- Irish

And I should really proof-read my posts. (nm) by the Irish Samurai on 2015-09-22 19:54:00 UTC Reply

Re: Drinking age in HQ by Iximaz on 2015-09-22 14:20:00 UTC Reply

What is considered 'drinking age', exactly? It varies wildly enough in World One, never mind a multiuniversal extradimensional location such as HQ, where you get continua where the legal adult age is ten and another has theirs at a hundred and ten.

That's something I've wondered about before. by the Irish Samurai on 2015-09-22 14:41:00 UTC Reply

Although not in too much detail.

Even if we go with 21 as being a typical-high value for World One, what does that mean for people like elves? 21 is basically a toddler for them, isn't it?

Honestly, bartenders in HQ probably have one of the hardest jobs of all: never mind taking on Sue, just trying to figure out if they're supposed to be serving people or not could drive them insane!

Thinking about it, the only two ways I can see that would make sense are:
1) There is no minimum age, and all agents are expected to be sensible enough to determine at what age they individually should be able to drink alcohol.
2) Behind each bar is a huge cross-reference chart consisting of species and canon or origin (sub-divided by location in the case of those canons that are detailed enough to have multiple areas of jurisdiction with different ages), which gives the appropriate in-universe drinking age.

Or the meta explanation: if you think your agent should be able to get served, then they can get served. I'm guessing that, for human agents at least, most people will assume that the drinking age will match that the one for where they live - so for me, that's 18 (or 16 if you're ordering it with food and with a responsible adult).

- Irish

Considering how lax HQ is about other things... by Iximaz on 2015-09-22 14:57:00 UTC Reply

The first possibility makes more sense.

...then again, the second option is so crazy, it has 'HQ' written all over it. :P I doubt it would actually be used, though; it would take thirty minutes just to determine if you're allowed to serve somebody!

We already have something. by Iximaz on 2015-09-20 03:02:00 UTC Reply

They're called Flash Patches.

All that tells you is where someone works. by ratbrainbasher on 2015-09-20 04:25:00 UTC Reply

And, besides, even if the PPC doesn't really use security badges, that doesn't mean they don't have them. Corporate security guards have their logos ironed on to their uniforms, if they even have them, but they also have badges. I would find it extremely bizarre if the PPC has no automated security measures whatsoever-especially considering how easy it would be to get lost and wander into a potentially restricted section. All Sun Crusher pilots need a license to fly the Sun Crushers. Just watch Voyager, and count how many times a shuttle is stolen. It's about once an episode. Now, imagine that instead of Voyager and shuttles, it's an insane agent and a Sun Crusher.

Congrats, DOGA, you just vaporized Middle Earth because you were too cheap to put security scanners on your stuff. Simply, put, HQ has some of the most dangerous things in existence, and only having them protected by agents who are trained to recognize people is a recipe for disaster that outstrips anything ever seen before.

Re: All that tells you is where someone works. by Tira on 2015-09-20 06:46:00 UTC Reply

Flash patches do seem to have some sort of ~~magical~~ sufficiently advanced technological power, though; for one thing, they generate the Someone Else's Problem field that helps cloak agents in canon. I think it was also mentioned in a spin-off that they contain something that stops agents from being reassembled into their home continuum? So I suppose you could also assume that they work as a sort of security badge.