Holodecks

[Republican_Man]

All about Holodecks.
How do they work?
How would one create a program?
What does everyone think?

[Hitchhiker]

Holodeck 101 . . . is not available. Actually, from what I've noticed the holodeck is self-contradictory depending on which episodes you watch.

The basic premise is this: the computer generates three-dimensional images as per one's specifications. It makes them seem solid by containing the photons in a force field. Special units along the holodeck wall emit sound and scents in order to give you a sense of realism.

It appears that some holodeck matter is not holographic at all, but in fact actually replicated. And also some matter is independent of the environment--for example, if a person orders the computer to "Freeze program," elements such as fire and smoke will not freeze (probably because the FX people don't want to go to the expense of stopping their motion).

When one moves inside a holodeck, the entire environment is adjusted so that one has the illusion of moving while remaining stationary. In this way, you never actually reach boundaries of the holodeck.

That's just from what I think, see the Daystrom Institute's take on things:
http://ditl.org/index.htm?daybody=/datscitech.php?6

[lionhead]

[webtaz99]

(I hate to defend the holodeck, because I think it's the biggest writer's crutch ever,but)

Imagine a force-field between each foot and the floor. As you walk, the force-fields move like a treadmill to let your legs move in a walking motion, but you actually stay still. Meanwhile the view of your environment changes perspective just as if you were moving.

OTOH, this breaks down if 2 or more people walk away from a central point. The holodeck would have to replace the images of the real people with images of them that look as if they are farther away. It would have to do the same thing about sounds (and for some folks, smell ).

[starnova]

but didn't in TNG where riker first meets Data in the holodeck he runs to a corner and toss a rock which hit one of the walls in the holodeck

[Hitchhiker]

Data as an android can probably perceive the wall when humans cannot, due to his extra sensory abilities. Although that brings up the question of why in "Ship in a Bottle," Data could not tell that they were still trapped on the holodeck when Moriarty tricked them.

[webtaz99]

I say it again, the biggest writer's crutch EVER.

[starnova]

it may not make sense but would be cool to have

[Five - seveN]

Veeeerryyyyy cool....

[Republican_Man]

[Hitchhiker]

It'd be much like creating a website using one of those fancy WSYWIG editors that generate invalid code ::eye twitches::

Er . . . excuse that.

Well, we've seen various characters create something on the holodeck. Often it is a simple matter of requesting an object, and the computer creates a holographic fascimile. Of course, if one says "Chair," then that would probably leave the computer with a very wide variety of options. One could say, "A red, upholstered, Victorian era chair."

In later-era holodecks (later season TNG and even better, VOY) it would be even simpler, one could say, "Victorian-era drawing room," and the computer would render a setting, from there one could tweak individual aspects to one's desire.

After that, one would save the program like one saves a computer document, give it a name and remember where one puts it.

If one is an engineer, one could of course increase their control over the program, because one would know how a holodeck actually works. An engineer would be able to manually adjust a character's 'perceptual subroutines' or 'vocal subprocessor' when necessary, and then be faced with the consequences.

[starnova]

but how would the computer knbow what you mean by old brown chair, it'll bring up about 500 types of old brown chairs

[luit14]

but how would it work if 2 ppl were like a mile apart in the holodeck or something?

[Captain Patrick]

Here every thing i know of holodecks

A Holodeck is a room, which is equipped with a Holo grid containing omnidirectional holographic diodes, enabling holographic projections.

It serves both entertainment and training purposes. It combines transporter technology with that of replicators, by generating holographic images in 3D space as well as projecting force fields to give the objects the illusion of substance.

Most modern Holodecks also include safety devices to prevent serious injury during their use, although these can be disengaged by the user if they have a high enough rank. If a forcefield would cause a certain level of physical harm to a living person that field collapses, allowing the person to escape uninjured.

During the 2360s and 2370s most modern Federation starships were equipped with at least one Holodeck.

Basically holodeck walls can generate holographic images that appear to extend for an unlimited distance. Holograms can also be projected into space. They can be augmented with force beams to simulate solid, tangible objects or with replicator technology to create actual solid matter such as foodstuffs.

Holodeck matter can impersonate real matter even at the molecular level. Molecule-sized magnetic bubbles replace molecules in full- resolution holo-objects. The computer can manipulate them individually in three dimensions. The computer may use large magnetic bubbles to simulate surfaces and textures rather than create an object at the molecular level.

Computers can not duplicate the complexity of electron shell activity and atomic motions that determine biochemical activity in living creatures. This prevents replicators from duplicating life and resurrecting the dead. Advances in computer technology may allow this, permitting a person to live for ever in any chosen environment while interacting with real people and objects visiting the holodeck.

All foods eaten on the holodeck are replications. No other type of simulation would survive outside of the holodeck.

The holodeck includes a forcefield treadmill. Approaching a wall causes an instant shift away. The holodeck can change gravity in three dimensions, so occupants don't notice the change.

The energy matrix of a Holodeck is incompatible with other ship systems.

Failure of a holodeck's matter conversion subsystem can cause the loss of solid objects within the holodeck environment. Materialization errors occurred in the Enterprise-D holodecks in 2370 following the ship's exposure to plasmonic energy in the atmosphere of planet Boraal II. (Homeward, TNG)

[Hitchhiker]

[Kylon]

One major problem,

High, high doses of electromagnetic radiation of a tendency of causing cancer.

The only way I can see that holodecks MIGHT be able to avoid this would to have very low frequency electromagnetic fields.

The gravity part I think could be taken care of if you could control warp.

However due to the nature of gravity, any form of gravitational generator would/or should be used away from a planet or large body, because it would exert a force on EVERYTHING around it, unless the gravitational force was generated right next to the body, or if there was a capacity for focusing gravity, or a way to contain gravitational energy.

[~Spirit~]

I've always wondered something, when you leave a Holodeck after you have just went swimming or something, can the water leave the room? Is your hair Wet when you leave or dry? How is it in season one of TNG that Wes Crusher left the holodeck and ran into Picard and made a "watery" mess outside of the holodeck?

[Hitchhiker]

[lionhead]

Then you start wondering when the Holodeck Replicates it and when he doesn't, if you determine that or the Holodeck.

Then also comes the question what the Safety procedures are for, if Bullets and such aren't replicated anyways. plus, would turning off safety procedures be that the Computer replicates the dangerous things instead of Holographically projecting(is that even a word?) them.

Since you aren't actually walking, you aren't actually falling eighter so that wouldn't be a danger now would it? Or does you mind make it real like in the Matrix? Or do safety procedures turn of the actual heights as well?

[Hitchhiker]

The holodeck is one big trick on the mind's senses. You feel like you are falling because the holodeck uses a combination of cues to stimulate various senses so that it feels like you are falling, even when you aren't. In a sense, yes, this is like the Matrix, because your mind will experience the emotions and stress related to falling.

The safety protocols are designed to make sure that the holodeck does not simulate the fall too well. Just like in the real world, people can die from shock. Disengaging the safety protocols is probably like telling the computer to forget about any limitations to the human body or pysche.

[nadia]

I wish I had a holo deck!



sorry that was realy random!

[PrankishSmart]

[~Spirit~]

[starnova]

what if you eat some food and then stepped out of the holodeck, would you still be hungry?

[lionhead]

Depends on if the food was replicate or not, probably is. The crew always goes too the holodeck on vacation, they eat and drink in the holodeck for numberous days. So the food is real, and the drinks are too. Clothings are real too, you can always see a crew member being called towards the bridge from the Holodeck while still wearing the Holodeck clothing.

Its just replicated.