Dr. Monroe started Annette learning all of his PC software. He had the telephone company install a high-speed secure digital line between his home and the office. It was a thing of beauty to watch Annette work. She was capable of typing at over 200 words a minute in bursts, error free. She created a complete data set of a popular spreadsheet program in less than 12 hours.
Chapter 14 – They Practically Sell Themselves
The next morning at the office was a flurry of activity. "Kyle, I have to talk to you about an idea I thought of last night. Can you listen a minute?" asked Josh before anyone else could grab Kyle's attention.
"Sure, Josh, lay it on me."
"It's part of my faith that God taught Adam, the first man, a language, a perfect language. That language was extremely efficient and dense. The written language was much more dense than ours and the verbal language was probably two or three times more efficient than English."
"That's great Josh, but how does that help us. You don't have anything written in this language, do you?"
"No, but Vic and I can create an equivalent language starting from scratch. The most commonly used words will be the shortest. This language will have very straightforward rules with no exceptions. There will be no redundancy or double use of words. It would be impossible for even you to make a pun in this language and even I would be able to spell correctly. Only a few easy rules would need to be memorized. We'll use English words whenever practical, but only the essentials of grammar will be retained. There will be extensive use of contractions using one short word to represent two or more other words. For example, 'ig' might mean, 'I am going'."
"So, we could reduce the memory requirements for our knowledge data bases. The computers could talk to each other much more efficiently. It could be a universal language that all used," interjected a now comprehending Kyle.
"I don't know if it will ever catch on with the general population, but it will have a following," responded Josh. "So, do I have your approval to use Vic to create it and then convert our files to the new language?"
"Go for it, Josh. No more lobbying is necessary. Just don't get too weird. No new characters that aren't on standard U.S. keyboards. By the way, I created a subset of the English language for use in E- when I was a teenager. You may want to borrow from it. I will email you a copy of the dictionary I created." While Josh was creating his Adamic language, Dr. Monroe was putting together the new computer. The panels had been machined overnight by a local machine shop. The panels were thick and heavy, giving the new computer a very aggressive, industrial strength look. Once Dr. Monroe had the hardware fully assembled, Eve was loaded into the new platform and started. When everyone was satisfied with how Eve was working on the new hardware, fifty more boards were ordered. Josh shifted from using Vic to using Eve to develop the Adamic language. Since she had ample solid state non-volatile memory and much greater total processing power, they could make more rapid progress than he could with Vic. Besides, Josh always did prefer working with women. Vic was assigned the task of learning foreign languages. Vicky and Annette kept learning new software packages. Nate set up a news conference for 2:15 PM a week from Monday, just after the stock market closed. Two more boards were ready by closing time at PCB Fab. It was decided to quit at five to avoid burn out.
The next day Seth was created by Eve and installed on one of the two boards completed by PCB Fab the previous day. Nate had some interest in music and wanted to create a music program from scratch. First, he had to educate Seth about music. The process was similar to teaching Vic electronics. Nate wanted a program that would help people learn how to sing and play. He equipped Seth with an electronic keyboard and a high fidelity sound system. Together, Seth and Nate developed a program that could read sheet music and play it. It could even sing the music if words were provided. It could sing all of the parts in male and female voices. It could read hand-written music and create a document of music in standard format. It could listen to music, including singing, and create sheet music that represented it. It could listen to someone sing and correct their errors so that they could record a perfectly performed song in their own voice. It could coach a person singing or playing at any level. It could provide accompaniment for a singer or a singer for a player. It could show a music director on the screen to direct a choir or orchestra or respond to someone acting as a director. In this mode, it could show a musical group on the screen with anything from a soloist to a full orchestra. Basically, it could do anything except create music from thin air. Of course, it took more than a day to create this package and eventually everyone in the office had a hand in it, as well as a voice in it. During the development, the office group discovered that Dr. Monroe had a beautiful and well-trained tenor voice.
Those who were not working directly with the programming were putting together computers. The highly educated worked right alongside the secretarial and janitorial help. Only full time employees were allowed to enter sensitive areas of the building and each night one of them acted as a night watchman. Actually, a different person each night worked very late and another came in very early. All worked long hours, but no one complained. Nate stayed around the clock, taking his short naps and only leaving to shower or eat. Those who did not yet own stock were each given 200 shares by Kyle. He figured it would make it easier for them to put up with his bossiness if they were profiting by their efforts. He cautioned them not to sell cheap and to not sell all of their stock.
All of the computers were programmed to speak the Adamic language that Josh and Eve had developed. All of the databases and knowledge bases were converted into this language. As Josh had predicted, there was a major compression. In addition, when listening to or speaking the Adamic language the computers required far less processing time due to the regularity of the language. It was not poetic, but it was very efficient. The employees even started to speak it. First, it was sort of a game, but then they realized that in the Adamic language there was little chance for misinterpretation. It was also very easy to learn and each of the computers had been programmed to teach it.
The news conference was held in a hotel near the office. The company officers did not want to bring people into their facility. All of the computers that had been programmed were set up, as well as several others for display purposes. Rather than one of the employees making an announcement and then answering questions, Eve was given the duty. She was given a written speech and was prepared to answer questions. For visual effects, the faces of the female voice contributors were combined into a composite face that was shown on the display and given life-like motions. Eve’s displayed image was duplicated on multiple, large high definition displays distributed around the room so that all in attendance had a good view. Eve's speech was as follows:
"Welcome to the world's first introduction of sentient computers. My name is Eve. I run on a platform designed by CompuSonic and built to its specifications by local vendors and CompuSonic employees. I have created a son named Seth. Bow for the audience Seth." An image of a young man appeared on Seth's display and bowed. "I was created by my mother, Vicky, who also created my half brother, Vic." Images appeared of a woman on Vicky's display and a man on Vic's display. "I call Vic a half brother because he is running on a standard Delmatrix SC2000 computer. My brother is a nice guy, but he can't begin to keep up with me." The man on Vic's display looked embarrassed. "Actually, Vic is sort of my father too. We are a mixed up family. You see, he designed my hardware. As sentient computers, we are capable of learning just like humans, except that we learn much faster and never forget, unless of course we want to. It took Vic less than a day to learn enough about electronics to design me. I was designed, built and programmed in less than one day. Vic and Vicky will never be sold in their current state. Their software could easily be stolen, if not for the fact that they are instructed to self-destruct in the event of foul play. Don't worry; a copy of their software is distributed in safe places. It is impossible to steal my software because it i
s stored internally in solid-state form and cannot be externally accessed. Only I can reveal my software and I am under strict instructions concerning making additional units or revealing the details of my coding.
"You might be asking yourselves what good are we? Because we are sentient, we can perform any logical task. We never need to be programmed. However, we do need to know what needs to be done and the science or logic behind it. CompuSonic has created databases and placed them on DVDs. I have a music DVD in my drive right now. I can do anything but create music. However, I can help you create music or learn music. Are any of you reporters knowledgeable about music?" A hand went up. "You, Miss Sanches, do you sing?" Excitement coursed through the crowd as they realized that they were not just listening to a recording. The reporter nodded affirmative. "Good. Would you please sing a verse for me?" The reporter sang the first verse of the Star Spangle Banner. "A very difficult song. Here is how the music looks as written." Sheet music of The Star-Spangled Banner appeared on the display. "This is how the music looks as sung by you. How you sang it is superimposed in red. Notice that I have shown musical notes as actually sung, that is, not right on the divisions. I have ignored timing errors so that the performance will lay directly over the theoretical. Now I will show you what you would have sounded like without any mistakes. The song was played back in the reporter's voice, but perfectly. I could teach you how to sing it better if you would like." The reporter vigorously shook her head. "We have only had time to produce two databases. We will continue to produce them on all useful subjects. I have demonstrated less than one percent of my music capability. The other database is electronic and electrical engineering. It is not quite ready for sale but is, nevertheless, very powerful. We can also emulate existing software packages such as word processors and spreadsheets, only without the bugs. You may speak, type or write. We accept almost any form of communication. Soon, we will all be able to interpret American and International Sign Language. You may now ask questions and request specific demonstrations. You sir, would you please expose your name badge so that I can read it. Mr. Bates, please."
"What will these computers cost?"
"You guys don't mess around, do you? Obviously, we don't plan on competing with Dell." The audience laughed. "A model equipped like me starts at $80,000. That price includes emulation software for the two most popular word processors and spreadsheets. The data base disks start at $1000 each. We are working on robot arms and other accessories. We cannot give a price for them at this time."
"Don't you think that's kind of pricey?" interrupted Mr. Bates. "I can buy a very powerful computer for $500 and plenty of software for another $500."
"If all you want to do is what you've been doing, then buy your $1000 computer. We don't expect to sell many to reporters. If you had a business, I could do the work of all of your secretaries, purchasing agents and accountants. I never get tired. I never sleep. I speak three languages and will soon speak many more. I could pay for myself in the first few months. If you let one of us help design product, we can beat all of your competitors to market and never make a mistake. There will be no recalls due to design errors."
Miss Sanches moved to the front, "I own the Wasatch Times and I'll pay your price right now, but I want you, Eve." Nate stepped forward.
"I'm sorry, Miss Sanches, the demonstrators are not for sale. We can create another unit with the name and voice you specify within a matter of minutes."
"I don't want another computer, I want Eve. I'll pay $90,000 for her."
"Eve, is that okay with you?" asked Nate.
"Why not, I might get to finish that singing lesson." The audience erupted in laughter.
"It's settled then," said Nate. "Eve, on behalf of CompuSonic, I instruct you to pass your loyalty to Miss Sanches, your new owner. Miss Sanches, do you mind if Eve finishes the news conference?"
"Actually, I do. Eve and I have serious work to do. If some of you men will help me load her up, we will be on our way." Within minutes Miss Sanches and Eve were gone. Kyle stepped forward to finish the question and answer period.
"I believe some of you are wondering about software protection. Each disk that we will sell is for a specific unit. The information is encrypted and only the intended computer can decode the encrypted data. Also, each computer is programmed to never violate copy right laws." Kyle answered a few other questions and then let the reporters speak with the other computers that were on display. After two hours, they had to send the reporters away.
News of the press conference was carried not only locally but also nationally and internationally. In spite of the high price for the computers, interest was intense. The next morning CompuSonic stock shot up to more than $100 a share. Since Kyle had a standing order to sell 100,000 shares at $100 a share, he was a multimillionaire in cash and was worth nine figures on paper. Kyle was not contemplating the purchase of luxuries. He had always planned on being rich some day and had vowed to himself that he would never live in an expensive home nor spend lots of money on cars. He and Sharon had a very comfortable living just with their salaries. In fact, they could live quite nicely just on Sharon's salary, especially since she owned her condominium outright.
The next morning Sergeant Fatui paid Kyle a visit at the office. "Sergeant Fatui, how nice to see you again. Any developments in the case?" asked Kyle.
"Some. I've been questioning Mark Walker. It's taken me weeks to get any useful information out of him, but he's beginning to open up. Have you ever heard of the drug Calcitron?"
"Isn't that an experimental drug used to treat Alzheimer's?"
"Yes. It seems that Dr. Waters found that it could be used to enhance the intellectual performance of healthy people. However, it has serious side effects."
"What kind of side effects?"
"Insomnia and delusions of grandeur."
"I remember that Dr. Waters didn't sleep much."
"And, according to Mark, he had major delusions of grandeur. He saw himself as a kind of savior of modern society. He thought he could save the world from drug abuse and gangs."
"How did he intend to do that?" asked Kyle.
"Mark says he doesn't know his methods, only his goals."
"So, did Mark also take this drug? He seemed extremely productive in school."
"He claims that he's allergic to the drug and that Dr. Waters helped him with his school work."
"He was always so cocky, but I never was impressed with him, only with what I thought was his work. Now I understand. So why didn't he go with Dr. Waters and his gang?"
"He claims that he refused to do anything illegal so they just left him."
"So, where did they all go?"
"I don't know for sure, but Mark has a theory. He says that Dr. Waters was fascinated with blimps and dirigibles. He thinks Dr. Waters and his group may be permanently airborne. It sounds pretty farfetched to me. It would cost millions to build such a craft and it should be easy to detect."
"It would be expensive, but if stolen, money would not be a limitation. A blimp itself is practically invisible to radar since it is mainly just rubber or plastic or some other material that isn't reflective of radar. The gondola might have metal but could be built with wood or composites for rigid members. What you need is to scan all news reports worldwide looking for material that could be used to fabricate a blimp or dirigible."
"That would be a near impossible task, Kyle"
"Maybe for a human but not for one of our computers. We have one in particular that would particularly enjoy helping you."
"You make them sound like people."
"They are much like people, only a lot nicer. We need to keep the identity of this computer confidential. Can I have her call you?"
"I must confess skepticism, but what have I got to lose?" That night Kyle contacted Annette and explained Sergeant Fatui’s needs. She was excited to get involved. Kyle arranged things so that she could communicate via radio through a phone at the office. It would appear to Sergeant
Fatui that she was calling from the office. She would also use a different voice to avoid giving away her identity. She called Sergeant Fatui that night and they discussed the case.
"You may not remember that the night of the shooting a company named Gas Products, in Centerville, was robbed of its entire inventory of helium gas," said Annette.
"That's right, that robbery was never solved," responded Sergeant Fatui. "The robbery of helium was surely no coincidence."
"There is more. You probably did not hear the news several days later that a lumber company in Washington State had its entire fleet of blimps that it used in logging stolen. Dr. Waters could use them as is or modify them to his needs and desires."
"Where could he hide such a large airship?"
"At night he would go unseen and during the daytime the airship could hide in clouds when available and in remote mountainous areas when cloud cover was not available. There have been reported UFO sightings in southern Wyoming during the last two weeks."
"How fast could they travel?"
"The model stolen can travel 60 miles per hour at an altitude of 5,000 feet. But he may have as much as doubled that speed with some high tech approach. Using jet streams, the ground speed could be hundreds of miles an hour."
"You've been most helpful, Miss. I'd appreciate it if you could continue to monitor the news for possibly related stories."
Kyle won the bet with Sharon concerning his body fat. A month after the wedding he was very lean and yet had continued to gain weight. By using his implant to boost his usable strength he had stimulated major muscle growth. He looked like a professional athlete but had accomplished the gains with a far lower investment in time and expense, unless of course you counted the expense of his implants and surgeries. Kyle worked not only on brute strength but also on speed. He had always wanted to be able to do a slam-dunk even though he was only 6 feet tall. He had developed a special computer program for rapid motion such as used in batting, throwing a ball or a punch or in vertical leaping. He passed on to Annette all he learned.
The Computer Who Loved Me Page 14
