What polarity can we reverse today?

jimbob55 · #1 May 16th, 2001, 03:18 AM

Seems that the solution to all trek problems is to either reverse the polarity or run a level 3 diagnostic.
What the hell is a level 3 diagnostic? What happened to levels 1 and 2?
How do you reverse the polarity of a chronoton / tachyon burst? Which polarity are they reversing?

Why is it that when I watch any episode of ST I think that my brain is being hit with a slice of lemon wrapped around a large gold brick?

All these questions and more will be evaded at all costs..... tune in next time for another exciting episode of PIGS IN SPAAAAAAAAACE!!!

Aussie Gamer · #2 May 16th, 2001, 04:40 AM

They also forget about tech they have devoloped, such as the multi-phasing shields that allow them to hide in the sun's corona.

Also if you have a single frequency for a shield, as in NG movie were they crashed onto the planet after the fire fight with the Kligon sisters. Why can't you send a low power beam to the shield and then reading the reflected energy back, ie when it is on. then attune your weapons to that frequency and skip the shields all together.

ST really ****s me that they don't have a continous tech story line.

raynor · #3 May 16th, 2001, 05:19 AM

Does anyone have a copy of the rules for Star Trek : TNG : The drinking game?

I remember some of the rules:

Drink whenever anyone interrupts Data.
Drink when Captain Picard straightens his uniform.
..when someone travels through time
...when someone mentions the name of the episode.

We ran out of beer during the episode called The Pegasus:

Oh? So, you served on the Pegasus? -drink-
Yeah, I served on the Pegasus too. -drink-
That was some ship, that Pegasus. -drink-
What ever happened to the Pegasus? -drink-

Noble713 · #4 May 16th, 2001, 05:40 AM

quote:
Originally posted by jimbob55:
Seems that the solution to all trek problems is to either reverse the polarity or run a level 3 diagnostic.
What the hell is a level 3 diagnostic? What happened to levels 1 and 2?
How do you reverse the polarity of a chronoton / tachyon burst? Which polarity are they reversing?

Who knows why they reverse the polarity. It's Treknobabble, it doesn't matter if it makes sense or not. At least I don't think they've tried reversing the polarity of a neutron beam/wave/effect. That would be funny.

As for the Diagnostics (opens TNG Tech Manual):

Level 1 is a comprehensive diagnostic that requires the crew to physically verify system operations. This can require the complete shutdown of a system and can take several hours.

Level 2 is similar but less extensive, taking about half the time.

Level 3 only requires crew verification of mechanics and system readings, and can take less than 10 minutes.

Level 4 is an automated test that just kinda looks for trouble (like scanning your hard drive for a virus). Can take less than 30 seconds.

Level 5 is automated and is used to verify system performance. Usually done daily and takes 2.5 seconds.

Aussie Gamer · #5 May 16th, 2001, 06:26 AM

Noble 713- Pick the Trekkie/ Trekker or what ever they are called.

Don't get too upset I watch all the originals and NG/ DS9 and most of Voy series.
So I am a fan as well.

Magnum357 · #6 May 16th, 2001, 09:38 AM

Ya, I watch Star Trek too, and for the most part, I like it but I must admit all this techno gargon sometimes just doesn't make sense. I've had to constantly look up tech manuals to tranlate what they said into plain english and see if it corresponds in reality or even it in "Star Trek Reality" or whatever that means. Anyway, for the most part, it think it hurts the series more then it helps because it confuses the audience (well.. at least for the idiots out their that can't add 2 + 2) and opens up possibilites of writers creating inconsistancies (which I really hate!). Kinda part of the reason why I like B5 a little better. They try to avoid a lot of the problems ST gets into.

dogscoff · #7 May 16th, 2001, 10:59 AM

yeah, i prefer B5 too, because it focusses more on the politics / relationships of the future than the technology.

I also like farscape, because I get sick of all these super-clever, ultra-professional squeaky clean Trek/B5 uniform types agreeing with one-another and getting it right all the time. It's nice to see the main characters *****ing and arguing and slipping off the moral tightroppe once in a while=-)

------------------
"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"Uh, I think so, Brain, but balancing a family and a career ... oooh, it's all too much for me. "

Dracus · #8 May 16th, 2001, 04:30 PM

Since Anything with a charge has a polarity, then You can reverse the polarity. We do this to magnets and charged Copper coils every day.

jimbob55 · #9 May 16th, 2001, 05:12 PM

Um. Where did i put my sonic screwdriver....

Space opera using 'science' should at least try to remain consistent. ST:TNG would be a lot easier to stomach if they didn't rely on 'the quantum string in his bootlaces is disrupting our crapion array' in order to generate a plot.

"Captain, we appear to have been sucked in by a recurring plot line."
"What does this mean Mr data?"
"It means we are doomed to repeat the plot from a first generation star trek episode using different technobabbel."
"Gawd help us all, go to red alert."
"Are you sure sir? It does mean we'll have to change the bulb".

Nitram Draw · #10 May 16th, 2001, 05:28 PM

Maybe they should hire the writers from the 3 Stooges. I read that they only had ~4 basic plot lines.