The Dane Commission (The Dane Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF

keyboard sitting in front. The new
screen was large enough that it blocked out most of his only window. He moved
the arrangement 90 degrees clockwise, and now he could see out again. As he
moved the monitor, a small note fell off the bottom.
‘ To begin, just say your name.’
     
    Getting comfortable again, in a
slightly louder-than-usual voice he said, “Ryan Dane.”
    Instantly the monitor powered up. A wonderfully
efficient start-up program flashed a picture of his face on the screen. He
noticed that it was a live image, and looked closely for a camera on the
monitor.

A smooth voice suddenly emerged from tiny speakers at the bottom.
“You are identified as new employee, 010155239, Ryan Dane, a member of the
Information Use and Services Department.”
    The image of his face minimized to the upper left corner.

The login program showed a list of steps and appeared to be checking them off
on the left. In the middle there was a page of text that was titled Agreement
of Confidentiality.
     
    “Mr. Dane, please indicate your
understanding and agreement with the IntelliHealth code of ethics and
confidentiality regarding the sacred data held within the boundaries of the
IntelliHealth Earth-net. This information must be held and used for the
betterment of all mankind. No deviation from our mission will be accepted for
any reason. To indicate your understanding and agreement, please say so now.”
     
    Clearly, the program was waiting on
him.
The speech Ryan just heard seemed a little over the top, and not too distant
from Schnell’s orientation two days ago. Not sure what to say exactly, he
considered his options.
‘I swear by my sword to only use the information herein for good!’
Or maybe something like, ‘For God and Country I shall obey!’
He even wondered if a pinky-swear would work.
    He could go on.
    But, in the end, he went with, “Yes, I
understand and agree.”
     
    Immediately, the voice responded, “I
will now show you which data directories you are authorized to access.”

The text agreement disappeared and a new window showed a list of what looked to
Ryan like directory names.
     
    “You can access any of these
directories, or recall the list by typing or stating ‘directory assist’.”
     
    The list disappeared, to be replaced by
a login screen with two fields. His ID was already filled in and read,
‘rdane00’. The password field just below was empty.
     
    “You may not always work on a terminal
with voice and facial recognition; therefore it is necessary that you also
select a password at this time. Please say or type your new password now.”

He was on the spot for a password. Going with what he was used to, he picked a
password he had used at his previous job. After typing it, the voice asked him
to type it again, and then seemed happy with the results.
     
    The computer start-up program showed
him how to access electronic and video mail, where his working programs could
be found and how to save his own data. The whole process was fairly intuitive,
and overall not too different from what he was used to. They were even a little
easier. Sure he still had questions, but they were more about what applications
were available, then how to use them. The IntelliHealth people must have worked
hard to build a system that supported their work, rather than act as a
cyber-middle man.
It showed.
    Outside the rest of the people had
arrived and were bustling about. He thought he could smell hot coffee brewing
somewhere. He realized he had been sitting at his desk for over an hour going
through his computer’s orientation. Getting up, he headed to the front to find
that coffee.
     
    Theresa was there at her desk, but
heavily engaged in some sort of complaint from a man who also looked like an
employee. Voices were tense, but not overly aggressive. As he approached and
saw the scene, he turned to leave but Theresa called after him.
     
    “Ryan is there something you need?”
“I was just going to ask where