SF0 / GadgetsHead / Develop And Submit A Protocol

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Develop And Submit A Protocol by Gadget

June 24th, 2006 2:08 AM

INSTRUCTIONS: Develop a protocol and attempt to have it validated (more on the cagey wording in a moment). The word is derived from protos "first" + kolla "glue". Its current usage, referring to agreed-upon rules for the transmission and format of data, came into widespread usage in the 1980s. But the historical usage of the word ranges widely*, and since IP over Carrier Pigeon is already taken, we strongly suggest that you create a protocol that is not intended for the transmission of data.

Since I've recently become a father, I thought I'd describe the highly accepted, but completely undocumented, Baby Distress Protocol (BDP).

The Baby Distress Protocol (BDP)

The object of the Baby Distress Protocol is to quickly and reliably terminate symptoms of baby distress.
The BDP model is based on the following model of communication: The baby unit (BU) sends a signal to the user. The user replies with an acknowledgment. The user performs an action which, in most cases, changes the state of the BU. If necessary, the BU resends a signal to initiate a new instance of the process.
The procedures - This section describes the procedures for the BDP.
- The Signal - At seemingly random intervals, the BU sends out a highly audible, and often visual, distress signal. The distress signal is omnidirected and is intended for all users within a reasonable proximity. All users are able to receive this signal, but only a few have been programmed to accept the BDP.
- The Ack - When a user familiar with the BDP receives the signal, the user responds to the BU with an audible signal. While it is believed that the BU can receive the ack, there is typically no ack-ack from the BU.
- Performs - Immediately after a user sends the ack to the BU, the user performs an action. A list of actions, in order of priority, is included below:
  - Simple User Interaction
  - Replacement of output device
  - Input
  - Environment Regulation
  - Initiate Sleep Mode
- Affects - The performed user action has a direct effect the BU. In many cases, the action will cause the BU to resume normal operation, but occasionally, the action performed is not the action that the BU required. If this is the case, the BU will resignal the user with a stronger and more clear signal.
Example:
Glossary
- user - An adult human being (or a youth capable of acting like an adult human being) raising or watching after a BU.
- BU - A human being which has been running for less than 33,554,432 seconds. Often referred to as a baby.

The BDP has been reviewed by other users who are peers and colleagues. While no user validation has been received, the BDP has been in use and has been validated by the BU.