"Where Are We Going This Time": The Golden Age of Science Fiction
- Thread starter Timelordtoe
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Timelordtoe
Monthly Donor
Thanks for reading! I don't believe I've answered either of those questions, so I'll do them here.
1. The Peter Cushing films are a lot better known than in OTL, thanks to the Amblin films. They're sort of seen as a big "what could have been", so they crop up in a lot of alternate history works ITTL. They're viewed a little more favourably now than they were at release. After the Amblin films, there were talks of Cushing reprising his role, but he retired from acting before anything came of it. As for where it lies in canon, that's a question that will be answered (and that I've already laid a good bit of the groundwork for), but not for a little while.
2. A lot of the magazine companions will be butterflied away, though other versions of them may appear. Doctor Who has appeared in many different media, and the magazine/comic style does have some stylistic advantages. I doubt, even with modern technology, that a companion like Frobisher could have been pulled off successfully outside the drawn or audio format. So I'd expect that there may be companions like Frobisher, and other magazine-only companions. We're really only scratching the surface of the interesting things that will happen with Doctor Who right now, and a lot of interesting things will happen very soon.
Supplemental: Internet and the World Wide Web
Timelordtoe
Monthly Donor
Supplemental: Internet and the World Wide Web
“Every generation is taught different things to the last. When I was in school, I was taught about the nine planets, children today are taught about the twelve. Things like smartphones seem normal to them, while my peers and I struggle to adjust to the increasingly interconnected world. But children today are taught one thing that we were taught. Don’t trust the internet with your data. They may not have wild usernames like we had in the early days, but that distrust is still there, and for a very good reason.”
- opening paragraph from “Black Christmas: How in 2011, One Line of Code Changed the World Forever”, by Dr. Marko Ivanovic (2013). [1]The World Wide Web was not ten years old, but it was already changing the world. Due to the lack of any real governance or major structure at the time, the web at this time is sometimes jokingly referred to as the “World Wild Web”.
At the time, the most popular websites were primarily startups, operated by small groups of people, often one. However, by 1997, it was clear that a presence on the web was not optional for major companies. Much investment was put into these small companies offering various services, marking the beginning of the “dot-com” bubble, the ending of which would kill off most of these fledgling companies.
Since the beginning of the World Wide Web, different people tended to use different versions of HTML, often depending on which service they used the most. To help combat this, and bring some order to the chaos of the early web, Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the World Wide Web, would create the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in 1994, in order to create industry standards. While progress would be slow, by the end of the 1990s, most vendors would follow the standards set out by the W3C.
The W3C’s European branch was hosted by CERN, the organisation which Berners-Lee had been working for when he created the World Wide Web. In 1994, CERN would also take over the development of the Nexus browser, the continuation of Berners-Lee’s original WorldWideWeb browser. These two events marked the beginning of CERN’s diversification beyond particle physics and into information technology. For his work on the creation of the World Wide Web, Berners-Lee would be knighted in 2004. [2]
For most people, the only way that they could access the internet was through a web browser. Though in the first few years there were many small competitors, by 1997 most web users used one of three main browsers: Netscape Communicator, Nexus, or Internet Explorer. Netscape had the largest userbase, being the browser of choice for most in North America. Nexus was used primarily in Europe, especially on the continent. Nexus was also the “industry standard” browser for scientific research, with most universities installing Nexus on their systems.
Internet Explorer’s popularity had been on the rise after Microsoft decided to bundle the browser with its operating systems. However, both Netscape and CERN filed complaints that this violated anti-trust laws. US courts agreed with this, and Microsoft was forced to stop this bundling. As a result, IE’s users remained at about 10% of the market share. [3]
Market shares of internet browsers in early 1998:
- Netscape Communicator: 67%
- Nexus:21%
- Internet Explorer: 9%
- Others: 2%
But navigating the World Wide Web was often a hassle for newcomers, which increased the need for search engines. The most popular of these was Yahoo! Search, which was not technically a search engine, rather a directory list, as it made no use of web crawlers. Other true search engines did begin to appear by the mid-1990s, many of which slowly increased in popularity.
However, these early engines were often difficult to get good results from, as they did not rank their results. This is a problem that would be solved in 1996 by Colombian Rafael Hernandez, a PhD student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who created the “BuzzRank” algorithm, an algorithm which ranked pages by how often other pages linked to them. A version of this algorithm would be used in the “Fastball” search engine he developed with Elise Fitzgerald two years later. The original BuzzRank algorithm would be released as open-source software, though Hernandez and Fitzgerald would file a patent for the Fastball algorithm. [4]
Fastball, released in early 1998, had many advantages over its competitors. Firstly, its algorithm was much harder to manipulate by creating pages that linked to a specific page to increase its ranking, a problem many other engines faced. Secondly, it used “damping” to stop pages gaining an artificially high ranking by not linking to any other page. This also helped the rankings of pages to which there were no links. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, it ran an ad service, wherein persons could pay to have a search result appear first on the list, though it would be clearly marked as an advertisement. This is an innovation that led to Fastball quickly becoming one of the largest tech companies in the world, and made search engines profitable. [5]
With the advent and increasing popularity of the World Wide Web, many companies began to create websites for themselves and create an online presence. Some companies were the victim of “cybersquatting”, wherein individuals would register domain names of well known companies and hold them ransom. Laws would eventually be put in place to prevent this, but many companies simply forked out the money in order to stop their website being used to link to a competitor.
Advertising also became more popular on the web, though it did take more time for some. One of the first television shows to advertise on the web was Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, a move suggested by J. Michael Straczynski, one of the lead writers. The move was successful, seeing a notable increase in viewer figures, and many other shows decided to follow their lead. [6]
[1] Right, there's a few things there to unpack. The 12 planets thing isn't as ASB as it sounds. The definition's just different. Black Christmas may be the most important event in the timeline, but it's not happening for a while. You may be able to guess what it entails, especially as this update is sort of groundwork for that. Ivanovic is one of three people in this update that are effectively fictional, but exist as real people ITTL. I figured it was about time we had a few.
[2] CERN was offered the chance to host the European W3C, but they turned it down. I changed that becuase it was more interesting if CERN diversified.
[3] The litigation gets filed earlier, and it had a few effects. One is that Netscape doesn't die, at least not yet. This means no Firefox, as that replaced Netscape Communicator.
[4] Here's the other two "new" people. Three guesses as to who they and Fastball are approximate analogs for. Yep, Fastball is replacing Google, and Hernandez and Fitzgerald are our Brin and Page.
[5] The Fastball algorithm is pretty much identical to the PageRank algorithm (which is named after Larry Page, not becuase it ranks pages). The early one is close to RankDex. I figured it would be interesting to see some open-source search engines, though obviously, the Fastball duo will want to keep some secrets to themselves.
[6] This is more of DS9 filling in for B5.
Timelordtoe
Monthly Donor
Fastball is going to have its ups and downs. They're certainly more transparent, though they do still work for a profit. They'll grow to a similar level, but they're very involved with what happens around Black Christmas, and that's going to affect them from that point. The internet of "today" of TTL will look quite different.
Well this is good for Fan-films and Fanfic in general. I am sure fan-fic.net, Archiveofourown, and a ton of other sites will appear as per OTL. Hopefully we will see tighter rules on Trek fan-films regarding generating money generation so an Axanar situation does not arise to screw things over, allowing for excellent series like Star Trek: New Voyages, Phase II, Renegades, etc. to continue.
Hooray for more Netscape!
Surprised you didn't have Page and Brin still make Google but sell it to someone like Yahoo, or Microsoft etc as they originally intended. Still it is nice to see OC's as butterflies mean not everything or everyone will be the same.
DS9 making use of the Net is a smart move- JMS used to interact with fans all the time on Forums and Bulletin Boards. Perhaps DS9/Trek will have a dedicated Web team early on, it would help to influence the online discussions regarding the show(s). Perhaps a Trek BBS actually run by Paramount?
I am curious about what Trek comes after Voyager - hoping Moore and JMS stay involved and successfully pitch a Captain Sulu series.
Timelordtoe
Monthly Donor
Fan fiction is in a better place legally speaking for a lot of the late 90s/early 00s. It's still seen in much the same way, as there hasn't been a dominating franchise that normalises it like Harry Potter did, at least, not yet. But Doctor Who and Star Trek being bigger is definitely helping. We'll probably have fewer cases of writers having cease-and-desist letters sent to them, though as I said, there will definitely be some.
Over time, Star Trek will adopt a position that's basically the same as Doctor Who's. This will almost certainly sidestep Axanar-style situations, though where something like a Kickstarter falls would be something of a grey area when that, or TTL's equivalent becomes commonplace.
More Netscape will have a few effects. For one thing, it completely butterflies the Mozilla Foundation, and therefore Firefox, though a modern Netscape is likely to be very similar.
Not having Brin and Page still make Google was a choice I made for a couple of reasons. For one, it gives the Google-equivalent a different name very easily. But how Fastball operates internally is different to how Google works. Hernandez and Fitzgerald are very different to Page and Brin in terms of personal ideologies, and that wil be reflected in Fastball. It's incredibly important to something happening down the line (which I personally think is the most important event in the timeline, other than maybe the POD).
DS9 will have its own web team when Paramount realises the edge it could give over other shows. Of course, something like this does mean that a leak is more likely. Certainly, from my experience, the Doctor Who promotion team have a very hard time keeping twists and reveals under wraps. An official Trek forum could be in the cards, especially as something like that can be moderated by Paramount.
There are plans for Trek following the ends of DS9 and Odyssey. Of course, it's a little down the line, but Gerrold and the rest of the writing staff are starting to wonder. As per OTL, there are likely to be a few actors who are eager to reprise their roles (Takei, Frakes, Dorn, etc.). They may well get their wish. Right now, Trek is sort of going in a new direction, with the shows being more and more serialised. When discussions of the next show(s) come up, a return to a TOS/TNG style show may be on the cards. But there will be calls to continue trying new concepts. How Trek evolves beyond this current era will depend a lot on whether Gerrold sticks around, and who on the writing staff stays after the show they are working on finishes. (I have this planned out, at least somewhat, but that's how it's being seen in the offices at the moment)
Sorry there hasn't been an update in about a month. I've had a lot of personal (university, primarily) stuff going on. That being said, the next update is being worked on, and I'd like to have it out within the next few days. I hadn't planned writing a few of the last updates out too well, and it's led to this. Also, when the next update is out, there's going to be an announcement along with it. We've done a lot of planning for this timeline, and it's about to show.
Please no guesses over the announcement, and IT'S DEFINATLEY NOT THE END (for those idiots for enquire)
@Timelordtoe and I have meticulous plans up through 2025, but we'll be ending everything here, mid-season, mid-update in 1997. It's more avant-garde this way. Thank you all for your help and being such a wonderful audience over the last year-and-a-half. Try the veal, tip your waitress, and drive home safe in your hovercars.
Timelordtoe
Monthly Donor
Hey everyone,
This isn't the announcement, but I just wanted to say a couple of things. Firstly, the update is almost done, and once it's done, I'm hoping to get back into a regular upload schedule. Secondly, I'm changing Ezri's name a bit. She was going to be Ezri Kell, but I realised that that was literally just one letter off of Kelly, who is the person she'll be interacting with the most. So she's going to be Ezri Perim. You can guess as to what that could mean with regards to another Trill character.
Also, in case you didn't catch on to the obvious sarcasm, the above post is pure jokes. Apart from the plans up to 2025. We do have those. December 31st 2025 is our "end date".
By the way, thank you so much to @The Chimera Virus and @Ogrebear for your help in this season of Deep Space Nine. Hopefully, we can get the update out tomorrow.
This isn't the announcement, but I just wanted to say a couple of things. Firstly, the update is almost done, and once it's done, I'm hoping to get back into a regular upload schedule. Secondly, I'm changing Ezri's name a bit. She was going to be Ezri Kell, but I realised that that was literally just one letter off of Kelly, who is the person she'll be interacting with the most. So she's going to be Ezri Perim. You can guess as to what that could mean with regards to another Trill character.
Also, in case you didn't catch on to the obvious sarcasm, the above post is pure jokes. Apart from the plans up to 2025. We do have those. December 31st 2025 is our "end date".
By the way, thank you so much to @The Chimera Virus and @Ogrebear for your help in this season of Deep Space Nine. Hopefully, we can get the update out tomorrow.
I'm a bit confused here. It seems The Chimera Virus is either kidding or is taking one step ahead.
Could you please clarify wheither you are continuing after the 1997 update OR you're going to put everything into a vault and not finish this TL?
Could you please clarify wheither you are continuing after the 1997 update OR you're going to put everything into a vault and not finish this TL?
This has already been answered.
(Emphasis mine)
Yay, long term plans!
Just double checking, some readers like me might have been confused also.
Timelordtoe
Monthly Donor
Yeah, to clarify: we're continuing as normal, @The Chimera Virus and I just have the timeline mainly planned out to 2025 in timeline. The announcement isn't a time skip.
All of this is simply magnificent!
I have 2 questions:
1. What would the Doctor Who logos/TARDIS interior look like?
2. Would you mind if I did a bit of fan art based off you thread?
I have 2 questions:
1. What would the Doctor Who logos/TARDIS interior look like?
2. Would you mind if I did a bit of fan art based off you thread?
Timelordtoe
Monthly Donor
Thank you!
To answer your questions:
1: As far as logos go, I haven't given a huge amount of thought. I think for the Amblin films, you'd see something like the 1996 TV movie logo, which probably carries on through the Seventh Doctor's time. From there, there's probably been a few variations, but it still stays pretty much the same until Gaiman takes over as showrunner. The modern logo is probably more gothic inspired (not that the OTL 1996 one wasn't), leaning into the different approach Gaiman is taking in terms of tone. It's very much an "if it ain't broke" deal.
I've covered a couple of TARDIS interiors in the past, but I don't think I've done them all in one place. So here are 6-10's interiors summarised.
Sixth Doctor: Very close to the original console room, but much messier. The TARDIS had to be patched up pretty significantly after he was stuck on Earth, and it's reflected here. Lots of loose wires and trip hazards.
Seventh Doctor: The original console room, but roomier. Doors to other rooms in the TARDIS are a little more obvious, and we see them more often. He's starting to emphasize comfort, given that both Jim and Ace are travelling with him full-time. There's a small couch in the console room, along with a return of the hatstand. A small welcome mat lays by the door, as the Seventh Doctor is adamant that they keep the console room clean.
Eighth Doctor: The console room is filled with warmer colours, losing the sometimes "sterile" feel that earlier rooms could have. Despite the Doctor's personality being somewhat darker, the room feels a lot more welcoming. The welcome mat is a bit larger, and the couch is now accompanied by a small end table, which is often adorned by a cup of tea that the Doctor has a bad habit of forgetting about. (He refuses to re-heat it).
Ninth Doctor: The console room has increased in size again, and it's fully furnished now. The console itself is still the centrepiece, and it has taken on a more bronze look. This TARDIS is the home to an academic. It's being treated as a mobile office by the Doctor, so he's got a nice desk and chair, along with many, many bookcases. Rather than the linoleum-esque floor of the previous Doctors, this TARDIS has a hardwood floor. This is no longer just a TARDIS, it's a home. There's a pair of armchairs facing the console, reserved for the Doctor and his companion. He prefers the one on the left.
Tenth Doctor: Not a far cry from OTL's Eighth Doctor's console room by any means. It's very gothic inspired. The console room functions as a drawing room too, with a set of comfortable chairs and a sofa facing a fireplace. The Doctor has a little "reading corner", where he can often be seen reading some classic novel, commenting to anybody nearby about his adventures with the author. If there's one word to describe this TARDIS, it's cozy. Candles are mounted on many of the walls, which Lucie describes as a "house fire waiting to happen". The console has a steampunk vibe to it, with lots of fun buttons, levers and switches for the Doctor. It's perhaps as if the TARDIS became a Gothic Manor.
2: Go ahead! I'd love to see what you make! That goes for anyone else who wants to make something based on the timeline, go ahead!
Thanks so much. Keep up the good work. Your igenuity and creativity is inspiring!
So does this mean that 10's costume essentially becomes his Hornblower outfit?