For most Elysians their primary contact with data will be through data-pads – only Patricians can afford the luxury that books are considered – especially the hand-scribed tomes that wealthy Patricians relish. It is far cheaper to have a data-pad which are mass produced, cheap and multi-purpose. The data-pads look largely the same, around the size of a paper back book, a centimetre thick with the body of the pad running around the edge of the LED screen in a fluidic fashion. There are several different types of data-pads:
These pads are used only for reading – data can be input by placing a 1cm by 1 cm by 1mm card into the bottom of the pad, or through remote data input through radio, microwave or laser. Each of the cards can contain the equivalent of 10 GB of information. ‘Pages’ can be turned by touching the screen with a finger.
The pads allow for data input as well as reading – while largely the same it contains voice recognition software adapted to its users voice in particular, as well as a ‘keyboard’ which can be pulled up on the screen, allowing for typing with one hand – which many Elysians have adept at. If need be they can be password locked. It also contains audio recording equipment, and can be used to send radio communications, as well as a speaker system so it can play music, thankfully coming with a headphone and microphone input port. The pad in itself can contain 30 GB of information.
The data-pad used more often by higher military ranks and by wealthier individuals this data-pad contains all previously stated features as well as small but powerful computer, as well as a number of other systems. It can be used to interface with other computers using radio, laser, microwave or direct input, has processing power somewhat above that of a 20th century computer, a visual camera in the back, and a inbuilt volumetric projection system which can fill a 1.5 by 1.5 metre area above the screen of the pad. The pad can contain 200 GB of information.
The composition of these pads differ greatly – a particularly cheap one may be composed of plastic, whereas a rich Elysian’s may be composed of silver or gold inlaid mahogany.
Price:
Data-card: 5 AL. Standard: 20 AL Work: 40 AL. Deluxe: 400 AL