Reply #10: Trekkie to non-Trekkie: [View All]

[ElboRuum]

The Enterprise ran on two types of power, one for faster than light travel (warp drive) and another for sub-light travel (impulse drive). While the specifics of impulse drive are not often discussed in the show, warp drive involves utilizing dilithium crystals and sufficient energy, through matter-antimatter annihilation, to open up a passage into subspace, where the 186,282 mi/s light speed limit does not exist. Dilithium crystals, as it turns out, look in the three-dimensional world like ordinary quartz. However dilithium is different in that its crystal lattice extends into subspace. When enough energy is channeled through the crystals, a subspace warp field is created, shaped by the warp nacelles (those pylons on the back of the ship) to push it along in subspace at what appear in normal space as faster-than-light velocities, only without those nasty relativistic time-dilation effects.

Now, that's pretty advanced technology. However, the power delivery system within the ship would be poorly served by warp fields, wouldn't it? A warp field powered hair dryer? No, it is likely that the energy used to power the ships internal systems are far more geared to life in normal space. While no mention is made of it, the delivery of useful energy around the ship and into portable devices is probably still electricity (or something electromagnetic), converted from some of the energy generated in the matter-antimatter reactor, while the delivery of data seems to be photonic (light), such as fiber optic cables. Computation seems to be of the quantum variety, and data storage capacities are measured in exabytes (XB). Regardless of the technology, electrical power makes sense for all of these systems.

True, the box on the wall was rinky-dink, and while I'm sure they could have been a bit more stylish, the send button makes perfect sense, while I admit something voice activated, or will activated, might be more futuristic, you still don't want to be in an always-on mode where anyone can hear every word or thought you have.

Bear in mind that this intercom system may be more advanced than you realize. Did you ever notice how these intercoms are everywhere, yet whenever they are used, the intercom system only delivers the connection to the one closest the the target of the communication? So, clearly the intercom system is tied into the internal personnel tracking system in some way. Note that whoever is initiating the contact only has to speak the name of the person to get this delivery system to work (no P/A, no paging system)?

Now that I've fully geeked out, I need to go lie down. Please refrain from asking any more Trek questions today.