What does the GEnSEr sequence mean?
The original Timer in Sliders, built by Quinn out of a Motorola MicroTAC cell phone, displays a certain sequence on its LCD when activated or opened (approximation, characters do not translate exactly as letters):
GEnSEr LacGEN EnulAc uriEnu CAIuri chcCAI uLAchc
And sometimes three more sets of characters that can't be typed easily. See here for a video by a replica-maker comparing with a clip from the show, which makes it clearer. And thanks to Valorum for finding this fan-made animation (I believe from an Android app) that also shows it clearly.
As each set of characters displayed ends in the 3 letters the preceding one began with, it almost appears to be scrolling text of one long string (from right to left):
uLAchcCAIuriEnulAcGenSEr
I've always wanted to know if this has any meaning, either in- or out-of-universe. Is it something to do with physics Quinn would have added? Is it a standard startup sequence used by LCD devices? Is it something to do with electronics the character or prop-maker would have put in? An inside joke? Or is it completely meaningless? In which case I'd love to know why it's there at all, did the prop maker feel that a random set of characters looked cooler?
I've tried researching this, on-and-off for over 20 years. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
props sliders
asked Jun 7 '18 at 1:11
Conrad Bennish JrConrad Bennish Jr
49715
|
show 2 more comments
The original Timer in Sliders, built by Quinn out of a Motorola MicroTAC cell phone, displays a certain sequence on its LCD when activated or opened (approximation, characters do not translate exactly as letters):
GEnSEr LacGEN EnulAc uriEnu CAIuri chcCAI uLAchc
And sometimes three more sets of characters that can't be typed easily. See here for a video by a replica-maker comparing with a clip from the show, which makes it clearer. And thanks to Valorum for finding this fan-made animation (I believe from an Android app) that also shows it clearly.
As each set of characters displayed ends in the 3 letters the preceding one began with, it almost appears to be scrolling text of one long string (from right to left):
uLAchcCAIuriEnulAcGenSEr
I've always wanted to know if this has any meaning, either in- or out-of-universe. Is it something to do with physics Quinn would have added? Is it a standard startup sequence used by LCD devices? Is it something to do with electronics the character or prop-maker would have put in? An inside joke? Or is it completely meaningless? In which case I'd love to know why it's there at all, did the prop maker feel that a random set of characters looked cooler?
I've tried researching this, on-and-off for over 20 years. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
props sliders
asked Jun 7 '18 at 1:11
Conrad Bennish JrConrad Bennish Jr
49715
6
I never saw it as scrolling text. I saw it as a "cool LCD spinning animation" that had no meaning until the numbers resolved themselves. (I may be wrong, and I look forward to any insight answers may provide, if I am)
– Steve-O
Jun 7 '18 at 3:27
i.stack.imgur.com/AmCKm.gif
– Valorum
Jun 7 '18 at 6:27
3
For a moment, I was like "Sliders is 30 years old"? Thankfully it's only 23 years, I'm not that old yet! :)
– Tronman
Jun 7 '18 at 10:23
1
Interesting question, though I feel like you'll be somewhat disappointed if you're looking for a sensible, in-universe answer. My guess is the propmasters just didn't want it to spell anything that could be misconstrued as offensive, either if viewed in full, or partly occluded by someone's shoulder or hand.
– Vanguard3000
Jun 7 '18 at 12:49
1
@Vanguard3000 Hey if that ends up being the answer, I won't be disappointed. Just want to know. And if that was the answer, why have anything at all, etc etc. Also you're welcome! It's a shame they only made 2 and a half seasons... naglly.com/matrix_revisited_4.png
– Conrad Bennish Jr
Jun 7 '18 at 23:18
|
show 2 more comments
The original Timer in Sliders, built by Quinn out of a Motorola MicroTAC cell phone, displays a certain sequence on its LCD when activated or opened (approximation, characters do not translate exactly as letters):
GEnSEr LacGEN EnulAc uriEnu CAIuri chcCAI uLAchc
And sometimes three more sets of characters that can't be typed easily. See here for a video by a replica-maker comparing with a clip from the show, which makes it clearer. And thanks to Valorum for finding this fan-made animation (I believe from an Android app) that also shows it clearly.
As each set of characters displayed ends in the 3 letters the preceding one began with, it almost appears to be scrolling text of one long string (from right to left):
uLAchcCAIuriEnulAcGenSEr
I've always wanted to know if this has any meaning, either in- or out-of-universe. Is it something to do with physics Quinn would have added? Is it a standard startup sequence used by LCD devices? Is it something to do with electronics the character or prop-maker would have put in? An inside joke? Or is it completely meaningless? In which case I'd love to know why it's there at all, did the prop maker feel that a random set of characters looked cooler?
I've tried researching this, on-and-off for over 20 years. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
props sliders
asked Jun 7 '18 at 1:11
Conrad Bennish JrConrad Bennish Jr
49715
The original Timer in Sliders, built by Quinn out of a Motorola MicroTAC cell phone, displays a certain sequence on its LCD when activated or opened (approximation, characters do not translate exactly as letters):
GEnSEr LacGEN EnulAc uriEnu CAIuri chcCAI uLAchc
And sometimes three more sets of characters that can't be typed easily. See here for a video by a replica-maker comparing with a clip from the show, which makes it clearer. And thanks to Valorum for finding this fan-made animation (I believe from an Android app) that also shows it clearly.
As each set of characters displayed ends in the 3 letters the preceding one began with, it almost appears to be scrolling text of one long string (from right to left):
uLAchcCAIuriEnulAcGenSEr
I've always wanted to know if this has any meaning, either in- or out-of-universe. Is it something to do with physics Quinn would have added? Is it a standard startup sequence used by LCD devices? Is it something to do with electronics the character or prop-maker would have put in? An inside joke? Or is it completely meaningless? In which case I'd love to know why it's there at all, did the prop maker feel that a random set of characters looked cooler?
I've tried researching this, on-and-off for over 20 years. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
props sliders
props sliders
asked Jun 7 '18 at 1:11
Conrad Bennish JrConrad Bennish Jr
49715
asked Jun 7 '18 at 1:11
Conrad Bennish JrConrad Bennish Jr
49715
edited Jun 8 '18 at 1:08
Conrad Bennish Jr
asked Jun 7 '18 at 1:11
Conrad Bennish JrConrad Bennish Jr
49715
asked Jun 7 '18 at 1:11
Conrad Bennish JrConrad Bennish Jr
49715
asked Jun 7 '18 at 1:11
Conrad Bennish JrConrad Bennish Jr
49715
49715
6
I never saw it as scrolling text. I saw it as a "cool LCD spinning animation" that had no meaning until the numbers resolved themselves. (I may be wrong, and I look forward to any insight answers may provide, if I am)
– Steve-O
Jun 7 '18 at 3:27
i.stack.imgur.com/AmCKm.gif
– Valorum
Jun 7 '18 at 6:27
3
For a moment, I was like "Sliders is 30 years old"? Thankfully it's only 23 years, I'm not that old yet! :)
– Tronman
Jun 7 '18 at 10:23
1
Interesting question, though I feel like you'll be somewhat disappointed if you're looking for a sensible, in-universe answer. My guess is the propmasters just didn't want it to spell anything that could be misconstrued as offensive, either if viewed in full, or partly occluded by someone's shoulder or hand.
– Vanguard3000
Jun 7 '18 at 12:49
1
@Vanguard3000 Hey if that ends up being the answer, I won't be disappointed. Just want to know. And if that was the answer, why have anything at all, etc etc. Also you're welcome! It's a shame they only made 2 and a half seasons... naglly.com/matrix_revisited_4.png
– Conrad Bennish Jr
Jun 7 '18 at 23:18
|
show 2 more comments
6
I never saw it as scrolling text. I saw it as a "cool LCD spinning animation" that had no meaning until the numbers resolved themselves. (I may be wrong, and I look forward to any insight answers may provide, if I am)
– Steve-O
Jun 7 '18 at 3:27
i.stack.imgur.com/AmCKm.gif
– Valorum
Jun 7 '18 at 6:27
3
For a moment, I was like "Sliders is 30 years old"? Thankfully it's only 23 years, I'm not that old yet! :)
– Tronman
Jun 7 '18 at 10:23
1
Interesting question, though I feel like you'll be somewhat disappointed if you're looking for a sensible, in-universe answer. My guess is the propmasters just didn't want it to spell anything that could be misconstrued as offensive, either if viewed in full, or partly occluded by someone's shoulder or hand.
– Vanguard3000
Jun 7 '18 at 12:49
1
@Vanguard3000 Hey if that ends up being the answer, I won't be disappointed. Just want to know. And if that was the answer, why have anything at all, etc etc. Also you're welcome! It's a shame they only made 2 and a half seasons... naglly.com/matrix_revisited_4.png
– Conrad Bennish Jr
Jun 7 '18 at 23:18
6
6
I never saw it as scrolling text. I saw it as a "cool LCD spinning animation" that had no meaning until the numbers resolved themselves. (I may be wrong, and I look forward to any insight answers may provide, if I am)
– Steve-O
Jun 7 '18 at 3:27
I never saw it as scrolling text. I saw it as a "cool LCD spinning animation" that had no meaning until the numbers resolved themselves. (I may be wrong, and I look forward to any insight answers may provide, if I am)
– Steve-O
Jun 7 '18 at 3:27
i.stack.imgur.com/AmCKm.gif
– Valorum
Jun 7 '18 at 6:27
i.stack.imgur.com/AmCKm.gif
– Valorum
Jun 7 '18 at 6:27
3
3
For a moment, I was like "Sliders is 30 years old"? Thankfully it's only 23 years, I'm not that old yet! :)
– Tronman
Jun 7 '18 at 10:23
For a moment, I was like "Sliders is 30 years old"? Thankfully it's only 23 years, I'm not that old yet! :)
– Tronman
Jun 7 '18 at 10:23
1
1
Interesting question, though I feel like you'll be somewhat disappointed if you're looking for a sensible, in-universe answer. My guess is the propmasters just didn't want it to spell anything that could be misconstrued as offensive, either if viewed in full, or partly occluded by someone's shoulder or hand.
– Vanguard3000
Jun 7 '18 at 12:49
Interesting question, though I feel like you'll be somewhat disappointed if you're looking for a sensible, in-universe answer. My guess is the propmasters just didn't want it to spell anything that could be misconstrued as offensive, either if viewed in full, or partly occluded by someone's shoulder or hand.
– Vanguard3000
Jun 7 '18 at 12:49
1
1
@Vanguard3000 Hey if that ends up being the answer, I won't be disappointed. Just want to know. And if that was the answer, why have anything at all, etc etc. Also you're welcome! It's a shame they only made 2 and a half seasons... naglly.com/matrix_revisited_4.png
– Conrad Bennish Jr
Jun 7 '18 at 23:18
@Vanguard3000 Hey if that ends up being the answer, I won't be disappointed. Just want to know. And if that was the answer, why have anything at all, etc etc. Also you're welcome! It's a shame they only made 2 and a half seasons... naglly.com/matrix_revisited_4.png
– Conrad Bennish Jr
Jun 7 '18 at 23:18
|
show 2 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
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The "power-up preamble" sequence is actually the secret signatures of the timer's builders. "GEnSEr" is actually for Steven Genser, the engineer who developed the timer's electronics, while "CALurI" is for Mike Calouri, the propmaker who made the outer shell with the Motorola casing.
I read an old forum on the RPF in which they had actually met Mr. Genser, a very nice man. He talked about the making of the prop, as well as the hell that he went through in both programming it and repairing it. The timer, as much as we all love it, was not an easy device to work with, especially with 1990's tech (single-strand wires that broke easily, incandescent bulbs that wasted energy and burned out quickly); he also reported that despite its bulk, there's deceptively very little room to work with on the inside of the unit. Mr. Genser also provided the original source code for people interested in building their own as close to the prop as possible. He was also quite amused with some of the theories that fans had about the origin of "GEnSEr;" someone once thought that it was short for "General Service."
Here's the full story right here:
https://www.therpf.com/forums/threads/how-to-build-sliders-timer-electronics.104308/
answered 2 mins ago
Chris LopezChris Lopez
1
New contributor
Chris Lopez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
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The "power-up preamble" sequence is actually the secret signatures of the timer's builders. "GEnSEr" is actually for Steven Genser, the engineer who developed the timer's electronics, while "CALurI" is for Mike Calouri, the propmaker who made the outer shell with the Motorola casing.
I read an old forum on the RPF in which they had actually met Mr. Genser, a very nice man. He talked about the making of the prop, as well as the hell that he went through in both programming it and repairing it. The timer, as much as we all love it, was not an easy device to work with, especially with 1990's tech (single-strand wires that broke easily, incandescent bulbs that wasted energy and burned out quickly); he also reported that despite its bulk, there's deceptively very little room to work with on the inside of the unit. Mr. Genser also provided the original source code for people interested in building their own as close to the prop as possible. He was also quite amused with some of the theories that fans had about the origin of "GEnSEr;" someone once thought that it was short for "General Service."
Here's the full story right here:
https://www.therpf.com/forums/threads/how-to-build-sliders-timer-electronics.104308/
answered 2 mins ago
Chris LopezChris Lopez
1
New contributor
Chris Lopez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
The "power-up preamble" sequence is actually the secret signatures of the timer's builders. "GEnSEr" is actually for Steven Genser, the engineer who developed the timer's electronics, while "CALurI" is for Mike Calouri, the propmaker who made the outer shell with the Motorola casing.
I read an old forum on the RPF in which they had actually met Mr. Genser, a very nice man. He talked about the making of the prop, as well as the hell that he went through in both programming it and repairing it. The timer, as much as we all love it, was not an easy device to work with, especially with 1990's tech (single-strand wires that broke easily, incandescent bulbs that wasted energy and burned out quickly); he also reported that despite its bulk, there's deceptively very little room to work with on the inside of the unit. Mr. Genser also provided the original source code for people interested in building their own as close to the prop as possible. He was also quite amused with some of the theories that fans had about the origin of "GEnSEr;" someone once thought that it was short for "General Service."
Here's the full story right here:
https://www.therpf.com/forums/threads/how-to-build-sliders-timer-electronics.104308/
answered 2 mins ago
Chris LopezChris Lopez
1
New contributor
Chris Lopez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
The "power-up preamble" sequence is actually the secret signatures of the timer's builders. "GEnSEr" is actually for Steven Genser, the engineer who developed the timer's electronics, while "CALurI" is for Mike Calouri, the propmaker who made the outer shell with the Motorola casing.
I read an old forum on the RPF in which they had actually met Mr. Genser, a very nice man. He talked about the making of the prop, as well as the hell that he went through in both programming it and repairing it. The timer, as much as we all love it, was not an easy device to work with, especially with 1990's tech (single-strand wires that broke easily, incandescent bulbs that wasted energy and burned out quickly); he also reported that despite its bulk, there's deceptively very little room to work with on the inside of the unit. Mr. Genser also provided the original source code for people interested in building their own as close to the prop as possible. He was also quite amused with some of the theories that fans had about the origin of "GEnSEr;" someone once thought that it was short for "General Service."
Here's the full story right here:
https://www.therpf.com/forums/threads/how-to-build-sliders-timer-electronics.104308/
answered 2 mins ago
Chris LopezChris Lopez
1
New contributor
Chris Lopez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The "power-up preamble" sequence is actually the secret signatures of the timer's builders. "GEnSEr" is actually for Steven Genser, the engineer who developed the timer's electronics, while "CALurI" is for Mike Calouri, the propmaker who made the outer shell with the Motorola casing.
I read an old forum on the RPF in which they had actually met Mr. Genser, a very nice man. He talked about the making of the prop, as well as the hell that he went through in both programming it and repairing it. The timer, as much as we all love it, was not an easy device to work with, especially with 1990's tech (single-strand wires that broke easily, incandescent bulbs that wasted energy and burned out quickly); he also reported that despite its bulk, there's deceptively very little room to work with on the inside of the unit. Mr. Genser also provided the original source code for people interested in building their own as close to the prop as possible. He was also quite amused with some of the theories that fans had about the origin of "GEnSEr;" someone once thought that it was short for "General Service."
Here's the full story right here:
https://www.therpf.com/forums/threads/how-to-build-sliders-timer-electronics.104308/
answered 2 mins ago
Chris LopezChris Lopez
1
New contributor
Chris Lopez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 mins ago
Chris LopezChris Lopez
1
New contributor
Chris Lopez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 mins ago
Chris LopezChris Lopez
1
answered 2 mins ago
Chris LopezChris Lopez
1
1
New contributor
Chris Lopez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Chris Lopez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Chris Lopez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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6
I never saw it as scrolling text. I saw it as a "cool LCD spinning animation" that had no meaning until the numbers resolved themselves. (I may be wrong, and I look forward to any insight answers may provide, if I am)
– Steve-O
Jun 7 '18 at 3:27
i.stack.imgur.com/AmCKm.gif
– Valorum
Jun 7 '18 at 6:27
3
For a moment, I was like "Sliders is 30 years old"? Thankfully it's only 23 years, I'm not that old yet! :)
– Tronman
Jun 7 '18 at 10:23
1
Interesting question, though I feel like you'll be somewhat disappointed if you're looking for a sensible, in-universe answer. My guess is the propmasters just didn't want it to spell anything that could be misconstrued as offensive, either if viewed in full, or partly occluded by someone's shoulder or hand.
– Vanguard3000
Jun 7 '18 at 12:49
1
@Vanguard3000 Hey if that ends up being the answer, I won't be disappointed. Just want to know. And if that was the answer, why have anything at all, etc etc. Also you're welcome! It's a shame they only made 2 and a half seasons... naglly.com/matrix_revisited_4.png
– Conrad Bennish Jr
Jun 7 '18 at 23:18