The Maltaverians - BEYOND AMAZING VIRTUAL BONDS

EP 3

LIL HINN MINN RABTIET VIRTWALI TAL-GĦAĠEB LIL HINN MINN RABTIET VIRTWALI TAL-GĦAĠEB EP 3

BEYOND AMAZING VIRTUAL BONDS

Episodju 3 The Maltaverians

The Maltaverians

Episode 3

BEYOND AMAZING VIRTUAL BONDS

Episodju 3 LIL HINN MINN RABTIET VIRTWALI TAL-GĦAĠEB Maħluq minn Robert Caruana (artist) u Martin G. Debattista (awtur)

maltaverians.mt This publication is provided free of charge and is not for sale.

Email: info@mdia.gov.mt Telephone: +356 2182 8800 Contact Information MDIA Twenty20 Business Centre, Triq l-Intornjatur, Zone 3, Central Business District, Birkirkara, CBD 3050 Malta Particular attention has been given to ensure that all the content of this comic is correct and up to date as on date of issue. While every care has been taken during production, the publisher does not accept any liability for errors that may have occurred.

This publication is intended for an audience aged 11 years and higher.

Editur Trevor Sammut Qari tal-provi Christopher Giordano Pubblikatur Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) f’kollaborazzjoni ma’ Tech.mt u eSkills Malta Foundation

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious.

No identification with actual persons (living or deceased) is intended or should be inferred.

All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2024 Robert Caruana and Martin G. Debattista ISBN PDF (digital) 978-9918-0-0860-5 ISBN printed 978-9918-0-0859-9

Stampat Malta (UE) Print It Ltd

Printed in Malta (EU) Print It Ltd

ISBN stampat 978-9918-0-0859-9 ISBN PDF (diġitali) 978-9918-0-0860-5 Copyright © 2023 Robert Caruana u Martin G. Debattista Kull dritt miżmum L-istorja u l-ismijiet, il-karattri u l-inċidenti kollha li jidhru f’din il-pubblikazzjoni huma fittizji.

Kwalunkwe xebh ma’ persuni veri (ħajjin jew mejtin) mhuwiex intenzjonat u huwa biss kumbinazzjoni.

Publisher Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) in collaboration with Tech.mt and eSkills Malta Foundation Proofreading Christopher Giordano Editor Trevor Sammut

Din il-pubblikazzjoni hija intenzjonata għal udjenza minn 11-il sena ’l fuq.

Ingħatat kull attenzjoni possibbli biex ikun assigurat li l-kontenut kollu ta’ dan il-komik ikun korrett u aġġornat sad-data tal-pubblikazzjoni. Il-produzzjoni saret b’reqqa kbira u l-pubblikatur ma jassumi l-ebda responsabbiltà għal kwalunkwe żbalji li setgħu ttieħdu.

Kuntatt MDIA Twenty20 Business Centre, Triq l-Intornjatur, Zona 3, Central Business District, Birkirkara, CBD 3050 Malta

Created by Robert Caruana (artist) and Martin G. Debattista (writer) Episode 3 BEYOND AMAZING VIRTUAL BONDS

Email: info@mdia.gov.mt Telefown: +356 2182 8800 Din il-pubblikazzjoni qed titqassam b’xejn u mhijiex għall-bejgħ.

maltaverians.mt

The project of publishing a series of comics focused on digital innovation technology aims to emphasize the importance of expanding teens’ knowledge in this rapidly evolving field.

These comics will be distributed among students studying Computing and IT to enhance their understanding of the latest technologies and potentially guide them towards their future careers. It will be available in a digital format online as well. By incorporating engaging visuals and storylines, the comics will pique the interest of young readers and promote a deeper comprehension of innovative technologies that are shaping our world. In addition, the inclusion of a glossary within the publications will further clarify technological terms and concepts, making the material more accessible and informative.

Real Name: Elisa Bonello

Real Name: Jake Spiteri

Character traits: Positive, empathetic, energetic

Character traits: Intelligent, passionate, loyal

Personality traits: Outgoing, affable

Personality traits: Shy, reserved

Other dimension nickname: Bella Bit

Other dimension nickname: Jake Spark

Nickname meaning: Beautiful + smallest size of data

Nickname meaning: Jake + bright mind + small but fiery

Nationality: Maltese

Nationality: Maltese

Age: 24

Age: 23½

Occupation: Secondary school teacher of Computer Studies

Occupation: IT manager at a local hotel

Main allies: Jake Spark (a friend), police, responsible citizens Main foes: cyber criminals (especially bullies and thieves) Special abilities: Digital vision - sees the inner workings of digital technologies like no other human Special powers: Master traveller in virtual reality, sharp like Sherlock Holmes, virtual martial arts skills, hardcore gamer

Main allies: Bella Bit (a friend), the police, responsible citizens, trusted computing devices Main foes: Phishers, hackers, spammers etc.

Special abilities: Tech whisperer – somehow inanimate technologies seem to understand what he needs and wants Special powers: None (at the moment) Other powers: Effortlessly produces software like a piece of cake

Other powers: Can make learning fun for kids Real Name: Klein Artificial Intelligence (KAI) Type of AI: Large Language Model (LLM) Launch date: 1st June 2023 Owner/developer: Klein Hotel – Jake Spiteri Hosting: Malta Access: Limited to Bella Bit, Jake Spark and Klein Hotel. Likes to take the form of a dog.

Real Name: Professor Borgon Phase Occupation: All we know is that he is a brilliant Maltese scientist .

Special abilities: Controlling mastermind behind large-scale tech developments including Phasecoin digital currency.

Nobody knows much about him.

GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS TERM

DEFINITION

3D Engine

Software that creates, manages and simulates three-dimensional environments, allowing for the development of video games and 3D modelling.

Access Points

Devices that allow wireless devices to connect to a network using Wi-Fi.

Active Cooling

Active cooling uses devices like fans or pumps to ‘actively’ reduce the temperature of electronic components, preventing them from overheating.

Alpha Version

An alpha version is an early version of a software program that is still being tested and developed; sometimes released for testing purposes.

Avatar

An avatar is a digital character or image that represents a user in a virtual environment or online.

Bots

Bots, or robots, are automated programs that perform tasks on the internet, like chatting with users or collecting data.

Cables

Wires that carry data from one place to another through the use of modulated electrical signals. Cables can carry both analogue and digital signals/data or electricity from one location to another.

Capacitors

Electronic components that store and release electrical energy in a circuit.

Controllers

Controllers are devices used to operate and interact with video games or other electronic systems. In VR they can include sensors that track your hand movement.

Crypto Wallet

A crypto wallet is a digital tool that stores and manages cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin or Ethereum, and allows users to send and receive these digital assets.

Crystal Oscillator

A crystal oscillator is a device that uses a crystal to create precise electrical timing, often used in clocks, radios and computers.

Debugging

Debugging is the process of finding and fixing errors or bugs in computer software.

Devs

Devs is short for developers, the people who create software, applications or games.

Eduverse, ClassVR or FrameVR

These are virtual reality platforms designed for educational purposes, allowing students to learn in immersive, interactive environments.

Ethereum

A type of cryptocurrency and a decentralised platform that allows developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralised applications (dApps) using Blockchain technology. It enables the creation of a wide range of applications without relying on a central authority.

Filters

Hardware or software components that remove unwanted parts from a signal or a data set. They can be used in various contexts, such as filtering out noise from audio signals, removing spam from emails or extracting relevant data from a large dataset.

Firewalls

Firewalls are security systems that monitor and control incoming/outgoing network traffic, protecting computers from unauthorised access.

Game Assets

Game assets are the components used to create video games, including characters, environments, sounds and graphics.

Gemini

A generative AI system developed by Google, designed to create content, answer questions and perform various tasks by generating human-like text based on the input it receives.

Google Cardboard

A simple, low-cost virtual reality headset made from cardboard, designed to work with smartphones.

Hand Controllers

Devices held in the hands to interact with video games or virtual reality environments.

Haptic Suit

Wearable device that provides tactile feedback, allowing users to feel physical sensations in virtual reality.

Head Tracking

A technology that follows the movement of a user’s head to provide a more immersive experience in virtual reality.

Head-Mounted Display (HMD)

A device worn on the head, like goggles, that displays virtual reality content directly in front of the user’s eyes; sometimes referred to as ‘headset’.

Headset

In VR, a headset is a device worn on the head that displays VR content. The technical term is ‘head-mounted display’.

Headset Straps

The bands or straps that hold a headset securely on a user’s head.

Heatsink

A device that absorbs and disperses heat away from a heat source (such as an electronic component) to keep them cool.

IC Chip

An IC chip, or integrated circuit chip, is a small electronic component that contains many tiny circuits and is used in most electronic devices.

iGaming

iGaming refers to online gaming or gambling activities conducted over the internet.

Several iGaming companies are based in Malta.

LANs

LANs, or local area networks, are networks that connect computers within a small area, like a home, school or office.

Main Processor

The main processor, or central processing unit (CPU), is the part of a computer that performs most of the processing inside a computer.

Motion Sensing

Motion sensing is a technology that detects and responds to movement, often used in gaming and security systems.

My Nice Neighbours

A fictitious VR game which is played by the Maltaverians.

Network Engineer

A professional who designs, implements and manages computer networks. This includes tasks such as configuring network hardware, optimising network performance, ensuring network security and troubleshooting issues to maintain efficient and reliable communication systems.

PhaseCoin

A fictitious type of cryptocurrency created by Professor Borgon Phase, a character in The Maltaverians.

Plugins

Plugins are software add-ons that enhance the functionality of a program or website.

GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS Ports

Ports can be physical connection points on a computer or network device where cables or other devices can be plugged in. They can also be software-controlled ports used in routers or software-controlled network devices.

Processor

A processor is the part of a computer that performs calculations and runs programs. See ‘Main Processor’.

Professor Borgon Phase

A fictitious character in The Maltaverians. He is a brilliant Maltese scientist who seems to have dark plans for world domination, but nobody is sure what his next scheme is.

Routers

Routers are devices that direct data between different networks, such as between your home network and the internet.

Sandboxed

Sandboxed means running a program or code in a controlled environment where it cannot affect other parts of the system, often used for security or testing purposes.

Sentient AI

Sentient AI refers to artificial intelligence that has human-like awareness and the ability to experience feelings.

Sockets

Sockets are points where cables or devices can be connected to a computer or network.

Streaming TV

Watching television shows and movies over the internet in real-time without downloading the content first. This is done via Internet Protocol (IP) and allows viewers to access a wide range of content on demand.

Subnetting

Subnetting is dividing a larger network into smaller, more manageable subnetworks, improving efficiency and security.

Tokens

Tokens are digital assets or units of value issued on a blockchain, often used in cryptocurrency and virtual economies.

UI

UI, or user interface, is the part of a software or device that users interact with, like buttons, menus and screens.

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is a powerful software used to create video games and other 3D content, developed by Epic Games.

Utopia

Utopia is an ideal or perfect place where everything is just right, often used to describe an imagined society with perfect living conditions.

Virtual Game Assets

Virtual game assets are items within a video game that players can use, such as characters, weapons and skins.

VirtuaVerse

A fictitious virtual environment, where users can interact in a digital world, featured in The Maltaverians.

VLans

VLANs, or virtual local area networks, are networks that group devices together logically rather than physically, improving security and efficiency.

VR

VR, or virtual reality, is a technology that creates a simulated environment, allowing users to interact with a 3D world through devices like headsets.

VR Gloves

VR gloves are wearable devices that track hand movements and provide tactile feedback in virtual reality environments [see also: haptic suit].

XR Interaction Toolkit

XR Interaction Toolkit is a set of tools for developers to create and manage interactions in virtual, augmented and mixed reality applications.