====== Virtual Tomorrow ======

Virtual Tomorrow is a Talkbright-owned periodical content distributor that focuses on the ongoing development of Virtuals in gaming, productivity, and computer interfacing.

===== The NeuroCom Interface System =====

NeuroCom is an industry standard protocol set for providing neural stimulation in order to more directly interface user and computer. The effects are fundamental to how Virtuals operate, as well as some types of Augment (augmented reality interfaces), and more general-purpose MMI (man-machine interface) connections. While practically anyone can use neural induction equipment without complicated and dangerous surgeries, direct neural input cyberware is known to have much faster response rates and potentially allow for greater levels of synchronization with non-organic hardware.

===== The Reality of Virtuals =====

Virtuals are elaborate data constructs that a user can interact with as total replacements for their sensory environment. Depending on the level of reality desired, all of the user's senses may be engaged in the simulation, and they may be used to simulate any environment from enjoying a day at the beach to working in the depths of space. From a gaming perspective, many Virtuals give the user the opportunity to portray a character that exists within the Virtual world, and experience things as that character would, and take actions as available to the character.


==== Safety Protocols ====

For mental and physical safety, most consumer-level neural induction systems have multiple levels of safety protocol at work:

  * Neural Interrupt: To prevent the user's body inadvertently responding to neural stimuli intended for the Virtual interface, neural induction systems include a neural interrupt that ensures that non-autonomous stimuli does not activate motor nerves. In other words, neural interrupts are not designed to interfere with normal lung and heart activity, but instead put the user's body into a dormant state similar to a deep sleep, regardless of their normal behavior while sleeping.
  * Emergency Safety Protocols: A number of ESPs are hardcoded into most neural induction systems; brainwave activity that seems life-threatening or strongly unusual will trigger the ESP's disconnect function, as will detection of physical impairments through biomonitoring equipment. In short, if the system detects that you may be suffering from a dangerous response to feedback, it will disconnect you from the system immediately for your own safety. In most cases, ESPs will also sound an audible alarm and send out an E911 signal if the symptoms that triggered the disconnect do not cease within a short time and the user does not take immediate steps to deactivate the alarm and provide evidence of good health; this ensures that if the end user is suffering from a life-threatening feedback response, they will receive medical attention quickly, while also ensuring that the user can opt out of calling the paramedics if they are not, in fact, dangerously impaired.
  * Consent-Level Protocols: Most systems in existence use consent-level protocols designed around giving the user the final determination on how 'real' they want their experience to be. This controls the level of neural input received, and ensures that with these protocols enabled the user does not suffer from emotional distress due to their experiences. CSPs are mandatory on most hardware intended for use by the free market, and act as limiting filters on the severity and extent of inputs; some are user-controllable while others are hardwired filters for safety.

=== Neural Interrupts and Controllers ===

Typically, those interfacing with a Virtual also have a neural interrupt to make sure that their real-world body does not attempt to replicate actions taken in the Virtual world by their Virtual avatar; however, some designs allow people to split controls, allowing them to potentially operate both their real-world body and one or multiple Virtual avatars, or even to control multiple real-world machines or MMI-enabled bioconstructs. This has become a practical force multiplier in security and military settings; robots, bioroids, or others with MMI uplinks can be remotely operated using the same basic control system used to operate within a Virtual environment, and vice versa.

=== Emergency Safety Protocols ===

Emergency Safety Protocols are hardwired safeties built into most commercial neural induction equipment in order to protect the life and health of the user. Corporate and military-grade variants typically remove some or all of these safety procedures with the understanding that the survivability of the user may be of lower priority than maximized response speed, as many of these safeties limit the speed of the system as a secondary effect.

== Biomonitor Feedback System ==

Many neural induction setups include basic biomonitoring equipment, allowing them to detect dangerous situations and disconnect the user. Any biomonitor-based system is designed to fail-safe in that if it fails to receive acceptable input, or if the biomonitor fails to respond properly, it will assume the worst and disconnect the user.

== Neural Pattern Analyzer ==

While some people strongly despise these systems and worry that it lets people read their thoughts, this is actually mostly just intended to determine whether the brainwaves of the subject are within intended parameters. Strongly aberrant patterns are assumed to be a sign of imminent overload, and as such can be used to force a disconnect.

== Neural Input Surge Protection ==

This is another basic protection against neural burnout; a device that measures the inbound signals generated by the connected device that is designed to disconnect instead of transmitting if they are too high, to protect against hazards borne by faulty programming or intentional malice.

=== Consent Level Protocols ===