DESMONDKelvin... he comes running out of the jungle... “hurry, hurry, come with me”. He brings me down here. The first thing he does, because there's beeping already, he types in the code, he pushes the button, and it stops. “What was all that about,” I say. “Just saving the world,” he says.
JACKSaving the world?
DESMONDHis words, not mine. So I started pushing the button, too. And we saved the world together for awhile, and that was lovely. Then Kelvin died, and now here I am all alone. The end.
Back in season two we were given a brief glimpse into the shows inner-core, the DHARMA initiative. The question that (many of us) painstakingly considered for that very first hiatus: "what's in the hatch?", and the answer was a Scottish guy, an Apple II+ and a twin washer-dryer. But somehow that was amazing. Fans were fascinated, and the way we watched, not only Lost--but television as a medium—changed.
This computer, as simple as it was, became iconic of the show; synonymous, almost. Even now, four-years later and closing on the end of the show, if you were to be asked for five things that represented the show for you , can you honestly say that the Swan computer wouldn't be in that list? The sound of the alarm? The flickering of the timer as it resets to 108?
Obsessive fans of the show were quick to write simulators of the button-pushing, many of which are still active today. Continuing with our 'Just for fun' feature, we're asking you to have a little faith, and save the world with us … brotha'.
The Rules
As dictated by The Swan orientation film, the rules to pushing button are as follows:
- Every 108 minutes, the button must be pushed
- From the moment the alarm sounds, you will have four minutes to enter the code
- When the alarm sounds, either you or your partner ''must'' input the code
- It is highly recommended that you take alternating shifts
- Do not attempt to use the computer for anyth--
Based on these rules, we've compiled a list of some of the 'Swan simulators created by fans.
"Now press execute ..."
Enter the Hatch
Type:Web-based
Authentic look and feel with sound-effects and live countdown timer.
Save the Hatch
Type: SMS-based
Web-site offers a leader-board, but recruits must send a text message to input the numbers (rarely in-use)
The Swan simulator
Type: Software
Windows and Mac versions available, requires Flash and Shockwave.
LOST TOOLS
Type: Screen-saver
Windows-based, requires DirectX 9 and .NET Framework (2.0)
#TheSwan at irc.rizon.net
Type: IRC-based
Our very own Swan simulator, all you need is an IRC client (see 'How to Participate'), highly active (with only 243 failures to date!)
Know of any other Swan simulators, or maybe you've created your own? Let us know.
