Warning! Incoming data!
So like, what's it all about?
I come from the Net...
ReBoot is about the antics of a world inside your computer (focusing on a system called Mainframe). Bob - Guardian 452 defends the system from outside threats, game cubes sent by the User and Viruses - so he's kind of like the security system. Bob has two friends; Dot Matrix, a file manager who owns a great deal of successful businesses in Mainframe (including the cast's favourite haunt - Dot's Diner) and Enzo Matrix, Dot's little brother who idolises Bob. Enzo has a dog called Frisket that would sooner eat Bob than idolise him. In addition, Phong is the COMMAND.COM (the gaffer) of Mainframe and often provides Bob with general wiseness and dodgy oriental proverbs. Megabyte is a virus and Bob's nemesis, usually causing general trouble in every episode, whilst Megabyte's sister Hexadecimal (also a virus) usually keeps to herself, every now and again causing chaos when she sees fit.
Great so tell me more about the characters!
Bob is the focus of ReBoot. At least when my cousin and I predicted back in 1997 that his departure from the show was bad (very bad, heh) and ratings would fall we were right. But hey, we're just the fans what do we know? Well... nothing but that's just not the point! Anyway, Bob is a kindly guy - dispatched to Mainframe from the Supercomputer to protect it against two irritating viruses that have set up shop. He's a fly by the seat of his pants guy and is very spontaneous - that's how he likes it. Bob is a bit of a dork and usually comes out with one or two catchphrases whilst savin' the day. Bob's programming makes him a lot faster and more resilient than most sprites and his Guardian protocol renders him immune to certain threats. He is also willing to sacrifice himself for his friends and system. Whatta guy!
Dot Matrix is Bob's best friend and later, girlfriend. Dot owns the local Diner and is also suspected to own a great deal of Mainframe. She is an successful businesswoman and leader. When Phong is kidnapped by Megabyte in season 3 she takes up the role of COMMAND.COM and leads the rebels. Dot is a planner and a thinker, making herself a complete opposite of Bob - but Bob and Dot usually work together and compliment one another making a pretty unstoppable team.
Megabyte's format is to "Corrupt and Conquer." He has an extensive viral binome army at his disposal and is constantly trying to take over the system.
He is a very clever virus, but often meets his match with Bob and Dot.
Hexadecimal is more of a chaotic virus. Instead of trying to take over everything, she messes it up which in some cases, proves more of a problem than Megabyte's attempts. She is insane and constantly changes her moods from one second to the next. Hex has a weird but amusing crush on Bob.
Megabyte and Hexadecimal are brother and sister, but there is no love lost between them. They're always trying to outsmart and delete each other all the time.
If the Mainframer's ever want any advice or help, they turn to Phong, Mainframe's oldest citizen. Phong makes out that he is only the secretary to the COMMAND.COM, but since no-one has ever seen him, it can be assumed that he is COMMAND.COM. Phong is very eccentric but very wise and often gives his advice to Bob and Dot.
ReBoot was heavily watched by the censors of the ABC Network during Season 1 and 2, resulting in the creators having to tone down any sort of violent or sexual reference. This is the reason for Dot's "monobreast", no visible punching or breaking of glass, and no kissing cheeks between siblings.
As a result (justifiably I'd say) Mainframe Entertainment held somewhat of a grudge with the ABC Network, and started using ABC like a swear word - for instance calling the viral vehicles ABC's. "It's the ABC's! They've turned on us! Treacherous dogs!"
The whole censor thing is referred to as 'BsNP' in the show, Bob asking Glitch to 'BsNP' through a window so that it wouldn't smash, and the Small Town Binomes singing the BsNP 'It's fun to play in a non-violent way' song!
What is the 'User?'
We are. The Mainframer's refer to us as User's, just as in real life, an individual using a computer is known as a User. The Mainframer's don't understand us or even believe we exist. Bob is highly interested in finding out about the User.
What types of beings live in Mainframe?
Sprites
Sprites are normally human-like in physical form. It can only be assumed that they have been modelled on Users. Each sprite has its own function. As a Guardian, Bob is programmed to "mend and defend". Dot is programmed to be orderly and manage her time effectively, meaning that she is somewhat of a file manager. Sprites such as Bob, Dot and Enzo are also known as Data Sprites. At the start of the series, Bob, Dot, Enzo, Phong, Frisket, Cecil, Mike the TV, Rasta Mon and Stripe were the only sprites living in Mainframe because the majority had lived in Twin City. Twin City was destroyed by the arrival of Gigabyte who downgraded into Megabyte and Hexadecimal.
Binomes have a variety of forms. Some can be cube shaped consisting of 2 blocks, the top block having a single eye on it. Some are ball shaped with two eyes and some can be shaped like a number. Binomes are the workforce of Mainframe, they do all the odd jobs and make up the highest number of beings in the system.
Viruses are programmed by the User to infect and cause destruction and problems. They all work in a different way and all have a seperate purpose. Megabyte is a robotic human-shaped virus programmed to invade and take over, whilst Hexadecimal is more like a sprite with masks. She is programmed to cause disruption.
What is a null?
A null is a deleted (nullified) Sprite. Sprites are nullified if they lose a game that the User drops. Twin City is of course, full of nulls because so many sprites were deleted in an explosion there. For some reason, Hexadecimal is able to control the nulls.
What is a game?
A game drops in Mainframe when the User loads a game into the computer and starts playing it. They have to take us on and beat us to get out 'alive'. Games are always dropping in Mainframe, and present an equal, if not bigger threat to the Mainframer's than the Viruses do.
ReBoot is the very first fully computer animated programme to be made. It's creators, Mainframe Entertainment (now known as Rainmaker) began production of the episodes in 1991. The show ran for 4 seasons in 1994-2001.
Through systems, people's and cities... to this place... Mainframe.
My format: Guardian. "To Mend and Defend".
To defend my new found friends... their hopes and dreams.
To defend them from... their enemies.
They say the User lives outside the Net and inputs games for pleasure. No-one knows for sure, but I intend to find out...
ReBoot! (Bob - season 1 & 2 intro)
Binomes
Viruses
