Office Signal Flag Code

Version 0.2.4 22 May 1998

Additions and suggestions to chris [whirlpool] muppetlabs [spot] com

General Notes

With the ten numeral flags and the 3 substitute flags, one can create any 4-digit number. The proof is left for the student.

It was my thought that the flags would indicate a general status rather than be a way of communicating a specific message to a specific person. TEE2 has proposed some definitions in the latter category, and I see no reason that a flag can't have a separate meaning when you hit someone in the face with it. So i've marked "status" and "immediate" below.

Definition sources are now attributed. Don't be afraid of overloading a flag right now, if you feel strongly about the association of flag and definition. We'll sort it out in Version 1.0 :-)

Hmm. out of single letter definitions already. Ideas on combining similar notions into 2-letter codes, anyone? Perhaps a whole set of personailty traits and moods could be combined under B

Flag blazons have been written and stored in alt tags so text browser can have a clue what the flags look like. Terms are almost standard heraldic. I've tried to keep blazons simple, omitting unnecessary points of differencing.

?

(status) i'm listening to music now, and will impale anyone who disturbs me. (IJ89)

?

(status) i just got off the phone/out of a meeting/done talking with someone who needs to be killed, and will transfer that rage to the next person who bothers me with an idle or inane request. (IJ89)

?

(status) there are no problems in the world, i would welcome your polite requests for my time. (IJ89)

?

(status) i have X tasks in the queue (X indicated by the trailing number) (implies that any further requests will go on the end of the queue). (IJ89)

?

(status) i require human interaction (may be covered by "i'm lonely"). (IJ89)

?

(status) i've left early today due to excesses of stress. (may imply, "please don't add any more when i return") (IJ89)

(immediate)I'm leaving due to excess of stress (IJ89)

A (I have a diver down; I am undergoing a speed trial)

(status) I'm working as fast as I can (CO149)

B (I am taking on or discharging explosives)

(status) I'm in a real shitty mood (CO149)

C (Affirmative)

(immediate) Yes (CO149)

D (keep clear of me, I am maneuvering with difficulty)

(status) don't mess with me right now, i'm doing something intense (CO149)

E (I am altering my course to starboard)

(status) I'm cleaning up someone else's mess (CO149)

F (I am disabled, communicate with me; flight operations underway)

(status) I'M LONELY! (CO149)

G (I require a pilot)

(immediate) HELP! (CO149)

H (I have a pilot on board)

(immediate) I've got it under control, or, someone else is already taken care of that (TEE2)

I (I am altering my course to port; i am coming alongside)

***

J (I am fire and have dangerous cargo)

(immediate) Read Your Email! (CO149)

K (you should stop, I have something important to communicate)

(immediate) Don't even *think* of going *there*! (TEE2)

L (you should stop your vessel instantly)

(immediate) Let's have a meeting (CO149)

(status) I'm in a meeting (CO149)

M (My vessel is stopped; I have a doctor on board)

(status) non-employee in area. hide the trade secrets (CO149)

N (Negative)

(immediate) No (CO149)

O (man overboard)

(status) I'm out of the office (CO149)

O: by itself, interpret as "out until the next time i'd normally be at work." (CO149)
OL: Out to lunch (CO149)
O[number]: Out, will be back at indicated hour (CO149)
ON: out, will be back at beginning of next business day (CO149)
OV: out on vacation. 4-digit date of return may be appended. (CO149)
OW: out for coffee (see W below) (CO149)

P (Crew return to ship; your lights are out or burning badly)

(immediate) you want *what*? (CO149)

Q (all boats return to ship; ship meets health regs, request port clearance)

(immediate) just let me get on with it (CO149)

R (Preparing to replenish; ready duty ship)

(immediate) I'm O.K. with your idea for *now*, but retain the right to deny my involvement later. (TEE2)

S (conducting flag hoist drill; my engines are going full speed astern)

(status) boy am I screwing up today! or I am working to right past wrongs (CO149)

T (do not pass ahead of me; Keep clear, trawling)

(immediate) "Hold on" (when on the phone, talking with a yahoo, etc.) (TEE2)

U you are standing into danger

(immediate) For use after posting the K flag - OK, you went *there*, now pay the price! (TEE2)

V (I require assistance)

(immediate) I require assistance (CO149)

W (I require medical assistance)

(immediate) would someone get me a coffee? (CO149)

X (stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals)

(immediate) Shut up and listen to me! (TEE2)

Y (ship has visual communications duty; I am dragging anchor)

(status) i on the first pass over my email / trying to get through the morning setting up exercises (CO149)

Z (I require a tug)

(punctuation) Local code additions. These aren't dictated by standard, local offices should define these. Following are some suggestions and examples of how to use this block.

ZD: (status) The W4R3Z partition is full. Please delete files. (CO149)
ZT: (status) It is all about T! (TEE2)
ZT: (immediate) It is all about T! (TEE2)

Code (Specifies the following in an international signal; message understood; decimal point)