The log printout is a stack of hardcopy (paper output) from a dot matrix printer connected to the computer inside The Pearl station.
Facts
The Log Printout
- The printout commenced when Locke entered "Y" into the computer when its monitor was prompting:
- :> Print Log? Y/N.
- Eko took the log, while Locke was skeptical:
- Locke: What are you doing?
- Eko: I'm taking this back with us.
- Locke: Why?
- Eko: Because they may be important.
- Loke: Important? I'm sorry weren't you just watching the same thing I was?
- Eko: Yes John-- and I believe the work you have been doing is more important now than ever.
- These are what we can see out of what's printed, in Locke's perspective:
accepted 41602050:29 accepted 41602052:17 accepted 41602054:05 accepted 41602055:53 accepted 41602057:41 accepted 41602059:29 accepted 41602061:17 accepted 41602063:05 accepted 41602064:53 accepted 41602066:41 accepted 41602068:29 accepted 41602070:17 accepted 41602072:05 accepted 41602073:53 accepted 41602075:41 accepted 41602077:29 accepted 41602079:17 accepted 41602081:05 accepted 41602082:53 accepted 41602084:41 accepted 41602086:29 accepted 41602088:17 accepted 41602090:05
- The numbers 17 05 53 41 29 are recurring numbers that follows the sequence. The sequence that preceeds these numbers are not a straight sequence. All the numbers, with the exception of the ":53 group", is the result of the sum of the previous number plus 2. Let's take the 41602052:17, for example. Since the next sequence will be in the ":05" then it'll apply for the "previous number + 2 rule". So, we'll have 41602054:05. The next sequence is the exception group ":53", which follows the rule new "previou plus 1", so we'll have 41602055:53.
Theories
- The printout is a log of activity on the Swan computer.
- Each of the numbers printed on the log increase by 108 minutes (or seconds) eg. 41602064:41 + 1:48 (60+48 = 108) = 41602066:29 This therefore puts forward the possibility that each time the numbers are entered, it is 'accepted'.
- If 'accepted' refers to the time the numbers were entered, then the entry would have to be every 108 minutes, precisely, which is not accurate given the various entry occurances within (or after) the available 4 minute entry period.
- However, while the numbers might refer to each 108 minute interval, 'accepted' might simply indicate completion of the entry and acceptance by the computer, irrespective of the exact time the entry was accomplished.
- The log reveals what Henry Gale actually did or did not do with the Swan computer during the Lockdown Incident.