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In the DS9 episode "Move Along Home", when Bashir realizes he doesn't have a dress uniform, why doesn't he just replicate one?

The general situation of DS9 isn't like that of Voyager, and so surely power rationing could not have been the reason?

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2 Answers 2

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Since he doesn't have access to a Federation replicator in his quarters (presumably Cardassian replicators don't contain the patterns for Federation uniforms) the implication is that he didn't leave himself enough time to get to a replicator station, then get changed.

Note that in the original script, he tells Dax that his plan is to get Garak to make him one. She suggests he could just replicate one:

BASHIR: I'll have the clothier Garak make me a new one by tonight...

DAX: I'm not sure it's appropriate to have a Cardassian tailor make your Starfleet uniform, Julian... maybe the replicator...

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    Sure, but it not like you cant go 'Computer establish a uplink with the federation central replicator database, and access files on uniforms, fit for Dr Julian Bashir, ds9, and compile for cardassain replicators. done, just like any other machine language being complied into something that a device can understand.
    – Pioneer
    Jun 5, 2015 at 20:01
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    @Pioneer - He's a Doctor, dammit, not a computer programmer.
    – Valorum
    Jun 5, 2015 at 20:05
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    @pioneer yea, cause printer interoperability or porting drivers is ever easy.
    – user16696
    Jun 5, 2015 at 20:09
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    @cde: It would be very bizarre if there weren't some kind of standard replicator pattern exchange format common to all the major Alpha quadrant worlds — especially as every other person in the galaxy is apparently a world-class hacker/programmer.
    – Lèse majesté
    Jun 5, 2015 at 21:04
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    @cde: I think you're confusing drivers with file formats. Yes, hardware-specific drivers have to be written in order to even use the I/O device (that's the whole purpose of drivers). But you don't need to convert a JPEG or PDF to an Epson- or Canon-specific format to print it. Likewise, when you switch CNC routers, you don't have to convert all of your CAD files. And even among most major proprietary formats or competing standards, there are simple ways to convert between them using common software.
    – Lèse majesté
    Jun 5, 2015 at 23:36
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Aside from @Richard's answer, you need authorization to replicate a uniform or weapon. The replicators have Digital Rights Management (DRM) to protect the ship and individuals, or else anyone could replicate anything they could think of.

It likely is tracked as well, because letting anyone print out as many copies as they want would be just as bad.

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  • Drm? This means?
    – Pioneer
    Jun 5, 2015 at 20:03
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    @Pioneer ; DRM = Digital Rights Management. Basically online copyright.
    – Valorum
    Jun 5, 2015 at 20:04

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