Something thats been tossed around in sliders newsgroup is how exactly the timer functions without the Sliding Machine back home.
My take on it is this:
Each dimension has its own Quantum Frequency(QF) for lack of a better term to describe it unique characteristic.
When the Sliding Machine (SL) is powered up and activated it creates the wormhole by generating a singularity to cause a rip (a spot where the QFs are mixing) that allows people and things with one QF to move into another dimension.
The timer is needed to sync up witht he SL when its own timing system kicks in and it makes a second rip to the same random dimension later, allowing the traveller to return to thier dimension of origin.
The timer is over-ridden to escape a hostile environment and later the SL tries to return the Sliders via the timer but fails to make contact.
How is the timer replacing the SL?
In Summer of Love Quinn explains the "window of oppurtunity" but until that point they slide using the timer without said windows. How?
Also in later seasons Rickmans timer (which uses the same system) is able to escape dimensions earlier than the Sliders. How? If his system is "more powerful" and able to open vortexes earlier then the Sliders should NEVER catch up, since they will ALWAYS have to wait longer, and if you only get a window every 29.7 years how do they make multiple trips to the same dimension only days apart and then leave again and again?
Hope someone cna answer these questions (really I do).
I, the moderator, am only a sophmore undergraduate. I have virtually NO idea when it comes to quantum mechanics, etc. :-) Maybe someone CAN answer your questions.
The problem is that Sliding involves both General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. A full bore description of Quantum Gravity has not been developed (see the Science Nightstand boards over on the Kitchen Sink). String theory looks good, but science is full of stuff that looked good...
Weeeellll... my take is that once Quinn created the Wormhole, it existed. Period. The timer simply causes it to manifest itself. At certain intervals you can access it properly to get back to your home destination. Other times it is random. So he's still using the same wormhole he created on Day One.
Er, well... maybe I'll just ignore "Slide Like an Egyptian"...