Stuff...

A thread of 2 messages, 30 June 1991 to 2 July 1991, in the order they were sent.

#2493 Stuff...

[unnamed sender] · 30 June 1991

Here is some more silly stuff,

Why is it, when at TL11 a model 1 computer fits on your wrist, the ships
computer is just as big as a TL8 model 1 computer?

Why do Beam lasers have such a low ROF?  If the beam is constanly on
wouldn't that constitute a HUGE ROF?  Depending on the Power of the laser


A while ago, someone said the fusion rocket is impossible:  exhaust velocity
would have to be greater than speed of light.

Actually, as v goes to c, mass increases, thaerefore you can get any momentum
you want to if your exhaust goes relativistic.

According to JTAS 8 or so, Jack-o-T meant your back ground concerning your
other skills was extremely broad.  You could perform tasks related to ones
you had mastered in a manner similar to Instruction skill

ie if you have Pilot-3 and Jack-o-T-3 you can perform as a Navigator-2
 or Engineering-2 Jack-o-T-1, you can perform at Electronic-0, mech-0, etc

The example in the Journal of TAS 8 or maybe 12? was Truck driver flying a
Air/Raft.

Does this definition still apply?  Or has it been supplanted by new def?
I used to have a Physics-3 Jack-o-T-3 character, therefore Chem-2, Bio-1,
Astronomy-2, Computer-2 etc.

That is how I use Jack-T skill, anyone else?


One last note,

A couple of months ago I  was babysitting my nephew 4 yrs old, and ran accross
a Children's cartoon where the villans are A VARGR CORSAIR BAND.

No doubt about it, admittedly they fly TL-5 - TL6 airplanes, but they act as
corsairs (animated wolves)

I started watching this cartoon (it is pretty funny some times, awful at
others) until I saw th pilot.

The Pilot is an adaptation of THE TRAVELLER ADVENTURE, yes Cargo pilot
and pirate band defector team up with megacorp to stop Corsair band from
obtaining spinal mount!  How do they do it?  By stealing a crystal!!!!!

Unfortunately the corsairs, led by the Fabulous Don Carnage (roll the R...)
are not always on the scene.  There are some bad episodes.  (What do you
want it's a kids afternoon cartoon)  And the Corsairs follow the best
traditions of inept cartoon bad guys, but Don Carnage is the stereotypical
Vargr Ship captain

	"uhh captain?... we were wondering..."
Carnage:  "Speak up my door is always open sometimes..."

	Uhhh well we don't understand your latest plan..."

Carnage:  "That is why I am in charge and you are bit players!"

Carnage"  "Oh, did I hurt your feelings?"

	Murmers of assent

Carnage:   "Good!  This is all part of my master plan...."

etc.

Anyway, This is OBVIOUSLY inspired by Traveller, and I thought I should
tell you about it.  Please don't accuse me of watching silly kids cartoons
without good reason.

Yes it is set @ TL5 or6 but it is Trav

enough rambling

Mr. Scott

OOPS!  The cartoon is Disney's "Tail Spin"

#2503 Re: (2493) Stuff...

Robert S. Dean · 2 July 1991 · reply to #2493

Scott Kellogg writes:
> Subject: (2493) Stuff...
>
> Why is it, when at TL11 a model 1 computer fits on your wrist, the ships
> computer is just as big as a TL8 model 1 computer?

If we ever get back to TDR, the full range of 'tech improved' components
will obviously have to address computers.  I tried to fit that hand computer
into a draft chart for computer size/weight by TL, and there was no way
to get it to fit in reasonably.  My temporary solution is to ignore the
line that says that it is equivalent to a Model 1.  If we do decrease
computer size/weight/cost with increasing tech level, there will be one
immediately apparent effect on the game--TL14/15 merchant ships will easily
be able to mount Comp 5,6,or 7, making piracy and so forth, especially
by lower tech ships, even more unviable than it is already.  Vargr corsairs
beware...

> Why do Beam lasers have such a low ROF?  If the beam is constanly on
> wouldn't that constitute a HUGE ROF?  Depending on the Power of the laser

Maybe so...but it also does twice the damage of a pulse laser with the
same energy consumption, which is good enough for me (at least right now.)

> A while ago, someone said the fusion rocket is impossible:  exhaust velocity
> would have to be greater than speed of light.

At the listed fuel consumption...

> Actually, as v goes to c, mass increases, thaerefore you can get any momentum
> you want to if your exhaust goes relativistic.

No.  The problem, as described to me (and this was Dow Rieder's calculation),
is that you are limited by the amount of energy contained in that quantity
of hydrogen you are fusing.  So, most of our propulsion systems are terrible
energy sinks, but we also have the fusion rocket, which not only uses a fusion
process orders of magnitude better than our power reactors, but also lets us
take power out rather than putting power in...that's the problem.

> (description of JOAT with examples deleted)

The definition of JOAT according to the rules is that it does little except
represent your 'resourcefulness' with the other skills you already have.
This is done by allowing you extra tries at performing a task without
imposing the 'determination' checks and corresponding increases in task
difficulty that would otherwise occur.  No "everything=JOAT-1" any more.

Rob Dean