Questions from a novice...

A thread of 2 messages, 17 March 1992 to 19 March 1992, in the order they were sent.

#3856 Questions from a novice...

	I've just gained an interest in Traveller.  After hearing a number of
interesting things about the game, I broke down and bought MegaTraveller.  I
love the system with a passion.  However, it is a little vague in some areas.

	Stupid question #1: About computers in craft creation: what does the
/fib and /bis mean under model?

	Stupid question #2: Someone please explain #12: Available orbits under
Extended system generation.  If you have three planets circling a binary
system with the B star at orbit 10, how are the planets situated? (assume
A is type MV star and B is type KV).

Thank you.

	Lucifer >:}

#3866 Re: Questions from a novice...

R W Morris writes:
> [MegaTraveller] is a little vague in some areas.

<chortle>

/fib indicates "Fiber Optic Backup", meaning that the computer is safe in
environments where there is a lot of electromagnetic radiation that can
upset electronic circuits.

/bis means "enhanced", if I remember correctly in Classic Traveller these
computers had more CPU but less storage.  I don't remember offhand what the
tradeoffs are for MegaTraveller.

> If you have three planets circling a binary system with the B star at
> orbit 10, how are the planets situated?

The type of the stars is not important to this discussion.  What matters
is what orbits the planets are in.  In this situation I think you roll
for the number of available orbits for each star.  Generally, the
Primary star will typically have orbits 1..n (n < 10?) available, and
the Secondary will have fewer 1..m (m < 6?) orbits.

In the case of Close binaries, the stars are nearly touching and have a
single shared planetary system.  In the case of Far binaries, the stars
are way far away and have complete and independent planetary systems.
The only time things get wierd are when the stars are in the in-between
range.

I know these answers are not definitive; I hope they are helpful and
inspire better understanding of the ruleset.

James