Joe Heck [email removed] wrote:
> So take a look, I wrote out everything I could think
> of, and tell me what y'all think.
It looks good!
> Worth submitting to GDW for TNE?
Definitely!
> Another interesting bit is the mention of the TL15 Mod 10M neural computer
> is the first model of neural implant computer capable of "hosting" the virus
> - making me suspect that it's compatriot the TL10 Mod 10 Std 'mainframe'
> ... They also mention that earlier versions can still contain the
> virus as "carriers". This leads me to the conclusion that TL9 & previous
> computers are largely safe from the virus (just restart them).
Not quite. The Virus can still leave "eggs" using it's magic silicon
re-designing ability. Even though a TL9 and earlier computer isn't really
capable of hosting the virus, it can serve as a source of infection, even if
the computer is turned off and restarted.
To clean out the computer, you have to dissassemble it and test the
individual components, replacing any of them that contain a virus "egg".
Then you reformat all the storage media and erase any non-volatile memory
arrays (like CMOS or Flash-EEPROM) before putting the thing back together.
Then, provided you have done a complete and thourough job, your computer
will work, and won't be a Virus carrier.
Computer Types: I'd like to suggest some more characteristics of the
various types of computers you detail. By the way, I'm using a notation I
find convenient, and similar to the "look" of Classic Traveller computer
designations. It's explained below:
Example: Meaning
Mod/7 TL-7 Standard "Mainframe" Computer
Mod/7-Fib TL-7 Fiber-Optic "Mainframe" Computer
Mod/7F TL-7 Flight Computer
Mod/7F-Fib TL-7 Fiber-Optic Flight Computer
Mod/7D "Model 7" Desktop Computer (roughly equivalent of Mod/7)
Mod/7H "Model 7" Hand Computer (roughly equivalent of Mod/7F)
Mod/7M "Model 7" Micro Computer (cyber-implant, equivalent of Mod/7F)
> "Mainframe" Computers
These would be designed for use where volume isn't a problem, but the best
performance is definitely required. The best contemporary equivalents would
be small supercomputers, or "super-minis" configured for use as servers in a
client-server environment. The smaller flight computers can't perform jump
calculations, and are limited in the fuctions they can perform.
In Traveller, "Mainframe" computers get used as database servers, dealing
out library data, astrographic information, entertainment, technical
information and a wide range of other services to a large number of client
desktop, laptop, hand, and implant computers. The other use is similar to
the way supercomputers are used today: to quickly solve problems (like jump
calculations) that are too large or complex to solve on smaller computers.
We can probably get a sense of scale and power for these things by noting
that the Mod/7 (the TL-7 "standard" computer) is probably the rought
equivalent of the biggest late-1970's mainframes or supercomputers. The
server version is probably the equivalent of an IBM 3080-something, while
the supercomputer version likeley resembles something Seymour Cray designed
for other companies before he formed his own firm. At TL-8 we have the
Mod/8, which I would guess as being roughly equivalent to either an IBM
3090-400, or one of larger Crays that became available towards the end of
the 80's, depending on whether you're talking about the data server or the
supercomputer version.
> Flight Computers
According to FF&S, these are limited computers, optimized in both hardware
and software to solve a particular set of problems. One of these
applications is of course running a fly-by-wire (or fly-by-light, in the
case of fiber-optic flight computers) control system: reading attitude,
position, and velocity sensors combining this data with the pilot's control
inputs, and generating the right control surface outputs to both do the
pilot's bidding and keep the vehicle under control.
Flight computers can, of course, be designed for other functions. Some
common ones would be handling a weapon or sensor system, or performing
diagnostics on all of the installed equipment.
The closest contemporary equivalents would be the various military standard
real-time computer systems used as flight computers, weapon guidance,
and controllers for various missile, sensor, and countermeasures systems
installed on modern combat vehicles. One that (perhaps) more people would
be familliar with are the flight computers installed on the latest
jetliners, with their "glass cockpits" and sophisticated sensors. All of
these contemporary equivalents would be roughly equivalent to Mod/7F or
Mod/8F computers. Proposed new "fly-by-light" systems would be the rough
equivalents of Mod/8F-Fib
> Neural Implant Computers
Would these things really be the equivalent of "standard" mainframes? The
application (direct interface with the human brain) is *very* different; I'd
guess that the more closely resemble flight computers than the big server
and supercomputer machines.
The Neural Implants would be roughly similar to flight computers in that
most of the software you would use with one of these is pre-installed and
built-in, although with a good bit more storage space for all the
random data that people tend to collect and want available at a moment's
notice. The implanted computers would also be similar to flight computers
because, like flight computers, they would have to respond to sensor and
control inputs in a "real-time" manner. Unlike a flight computer, they
would have to have storage and application programs roughly similar to hand
computers, to store and retrieve data for the user.
> Desktop/Laptop Computers
I agree with you on this one: the desktops and laptops are going to be
approximately equivalent to mainframe computers of a tech level or two
earlier. However, the desktop computers are going to be less optimized for
massive throughput or serving large numbers of clients, and instead designed
towards meeting the needs of a single user. Therefore, a lot of it's
resources go towards the user interface and presentation of data. Although
these computers would very possibly be installed on a starship, their design
makes them incapable of being readily adapted to flight control or jump
calculations applications (however, player characters in dire need could
always try some role-playing and a Formidable throw agains their applicable
computer asset). As computers for one individual go, these machines are
very powerful, and relatively expensive. Therefore, those that use them
need the extra computer power for their work: scientists, engineers, and the
like will use them extensively.
Since the first listed computer is at TL-9, it's hard to guess at a rough
equivalent, and besides, I have a suggestion: The computers you list seem to
be in the workstation and super-workstation class judging by price. Cr
20,000 is more than most would be willing to pay to equip themselves with a
computer. THere is now, and probably always will be, office and home
computers in the $3000 to $5000 price range, equipping the vast majority of
computer-equipped workers. (see below for a "fix" to this problem).
> Hand Computers
> The TL11 hand comp is listed as being rated the same as a "Model 1". I had
> to look back to MT to check it, but they spec'd a model 1 as a TL5 computer.
> Since we've obviously progressed beyond that point - I equivilant'd it to a
> mod 7 flight computer.
We had a long discussion about that a while back. It was my opinion that,
interpreted literally, MegaTraveller was trying to say that a "Model 1" was
the rough equivalent of an IBM 705 (which was a very powerful mainframe
computer for TL-5). By today's standards, the 705 makes an average
programmable pocket calculator (but a little slow).
Again, I agree with your table, and am assuming that the hand computers are
the descendants of the currently-new class of "Personal Digital Assistants".
With better software, more storage, better communications, and other
improvements, these little machines will be indespensable companions for
many people in the Far Future. Most of the software is pre-installed or
built-in, like other "flight computer" equivalents. The main job of these
machines is like that projected for the PDAs: to keep the owner in contact
with the rest of the world, and to keep track of all the disparate pieces of
information that the user accumulates and wants instant access to.
I would suggest that the larger and more capable machines derived from the
hand computers (let's call them "Personal Computers") be considerably
cheaper. As you say, they are roughly equivalent to a "standard" computer,
larger than the hand computers, but much smaller and more portable than the
desktop systems. But note that at TL-11 such a machine would be the rough
equivalent of a Mod/7, while the Desktop computer is the equivalent of a
Mod/9, and only a tiny bit over twice the price. Instead of multiplying the
price by 10, multiply by 3. These "personal" comptuers are the general
access terminals and user interface machines that most people use to get to
their library data and other information stored on the larger mainframes.
Small and cheap, these computers are found literally everywhere at higher
tech levels. Again, there's no contemporary equivalent, but think of these
things as the ultimate descendant of the home computers like the Commodore
64 and Amiga 600, combined with Interactive CD-ROM, and game machines like
the Atari, Nintendo, and Sega; all rolled into one.
> Some postulated breakthroughs:
These all make sense to me.
> TL13 3D VR (holography&gravitic manipulation to give tactile feedback)
The HoloDeck!
> So... thoughts?
Good! What do you think of my suggestions?
[email removed]
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Science-Fiction Adventure
In the Far Future