Computers in Traveller

Who, besides me, is dissatisfied with Traveller's handling of computers? I
have two main gripes.

First, hands up those who still believe Traveller's claim that hand/pocket
computers arrive at TL10. Now put down your hands, those who don't think today
is TL10, or TL9 at least. Why? Because I _have_ a pocket computer. O.K., so
it's not as powerful as a desktop computer, and pocket computers never will be
as powerful as desktop computers, because whatever high tech chips are used to
make the pocket computer powerful, more of the same can be used to make a more
powerful desktop machine. But mine has 32K RAM (expandable), and a built-in
programming language which is a cross between BASIC and PASCAL. And it can talk
to larger machines, if an RS232 interface (which the makers can supply) is
fitted.

Second, the table of computers in Book 5, High Guard, implies that as
technology advances, computers get larger, more powerful and more expensive.
Now it seems to me, in the real world, they either stay the same size and price
and get more powerful, or they get smaller and cheaper for the same price. Take
my pocket machine, for example; apart from display, it'll outclass a PET no
trouble; and what today fills a cabinet would previously have filled a room.
Also, High Guard mentions "fibre-optic backup". In modern computers, and
military ones especially, they use fibre-optics as the _primary_ connection.
Besides, wouldn't the radiation, which fib models are supposed to be proof
against, also zap the chips?

Now, my solutions. Pocket computers are available at TL8, for a few Cr100's.
I haven't worked out a way of translating present computer trends into High
Guard terms without making every published ship obsolete. After all, at TL15,
a Model 3 is probably desktop, and a Model 2 pocket-sized. But instead of "fib"
meaning "fibre-optic backup", it just means "backup", in the form of extra,
redundant components, e.g. processors. For damage purposes, I assume the
ship has two computers. When the computer is damaged, I roll 1D to decide
which one is hit, and always use the least damaged one for that ship's fire
modifiers.

Any comments? Am I overlooking something critical? How does MegaTraveller
handle computers?

 "Keyboard? Tis quaint!" - M. Scott

 Adrian Hurt			     |	JANET:  [email removed]
 UUCP: ..!ukc!cs.hw.ac.uk!adrian     |  ARPA:   [email removed]