Thought I'd add my two cents to Mike's comments about fiber optics.
(Don flame-retardant suit: -- somewhat technical material follows.
Most of us already know this stuff but have forgotten it, if in doubt
ask. I probably blew it on a few points, too.)
The way a laser works (as far a weapons go) is to make a whole bunch
of electrons release their energy in a hurry. If you do this correctly,
this produces coherent light. This law-of-the-universe is not going
to change because of tech level.
The way to get all that energy into the electrons, is to "pump" them.
Typically, this is done with light. sometimes the pump is the same
wavelength as the discharge, not often, though. A typical laser
uses laser diodes (LED's, sort of) to pump the lasing medium. The
light frm the diodes is what goes through the fiber optic, not the light
from the laser. A very small cable does quite nicely for industrial-
strength lasers.
Likely, fiber optic cabelw will work for weapons, too. I believe Mike
was absolutely right, though when he said there are other reasons you
would not want to take TL8 fiber optics inot combat (heat, dust, EMP, etc.)
Me, I'd prefer the laser for orbital work (microgravity, no recoil, no
worry about rise/fall of the projectile) and a godd-sized slug thrower
for ground work (10mm gaus pistol?) (OK, I don't have strength 13+ to
carry the ammo :-( .)
- ------------
Sorry Mark. Next time I'll remember your name?
To Robert Dean: Stick with it. Just remember, by the time he's a
teen-ager, he'll be repaying all those sleepless nights with
more sleepless nights.
Some folks will go to ANY length to recruit Traveller Players :-)
(p.s. I already have four [three adopted])
====================
PBEM UPDATE:
Mark Cook has been helping me with an automatic reply for PBEM mail,
so I don't have to spend hours each day doing that. It's in process,
so might occassionally get a mail bounce. Keep trying.
Be sure to check in with me and with Dan Corrin (or just me if you're new).
It looks right now like we might attempt a re-start around 17 September
or so. We're waiting for those in .edu land to get their accounts.
Richard Johnson
[email removed]