Ship's computers

Scott ([email removed]) writes:


>  As I said above, TL 15 starports are FAR to busy making mailitary and large
>craft to make many free traders, thus the average free trader is about TL 12 or
>so.  One can still run a free trader off a 1/bis, but it is not as tempting.

Computer questions!  First off, what does 'bis' mean?  I remember that 'fib'
meant something like 'fiber backup', but 'bis' escapes me.  "Big Information
System"?

Also, what actual effect does differing computer models have on ship's
functions, aside from the DM's to the various tasks?  For example, the 200-ton
trader detailed in the Starship Operator's Guide:  Is it doing all of this crew
recognition, entertainment holograms, etc. on a model 1 computer?  If it is
powerful enough to do all this, is there any reason to have a better (more $)
model?  And if it's not, why waste processing on 'frills' at the expense of the
DM's for combat, etc.?

Am I confused?  I think so.  (That would be standard.)

                                           Bob

Bob Mahoney                                     BITNET: [email removed]
PSC Computer Services                           uucp: [email removed]
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