Ship's computers

Scott ([email removed]) writes:
>
> >Computer questions!  First off, what does 'bis' mean?  I remember that 'fib'
> >meant something like 'fiber backup', but 'bis' escapes me.  "Big Information
> >System"?
>
>   As best as I can tell, it means "better."  In Old Traveller, the bis models
> were identical to the normal ones, except that they had a mauch larger cpu and
> no storage. Thus, one could run better programs, but one had fewer options (in
> general)  This was an artifact of the old traveller system where one had
> specific programs that did things and took up generic space units.

Most importantly, there were a whole range of "Jump" programs, one for each
length of jump. The longer the jump, the larger the program. In addition to
the "Jump" program, you also had to run a "Navigate" program. A model 1
computer could run "Navigate" and "Jump-1" together, but not "Navigate" and
"Jump-2", which a scout/courier or far trader would need to do. A model 2
could do that, but cost MCr9, to the Model 1's MCr1, and in addition was
larger (2 tons vs. 1 ton). The model 1 bis could run "Navigate" and "Jump-2"
together, but only cost MCr4 and only took up 1 ton.

> 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?

The model 1 has 2 units CPU, and 4 units store. It could run anti-hijack (1
unit) permanently, and alternate between, say, Manoeuvre, Library, Target,
and a couple of others, each requiring 1 unit.

>								    If it is
> powerful enough to do all this, is there any reason to have a better (more $)
> model?

Yes. A model 1 can't do a jump-2. It also can't run many programs at once, and
can't run some of the nicer ones at all, e.g. "Double Fire" (4 units).

> ...					  Thus, a combat is the ideal time to
> try and take a ship over as its internal scanners may well be inoperative.

Under the old rules, just before jumping it the ideal time for this, for the
same reason. The computer is running "Navigate" and "Jump-1", each 1 unit.
If it's a model 1, that's all it's doing.

>  By the way, to the person who mentioned you "pocket computer," I believe that
> the model 1 is at or near mainframe levels of capability, pushing into the
> supercomputer regions.

That was me, and I know that. That's why I didn't ask for pocket computers to be
available at TL 7 or 8.

Now for my next gripe. "Fib" means "fibre-optic back-up", and is supposed to
protect the computer against radiation damage. Firstly, a half-decent EMP would
fry the chips, regardless of whether or not fibre-optics were being used.
Secondly, nowadays fibre-optics are starting to be used in the main circuits,
never mind back-ups, and for speed reasons as well as protection. So here's
what I do. A computer designated "fib" has a backup alright, consisting of
redundant components. If the computer gets damaged, by radiation or anything
else, the damage may be either to the main computer or to its back-up. So there
are effectively two computers, which I refer to as A and B. When computer
damage occurs, I roll 1D; on a roll of 1-3, A gets it; on a roll of 4-6, B gets
it. Whichever is the least damaged is the one which is used. In fact, there are
not two distinct machines; the least damaged set of components is being used.
But it's a quick'n'dirty system which allows simulation of back-up.

 "Keyboard? How quaint!" - M. Scott

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