Virus, Geology, and Oops!

Hans Rancke-Madsen [email removed] writes:
> What's the bet that someone will develop a non-silicon chip before the
> Cymberline predator has been on the scene 10 years?

Definitely.  Presumably the Imperium continued to use silicon because the
available alternatives were more expensive and more difficult to use.
Therefore, a "virus-proof" computer would probably be larger, more
expensive, and be produced in fewer numbers, than computers were during the
days of the Imperium.


[email removed] (Catie Helm) writes:
> Overall, I think Corran's idea of UPPs for planets is a good one.  I'd
> like to see something like it for Traveller.

If changes like this are made, I'd like to see the whole UPP and world
generation rules re-designed, instead of trying to "retro-fit" it into the
current codes.

What do you think of codes for World Type (indicates core type and general
density range), World Size (as in the current system), Atmosphere Type (type
of gas mix) and Atmosphere Density (pressure).  Some attempts at coding are
listed below (I'm way outta my field here, so go ahead and flame me):

World Type:
0 = Rubble (small rock, iron, or ice chunks)
1 = Ice Asteroids (asteroids with high ice, low rock and metal content)
2 = Rock Asteroids
3 = Metal (Iron) Asteroids
4 = Low-Density Planet (under about 3 g/cc; typical of moons)
5 = Average-Density Planet (3-5 g/cc)
6 = High-Density Planet (over 5 g/cc)

World Size (maybe finally convert this to thousands of kilometers rather
than thousands of miles?)

Atmosphere Type (by primary gas in mix):
0 = No Atmosphere
1 = Carbon Dioxide
2 = Carbon Dioxide w/ "Taint"
3 = Oxygen-Nitrogen
4 = Oxygen-Nitrogen w/ "Taint"
5 = Exotic
6 = Exotic w/ "Taint"
7 = Corrosive
8 = Insidous

In the above "Taint" indicates the presence of something which requres
caution beyond the normal for that atmosphere type; an irritant, mild
pathogen, or some other such problem.  A world comfortable tempratures and a
1atm Carbon Dioxide atmosphere should require only an oxygen mask.  Such a
world with a "Taint" might require a face mask or an environment suit to
protect visitors.


Recently, I wrote:
> ... in the case of a 6g combat ship, 100 seconds of 30g accelleration
> means a displacement of 150km (and a velocity vector change of 3km/s)!

Somehow, I managed to drop a factor of 10 there (see what I get for writing
when I should be sleeping).  That should be 1,500km and 30km/sec.  I hate it
when I do that!

[email removed]
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                                                 Science-Fiction Adventure
                                                         in the Far Future