Re: Computers in FFS/TNE
In reply to #6502 Computers in FFS/TNE by Joe Heck
Joe Heck [email removed] wrote: > So take a look, I wrote out everything I could think > of, and tell me what y'all think. It looks good! > Worth submitting to GDW for TNE? Definitely! > Another interesting bit is the mention of the TL15 Mod 10M neural computer > is the first model of neural implant computer capable of "hosting" the virus > - making me suspect that it's compatriot the TL10 Mod 10 Std 'mainframe' > ... They also mention that earlier versions can still contain the > virus as "carriers". This leads me to the conclusion that TL9 & previous > computers are largely safe from the virus (just restart them). Not quite. The Virus can still leave "eggs" using it's magic silicon re-designing ability. Even though a TL9 and earlier computer isn't really capable of hosting the virus, it can serve as a source of infection, even if the computer is turned off and restarted. To clean out the computer, you have to dissassemble it and test the individual components, replacing any of them that contain a virus "egg". Then you reformat all the storage media and erase any non-volatile memory arrays (like CMOS or Flash-EEPROM) before putting the thing back together. Then, provided you have done a complete and thourough job, your computer will work, and won't be a Virus carrier. Computer Types: I'd like to suggest some more characteristics of the various types of computers you detail. By the way, I'm using a notation I find convenient, and similar to the "look" of Classic Traveller computer designations. It's explained below: Example: Meaning Mod/7 TL-7 Standard "Mainframe" Computer Mod/7-Fib TL-7 Fiber-Optic "Mainframe" Computer Mod/7F TL-7 Flight Computer Mod/7F-Fib TL-7 Fiber-Optic Flight Computer Mod/7D "Model 7" Desktop Computer (roughly equivalent of Mod/7) Mod/7H "Model 7" Hand Computer (roughly equivalent of Mod/7F) Mod/7M "Model 7" Micro Computer (cyber-implant, equivalent of Mod/7F) > "Mainframe" Computers These would be designed for use where volume isn't a problem, but the best performance is definitely required. The best contemporary equivalents would be small supercomputers, or "super-minis" configured for use as servers in a client-server environment. The smaller flight computers can't perform jump calculations, and are limited in the fuctions they can perform. In Traveller, "Mainframe" computers get used as database servers, dealing out library data, astrographic information, entertainment, technical information and a wide range of other services to a large number of client desktop, laptop, hand, and implant computers. The other use is similar to the way supercomputers are used today: to quickly solve problems (like jump calculations) that are too large or complex to solve on smaller computers. We can probably get a sense of scale and power for these things by noting that the Mod/7 (the TL-7 "standard" computer) is probably the rought equivalent of the biggest late-1970's mainframes or supercomputers. The server version is probably the equivalent of an IBM 3080-something, while the supercomputer version likeley resembles something Seymour Cray designed for other companies before he formed his own firm. At TL-8 we have the Mod/8, which I would guess as being roughly equivalent to either an IBM 3090-400, or one of larger Crays that became available towards the end of the 80's, depending on whether you're talking about the data server or the supercomputer version. > Flight Computers According to FF&S, these are limited computers, optimized in both hardware and software to solve a particular set of problems. One of these applications is of course running a fly-by-wire (or fly-by-light, in the case of fiber-optic flight computers) control system: reading attitude, position, and velocity sensors combining this data with the pilot's control inputs, and generating the right control surface outputs to both do the pilot's bidding and keep the vehicle under control. Flight computers can, of course, be designed for other functions. Some common ones would be handling a weapon or sensor system, or performing diagnostics on all of the installed equipment. The closest contemporary equivalents would be the various military standard real-time computer systems used as flight computers, weapon guidance, and controllers for various missile, sensor, and countermeasures systems installed on modern combat vehicles. One that (perhaps) more people would be familliar with are the flight computers installed on the latest jetliners, with their "glass cockpits" and sophisticated sensors. All of these contemporary equivalents would be roughly equivalent to Mod/7F or Mod/8F computers. Proposed new "fly-by-light" systems would be the rough equivalents of Mod/8F-Fib > Neural Implant Computers Would these things really be the equivalent of "standard" mainframes? The application (direct interface with the human brain) is *very* different; I'd guess that the more closely resemble flight computers than the big server and supercomputer machines. The Neural Implants would be roughly similar to flight computers in that most of the software you would use with one of these is pre-installed and built-in, although with a good bit more storage space for all the random data that people tend to collect and want available at a moment's notice. The implanted computers would also be similar to flight computers because, like flight computers, they would have to respond to sensor and control inputs in a "real-time" manner. Unlike a flight computer, they would have to have storage and application programs roughly similar to hand computers, to store and retrieve data for the user. > Desktop/Laptop Computers I agree with you on this one: the desktops and laptops are going to be approximately equivalent to mainframe computers of a tech level or two earlier. However, the desktop computers are going to be less optimized for massive throughput or serving large numbers of clients, and instead designed towards meeting the needs of a single user. Therefore, a lot of it's resources go towards the user interface and presentation of data. Although these computers would very possibly be installed on a starship, their design makes them incapable of being readily adapted to flight control or jump calculations applications (however, player characters in dire need could always try some role-playing and a Formidable throw agains their applicable computer asset). As computers for one individual go, these machines are very powerful, and relatively expensive. Therefore, those that use them need the extra computer power for their work: scientists, engineers, and the like will use them extensively. Since the first listed computer is at TL-9, it's hard to guess at a rough equivalent, and besides, I have a suggestion: The computers you list seem to be in the workstation and super-workstation class judging by price. Cr 20,000 is more than most would be willing to pay to equip themselves with a computer. THere is now, and probably always will be, office and home computers in the $3000 to $5000 price range, equipping the vast majority of computer-equipped workers. (see below for a "fix" to this problem). > Hand Computers > The TL11 hand comp is listed as being rated the same as a "Model 1". I had > to look back to MT to check it, but they spec'd a model 1 as a TL5 computer. > Since we've obviously progressed beyond that point - I equivilant'd it to a > mod 7 flight computer. We had a long discussion about that a while back. It was my opinion that, interpreted literally, MegaTraveller was trying to say that a "Model 1" was the rough equivalent of an IBM 705 (which was a very powerful mainframe computer for TL-5). By today's standards, the 705 makes an average programmable pocket calculator (but a little slow). Again, I agree with your table, and am assuming that the hand computers are the descendants of the currently-new class of "Personal Digital Assistants". With better software, more storage, better communications, and other improvements, these little machines will be indespensable companions for many people in the Far Future. Most of the software is pre-installed or built-in, like other "flight computer" equivalents. The main job of these machines is like that projected for the PDAs: to keep the owner in contact with the rest of the world, and to keep track of all the disparate pieces of information that the user accumulates and wants instant access to. I would suggest that the larger and more capable machines derived from the hand computers (let's call them "Personal Computers") be considerably cheaper. As you say, they are roughly equivalent to a "standard" computer, larger than the hand computers, but much smaller and more portable than the desktop systems. But note that at TL-11 such a machine would be the rough equivalent of a Mod/7, while the Desktop computer is the equivalent of a Mod/9, and only a tiny bit over twice the price. Instead of multiplying the price by 10, multiply by 3. These "personal" comptuers are the general access terminals and user interface machines that most people use to get to their library data and other information stored on the larger mainframes. Small and cheap, these computers are found literally everywhere at higher tech levels. Again, there's no contemporary equivalent, but think of these things as the ultimate descendant of the home computers like the Commodore 64 and Amiga 600, combined with Interactive CD-ROM, and game machines like the Atari, Nintendo, and Sega; all rolled into one. > Some postulated breakthroughs: These all make sense to me. > TL13 3D VR (holography&gravitic manipulation to give tactile feedback) The HoloDeck! > So... thoughts? Good! What do you think of my suggestions? [email removed] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Science-Fiction Adventure In the Far Future