Anti-hijack program

[Gadrin]

I saw something recently on TV (sorry I didn't record it, just saw bits and pieces) that they can use IR/Thermo to tell the difference between identical twins. Apparently what's underneath is very different, so it takes the facial recognition software that casino's employ (the ones on TV anyhooo

) one step further.

Millimeter Waves can see thru items in some ways functioning like x-rays, so they can see weapons secreted under clothing, both passive and active. I believe the resolution is so good, you can also look into the rubble of a building and tell if someone is still breathing. This depends on the makeup of the building. Metal can't be seen thru.
Cement and bricks can. I think Anthony mentioned that chickenwire would cause problems, & Millimeter Waves are part of thermo. I've heard it called "through the wall radar".

Ultra Wide Band (UWB) also offers no multi-path interference of traditional radio, so that you can have many, many items utilizing it in the same area without interference. Apparently it's great for tracking where things are (people, assets, etc) very precisely. I've seen things on the Web where air craft carriers are testing UWB wireless for internal comm. I believe UWB is part of the millimetric band too. I believe range is limited however.

 

[Gadrin]

I saw something recently on TV (sorry I didn't record it, just saw bits and pieces) that they can use IR/Thermo to tell the difference between identical twins. Apparently what's underneath is very different, so it takes the facial recognition software that casino's employ (the ones on TV anyhooo

) one step further.

Millimeter Waves can see thru items in some ways functioning like x-rays, so they can see weapons secreted under clothing, both passive and active. I believe the resolution is so good, you can also look into the rubble of a building and tell if someone is still breathing. This depends on the makeup of the building. Metal can't be seen thru.
Cement and bricks can. I think Anthony mentioned that chickenwire would cause problems, & Millimeter Waves are part of thermo. I've heard it called "through the wall radar".

Ultra Wide Band (UWB) also offers no multi-path interference of traditional radio, so that you can have many, many items utilizing it in the same area without interference. Apparently it's great for tracking where things are (people, assets, etc) very precisely. I've seen things on the Web where air craft carriers are testing UWB wireless for internal comm. I believe UWB is part of the millimetric band too. I believe range is limited however.

 

[Supplement Four]

Originally posted by The Shaman:
Wow, thanks for that.

No prob. The SOM (and come to think of it, most of DGP's work) is superb.

Many of the sensors and monitoring protocols I could see on big TL 15 freighters and liners, but not on free traders and their ilk, which IMTU rarely are built above TL 11. I could see an enterprising crew adding some of those features, though: for example, IMTU a free trader doesn't automatically have video or holo cameras in cabins or passages or ret-scan or DNA-sensor keyed locks, but they are often added after the ship is acquired.

Well, that's actually in-line with what the SOM says. My description above detailed starships TL 13 and above. Yours are TL 11. And,the SOM does talk about ship security at TL 9-11 using personal ID cards (not unlike what we have today).

So, at TL 11, what you're talking about makes sense, even when referencing the SOM.

-S4

 

[Supplement Four]

Originally posted by The Shaman:
Wow, thanks for that.

No prob. The SOM (and come to think of it, most of DGP's work) is superb.

Many of the sensors and monitoring protocols I could see on big TL 15 freighters and liners, but not on free traders and their ilk, which IMTU rarely are built above TL 11. I could see an enterprising crew adding some of those features, though: for example, IMTU a free trader doesn't automatically have video or holo cameras in cabins or passages or ret-scan or DNA-sensor keyed locks, but they are often added after the ship is acquired.

Well, that's actually in-line with what the SOM says. My description above detailed starships TL 13 and above. Yours are TL 11. And,the SOM does talk about ship security at TL 9-11 using personal ID cards (not unlike what we have today).

So, at TL 11, what you're talking about makes sense, even when referencing the SOM.

-S4

 

[The Shaman]

Originally posted by Supplement Four:
The SOM (and come to think of it, most of DGP's work) is superb.

Next time I have a couple of C-notes burning a hole in my wallet, I'll make a bid for it on eBay.

Originally posted by Supplement Four:
Well, that's actually in-line with what the SOM says. My description above detailed starships TL 13 and above. Yours are TL 11. And,the SOM does talk about ship security at TL 9-11 using personal ID cards (not unlike what we have today).

So, at TL 11, what you're talking about makes sense, even when referencing the SOM.

So there we go.

Thanks again.

 

[The Shaman]

Originally posted by Supplement Four:
The SOM (and come to think of it, most of DGP's work) is superb.

Next time I have a couple of C-notes burning a hole in my wallet, I'll make a bid for it on eBay.

Originally posted by Supplement Four:
Well, that's actually in-line with what the SOM says. My description above detailed starships TL 13 and above. Yours are TL 11. And,the SOM does talk about ship security at TL 9-11 using personal ID cards (not unlike what we have today).

So, at TL 11, what you're talking about makes sense, even when referencing the SOM.

So there we go.

Thanks again.

 

[Supplement Four]

Originally posted by The Shaman:
Next time I have a couple of C-notes burning a hole in my wallet, I'll make a bid for it on eBay.

Ah, you just have to shop...and get a little lucky. Keep your eyes out for it.

Not to long ago, I was in the market for DGP's GRAND CENSUS and GRAND SURVEY. I've had DGP's World Builder Handbook since it was new on the game store shelves, but I'd heard that GC and GS were the same, but different, and more CT oriented.

Well, I searched, and I looked, and I flipped over rocks.

And then...on this strange web site, I found a guy who had been trying to sell off some of his rpg collection for 3 years. Yep. There GC and GS was--for three freakin' years. The guy only wanted $20 a piece for them. Heck, I would have given him $80 a piece.

Now, I've got both of them, and I think they're excellent.

Like I said...just shop and keep your ears and eyes open. You might be able to find the SOM from someone one of these days.

It's well worth the look.

-S4

 

[Supplement Four]

Originally posted by The Shaman:
Next time I have a couple of C-notes burning a hole in my wallet, I'll make a bid for it on eBay.

Ah, you just have to shop...and get a little lucky. Keep your eyes out for it.

Not to long ago, I was in the market for DGP's GRAND CENSUS and GRAND SURVEY. I've had DGP's World Builder Handbook since it was new on the game store shelves, but I'd heard that GC and GS were the same, but different, and more CT oriented.

Well, I searched, and I looked, and I flipped over rocks.

And then...on this strange web site, I found a guy who had been trying to sell off some of his rpg collection for 3 years. Yep. There GC and GS was--for three freakin' years. The guy only wanted $20 a piece for them. Heck, I would have given him $80 a piece.

Now, I've got both of them, and I think they're excellent.

Like I said...just shop and keep your ears and eyes open. You might be able to find the SOM from someone one of these days.

It's well worth the look.

-S4

 

[The Shaman]

I think that goes a ways beyond being a "little lucky." Good on you, though!

 

[The Shaman]

I think that goes a ways beyond being a "little lucky." Good on you, though!

 

[shadowdragon]

quote:Originally posted by Supplement Four and reposted by boomslang:
Beginning at TL 13, starships begin to incorporate synaptics into their CPUs. As a result, the starship computer begins to seem more like one of the crew (HAL) than just a machine.

Not the most confidence-inspiring of examples... that psychotic AI nearly murdered the entire crew compliment... this is perhaps the best argument against automating active measures and turing your home into a warbot.


HAL was only a problem because he was given conflicting orders, and ordered not to discuss his "secret" orders with the crew. programmer induced psychosis was the result. we all know that 3I programmers know better than that...

 

[shadowdragon]

quote:Originally posted by Supplement Four and reposted by boomslang:
Beginning at TL 13, starships begin to incorporate synaptics into their CPUs. As a result, the starship computer begins to seem more like one of the crew (HAL) than just a machine.

Not the most confidence-inspiring of examples... that psychotic AI nearly murdered the entire crew compliment... this is perhaps the best argument against automating active measures and turing your home into a warbot.


HAL was only a problem because he was given conflicting orders, and ordered not to discuss his "secret" orders with the crew. programmer induced psychosis was the result. we all know that 3I programmers know better than that...

 

[shadowdragon]

Rather than requiring active interaction from each crew member on a random basis, it would be more efficient for the computer to simply log all events in a set length log file, set by user for maximum length in time (i.e. 1 hour, 1 day, 7 days, etc..) rather than file length. all out of the ordinary events automatically notify security, which can allow or disallow as needed. as TL increases the number of interactions with the security officer can be decreased by automating many security protocols, such events being logged and tagged for immediate reveiw.

also, certain stations can be assumed to be free of such supervision unless activated by authorized personell, i.e. the engineering station can access engineering controls, but requires an override to access nav or security controls. another override locks access from "default" stations etc....
much more user friendly and less intrusive.

 

[shadowdragon]

Rather than requiring active interaction from each crew member on a random basis, it would be more efficient for the computer to simply log all events in a set length log file, set by user for maximum length in time (i.e. 1 hour, 1 day, 7 days, etc..) rather than file length. all out of the ordinary events automatically notify security, which can allow or disallow as needed. as TL increases the number of interactions with the security officer can be decreased by automating many security protocols, such events being logged and tagged for immediate reveiw.

also, certain stations can be assumed to be free of such supervision unless activated by authorized personell, i.e. the engineering station can access engineering controls, but requires an override to access nav or security controls. another override locks access from "default" stations etc....
much more user friendly and less intrusive.

 

[Gadrin]

Originally posted by shadowdragon:
Rather than requiring active interaction from each crew member on a random basis, it would be more efficient for the computer to simply log all events in a set length log file, set by user for maximum length in time (i.e. 1 hour, 1 day, 7 days, etc..) rather than file length. all out of the ordinary events automatically notify security, which can allow or disallow as needed. as TL increases the number of interactions with the security officer can be decreased by automating many security protocols, such events being logged and tagged for immediate reveiw.

also, certain stations can be assumed to be free of such supervision unless activated by authorized personell, i.e. the engineering station can access engineering controls, but requires an override to access nav or security controls. another override locks access from "default" stations etc....
much more user friendly and less intrusive.

I think storage space is almost a non-issue, such that merchant or starship regulators might require minimum of quarterly storage of logs and vids (such as security camera footage nowadays).

I'd think most staterooms would have a terminal and some sort of minimum guest account, so that the week in jumpspace isn't limited to what you bring aboard as a passenger or becomes the "next time I take CRYO or FAST". I could see some ships making terminals like one-arm bandits with a time-cost usage surcharge, that gets added onto their bill, like phone charges in hotels.

 

[Gadrin]

Originally posted by shadowdragon:
Rather than requiring active interaction from each crew member on a random basis, it would be more efficient for the computer to simply log all events in a set length log file, set by user for maximum length in time (i.e. 1 hour, 1 day, 7 days, etc..) rather than file length. all out of the ordinary events automatically notify security, which can allow or disallow as needed. as TL increases the number of interactions with the security officer can be decreased by automating many security protocols, such events being logged and tagged for immediate reveiw.

also, certain stations can be assumed to be free of such supervision unless activated by authorized personell, i.e. the engineering station can access engineering controls, but requires an override to access nav or security controls. another override locks access from "default" stations etc....
much more user friendly and less intrusive.

I think storage space is almost a non-issue, such that merchant or starship regulators might require minimum of quarterly storage of logs and vids (such as security camera footage nowadays).

I'd think most staterooms would have a terminal and some sort of minimum guest account, so that the week in jumpspace isn't limited to what you bring aboard as a passenger or becomes the "next time I take CRYO or FAST". I could see some ships making terminals like one-arm bandits with a time-cost usage surcharge, that gets added onto their bill, like phone charges in hotels.

 

[The Shaman]

Originally posted by Gadrin:
I'd think most staterooms would have a terminal and some sort of minimum guest account, so that the week in jumpspace isn't limited to what you bring aboard as a passenger or becomes the "next time I take CRYO or FAST". I could see some ships making terminals like one-arm bandits with a time-cost usage surcharge, that gets added onto their bill, like phone charges in hotels.

I can't see any way a starship would allow the passengers access to a computer terminal that interacts with ship's systems (other than the power socket in the bulkhead, of course). IMTU the "terminals" available to the passengers are stand-alone readers which may be used to access data cubes (i.e., games, videos, books, library data) from the ship's collection, and they provide a limited set of tools like a word processor and spreadsheet, but they cannot be used to access the ship's computer or other systems under any circumstances.

 

[The Shaman]

Originally posted by Gadrin:
I'd think most staterooms would have a terminal and some sort of minimum guest account, so that the week in jumpspace isn't limited to what you bring aboard as a passenger or becomes the "next time I take CRYO or FAST". I could see some ships making terminals like one-arm bandits with a time-cost usage surcharge, that gets added onto their bill, like phone charges in hotels.

I can't see any way a starship would allow the passengers access to a computer terminal that interacts with ship's systems (other than the power socket in the bulkhead, of course). IMTU the "terminals" available to the passengers are stand-alone readers which may be used to access data cubes (i.e., games, videos, books, library data) from the ship's collection, and they provide a limited set of tools like a word processor and spreadsheet, but they cannot be used to access the ship's computer or other systems under any circumstances.

 

[boomslang]

Originally posted by The Shaman:
IMTU the "terminals" available to the passengers are stand-alone readers which may be used to access data cubes (i.e., games, videos, books, library data) from the ship's collection, and they provide a limited set of tools like a word processor and spreadsheet, but they cannot be used to access the ship's computer or other systems under any circumstances.

Good plan, but then how do they access the Library program?

There's of course a huge difference between allowing (monitored, logged) terminal sessions for database queries and allowing command-line root-level shells to run applications or send system commands. Indeed, I'd expect there's a whole secondary revenue stream to be tapped providing ship-based pay-per-view services...

There should be no problem with allowing installed dumb terminals to access non-critical computer functions such as the Library program; passengers (and non-owner crew, for that matter) would simply be prohibited from networking their own computational devices to the ship's mainframe... that'll elminate most of your hacking pathways right there.

 

[boomslang]

Originally posted by The Shaman:
IMTU the "terminals" available to the passengers are stand-alone readers which may be used to access data cubes (i.e., games, videos, books, library data) from the ship's collection, and they provide a limited set of tools like a word processor and spreadsheet, but they cannot be used to access the ship's computer or other systems under any circumstances.

Good plan, but then how do they access the Library program?

There's of course a huge difference between allowing (monitored, logged) terminal sessions for database queries and allowing command-line root-level shells to run applications or send system commands. Indeed, I'd expect there's a whole secondary revenue stream to be tapped providing ship-based pay-per-view services...

There should be no problem with allowing installed dumb terminals to access non-critical computer functions such as the Library program; passengers (and non-owner crew, for that matter) would simply be prohibited from networking their own computational devices to the ship's mainframe... that'll elminate most of your hacking pathways right there.