Diagonal parking in a parallel universe

[SpaceBadger]

Sounds like T5 used something I've had in my ship design sequence for years. (I originally saw this in action at Ma Bells West U.S. main switching center in the 70s)

I don't have T5 yet; this was probably something in TTB or MT way back when, or maybe some of the GT stuff in the 90s.


EDIT: Holy CRAP!!! I was just wondering if this sort of thing might be covered in The Starship Operator's Manual, so I googled it and found one on Amazon: $149!!! I'd like to have it, but not that bad!

 

[arentol]

Which would take pulling out a calculator. It would take a LONG time. DAYS at least.

A calculator wouldn't be needed because the computer can do the calculations.

Remember, the rules say the Astrogator is "manually confirming the jump calculation". NOT that he is manually calculating the jump itself. Those can be, and logically must be, very different things.

My take on it is that the Astrogator would use separate secondary programs designed to help him verify each step of the main program was getting the right inputs and making the right outputs, and to double-check that something important wasn't missing. So not manual as in "entirely by hand", but manual as in "more manual than just telling a computer to do it, but still using a computer".

Kind of like how a programmer might use excel to create a formula before writing code to do the same thing, then use excel again to ensure the final code is outputting the right answer. And later if the formula needs to be tweaked the programmer returns to excel before making changes in the real code. Everything is done with a computer but a separate program is used in a more manual manner to verify the primary program.

 

[Licheking]

I have always assumed that along the main trade lanes, the green lines on sector maps, that almost all the possible jump entrances and exits have been calculated for that time and space for worlds along the trade lane for most jumps of up to 3 parsecs. Worlds with A and B starports and those with good TL say above 12 also do this for most of the worlds within 3 parsecs from themselves. They then also have SDB's and patrol craft covering these areas as well as some of the more obscure but accessible areas of the system just in case.

As for the 3 computers thing, well MT you had to buy 3 computers for any starship to meet minimum imperial standards, its nice o see that now its folded in to the price of the computer and its assumed you have the required 3 now covered in the design process.

 

[SpaceBadger]

As for the 3 computers thing, well MT you had to buy 3 computers for any starship to meet minimum imperial standards, its nice o see that now its folded in to the price of the computer and its assumed you have the required 3 now covered in the design process.

Sorry to have started a rumor, but let me repeat myself: I do not have T5, and do not recall where it was that I read that bit about three computers running in parallel to check each other. It may be in T5, or it may not, but don't make any assumption from my meanderings.

 

[HG_B]

I have always assumed that along the main trade lanes, the green lines on sector maps, that almost all the possible jump entrances and exits have been calculated for that time and space for worlds along the trade lane for most jumps of up to 3 parsecs.

Any two systems, for which complete data exists, can be calculated by the Astrogator or computer, if he/it knows the exact time. Nothing special about the systems you mention. It is simply a matter of having planetary data in a "spreadsheet"

 

[SanDragon]

Sorry to have started a rumor, but let me repeat myself: I do not have T5, and do not recall where it was that I read that bit about three computers running in parallel to check each other. It may be in T5, or it may not, but don't make any assumption from my meanderings.

MegaTraveller recommended 3 computers (two back-ups) for spacecraft and 2 computers (one back-up) for flying craft.