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Explain Computers to me!

I don't understand the differences between the various ratings of computers. What do they mean and what can they do?

In a related question, one of my PC's has a laser pistol with an integral computer-0. What can that do?

Thanks!
 
You need to go look at the computers section of the Equipment section of the TMB.

But basically the rating of a computer rating controls both the maximum software rating and number of programs a computer can run. i.e. A rating 3 computer can run up to a rating 3 program or a rating 2 and a rating 1 etc. etc... I forget right off the bat how the zero rating programs are controlled but it is along those lines as well.
 
You need to go look at the computers section of the Equipment section of the TMB.

I did. That's why I'm asking. Either it's not explained well enough or my poor brain just doesn't want to absorb it. But either way I may need some help in understanding it.
 
Total the rating of the programs you want to run. That's the rating of the computer you need.

So, if I wanted to run Interface, Security 0, and TL9 Translator, that's a 0+0+0, for a needed of 0. I need a TL9+ model 0 to run it. SInce the model 0 hits optimum at TL 7, but I need a TL 9 architecture to run it... no discount, but still, a Cr50 instead of the Cr100 for a TL 9 rating 1 computer.

If I didn't want to run the translator, just a rating 0 database and rating 0 games, I could buy it as retrotech on that same TL9 world, and get a TL9 made TL 7 rating 0 computer for 2.5kg and Cr12.5...

If I wanted to run a small database (like a ship's inventory) that's probably a rating 0 program. A Large BBS is probably a rating 1 database. A major search engine is probably a rating 10000 database (albeit still TL 7) coupled to a prototype agent software.

So, really, the rules have two numbers you NEED for the Computer:
TL and Rating.
Your TL has to equal or exceed the highest TL program run.
Your rating has to equal or exceed the sum of the ratings of all the programs run.
 
I don't understand the differences between the various ratings of computers. What do they mean and what can they do?

Forget the computers. What you really need is a droid who understands the binary language of moisture vaporators.

It's a lot like programming binary load lifters, from what I hear.
 
There are no droids in the Traveller Universe. The natural law called Copyright makes them physically impossible.


Hans
 
There are no droids in the Traveller Universe.

Actually...that's incorrect! There's a very famous one, created by DGP, and featured in every main adventure in the Traveller's Digest.

At least, I think he was a TL 16 android. It's been a while...

He had a real "Star Wars" type name, too, like AB or something like that.

Anybody remember him?
 
Total the rating of the programs you want to run. That's the rating of the computer you need.

So, if I wanted to run Interface, Security 0, and TL9 Translator, that's a 0+0+0, for a needed of 0. I need a TL9+ model 0 to run it. SInce the model 0 hits optimum at TL 7, but I need a TL 9 architecture to run it... no discount, but still, a Cr50 instead of the Cr100 for a TL 9 rating 1 computer.

If I didn't want to run the translator, just a rating 0 database and rating 0 games, I could buy it as retrotech on that same TL9 world, and get a TL9 made TL 7 rating 0 computer for 2.5kg and Cr12.5...

If I wanted to run a small database (like a ship's inventory) that's probably a rating 0 program. A Large BBS is probably a rating 1 database. A major search engine is probably a rating 10000 database (albeit still TL 7) coupled to a prototype agent software.

So, really, the rules have two numbers you NEED for the Computer:
TL and Rating.
Your TL has to equal or exceed the highest TL program run.
Your rating has to equal or exceed the sum of the ratings of all the programs run.

Okay, all that I understand. But it doesn't tell me which sorts of programs can accomplish what.

Suppose I want a computer program that will fly my air/raft like an autopilot. What TL is that? What rating?

What if I want my computer to dock my ship or handle local customs or run my countermeasures? How do I figure out the TL necessary and the rating?

In the Core Rulebook there is an example of a guy with a computer in his gun "Erik's custom gun", p. 102. He uses a program and I have no idea what's going on there. What do all those numbers mean? What rules are they referencing?

It says:

Core Rules said:
Erik’s Custom Gun
Erik isn’t satisfi ed with any of the guns here, and wants something
a bit more stylish. He starts with the basic autopistol and adds
a gyrostabiliser and laser sight to it. He then adds the TL 13
intelligent weapon modifi cation, giving his gun Computer/1.
Computer/1 only allows him to run a single rating/1 program
on the gun, but there’s the specialised computer modifi cation
in the computer options section. Erik chooses to put Gun
Combat (slug pistols) specialisation 2 onto his gun, giving it
the ability to count as Rating/3 for Expert Gun Combat (slug
pistols) programs. With a Rating/1 Intellect and a Rating/2
Expert Gun Combat (slug pistols), Erik’s gun can fi re itself
with a skill of 1. Of course, a gun has no Dexterity (effectively
Dexterity 0) so it will have a total DM of –2 before other
modifi ers are taken into account. It can also aid Erik when fi ring,
giving him a +1 DM to his attacks as long as the diffi culty is
less than Very Diffi cult (–4).

Huh? If it's a Rating/2 Expert Gun Combat, why does it only grant a +1 DM? If the DM is limited by the Intellect, why bother with the Rating/2 Gun Combat?
 
Okay, all that I understand. But it doesn't tell me which sorts of programs can accomplish what.

Suppose I want a computer program that will fly my air/raft like an autopilot. What TL is that? What rating?

Any skill is an Expert program. You have to buy a different expert program for each skill. If it's not in a robot, it has no attributes other than Int & Edu, and those are effectively in the range 6-8.

Skill 0 is Expert/1 (Pilot), TL 11, Cr1000, Rating 1
Skill 1 is Expert/2 (pilot), TL 12, Cr10,000, Rating 2
Skill 2 is Expert/3 (Pilot), TL 13, Cr100,000, Rating 3

Since the progression is fairly obvious...

Skill 3 is Expert/4 (Pilot), TL 14, MCr1, Rating 4.



What if I want my computer to dock my ship or handle local customs or run my countermeasures? How do I figure out the TL necessary and the rating?

Docking the ship with you sitting there to give commands is just expert.
Being able to pull into dock completely without your interaction requires the expert (Pilot) program for the skill, and intellect 1 to coordinate the skill.

To function as a combat drone with a laser turret, you need expert (pilot), Expert (Gunnery (Laser)), and intellect 2, because it has 2 skills.

In the Core Rulebook there is an example of a guy with a computer in his gun "Erik's custom gun", p. 102. He uses a program and I have no idea what's going on there. What do all those numbers mean?

Computer 1: computer has 1 point of rating.
He makes it a Rating 1 Specialist+2 computer, meaning that, for running its specialty, it's rating 3.
Expert 2 = Skill 1
Intellect 1 = one skill program in use at a time.

So, the gun can fire as a skill 1, dex 0. Thats' a to hit roll mod of +1 (from skill) -3 (from Dex 0), and a total thus of -2
 
Okay, all that I understand. But it doesn't tell me which sorts of programs can accomplish what.

Suppose I want a computer program that will fly my air/raft like an autopilot. What TL is that? What rating?

What if I want my computer to dock my ship or handle local customs or run my countermeasures? How do I figure out the TL necessary and the rating?
Ok, robots and robot like devices aren't really covered in the TMB.

But technically an Autopilot for your Air/raft, or the one to dock your ship and the rest would be Intelligent interface (to tell it what to do) and a expert program to help you do it, Agent or Intellect plus Expert program for it to do it on its own.

Robots are represented as having Intellect as their control program and drones just as remote controlled devices.

Note Both the Mongoose Robots book and the 13 Mann Robots book cover these topics in much greater detail (Of the two the 13 Mann book is the better of the two, IMHO.)

In the Core Rulebook there is an example of a guy with a computer in his gun "Erik's custom gun", p. 102. He uses a program and I have no idea what's going on there. What do all those numbers mean? What rules are they referencing?

It says:


Huh? If it's a Rating/2 Expert Gun Combat, why does it only grant a +1 DM? If the DM is limited by the Intellect, why bother with the Rating/2 Gun Combat?

Ok in this case he add a specialized computer to his gun, Intellect 1 and expert Program Gun Combat 2... With that the Intellect effectively makes the gun a robot that can fire itself and it's expert rating minus one. Or aid the operator with a +1 dm (Note it looks like the max positive DM with the skill is one)
 
Okay, all that I understand. But it doesn't tell me which sorts of programs can accomplish what.
What skill(s) are needed to complete the task. That is the program(s) you will need.
Suppose I want a computer program that will fly my air/raft like an autopilot. What TL is that? What rating?
See the autopilot option for vehicles on page 104.
What if I want my computer to dock my ship
Page 146 Automated programs.
or handle local customs or run my countermeasures?
I'm not sure if customs can be automated by a simple expert program. I think this would be something for a GM to decide - If that GM it is you and you want this ability I'd suggest perhaps both Expert Admin and Broker?
How do I figure out the TL necessary and the rating?
In many cases a rating 1 can be enough. Take a look at page 93. There is also some GM discretion. I know some people whos TU requires certifications and certain qualifications above the minimums.

TL is based on rating as per the table on page 92.

In the Core Rulebook there is an example of a guy with a computer in his gun "Erik's custom gun", p. 102. He uses a program and I have no idea what's going on there. What do all those numbers mean? What rules are they referencing?
Mostly pages 91-93. They threw a bunch of stuff together for that example.
Huh? If it's a Rating/2 Expert Gun Combat, why does it only grant a +1 DM? If the DM is limited by the Intellect, why bother with the Rating/2 Gun Combat?
Page 92 Expert Program
If the character already has the skill at a higher level then an Expert program grants a +1 DM instead.
The whole Int and Edu only thing does throw quite a few people.

Right or wrong, take it or leave it, there are several ways of getting around this with other rules. Example: Page 49 Situational Modifiers. Like a laser sight or any other gadget one might add to the gun to help them be more accurate, I could see a program that measures wind and atmospheric pressure and so on (especially if connected to the gun and making the sight adjustments itself!) possibly giving a +1.

However, I don't think this is the case with this example.

Robots, People with Neural links (CSC), and other items like this gun, that have a physical capability which is "wired" into the the computer are not limited to only Int and Edu based Expert software as it is explained in the section on desktops and handhelds. So as the example says "Erik’s gun can fire itself".
 
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Thank you. I think I'm closer to getting a grasp on it.

So one more question: when Erik's gun fires itself, what does that look like? I assume it doesn't fly up on its own and start shooting. So what does happen?
 
*assuming a wireless connection*

you put the gun in a position to fire on a specific chair, or strap it onto the underside of the table. you have meeting with Bloke You May Need To Shoot. you can keep your hands above the table and doing clearly non threatening things (holding a drink, using a tablet cimp, ect.

things go ugly. you need to shoot him. you just think "gun: fire" and the gun fires itself, right where you ained it privously...at the guy. if you had the gun fire through a window, say, you could get people to believe the shot came form a outside assassin, or something.

make sense?
 
So one more question: when Erik's gun fires itself, what does that look like? I assume it doesn't fly up on its own and start shooting. So what does happen?
I had wondered about that as well and came up with the following scenario to help visualize it:

Eric and his friends are hiding behind a crate with several bad guys with machine guns shooting at anything that exposes itself as a target. Private RedShirt decides to take a chance and pops up to shoot at the bad guys, immediately getting shot more times than can easily be counted and going to meet his maker.

Eric remembers that his pistol is smarter than Pvt RedShirt and instructs its computer to return fire on any targets that shoot at it. Without exposing himself, Eric lifts the scope and barrel of his gun above the edge of the crate and casually wiggles it around in the general direction of the bad guys.

Enemy bullets spray the crate and wall, ricocheting all around, but Eric remains safe behind 100% cover. His gun identifies three people in the general direction that it is facing and notes that two of them are shooting at it, so it identifies two potential targets. As Eric wiggles the gun (unable to see what is really going on up there), the barrel aligns with one of the designated targets and INSTANTLY, the gun fires ... bad guy #1 is wounded. Eric is excited as suddenly, there are fewer shots ricocheting off the crate and pushes his gun back above the edge of the crate and begins waving it with renewed hope. The barrel aligns with target #2 and BANG, the gun fires itself.

Swearing and less accurate fire indicate that something happened, so Eric continues his blind shooting match until a third BANG marks the end of hostile fire. Eric continues to wave the gun around over the crate but there is only silence.

Eric peeks over the crate and sees one dead gunman, one unconscious gunman and one dock worker hiding in a corner with wet coveralls. Eric is very happy at his investment in a gun that can shoot itself.
 
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Excellent atpollard.

Just one issue Id like to discuss. Making an expert program too capable. Cirtainly not saying atpollards example did so. It's just that this discussion reminded me of a situation I had in the past.

While computers with multiple types of software running and a person controlling it can be quite capable, there needs to be some care in not turning a computer with a couple expert programs into some kind of all knowing AI. In atpollards example, it is a gun combat program so recognizing someone with a gun vs without should be fine.

In my situation a gun was mounted to aim at a doorway and act as unmanned security and I told the player that the gun did not have the programming to do friend or foe recognition unless they bought a database program and added each face as a friend or foe for the gun program to consult. Otherwise, it is just a random person to the gun. I told them a clothing or uniform database would be needed if you want the gun program to interface with the database and not shoot someone in ships uniform. You can't just tell the gun program "shoot the bad guys". You can't even tell it "don't shoot me" if there is no way for it to identify you. This, obviously, can be a very IMTU thing.

In my case, we ended up with a gun that had Intelligent Weapon and Secure Weapon with voice identification. The gun was set to shoot anyone that didn't meet certain database criteria that came into it's crosshairs. The owner, could "authenticate" the weapon on and off from safety via the Secure Weapon feature.
 
Thank you. I think I'm closer to getting a grasp on it.

So one more question: when Erik's gun fires itself, what does that look like? I assume it doesn't fly up on its own and start shooting. So what does happen?

Self-fire mode
Eric tells it, "Prikazivats, shoot zhodani! zanimats." He then sticks the gun and just his hand out the window, and waves it back and forth. The barrel wiggles a bit on its own, and suddenly, BANG!!!

Or, Eric sets it on a bipod, aimed down a hallway. "Prikazivats, defend, all targets, zanimats." A cat walks in. The barrel moves a few degrees, BANG!!!

Bonus to skill mode
Or, "Prikazivats, trigger assist, zanimats." Eric goes to normal shooting posture, the barrel stays pretty well locked down... Eric spots an enemy, gets the enemy close to sighted, pulls and holds the trigger... as he crosses the enemy, the gun shoots itself.
 
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