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Genie listing circa Feb 1993

estar

SOC-12
Knight
Baron
Thought folks might interested in this text listing of the Traveller files on Genie circa 1993.

I got on the Internet on the early nineties and subscribed for a time to Genie. It was long distance for me. So what I would do is hop on do a file listing. Get off. Figure out what files I wanted. Hop on and do the download.
 

Attachments

Thought folks might interested in this text listing of the Traveller files on Genie circa 1993.

I got on the Internet on the early nineties and subscribed for a time to Genie. It was long distance for me. So what I would do is hop on do a file listing. Get off. Figure out what files I wanted. Hop on and do the download.

This is pretty cool. I never used GEnie myself so could you 'splain how the file transfer worked? It looks similar to an FTP or BBS listing. Did you have a dedicated client or did you use something like zmodem to grab the files?
 
This is pretty cool. I never used GEnie myself so could you 'splain how the file transfer worked? It looks similar to an FTP or BBS listing. Did you have a dedicated client or did you use something like zmodem to grab the files?

GEnie used a dedicated client over dialup. (So did Compuserve.) The transfer protocol changed over time, but was essentially a typical modem to modem transfer protocol. (I seem to remember it being Kermit.)

While it looks like FTP, and basically does the same user-side/user-experience task set, it wasn't actually using the network protocols. It was directly telling the client to go into receive file mode, and dumping the compressed file as a text transfer, which the client then reconstructed back into a binary file (if it was one) and saved onto disk.
 
My first modem was an acoustic coupler - drop the phone receiver on it.

We've come a long, long way now with remote access via the internet being, for most people, a necessary utility now rather than a luxury.

Although I do miss the days of browsing the boards, and downloading something based on the name and being surprised. 8 bit graphic ship design, oh boy! And tying up the phone line for far too long.
 
This is pretty cool. I never used GEnie myself so could you 'splain how the file transfer worked? It looks similar to an FTP or BBS listing. Did you have a dedicated client or did you use something like zmodem to grab the files?

I had a Hays Smartmodem and dialed in directly using a terminal program that supported their protocols. I am a bit a vague on the details as it been 20 years since I lasted dealt with non internet dialup. But Aramis post is consistent with what I do remember.
 
I was on GEnie for a little bit back in the day. As I recall I was there specifically for Traveller.

I wasn't on it much. But did go to a local meet up once with complete strangers.

My other go to dial up was BIX, I spent more time there. Also went to a local meet up with them, but this one was hosted by Jerry Pournelle.

Like 8-10 of us eating Chinese food. Jerry picked up the tab, was really fun.
 
Some of those files are just older revisions of files still in other archives today. Go noodle around in the Missouri Archive and the HIWG Archive, and some of that stuff will emerge. The SECtor files are the original and often flawed versions that would eventually be revised and can be found in Traveller Map.
 
GEnie used a dedicated client over dialup. (So did Compuserve.) The transfer protocol changed over time, but was essentially a typical modem to modem transfer protocol. (I seem to remember it being Kermit.)

While it looks like FTP, and basically does the same user-side/user-experience task set, it wasn't actually using the network protocols. It was directly telling the client to go into receive file mode, and dumping the compressed file as a text transfer, which the client then reconstructed back into a binary file (if it was one) and saved onto disk.

Thanks, I used Kermit and Xmodem quite a bit downloading from local BBSes but never used CompuServe or GEnie. My school (through the librarian) had an eWorld account and for me it was that and BBSes until I got dialup internet service with EarthLink.

To the point of archives...anyone have links to this Missouri Archive and HIWG Archive? Or anymore archives of online service, BBS, or FTP collections? I love trawling through old archives like that (I have tons of textfiles.org stuff). There's a lot of tribal knowledge that would be good to preserve if it isn't already.
 
Some of those files are just older revisions of files still in other archives today. Go noodle around in the Missouri Archive and the HIWG Archive, and some of that stuff will emerge. The SECtor files are the original and often flawed versions that would eventually be revised and can be found in Traveller Map.

I think I'm correct that while those of us on university computer accounts were busy with entertaining flame wars on TML, the actual staff of GDW were on Genie and may have posted a whole bunch of potentially useful and interesting stuff (even today) on the Genie message boards.

I seem to remember LKW popping up from time-to-time on TML and trying to answer a whole load of questions that had been asked in his absence.

Or was there something on Delphi not Genie? (so long ago my memory is slipping I suspect)
 
Cheers.

I never see many of those Rob Prior files mentioned in the original Genie file list at the start of this thread posted anywhere. Great shame.
 
Anything in particular? I'm not Rob, but some of these may be floating around some back corner of my hard drive. After so many drive upgrades and archival transfers, there are files I haven't actually looked at in decades.
 
3732 MILITARY VEHICLES.TXT X ROB.PRIOR 910905 26624 29 10
Desc: Collection of vcls (TL 5-15), ASCII

3770 MERCENARY.SIT X ROB.PRIOR 910916 49792 9 10
Desc: Bk 4 Abstract Cbt System (HyperCard)

3851 SVAERGODSVOGN HVY TRUCK 7 ROB.PRIOR 911004 2365 7 10
Desc: TL 10 & 13 civilian vehicle, ASCII
3850 HURTIGBUSS EXPRESS BUS 7 ROB.PRIOR 911004 2102 6 10
Desc: TL 10 & 13 civilian vehicle, ASCII
3841 VALDEZ TANKER TRUCK.MAC X ROB.PRIOR 910930 5248 7 10
Desc: Tech 5 & 6 fueld transport (Word 4)
3839 VALDEZ TANKER TRUCK.TXT 7 ROB.PRIOR 910930 2932 10 10
Desc: Tech 5 & 6 fuel transport
3829 PONI PASSENGER BUS.MAC X ROB.PRIOR 910929 9344 7 10
Desc: Tech 6 & 7 mass transit (Word 4.0)
3828 PONI PASSENGER BUS.TXT 7 ROB.PRIOR 910929 2226 11 10
Desc: Tech 6 & 7 mass transit vehicle
3825 RAZA GROUND CAR.TXT 7 ROB.PRIOR 910929 2363 12 10
Desc: Tech 10 & 13 familiy cars

3924 DUCK LAKE ARMOURED CAR X ROB.PRIOR 911021 4736 7 10
Desc: TL5 Light Vehicle (Word 4.0, Mac)
3923 BATOCHE ARMOURED CAR X ROB.PRIOR 911021 7808 5 10
Desc: TL5 Light Vehicle (Word 4.0, Mac)
3922 YORK ARMOURED CAR X ROB.PRIOR 911021 6272 6 10
Desc: TL5 Light Vehicle (Word 4.0, Mac)
 
Loren and Dave Nilsen were on GEnie, as was Joe Fugate of DGP. It was also an early gathering point for HIWG. Loren would later also be the GDW interface with the TML. GEnie adding access to the rest of the Net was the first time the two fora had much connection.

The two archives I mentioned before:
http://www.mu.org/~joe/traveller/archive/
and
http://www.downport.com/hiwg/archive.html

Thanks for these! A lot of that stuff was a whole generation ahead of me, I didn't really know about or get into Traveller until the mid-90s.
 
Looks like I have the Poni and Raza. He re-used the Batoche name for a Solomani lander when he did a huge GURPS Traveller project.

Not sure what would be in the Military vehicles file, so it is hard to search for.

The old Hypercard file for Mercenary might be a challenge to use.

---------------------
Poni Passenger Bus (TL 6)

CraftID: Poni Passenger Bus, TL 6, 15145 Cr
Hull: 11/27, Disp=12, Config=4USL, Armour=1B,
Unloaded=9.658 tonnes, Loaded=14.871 tonnes
Power: 1/2, ImprovedInternalCombustion=0.5 MW, Dur=10 hours
Locomotion: 1/2, Wheels, P/W=34, Road=97 km/h,
Off-road=29.1 km/h
Communications: Radio=Distant x 1
Sensors: Headlights x 2
Controls: Controls=EnhancedMechanical x 2,
Environ=BasicEnviron
Accomodations: Crew=1 (driver), Seats=Adequate x 49
Other: Fuel=0.3125 kL, Cargo=4.9 kL, ObjSize=Small,
EmLevel=Faint

Most moderate population worlds, and virtually all high population worlds, have a need for a mass transit system. On worlds with extensive wheeled transport, mass transit and private vehicles share the roads.

Mass transit vehicles are designed to carry large numbers of people efficiently between transit terminals. While various forms of train are more efficient for extremely large numbers of passengers, wheeled buses are more flexible, and also more efficient for relatively small numbers.

The Poni is a long distance bus, intended to operate at speeds averaging 100 km/h. It can carry 48 passengers, each of whom is allowed 100 litres of luggage.

Poni II Passenger Bus (TL 7)

CraftID: Poni II Passenger Bus, TL 7, 16417 Cr
Hull: 11/27, Disp=12, Config=4USL, Armour=1B,
Unloaded=7.9 tonnes, Loaded=14.5 tonnes
Power: 1/2, GasTurbine=0.5 MW, Dur=12 hours
Locomotion: 1/2, Wheels, P/W=34, Road=123 km/h,
Off-road=36.9 km/h
Communications: Radio=Distant x 1
Sensors: Headlights x 2
Controls: Controls=Electronic x 2, Environ=BasicEnviron
Accomodations: Crew=1 (driver), Seats=Adequate x 49
Other: Fuel=0.4 kL, Cargo=6.2 kL, ObjSize=Small,
EmLevel=Faint

The Poni II is an improved version of the original Poni. A gas turbine power plant allowes each passenger up to 150 litres, while drivers appreciate the ergonomics of the vehicleUs electronic controls.
(c) Rob Prior, 1991.


---------------------
Raza Ground Car (TL 10)

CraftID: Raza Ground Car, TL 10, 4611 Cr
Hull: 2/5, Disp=2, Config=4USL, Armour=1E,
Unloaded=1.158 tonnes, Loaded=2.758 tonnes
Power: 1/2, FuelCells=0.09 MW, Dur=100 hours
Locomotion: 1/2, Wheels, P/W=33, Road=151 km/h,
Off-road=45.3 km/h
Communications: Radio=VeryDistant x 1
Sensors: Headlights x 2
Controls: Controls=DynamicLinked x 1, Environ=BasicEnviron
Accomodations: Crew=1 (driver), Seats=Roomy x 4
Other: Fuel=0.04 kL, Cargo=1.6 kL, ObjSize=Small,
EmLevel=Faint

As technology in the Shattered Imperium slowly declines, wheeled transport is making a come-back. Off-world supplies of spare parts are drying up, and mechanical replacements are easier to manufacture locally than gravitic ones. Propulsion failures are also less serious in a ground vehicle.

On many worlds, ground transportation was never superceded by gravitics. Some cultures are distrustful of new inventions, some are unwilling to discard expensive investments in ground transportation infrastructures, still others do not want the social changes common grav transportation brings. These worlds continued to use wheeled vehicles. The Raza is typical of these high-tech ground cars. Small, cheap, and reliable, it carries six people in comfort, has room for 1.6 kilolitres of cargo, and can run for a hundred hours between refuelings.

Raza II Ground Car (TL 13)

CraftID: Raza II Ground Car, TL 13, 4576 Cr
Hull: 2/5, Disp=2, Config=4USL, Armour=1F,
Unloaded=1.102 tonnes, Loaded=2.702 tonnes
Power: 1/2, FuelCells=0.135 MW, Dur=100 hours
Locomotion: 1/2, Wheels, P/W=50, Road=198 km/h,
Off-road=59.4 km/h
Communications: Radio=VeryDistant x 1
Sensors: Headlights x 2
Controls: Controls=DynamicLinked x 1, Environ=BasicEnviron
Accomodations: Crew=1 (driver), Seats=Roomy x 4
Other: Fuel=0.04 kL, Cargo=1.6 kL, ObjSize=Small,
EmLevel=Faint

The Raza II is an improved version of the common Raza. A superdense unibody frame and high-efficiency hydrogen fuel cell have reduced the ground car's cost, increasing its popularity still further.


(c) Rob Prior, 1991.
 
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