CT Only: HandComps and Personal Computers

[atpollard]

I game at a wider variety of Traveller Tech Levels and I like more than one option IMTU. To fill this need, I created an expanded list of PERSONAL COMPUTERS at various TLs both better and worse than the traditional "HandComp". I decided to share it here:

Personal Computers:​

The following Personal Computers were created by stripping down the Starship Computers from a triple redundant system to a single system with (1/1) CPU/Memory. While initially too large for practical personal use, the mass decreases (x 0.4) at each additional TL, reducing its size and cost proportionally. The Model Number of the computer serves as a bonus to skill checks (used to offset circumstantial penalties, but not to increase the base chance), so a Model\0 was added as a “no bonus” basic technology to allow the use of the skill.

Tech Level 5​

• Minicomputer [Cr 250,000; 125 kg; 250 Liters; Model/1]
• Server Computer [Cr 120,000; 80 kg; 160 Liters; Model/0]

Tech Level 6​

• Server Computer [Cr 100,000; 50 kg; 100 Liters; Model/1]
• Server Computer [Cr 48,000; 32 kg; 64 Liters; Model/0]

Tech Level 7​

• Minicomputer [Cr 765,000; 170 kg; 340 Liters; Model/2]
• Workstation Computer [Cr 40,000; 20 kg; 40 Liters; Model/1]
• Workstation Computer [Cr 19,500; 13 kg; 26 Liters; Model/0]

Tech Level 8​

• Server Computer [Cr 315,000; 70 kg; 140 Liters; Model/2]
• Desktop Computer [Cr 16,000; 8 kg; 16 Liters; Model/1]
• Desktop Computer [Cr 7,500; 5 kg; 10 Liters; Model/0]

Tech Level 9​

• Minicomputer [Cr 900,000; 150 kg; 300 Liters; Model/3]
• Workstation Computer [Cr 135,000; 30 kg; 60 Liters; Model/2]
• (40cm) Laptop Computer [Cr 6,400; 3.2 kg; 6.4 Liters; Model/1]
• (40cm) Laptop Computer [Cr 3,000; 2 kg; 4 Liters; Model/0]

Tech Level 10​

• Server Computer [Cr 360,000; 60 kg; 120 Liters; Model/3]
• Desktop Computer [Cr 54,000; 12 kg; 24 Liters; Model/2]
• (30cm Tablet) Handcomp [Cr 2,600; 1.3 kg; 2.6 Liters; Model/1]
• (30cm Tablet) Handcomp [Cr 1,200; 800 g; 1.6 Liters; Model/0]

Tech Level 11​

• Workstation Computer [Cr 144,000; 24 kg; 48 Liters; Model/3]
• (40cm) Laptop Computer [Cr 21,600; 4.8 kg; 9.6 Liters; Model/2]
• (20cm MiniTablet) Handcomp [Cr 1,000; 500 g; 1.0 Liters; Model/1]
• (20cm MiniTablet) Handcomp [Cr 480; 320 g; 0.64 Liters; Model/0]

Tech Level 12​

• Desktop Computer [Cr 57,600; 9.6 kg; 19 Liters; Model/3]
• (30cm Tablet) Handcomp [Cr 8,550; 1.9 kg; 3.8 Liters; Model/2]
• (15cm SmartPhone) Handcomp [Cr 400; 200 g; 0.4 Liters; Model/1]
• (15cm SmartPhone) Handcomp [Cr 195; 130 g; 0.26 Liters; Model/0]

Tech Level 13​

• (40cm) Laptop Computer [Cr 23,400; 3.9 kg; 7.8 Liters; Model/3]
• (20cm MiniTablet) Handcomp [Cr 3,375; 750 g; 1.5 Liters; Model/2]
• (Watch, Ear Bud, Contacts) CompDot [Cr 160; 80 g; 0.16 Liters; Model/1]
• (Watch, Ear Bud, Contacts) CompDot [Cr 75; 50 g; 0.1 Liters; Model/0]

Tech Level 14​

• (30cm Tablet) Handcomp [Cr 9,600; 1.6 kg; 3.2 Liters; Model/3]
• (15cm SmartPhone) Handcomp [Cr 1,350; 300 g; 0.6 Liters; Model/2]

Tech Level 15​

• (20cm MiniTablet) Handcomp [Cr 3,840; 640 g; 1.3 Liters; Model/3]
• (Watch, Ear Bud, Contacts) CompDot [Cr 540; 120 g; 0.24 Liters; Model/2]

 

[kilemall]

Not bad. Guess I would be going desktop with Model/0 at TL7, laptop at TL8 and progress through to the cybernetic/bio implant level beyond the wearables as the final level. The implants would be lighter but more expensive.

 

[FreeTrav]

I seem to recall that in the original GDW JTAS, there was an occasional article on Traveller programs for Apple ][-level computers, which (from the title of the first such article) were considered "Model 0/bis". Given that, I think that your progression may be too slow - especially since I can emulate that Model 0/bis on my handcomp (Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Android tablet). And I have no doubt that there are people who have _pocket_ comps (e.g., iPhone 16) that could do as well.

 

[atpollard]

I seem to recall that in the original GDW JTAS, there was an occasional article on Traveller programs for Apple ][-level computers, which (from the title of the first such article) were considered "Model 0/bis". Given that, I think that your progression may be too slow - especially since I can emulate that Model 0/bis on my handcomp (Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Android tablet). And I have no doubt that there are people who have _pocket_ comps (e.g., iPhone 16) that could do as well.

... and yet:

"Hand Computer (11) Cr1000. Provides services of a small computer (equivalent to Model/1 in computing power), plus serves as a computer terminal when linked to a larger computer (such as on board a ship). Weighs 500 grams." [The Traveller Book, pg 108]

... and a Model/1 is (TL 5) Cr 2,000,000. Weighs 1 ton (1000 kg?) [The Traveller Book, pg 58]

I have some SERIOUS personal issues with a 1900-1949 "computer" operating a Starship through FTL Travel 3-body multi-dimensional physics calculations ... I don't think an electro-mechanical Babbage Engine, the Norden Bombsight, the Enigma Machine or even the 1946 ENIAC were up to the task. However, the goal was to interpolate between the GIVEN data points, not to render the Starship Creation rules void by creating new computer rules based on 21st century iPhones and a 1980's magazine article.

 

[Grav_Moped]

@atpollard : I think it's possible with some kind of dieselpunk electromechanical computer. Not likely, nor easy, nor particularly resilient (expect it to need pre-computed jump tapes, except they'd probably be punch-card decks), but it could work. The equivalent of Generate might take a week to run...

But that'd be on an alien tech progression tree that reached spaceflight and FTL before getting transistors. Could happen, almost certainly wouldn't. Big universe though, so it's not impossible.

And sure you could run a small craft with an iPhone and a crash couch: a '77-style one. It gets you to orbit and back, and that is about it.. Without about 1Td of radios, radars, and telescopes and whatnot (priced like a mod/1), you aren't going to be able to find anything up there once you arrive, though. Three modern "gaming rigs" (for redundancy) ought to suffice, with the right software. Still needs the 1Td sensor hardware to do anything beyond just up-and-down.

 

[infojunky]

I have some SERIOUS personal issues with a 1900-1949 "computer" operating a Starship through FTL Travel 3-body multi-dimensional physics calculations ... I don't think an electro-mechanical Babbage Engine, the Norden Bombsight, the Enigma Machine or even the 1946 ENIAC were up to the task. However, the goal was to interpolate between the GIVEN data points, not to render the Starship Creation rules void by creating new computer rules based on 21st century iPhones and a 1980's magazine article.

I have redefined "Ship's Computers" as Ship's Electronics in my games. In that a lot of the "computer" programs require a butt-load of specialized ancillary hardware beyond the CPU installation.

 

[kilemall]

... and yet:

"Hand Computer (11) Cr1000. Provides services of a small computer (equivalent to Model/1 in computing power), plus serves as a computer terminal when linked to a larger computer (such as on board a ship). Weighs 500 grams." [The Traveller Book, pg 108]

... and a Model/1 is (TL 5) Cr 2,000,000. Weighs 1 ton (1000 kg?) [The Traveller Book, pg 58]

I have some SERIOUS personal issues with a 1900-1949 "computer" operating a Starship through FTL Travel 3-body multi-dimensional physics calculations ... I don't think an electro-mechanical Babbage Engine, the Norden Bombsight, the Enigma Machine or even the 1946 ENIAC were up to the task. However, the goal was to interpolate between the GIVEN data points, not to render the Starship Creation rules void by creating new computer rules based on 21st century iPhones and a 1980's magazine article.

I think the Model/1 was modeled on the analog fire control computer used on the New Jersey class battleships and the rest were models of USN ship computers including a linear progression of same.

AN/UYK-44 Shipboard Computer — Glenn's Computer Museum

A collection of old IBM and military computers.

www.glennsmuseum.com

 

[whartung]

To fill this need, I created an expanded list of PERSONAL COMPUTERS at various TLs both better and worse than the traditional "HandComp".

My only quibble is that these do not discuss capability. A TL 5 "Server Computer" and a TL 10 "Server Computer" are quite different.

 

[atpollard]

My only quibble is that these do not discuss capability. A TL 5 "Server Computer" and a TL 10 "Server Computer" are quite different.

Indirectly they do. At TL 5, the server is a Model/0 Starship Computer with a (+0) for "computer tasks" and at TL 10 the server is a Model/3 Starship Computer with a (+3) for "computer tasks".

So "What is the difference between a Model/1 and a Model/3 Starship Computer?" so we can estimate what a Model/0 is.
Say, both are running "Intrusion" software (the opposite of "security software")?

**********

EDIT: I guess another way to look at it is if they are both running "MEDICAL" software in a Hospital or Sickbay AutoDoc, the TL 5 is Medic-0 (Model/0) and knows basic First Aid, while the TL 10 is Medic-3 (Model/3) and is a full MD.

 

[kilemall]

Heh, does that mean our Model/1 computer operators are sweating jump calc while manually dialing in gravitational gradients?

Good news, can get it fixed most anywhere assuming you have the parts.

Another data point supporting the naval computer thesis, one of the blurbs on the UYK-44 indicated it was designed to be fault tolerant and continue operating after parts failed. I’d say that was modeled in the progressive failure check per phase mechanic in CT.

 

[Condottiere]

Astrogation calculator.

 

[atpollard]

My only quibble is that these do not discuss capability. A TL 5 "Server Computer" and a TL 10 "Server Computer" are quite different.

I point of Clarification: I used terms like "Server" and "Desktop" and "Tablet" merely as a tool for visualizing SIZE. I intended no distinctions related to FUNCTION. A TL 5 "Server" is comparable in size to a modern (2024) Server [a typical 4U server is 30-60 kg fully loaded].

 

[kilemall]

OP would you be interested in my take? I didn’t do down to handheld/implant devices, but doing cheap computers for starships?

I did it stupid simple, basically cheaper at each quality level by a factor of ten. So a Model/1 could be had at Cr2000 but it’s a personal computer and very flimsy damage wise. Intent was to offer players chances to upgrade their ship computers at affordable prices but serious reliability/damage consequences.

I have a major setting in the Oort Cloud powered by stolen ships, they need computing power but scary do you really want to risk this vibe.

I gave them model numbers that were higher per reliability. So a ship/critical avionics computer is an M-1000, merc/business class M-100, server/micro/workstation M-10 and personal an M-1.

Now with this idea set I’ll probably go M-100000 to give an extra two levels of wearable/implant level and step down by cost and cubic meter by a factor of 10 per TL. So the final M-1would be a CR20 implantable at TL10.

Eh maybe an improvement too far, but interesting to think about navigators that have jump generate implanted in their nervous system.

So thanks for the presentation and the rethink, always a pleasure to steal quality!

 

[atpollard]

I gave them model numbers that were higher per reliability. So a ship/critical avionics computer is an M-1000, merc/business class M-100, server/micro/workstation M-10 and personal an M-1.

I like this idea. I could see it coupled with "RULE 68A" for saves. The sturdy MIL-SPEC model saves on a 6+, the TYPICAL model saves on an 8+ and the fragile ECONOMY model saves on a 10+. Perhaps ...

• MIL-SPEC (save on 6+: 72%) costs 100 thousand credits per Model number
• COMMERCIAL (save on 8+: 42%) costs 10 thousand credits per Model number
• PERSONAL (save on 10+: 17%) costs 1 thousand credits per Model number

[Starship Computers cost Millions of Credits and are designed to take a beating and keep on functioning ... 3+: 97%; if you want to add a "critical failure roll".]

 

[kilemall]

I like this idea. I could see it coupled with "RULE 68A" for saves. The sturdy MIL-SPEC model saves on a 6+, the TYPICAL model saves on an 8+ and the fragile ECONOMY model saves on a 10+. Perhaps ...

• MIL-SPEC (save on 6+: 72%) costs 100 thousand credits per Model number
• COMMERCIAL (save on 8+: 42%) costs 10 thousand credits per Model number
• PERSONAL (save on 10+: 17%) costs 1 thousand credits per Model number

[Starship Computers cost Millions of Credits and are designed to take a beating and keep on functioning ... 3+: 97%; if you want to add a "critical failure roll".]

The original iteration was wedded to the tough computer damage rules in LBB2. I’ll link to the original post here in a minute.

Ok here it is-

CT Only: - My TC Universe

Sandcaster "sand" (ablative and prismatic particles) can indeed cause damage to ships flying through them according to something I read last night, I think it might have been the "lost rules" supplement listing differences between 1977 and 1981/Starter Traveller rules. Presumably that's one...

www.travellerrpg.com

Forgot I had B for the bis ones and F for fiber. Also had rules for buggy compilers, the cheaper the buggier and easier to create programs. Probably much more expensive to test.

Not bad.

Probably will revisit for some cost adjustment for more reliability, no one wants a buggy implant affecting their performance.

 

[mike wightman]

The CT computer rules were of their time. It's worth taking a step back an considering what a ship computer has to be able to do:

1. control a fusion power plant
2. control the environmental machinery
3. control the gravitics
4. control the maneuver drive
5. oversight/interaction with avionics,
6. oversight/interaction with sensors and comms
7. oversight/interaction with fire control
8. calculate jump parameters
9. control the jump drive
10. run Elite.

 

[Condottiere]

 

[coliver988]

The CT computer rules were of their time. It's worth taking a step back an considering what a ship computer has to be able to do:

1. control a fusion power plant
2. control the environmental machinery
3. control the gravitics
4. control the maneuver drive
5. oversight/interaction with avionics,
6. oversight/interaction with sensors and comms
7. oversight/interaction with fire control
8. calculate jump parameters
9. control the jump drive
10. run Elite.

11. Run Doom

 

[whulorigan]

Heh, does that mean our Model/1 computer operators are sweating jump calc while manually dialing in gravitational gradients?

Astrogation calculator.

It means that the Astrogator's Sextant has a few more moving parts and swinging arms; and if you can't get a good view of the stars from the TRANSPEX astrogation bubble, you'll need to put on your vacc suit and magnetic boots to go out on the hull to get a good fix for your position and plot . . .

 

[Condottiere]

Actually, I was thinking it was more like a jump tape.

Since it would be specific to the origin system.