CT Only: HandComps and Personal Computers

[mike wightman]

Sure, but, I mean, you're talking different levels of scale here.

Yes, calculating orbits and positions can be very complicated. My understanding is that lunar calculations involve dozens of variable (such as the Sun and Jupiter and, probably, even Saturn). But that's for very high precision calculations. For most purposes, they're not necessary.

I would imagine jumping into another solar system would require you to know where everything over the size of your ship is in that system. The other issue is that the gravitic dance the planets etc perform are organised chaos.

Consider the "leap year" for the Gregorian Calendar. Imperfect, but completely practical. With the only real correction being the odd leap second every year or so. Jumping into a system with 100 year old data that's off by 100 seconds, at a solar system scale, should not be a problem for most anything, Especially in Traveller where there's a lot of power.

If a planet has shifted in its orbit due to a gravitational interaction...

But, sure, if you're passively flinging satellites and probes around gravitational masses to accelerate them out of the system, then yea, you need precision, error adds up and complicates things.

"Space is big" -- D. Adams.

It's simple enough to hedge your arrival, plus, to be fair, there's a built in safety mechanic. The 100D Jump limit that pulls ships out of jump space allows jump calculations to be a bit sloppy without necessarily endangering the ship (i.e. smacking it into a sun or planet accidentally).

Once you arrive, you can always refine your calculations.

Yes, once you are in a system you can improve your data and then jump out with that data to build your models.

The current modelling we use for our solar system is good for ~100 years into the future.

 

[Condottiere]

Calculating a jump can be tiered by the amount of resources and effort that is applied:

0. You know where you are, you know where you want to transition from, and you know where you want to exit.

1. The above, and you chart a course around known gravitational wells.

2. Above, but you have gotten the latest astrographical data from the destination.

3. Above, and you contemplate your naval experience.

 

[gchuck]

Those seem awfully expensive at the TL examples. I mean a 'Kindle' is dirt cheap, and it's a computer.
I wouldn't want to plot a jump on one! The advances in storage/processor speeds theoretically available should, IMO make them more available to the 'average Joe'.

IMTU, hand comps/slates are negligible expenses, and easily upgraded.

I still remember my 'portable' Apple IIc.

 

[Grav_Moped]

Those seem awfully expensive at the TL examples. I mean a 'Kindle' is dirt cheap, and it's a computer.
I wouldn't want to plot a jump on one! The advances in storage/processor speeds theoretically available should, IMO make them more available to the 'average Joe'.

IMTU, hand comps/slates are negligible expenses, and easily upgraded.

I still remember my 'portable' Apple IIc.

You probably wouldn't use a Kindle (or its equivalent). Maybe a high-end iPad (whatever their top-of-the-line unit is these days), or MS Surface tablet? Only Samsung seems to be doing high-end Android tablets these days, and there isn't really much left of that space since large phones have basically taken that market.

(Tangentially related: I still want a good android tablet about the size and shape of the old 7" tablets from about 10 years ago. Heck, I wouldn't have minded a phone in that form factor...)

 

[kilemall]

Those seem awfully expensive at the TL examples. I mean a 'Kindle' is dirt cheap, and it's a computer.
I wouldn't want to plot a jump on one! The advances in storage/processor speeds theoretically available should, IMO make them more available to the 'average Joe'.

IMTU, hand comps/slates are negligible expenses, and easily upgraded.

I still remember my 'portable' Apple IIc.

Using my maybe system you get a model/1 implanted at Cr20 TL10. Cheap enough?

Whew have to really think that one through- ubiquitous computing implanted everywhere at cheaper prices then smartphones really alters society in fundamental ways. Also gotta think through the compiler/reliability issues.

 

[gchuck]

Using my maybe system you get a model/1 implanted at Cr20 TL10. Cheap enough?

Whew have to really think that one through- ubiquitous computing implanted everywhere at cheaper prices then smartphones really alters society in fundamental ways. Also gotta think through the compiler/reliability issues.

That's more in line with my thoughts, though I hadn't considered getting an implant. That might be a good hook for the clones, next time their on a High TL world.

BTW, what would YOU consider the mass/size of such a critter? Probably would not want it too awfully big, to keep it un-obtrusive/noticeable. Though the data port might be a little harder to hide.

 

[kilemall]

That's more in line with my thoughts, though I hadn't considered getting an implant. That might be a good hook for the clones, next time their on a High TL world.

BTW, what would YOU consider the mass/size of such a critter? Probably would not want it too awfully big, to keep it un-obtrusive/noticeable. Though the data port might be a little harder to hide.

Well I didn’t really think it through, just took a stab at a miniaturization progression like the OP did only more extreme. In my case that’s 10x smaller and cheaper per TL.

At TL8 the Model 1 ends up being smartphone sized and Cr2000, since I figure we are somewhere like TL 7.7 that’s plausible. At TL10 that works out to 1.2 cubic mm, which is about the effect I was wanting.

So this is provisional, not sure I want this as I am big on pricing for game effect/advantage, but it’s a good thought exercise in consequence and consistency.

 

[gchuck]

Well I didn’t really think it through, just took a stab at a miniaturization progression like the OP did only more extreme. In my case that’s 10x smaller and cheaper per TL.

At TL8 the Model 1 ends up being smartphone sized and Cr2000, since I figure we are somewhere like TL 7.7 that’s plausible. At TL10 that works out to 1.2 cubic mm, which is about the effect I was wanting.

So this is provisional, not sure I want this as I am big on pricing for game effect/advantage, but it’s a good thought exercise in consequence and consistency.

Not being a 'nuts and bolts' guy, I'd say I'm surprised... and pleased! On further thought that does not seem out of line at all! If the 'unit' is this small, the implantation, IMO would be the most expensive part of the procedure.

 

[kilemall]

Not being a 'nuts and bolts' guy, I'd say I'm surprised... and pleased! On further thought that does not seem out of line at all! If the 'unit' is this small, the implantation, IMO would be the most expensive part of the procedure.

Well arguably the software dev would cost especially for cybernetic interaction, not to mention the interface I/O capacity of the level of data this would presumably feed in.

Dataglasses are easy, interfacing directly with the nervous system is a tad more involved.

There is also the power usage needed for computing and presumably some level of heat generation, those electrons/photons don’t flip data states for free.

Also implies much smarter robot computing power much earlier and messes with the LBB8 robot brain paradigms. A big change, independent of the pricing issues it’s a big move to the near trans human side of sci-fi and really has to be thought of in terms of content alteration independent of what your players may go wild with.

 

[Grav_Moped]

Also implies much smarter robot computing power much earlier and messes with the LBB8 robot brain paradigms. A big change, independent of the pricing issues it’s a big move to the near trans human side of sci-fi and really has to be thought of in terms of content alteration independent of what your players may go wild with.

Indeed. Traveller didn't get too far into transhumanism issues, though AotI sort of went there with identity wafers and psionics. It's based more on the "better living through chemistry" phase of SciFi than the "upgrade yourself with hardware" phase that came later.