CT Only: HandComps and Personal Computers

[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.

 

[BlackBat242]

I have considered the matter, and have come to the conclusion it has a certain je ne sais quoi.

That's what we all pictured it as in the mid-late 1980s.

 

[BlackBat242]

As for computer implants, JTAS #22 covered that with an article that introduced, at TL-14, implanted neural interfaces allowing direct brain-CPU linking.

 

[BlackBat242]

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.

We had a discussion (actually a few different discussions, of course) on that topic a while ago - lets see...


https://www.travellerrpg.com/threads/the-computers-cyberpunk-problem-in-traveller.32050/
my response is in post #10

CT Only: - Cybernetic implants

Folks, I want to add cybernetics to my classic traveler game; however, I am looking for ideas as to how to handle them. Currently – I have cybernetics increase Stats or grant a skill. If you use cybernetics in your game – how do you handle them?

www.travellerrpg.com

Psychohistory, Transhumanism, and Imperial Conservatism

I recently re-read the first three Foundation books for the first time in almost 30 years. I was struck, of course, by the many elements that made it into Traveller wholesale -- and the one essential concept that didn't, at least not overtly: psychohistory. But then again, perhaps...

www.travellerrpg.com