Library = Question

[Supplement Four]

Here's a question for you CT GMs out there...

How do you handle the Library program in your game?

Is it this one-time purchase thing, the all-font of knowlege?

I've been plaing it like this: Different Library programs can be purchased. Typically, there's one for the sector that can be purchased, but this contains macro information. Each subsector has its own Library program that can be purchased separately with more detailed (less macro) information about the worlds in the subsector.

Typically, a ship needs both but can easily get by on just the subsector version. But, its imperative, if the ship is to rely on the ship's library at all, that a Library program is purchased for each subsector the ship travels to. Not only does the program contain navigational information and detailed world descriptions, but the Library program for a subsector is culturally specific to the region, providing entertainment for passengers that may buy passage on the ship.

You know, I never force the players to update their Library programs, though. Maybe I should.

So far, I've just been assuming that navigational updates occur when the ship makes port at Class A and B starports.

How do you handle this type of thing in your game?

 

[Supplement Four]

Here's a question for you CT GMs out there...

How do you handle the Library program in your game?

Is it this one-time purchase thing, the all-font of knowlege?

I've been plaing it like this: Different Library programs can be purchased. Typically, there's one for the sector that can be purchased, but this contains macro information. Each subsector has its own Library program that can be purchased separately with more detailed (less macro) information about the worlds in the subsector.

Typically, a ship needs both but can easily get by on just the subsector version. But, its imperative, if the ship is to rely on the ship's library at all, that a Library program is purchased for each subsector the ship travels to. Not only does the program contain navigational information and detailed world descriptions, but the Library program for a subsector is culturally specific to the region, providing entertainment for passengers that may buy passage on the ship.

You know, I never force the players to update their Library programs, though. Maybe I should.

So far, I've just been assuming that navigational updates occur when the ship makes port at Class A and B starports.

How do you handle this type of thing in your game?

 

[fredofmars]

I use the Library program very much like an encyclopedia. It has short articles on a lot of subjects, but not everything. The Library program does NOT contain navigational information, that comes from other sources (though there is enough information to plot a jump if you have the Generate and Navigate programs).
I agree with you about there being a difference between the general (Imperium-wide) version and the subsector-specific version. You really need both. Like any reference material, updates are a useful thing.

 

[fredofmars]

I use the Library program very much like an encyclopedia. It has short articles on a lot of subjects, but not everything. The Library program does NOT contain navigational information, that comes from other sources (though there is enough information to plot a jump if you have the Generate and Navigate programs).
I agree with you about there being a difference between the general (Imperium-wide) version and the subsector-specific version. You really need both. Like any reference material, updates are a useful thing.

 

[Icosahedron]

'The' Library program is an Imperium wide Encyclopaedia Galactica containing a paragraph about almost anything.
I don't advertise the fact to unwary players (darn, I just did!) but there are more localised versions containing more detailed knowledge at Sector, Subsector and World level. However, these can be linked to at any starport, so unless you need the info mid-jump?...

Perhaps the computer will automatically collect information from any world it visits?

 

[Icosahedron]

'The' Library program is an Imperium wide Encyclopaedia Galactica containing a paragraph about almost anything.
I don't advertise the fact to unwary players (darn, I just did!) but there are more localised versions containing more detailed knowledge at Sector, Subsector and World level. However, these can be linked to at any starport, so unless you need the info mid-jump?...

Perhaps the computer will automatically collect information from any world it visits?

 

[far-trader]

I've posted mtu version elsewhere previously, similar in ways to your's S4 from the sound of it.

Library programs imtu come in three varieties.

Subsector Library - cost MCr0.1 space 1 - A basic encyclopedia of all systems in a specific subsector. Quite extensive, free updates annually with maintenance. Also available free to TAS members in a Handcomp version. TAS members are flashed updates to their Handcomp version free anytime they visit a class A or B starport in the subsector, and a new subsector version is uploaded when they arrive at a class A or B starport outside the previous subsector. So while the ship Library program is more extensive, TAS members may have more up to date information.

Sector Library - cost MCr0.2 space 2 - Identical to the subsector library program except in scope. Not available for Handcomp.

Domain Library - cost MCr0.3 space 3 - Identical to the subsector library program except in scope, covering 4 sectors. Not available for Handcomp.

Most commercial ships only have a Subsector Library program, for the area they operate in, some will have Sector Library programs and a few may have Domain Library programs. Only IN Capital ships are likely to have complete Library programs of all the Domains and some of these will be years out of date despite annual updates.

 

[far-trader]

I've posted mtu version elsewhere previously, similar in ways to your's S4 from the sound of it.

Library programs imtu come in three varieties.

Subsector Library - cost MCr0.1 space 1 - A basic encyclopedia of all systems in a specific subsector. Quite extensive, free updates annually with maintenance. Also available free to TAS members in a Handcomp version. TAS members are flashed updates to their Handcomp version free anytime they visit a class A or B starport in the subsector, and a new subsector version is uploaded when they arrive at a class A or B starport outside the previous subsector. So while the ship Library program is more extensive, TAS members may have more up to date information.

Sector Library - cost MCr0.2 space 2 - Identical to the subsector library program except in scope. Not available for Handcomp.

Domain Library - cost MCr0.3 space 3 - Identical to the subsector library program except in scope, covering 4 sectors. Not available for Handcomp.

Most commercial ships only have a Subsector Library program, for the area they operate in, some will have Sector Library programs and a few may have Domain Library programs. Only IN Capital ships are likely to have complete Library programs of all the Domains and some of these will be years out of date despite annual updates.

 

[Supplement Four]

It's been so long since I've used a Domain Library in my game that I forgot I allowed them.

Originally posted by far-trader:
Subsector Library - cost MCr0.1

Are House Rule on this is similar. I make all my Library programs cost, and have size equal to, the basic Library program listed in the rules.

I figure they're all useful--just used for different things. Some (Domain Library) are more of a luxury than others (Subsector Library is not mandatory but a damn good thing to have).

They're all the same basic size because I figure the Domain and Sector Libraries are large in scope. When you get down to the Subsector Library, the program is just as large because it contains a lot more info about fewer places.

BTW, I like your "handcomp" notes above. Gonna have to steal that.

 

[Supplement Four]

It's been so long since I've used a Domain Library in my game that I forgot I allowed them.

Originally posted by far-trader:
Subsector Library - cost MCr0.1

Are House Rule on this is similar. I make all my Library programs cost, and have size equal to, the basic Library program listed in the rules.

I figure they're all useful--just used for different things. Some (Domain Library) are more of a luxury than others (Subsector Library is not mandatory but a damn good thing to have).

They're all the same basic size because I figure the Domain and Sector Libraries are large in scope. When you get down to the Subsector Library, the program is just as large because it contains a lot more info about fewer places.

BTW, I like your "handcomp" notes above. Gonna have to steal that.

 

[Supplement Four]

You know, if you read the description of the Library program, it's certainly clear that it was meant to specific to a local region. PCs were meant to buy multiple versions if they traveled any length of the map.

A GM could even get a bit more specific about the Library program. Instead of there being a subsector version, maybe there's version particular to different regions of the subsector.

For example, take the Aramis subsector in the Spinward Marches. There are basically three astrographical regions in that subsector: There's the Towers Cluster; there's the Aramis Trace; and there's the Scatters.

I could easily see a different Library program needed for region, especially if the GM is trying to keep a lid on the money the players are making shipping from port to port. It would sure be in-line with what was indended for the Library program given its definition in Book 2.

A creative GM could even take this a step further. Maybe there are specialized Library programs that can be purchased. One about the Spinward Main. One about worlds that lie on the major trade routes defined by the X-Boat paths.

I like the idea of regional. My PCs haven't yet jumped out of the Aramis Trace. I think I'll make the Library program that they currently have specific to the Aramis Trace. As soon as they jump into the Scatters, or into the Towers Cluster, I'll let 'em know that they need to purchase a new Library program to go with that region of the subsector.

 

[Supplement Four]

You know, if you read the description of the Library program, it's certainly clear that it was meant to specific to a local region. PCs were meant to buy multiple versions if they traveled any length of the map.

A GM could even get a bit more specific about the Library program. Instead of there being a subsector version, maybe there's version particular to different regions of the subsector.

For example, take the Aramis subsector in the Spinward Marches. There are basically three astrographical regions in that subsector: There's the Towers Cluster; there's the Aramis Trace; and there's the Scatters.

I could easily see a different Library program needed for region, especially if the GM is trying to keep a lid on the money the players are making shipping from port to port. It would sure be in-line with what was indended for the Library program given its definition in Book 2.

A creative GM could even take this a step further. Maybe there are specialized Library programs that can be purchased. One about the Spinward Main. One about worlds that lie on the major trade routes defined by the X-Boat paths.

I like the idea of regional. My PCs haven't yet jumped out of the Aramis Trace. I think I'll make the Library program that they currently have specific to the Aramis Trace. As soon as they jump into the Scatters, or into the Towers Cluster, I'll let 'em know that they need to purchase a new Library program to go with that region of the subsector.

 

[BlackBat242]

In general, I made the Library program much like an "Encyclopedia Imperia"... a general reference for basic info on most subjects... but NOT good for recent history or for cultural data.

For those, you do need a Regional/Sector/Subsector Sociographical and Egonomic supplemental program.


As for navigational info, etc let me use the example of the Navigator in the last CT campaign I ran.

He had Nav 3, and a Bachelor's degree in Astrophysics [Astronomy 3, Physics 3](he was hired away from the University research vessel he was doing his Post-Graduate field work on).

His normal habit was, within 12 hours of docking at the High Port or landing at a dirtside port, to visit the local Port Authority for updated Nav charts for all of the the nearby region... up to 5 parsecs from there in all directions, and through the next A/B starport on the expected course.

If unsatisfied with their completeness and/or newness, he would then visit the local University or Astronomy center to get their data.

Only then would he look for other things to do.

 

[BlackBat242]

In general, I made the Library program much like an "Encyclopedia Imperia"... a general reference for basic info on most subjects... but NOT good for recent history or for cultural data.

For those, you do need a Regional/Sector/Subsector Sociographical and Egonomic supplemental program.


As for navigational info, etc let me use the example of the Navigator in the last CT campaign I ran.

He had Nav 3, and a Bachelor's degree in Astrophysics [Astronomy 3, Physics 3](he was hired away from the University research vessel he was doing his Post-Graduate field work on).

His normal habit was, within 12 hours of docking at the High Port or landing at a dirtside port, to visit the local Port Authority for updated Nav charts for all of the the nearby region... up to 5 parsecs from there in all directions, and through the next A/B starport on the expected course.

If unsatisfied with their completeness and/or newness, he would then visit the local University or Astronomy center to get their data.

Only then would he look for other things to do.

 

[Supplement Four]

New "Library" question...

How big do you think these library programs are?

If a character, during the game, decides to use the ship's library, would it be akin to someone looking up a topic on the world wide web today?

Are these ship's library programs that extensive?

Or, are they something less?

 

[Supplement Four]

New "Library" question...

How big do you think these library programs are?

If a character, during the game, decides to use the ship's library, would it be akin to someone looking up a topic on the world wide web today?

Are these ship's library programs that extensive?

Or, are they something less?

 

[aramis]

I use it as a subscription service. Weekly updates. Viral propagation of updates.

I assume roughly a terrabyte of code.

It's more like a massive wiki, but one that shares data with other wikis it encounters.

 

[aramis]

I use it as a subscription service. Weekly updates. Viral propagation of updates.

I assume roughly a terrabyte of code.

It's more like a massive wiki, but one that shares data with other wikis it encounters.

 

[Jame]

I like this. I would bring down the prices of these (and EVERY other) program to the thousands of credits, though, to try to bring them into a more modern-esque computing style (I haven't a clue how to make the computers smaller, so I make them MUCH cheaper).

 

[Jame]

I like this. I would bring down the prices of these (and EVERY other) program to the thousands of credits, though, to try to bring them into a more modern-esque computing style (I haven't a clue how to make the computers smaller, so I make them MUCH cheaper).