As much as I prefer your interpretation of the Max PP ruling Chris it's not the way I read it. To use the model/9 with 65/14 as a more extreme example the way I read it is that you could have 3 seperate skill programs of rank 14 each and still have 23 PP left for other programs. Or you could have 14 seperate skill programs of rank 3 each and still have the same 23 PP left.
Anyway you shouldn't be forgetting the Logic and Command programs either in the mix which could take as much as 30 PP in my model/9 example (for a full verbal command low AI), or as little as 1 in your model/1 example (for a Simple operating system and manual interface).
Classic Traveller computers had a ratio of about 2/3 storage for every 1/3 active programs, and bis models traded the storage for half as much additional active programs. Hunter seems to have done away with storage, replacing it with the Max PP in effect.
Well I threatened to share some of my thoughts so here you go. Applying my CT model to the "corrected" computer listing would produce:
</font><blockquote>code:</font><hr /><pre style="font-size:x-small; font-family: monospace;">TL Model/# Tot PP Max PP Off PP Standard OS Int, Command & Logic (Tot PP/Off PP)
05 0 21 11 42 Int 01 Manual Simple OS (-1 PP/-2 PP)
05 0 bis 42 11 0 Int 01 Manual Simple OS (-1 PP/-2 PP)
07 1 28 11 56 Int 03 GUI Low Basic Logic (-3 PP/-6 PP)
07 1 bis 56 11 0 Int 03 GUI Low Basic Logic (-3 PP/-6 PP)
08 2 35 12 70 Int 04 Limited Verbal Low Basic Logic (-4 PP/-8 PP)
08 2 bis 70 12 0 Int 04 Limited Verbal Low Basic Logic (-4 PP/-8 PP)
09 3 42 12 84 Int 07 Basic Verbal High Basic Logic (-10 PP/-20 PP)
09 3 bis 84 12 0 Int 07 Basic Verbal High Basic Logic (-10 PP/-20 PP)
10 4 49 13 98 Int 07 Basic Verbal High Basic Logic (-10 PP/-20 PP)
10 4 bis 98 13 0 Int 07 Basic Verbal High Basic Logic (-10 PP/-20 PP)
11 5 57 13 114 Int 10 Full Verbal Low Autonomous Logic (-20 PP/-40 PP)
11 5 bis 114 13 0 Int 10 Full Verbal Low Autonomous Logic (-20 PP/-40 PP)
12 6 65 14 130 Int 10 Full Verbal Low Autonomous Logic (-20 PP/-40 PP)
12 6 bis 130 14 0 Int 10 Full Verbal Low Autonomous Logic (-20 PP/-40 PP)
13 7 73 14 146 Int 12 Full Verbal High Autonomous Logic (-25 PP/-50 PP)
13 7 bis 146 14 0 Int 12 Full Verbal High Autonomous Logic (-25 PP/-50 PP)
14 8 81 15 162 Int 13 Full Verbal High Autonomous Logic (-25 PP/-50 PP)
14 8 bis 162 15 0 Int 13 Full Verbal High Autonomous Logic (-25 PP/-50 PP)
15 9 99 15 198 Int 15 Full Verbal Low Artificial Intelligence (-30 PP/-60 PP)
15 9 bis 198 15 0 Int 15 Full Verbal Low Artificial Intelligence (-30 PP/-60 PP)</pre>[/QUOTE]Notes:
TL - I used the original TL breakdown for starship computers, modified slightly at the lower levels. This to me implies that the starship computers are not Master computers but Expert computers. See the table on page 224 for the TL comparisons to model # However that would make the programming capacity even more ridiculous and boost the intelligence to unrealistic levels. Besides the Master type fits better with it operating the Avionics, Sensors, and Communications electronics (slave systems). So we'll stick with it as a Master type but don't forget to include at least one Master Program requiring 5 PP when setting up your computer. I'd recommend three in fact so you can access each of the sub-systems simultaneously. The bonus is of course that you don't have to worry about the programming of those subsystems. The Jump Program(s) for example reside entirely in the Avionics subsystem with all the appropriate versions included. More on that below.
Tot PP - This is the capacity for total active running programming. Reprogramming can be undertaken any turn by moving active programs to empty space in the offline capacity and then moving any programs there to the now empty capacity for active programs.
Max PP - This is the limit for the number of PP any one skill program can devote to ranks.
Off PP - This is the offline program capacity the model includes. Space should be left for moving programs from active to offline.
The final column lists the computer's native intelligence based on model and operating system. The standard operating system is listed as the command interface and logic programming, along with the required programming space (not included in the previous totals for the model, user must install) listed as Active/Offline. This offers two backups to the operating system in the offline storage should the active installation fail. In this case the corrupt active operating system is flushed and one of the secure offline ones loaded automatically. Note that bis models do not have offline storage and instead install two sets of operating systems in the active programming area, using one until it is corrupt and then switching to the backup.
You'll also have noted I allow not only a model/0 but also bis versions of each model.
My model/0 has a basic cost multiplier of x0 and each subsystem has a cost factor of +0. The base size of each model/0 component is 0.0tons. Yes, that means a model/0 is free and takes no space from the craft. It is included free of charge in all bridge installations, and serves as a final emergency backup for a failed main computer. The maximum hull rated for a model/0 is up to 100tons though. The model/0 bis could function in a hull of up to 600tons and manage jump-1 in a pinch. The base range for the model/0 sensors and communications is Visual. This is the default emergency backup for small starships while the base model/0 is the default for small craft, even if no main computer is installed. This was adopted for my game for two reasons, to allow reconstruction of CT small craft, where the build option was for a computer or bridge, not a requirement for both. By using a model/0 as outlined I stick to the T20 rules in spirit and the CT rules in function. Also the computer rules list a model/0 so why shouldn't it be included in starship construction.
I also do the pricing of my bis models a little differently to make them more sensible in my mind. Rather than an added cost factor of x2 I use x1.5, after the cost calcualtion based on the basic (non-bis) version of the same model.
The cost of programs has been drastically reduced in T20 while the cost of computers is about the same, compared to CT, so I don't bother charging for the initial programming, the purchaser may have the computer loaded however they desire within the limits of the PP notes. There are some notable changes even so:
Avionics Programs - The following programs are included free of charge and require no PP from the main computer. They are resident in the Avionics subsystem and include all routines to match the performance of the ship in both jump-space travel which includes Generate, T/Astrogation-X, and Jump X as well as normal-space travel including Navigation-X and Pilot-X (where X is the Avionics model number). No other programming may be added to this subsystem.
Sensors Programs - T/Sensors-X (where X is the Sensors model number) is included free of charge and requires no PP. No other programming may be added to this subsystem.
Communications Programs - T/Communications-X (where X is the Communications model number) is included free of charge and requires no PP. No other programming may be added to this subsystem.
General Programming - As noted the Operating System programming requirements vary with the model number and are listed in the table. In addition at least one copy of the Master Program at 5 PP per application is required to access the subsystems. One copy will allow one system at a time to be used, while multiple copies will allow multiple access.
Additional Programming is left to the user but cost is not an issue for the initial programming with a computer purchase. Note that skill programming will require a seperate installation for each position to be handled. For example a ship with two turrets wishing to use a Gunnery program to fire them both will have to install two copies, one for each weapon. A ship turning control of a Bay Weapon over to the computer will require the equivalent of two Gunnery programs of identical rank, while a computer firing a Spinal Mount will need the equivalent of one Gunnery program of identical rank per 100tons of weapon. This is in addition to any Gunnery Command program(s), which will also have to be the same rank, that may be required to replace Gunnery Officers if full atuomation of firing is desired. Also don't forget that all skill programs are subject to modifiers for the apporpriate ability score, usually making them less able than a person, and in an unusual circumstance the computer may have to make a "judgement" call on how to proceed, basically a Wisdom check. So does your computer's auto-Pilot program have enough Wisdom to know that an overtaking asteroid on a collision course is not going to yield the right of way according to the protocol
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All of the above is a little rough and very unofficial, use at your own risk, but feel free to comment or ask for clarification, it'll help me hammer out the problems.
