question about map on www.grandsurvey.com

[Dr.Unpossible]

This question is in regards to the fantastic maps of the Imperium at this link

http://www.grandsurvey.com/map.html

In the notes section, the author states that the colours of the routs on the map corospond to trade values detailed in the Gurps:FarTrader book.

On the PDF maps, blue lines are BTN 12-13, cyan lines are BTN 11, green lines are BTN 10, yellow lines are BTN 9, and red lines are BTN 8.

http://www.grandsurvey.com/notes.html

Now is there anyways to reply her with just what these "BTN"s are without infringing on any copyrites? I am cash poor at the moment, but will gladly pick up FarTrader in the future. But I'm eager to know right now what they mean exactly. I'm assuming there "Billions of Tons a Month"? in trade traffic?

 

[Fulminata]

I don't think I'd be infringing copyright by saying that BTN = Bilateral Trade Number. Far Trader contains pages of charts and formulae that use that number, but basically, the higher the BTN, the more cargo and passengers that travel that route.

One way to use those maps without Far Trader (which is out of print) is to treat red lines as minor routes, yellow lines as feeder routes and all others as major routes. Note that Travellers don't necessarily want to follow the major routes, since that's where the big boys play and it's tough for a free trader to compete with Tukera.

 

[tjoneslo]

The Bilateral Trade Number (BTN) represents a order of magnitude scale of trade between the two worlds.

IIRC, BTN8 = Mcr1 worth of trade per year between the worlds
BTN 9 = Mcr 10
BTN 10 = Mcr 100
BTN 11 = Mcr 1,000
BTN 12 = Mcr 10,000
BTN 13 = Mcr 100,000

The other thing to keep in mind about the routes is Far Traders (and Anthony) lets the routes overlap. That is if there is a BTN 10 route between world A and World C, where the route goes through World B, it may look like there is a lot of trade going between World A and World B, and on to world C.

If you like those maps, defenately pick up a copy of Far Trader.

 

[Loki]

And I quote: "If you like those maps, defenately pick up a copy of Far Trader."

If only I could. I have been trying for the past two weeke to locate a copy of this ont-of-print book but without success. I thought I was ordering a copy from a dealer back east, even got an automated confirmation that my order was received but todate no product. Both listed phone numbers are out of service and my recent email inquiry to their web site has also gone unanswered.

Still looking!

 

[Dr.Unpossible]

Thank you for the info.

Yeah I'm kicking myself for not buying it before. Time to hunt ebay I guess. I think the maps are great. Because it gives an idea of where the traffice is going. And where the "action" so to speak takes place. What world are on the beaten path, and what worlds arn't so to speak.

There a great was to visualize known space. Least for me there a huge help.

 

[Veilheim]

I may have a source for you for Far Trader, but I would need to have prepayment for it. I'm checking to see if we have any available. If interested, email me off list at veilheim@yahoo.com

Brennan