ShipsIII Generator

[equilibrium]

Hi there,

I've been fiddling with the ShipsIII MegaTrav generator that i found on the net and have come up against a couple of issues.

Firstly is it actually possible to make a planetoid ship with this program? I can't seem to find it under the hulls section.

Secondly I'm either not calculating it properly when doing it manually or the software is out (more likely the former) but i'm not getting the right volume for the ships I make. I'm currently trying to put the information for the A-Class Free Trader from the Imperial Encyclopedia into ShipsIII but it doesn't come out right. Values for certain things are out while others are on the money. Any clues? was the A-Class a fudged design? Are there any Traveller fans familiar with this software?

cheers in advance..

Jason K>..

 

[snrdg082102]

Hello equilibrium,

I've used the Ships III program, as well as other design aids for the various Traveller design sequences and I have yet to get the canon designs to work out as per their published specs. Even my attempts to duplicate them using the design sequence have failed to get an exact match.

One of the causes for the difference is how the program or spreadsheet designer rounds the numbers. Another, is how the program/spreadsheet interrupts the coding used. A third cause is the edition and/or copyright date of the particular design sequence used. For example, I have a copies of CT: Book 5 High Guard dated 1979 and 1980. In the 1979 2nd edition copy there is a 10 ton bay, which was dropped in my 1980 1st edition copy.

I believe Hugh Foster used errata for MT and some tweaks in his program. My recommedation is to contact Hugh Foster. Here is the link to his web site: The War Dog's Dinner: Hugh Foster's Web page . From there click on Software, Suppot Page, and then the email link.

 

[equilibrium]

thanks for the reply.

I've contacted Hugh and he's answered some questions I had, namely the lack of Planetoid Hull configs and the "armour value" query. Apparently noone has asked him about Planetoids before...weird

cheers

Jason K>

 

[snrdg082102]

Thank-you for your reply and you're welcome for my post, even though my advise was, as usual for a sailor , a bit behind the curve. I never noticed the lack of the planetoid hull configurations, since I have never needed to design one yet.

Originally posted by equilibrium:
thanks for the reply.

I've contacted Hugh and he's answered some questions I had, namely the lack of Planetoid Hull configs and the "armour value" query. Apparently noone has asked him about Planetoids before...weird

cheers

Jason K>

 

[slyen2002]

why does MT have to have such complex design rules? its the same with TNE too.

 

[tjoneslo]

Originally posted by slyen2:
why does MT have to have such complex design rules? its the same with TNE too.

That's a question for Ask Avery.

The MT design rules are an evolution of the complex design rules in Striker, which was a miniatures game (now in BFB #5). The original Sriker rules were for vehicles only. The MT design team decided they wanted more details for their vehicles (and starships, and robots, and...). So they adapted the Striker system. With mixed results.

The TNE design system was an attempt to fix the MT one, but still maintain the level of detail. T4's Fire,Fusion and Steel is the same way.

I'm guessing about the modivations, but there is a fair number of gamers (gearheads) who appreciate the level of detail and complexity.

 

[slyen2002]

oh god save us!

so how do you get Ask Avery to asnwer you're questions anyway?

 

[slyen2002]

oh god save us!

so how do you get Ask Avery to asnwer you're questions anyway?

 

[slyen2002]

oh god save us!

so how do you get Ask Avery to asnwer you're questions anyway?

 

[slyen2002]

ack it posted it 3 times

 

[far-trader]

Slips on borrowed robe of a priest of PUC-LYED (the Pan-Universal-Church-of-Lofty-Yet-Earthly-Delights)

First slyen2 my son you must invoke a minor deity on your behalf and speak the Ancient one's true name...

Oh, already did that, um, well did you jiggle the...

OK, tried that too, hmmm, sometimes a bribe, er, donation to the right representitive will work, I can take local currency or any recognized legal tender

But seriously

First you must pose your question young grasshopper and then you must learn patience.

"Patience!? D'ooh, how long is that gonna take?"

Right well if you are still with me and can answer my riddles three...

Oops, wrong script again, where was I?

Oh yes, if you're still reading this message it will self destruct in...

CUT! CUT! STOP THAT RIGHT NOW! Alright now that's enough of that! You're all under arrest for... for, um, a 708, yes, a 708, impersonating intelligence, come along quietly now.

OK now the lad had a serious question, what's the answer now? Speak up!

Well, presumably he knows to use the link to "Ask Avery" in the menu at the top under the Features heading. That will of course take him to the form to pose the question. Then it is just a matter of awaiting the most high one to visit this realm and note the question and prepare the answer in his time.

Good, that was well done, finally I'll let you all off with a warning then, just this once. Now move along, the next skit is late and waiting thanks to your evasive procrastination.