What does "bis" stand for?
- Thread starter Narl
- Start date
In Traveller, 'bis' means 'second' or 'improved' model.
For performing Jumps (Travel between stars), the bis model is treated as the next higher model. For example, a model 2 computer will allow a starship to travel at Jump 2. A model 3 computer will allow a ship to travel at Jump 3. A Model 2bis will operate like a model 2 for most purposes, but is able to run the jump 3 program to allow a starship to travel at Jump 3.
For performing Jumps (Travel between stars), the bis model is treated as the next higher model. For example, a model 2 computer will allow a starship to travel at Jump 2. A model 3 computer will allow a ship to travel at Jump 3. A Model 2bis will operate like a model 2 for most purposes, but is able to run the jump 3 program to allow a starship to travel at Jump 3.
Vladika
SOC-14 1K
From the Latin bis, meaning twice, or repeated. In standards terminology, bis refers to the second version.
BlackBat242
SOC-14 1K
The only place I've seen "bis" used on a semi-regular basis outside of Traveller is in Soviet/Russian military equipment, where it is applied to improved and more-capable models of aircraft, etc.
Thus, a Model 2bis computer is an improved Model 2.
Thus, the AV-8B Harrier II* could be termed the "AV-8bis".
* The AV-8A and the AV-8C (upgraded AV-8As) were named Harrier. The Harrier II was actually a new airframe closely related to, but incorporating very little structure from, the AV-8A/C.
Thus, a Model 2bis computer is an improved Model 2.
Thus, the AV-8B Harrier II* could be termed the "AV-8bis".
* The AV-8A and the AV-8C (upgraded AV-8As) were named Harrier. The Harrier II was actually a new airframe closely related to, but incorporating very little structure from, the AV-8A/C.
snrdg082102
SOC-14 1K
Hello Narl,
My best guess is that bis may be related to the computer networking concept of built in standard. Of course my guess may be way out in a field or deep in the woods.
My best guess is that bis may be related to the computer networking concept of built in standard. Of course my guess may be way out in a field or deep in the woods.
thalassogen
SOC-12
I guess it is derived from Latin as explained here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V.22bis said:
BIS is a Russian acronym meaning "large-scale integrated circuit".
I always thought, though, that a -bis computer was just that -- computer with double program capacity. It could run two programs of maximum complexity at once, instead of just one for an ordinary comp.
Actually blame the whole thing on the French who started using the system in WW1 to designate various sub types of aircraft.
As in Nieuport 17 and Nieuport 17Bis
snrdg082102
SOC-14 1K
Howdy Rabbit,
Of course someone over there will say the Yanks are the ones who started the whole thing.
Of course someone over there will say the Yanks are the ones who started the whole thing.
ShapeShifter
SOC-13
Frankly I don't know why MM did that. It seems all too unnecessary. Hell, why not just keep going: bis, ter, quater, quinquies, sexies, septies, octies, nonies, decies, undecies, duodecies.....AAARRRGHHH!!
*thud!*
:rofl:
*thud!*
:rofl:
Amber Chancer
SOC-12
In UK Government circles BIS stands for [Department of] Business, Innovation and Skills.
But if this were the derivation, then the BIS version ought to have inferior functionality to the standard model, not superior :rofl:
But if this were the derivation, then the BIS version ought to have inferior functionality to the standard model, not superior :rofl:
It was trendy. The same thing continues today even with the hottest consumer item, just a different suffix: iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, ...
You don't typically incrementally rev a standard more than a few times before it is completely obsolete and needs a redesign. The Apple II and II+ were expected to be succeeded by the Apple III, but it tanked in the market and the II line continued (//e, //c, IIgs). MWM's Challenge column "Using your Model/2bis" is an obvious play on the term, as the program listings provided were for the Apple II line...
snrdg082102
SOC-14 1K
Morning Amber Chancer,
A Model 1/bis computer per CT Book 2 can run the program for a Jump 2 calculation, which is accomplished by not having any storage capacity, if I'm reading the rules correctly. To me a bis model computer is not superior to a standard computer since the process of swapping programs takes a lot longer on a bis system.
A Model 1/bis computer per CT Book 2 can run the program for a Jump 2 calculation, which is accomplished by not having any storage capacity, if I'm reading the rules correctly. To me a bis model computer is not superior to a standard computer since the process of swapping programs takes a lot longer on a bis system.
The IIe stood for II enhanced, the IIc stood for II compact, and the IIgs stood for "Graphics and Sound" ... I used to hop on the local BBSs on a IIe... back when 2400baud was fast, on my Avatex 1200hc modem (which had the compression protocol to hit 2400 bits/sec transmitted, but none of the BBSs I hit had that protocol).
The G in 3G stands for "Generation" and 4G - referring to the data protocol speed.
I have no clue what the S stands for in iPhone models.
Duh, it's short for "bis". ;-)
In the 4S, it stands for "Siri". In the 3GS, it stood for "speed," according to the same article. The C in 5C is probably for "colors."
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"G" as a standard
"G" indeed stands for "Generation" - 2G, 3G and 4G are actually closely defined ITU standards. (The ITU is a United Nations subcommittee that tries to establish international telecommunications standards so stuff has a hope to work together from nation to nation) Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T violated those standards in the recent "4G" mania - but I suspect that "5G" will be another set of rigid standards. I suspect that some sort of similar standards body would exist in the Imperium...
"G" indeed stands for "Generation" - 2G, 3G and 4G are actually closely defined ITU standards. (The ITU is a United Nations subcommittee that tries to establish international telecommunications standards so stuff has a hope to work together from nation to nation) Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T violated those standards in the recent "4G" mania - but I suspect that "5G" will be another set of rigid standards. I suspect that some sort of similar standards body would exist in the Imperium...
