CT Only: What One Thing Would You Change About Classic Traveller?

[aramis]

I think the current formula for a completely enclosed dry dock in a space station is one to five in terms of volume.

I use a minimum of 2× volume. WHich is pretty close to (checks the HP calc) 1.25992× each dimension So 1.25× dimensions is acceptable.

I miss my HP38g... the 30b is decent, but only 2 line, limited programming. Part time RPN.

 

[Condottiere]

With Terran watercraft it's relatively easy, the configuration is more or less standard, due to the substance they navigate through.

However, in Traveller you have basically about nine different configurations, which certainly wouldn't help with even launch tubes and hangar doors.

 

[whartung]

I miss my HP38g... the 30b is decent, but only 2 line, limited programming. Part time RPN.

I use an HP48g on my iPhone.

The iPhone offers the singular feature that none of the HP calculators have. Simply, a backlight.

Handiness helps a lot too.

 

[ThornPlutonius]

And then you operate a just in time inventory system.

And watch everything fall apart when the supply chains break down for some reason. There needs to be a middle ground between just-in-time and stockpiling massive amounts of goods, probably something like some more remote sectors having hubs where massive inventories are stored with dependent usage points having supplies delivered "just in time".

 

[Condottiere]

Subsubsector depots or warehouses, about two jumps away, which would be a tad over a month to get a courier delivery to the requester.

 

[Jame]

MgT also has some pretty good options for building lower TL stuff at higher TLs.

I would suggest that Traveller needs ways for items to improve by TLs, eg a TL15 J1 drive would be more fuel efficient than a TL10 one.

 

[Grav_Moped]

I would suggest that Traveller needs ways for items to improve by TLs, eg a TL15 J1 drive would be more fuel efficient than a TL10 one.

Import T5 TL Stage Effects, and your uncle is Robert.

 

[mike wightman]

Or go take a look at MgT 2e HG since this is exactly what happens - although there are other options for technology beyond its introductory TL.

 

[HanleyTucks]

Some food for thought in this description of the real-world ISS and the problems it's having after a couple of decades without a full overhaul.

Riddled with bacteria and starting to rust, the International Space Station's time is almost up

The clock is ticking for the International Space Station, which will meet its watery demise in roughly nine years' time. Why is it being intentionally crashed into the ocean and what will replace it?

www.abc.net.au

 

[aramis]

Some food for thought in this description of the real-world ISS and the problems it's having after a couple of decades without a full overhaul.

Riddled with bacteria and starting to rust, the International Space Station's time is almost up

The clock is ticking for the International Space Station, which will meet its watery demise in roughly nine years' time. Why is it being intentionally crashed into the ocean and what will replace it?

www.abc.net.au

I figure the annual maintenance includes disinfecting inside all the consoles. It's part of why you have to depopulate during, at least IMTU.


Science.gov has a whole multi-page non-commented literature review (abstracts & links) on atomic O impacts in LEO: https://www.science.gov/topicpages/e/earth+orbit+atomic

 

[mike wightman]

This may explain the funky smell of used scout/couriers...

 

[whartung]

Just need to open a window for a few hours each month.

 

[Deldarius]

A few pine trees, hanging next to your fuzzy dice will take care of that problem.

 

[Drew]

And watch everything fall apart when the supply chains break down for some reason. There needs to be a middle ground between just-in-time and stockpiling massive amounts of goods, probably something like some more remote sectors having hubs where massive inventories are stored with dependent usage points having supplies delivered "just in time".

There are parallels between land warfare in today's military. They are already incorporating 3D printing as part of the Sustainment Brigades maintenance units. Although they are limited and bulky, where would a 1000-year development in technology lead you? Certainly, the size and complexity would be enhanced. When I was in an old Separate Brigade Material Management Center, we developed "push packages" for ammunition and fuel, along with selected maintenance items (M113 track, M60 track, filters, etc....) that went forward with the maneuver units (one hill back). We would either refuel/resupply at night in the battalion trains areas by rotating vehicles. There is an example during the Lorraine Campaign with Combat Command A and COL Creighton Abrahms in the deep attack in a narrow break through the German lines.

I was thinking that tactically speaking, I would have my push package of fuel, ammunition and key components for the drives in a series of supply vessels in the Oort Cloud protected by some escort vessels. Battle damage and Repair cycles could be implemented by the capital ship until it limped back to a relatively secure area. They could be repaired to a degree and limp back to a depot or return to battle if needed.

 

[ThornPlutonius]

From The Traveller Book (TTB), page 17:

CHARACTERISTICS

Strength is both a general evaluation of the character's physical ability and a specific measure of force which may be applied.

Dexterity measures physical co-ordination.

I would change the above to read:

CHARACTERISTICS

Strength is a general evaluation of the character's ability to exert force through the use of one's musculature.

Dexterity is a general evaluation of the character's physical co-ordination, how well one is able to move one's body.

I would then change the Effects of Characteristics (p 36, TTB) so that the efficiency of various blows and swings [and shots/ranged combat] depends upon Dexterity, not Strength. Minimum Strength restrictions still apply to weapon use as do bonuses for Strength that exceeds the minimum (though I would say it must exceed the stated minimum by 2 pts, not just one.

I am sure there are other Strength-v-Dexterity adjustments that logically derive from the above, but I am not up to scowering the rules to find them. You, gentle reader, should be able to "get my drift" from what I have written.

 

[Murph]

5% instead of 10% per jump number for fuel use makes ships very different, and allows much more freedom to travel.

 

[mike wightman]

And requires a re-write of the entire trading minigame. Not to mention lower TL warships will now all be agility 6 with lots of armour...

 

[Grav_Moped]

And requires a re-write of the entire trading minigame. Not to mention lower TL warships will now all be agility 6 with lots of armour...

In fairness, the trading minigame probably requires a rewrite anyhow.

 

[Spinward Flow]

In fairness, the trading minigame probably requires a rewrite anyhow.

It certainly could be improved upon ...

 

[Murph]

And requires a re-write of the entire trading minigame. Not to mention lower TL warships will now all be agility 6 with lots of armour...

Not a bad thing, since even we could possibly do it now, if we could get people to stand up to 6 g's.... The trading minigame would and did work fine, you just were able to actually make a profit. I had two buddies who went all in on trading, and it did not unbalance the game. So ships other than the Free Trader, and Fat Trader could actually be economically viable.