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From: owner-traveller-digest@MPGN.COM
To: traveller-digest@MPGN.COM
Subject:   Traveller-digest V1996 #224
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Traveller-digest            Monday, 8 July 1996        Volume 1996 : Number 224

(R)1996. Traveller is a registered trademark of FarFuture Enterprises.
All rights reserved.

The following topics are covered in this digest:

         1. Re: Missiles (was Re: Traveller Small Craft/Fighters)
         2. Effects of EMP
         3. Re: Hand Computers
         4. Re: Traveller-digest V1996 #190
         5. Re: Exactly what do EMPs affect?
         6. TTC #10 review, Marines, Dice, etc
         7. Radical Hand Computer Design :)
         8. Re: SmartCards, Street Index, Sensors, and Fighter Tactics (long)
         9. Re: Exactly what do EMPs affect?
        10. Sample CBTM computer
        11. Re: Traveller-digest V1996 #190
        12. Re: Hand Computers

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Tom Ellis <tellis@telerama.lm.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 08:03:23 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: Missiles (was Re: Traveller Small Craft/Fighters)

On Sun, 7 Jul 1996, Leonard Erickson wrote:

> 
> If it's a 10 gram wing-nut, it imparts 6.125 Mj. About the same as a
> kilo and a half of TNT.
> 

Yes, now imagine if you will about 200 or more smacking into your ship.

_______________________________________________________
Tom Ellis
tellis@telerama.lm.com
http://www.lm.com/~tellis/

"No! Do, or do not.  There is not try." Yoda
_______________________________________________________ 


------------------------------

From: Antti Lahtinen <lahtinen@ee.tut.fi>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 16:12:28 +0300
Subject: Effects of EMP

> What exactly do EMPs affect?  What components on a starship (commercial or
> military) would be subject to their effects?  Would a defense against a
> certain level of EMP not be sufficient to defend against a much stronger
> pulse?  How well do EMPs propagate through vacuum?  Through an atmosphere
> (I thought an EMP was a product of *atmospheric ionization* during a
> nuclear explosion)?  Why is the sky blue?

        EMP, or electromagnetic pulse, is a pulse of radiation caused
        by nuclear explosion. While a nuclear explosion causes radiation
        in wide spectrum, the term "EMP" generally refers only to the
        electromagnetic radiation in radio frequencies.

        The effect of strong radio-frequency pulse is to induce current
        in conductive wires, that is, conductive wires act as antennas.
        The resulting current pulse may damage any sensitive electronic
        devices, and computers appear to be highly vulnerable. Note that
        even weak radio-frequency pulses can be dangerous in certain
        situations. Modern passenger airplanes have many kilometers of
        wiring around the passenger compartment, and a GSM telephone can
        induce false signals in flight control data bus if the phone is
        used within the plane.

        Some electronic components can be protected against RF noise
        using RF shielding, but it is very difficult to defend against
        nuclear EMP. The only real defense against EMP is using non-
	sensitive components. These can be either "hardened" electronic
	devices or optical devices. Hardened electronics are specifically
	designed to withstand EMPs, but only fairly simple devices (such
	as radios) can be hardened, and hardened devices are generally
	larger and heavier than corresponding normal devices.

	Since optical circuits contain only small amounts of conductive
	materials, they should be fairly immune to EMPs. Theoretically
	modern ORM processor (Optic RISC Machine) should be immune to the
	effects of a EMP.


        Antti Lahtinen     :     Justice is Only a Wish of a Weak
        lahtinen@ee.tut.fi :


------------------------------

From: Amnuss@aol.com
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 09:32:54 -0400
Subject: Re: Hand Computers

In the Crisis of Empire series of books all of the main characters had a
version of a PDA.  The PDA's were AI's, the more you used them, the more
developed the personalities became.  Some of the personalities were slightly
irritating.

There also was a gun for shipboard use.  It fired glass pellets.

For those interested:

Crisis Of Empire 1: An Honorable Defense
      Thomas T. Thomas & David Drake
COE 2: Cluster Command
      W. C. Dietz & David Drake
COE 3: The War Machine
      Roger MacBride Allen & David Drake
I think these were published by Baen Books.

Alan

------------------------------

From: Derek Stanley <dstanley@direct.ca>
Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 07:18:18 -0700
Subject: Re: Traveller-digest V1996 #190

Leonard Erickson wrote:

>>The SKS???  I think you mean the PTRS.  The SKS is "Samozaryadni i
>>Karabin Simonova"  Loosely translated "Simonov's Carbine."  The PTRS is 
>>a 14.5mm WWII vintage anti-tank rifle.  The PTRS is the predicessor of 
>>the KPV.
> 
> The SKS action is scaled down from a WWII era anti-tank rifle, and I
> could have sworn it was a 17mm job.

We must be talking about two different SKS's then the one I'm refering to 
is a first generation automatic rifle, 10 round magazine, integral 
bayonet designed in the late 40's early 50's.  Sold very heavilly to 3rd 
world countries in the 50's.  Fires 7.62 short, and was the predicessor 
to the AKM.

Derek Stanley


------------------------------

From: Derek Stanley <dstanley@direct.ca>
Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 07:09:00 -0700
Subject: Re: Exactly what do EMPs affect?

Larry Hadley wrote:
> 
> On Mon, 8 Jul 1996, James Lindsay wrote:
> 
>>What exactly do EMPs affect?  What components on a starship (commercial 
>>or military) would be subject to their effects?  Would a defense 
>>against a
> 
>Anything electronic, fiber-optic computers would be immune. (Thus their
>wide-spread use in military ships)
> 
>>certain level of EMP not be sufficient to defend against a much 
>>stronger pulse?  How well do EMPs propagate through vacuum?  Through an 
>>atmosphere (I thought an EMP was a product of *atmospheric ionization* 
>>during a nuclear explosion)?  Why is the sky blue?
> 
>EMP is a direct result of nuclear activity, like the radiation. In fact
>it IS radiation. ;-)  Not sure how effective shielding is, some of this
>stuff is pretty heavily classified by the DoD.

According to Brilliant Lances a Nuclear Detonation in space is not 
sufficient enought to do any harm to a computer, a PAW on the other hand 
does double the crew hits due to radiation and all computers, except 
fiber optic, automatically suffer as System Reset result.  Which I can't 
find for some reason but I'd imagine it means you lose all sensor locks 
etc.  Can someone clarify please.

In an atmosphere the effects are far more devestating.  Within the 
primary burst radius all space ships have 5 major electronic hits rolled 
and all spaceships in the secondary burst radius have 1 major electronic 
hit rolled.

The sky is blue because the elves ran out of purple paint and there was a 
 special on blue that day.  8)

Derek Stanley



------------------------------

From: David Jaques-Watson <davidjw@pcug.org.au>
Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 01:51:33 +1000 (EST)
Subject: TTC #10 review, Marines, Dice, etc

Dear Folks -

1. TL8 Virus

Larry Hadley asked: 

>...explain how the TL6 agro-world's D spaceport traffic control computer
>(without transponder, b/c it's not a starship) is infected by Virus
>through the radar dish. 

I always though this was silly - it couldn't happen. In this case
(something that can't be taken over), the Virus will either leave an "egg"
(a dormant Trojan Horse program) or just bomb the place. A TL-6 D-class
'port doesn't take much destroying. 

2. Potted review of TTC #10

Well, I did wonder why Harold had been quiet for so long... 

I want to congratulate Harold on a sterling job on the Solomani Rim. In
*The Traveller Chronicle #10*, Harold has taken a reasonably dull area
(for me) and made it both alive and interesting. Richard Biever has
created yet another great cover, and the surrounding marbling effect is
striking. My only quibble is that the dual system stats are reversed from
other publications; 1201 first and 1117 second (I kept looking at the
stats and wondering why the map was wrong - duh!). The explanation of the
Known Star List for the Rim was detailed and interesting, especially the
quirks such as the placement of Alderbaran and the replacement of Alpha
Crucis by Alpha Leonis (Regulus). 

I hope that IG uses these sort of detailed player contributions in their
various product releases. We have seen that they heed the voices of their
players by their attitude to the work on starships. They would do well to
retain this attitude when writing their pseudo-historical backgrounds (I
only sound this pompous because I can't spell "Milieu" <sp?>). 

[Aside - I'm using Leroy's dot map as a Windows .bmp at work - when will
the Marches be included?]

Finally, the adventure is intruiging and makes a change from the typical
"all guns blazing" smash'n'grag scenario (although I detect too much
influence from *The Magician's Nephew*, perhaps?!)

Overall, I highly recommend TTC #10 as a worthwhile addition to your
Traveller library. 

3. Beyond

For Joe's sake, the Beyond and Vanguard Reaches were declared "non-canon"
by their authors (not GDW, AFAIK), and then Chuck Kallenbach re-released
both sectors. For full details, try: 
	http://www.inlink.com/~scoundrl/paranoia.htm

4. Quoting

William said:  
>I need quoting to call up what people are talking about.... 

My earlier plea was not to scrap quoting, just to quote the relevent bits
rather than entire paragraphs. I don't have usenet access (at least, I
don't *think* I do ?!), so don't know how bad it is over there. Over here,
I like reading people's opinions (and I quote myself here ;-): 

>The above is not intended as a way of saying people's POV's are
unimportant. 

I just didn't want to hear them three times in a row, that's all. ;-) The
reduction in cross-posting has been a BIG help here, and I want to thank
you all for your restraint. 

There you go, a bouquet in the midst of all the flames! 

5. Imperial Marines

When I and my group read about "The Big Stick" (Imp Marine Grav APC) and
the accompanying attitude ("just level the damn block"), we all said, "Oh!
we see, they're *Americans*!"  - did we miss something? 

6. AD&D Die Rolls

James asked: 
>...4d6 (ignore the lowest die result) Now... which one of these methods
>will mathmatically produce the better (ie: higher) result?  The gauntlet
>has been dropped 8-)

Definitely 4d6 rolled *seven* times (eight if you used Comeliness), and
drop the lowest die from each stat roll, and the worst stat roll. This
skews the stats to above average characters. 

...and before anyone says this is too much of an advantage, my opinion is
that: 
1) this doesn't confer that much of an advantage; 
2) the DM can always make it tough for the PC's, even 17th-level ones; 
3) this is a cheap way of letting the players *believe* they are getting
an advantage. Not that it helps any, mind... 

7. PC Ornamentation

I have Snoopy asleep on his doghouse, a wooden silhouette cat trying to
reach down and claw my mouse, and a small stuffed dog (used to clean the
dust off my screen - my wife gasps when I do that, though ;-). BTW,
Leonard, I'm afraid we *do* get the pink-bunny-Energiser ads "down here". 

8. Starport Authority - the Imp Coast Guard? 

Is the "Coast Guard" function one of the sort of functions that the ISA
should do? 

- - Hyphen
(David Jaques-Watson)
"I file things in historical order, with a hashing algorithm of gravity".


------------------------------

From: pierre-louis constantin <Pierre-Louis.Constantin@DMI.USherb.CA>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 12:10:36 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Radical Hand Computer Design :)

Tired of sharing your hand computer?  You can't seem to find the
right computer for your husband Strephon, your son Bart
or your baby Margaret <picture of the Simpsons>?

Now all your problems are over, with "COMPUTER BY THE METER"!

Yes, Computer By The Meter, brought to you by Ling Standard 
Products!

What is this revolutionary new product?  
This is a revolution in computer design; the CBTM is a 
centimeter-thick multi-layered polymer membrane that is actually 
a computer.  This revolutionary new material is soft and 
flexible.  It CANNOT be BROKEN and is totally SHOCK-PROOF!  
What's more, it can actually be CUT into pieces and all the 
pieces will work as separate computers! This is why we will sell 
you Comptuer By The Meter - You cut it into the size and
computer power YOU require!

*Order NOW and you will get a FREE INCREDIBLE CBTM Computer *
*KNIFE! Its revolutionary edge will prevent fraying and the *
*laser guidance system will GARANTEE a straight edge every  *
* time!                                                     *

How does it work?
CBTM is a long sheet of computer material made of multiple 
layers; here is a simple cut-away picture of the actual working 
computer!

Protective Layer        Transparent Skin
                        -------------------------
Video Layer             Photomers
                        -------------------------
Computer Layer          Neural polymer nodes
                        -------------------------
Power Layer             Flexible Battery
                        -------------------------
Actuator Layer          Myomers
                        -------------------------
Protective Layer        Transparent Skin                        
                        
*Note: Picture has been simplified for marketing purposes;  power
connections and signal busses not shown.  They make up several 
layers of their own.

An explanation of the layers is in order:
The Photomer layer is the video interface to the computer, it
can display FULL-COLOR images (infrared and ultraviolet layers 
extra) on its whole surface.  Photomers are special polymer 
fibers that change colors when an electric current is applied.  
They also work the other way - shine a light on it, and electric 
current will result. (author note: I don't know wether this is 
true or not)  
So you can use light pens as an interface.  You can also buy the
ultra-sensitive Photomer layer that can actually act the eyes of
the computer!  (note: bright lights will damage the ultra-sense
photomer layer - for everyday uses, simply add a stick-it-in 
video camera peripheral!)

Computer layer:  This layer is actually millions of tiny 
microprocessors with a limited instruction set - For example, it 
can perform all the mathematical functions, and also redirect 
power to the other layers for video display or power management. 
A single neuron cannot do much, but together they are almost as 
powerful as the human brain!  The key to harnessing this power is
the Stick-It-In Controller Capsule, a 10-credit-sized round 
processing unit.  Simply plunge the needles on the processor deep
enough into the CBTM sheet and it will take control of the whole 
computer!  It will assess the computing power at its disposal, 
and actually teach the computer how to use its neurons for the 
uses YOU require. Other software caps are just as easy to use, as
well as all the Stick-it-in peripherals.  This is the MOST 
USER-FRIENDLY computer you will ever use!  Handwriting and voice 
recognition are just a few thumb-pushes away!


Power layer:  This layer is a very powerful battery that is 
entirely flexible and like every other layer, it can actually be 
cut in half and keep on giving power.  This shiny metallic layer 
is worth a lot of Recycling Points, bring it back to a service 
center and you will get a credit on your next purchase of 
Computer-By-The-Foot! (The ACEP battery is being devellopped by 
a Canadian, at one of the Hydro-Quebec research center.  Damn 
we're smart. :)  It makes you wonder why the aliens would land 
in the US instead of here. :) What about recharging, you say?  
Read on further! 

Myomer layer:  Myomers, (from the latin "myo" meaning muscle - I 
believe muscle fibers are known as myosin) are much like 
photomers, put in an electric current and the fiber will change 
shape!  What happens is that electrons will attach themselves to 
certain sites in the fibers making their molecular shape change.
The opposite is also true!  So you can exert some force on the 
fibers and they will create a current!  What does this mean for 
you, the buyer?  Well, first of all, you don't need to recharge 
the computer!  Just move it around a lot and it will recharge 
itself!   Strap it on your pets or purchase one of those archaic 
TL6 clothing washing-tumbling machines!  The CBTM is actually 
completely washable, with our special non-abrasive detergent! 

* Purchase now and you will ALSO receive a 200 gr box of CBTM *
* Detergent, absolutely free!  A bonus of 20 credits!         *

The myomer layer is actually sensitive enough to respond to 
human touch - it can be used as a touch-interface to detect 
finger-sized objects. (Get the texture-sensitive layer, half 
price with the extra-sense photomer layer!).

The other use of the myomer layer is of course, as the muscles 
of the computer!  By itself, the computer can learn to crawl on 
the floor like a snail and do simple things like push and pull 
objects.  (Equivalent to a very light tentacle - about 2 kg of 
strenght max for a 8.5*11 sheet - beyond that the power supply 
isn't enough and the sheet might rip apart).  For more complex 
actions, the CBTM Mech-Anno skeletton kit can be bought, 
allowing the computer to actually walk around and lift things 
like a true robot!  The computer can be attached to any
object you require with our special CMBT Shear-Less Sure-Grip 
Gluing Tape (aka Duct Tape! :).

* Bonus!  We'll also include 3 rolls of our special tape on your*
* first Order!   A total bonus of more than 30 credits,         *
* absolutely free!                                              *

Order NOW!  Quantities are unlimited, special sheet colors 
available on request.

Product Info: (Note: Using my own design systems)
Gear ID: Computer By The Meter, TL 12, 2965 Cr/meter
URP: Str=2, Dex=5, End=1, Int=4, Edu=3, Pri=7 - Psi=0
Hull: Disp=2.6 l, Config=9, Armor=0.5, Loaded 3.9 kg
Power: Battery=10 kw, Dur=10 hours (kino-recharge)
Loco: Monopod, (Off)Road= 1 km/h
Comm: DataLinks: Touch(C-SLO-R), Video(STAT-S, C-SLO)
Sensors: Basic Touch
Devices: None
Off/Def: None
Control: Neural=8 (About 16 terrabytes), ELP
Programs: None
Other: *Everything by the square meter, includes CBTM Knife, 
        Detergent and 3 rolls of tape.  The price is VERY low - 
        it would cost about 30000 a m^2 if it wasn't 
        mass-produced.

        This shiny metallic 1-cm-thick piece of material is 
 actually a whole computer.  The only thing missing is a 
 controller, each piece of CBTM material requires one to function
 properly - CBMT's without a controller will do nothing, wriggle 
 about randomly or perform exactly as before, without the 
 capacity to learn any new software.

options: 
Extra-Sense Visual Layer: 185 cr, 0.6 kg
Extra-Sense Tactile Layer: 285 Cr, 0.6 kg

Gear ID: CBTM CPU Cap, TL 12, 600 Cr
Hull: Disp=0.001 l, Config=6, Armor=0.5, Loaded 0.045 kg
Comm: Software Interface(C,STAT)
Control: Single CPU=1, Low Autonomous, Full Command
Programs: Low Autonomous logic program - acts as controller only,
        the software is actually run by the CBTM itself.

        This little black cap is the controller needed to let the 
 CBTM learn the applications and fonctions required by the user.
 The CPU cap applies a learning algorithm to the CBTM neurons.  
 Learning rate changes from 2 seconds for a 8.5*11 sheet to 
 several minutes for a  few meters squares.
 
Peripherals: (stick-it-ins are stylized peripherals with pins 
that punch thru the CBTM skin layer to interface directly with 
neurons - the computer requires a few seconds to learn to use 
the peripheral.  As most of these peripheral require power, part 
of the CBTM will be shut down to use the battery power - about 
half of a square meter of CBTM for each peripheral)

SII Camera: 100 Cr, 0.5 kg
SII Audio: 50 Cr, 0.5 kg
SII Olfactor: 1500 Cr, 1.5 kg
Other SII sensors available.

Mech-Anno Skeletton kit:
This is simply a few rods and articulations to give a CBTM 
something to hold itself up and push against - muscles just look 
like a puddle and can't do anything without a frame to hold them 
up.
Hull: 5 l, Config=0, 0.25 Kg, 115 cr, End=1
Other: Includes articulations for 4 tiny limbs.  Other kits 
exist for bigger CBTM's.


Software Caps:
These are SII caps - a 1 m^2 CBTM sheet will support up to 40 
storage units.  The SII system holds the cap tightly, but not 
much strenght it required to pull them out.  Expert users know 
how to optimize the placement to insure they don't fall off 
during use.
SII Software:   Units:          Price (CR):     DataLink Added:
Recognition,
        Voice   1               100             Audio(C-R)
        Writing 1               100             Touch(C-R)
Ledger          1               50              
Comm Agent      2               80              
Pilot           4               500             (VEH)
etc etc like in robots :)


PS:  Some of the number might be off - I'm open to comments on
that. :)

- -- 
Pierre-Louis Constantin, ift. a. 	"He whose name was writ in E-mail."
	Independentist: My Canada excludes the federal bureaucracy :)
(: "I hate fanatics with a passion; all extremists should be shot." :)

------------------------------

From: Larry Hadley <lhadley@knet.knet.flemingc.on.ca>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 12:17:41 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: SmartCards, Street Index, Sensors, and Fighter Tactics (long)

On Sun, 7 Jul 1996, David C.. Broussard wrote:
> 3)  I was working on some ship designs (fighter craft of course), and I
> noticed that the listed values in the SSDS for electronics do not match
> what I compute for a smaller package.  I also noticed that the PEMS arrays
> need a certain hull length (BEFORE configuration modifications) meaning
> that the std civilian package would not work on any ship less than 300
> tons (Antenna Diameter is 20).  Are we going to drop this?  Lastly the
> power requirements seem to be all out of whack, along with size and
> weight.

   Use a folding array if the AD is greater than L.

> Do we have any designs for larger than standard missiles?

  I do. ;-) I have a couple for both EAPlaC and HEPlaR.

  For EAPlaC the benefits aren't spectacular, but HEPlaR is really nice.
The general ruling on the beta list is you build a HEPlaR missile the same
way you design a ship. (eg, shell, avionics, computer, etc) except it's
unmanned.

> Lastly what is the duration of a standard missile,
   
  The duration, in g-turns, is listed on the standard missile list. (I
can't remember if TNE has such a list, but FF&S and BL both have one)

   IE, a TL12 errata-modified SIM standard missile with a 500kt warhead
has a performance of 9g9 - that's a 9g performance with 9 g-turns of fuel.
(IOW, one turn at full thrust)

   HEPlaR missiles are great fun, getting performance numbers like 11g67.
<g>

> and could a fighter
> mount them with "docking rings" for a .5 ton craft?  This would enable the
> mounting of other types of ordnance (larger missiles) by mounting less
> total ordnance but the same Td.

  Use hardpoints. There's a list of mounts on page 152 of FF&S, but you
can just wing it. I would use grapples for larger than standard missiles
and simple fixed mounts (no mass, vol, or cost) for standard missiles.

> Also small craft might mount even smaller weapons then the standard ship
> lasers if they are meant to fight either smaller craft, or
> interface/ground troops.  IIRC, the Victrix or was it Fury mounted a
> Plasma Cannon.  And does 40 armour seem a little high.  Maybe for
> performance reasons we could use only 10-20.  After all if a 20 ton
> fighter gets hit by a Ship Laser it is most likely toast, so it needs to
> make sure it isn't hit.

  Dunno about that. Fighters are hard to hit. (VS, agile, etc) but TL12
MFD's ignore 4 difficulty levels and high ROF's get you another 5
difficulty levels. That's a total of 9. Ouch!

  I'd just armor it to the point where it's diminishing returns (mass and
cost vs. protection) and not worry about it. Fit the fighter with an
escape pod (the flight deck, essentially) and build as many of the cheap
suckers as you can.

  I use fighters as mobile 300 MW hole-punchers. ;-)

- -- DLH "Warhammer"                           lhadley@knet.flemingc.on.ca
   Traveller stuff for sale/trade.
   http://www.knet.flemingc.on.ca/~lhadley/Profile.html

"...I do my job the best way I know. I'll keep on doing that. If somebody
gets killed, OK. Nobody lives forever, and I don't have any friends on the
other end of the muzzle"
  - Danny Pritchard



------------------------------

From: Larry Hadley <lhadley@knet.knet.flemingc.on.ca>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 12:28:13 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: Exactly what do EMPs affect?

On Mon, 8 Jul 1996, James Lindsay wrote:

> On Sun, 7 Jul 1996 23:21:13 -0400 (EDT), Larry Hadley wrote:
> 
> > > What exactly do EMPs affect?  What components on a starship (commercial or
> > > military) would be subject to their effects?  Would a defense against a
> > 
> >    Anything electronic, fiber-optic computers would be immune. (Thus their
> > wide-spread use in military ships)
> 
> So what is it exactly about an electronic device that would make it
> suseptible?  If it was related to silicon, even fibreoptic computers would
> contain silicon in the transistors that make up the CPU and memory

  The "handwaving" about fiber-optic computers is that they exculsively
use optic switching, instead of electronic switching. This makes them
immune to all sorts of stuff electronics are vulnerable to.

> circuits.  What's to prevent damage to things like dedicated jump drive
> circuits, CG, sensors, and workstations?  I would think there is a lot more
> aboard a space craft other than just the computer that would be suceptible
> to an EMP.

   Like I said, anything electronic.

- -- DLH "Warhammer"                           lhadley@knet.flemingc.on.ca
   Traveller stuff for sale/trade.
   http://www.knet.flemingc.on.ca/~lhadley/Profile.html

"...I do my job the best way I know. I'll keep on doing that. If somebody
gets killed, OK. Nobody lives forever, and I don't have any friends on the
other end of the muzzle"
  - Danny Pritchard



------------------------------

From: pierre-louis constantin <Pierre-Louis.Constantin@DMI.USherb.CA>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 12:37:00 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Sample CBTM computer

Now here's the actual flexible hand computer:

CBTM sheet, about 8.5*11 cm (just because it seems to be a standard).
(21cm*28cm=588 cm^2 (1/17))
Price: 174 cr, disp 0.151 l, 0.275 kg
URP: Str=2, Dex=5, End=1, Int=0.5,Edu=0.5,Pri=1 - Psi=0
Control: Neural=0.5, Electronic Circuit Protection (Storage Units
2.5)

CPU Cap, 600 cr, Low Data, Limited Command
Ledger Cap, PIM Agent Cap, 100 cr
Remaining storage for data
Data is accessed thru touch or lightpen and displayed visually.

Total Price: 874 cr


Note that one could take a bigger sheet and fold it back on itself
to get a better computer - each fold would double the computer's 
performance.

Note that the computer's intelligence is LIMITED by the various
busses inherent in this architecture.
You can never actually get a high AI computer using CBTM's.


- -- 
Pierre-Louis Constantin, ift. a. 	"He whose name was writ in E-mail."
	Independentist: My Canada excludes the federal bureaucracy :)
(: "I hate fanatics with a passion; all extremists should be shot." :)

------------------------------

From: Derek Stanley <dstanley@direct.ca>
Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 09:45:27 -0700
Subject: Re: Traveller-digest V1996 #190

James Lindsay wrote:
> 
> On Wed, 03 Jul 96 17:57:37 PST, Leonard Erickson wrote:
> 
>> As I recall, someone figured out that the Finnish 20 mm Lahti, and the
>> Soviet 17mm ancestor of the SKS could both nail even troops in
>> Battledress.
> 
>What about the Steyr AMR (Anti-Material Rifle)?  Weapon is 2m long, 20kg
>empty, 1.2m barrel, 1,500m/sec muzzle velocity.  Ammunition is 15mm DS
>5.5mm 36g flechette.  Effective range 1,500-2,000m.  40mm penetration at
>800m!  Anybody willing to convert this little baby?

Okay James I've done some preliminary work.  On this, hell I'm pretty 
much finished it.  At TL8, Using DS you've got a damage of 13 a 
penetration of 1-1-2 and a range of 255 (ironsite).  This means that at 
800 meters you'd be able to penetrate an AV of 6 which translates to 3cm 
of hard steel, or 2 cm of Titanium alloy, or 1.5cm of light composite or 
1 cm of composite laminate.

The problem is the weapon weigh's in at, 87.74 kg loaded, with no bipod 
or recoil supression gear.  Though it only has a recoil of 5.  My problem 
is because I don't have exact dimensions on the cartrage case I'm having 
to interpolate the size of the ammunition through the gauss rifle tables, 
we know the muzzle velosity and weight of the round, creating an actual 
muzzle energy and then using this to come up with everything else.  Now 
unfortunately much of the inital design relies on average muzzle energy 
not actual.

Statistically speaking it's pretty much a mirror of the "Crunch Gun" 
except the "Crunch Gun" is considerably more portable and has a better 
range by 15 meters.

I'll post the whole thing including the design sequence when I'm 
finished.  It'll be a long post so keep your eyes open.

Derek Stanley


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From: Larry Hadley <lhadley@knet.knet.flemingc.on.ca>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 12:46:28 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: Hand Computers

On Mon, 8 Jul 1996 Amnuss@aol.com wrote:
> In the Crisis of Empire series of books all of the main characters had a
> version of a PDA.  The PDA's were AI's, the more you used them, the more
> developed the personalities became.  Some of the personalities were slightly
> irritating.

   Good books! I've always liked Drake, but I especially liked COE.

   On the same subject, the Exordium series (Sherwood Smith and Dave
Trowbridge) has a nifty item called the Boswell (well read types should
recognize the reference) that fits on your wrist. Cheap models function
like modern computers, with vocal interfaces. Expensive models literally
get into your head via neural induction. Essentailly the perfect
assistant! No AI, but a great little tool.

> There also was a gun for shipboard use.  It fired glass pellets.

  In Traveller terms, this would be a plasma weapon. IIRC, the glass was
fired at such high velocities it turned into plasma.

- -- DLH "Warhammer"                           lhadley@knet.flemingc.on.ca
   Traveller stuff for sale/trade.
   http://www.knet.flemingc.on.ca/~lhadley/Profile.html

"...I do my job the best way I know. I'll keep on doing that. If somebody
gets killed, OK. Nobody lives forever, and I don't have any friends on the
other end of the muzzle"
  - Danny Pritchard



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End of Traveller-digest V1996 #224
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