<HTML><FONT  SIZE=3 PTSIZE=10>Subj:	<B> Traveller-digest V1999 #1347</FONT><FONT  SIZE=3 PTSIZE=10></B><BR>
Date:	11/15/99 5:58:21 AM Pacific Standard Time<BR>
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Traveller-digest     Monday, November 15 1999     Volume 1999 : Number 1347<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
(R)1996. Traveller is a registered trademark of FarFuture Enterprises.<BR>
All rights reserved.<BR>
<BR>
The following topics are covered in this digest:<BR>
<BR>
Re: States in the Imperium<BR>
Re: SEC : Unclassified - Re: States in the Imperium<BR>
Space Sail Racing<BR>
The Traveller News Service : Can it be slashdotted?<BR>
Re: Tavonni Tourist Brocheure (apology for the formatting)<BR>
Re: The Traveller News Service : Can it be slashdotted?<BR>
Re : Tourism in the Marches and Travsports<BR>
Re : Gravitics (was : Recovering disabled grav vehicles)<BR>
Re : Ringworlds, and other big engineering projects<BR>
Re: Tourism in the Marches<BR>
Re: Anti-violence groups in 3I<BR>
Re: Looking for . . . .Spinward Marches Campaign!<BR>
Re: some thoughts about racing<BR>
New BITS product hinted at<BR>
Re: Space Sail Racing<BR>
Re: States in the Imperium<BR>
Re: Anti-violence groups in 3I<BR>
Re: Anti-violence groups in 3I<BR>
Re: some thoughts about racing<BR>
<BR>
----------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 22:26:47 -0500<BR>
From: "Chris Seamans" <semo@pil.net><BR>
Subject: Re: States in the Imperium<BR>
<BR>
From: Glenn M. Goffin <gmgoffin@pacbell.net><BR>
<BR>
<BR>
>That's a good question.  I think most Imperial citizens think of<BR>
>themselves as Vilani first, which is not too different from being<BR>
>Imperial.<BR>
<BR>
I disagree more than I can express by way of email. There are segments of<BR>
the Imperium who view themselves as culturally distinct, the Darmine, the<BR>
Ilelish, the Antereans, those along the Solomani Rim, etc. I think that<BR>
those who consider themselves to be *Vilani* first and foremost would be<BR>
relatively small.<BR>
<BR>
>Most local cultures are based on the Ziru Sirka,<BR>
<BR>
I don't know about this. The sheer amount of government types which can be<BR>
found in a given subsector or sector is pretty astonishing. Granted,<BR>
government types do not a culture make, but the government code is a strong<BR>
indicator as to where a planets' inhabitants are culturally.<BR>
<BR>
>which<BR>
>dominated the same region of space for nearly 10,000 years and which<BR>
>actively Vilanified every world it conquered.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
The question is, of course, what Vilanification consists of and in what way<BR>
they did whatever it was they did. I remember reading that the those who<BR>
were able to adapt to the Vilani way of life (or culture) did better under<BR>
the Ziru Sirka than those who weren't. In this respect, it can be understood<BR>
that the Vilani actively sought to assimilate cultures. However, there's<BR>
also the factor of what the Terrans / Solomani did when they blew through<BR>
the Ziru Sirka. After all, the speed with which they conquered the First<BR>
Imperium doesn't really support the idea that all of these worlds identified<BR>
themselves as strongly as you suggest with Vilani.<BR>
<BR>
Then there's the Long Night, when the majority of worlds in Imperial space<BR>
had to learn to adjust to being worlds again. Toss in a pocket empire here,<BR>
assimilation by a new interstellar polity, and you've got a simmering brew<BR>
of worlds that have very little in common with each other.<BR>
<BR>
I'm not arguing that the imprint of Vilani culture wouldn't be felt across<BR>
the Imperium, but I don't believe that it would be in the form of direct<BR>
identification. Cultural (and "national") identifications are anything but<BR>
permanent.<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 22:44:20 -0500<BR>
From: Jeff Zeitlin <jzeitlin@cyburban.com><BR>
Subject: Re: SEC : Unclassified - Re: States in the Imperium<BR>
<BR>
On Sat, 13 Nov 1999 22:24:54 -0500 (EST), Kenji Schwarz<BR>
<schwarz@fas.harvard.edu> wrote:<BR>
<BR>
>On Sat, 13 Nov 1999, Chris Seamans wrote:<BR>
<BR>
>> texture, skin color, variations in body and facial structure. The growth of<BR>
>> racialism and nationalism are linked to the point that it would take<BR>
>> entirely too long to disentangle the two from each other, and it would be<BR>
>> utterly useless.<BR>
<BR>
>!!!! Hey!  Whoah there!  That's my dissertation you're talking about!<BR>
<BR>
>I wonder if I can get SJG to publish it as a GURPS supplement?<BR>
<BR>
I'd not bet on it, but if you're serious about doing a Traveller<BR>
article on this, Freelance Traveller can find a place...<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Traveller is a registered trademark of FarFuture <BR>
Enterprises, 1977-1999.  Use of the trademark in <BR>
this notice and in the referenced materials is not <BR>
intended to infringe or devalue the trademark.<BR>
<BR>
- --<BR>
Jeff Zeitlin, Editor<BR>
Freelance Traveller - The Electronic Fan-Supported Traveller Resource<BR>
http://come.to/FreelanceTraveller<BR>
http://www.downport.com/freelancetraveller/Default.htm<BR>
freelancetraveller@yahoo.com<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 23:05:09 -0500<BR>
From: Mark Urbin <eclipse@ultranet.com><BR>
Subject: Space Sail Racing<BR>
<BR>
Back in the GDW-Beta list days, Mitch "Ted7" Schwartz designed a racing <BR>
yacht using solar sails.<BR>
<BR>
I remember linking him up with some nice people from BITS about his writeup.<BR>
<BR>
Did this get published by BITS?  If not, are there plans to do so?<BR>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
eclipse@ultranet.com -- These opinions are mine, no one else wants `em.<BR>
And, isn't sanity really just a one trick pony anyway? I mean, all you get<BR>
is one trick: rational thinking. But when you're good and crazy, ooo hoo<BR>
hoo, the sky's the limit! - The Tick  http://www.ultranet.com/~eclipse/<BR>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 15:18:00 +1000<BR>
From: dadams@parracity.nsw.gov.au<BR>
Subject: The Traveller News Service : Can it be slashdotted?<BR>
<BR>
I was thinking (dangerous I know) of the TNS amd came to the conclusions that :<BR>
<BR>
1. Interactive bbs type systems (Slashdot, Bedope, Segfault and others) are now<BR>
common, allowing rapid postings of news ideas and help to a large community who<BR>
share a common interest (Linux for example).<BR>
<BR>
2. Traveller News Service is used by SJG as a hook system to help players and<BR>
Game Masters, and allows a meta story to be created.<BR>
<BR>
3. There are regular campaigns ,set in the M:1100 of G:T, many of which use<BR>
common source material (cannon and data from the TML).<BR>
<BR>
Why not link these ideas together and create an open Traveller News Service?<BR>
<BR>
Using the base date from the SJG TNS, we create a bbs where campaign hooks, post<BR>
action reports, new technology, help and whatnot can be posted for players and<BR>
GM can interact with the galaxy at large?<BR>
<BR>
Example: Mercenary tickets can be posted, which other GM's may use. News from a<BR>
game based in the Solomani rim can influence a Core based campaign, which could<BR>
then influence a Spinward Maches game. Characters can be shared (especilly<BR>
villans), different millue can be used (a simple icon showing if it is CT/GT,<BR>
MT, TNE or T4).<BR>
<BR>
Date consistance can be maintained by using SJG as a baseline, and subtract 2<BR>
months per sector to get a campaign date for each campaign in the CT/GT<BR>
timeline.<BR>
<BR>
Can it fly (if Marc and Loren sign off on it of cause), I think it can. Thuddd<BR>
works, and this is like THUDDD taken to the Nth degree.<BR>
<BR>
Flames to their usual place.<BR>
<BR>
Darryl<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 15:51:48 +1000<BR>
From: david.d.jaques-watson@centrelink.gov.au<BR>
Subject: Re: Tavonni Tourist Brocheure (apology for the formatting)<BR>
<BR>
Dear Folks -<BR>
<BR>
My brocheure was chewed up a bit while sending it through the 'net. My apologies<BR>
for sending something that the 'Net didn't like.<BR>
<BR>
I copied the text from a WordPro document of mine, and thought I'd fixed it. I<BR>
pasted it in as text, and even got rid of the dots above the o's in Bjornoya<BR>
Island, only to have the damn thing choke on an apostrophe, of all things!<BR>
<BR>
Sorry again. I'll see if I can post a better version on my website. <*sigh*><BR>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
David "Hyphen" Jaques-Watson        Beowulf Down (Tavonni/Vilis/SM 1520)<BR>
http://www.tip.net.au/~davidjw                       davidjw@pcug.org.au<BR>
"I file things in historical order, with a hashing algorithm of gravity"<BR>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
REQ'D DISCLAIMER - material & opinions contained within are solely those<BR>
of the author and do not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the<BR>
position of Centrelink or any other Commonwealth Government agency.<BR>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 23:20:48 -0600<BR>
From: "Eris Reddoch" <eris@pcola.gulf.net><BR>
Subject: Re: The Traveller News Service : Can it be slashdotted?<BR>
<BR>
On 11/15/99 at 03:18 PM,  dadams@parracity.nsw.gov.au said:<BR>
>Why not link these ideas together and create an open Traveller News<BR>
>Service?<BR>
<BR>
>Using the base date from the SJG TNS, we create a bbs where campaign<BR>
>hooks, post action reports, new technology, help and whatnot can be<BR>
>posted for players and GM can interact with the galaxy at large?<BR>
<BR>
>Example: Mercenary tickets can be posted, which other GM's may use.<BR>
>News from a game based in the Solomani rim can influence a Core based<BR>
>campaign, which could then influence a Spinward Maches game.<BR>
>Characters can be shared (especilly villans), different millue can be<BR>
>used (a simple icon showing if it is CT/GT, MT, TNE or T4).<BR>
<BR>
1.  Help wanted ads of all kinds:  Ads for crew, for bodyguards,<BR>
couriers, or whatever.<BR>
<BR>
2.  Minor news stories from any old system:  weather (droughts or<BR>
storms that hurt crops), crimes, various scandels or political<BR>
affairs.  Or sports for that matter.<BR>
<BR>
3.  Announcements of discoveries, inventions, the formation of new<BR>
companies, the collapse of old ones and so on.<BR>
<BR>
Yes, this *would* be a good resource.<BR>
<BR>
Eris<BR>
<BR>
- -- <BR>
- -----------------------------------------------------------<BR>
"Eris Reddoch" <eris@pcola.gulf.net>    using MR/2 ICE #245<BR>
- -----------------------------------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 16:23:52 +1100<BR>
From: "Robert O'Connor" <robocon@ozemail.com.au><BR>
Subject: Re : Tourism in the Marches and Travsports<BR>
<BR>
There's plenty of interesting places to go to in the Marches, especially<BR>
if you have a fondness for aliens.<BR>
 <BR>
How many minor races are there :-<BR>
'Dandelions', 'Shriekers', 'Saurians', Ebokin, Ursty, Mewey, Obeyery,<BR>
Otarri, Tethmari and the silicon based Tashaki and Viji, IIRC. <BR>
<BR>
Then there's the contrasting human cultures of the Sword Worlds and the<BR>
Darrian Confederation, not to mention the 'bona fide' members of the 3I.<BR>
<BR>
On sportscasting in Traveller :-<BR>
Peter Trevor wrote :-<BR>
> And don't forget the sponsors'  logos  emblazoned  all  over  the<BR>
> giant sails.<BR>
<BR>
I'd go for gathering just enough sensor data on the racers to plug them<BR>
into a virtual reality simulator, so spectators have the benefit of all<BR>
the mod cons :- background stars rearranged into advertising logos ;<BR>
using planets and asteroids as billboards - as well as the racers<BR>
themselves.<BR>
<BR>
Actually being 'on the scene' would be quite dull, as Craig Berry has<BR>
pointed out, unless you were in a 'pace ship', or something similarly<BR>
close to the action.<BR>
<BR>
Robert O'Connor<BR>
Medico, Gamer<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 16:24:01 +1100<BR>
From: "Robert O'Connor" <robocon@ozemail.com.au><BR>
Subject: Re : Gravitics (was : Recovering disabled grav vehicles)<BR>
<BR>
Terry Carlino wrote :-<BR>
> What's the state of gravetic technology in Traveller? I've heard mention<BR>
> that ship lasers use gravic lenses to give them their massive range. I seem<BR>
> to recall one of the versions using repulser technology for point defense.<BR>
<BR>
Laser grav focussing dates to the TNE era and was a device to keep the<BR>
size of laser focal arrays down. The technology didn't appear to spill<BR>
over into any other area, which I have always thought a little strange.<BR>
<BR>
CT (High Guard) and MT used repulsors as a defensive modality. The<BR>
versions available at average Imperial TLs are quite inefficient<BR>
compared to those that arise when you can build tractor and manipulator<BR>
(effector) beams.<BR>
<BR>
and :-<BR>
> I could buy high gravity filed technology (as used in ship<BR>
> laser weapons) being a very short range application. This would explain the<BR>
> 6G limit on inertial compensators, and prevent the ST "tractor beam" for use<BR>
> from ship to ship.<BR>
<BR>
Yep. For example, there's the gravisonic modulator that enables low<BR>
berthing without cryogenic fluids.<BR>
	Applications of this device could range from 'lighters' to 'ovens' to<BR>
'furnaces', 'refigerators', etc..<BR>
<BR>
Using modified grav lensing technology, mechanical pumps, winches, etc.<BR>
_are_ obsolete.<BR>
<BR>
Vehicles, like buildings, would have gravitic reinforcement. The 6G<BR>
limit on inertial compensators strikes me as a rather arbitrary one.<BR>
	Another way of setting up inertial compensators would be to use them as<BR>
crash protectors - the tremendous decelerations during a collision are<BR>
shunted into a storage bank (the vehicle's frame and hull?), and a crew<BR>
pod ejected to safety.<BR>
	If nothing else, this would mean crashing vehicles of advanced tech<BR>
levels would probably explode on impact as the storage banks overloaded.<BR>
This may be useful for a more cinematic campaign <g>.<BR>
<BR>
None of the above is canon, but none of these things are talked about in<BR>
canon either IIRC.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Robert O'Connor<BR>
Medico, Gamer<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 16:24:06 +1100<BR>
From: "Robert O'Connor" <robocon@ozemail.com.au><BR>
Subject: Re : Ringworlds, and other big engineering projects<BR>
<BR>
IMHO, Larry Niven's books remain the best point of departure for<BR>
ringworld design.<BR>
<BR>
Another interesting macrostructure I read about recently is that<BR>
proposed by Dr. David Criswell - a fractal 'snowflake' with a sun at its<BR>
centre (to maximise surface area and energy absorption)?.<BR>
	The Fractal World in the second trilogy of Brin's Uplift series is such<BR>
a structure. <BR>
<BR>
Other oddities to think about include :-<BR>
* Turning worlds or planetoids into information storing structures down<BR>
to the molecular or even nucleonic level ;<BR>
* Changing isotope abundances on a world (a *big* time capsule) :-<BR>
<BR>
"Preliminary analysis indicates that all the water on the surface and in<BR>
the atmosphere is deuterated, and the oxygen is oxygen 18. Protium and<BR>
oxygen 16 levels are below the threshold of detection..."<BR>
<BR>
* Dimensional gates.<BR>
* Local cosmic-level engineering (where fundamental physical constants<BR>
are changed).<BR>
<BR>
Etc.<BR>
Fun stuff to throw at players, perhaps.<BR>
<BR>
Robert O'Connor<BR>
Medico, Gamer<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 17:08:33 +1000<BR>
From: david.d.jaques-watson@centrelink.gov.au<BR>
Subject: Re: Tourism in the Marches<BR>
<BR>
Dear Folks -<BR>
<BR>
Craig said:<BR>
>My big problem with the various forms of space racing as spectator sports<BR>
>is that there is so little for the 'spectators' to actually see.<BR>
<BR>
Same is true for the Sydney-to-Hobart - doesn't mean that people aren't<BR>
interested. There, they put a few reporters onto a few boats, have choppers do<BR>
fly-bys of the boats, talk to some by radio, and keep track of the fleet on a<BR>
map.<BR>
<BR>
Translate this to the 3I and it might even work!<BR>
     * reporters with radios or meson comms (lasers might push the 'ship the<BR>
wrong way!);<BR>
     * 6G shuttles fly past a few select boats (speed them up following rough<BR>
courses prior to the race, then attempt to match vectors along the way);<BR>
     * talk to the fleet via comms;<BR>
     * have a big holo 3D "board" of the system, with the ships highlighted<BR>
within it.<BR>
<BR>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
David "Hyphen" Jaques-Watson        Beowulf Down (Tavonni/Vilis/SM 1520)<BR>
http://www.tip.net.au/~davidjw                       davidjw@pcug.org.au<BR>
"I file things in historical order, with a hashing algorithm of gravity"<BR>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
REQ'D DISCLAIMER - material & opinions contained within are solely those<BR>
of the author and do not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the<BR>
position of Centrelink or any other Commonwealth Government agency.<BR>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 17:10:02 +1000<BR>
From: david.d.jaques-watson@centrelink.gov.au<BR>
Subject: Re: Anti-violence groups in 3I<BR>
<BR>
Dear Folks -<BR>
<BR>
Martin wrote:<BR>
>Years of watching Hollywood films with train smashes has led me to<BR>
>hypothesise that American trains don't have brakes.<BR>
<BR>
Year of watching Hollywood films and TV with car crashes has led _me_ to<BR>
hypothesise that American cars are packed with explosives and fitted with<BR>
hair-trigger self-destruct mechanisms...<BR>
<BR>
...I have seen at least one show where a car became airbourne, exploded, and<BR>
_then_ hit the ground... of course, this could have been an old A-Team<BR>
episode...<BR>
<BR>
;-)<BR>
<BR>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
David "Hyphen" Jaques-Watson        Beowulf Down (Tavonni/Vilis/SM 1520)<BR>
http://www.tip.net.au/~davidjw                       davidjw@pcug.org.au<BR>
"I file things in historical order, with a hashing algorithm of gravity"<BR>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
REQ'D DISCLAIMER - material & opinions contained within are solely those<BR>
of the author and do not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the<BR>
position of Centrelink or any other Commonwealth Government agency.<BR>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 17:13:15 +1000<BR>
From: david.d.jaques-watson@centrelink.gov.au<BR>
Subject: Re: Looking for . . . .Spinward Marches Campaign!<BR>
<BR>
Dear Folks -<BR>
<BR>
Regarding the SMC, Doug suggested:<BR>
>$51 is a ridiculous price to pay for what was a mediocre supplement.<BR>
>Hunt in your FLGS' used box.<BR>
<BR>
Mediocre? Are we talking the same supplement? (BTW, US$51 is WAY too much for<BR>
anything short of a boxed game!)<BR>
<BR>
Certainly it could have been made better, and a few things explained a bit<BR>
better, and the adventure typeset better (it has an info page smack bang in the<BR>
middle, without it being obvious you are reading something different).<BR>
<BR>
However, it at least _tried_ to show how the 5FW played out in the OTU, and give<BR>
some sort of history about it. I know I would have liked more detail (MUCH<BR>
more!) but it wasn't bad. It also has the 4518th Lift Infantry for anyone who<BR>
missed the old JTAS issues, and details a battle rider squadron - the only time<BR>
I have ever seen a squadron silhouette match the ones on the 5FW counters.<BR>
<BR>
I even used it as a reference when writing the "future history" of Tavonni,<BR>
since it showed what fleet would have rescued Tavonni from the Sword World<BR>
invasion in the 5FW.<BR>
<BR>
Ah, well, Not one of the best perhaps, but _I_ still found it very useful.<BR>
<BR>
Also, GC replied to Dan's query:<BR>
>4. The Spinward Marches Campaign<BR>
>Question: Does anyone know details and type of the ship<BR>
>on the front cover?<BR>
><BR>
>It carries the insignia of the Duke of Regina's Own Huscarles,<BR>
>so it is either a Ducal starship (personal Yacht?) or one of<BR>
>the SDBs maintained by the Duke's Own.<BR>
<BR>
I've always wanted stats for this ship, as it looks pretty cool. Howver, none<BR>
exist - they are not even included in the battle rider squadron info.<BR>
<BR>
However, buried in the text, it says the ship on the cover is "one of the<BR>
squadron's gunboats".<BR>
<BR>
Did I mention earlier that some things could have been done better?  ;-)<BR>
<BR>
Hmm, maybe "mediocre" _is_ the right word, Doug...<BR>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
David "Hyphen" Jaques-Watson        Beowulf Down (Tavonni/Vilis/SM 1520)<BR>
http://www.tip.net.au/~davidjw                       davidjw@pcug.org.au<BR>
"I file things in historical order, with a hashing algorithm of gravity"<BR>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
REQ'D DISCLAIMER - material & opinions contained within are solely those<BR>
of the author and do not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the<BR>
position of Centrelink or any other Commonwealth Government agency.<BR>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 23:27:38 -0800<BR>
From: shudson@lightspeed.bc.ca (Steven Hudson)<BR>
Subject: Re: some thoughts about racing<BR>
<BR>
>From: "Glenn M. Goffin" <gmgoffin@pacbell.net><BR>
>Subject: some thoughts about racing<BR>
...<BR>
>2) Engineering a race<BR>
>Manoeuvre drives under at least High Guard and Book 2 have 1, 2, 3, 4,<BR>
>5, or 6 Gs of acceleration.  A race under, for example, Mayday or Book 2<BR>
>rules will end in a tie if the vessels are both of the same G-rating. <BR>
>That's not very interesting to play.  How do you handle races, if at<BR>
>all?  I have never done a race, but I've thought about it a little. <BR>
<BR>
  You _could_ make ship design genuinely interesting (and important!)<BR>
by using rules that involve maximum & sustained (total) thrust (just<BR>
don't get into changing fuel/mass ratios?) - basically a similar approach<BR>
to that taken by Mayday for small craft & missiles.<BR>
<BR>
>Another approach is to make the race revolve around handling various<BR>
>obstacles, like the gravity of a world.  A race involving landing and<BR>
>registering arrival could also be gamed out with efficiency of takeoff<BR>
>and landing becoming a major issue.<BR>
<BR>
  A number of attempts to organize Triplanetary races have been made on<BR>
other lists, but unsuccessfully thus far. Sadly, the Triplanetary map<BR>
does not lend itself to the variable ship design very well, even though<BR>
the mechanics are essentially those of Mayday.<BR>
<BR>
        Steven Hudson<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 09:46:47 +0000<BR>
From: Phil Kitching <postmark.design@btinternet.com><BR>
Subject: New BITS product hinted at<BR>
<BR>
At "Douglas E. Berry" <gridlore@pop.mindspring.com> wrote:<BR>
<BR>
>Along with something else, right???  Nudge, nudge wink, wink<BR>
<BR>
You don't mean the BITS is doing T5 ???<BR>
<BR>
WOW!<BR>
<BR>
...<BR>
<BR>
Of cousre not! Silly me!<BR>
<BR>
You're probably referring to your T4 Penguin throwing supplement.<BR>
<BR>
<g><BR>
<BR>
Phil Kitching<BR>
- --<BR>
  http://www.btinternet.com/~salvo/<BR>
  Postmark Design Bureau, Emerging Technologies Division.<BR>
 "Microwaving half-baked ideas from across the Galaxy"<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 09:58:20 +0000<BR>
From: Timothy.Collinson@solent.ac.uk<BR>
Subject: Re: Space Sail Racing<BR>
<BR>
Mark Urbin wrote:<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
>Back in the GDW-Beta list days, Mitch "Ted7" Schwartz designed a racing<BR>
>yacht using solar sails.<BR>
<BR>
>I remember linking him up with some nice people from BITS about his<BR>
writeup.<BR>
<BR>
>Did this get published by BITS?  If not, are there plans to do so?<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
I guess this would be me.<BR>
<BR>
It's long been my thought that a nice Traveller supplement would be some<BR>
kind of 'game' based on this kind of idea (a bit like TCS or something).  A<BR>
kind of Whitbread (the round the world yachting race) in space.<BR>
<BR>
I can envisage there being a solar system with interesting navigation<BR>
features that would host a renowned race every, say, ten years that potty<BR>
[1] racers come from all over to take part in.  Remember it would take<BR>
place over a long period (the yachts taking a while to accelerate!  [2]) -<BR>
just like the Whitbread takes the best part of a year to complete.  I've<BR>
also envisaged it being a thing that nobles are really into due the<BR>
prestige and megacorps due to expense.<BR>
<BR>
Basically, my idea was to have a variety of solar sailing yachts (or rules<BR>
for craft construction to meet the races' specification or 'Rule') that<BR>
would then be used for the race.  [3]  There would be rules for the race so<BR>
that the craft and the sailor's skills would influence the outcome and the<BR>
whole thing could be played in 2 or 3 hours - maybe on some form of sylized<BR>
solar system map board.<BR>
<BR>
The snag is that real life has intervened and I've not spent any time<BR>
developing this beyond the conceptual stage.  I've also, as you might have<BR>
gathered, been concentrating on the Traveller Bibliography.  To tell the<BR>
truth, I don't think I'm a gearhead enough to design the craft (that goes<BR>
doubly for designing craft design rules) and I'm insufficiently<BR>
knowledgeable about astronomical science to come up with the racing<BR>
environment that would prove interesting to design a race around.<BR>
<BR>
I'd still love to see this happen though and would be delighted if anyone<BR>
with the time, inclination and abilities wanted to take these ideas and run<BR>
with them.  I reckon it could be a lovely addition to the Traveller milieux<BR>
(and would be suitable for any era - except, perhaps, TNE where I struggle<BR>
to envisage the time/money/leisure to take part in this [4]).<BR>
Any takers?  [5]<BR>
<BR>
tc<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
[1]  They'd need to be pretty potty - I assume that solar yachts will be<BR>
pretty small - say just two crew - and they'd be cooped up together for<BR>
some time.  Alternatively, they could be bigger vessels with Whitbread 60<BR>
type crews (20ish???) who all have a variety of specific duties handling<BR>
'lines' and such.  I'd guess quarters would still be *very* cramped to keep<BR>
the craft's mass down.<BR>
<BR>
[2]  Though of course, nothing would prevent them all starting at speed<BR>
which is just how real yachts race.  Half the fun then is hitting the start<BR>
line as the signal for the race start goes off.  Not too early, not too<BR>
late.<BR>
<BR>
[3] Alternatively, the race could be a 'one design' type event where all<BR>
the craft are identical and it is up the crews to make the difference based<BR>
on conditions.<BR>
<BR>
[4] Though perhaps TNErs could be racing for different reasons - none<BR>
spring to mind off hand, but I'm sure someone out there will come up with<BR>
something.<BR>
<BR>
[5] If there are TMLers who'd be interested and do the *real* work but<BR>
couldn't be bothered to 'organize' this, I'd be happy (I think) to set up a<BR>
mailing list where we could thrash out ideas and see if it's feasible to<BR>
put together such a book.  Or would you like to do this Mark?  Would Mitch<BR>
be interested as I know he's done some work in this direction?<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 18:41:29 +1100<BR>
From: "David Healey" <David.Healey@dcb.defence.gov.au><BR>
Subject: Re: States in the Imperium<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 09:42:14 +1000<BR>
From: "Alan Bradley" <alanb@elf.brisnet.org.au><BR>
Subject: Re: States in the Imperium<BR>
<BR>
> From: "David Healey" <BR>
> That is, in this country, it takes something like an average of five to<BR>
> six generations, apparently, before an immigrant family considers itself<BR>
> to be 'Australian'.  I'm wondering how long it takes before<BR>
> cultural/racial loyalties are no longer considered relevant or pertinent<BR>
> by the populace ?<BR>
<BR>
I can't see how this can be correct.  There aren't very many fifth or sixth<BR>
generation 'Australians', unless you're talking about indigenous people. <BR>
Most present day Australians are people who migrated here this century, or<BR>
their descendants.<BR>
<BR>
Ah, OK.  Maybe what I should have said was this : My family have been in this country (in dribs and drabs) for the last 150 years or so, possibly longer depending on who you believe.  I consider myself a native of this wide brown land, and an 'Australian', which means whatever you take it to mean.  I wondered what 'nationality' most citizens within the 3I would consider themselves to be.  Vilani ?  Solomani ?  Sylean ?  Or is the issue of 'race' completely irrelevant as most people cionsider themselves 'Imperial'.<BR>
<BR>
A curiousity:  apparently about half of the 'Australian' troops that fought<BR>
in the First World War had been born in Britain.  I'm pretty sure that this<BR>
is a higher proportion of British-born people than existed in the general<BR>
Australian population at the time.  It may have some relationship with the<BR>
defeat of the two referenda about conscription, too.<BR>
<BR>
Yes and no, in that order.  Proportions of UK-born men in the army at the time roughly mirrored society.  Many of them joined up in the hope that they would see home again, or to get away from the drudgery and hard toil that they found themselves facing on a daily basis in the bush.  You're far less likely to be bitten by a venemous reptile in Europe than you are in Australia.  That may also have been something of a drawcard.<BR>
<BR>
An anecdote:  a distant relative of mine, Paddy Brosnan (gee, I wonder<BR>
where his family came from:  Bulgaria?) threw an egg at the Prime Minister<BR>
during the anti-conscription campaign.  The local (Queensland) cops refused<BR>
to arrest him, saying it was a federal matter, and not their problem.  The<BR>
result was the formation of the Australian Federal Police.  The PM (Billy<BR>
Hughes) tried to use this incident to discredit the anti-conscriptionists,<BR>
but still lost - twice.<BR>
<BR>
That explains the 'Don't throw Eggs at the PM Act, 1915' then ......<BR>
<BR>
The AFP were formed in 1979.  As a direct result of the Hilton Bombing.<BR>
<BR>
Dave<BR>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             !<BR>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             !<BR>
                                                                       <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
 <BR>
 <BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 07:59:34 -0500<BR>
From: "Josh W. Spencer" <macmanjws@earthlink.net><BR>
Subject: Re: Anti-violence groups in 3I<BR>
<BR>
david.d.jaques-watson@centrelink.gov.au wrote:<BR>
> Year of watching Hollywood films and TV with car crashes has led _me_ to<BR>
> hypothesise that American cars are packed with explosives and fitted with<BR>
> hair-trigger self-destruct mechanisms...<BR>
> <BR>
> ...I have seen at least one show where a car became airbourne, exploded, and<BR>
> _then_ hit the ground... of course, this could have been an old A-Team<BR>
> episode...<BR>
> <BR>
And the A-Team took place BEFORE center stop-lights were required<BR>
(1986), passive front-passenger protection (1989, consisted of either<BR>
motorized seat belts OR air bags), and then anti-lock brakes (1990s)<BR>
were introduced to American automobiles. And before I forget Canada's,<BR>
Sweden's and Norway's requirements for daytime running<BR>
lamps...headlights are on high-beam at half-power, to discern an<BR>
oncoming car from a MOOSE!<BR>
<BR>
- --<BR>
Josh<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 05:47:37<BR>
From: "Douglas E. Berry" <gridlore@pop.mindspring.com><BR>
Subject: Re: Anti-violence groups in 3I<BR>
<BR>
At 05:10 PM 11/15/1999 +1000, you wrote:<BR>
<BR>
>Year of watching Hollywood films and TV with car crashes has led _me_ to<BR>
>hypothesise that American cars are packed with explosives and fitted with<BR>
>hair-trigger self-destruct mechanisms...<BR>
<BR>
What's even better is there have been two movies in recent years that show<BR>
San Francisco's cable cars exploding.<BR>
<BR>
Folks, those things don't even have engines, let alone flammable fuel<BR>
tanks.  They run on underground cables (hence the name).<BR>
<BR>
If you see The rock, the conductor on the cable that goes fhwoomp is a real<BR>
Muni employee, and the winner of the cable car bell-ringing contest three<BR>
years running.<BR>
- -- <BR>
<BR>
Douglas E. Berry       gridlore@mindspring.com<BR>
http://gridlore.home.mindspring.com/index.html<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 05:53:37<BR>
From: "Douglas E. Berry" <gridlore@pop.mindspring.com><BR>
Subject: Re: some thoughts about racing<BR>
<BR>
At 07:18 PM 11/14/1999 -0800, you wrote:<BR>
<BR>
>1) Being in a race<BR>
>I just spent the day in a sailboat race in San Francisco Bay.  Because<BR>
>the boats in the race were of different classes, the racers won't know<BR>
>who placed where until the committee compares times and handicaps and<BR>
>posts the rankings on a web page.  Races in the Far Future can have<BR>
>similar issues.<BR>
<BR>
That was you?  I was watching all the boats from the Marin Headlands.<BR>
Looked like fun.<BR>
<BR>
>Another approach is to make the race revolve around handling various<BR>
>obstacles, like the gravity of a world.  A race involving landing and<BR>
>registering arrival could also be gamed out with efficiency of takeoff<BR>
>and landing becoming a major issue.<BR>
<BR>
The Aledon Cup (the mag sail race around Regin's GG system) would definenly<BR>
involve things like gravity assists and aerobraking.  That would be the<BR>
attraction for the viewers, to see these daredevils collapse their sails to<BR>
dive into (can't remember the name of Regina's GG) upper atmosphere to make<BR>
a radical course change.<BR>
- -- <BR>
<BR>
Douglas E. Berry       gridlore@mindspring.com<BR>
http://gridlore.home.mindspring.com/index.html<BR>
<BR>
------------------------------<BR>
<BR>
End of Traveller-digest V1999 #1347<BR>
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