
-------- TML Message #773 --------

Archive-Message-Number: 773
Date: Mon, 1 Jan 90 01:53:17 -0500
From: (wilson m liaw) macgyver@cis.ohio-state.edu
Subject: DGP Writer's Guideline



Since someone asked me for a DGP Writer's Guideline. I figured the list might
want to have a copy. 

Disclaimer : I have no connection with DGP whatsoever. Other than that I know
a few people in it.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------
 It is important for us to emphasize that you must be serious
 about wanting to write or draw for MegaTraveller. That means you
 are willing to commit to deadlines, and that you are willing to
 be adaptable to our needs.

 Here's your first tip to going places as a contributor:

  "Save us doing your work for you."

 For example, if we get your written piece, and it contains misspelled
 words, then WE have to fix them. What that says to us is "this guy's
 sloppy. He doesn't even care enough to take a few minutes and
 look up words in a dictionary. He'd rather make US do it." That's a
 good way to get on our black list.

 Here's another example: if you send us a piece, and you make some
 reference to a prior bit of history and you get the dates wrong (because
 you just put the dates in from memory), then we get real nervous. We
 think: "this guy is careless -- here's a reference that is wrong. How
 do we know any of his other references are right?" Now WE have to go
 and check all your references.

 See my point? You should have enough professional courtesy to do your

 job carefully. To many people think they can be sloppy and get away
 with it.

 So if you really want you submission to stand out from the pack, put
 just that extra bit of effort into it to make sure you got things right.
 Do that, and your work will move to the top of the stack every time.

 --Joe D. Fugate Sr., Editor, DGP
- ---------------------------------------------
R.CASWELL                    at 20:30 EST

     As many of you may have read in issue #16 of The Travellers' Digest, we
are currently looking to expand our base of illustrators for our product line -
primarily in the area of interior (B&W) illustrations. Unfortunately, GEnie is
not as convenient a submission vehicle for art, as it is for writing - thus
all interested are still limited to mailing in work to our offices (Digest
Group Publications, 8979 Mandan Ct., Boise, ID 83709).
     We are looking primarily for pen & ink work, but we're open to pencil
work if the technique and contrast are good.  Our Artists' Guidelines go into
detail about our needs.  They may soon be posted here, but till that time, you
can request a copy via GEnie and we can send a copy your way.
     Once again, with the ambitious release schedule we're anticipating, we'll
need a greater baseline of illustrators.  If you feel your work is good, you
can produce under a deadline, and you have a good feel for the "look" of
MegaTraveller; we'd like to hear from you.
     Please send all inquiries to my attention:

                    Rob Caswell (R.CASWELL - GEnie address)
                    DGP Art Director, Associate Editor
 ------------
J.FUGATE                     at 05:03 MST


 WRITING GUIDELINES
 The easiest way to "break into" writing for us is through our magazine,
 The Travellers' Digest.  (Once we know your quality, we can consider you
 for other products.) We will not take anything too "far out".  Remember
 that everything we publish must be officially approved by Game
 Designers' Workshop.

 MATERIAL USED
 Query letters: Send a query letter first, not a complete manuscript.
 Tell us what subject you would like to write about, the "slant" you
 would take, and a proposed length.  If we like your idea, we will invite
 you to submit a finished article for consideration.

 If we don't like your idea, we'll let you know before you've invested
 hours on something we can't use.  What usually happens is that we like
 some of your suggestions, but not others. Remember first impressions
 count, so make those query letters sizzle!

 "MegaTraveller Adventure": These adventures take place after Strephon's
 assassination; length runs from 2,000 to 8,000 words.  Opportunities are
 rife here.  Adventures for other products like campaign sourcebooks --
 heavy on adventure and background -- can run as long as 100,000 words,
 but we publish fewer of these.

 "Gaming Digest":  A regular column dealing with aspects of roleplaying
 in general and MegaTraveller in particular, running from 1,500 to 6,000
 words.

 "Traveller Tech Briefs":  A regular column dealing with new and exciting
 technology for players and referees to include in their games.  Length
 runs from 1,000 to 4,000 words typically, but longer articles are
 sometimes used for special topics. These are written from the point of
 view of the Third Imperium, not present-day Earth.

 "Medical Digest": A regular column, like "Tech Briefs" but dealing with
 issues relating to high- tech medicine. Length runs from 2,000 to 6,000
 words.

 "Sector Maps, Library Data for the Sector":  This is usually written
 in-house, but exceptions (especially with library data) can occur.
 Query first.

 "Travellers' Cache (formerly Traveller Arsenal)": A regular feature,
 giving equipment stats, a description, a task library, and an
 illustration for various weapons and equipment available to characters
 in the game.

 Ship Plans: "Innovative" is the key word here. Always query first.

 Other Traveller material:  Query first.

 2300AD material:  Adventures, colony descriptions, rule enhancements,
 character encounters, technology, starships, and whatever...

 MANUSCRIPT STYLE
 Your entire manuscript should be typed, double- spaced, on 8-1/2 x 11-
 inch paper with ample margins on either side.  Please include your name,
 address, and phone number (very important) and the approximate number of
 words.  Remember to number the pages.

 You may also submit articles on a Macintosh disk, in MacWrite format
 (12-point Geneva, ordinary margins), or on an IBM-PC disk in ASCII text
 format. We also accept ASCII text sent to us via e-mail on GEnie or
 Compuserve.

 PAYMENT RATES
 We pay one cent per word (a word is 5 characters, including spaces) for
 all rights at time of publication. This rate is negotiable if you are
 previously published and well-known.  We will also send you two
 complementary copies of whatever product your work appears in.

 We are willing and eager to help non-published writers break into print,
 but they must be serious.

 If you have questions, feel free to contact Joe Fugate, Editor, Digest
 Group Publications, 8979 Mandan Ct., Boise, ID 83709-5850; (208) 362-
 3094. E- mail address on GEnie is J.Fugate.
 ------------
Category 11,  Topic 34
Message 7         Mon Dec 04, 1989
R.CASWELL                    at 18:50 EST


DGP ART GUIDELINES

MegaTraveller  has established its own unique "look"; in many ways as defined
as that of Star Trek  or Star Wars.   The best way to establish the proper
feel for the look of the game  is to study the illustrations of several of the
artists who have worked on it: William H. Keith Jr., David Deitrick, and Tom
Peters are all fine examples to follow. We prefer for MegaTraveller art to
have a "plausible" or "realistic" look to it, rather than a caricature or
cartoon-like appearance. In some cases, we may deliberately order cartoons,
but these are the exceptions and we will plainly state when this is what we
are asking for.

The best sources to page through for samples of art include GDW's Traveller
Book, Traveller Adventure, Library Data supplements, and back issues of The
Journal of the Traveller's Aid Society, as well as our own works: The
Travellers' Digest, Referees' Gaming Kit,and Worldbuilders' Handbook.

The Shattered Imperium is a very large place, taking years to traverse in even
the fastest starship. This vastness, by its very nature, makes for a wide
variation in mechanical design, clothing, customs, and so on although there
should be a standard of consistency when dealing  with any of the standard
starship designs.

MegaTraveller has an established technological progression, so take care not
to create out of place technology . . The safest approach when drawing
technology that is part of any faction's service is to send us a sketch first
or ask, during the assignment process, where references can be found. As you
can see, having access to a library of the game's previously published
material is beneficial to both you and us.

With the advent of the Rebellion, it is not out of place for some
MegaTraveller technology to have a hasty or makeshift look, especially when
dealing with military technology. The battles have  raged on for over 4 years
(gametime), and many of the technological support networks have been disrupted
- - thus, the services have been doing all they could to keep their existing
equipment operational.

STANDARDS AND RATES We are always looking for new artists to support our
products.  If you have not yet sent us a small portfolio of your work, please
do so (send only non-returnable xeroxes) and let us know what you like to
illustrate: spacecraft, aliens, people, spacescapes, etc. Please include a
SASE with all submissions.

We are looking mostly for clean, crisp pen and ink line art or high
contrast/well-toned pencil pieces.  If you wish to produce a work in another
type of medium, please contact the art director before doing so.  We prefer
that the work be produced at twice the published size (i.e., a quarter page
piece done to fit in a 90mm x 110mm space should be drawn at 180mm x 220mm)
and that it be done on durable material, such as bristol board.  If you wish
to use shading film on your work, do not use more than 42.5 line, since it
will not reproduce properly. Please be sure to package your work with a sturdy
backer (like corrugated cardborad) so it does not get damaged in transit. If
sending by US Mail, AT  LEAST send your package with insurance.

Unless an alternate arrangement is agreed upon before hand, payment is made
upon publication (allow a couple of weeks for processing). Our starting rates
are as follows:  $12 for quarter page (85mm wide by 110mm, finished size),
$22.50 for half page (175mm wide by 110mm), and $45 for full page (175mm wide
by 240mm). Higher prices are paid for works by name artists or superior
quality.  Rates for color cover art are negotiable (starting at $250); contact
the art director for further information. In addition to monetary payment,
complimentary copies of the product will be sent to all contributors.

Digest Group Publications buys first North American reproduction rights.
Additionally, we buy all "gaming rights".  This means that the work is not
authorized to be resold/reprinted for use in any other game system. We pay for
all additional uses of illustrations (not including advertising usage) at a
rate of 30% the original price - thus, if we reuse a piece of your work, you
will receive a payment and complimentary copies.  The single exception we have
to our second use policy is with our Travellers' Digest covers.  When we
purchase those, it includes purchasing the right to reproduce a smaller B&W
version in the opening of that issue's feature adventure. All originals are
returned to the artist.

There are a number of reasons that work may be returned for re-execution, but
the primary reasons are that the work is not reproduceable or does not conform
to the conventions established for MegaTraveller. If you are unsure of your
work's "accuracy" to the MegaTraveller universe, we encourage you to send in
xeroxes of your preliminary pencils for approval. Please do not send
unsolicited art.  We usually have specific art needs and prefer to give you a
specific assignment.

All portfolios and art-related inquiries should be sent to: Rob Caswell- Art
Director (GEnie address = R.CASWELL); 8979 Mandan Ct.; Boise, ID, 83709. *s

 ------------
J.FUGATE                     at 01:50 MST

 DGP STYLE GUIDE 
If you are going to write manuscripts for us, you can get a leg up on your
 competition (other writers) if you follow our style. Here, spelled out in
 black and white, are some of our preferences. If you follow these guidelines,
 you immediately eliminate a lot of editing work we have to do to get your
 manuscript in shape -- and, of course, if you save us work, we love you for
 it.

 BAD PHRASES AND WORDS
 Phrases and words we prefer to avoid using...

 Phrase/word     Replace with      Comments
 --------------  ----------------  ---------------------------------------
 due to          because of        "due to" means you owe somebody money
 etc.            and so on         etc. ugly, "and so on" more readable
 utilize         use               avoid all "ize" words, "use" much better
 very            (just pull it)    "very" too general, be more specific


 PUNCTUATION GUIDE

 Using an "em dash" (--) in place of a semicolon (;) is more modern style.
 Use a semicolon only sparingly. Ocassionally, a colon (:) is appropriate for
 variety.

 Examples:

 When generating a gas giant, roll 3D for density; at times this will yield...

 Preferred...
 When generating a gas giant, roll 3D for density -- at times this will
yield...

 Okay once in a while for variety...
 When generating a gas giant, roll 3D for density: at times this will yield...

 Note: DO NOT capitalize the first word of the phrase following the colon (:).

 I wouldn't say *don't ever* use a semicolon; just limit its use to rare
 ocassions.

 Use "bangs" (!) sparingly! Overuse of the exclamation point weakens the
 emphasis and makes the text look cheap!! So watch out for this!!!


 OTHER GUIDELINES

 We use one space between sentences, not two. Word processing folks use
 two spaces between sentences, typesetters use only one. You can guess which
 camp we view ourselves as being in.

 Use tabs to align text columns, not spaces. Tabs are easier for us to work
 with since we can move directly to typesetting the table. Otherwise, we
 have to manually go in and change all your spaces to tabs the hard way.

 At the beginning of a paragraph, put in one tab for the paragraph indent.

 Any place where you want us to put in a bullet, type a small "o". For
 example:

 o Option 1: This option lets you ...
 o Option 2: With option two...

 and so on.

 Note we do our section headings with all CAPS.
 ------------


					Mac


Wilson "Mac" Liaw                    | If you put your mind to it, you can 
Internet:macgyver@cis.ohio-state.edu | acomplish anything. 
=====================================|      - Marty McFly, Back To The Future 
Disclaimer:All opinions are mine only|-----------------------------------------


All opinions and material above is the responsibility of the originator.
Submissions: traveller@dadla.wr.tek.com, or uunet!dadla.wr.tek.com!traveller
Administrator: traveller-request@dadla.wr.tek.com (James Perkins)
The TML is made possible by facilities provided by Tektronix, Inc.

-------- TML Message #774 --------

Archive-Message-Number: 774
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 90 08:20:37 PST
From: gazis@halley.arc.nasa.gov
Subject: Re: Traveller software



     Is simple: Re-write the code so that the GDW copywrited stuff (I assume
this is tables and whatnot) is stored in a data file.  Then distribute the
code (which will no longer contain any copyrighted stuff) along with
instructions to the user on how to create the necessary data file.  The
user can then generate the file from GDW material, or better yet, from
stuff that he/she makes up on their own.

Paul Gazis

All opinions and material above is the responsibility of the originator.
Submissions: traveller@dadla.wr.tek.com, or uunet!dadla.wr.tek.com!traveller
Administrator: traveller-request@dadla.wr.tek.com (James Perkins)
The TML is made possible by facilities provided by Tektronix, Inc.

-------- TML Message #775 --------

Archive-Message-Number: 775
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 90 18:57:39 MST
From: (SULAIMAN) asulaima@udenva.cair.du.edu
Subject: Re:Megatraveller ships & Vehicles





Megatraveller ships & Vehicles.

This is with regard to the ships posted recently by someone from Sweden
Unfortunately I lost his address so I cannot mail directly to him. 
It appears that there are a few or more errors in those designs that people
might want to know about.

1. Patrol Cruiser Type T-Mk2 and Type T-MFG 
   The Powerplant output of 4428Mw is insufficient to power the ships as they
   atleast require 4800Mw if using antigrav maneuver and over 4900Mw if using
   thrusters. Increasing ouput would likely increse the cost of the ships
   while also reducing its endurance etc. The version I have been using and
   one that has been posted is very similar. However it has a 5008 Mw Pplant
   and its endurance is 14/44 upgradable to 24/71 by using extra internal
   fuel tanks.

2. Vargr ships.
   I was under the general impression that Vargr ships were maxed out at TL13
   and that was the overall max TL for Vargrs. Even though I have seen 
   Kedzudh at TL16 etc. Overall there ships would in general be under TL15 as 
   a rule. Most GDW Vargr ships are souped up TL 11 ships.
  
   Anyway that is my only disagreement with the VF etc.

   However the Corsair is another story. First a model 2 comp is insufficient
   to control over 20000 CP which this ship has. A fairly simple upgrade to
   4 ought to do with slight modifications to other control systems.
   My other question is with regard to the fact that it is such a 'tight' ship.
   It is barely able to function at TL15 and supposedly it has been around for
   atleast a millenium. Plus a corsair usually/mostly operates far from
   established(read TL15) worlds how do u repair it. On a related note, the
   'Imperial' corsair can't function on a model 2 either.
  
   So a Vargr corsair at <TL15 say around TL13 would be interesting to see.
   I have designed a few ships and it appears that old Traveller ships have
   major problems translating into MegaTraveller. It seems that under TL15
   those designs are practically unworkable. High Guard seems to translate 
   well unless the ships have anything over a 1 or 2 armor rating.

   However I would like to see more ship designs up here on TML. I would like
   to contact this person on e-mail as I seem to have lost his address. So 
   would the person please contact me.

	Ameer Z. Sulaiman
        asulaima@udenva.cair.du.edu

	


All opinions and material above is the responsibility of the originator.
Submissions: traveller@dadla.wr.tek.com, or uunet!dadla.wr.tek.com!traveller
Administrator: traveller-request@dadla.wr.tek.com (James Perkins)
The TML is made possible by facilities provided by Tektronix, Inc.

-------- TML Message #776 --------

Archive-Message-Number: 776
From: (Bertil Jonell) d9bertil@dtek.chalmers.se
Subject: Errata for some of my designs...
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 90 11:41:51 MET DST


As Ameer has pointed out: several of the ship designs I posted had
some flaws. Here is the errata:

Place: A battleship somewhere between Capitol and Dlan
Time: Sometime around mid 1118

Lucan <points> "Dulinor is in that ship that's escaping at 4Gee's, I 
	command you to pursue and capture him, Admiral!"
The Admiral <squirms> "That is impossible, Your Imperial Highness, Our
	Type T/Mk2's only has a 3Gee drive!"
Lucan <jumps up and down and proceeds to chew up the carpeting> 
	"I will have that naval architect *shot*!"
The Admiral "Things like this have happened before, Your Imperial Highness,
	Remember when the new designsystem came and all the battleships
	went from Jump6 6Gee Agility6 to Jump6 1Gee and No agility in just
	oner day!"
Lucan <whines> "They're all against me! It isn't *fair*! I will immediately
	proclaim an Imperial Edict to the effect that all my ships shall
	have Jump6 6Gee and Agility6 and those of the rebels just Jump1 1Gee
	and no agility!"
The Admiral "As you wish, Your Imperial Highness"


The Errata:
Type T/Mk2 and T/MFG:
(correction) Both these ships shall only have a 3Gee drive.

The Vargr Corsair:
(correction) This ship *was* designed with a Model4! The Model2 is
a typing error (All controls fits in with a Model4)

Type VM:
(correction) The computer shall be Model3. The controls 89 Hololink and 
one HoloHud. Price will be 114,233 MCr (incl 20% discount)

Type VJ-14:
(addition) The computer is slightly too small. The Vargr solution is to
add 49kl of electronic (TL7 non-linked) controls at the expence of some
cargospace. These controls is *not* controllable by the onboard computer
and handles the Environment! The Type VJ-14 in generally considered to be
a Red Zone and is to be avoided at all costs!
The data will be: Electronic = 490 units, Wt Power and Cost is inconsequential.

Type VA:
(correction) This ship also requires a larger computer: The Mod1bis is
replaced by a Model2, Price will be raised by 2.4 MCr, cargo will be
4.5 kl less.

Also: I have modifyed the Armour materials table a little making LoTech
materials cheaper and HiTech more expensive. I use a Price Mod of 1.2
for ordinary TL15 starship hullmetal. The price increase visavis the
standard is in nearly all cases just a few %.

The other Vargr ships seem to be ok, But if anyone spots any strange stuff,
please let me know.

- -bertil-
- -- 
Bertil K K Jonell @ Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg
NET: d9bertil@dtek.chalmers.se 
VOICE: +46 31 723971 / +46 300 61004     "Don't worry,I've got Pilot-7"
SNAILMAIL: Box 154,S-43900 Onsala,SWEDEN      (Famous last words)      
"GOOD DEEL ON SLIGHTLY USED CRANE" Orson Scott Card 'The Abyss'

All opinions and material above is the responsibility of the originator.
Submissions: traveller@dadla.wr.tek.com, or uunet!dadla.wr.tek.com!traveller
Administrator: traveller-request@dadla.wr.tek.com (James Perkins)
The TML is made possible by facilities provided by Tektronix, Inc.

-------- End of TML Messages --------

