Any computer assistance for this game yet?
- Thread starter Blustar
- Start date
dreamingbadger
Mongoose
Blustar said:
not sure if anyone has done the obligatory spreadsheet for MGT ship construction yet
IanBruntlett
Emperor Mongoose
Well, I'm beginning to be buried underneath all the bits of paper that a campaign in progress goes through. And, with my notes for Project Steel having reached a state of "out of control", I'm going to try using a word processor (OpenOffice Write) on a netbook (initially Windows XP, will be shifted to Ubuntu Linux). I did something like this years ago with a Psion Series 3c PDA. I have to keep weight of books down because I travel on public transport and there is only so much stuff you can carry to a game. The Central Supplies Catalogue is something I'll be carrying to every session.The Chef said:
FreeTrav
Cosmic Mongoose
Computer assistance for Traveller has always been somewhat hit-or-miss; there's never really been a sustained formal effort to provide a suite of programs for managing Traveller.
There have been individual efforts made for specific aspects of the various editions of the game; it's entirely possible that something from a previous version may work adequately to do the major grunt work for you now, and leave you with just some simple 'tweaking'. To that end, I'll point you at the Traveller Software pages at Freelance Traveller; look in the Computer Connection in the Information Center.
And if anyone DOES do a computer assist for Mongoose's edition of Traveller, let me know, so I can add it to the listings!
There have been individual efforts made for specific aspects of the various editions of the game; it's entirely possible that something from a previous version may work adequately to do the major grunt work for you now, and leave you with just some simple 'tweaking'. To that end, I'll point you at the Traveller Software pages at Freelance Traveller; look in the Computer Connection in the Information Center.
And if anyone DOES do a computer assist for Mongoose's edition of Traveller, let me know, so I can add it to the listings!
dreamingbadger
Mongoose
Infojunky said:
Why am I not sure?
Why isn't there one? I know there are systems specifc versions for GURPS and CT High Guard.dreamingbadger said:Infojunky said:
Why am I not sure?
Yes. but MT, TNE, T4 and Gurps all have much more involved ship construction, while MgT is on par with CT Book2 at it's best for complexity.
I don't know if it qualifies, as it is only a spreadsheet not a program, but check out over here:FreeTrav said:
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=37373&start=0
I don't know how it compares to the fractal map generator I noticed in your list, I'll try it later, but the added value of my map generator should be the possibility to generate details of a world using a known UWP, and MGT rules.
Vile
Banded Mongoose
I suppose one of the problems of producing a spreadsheet (from Mongoose's point of view) is that it negates the need to buy the books for the ship building rules. I don't think that's a deal breaker, though, because there are other things in The Main Book and High Guard beside ship building. I guess it needs some working out, but I'm sure it could be done. Maybe a saleable piece of software, more than a basic spreadsheet?
Rikki Tikki Traveller
Cosmic Mongoose
It all goes back to Mongoose's golden rule: Play Nice
If you are offering something for FREE, you might be OK. But I am not a lawyer.
If you want to SELL it, you need to contact Mongoose directly and get a special license, since the OGL rules specifically exclude software.
Several people have posted spreadsheets for various things here and Matt seems OK with it. Again, as long as it is free you are probably OK.
If you are offering something for FREE, you might be OK. But I am not a lawyer.
If you want to SELL it, you need to contact Mongoose directly and get a special license, since the OGL rules specifically exclude software.
Several people have posted spreadsheets for various things here and Matt seems OK with it. Again, as long as it is free you are probably OK.
Wizards say otherwise and they created the OGL. It takes some work, but it is possible. The hardest part is saying what it is without using the word 'Traveller' or any other PI.Rikki Tikki Traveller said:
Software is not allowed under the TLL.
GamerDude
Cosmic Mongoose
Also, you are looking under the 3.x OGL, the OGL for 4th says "NO SOFTWARE" (although some people are still developing stuff). This was pointed out on EN World and other similar websites when the 4th ed OGL was released.Deniable said:
As for the final word on software, you need the TLL AND the "Fair Use" policy (included in the developers kit). Under "What I can't do" and I quote:
(emphasis mine).
I've only seen up to 1.0a, Can you provide a link to the later version of the OGL?GamerDude said:
This means I can use the old version for as long as I like.The copy of the OGL in the SRD from the Developer's Pack said:
And what does that have to do with the OGL? It's not even mentioned in the quoted document. As to additional restrictions...
The OGL said:
Frankly, I don't plan to publish anything soon, and if I do, I don't plan to play the rules lawyer with Mongoose. I've seen the "No software under the OGL" line thrown around a few times and it needs to be clarified. A bigger problem with OGL only software will be what you call it. You need the TLL to safely use the word "Traveller."
GamerDude
Cosmic Mongoose
Personally, I don't cary what anyone does as far as ATUs or MGT software or whatever. A question was asked, some comments were made I thought weren't quite on the mark, and tried to contribute.Deniable said:
To be honest, serious questions about the MGT license should go directly via email to Mongoose Publishing and not to to these forums the closest just about any of us comes to be a legal authority is when we are busy being rules lawyers. (and yes, there might be some real lawyers here which is why I say just about ANY of us... not ALL of us).
FreeTrav
Cosmic Mongoose
Infojunky said:
But how much of that is because of restrictive licenses? Didn't I see a comment earlier that the TLL bars even free (both senses) software?
This was a concern on the TML even when the announcement was first made that a deal had been cut between Marc and Mongoose; the TLL seems to have been more liberal than expected - except in the area of computer game aid development.
And with the only two active development in Traveller being Mongoose and (barely) GURPS, why would anyone do a game aid for any other version? - and with the TLL restriction, that leaves GURPS as the only crowd that can do any development.
GamerDude
Cosmic Mongoose
Actually, according to an MIB I know who says he knows Marc well, "Interstellar Wars" was the departing gift from SJ Games, and was allowed so there was something in under the 4th ed for the GURPS ATU. So any software being developed GURPS wise at least will have a finite (although large) information base to draw from/build on.FreeTrav said:
MGT shows no signs of stopping.
