Been running a campaign with the family for a while now. A few of the PCs have wafer jacks from character creation. The players and I have no idea how to use them. For some reason when I read about them, I just cannot grasp how to use them. How do some of you use them in your games?
Cannot wrap my head around wafer jacks.
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Terry Mixon
Emperor Mongoose
Plug in skills. Insert and use. Remove and it goes away. They would be useful to fill gaps and to have emergency skills when you really need them.
Condottiere
Emperor Mongoose
It wasn't baked into Traveller DNA.
It's really more cyberpunk.
Going by Sector General, it's more helpful in augmenting existing skills and knowledge.
It's really more cyberpunk.
Going by Sector General, it's more helpful in augmenting existing skills and knowledge.
Terry Mixon
Emperor Mongoose
I did forget it could augment, too. Thanks.
The Wafer Jack runs the "Intelligence" interface. Assuming this is supposed to read "Intelligent" then built in interface can ONLY be used to give a +1 to a skill the owner already holds as you need the Intellect interface to use expert packages for skills you don't have.
As it is Computer/2 or Computer/3 that is not to say you cannot run Intellect, it just means that Intellect is not integrated and must be purchased separately and it will and eat into your available bandwidth and processor. For example the TL12 version can store 4 bandwidth of expert systems but can only run 2 bandwidth at a time. If you are running Intellect/1, so you can access skills you don't have, you will only have 3 bandwidth and 1 processor left for the actual expert systems. This could be 3 different Expert/1 packages (that will provide you with Skill-0) that you can use 1 at a time.
Augmenting your skills to give you +1 by buying the lowest possible bandwidth Expert/1 packages is very efficient as long as you are only going to be attempting no more than Difficult (10) tasks. With 4 bandwidth say you can have 4 skills loaded ready (though you might still be able to only use two at the same time). You might have a social set and a combat set. It would be an easy way to uplift those background skills to something more useful.
Higher TL wafer jacks add more capacity for storing packages and allow more advanced packages to be used.
But none of this will help for physical skills, for that you need a neural link or jack.
As it is Computer/2 or Computer/3 that is not to say you cannot run Intellect, it just means that Intellect is not integrated and must be purchased separately and it will and eat into your available bandwidth and processor. For example the TL12 version can store 4 bandwidth of expert systems but can only run 2 bandwidth at a time. If you are running Intellect/1, so you can access skills you don't have, you will only have 3 bandwidth and 1 processor left for the actual expert systems. This could be 3 different Expert/1 packages (that will provide you with Skill-0) that you can use 1 at a time.
Augmenting your skills to give you +1 by buying the lowest possible bandwidth Expert/1 packages is very efficient as long as you are only going to be attempting no more than Difficult (10) tasks. With 4 bandwidth say you can have 4 skills loaded ready (though you might still be able to only use two at the same time). You might have a social set and a combat set. It would be an easy way to uplift those background skills to something more useful.
Higher TL wafer jacks add more capacity for storing packages and allow more advanced packages to be used.
But none of this will help for physical skills, for that you need a neural link or jack.
Terry Mixon
Emperor Mongoose
I’ve seen them but never delved too deeply into them. Thanks for the explanation.
Limpin Legin
Emperor Mongoose
A Wafer Jack is a computer system and a physical data socket small enough to fit the base of the skull. Because it is a computer system it has a bandwidth capacity which can be used to run programs. The bandwidth capacity to run programs is either 4 or 8, and the type of programs it can run are Expert software packages, which have the effect of mimicking select Traveller skills. The Wafer Jack runs Expert programs at a level of Expert/2 meaning that the wearer can use it for Task Checks up to a maximum difficulty of 12+ (Very Difficult).
Because a Wafer Jack runs Expert packages the rules requires it to have an Intelligent Interface s/w package installed, but the rules also state that a Wafer Jack has an integrated Intelligent Interface installed on the Wafer Jack by default, and this Interface uses 0 bandwidth of the total bandwidth score - so the wearer of a Wafer Jack is exempt from needing an independent Intelligent Interface s/w described in the Core Collection of the Core Rulebook.
Steps for usage:
Because a Wafer Jack runs Expert packages the rules requires it to have an Intelligent Interface s/w package installed, but the rules also state that a Wafer Jack has an integrated Intelligent Interface installed on the Wafer Jack by default, and this Interface uses 0 bandwidth of the total bandwidth score - so the wearer of a Wafer Jack is exempt from needing an independent Intelligent Interface s/w described in the Core Collection of the Core Rulebook.
Steps for usage:
- A Traveller acquires a Wafer Jack.
- Allocate Expert software packages into the Traveller's Wafer Jack.
- Install the Wafer Jack augment by surgical procedure (time: 1d6 weeks).
- Use Expert Skill provided by the Expert s/w when the appropriate Task Check is called by the Referee. (Restriction: can only be used for Task Checks relying upon INT or EDU.)
The description confuses things a little because normally bandwidth is only used in relation to how many programs can run at once, not as a measure of storage capacity. Regular computers (even hand ones) don't track any limits on their software libraries, but wafer jacks are tiny and specialised, and do.
So it's a Computer/2 with a free Intelligent Interface that can only run Expert programs, with either 4 or 8 bandwidth extra storage. CSC has a TL15 version which is Computer/3 with storage of 12.
Expert systems (whether from a data jack or another type of computer) allow the user to use the skill at it's rating minus 1. So if you have Admin/2 running your character is treated as having Admin-1. If the character actually has Admin skill, any Expert program adds +1 to the skill check. These should combine, so a character with Admin-0 running Expert Admin/2 would have an effective Admin skill of one with an extra +1 to their check.
Some of the comments above seem to be confusing the Intelligent Interface program, which is required for the use of Expert software by a person, and Intellect programs, which are advanced AI agents that can also use Expert programs, but have nothing to do with the Wafer Jack, or a character. They might be able to offer assistance as part of a group task or skill chain, though.
So it's a Computer/2 with a free Intelligent Interface that can only run Expert programs, with either 4 or 8 bandwidth extra storage. CSC has a TL15 version which is Computer/3 with storage of 12.
Expert systems (whether from a data jack or another type of computer) allow the user to use the skill at it's rating minus 1. So if you have Admin/2 running your character is treated as having Admin-1. If the character actually has Admin skill, any Expert program adds +1 to the skill check. These should combine, so a character with Admin-0 running Expert Admin/2 would have an effective Admin skill of one with an extra +1 to their check.
Some of the comments above seem to be confusing the Intelligent Interface program, which is required for the use of Expert software by a person, and Intellect programs, which are advanced AI agents that can also use Expert programs, but have nothing to do with the Wafer Jack, or a character. They might be able to offer assistance as part of a group task or skill chain, though.
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Not by my reading. You either let the expert run the show at Expert-1 or you use Expert to give you +1 to a skill you already have. (I do allow the more expensive Intellect Interface package to act as Intelligent Interface at the users option removing the need to have both packages installed).
Both interfaces descriptions reference a user, so they are both used by characters. By your definition what INT/EDU modifier would you use for the skill check? My understanding is it is that of the user as an idiot might not even understand how to task the Expert package.
I think the description of the differences between Intelligent Interface and Intellect Interface are quite clear.
CSC P70
If a user already has at least level 0 of a skill, then any level Expert package grants DM+1 to their skill check. Expert software requires Intelligent Interface (Bandwidth 1), or Digital Friend (Bandwidth 2) to run, unless installed on a specialised computer. In most instances, only INT and EDU-based checks can be attempted.
A user without the specified skill can use an Expert package with Intellect (Bandwidth 1+) software to make a skill check as if they had the skill at the Expert software’s Bandwidth -1.
The wafer jack states "Intelligence Interface", something that only appears in the Wafer Jack description. My assumption was this is a typo, but I would be happy to have a reference cited that indicates that it is actually another type of interface and the different capabilities it provides.
For those interested in efficiency, a TL12 Neural Comm is arguably a better option than a Wafer Jack. It is cheaper and allows thought controlled interfacing (at up to 5km) to a more powerful computer that can have the the normal infinite software storage, whatever computer processing and bandwidth you can afford and, as an external device, can be upgraded or replaced without complex surgery and has no visible external interface (such as the wafer jack chip port). The Neural Comm / external computer combination will be far cheaper and available at a lower TL than the equivalent Wafer Jack. The Neural Link (the version providing physical skills) is significantly cheaper than the Neural Jack equivalent.
At TL12 a specialised Intellect retrotech Computer/1 (TL8 equivalent) capable of running a single Expert-1 packages costs less than Cr100. As these are microscopic chip sized you can carry/wear many of them easily and interface to them with the wireless capability of the Neural Comm as needed. If you want a very high level of Expert package you can scale accordingly and might require a more expensive/larger device (and specialised devices may no longer be cost effective at this level).
As the connection is not direct, there are potential exploits (jamming the signal or hacking the interface) but these are unlikely to be a concern to a casual user and can be overcome with technology.
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I appreciate the responses. I cannot decided if I am beginning to understand how to use them or I am even more confused.
Maybe I should have asked to explain it like I am 5 or like I am in my 80s and don't really understand computers.
Possible example.
My Engineer PC with Wafer Jack TL12, has M Drive 1. So if she has a wafer that has the expert M-drive 3 installed she cannot use it because it uses too much bandwidth, but if she has a wafer, expert M-drive 2 she can and it gives her a +1 to any M-drive checks? Is this mostly correct
Maybe I should have asked to explain it like I am 5 or like I am in my 80s and don't really understand computers.Possible example.
My Engineer PC with Wafer Jack TL12, has M Drive 1. So if she has a wafer that has the expert M-drive 3 installed she cannot use it because it uses too much bandwidth, but if she has a wafer, expert M-drive 2 she can and it gives her a +1 to any M-drive checks? Is this mostly correct
AnotherDilbert
Emperor Mongoose
Yes, I believe swordtart is correct.
Using an Expert system requires a computer (with a sophont interface), interface software, and some Expert software.
The wafer jack is the computer, and it can talk to the user via thought. More advanced versions are the Neural Link and the Neural Jack, that can access the users neural system directly, hence move the users limbs.
Interface software can be
The Expert software can either:
How the Expert software can help the user is limited by the way it interfaces with the sophont, i.e. the computer hardware. A text interface is more limited than a graphical interface, that is in turn more limited than a neural interface.
With a text interface (terminal, PC, Wafer Jack) it can help the user with text-based tasks, codified as INT/EDU tasks.
Specialised interfaces are somewhat fuzzy, and up to Referee fiat.
With a neural interface it can move the users limbs to perform the task, helping you with anything.
Examples:
An Expert system on a Wafer Jack can help you with paper work, maths, or languages. It cannot help you shoot or jump.
An Expert system on a smart scope can help you shoot, but nothing else, but that is my interpretation.
An Expert system on a Neural Jack can help you with anything, and with Agent software even do it for you while you concentrate on something else.
Using an Expert system requires a computer (with a sophont interface), interface software, and some Expert software.
The wafer jack is the computer, and it can talk to the user via thought. More advanced versions are the Neural Link and the Neural Jack, that can access the users neural system directly, hence move the users limbs.
Interface software can be
- Intelligent Interface: the user does the work, the computer helps.
- Digital Friend: a more social Intelligent Interface.
- Agent: an AI, the computer does the work.
- Intellect: a more social AI, the computer does the work.
The Expert software can either:
- Give the user a DM+1 on a task,
- Give the user the skill to perform the task, or
- Give an Agent the skill to perform the task without user input.
How the Expert software can help the user is limited by the way it interfaces with the sophont, i.e. the computer hardware. A text interface is more limited than a graphical interface, that is in turn more limited than a neural interface.
With a text interface (terminal, PC, Wafer Jack) it can help the user with text-based tasks, codified as INT/EDU tasks.
Specialised interfaces are somewhat fuzzy, and up to Referee fiat.
With a neural interface it can move the users limbs to perform the task, helping you with anything.
Examples:
An Expert system on a Wafer Jack can help you with paper work, maths, or languages. It cannot help you shoot or jump.
An Expert system on a smart scope can help you shoot, but nothing else, but that is my interpretation.
An Expert system on a Neural Jack can help you with anything, and with Agent software even do it for you while you concentrate on something else.
Quite, but do you really want something with data comm capability to directly control your neural system, hence your body? If you go to a high enough TL world script kiddies might be able to hack you for fun...
AnotherDilbert
Emperor Mongoose
Computer software can always be used at a lower Bandwidth than stated max (Core, p110).
Expert(Engineering[M-Drive])-3 can be installed on a Wafer Jack-12, since it has storage Bandwidth 4. The wafer jack has a processing score of 2 (computer/2) so can run the software at level 2.
At level 2 the Expert software can either give the user a DM+1 or if the user lacks the skill give him Skill-1. Since he has Eng(MDrive)-1 he gets a DM+1 on all INT/EDU based tasks related to the Engineering skill.
He can even run it at level 1 and another Expert skill at level 1.
Extra Expert software is fairly cheap, so he can easily buy other skills on wafers. He can build up a library of skills for different situations.
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MasterGwydion
Emperor Mongoose
Why is there even a such thing as "storage bandwidth" when it clearly states on page 110 of the CRB that, "Note that the storage capacity of computers is not used in Traveller as, beyond TL8, the capacity of even a modest computer is effectively unlimited"?
Sigtrygg
Emperor Mongoose
Because the computer rules need to be completely re-written... a computer should have three characteristics - processing, storage, bandwidth.
and on the subject of wafer it is high time the T5 chapter on wafers was brought over to Mongoose Traveller, a lot of these issues would then have a much simpler solution
and on the subject of wafer it is high time the T5 chapter on wafers was brought over to Mongoose Traveller, a lot of these issues would then have a much simpler solution
Limpin Legin
Emperor Mongoose
To add some of the discussion above:
MgT 1e: Wafer Jack ... is always running Intelligent Interface at no cost.
MgT 2e Update 2022: Wafer Jack ... is always running Intelligence Interface. The Intelligence Interface does not use any Bandwidth.
So, why did the Wafter Jack "Intelligent Interface" suddenly change to an "Intelligence Interface" , between the CRB editions, if that were not a typo?
MgT 1e: Wafer Jack ... is always running Intelligent Interface at no cost.
MgT 2e Update 2022: Wafer Jack ... is always running Intelligence Interface. The Intelligence Interface does not use any Bandwidth.
So, why did the Wafter Jack "Intelligent Interface" suddenly change to an "Intelligence Interface" , between the CRB editions, if that were not a typo?
AnotherDilbert
Emperor Mongoose
AnotherDilbert
Emperor Mongoose
Presumably typo.
MasterGwydion
Emperor Mongoose
What is defined as a "modest computer"? One that never takes off it's case? lol.
Seriously though, what is it? A simple Computer/1 has less bandwidth than a wafer jack but has no storage limit.
AnotherDilbert
Emperor Mongoose
Generally computers have no limit to storage.
Wafer jacks explicitly have a limit.
A general rule, with an explicit exception.
MasterGwydion
Emperor Mongoose
What was the purpose of the rule? Wafer Jacks are OP and the writer wanted to nerf them so you can't just keep switching out skills? Oh no! I take out one jack and stick in another. Easy. So, now what is the purpose of the rule?
