Computer problems

[Zemekis]

How do you work with MgT computer rules? I can't make heads nor tails out of it.

TL8 personal computer is cheaper than TL 9 personal computer with exactly the same computing power and weight.
Same with TL10/11.

TL7 ship computer with a rating of 5 is only 6 times more expensive than a TL14 personal computer. (30kCr to 5kCr)
According to Prototech rules, a TL9 Computer/1 model would already cost 25,000 Cr at TL 7. (I agree, ship computers are bigger but I still see this system as flawed.)

A ship computer Core/3 in HG with a rating of 40 is way cheaper than a Model 7 from Core Rulebook with a rating of 35 (12MCr. vs. 30 MCr.)

What's the difference between Agent and Intellect programs?
Agent programs "are effectively specialised combinations of Computer Expert and Intellect programs."
"Intellects are improved Agents, who can use Expert systems."
Anyone noticed the recursive definition?

The whole section seems like it was written in a hurry and never revisited. Instead more rubbish was added in HG without any second thought.

My opinion on computer rules:
--- ERROR --- Div#0

But you have to deal with what life (or Mongoose) throws at you. So, how do you handle these issues?

 

[rust]

So, how do you handle these issues?

I use a modified GURPS Traveller / GURPS Ultra-Tech system for the
computers of my setting, the Mongoose Traveller rules just do not co-
ver many of the things that are important in my setting and campaign
(e.g. computers controlling drones, computers in research, etc.).

 

[Supergamera]

It also seems that many of the standard ships come with software they can't run.

 

[Infojunky]

Yes, the rules are broke.

I prefer the rules in FF&S, in that they did not try to rate ships computers across the board. They were more plot devices. A lot of the things that are attributed as functions of the main computer CT and MgT are really functions of their associated devices.

Though I have also considered grafting the Computer rules from Gurps. But that has always seem a little too mechanistic. Though I might steal some of the overall options.

The technology sections of MgT is the weakest portion of of the game. The authors really don't have a feel for it. But that is kinda traditional, the Authors of Mega-Traveller didn't have a real good grip on it either.

My other big question is why they kept the letter codes and related performance mechanic for drives while discarding the starship combat aspects of it. In CT drive hits reduced the the letter code (and associated performance) with each drive hit.

Well, that is my 2cents.

 

[alex_greene]

Computers need better rules, I agree.

 

[Emperor Herdan]

And Robots as well...

Although I'm waiting for RL to slow down enough for Flynn's sake (and that of his PDF...)

Take Care

E. Herdan