Computer skill, a thought

[CosmicGamer]

Which any good Adventurers leaving home from a High Tech World should have the listed skills, IMO. The regular citizens on planet? Nah, I figure that they've only got a few skills, though the one that they use for their primary income could be fairly high, which doesn't have to be Computers.

This is basic skills that are picked up before the age of 18. Some basic skills which may or may not be needed by everyone but also are a sampling of skills needed in a variety of careers one might choose for their future.

While the everyday computer user may not need to know a lot about computers I have no problem with the concept that schools on high tech worlds teaching their children about databases, 3D drafting, writing programs, upgrading, and simple repairs. I know of a certain TL 7.5 world where some schools teach such to the children. Some kids are modifying and reprogramming the household and personal electronics.

 

[Greylond]

While the everyday computer user may not need to know a lot about computers I have no problem with the concept that schools on high tech worlds teaching their children about databases, 3D drafting, writing programs, upgrading, and simple repairs. I know of a certain TL 7.5 world where some schools teach such to the children. Some kids are modifying and reprogramming the household and personal electronics.

Case in point is my Kid's High School. Not every kid in the school is taking those classes, but those that do graduate prepped to take several Certification Exams, i.e. Cisco, MCSE, and have a small software portfolio of applications that they've created.


Anyway, my point is that you don't have to assume regular every day NPCs to have the same base skill set as PCs. PCs are those special people that go on adventures and lead exciting lives. Just like not every single person(NPC) from a world listed as "Agricultural" is going to be a Farmer. Nor is every regular NPC from an Industrial world is going to be a tradesman, i.e. Trade skill.

 

[CosmicGamer]

As to the OP

I've been working in the computer field for ~30 years and the "skill level" required to use computers by the average person has gone WAY down.

I wonder how many people had any knowledge at all of computers 30 years ago vs now? So while I'd agree with:

The average person who uses a computer today has (and needs) a small fraction of the "computer skill" that a user had 30 years ago...

I'd dare say with the prevalence of computers in cars, phones, TVs, gaming consoles and countless other devices that the total # of people with computer skill comparable to what you are thinking of is quite high. Perhaps higher than 30 years ago. It's just that they are in an office or lab and not at home or in a garage.

 

[dragoner]

Also look at the negative result, without the 0 lvl, it is a -3 check to use a computer for anything, so I know a lot of people that have the 0 lvl; you can't get any higher education without it. Plus today you have to take internet learning classes that teach etiquette, forms, submission guidelines, etc.; which I know many people that do not have those skills, but can write code.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

It seems every starship task would be a computer check, though pilot checks dex? huh

For me, it depends on the ship being piloted. It also depends on how the ship is piloted. So there can be combinations of computers skill, pilot skill, astrogation skill, INT, DEX, STR, EDU, END, navigation skill, sensor skill, tactics skill, space sciences skill, maybe even mechanic skill.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

I wonder how many people had any knowledge at all of computers 30 years ago vs now?

Game characters? Or the players? I'm one of those players.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

Computer-0 could include basic jailbreaking of personal comms and hand computers, knowledge of how to taken them apart in order to upgrade memory, storage, graphics, sound and so on, along with basic web page creation and installation on web sites, creation of minor apps, minor use of scripting languages and database query languages to generate tables, join tables and reports on the fly and so forth.

I totally disagree with this.

 

[alex_greene]

I totally disagree with this.

Well, don't just leave us hanging there.

 

[rust]

In my view the problem is not only what the Computer
skill covers but also when it is actually used in a game.
According to the Traveller core rules:

The Referee should only call for checks:
• When the characters are in danger.
• When the task is especially difficult or hazardous.
• When the characters are under the pressure of time.
• When success or failure is especially important or interesting.

Frankly, the overwhelming number of computer tasks is
like accessing publicly available informations or starting a
computer program about as dangerous, difficult, hazardous,
etc., as watching colour drying, and calling for a skill check
would only be a way to ruin the game's atmosphere.

 

[CosmicGamer]

I wonder how many people had any knowledge at all of computers 30 years ago vs now?

Game characters? Or the players? I'm one of those players.

People in general. Rhetorical question.

 

[F33D]

As for the Background Skill, nothing in the rules says that EVERY person on that planet has Computer-0, just that All Player Characters have it...

In other words, it's a standard skill from that planet for the people who have the drive and "that special something" that makes them adventurous...

Correct. I'm just moving it down to a TL range that makes more sense.

 

[dragoner]

It seems every starship task would be a computer check, though pilot checks dex? huh

For me, it depends on the ship being piloted. It also depends on how the ship is piloted. So there can be combinations of computers skill, pilot skill, astrogation skill, INT, DEX, STR, EDU, END, navigation skill, sensor skill, tactics skill, space sciences skill, maybe even mechanic skill.

Same as someone else stated earlier, I usually use Int and not Dex, though the actual controls are undefined.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

I usually use Int and not Dex, though the actual controls are undefined.

I describe the controls (show the players pictures of the ship/cockpit/bridge interior and everything) because the players are going to ask me about this stuff at some point.

 

[dragoner]

I usually use Int and not Dex, though the actual controls are undefined.

I describe the controls (show the players pictures of the ship/cockpit/bridge interior and everything) because the players are going to ask me about this stuff at some point.

The controls could be anything though, from a simple touch screen to a thought controlled immersive holographic enviornment, so it is up to GM fiat as to what they actually are; dex seems to imply a mechanical setup, which isn't even used in aircraft today except very primitive ones.

 

[F33D]

The controls could be anything though, from a simple touch screen to a thought controlled immersive holographic enviornment, so it is up to GM fiat as to what they actually are; dex seems to imply a mechanical setup, which isn't even used in aircraft today except very primitive ones.

Correct. At the TL's where starships exist in Trav, the pilot is telling the computer what he wants the ship to do/where to go. The computer (using all the sensor input) translates that into the appropriate M-drive commands. NOT a stick & rudder environment.

 

[CosmicGamer]

The controls could be anything though, from a simple touch screen to a thought controlled immersive holographic enviornment, so it is up to GM fiat as to what they actually are; dex seems to imply a mechanical setup, which isn't even used in aircraft today except very primitive ones.

For me, Dex is not just the physical speed and accuracy but reaction time which includes the ability to quickly analyze sensory input and respond. I'm ok with dex representing the pilots reaction time to make quick adjustments via tapping a screen, motion sensing, voice, or actual physical controls. Unless the pilots sensory input and resulting "output" is outside of the normal senses, such as a direct neural connection.

 

[dragoner]

The controls could be anything though, from a simple touch screen to a thought controlled immersive holographic enviornment, so it is up to GM fiat as to what they actually are; dex seems to imply a mechanical setup, which isn't even used in aircraft today except very primitive ones.

For me, Dex is not just the physical speed and accuracy but reaction time which includes the ability to quickly analyze sensory input and respond. I'm ok with dex representing the pilots reaction time to make quick adjustments via tapping a screen, motion sensing, voice, or actual physical controls. Unless the pilots sensory input and resulting "output" is outside of the normal senses, such as a direct neural connection.

We are already experimenting with thought controls on equipment, so by 1105, it would most likely be pretty common, unless it's just a touch screen with a two finger "go here" move the cursor and tap or even a holo. But yes, I can see dex as reaction time, but at the speeds of how things work in traveller, I have a tendancy to believe that "quick thinking" or thinking ahead is more important; because at speed, by the time something is registering, it is a forgone conclusion it's happening.

 

[F33D]

But yes, I can see dex as reaction time, but at the speeds of how things work in traveller, I have a tendancy to believe that "quick thinking" or thinking ahead is more important; because at speed, by the time something is registering, it is a forgone conclusion it's happening.

Yes, "lightening reactions" are not really part of piloting a starship in trav. Ships with the G levels they maneuver at, coupled with Newtonian motion just isn't happening fast at all. Intelligent planning is MUCH more important. Not how fast you can react and stab the keyboard controls.

 

[Captain Jonah]

Pilot or many other skills.

If it is a routine task they learned how to do in training then it is EDU.

If it is something non routine that must be planned then INT.

If it is something delicate or that requires fast reaction the DEX.

For example:

Flying a run from earth to the moon using a preset flight plan would be EDU.

Flying an intercept course with a ship that has just crossed the shelf inbound at 0.8AU/day broadcasting a Mayday would be INT.

Landing an aerodyne shuttle on a colony runway with the beacon down and 75kph crosswinds would be DEX.

Convincing the passengers that everything is fine and that flying through a hurricane to land on a blacked out frontier dirt field there is nothing to worry about would be SOC :wink:

 

[F33D]

If it is a routine task they learned how to do in training then it is EDU.

You use EDU as a mod when the character is relying upon a part of his education that lies outside the skill training in question or, is enhanced by another field of education. For instance, an astrogator has a high EDU (advanced physics and the like) and adds that knowledge into solving the problem of the jump calc. I don't see any high edu subject helping a pilot "paint by numbers" a course already laid in. Probably not a good example of using a high edu for a task...