Core Rulebook question for computer software

[Stofsk]

Since it seems to be all the rage...

I took a look at some of the smallcraft designs in HG, and some of them have Model/4 computers with a rating of 20. They then list a number of software programs that take up what I presume to be processing power for the ship's computer - specifically, Intellect, Evade and Fire Control.

In the ship design rules in the core rulebook, page 113, it lists the rating of each piece of software. But the totals for the HG design I'm thinking of exceed the rating of the computer model by at least 10.

Does this mean: you can have let's say Intellect running at 10, and either Evade/1 or Fire Control/2? I would think you'd want Intellect running nonstop for flying the ship. I need to know because I'm designing my own space fighter, and would like to know if it's worth having both evade and fire control active at once, which would necessitate having a higher model computer.

Incidentally, lol at me for making a TL-15 space fighter with a model/7 hardened computer. The damn thing is the most expensive component at like 45 million bucks!

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

Software is a bit tricky.

As written, I would say that you have to decide which programs to run at a given time. But, a combat round is long enough that you (the Referee) could say that there is plenty of time to switch programs between phases.

Within a single Phase though, you can only use what the computer can hold.

Others have taken a different approach and gone like the old CT HG book. Ignore programs and let the computer model number be a DM and don't sweat the details.

Your call.

 

[Golan2072]

My house-rule regarding computer ratings:
The power of all computers (be that ship mainframes or hand-held PDAs) IMTU progresses geometrically rather than in a linear fashion. Each computer can run a single piece of software equal to its rating or two programs one level lower or four programs three levels lower and so on. For example, a Rating 3 computer could either run a single Rating 3 program, two Rating 2 programs, four Rating 1 programs or eight Rating 0 programs. Combinations are also possible: for example, a Rating 3 computer could simultaneously run a single Rating 2 program and two Rating 1 programs.

 

[snrdg121408]

Howdy Stofsk,

Core Rulebook p. 108 states "Ship's computers work just like personal computers (see p. 91)..."

From Core Rulebook p. 91: "A system can run a number of programs up to its rating - for example, a Computer/2 could run two programs requiring Program/1, or one PRogram/2, or a Program/2 and any number of Program/0s."

Capital Ships per HG p. 65 require a central computer core that controls the ship's jump drives. The Core Computer models start with Core/3 with a Rating of 40 and goes to Core/9 with a Rating of 100.

Hopefully, this helps.