In an online game of Traveller I've been playing in, the GM came up with a very nifty system for constructing databases. It not only gives you a price but also clearly lays out what the database covers. I thought I'd share it here. (If there's someone other than 'Drifter' on the rpg.net boards to credit for this, I don't know them.)
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Database - TL 7 Cr. 10 to Cr. 10,000
A database is a large store of information on a topic that can be searched with a
Computer check or using an Agent. You can put together a database and its rough cost using the chart below.
Scope: base cost in Cr.
Scope.
Local (a city, continent,)10
World 10
Subsector 100
Sector 250
Imperium 500
Known space 1000
Depth[price mod]
Basic x1
General x3
Comprehensive x 6
Authority x 10
Subject [price mod]
x1:Specific speciality (droyne physiology, a specific ship series, megacorp interests in a specific system, orchids, a breed of cat..)
x2 speciality (robot types, jump drive components listing, flowers).
x3 specialities (package) (trade database, tourist package, geneology, biomeweb)
x4 Targetted (zoology, the history of..., trades and futures, starship listings)
x6 Broad ('Library' programs, Planetary factfile, nobles, banking, the Navy, Aslan)
Other Mods:
Highly specialised or restricted x 2
'realtime' dataflow x2
Database max price is 10 000cr Mods cannot add up to more than this.
[example; you can have a Comprehensive (x6)Spec package(x3)[in this case Ship I.D.] for known space 1000cr x 9 = 9000cr.]
Cost mod: Autoupdate: 10% of cost of program annually (must be paid in addition to initial price).
Autoupdates happen whenever your computer identifies itself through a very specific series of codes to the Central database of most starports,(and some worlds) and is updated automatically. Essential for things like system shipping reports, stocks and futures and news databases.
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Here are a few databases I constructed for my character using the system.
Berke's Peerage and Nobility
Imperium (500) x General Knowledge (3) x Broad Topic (6) + 10% for live updates = 9900 credits
A general guide to all the nobility of the Imperium. Of necessity due to the scope, most entries are very short, consisting of name/age/homeworld, geneology (if non-service noble), Imperial service/awards, current status, and notes regarding official connections to other nobility (Eg. "Despite being on different worlds, the Marquis of Valencia is a vassel of the Count of Barcelona.") In addition, one of the privileges of purchase and annual upkeep is that a noble subscriber is allowed to insert as much information regarding themselves as they see fit. Some subscribers decline to do so while others use it as a virtual blog, inserting reams trivial detail about themselves and their lives. Obviously any such information must be taken as biased and untrustworthy. Updated continually for the latest in noble births, deaths, promotions, and demotions.
Vonda's List of Scout Adventure Novels
Sector (250) x Basic (1) x Specific Speciality (1) + 10% for live updates = 275 credits
The Imperial Scout Service is a popular topic for so-called 'adventure fiction', being viewed as the most romantic and exciting (which is to say dangerous) branch of Imperial service. Enthusiasts throughout the sector maintain a database of the latest and greatest stories and books, providing ratings and reviews on many a new novelist. If you access to this database enough to bother paying for it, you are truly a fan. Updated continually as a labor of love by the fan community.
Cotsen Institute Archaeological Compilations
Sector (250) x Comprehensive (6) X Targeted (4) + 10% for live updates = 6600 credits
Contains the latest books and publications regarding archeology research in the sector. This is a professional-level database containing theories, speculation, and analysis. Live updates bring the very latest in news from the field.
Tourist's Guide to the Imperium
Imperium (500) x Specialized (3) x General (3) = 4500 credits
Maintained by the TAS as a profit-making enterprise, this handy guidebook lists the most spectacular sights for worlds throughout the Imperium. Reissued every five years or so, as good tourist spots are expected to last.
Black Books Computer Hacking/Cracking Database
Sector (250) x General (3) x Speciality (2) x Restricted (2) + 10% for live updates = 3300 credits
Illegal as all heck, this underground database for crackers lists information on computer security throughout the sector. Obviously it's impossible to list every system, but common cracker targets and/or particularly large systems such as megacorporate databases are listed. Due to the constantly changing game of computer security, only the most general information can be listed. (Eg. "This system has nearly unbreakable security on financial records, but inventory records are lightly protected.") Occasionally job offers can be found on recent downloads. Extreme caution should be taken in utilizing data, as the reliability of the information cannot be assured. Updating is considering the responsibility of all subscribers.
=====
Database - TL 7 Cr. 10 to Cr. 10,000
A database is a large store of information on a topic that can be searched with a
Computer check or using an Agent. You can put together a database and its rough cost using the chart below.
Scope: base cost in Cr.
Scope.
Local (a city, continent,)10
World 10
Subsector 100
Sector 250
Imperium 500
Known space 1000
Depth[price mod]
Basic x1
General x3
Comprehensive x 6
Authority x 10
Subject [price mod]
x1:Specific speciality (droyne physiology, a specific ship series, megacorp interests in a specific system, orchids, a breed of cat..)
x2 speciality (robot types, jump drive components listing, flowers).
x3 specialities (package) (trade database, tourist package, geneology, biomeweb)
x4 Targetted (zoology, the history of..., trades and futures, starship listings)
x6 Broad ('Library' programs, Planetary factfile, nobles, banking, the Navy, Aslan)
Other Mods:
Highly specialised or restricted x 2
'realtime' dataflow x2
Database max price is 10 000cr Mods cannot add up to more than this.
[example; you can have a Comprehensive (x6)Spec package(x3)[in this case Ship I.D.] for known space 1000cr x 9 = 9000cr.]
Cost mod: Autoupdate: 10% of cost of program annually (must be paid in addition to initial price).
Autoupdates happen whenever your computer identifies itself through a very specific series of codes to the Central database of most starports,(and some worlds) and is updated automatically. Essential for things like system shipping reports, stocks and futures and news databases.
=====
Here are a few databases I constructed for my character using the system.
Berke's Peerage and Nobility
Imperium (500) x General Knowledge (3) x Broad Topic (6) + 10% for live updates = 9900 credits
A general guide to all the nobility of the Imperium. Of necessity due to the scope, most entries are very short, consisting of name/age/homeworld, geneology (if non-service noble), Imperial service/awards, current status, and notes regarding official connections to other nobility (Eg. "Despite being on different worlds, the Marquis of Valencia is a vassel of the Count of Barcelona.") In addition, one of the privileges of purchase and annual upkeep is that a noble subscriber is allowed to insert as much information regarding themselves as they see fit. Some subscribers decline to do so while others use it as a virtual blog, inserting reams trivial detail about themselves and their lives. Obviously any such information must be taken as biased and untrustworthy. Updated continually for the latest in noble births, deaths, promotions, and demotions.
Vonda's List of Scout Adventure Novels
Sector (250) x Basic (1) x Specific Speciality (1) + 10% for live updates = 275 credits
The Imperial Scout Service is a popular topic for so-called 'adventure fiction', being viewed as the most romantic and exciting (which is to say dangerous) branch of Imperial service. Enthusiasts throughout the sector maintain a database of the latest and greatest stories and books, providing ratings and reviews on many a new novelist. If you access to this database enough to bother paying for it, you are truly a fan. Updated continually as a labor of love by the fan community.
Cotsen Institute Archaeological Compilations
Sector (250) x Comprehensive (6) X Targeted (4) + 10% for live updates = 6600 credits
Contains the latest books and publications regarding archeology research in the sector. This is a professional-level database containing theories, speculation, and analysis. Live updates bring the very latest in news from the field.
Tourist's Guide to the Imperium
Imperium (500) x Specialized (3) x General (3) = 4500 credits
Maintained by the TAS as a profit-making enterprise, this handy guidebook lists the most spectacular sights for worlds throughout the Imperium. Reissued every five years or so, as good tourist spots are expected to last.
Black Books Computer Hacking/Cracking Database
Sector (250) x General (3) x Speciality (2) x Restricted (2) + 10% for live updates = 3300 credits
Illegal as all heck, this underground database for crackers lists information on computer security throughout the sector. Obviously it's impossible to list every system, but common cracker targets and/or particularly large systems such as megacorporate databases are listed. Due to the constantly changing game of computer security, only the most general information can be listed. (Eg. "This system has nearly unbreakable security on financial records, but inventory records are lightly protected.") Occasionally job offers can be found on recent downloads. Extreme caution should be taken in utilizing data, as the reliability of the information cannot be assured. Updating is considering the responsibility of all subscribers.
