Ship's Locker: Out of the Closet

[Condottiere]

Skills: Tiers


0 Apprentice
1 Craftsman
2 Artisan / Journeyman
3 Master
4 Senior Master
5 Grand Master


0 Lifesaver
1 Student
2 Resident supervised
3 Physician unsupervised
4 Consultant
5 Diagnostician

 

[Anstett]

I like that for Hands-on-Skills but for a Profession the 4 feels like Specialist/Consultant and not sure what for 5

 

[Condottiere]

In the Traveller system, you have to specialize at factor one, and of course, there's more to being a qualified doctor than just knowing anatomy and drug interaction.

We could say that obstetrics would be a subspecialization, that you only need to declare at factor two.

Going by Sector General, a diagnostician is Doctor House.

 

[Condottiere]

Since this started out over astrogation:

0 Button Pusher knowing which ones
1 Journeyman
2 Wayfarer
3 Cosmonaut
4 Squadron Astrogator
5 Fleet Astrogator

 

[Sigtrygg]

0 - can read the cassette labels, can make coffee
1 - can select the correct program cassette and carry it to the computer, alternatively can fetch coffee
2 - as above but can now swap out the programs and start the coffee maker remotely
3 - as above but can now press the big red button
4 - can do the above with more than one cassette at a time, and can carry a tray of coffee

 

[Condottiere]

I'd hope the astrogator contributes more than catering, for that six parsec transition.

Plus gut flora.

Could be where the mushroom drive synchronizes.

 

[Condottiere]

Chinese Female Drivers: Surpassing the Notorious ‘Aunties'

This conversation perfectly reflects the experience of newly licensed female drivers in China. That's why, when people in China hear "female driver," their first reaction is often to think of "road hazard." Such situations are much less common in other countries.

Drive/unskilled - minus three.

Licensed.

 

[Condottiere]

Advanced Combat Rifle

1. We want a sidearm that is idiot proof.

2. And can be used everywhere.

3. In theory, if I were a mercenary company owner, I'd equip my troops with gauss rifles.

4. The most expensive part of the operation is interstellar transportation of these troopers.

5. Not so much the equipment.

6. I would guess it's hard to get hold of any gauss weapon system.

7. And you'd likely need end user certification.

8. Which would be the rationale that the go to paramilitary sidearm is the advanced combat rifle.

9. Or, a variant.

 

[Jame Rowe]

Advanced Combat Rifle

1. We want a sidearm that is idiot proof.

For civilians, an autopistol or a snub pistol for spacefaring cultures that are TL9 or better. Mainly because by that time, revolvers are technically obsolete.

For mercs, the ACR, laser or gauss rifle depending on primary mission and TL.

 

[Condottiere]

At default, the gauss rifle is only fifty percent more than the advanced combat rifle, so for a mercenary company, that wouldn't be an issue.

If the gauss rifle is finicky to maintain, that might be a factor.

The real capital of a mercenary company are it's soldiers, not the equipment.

So, there would have to be other reasons why they aren't equipped with gauss rifles.

Don't misunderstand, the advanced combat rifle is the best bang for your buck.

As regards autopistols, advanced (semi) automatic pistol has an obvious slot in the supply catalogue, that isn't being filled.

 

[Jame Rowe]

Yeah, I've wondered why Traveller has never had advanced pistols beyond the laser or gauss.

 

[Condottiere]

Probably didn't think they needed to.

If I were a Traveller in Chartered Space, I certainly would invest in a gauss pistol, the semiautomatic more for show, or if I thought it was easier to smuggle through the starport into the planetary jurisdiction.

Or, as a Saturday Night Special.

 

[Condottiere]

Ridiculous! Electric Tricycles Now Modern Equipment for China’s Army

Recently, a piece of news that has military enthusiasts laughing out loud has gone viral online. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Army unveiled a new piece of equipment—a "Wuyang" electric tricycle. Yes, the same kind often used by Chinese rural residents for daily chores. One farmer laughed, saying, "We use these every day to go to the market, haul manure, and do farm work. How did painting it green suddenly turn it into the Army's most modern piece of equipment?"

1. All terrain silent tactical arms system.

2. Understated, yet luxurious.

3. Air cavalry airborne tricycles.

4. Short takeoff, quick ascent and descent, low runway requirements, high maneuverability, one hundred eighty five kilometres per hour, six hundred kilometre range, two thousand metres ceiling.

5. Water as fuel.

6. Smog as laser anti penetration shield.

 

[Condottiere]

The CIA's Scariest Weapon

This is the CIA's scariest weapon.

1. It's a very serious weapon.

2. Serious as a heart attack.

3. Two decades would technological level six.

4. Or, classified as a early prototype.

5. Chemical warfare.

 

[Condottiere]

Advanced Combat Rifle

A. At the other end, there is the pistol.

B. Basic damage tends to be three dice minus three.

C. A rifle cartridge fired from something less than a carbine length barrel will tend to be only two damage dice.

D. The advantages an advanced combat rifle round would give , on the other hand, is inexpensiveness, commonality, and range.

E. Range implies accuracy.

F. And that, can lead to surprise.

 

[Condottiere]

How This "Basic" Robot Solves REAL Life Problems (without AI)

Dawn Cafe: Changing the World with Avatar Robots

In this video, we explore the groundbreaking concept behind Tokyo’s Dawn Cafe, where avatar robots enable people with disabilities to work remotely. These robots, operated from home, serve as extensions of their users, blending cutting-edge technology with profound human connection. Unlike advanced machines designed for efficiency, these simple yet revolutionary robots foster inclusivity, offering new ways to experience the world through “Assisted Reality.” From brewing coffee to meaningful interactions, the cafe challenges our perception of robots, highlighting their potential to empower and bridge gaps in society. Join us to uncover this heartwarming story and the future it inspires.

Semi automatic.

 

[Condottiere]

New For 2025: KelTec PR57

In an effort to produce an affordable, capable personal-defense gun for the masses, KelTec's George Kellgren designed and built one of the most unique new firearms out in 2025: the PR57. This semi-automatic, hammer-fired pistol is chambered for the 5.7x28 mm FN cartridge and feeds from an internal 20-round box magazine fed by stripper clips. The gun is outfitted with a 4.6-inch barrel, weighs just under 14 ozs., unloaded, and measures about 7 inches long, 5 inches high and less than an inch wide. Two 10-round stripper clips are included with each pistol, and the PR57 is also capable of mounting a red-dot optic.

1. Twenty round fixed magazine.

2. Affordable.

3. Stripper clip.

4. In theory, caseless ammunition possible.

 

[Jame Rowe]

I presume caseless is standard by tl 8.

 

[Condottiere]

It's not so much standard, as bloody expensive.

It typically costs three times as much as conventional ammunition, and can only be used in weapons designed for it – which are also more expensive to produce.

 

[Jame Rowe]

It's not so much standard, as bloody expensive.

It typically costs three times as much as conventional ammunition, and can only be used in weapons designed for it – which are also more expensive to produce.

IMTU, TL8 is when it gets cheaper.