Swapping Computer Software

[EldritchFire]

I'm building a TL9 fighter/interceptor, and am hitting a bit of a snag as far as computers and badwidth are concerned. I am limited to a TL9 computer, bandwidth 10, but I have 20 bandwidth worth of software: evade/1 at 10BW, fire control/1 at 5BW, and launch solution/1 at 5BW.

Since HG (pg. 18) says that "The computers installed in a ship work just like personal computers…" and the CRB (pg. 104) says that "Processing does not limit how much software a computer can store and have ready to use, just how many software packages can be active and useable at any one time" we know that you can have 'excess' BW-worth of software. But what does it take to swap the software out?

I'm assuming that it's not just a free action, since that would allow my craft to gain a DM+1 to attack as well as impose a DM-1 to hit it in the same round. For dogfights, I can see it taking a minor action, since it uses the same 6sec combat round as personal combat. But for big battles that are waged on the 6min round, does it make sense to use the action step to change software?

 

[Jeraa]

From the Electronics (Computers) skill:

Activating a Computer Program on a Ship’s Computer: Routine (6+) Electronics (computers) check (1D x 10 seconds, INT or EDU).

So normally, anywhere from 10 to 60 seconds to activate a new program. Shutting one down could be instant, or could take the same amount of time.

 

[EldritchFire]

From the Electronics (Computers) skill:

Activating a Computer Program on a Ship’s Computer: Routine (6+) Electronics (computers) check (1D x 10 seconds, INT or EDU).

So normally, anywhere from 10 to 60 seconds to activate a new program. Shutting one down could be instant, or could take the same amount of time.

I didn't even think to look at the skill description, thanks!

For personal/dogfight combat it's an action that takes one round. How does that interact with 6-minute ship-scale combat? Should we just assume that it functions during the action stage?

 

[Jeraa]

For personal/dogfight combat it's an action that takes one round. How does that interact with 6-minute ship-scale combat? Should we just assume that it functions during the action stage?

The Actions step does cover all miscellaneous crew actions, so it would seem to fit there. Also for what it is worth, reprogramming the computer in CT was also the last step in the round after everything else was done.

 

[Infojunky]

Also for what it is worth, reprogramming the computer in CT was also the last step in the round after everything else was done.

Yes, but that was for Software that wasn't resident in the CPU or storage... I.e. if you had appropriate software loaded it was automatically switched in as needed. As such only the appropriate software for each turn phase was active in that phase.

 

[Condottiere]

If you play hard core, you exchange cartridges.

 

[-Daniel-]

If you play hard core, you exchange cartridges.

LOL, this made me picture a person on the deck of a space ship switching out 8-Track Tape looking cartridges. :mrgreen:

 

[AnotherDilbert]

We are talking about real computers, not piddling microcomputers.

 

[-Daniel-]

We are talking about real computers, not piddling microcomputers.

Yes Sir, message received Sir.

 

[Condottiere]

Always keep a hard copy.

 

[Infojunky]

If you play hard core, you exchange cartridges.

Hey, my 1st IBM had software on Cartridge ROMs.

 

[-Daniel-]

If you play hard core, you exchange cartridges.

Hey, my 1st IBM had software on Cartridge ROMs.

Careful, your age is showing.

Of course I am one to talk, I remember when they taught us how to use these in school....

 

[Condottiere]

Comes complete with changer.