You say lack of research but I have been to multiple sites looking up the definition of "cassette" including it's etymology. You say cherry pick, but nowhere can I find anything to remotely corroborates what you are saying historically, in any dictionary. Cassette as of 1960 was defined as a "magnetic tape cartridge" Since, I am pretty sure that that predates Traveller, I will have to say that no evidence supports your position.My statement is correct, you are just cherry picking a modern definition for cassette.
I think you may need to read exactly what I said - fanon introduced tape as a replacement for cassette due to the mistaken juxtaposition of tape and cassette. I have lost track of how many people on boards such as these and earlier used the term "jump tape".
And you need to look for non-cherry picked definitions:
"a usually flat case or cartridge that can be easily loaded or unloaded: such as a lightproof magazine for holding film or plates for use in a camera"
"Essentially, a cassette is a compact and enclosed holder for various types of media, providing a convenient way to insert, remove, and protect the contents"
"Historically, the term "cassette" referred to a small, enclosed container used for holding various types of media or items. Before the advent of magnetic tape cassettes, the word was used in contexts such as:
The concept of a cassette has always been about providing a compact, protective, and easily transportable case for different contents."
- Camera Film Cassette: A container for photographic film used in cameras.
- Medical Cassette: A small container for holding medical samples or specimens.
To a child of the late seventies, early eighties, cassette was, unfortunately, too closely identified with magnetic tape holders that this is what now appears in modern dictionaries, but if you look for wider or historical then you find the word cassette was used long before magnetic tape was invented.
Like I said, lack of research
www.etymonline.com
www.dictionary.com
IMTU it's retro-future: Based on what fifties to seventies era SF writers thought the future would be like. So it's what Piper, Norton, or Tubb thought up, and if those people didn't conceive of it, it doesn't happen in MTU.
Sure. But nobody likes getting into the interminable 'but at TL [x], it should do [y]' argument for 30 minutes at the table.
Just out of curiosity... When was Traveller first published? The 20th Century? When were jump cassettes mentioned? The 20th century? I used definitions that were in use at the time. You can take any word and go back far enough and discover that it had a different meaning. The meanings I am using are the ones from the 20th Century, when the game was written, not hundreds of years ago in France. The definitions I used cover numbers 1 through 3 in your first list.
You accused me of being wrong. I am not wrong. The word cassette has different meanings but unfortunately became synonymous with tape.
Well that could explain why a sentient consciousness is now needed on board...
I agree.
I haven't found it yet but I have a vague memory of an adventure where the computer programs on a ship were listed and it may have included a throwaway line about the storage media.
The Vargr head is slightly larger than that of a wolf, its jaws and teeth should therefore be capable of doing a lot more damage...Back to the original post, I adore the Vargyr and prefer to play as one, but compared not only to Aslan, but humans in general, thy are sadly inferior. I get it, cats are all the rave. But I love my doggies. Balance the characteristics so it isn't a net loss, and scrap the vision penalty. Or, keep the stats but make Bite more vicious. Perhaps 1D+3 or something. It would still give them a strength penalty using a weapon, but if using their powerful jaws, it would give them a unique advantage is an unarmed brawl. Just some thoughts. I will still always choose my pup.
