Difference between revisions of "Computer"

From Traveller Wiki - Science-Fiction Adventure in the Far future
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(23 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 56: Line 56:
 
# [[Ship's Computer]]
 
# [[Ship's Computer]]
 
# [[Workstation]]
 
# [[Workstation]]
 +
 +
=== Brains, Minds & Personalities ===
 +
Very advanced computers begin to develop autonomous programming and are referred to with other specialized terms:
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 +
!colspan="2"|Brains, Minds & Personalities
 +
|-
 +
! Term
 +
! Remarks
 +
|-
 +
| [[Brain]]
 +
| A [[Brain]] is a sophisticated Bright Age Information Technology computer without a significant [[personality]]. {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 515-519 |article= Computers, Consoles, and Controllers}}
 +
* Example/s: [[Ship's Computer]], Traffic Net Controller, Parallel Research Network, [[etc.]] 
 +
|-
 +
| [[Mind]]
 +
| A [[Mind]] is a sophisticated Bright Age Information Technology computer with a significant [[personality]].  {{Unpublished cite|author= Maksim-Smelchak }}
 +
* Example/s: [[City Brain]], [[Ship Brain]], many [[robot]]s, [[etc.]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Personality]]
 +
| A [[Personality]] is a Bright to Brilliant Age feature of sophisticated computers capable of high levels of autonomous thought and independent decision-making. {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 522-525 |article= Personalities and Brains}}
 +
* Example/s: [[City Mind]], [[Ship Mind]], sophisticated [[sophontoid]] [[robot]]s, [[etc.]]
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
 
== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
Line 69: Line 91:
  
 
=== Technological Overview of Computers ===
 
=== Technological Overview of Computers ===
''[[Tech Epoch|Epochal Technological Development]]:'' No information yet available.
+
''[[Tech Epoch|Epochal Technological Development]]:'' [[Information Technology]] is at its earliest conceptual state and slowly grows into mechanical calculative devices to early [[electronics]] to the first true computers and beyond.  
 +
 
 +
'''Computer Autonomy:'''
 +
* [[Automaton]]s (TL:1-6)
 +
* [[Low Autonomous Robots]] ([[TL:1-9]])
 +
* [[Autonomous Robots]] (TL:10-15)
 +
* [[High Autonomous Robots]] (TL:13-18)
 +
* [[Self-Aware Robots]] ([[TL:19-27]])
 +
* [[Machine Life]] (TL:28-33)
 +
 
 +
==== Information Age Societies ====
 +
''[[TL:1-9]]:''
 +
* Digital Networks
 +
* High scarcity
 +
* Prototype Nanotech
 +
* Calculative ("Calculating machines")
 +
* [[Automaton]]s
 +
* [[Low Autonomous Robot]]s
 
   
 
   
 +
'''[[TL:1-3]]:''' <br>
 +
COMPUTERS: The abacus and the quipu represent early calculating tech. they are simple, mechanical processors that help a sophont keep large numbers of calculations in memory. Mathematics makes great leaps forward with the development of algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.
 +
 
'''[[TL:4-6]]:''' <br>
 
'''[[TL:4-6]]:''' <br>
No information yet available.   
+
COMPUTERS: The first analog computers and calculators greatly enhance business and academic endeavors. Mechanical and early [[electronic]] [[calculator]]s become fixtures. Electric devices, polymers, and early electronics fuel continuing progress. Designers use classic Lovelacian programming and aspire to build the first Babbage machines. Many [[sophont]] [[societies]] can build [[processor]]s that meet the Imperial standards for [[Model/1]] and [[Model/1]] [[bis]] processors.   
  
 
'''[[TL:7-9]]:''' <br>
 
'''[[TL:7-9]]:''' <br>
No information yet available.
+
COMPUTERS: Programmable computers come into vogue as the analog is replaced by the digital. Transistors make way for microchips; desktop processors soon become a feature of home, business, and school. Massive parallel processors fill entire rooms and supersede earlier technologies. The first supercomputers can often beat even expert humans at games like chess due to phenomenal calculating abilities and vast memory banks. Photonic and gravitic energy transmission as well as bio-computing replace many of the earlier generations of electronics. Voice-activated processors are more user-friendly than ever before. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for [[Model/2]], [[Model/2]] [[bis]], and even [[Model/3]] processors.
 +
 
 +
==== Bright Age Societies ====
 +
''[[TL:10-18]]:''
 +
* Intelligent Networks
 +
* Low Scarcity
 +
* Weak nanotech
 +
* Synaptic processors
 +
* Positronic brains
 +
* Cognitive ("Thinking machines")
 +
* [[High Autonomous Robot]]s
  
 
'''[[TL:10-12]]:''' <br>
 
'''[[TL:10-12]]:''' <br>
No information yet available.
+
COMPUTERS: Synaptic processors and [[positronic brain]]s are vastly more capable than earlier generations of processor technology. Some advanced [[robot]]s can fool inexpert humans. Expert [[roboticist]]s call these low autonomous robots. Still, a well-trained expert sophont can often outthink and outperform advanced thinking machines from this [[Tech Epoch|epoch]]. Fluidic and magnetic energy transmission increase processing speed. Semi-organic facility and early [[ship brain]]s become common. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for [[Model/4]], [[Model/5]], and [[Model/6]] processors.
  
 
'''[[TL:13-15]]:''' <br>
 
'''[[TL:13-15]]:''' <br>
No information yet available.
+
COMPUTERS: [[High autonomous robot]]s outperform many educated experts across many fields. They still can’t match the apex professors, but they can perform perfectly well at the professional level. [[Holocrystal]]s and advanced bio-compumetrics are increasing functioning to billions of actions per nanosecond. Computer brain implants allow complete rehabilitation and restoration of function to almost all individuals who were formerly handicapped. [[Infomorph]]s and downloadable brains supplement [[wafertech]]. Pseudoreality simulators show amazing promise. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for [[Model/7]], [[Model/8]], and [[Model/9]] processors.
  
 
'''[[TL:16-18]]:''' <br>
 
'''[[TL:16-18]]:''' <br>
No information yet available.
+
COMPUTERS: [[High autonomous robot]]s outperform many educated experts across many fields. They still can’t match the apex professors, but they can perform perfectly well at the professional level. [[Holocrystal]]s and advanced bio-compumetrics are increasing functioning to billions of actions per nanosecond. Computer brain implants allow complete rehabilitation and restoration of function to almost all individuals who were formerly handicapped. [[Infomorph]]s and downloadable brains supplement [[wafertech]]. Pseudoreality simulators show amazing promise. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for [[Model/7]], [[Model/8]], and [[Model/9]] processors. [[Hop Drive]]s begin to use more advanced [[Ship's Computer]]s.
 +
 
 +
==== Brilliant Age Societies ====
 +
''[[TL:19-27]]:''
 +
* Delegative Rule (AI)
 +
* Post-Scarcity
 +
* Strong nanotech
 +
* Emotive ("Dreaming or Feeling machines")
 +
* [[Self-Aware Robot]]s
  
 
'''[[TL:19-21]]:''' <br>
 
'''[[TL:19-21]]:''' <br>

Revision as of 00:54, 17 January 2019

Imperial Sunburst-Sun-IISS-Traveller.gif

A Computer is a tangible device using information technology to manipulate data and make calculations.


Please see the following AAB Library Data articles for more information:




Description (Specifications)

Computers are rated according to a vast variety of characteristics and capabilities, but general quality paradigms have been established.

Computer Types

Computer:

  1. Computer Implant
  2. Control Console
  3. Control Panel
  4. Fiber Optic Computer
  5. Fire Control Computer
  6. Hand Computer
  7. House Brain
  8. Map Box
  9. Neural Net
  10. Ship's Computer
  11. Workstation

Brains, Minds & Personalities

Very advanced computers begin to develop autonomous programming and are referred to with other specialized terms:

Brains, Minds & Personalities
Term Remarks
Brain A Brain is a sophisticated Bright Age Information Technology computer without a significant personality. [1]
Mind A Mind is a sophisticated Bright Age Information Technology computer with a significant personality. [2]
Personality A Personality is a Bright to Brilliant Age feature of sophisticated computers capable of high levels of autonomous thought and independent decision-making. [3]

History & Background (Dossier)

Computers are a foundational technology underlying many later developments including robots, starships, artificial intelligence, and much, much more.

The development of Information Technology (IT) and particularly the key device of IT, the computer is a key advancement of any technological civilization.

  • Computer technology greatly assists in the advancement of knowledge. Scientists used it to better store, collate, and push out the boundaries of scientific knowledge. Linguists use it to catalogue known languages and improve universal translators. Bureaucrats use it to aid in process of governance, massively increasing efficiency.
  • Nearly every tech level of advancement leads to an exponential increase in pure research capability and a greatly sped up doubling of existing knowledge.
  • Computers and other forms of data processing and storage expand the extilligence of a civilization, which is to say its ability to pass on learning from one generation to the next.

Image Repository

No information yet available.

Technological Overview of Computers

Epochal Technological Development: Information Technology is at its earliest conceptual state and slowly grows into mechanical calculative devices to early electronics to the first true computers and beyond.

Computer Autonomy:

Information Age Societies

TL:1-9:

TL:1-3:
COMPUTERS: The abacus and the quipu represent early calculating tech. they are simple, mechanical processors that help a sophont keep large numbers of calculations in memory. Mathematics makes great leaps forward with the development of algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.

TL:4-6:
COMPUTERS: The first analog computers and calculators greatly enhance business and academic endeavors. Mechanical and early electronic calculators become fixtures. Electric devices, polymers, and early electronics fuel continuing progress. Designers use classic Lovelacian programming and aspire to build the first Babbage machines. Many sophont societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for Model/1 and Model/1 bis processors.

TL:7-9:
COMPUTERS: Programmable computers come into vogue as the analog is replaced by the digital. Transistors make way for microchips; desktop processors soon become a feature of home, business, and school. Massive parallel processors fill entire rooms and supersede earlier technologies. The first supercomputers can often beat even expert humans at games like chess due to phenomenal calculating abilities and vast memory banks. Photonic and gravitic energy transmission as well as bio-computing replace many of the earlier generations of electronics. Voice-activated processors are more user-friendly than ever before. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for Model/2, Model/2 bis, and even Model/3 processors.

Bright Age Societies

TL:10-18:

  • Intelligent Networks
  • Low Scarcity
  • Weak nanotech
  • Synaptic processors
  • Positronic brains
  • Cognitive ("Thinking machines")
  • High Autonomous Robots

TL:10-12:
COMPUTERS: Synaptic processors and positronic brains are vastly more capable than earlier generations of processor technology. Some advanced robots can fool inexpert humans. Expert roboticists call these low autonomous robots. Still, a well-trained expert sophont can often outthink and outperform advanced thinking machines from this epoch. Fluidic and magnetic energy transmission increase processing speed. Semi-organic facility and early ship brains become common. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for Model/4, Model/5, and Model/6 processors.

TL:13-15:
COMPUTERS: High autonomous robots outperform many educated experts across many fields. They still can’t match the apex professors, but they can perform perfectly well at the professional level. Holocrystals and advanced bio-compumetrics are increasing functioning to billions of actions per nanosecond. Computer brain implants allow complete rehabilitation and restoration of function to almost all individuals who were formerly handicapped. Infomorphs and downloadable brains supplement wafertech. Pseudoreality simulators show amazing promise. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for Model/7, Model/8, and Model/9 processors.

TL:16-18:
COMPUTERS: High autonomous robots outperform many educated experts across many fields. They still can’t match the apex professors, but they can perform perfectly well at the professional level. Holocrystals and advanced bio-compumetrics are increasing functioning to billions of actions per nanosecond. Computer brain implants allow complete rehabilitation and restoration of function to almost all individuals who were formerly handicapped. Infomorphs and downloadable brains supplement wafertech. Pseudoreality simulators show amazing promise. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for Model/7, Model/8, and Model/9 processors. Hop Drives begin to use more advanced Ship's Computers.

Brilliant Age Societies

TL:19-27:

  • Delegative Rule (AI)
  • Post-Scarcity
  • Strong nanotech
  • Emotive ("Dreaming or Feeling machines")
  • Self-Aware Robots

TL:19-21:
No information yet available.

References & Contributors (Sources)

62px-Information icon.svg.png This article is missing content for one or more detailed sections. Additional details are required to complete the article. You can help the Traveller Wiki by expanding it.
This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
  1. Marc Miller. "Computers, Consoles, and Controllers." T5 Core Rules (2013): 515-519.
  2. Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak
  3. Marc Miller. "Personalities and Brains." T5 Core Rules (2013): 522-525.