Ship's Computer/meta

Rationalization with Mongoose Computer Notation

• Generally, MgT's computer rating is (very approximately) five times the Model number.

   To convert to Model number, divide by 5, rounding down.
   A Model's "Mongoose Rating" is 5 times its Model number.

Given: TL is the unifying element of computer rating and performance.

Given: Mongoose computers are rated on a different scale, so they don't perfectly match up.

Given: "Bis" is a bit less powerful in Mongoose Traveller.

Of course, they are not perfectly equivalent. Each is making some different key assumptions. Those keys are in their descriptions. Computer models are major task resolvers; they are therefore a subset of the computers detailed in Mongoose, which range from simple processing devices to starship computers. Very generally, it seems that each 3 to 5 MgT levels or so corresponds roughly to one Model number.

Differences

Computer Models are specifically parallel or perhaps simultaneous processors. Mongoose computers are generally not so.

Volume is an inconsequential issue, except perhaps with small craft. In Mongoose, computer volume is implicit, but ship tonnage is less flexible, suggesting that the hidden tonnage is there somewhere. This might break down with fighters, which in Mongoose might have superior combat performance without the volume trade-off.