Cyberspace
Cyberspace is a virtual environment that exists to exchange and store electronic data.
- It can be accessed by individuals using a device known as a Cyberdeck.
- Individuals who access Cyberspace are known as Cyber Jockeys or simply jockeys.
Description (Specifications)
Cyberspace is the virtual, unseen fabric existing between databases and computer entities. It is a nebulous, electronic world where data is exchanged between nodes, which are the perception of computers, artificial intelligences and electronic devices of all kinds.
Essentially, cyberspace is perceived as a dark horizon-less plane that fades into a grey static haze.
- The static haze is the perception of the flow of data through the general fabric of cyberspace.
Data Nodes
Concentrations of data, contained within real-world devices such as computers and robot brains, are perceived as nodes of different colors emerging from the plane. Nodes are most typically cylindrical or rectangular, though specific nodes may be perceived as geometric shapes, as multi-faceted, or resembling a natural crystal. Though it is not universally true, the simpler the device hosting the data, the more basic the form of its cyberspace node is likely to be.
- The Cyber Jockey's Cyberdeck is always visible as a node.
Each node represents an electronic device connected to cyberspace. A cluster of nodes will generally represent a closely linked network of devices, though often with a dispersed real world geography. Each device tends to contain a variety of types of data and as such a single node can have many bands of color. Clusters of nodes represent linked server networks.
Most nodes carry a series of properties that they use to identify one another. This information includes:
- Corporate or business name.
- Network address code.
- Geographical code.
- Official registration code.
These properties are freely viewable and may even be displayed as readable data in cyberspace above a node – this may be part of local legal requirements. Nodes that do not carry such properties are usually private data sources belonging to individuals, or ‘black’ corporate entities that are operating without official permission.
Data Flow
Specific exchanges of data are perceived as rivers of encrypted silver. A data river emerges from a node and tracks across the plane, rapidly connecting with another node. Rivers can only be followed back and forth between the source node and the receiving node: they cannot be chanced across within the static haze.
- Unless one of the nodes is prevented from doing so, the two connected nodes are able to interrogate one another and exchange data.
Data Nodes
Data Color |
Data Type |
Security Level |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | Encrypted | Varies |
| Black | Military data | 3 |
| Red | Government data | 3 |
| Purple | Financial data (including tax records) | 3 |
| Green | Environmental data | 2 |
| Blue | Technology/technical data | 3 |
| Yellow | Personnel data | 2 |
| White | Public records | 0 (Open) |
| Orange | Media/entertainment data | 1 |
| Grey | Unspecified/uncategorised data | 1 |
History & Background (Dossier)
Entering cyberspace allows data nodes to be accessed and the flow of data between them and other nodes to be observed, mapped and understood. The width of the data rivers show the concentrations of data flowing between nodes. The larger and taller a node is, the more information it contains. Different colors within individual nodes or clusters of nodes represent different types of data. Intensities of color represent concentrations and importance of data, and also indicate its "natural" level of security. The higher the node and the deeper the colors, the more information it contains. Nodes protected by higher levels of security are silvery in color.
Image Repository
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References & Contributors (Sources)
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- Mongoose Traveller: Cybernetics Mongoose Publishing 2011, pg 75.
- Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master Scout Emeritus Adie Alegoric Stewart of the IISS
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science