Editing Computer

[[File: Computer-CT-Liz-Danforth-Traveller-Book-pg-70 19-August-2019b.jpg|right]]
A [[Computer]] is a tangible [[device]] using [[information technology]] to manipulate data and make calculations.
* Computers are commonly known as [[Processor]]s throughout much of [[Charted Space]].
* It is an important item of [[Ship Equipment]].
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== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
Computers are rated according to a vast variety of characteristics and capabilities, but general quality paradigms have been established.
 
=== Computer Types ===
''[[Computer]]:''
# [[Astrogation Computer]]
# [[Computer Implant]]
# [[Computer Personality]]
# [[Control Console]]
# [[Control Panel]]
# [[Fiber Optic Computer]]
# [[Fire Control Computer]]
# [[Flight Computer]]
# [[Hand Computer]]
# [[House Brain]]
# [[Map Box]]
# [[Master Fire Director]] ([[MFD]])
# [[Minicomputer]]
# [[Neural Net]]
# [[Ship Brain]]
# [[Ship Mind]]
# [[Ship's Computer]]
# [[Traffic Net]]
# [[Workstation]]

''[[Processor]]:''
# [[Linear Processor]]
# [[Parallel Processor]]
# [[Synaptic Processor]]

== Macroelectronics or Microelectronics? ==
'''Vignette 32:''' <br>
The stewardess brought the kid in as part of the tour and right away he pissed me off.

“Why’s the computer so big? Why’s it so slow? Why does it have a tap on the front?”

I didn’t want to look at the runt so I turned to the computer. I ran a hand along the edge of room-filling cylinder.

“She’s not slow, she’s tough. Her core isn’t weak silicon or habridide, she’s hardwired with microscopic gold wiring. That means she runs slower as you can only shrink it so much. But the radiation in Jump would fry anything lesser. Even so, that sweet core is surrounded by a foot thick lead-carbide shield to protect it against solar radiation. A foot of simple gel insulation for temperature control. Then the proton tanks, between six feet of dense water that captures the results of proton decay caused by the Jump gravitational changes. That’s what the tap is for, to drain the tanks. Then the wall sensors that detect the radiation we can’t shield against and tell this baby to reset when it detects something that might cause a miscalculation.

“This panel over here…” I turned round to demonstrate the controls, they’d gone. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Felbrigg Herriot]] }}

== Computer Control Standards ==
''[[Computer Control]]s:'' In almost all cases where the [[ship's computer]] can control a given ship function ([[gravity]], doors, etc.), orders fed in at the central [[bridge]] computer take precedence over those fed in at local controls. Only if the computer is inoperative will a [[computer override]] be ineffective.{{Page cite|name= Adventure Class Ships Volume 1 |page= 6 |article= Book 2 |version= Classic Traveller}} Some [[ship]]s have been known to be built with a different system set-up, but this arrangement is commonplace on most [[vessel]]s within [[Charted Space]]. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}

== Brains, Minds & Personalities ==
Very advanced computers begin to develop various types of 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.]]
|-
|}
''NOTES:'' the differences between a brain and a mind are very negligible. There is significant overlap between the definitions, both formally and informally. As a generality, brains are lower performance and minds are higher performance. Brains were first operated with personalities. Later models began to include lower quality personalities. All minds are designed from the onset to include high quality personalities.

=== [[Mind Control Technology]] ===
No information yet available.

=== NBIC Technologies ===
* [[NBIC]] & [[Computer|COMPUTERS]]
** N - [[Nano Science]] / [[Nanotechnology]] (Nano-) 
** B - [[Biology]] / [[Biotechnology]] (Bio-) 
** I - [[Information Technology]] (Info-) 
** C - [[Cognitive Science]] / [[Cybertechnology]] / (Cogno-)

== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
Computers are a foundational technology underlying many later developments including [[robot]]s, [[starship]]s, [[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.
Almost all are designed to use lower technology repair components in most functionalities. For this reason, ship’s computers tend to be much larger and more voluminous than strictly function-based microelectronics.
 
=== Expected Computer Development Sequence ===
MACRO LEVEL:
* [[Compass]] → [[Astrolabe]] → [[Sextant]] → [[Analog Computer]] → [[Electromechanical Computer]] → [[Electronic Computer]] → [[Positronic Computer]] → [[Pseudo-Reality Computer]] → [[Psychotronic Computer]]

=== Expected Artificial Intelligence Development Sequence ===
MACRO LEVEL:
* [[Automaton]] ([[Mechanistic Machine]]) → [[Brain]] ([[Calculating Machine]]) → [[Mind]] ([[Thinking Machine]]) → [[True Artificial Intelligence]] ([[Feeling Machine]]) → [[Jupiter Brain]] ([[Hyper-calculational Machine]]) → [[Omni-Heuristic Mind]] ([[Machine Life]])

=== Technological Overview of Computers ===
''[[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 Robot]]s ([[TL:1-9]])
* [[Autonomous Robot]]s (TL:10-15)
* [[High Autonomous Robot]]s (TL:13-18)
* [[Self-Aware Robot]]s ([[TL:19-27]])
* [[Machine Life]] (TL:28-33)

==== Information Age Societies (Calculative Computers) ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- 
!colspan="3"| [[Technological Period]]: [[TL:1-9]] and ''[[Tech]]-Name:'' [[Ur-Tech]]
|-
|colspan="3"| ''Common Characteristics:'' Digital Networks, High scarcity, Prototype Nanotech, Calculative ("[[Calculating Machine]]s"), [[Automaton]]s, [[Low Autonomous Robot]]s, [[etc.]] 
|-
! [[Tech Epoch]]
! [[TL]]-Range
! Remarks
|-
| [[Tool Making Epoch]] 
| [[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.
|-
| [[Division of Labor Epoch]]  
| [[TL:4-6]]
| 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.  
|-
| [[Processor Epoch]] 
| [[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]] [[processor]]s.
|-
|}

==== Bright Age Societies (Bright Computers) ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- 
!colspan="3"| [[Technological Period]]: [[TL:10-18]] and ''[[Tech]]-Name:'' [[Stell-Tech]]
|-
|colspan="3"| ''Common Characteristics:'' [[Intelligent Network]]s, Low Scarcity, Weak nanotech, Synaptic processors, [[Positronic Brain]]s, Cognitive ("[[Thinking Machine]]s"), [[High Autonomous Robot]]s, [[etc.]]
|-
! [[Tech Epoch]]
! [[TL]]-Range
! Remarks
|-
| [[Gravitics Epoch]]
| [[TL:10-12]]
| 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.
|-
| [[Biologicals Epoch]] 
| [[TL:13-15]]
| 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.
|-
| [[Artificials Epoch]]
| [[TL:16-18]]
| 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 (Brilliant Computers) ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- 
!colspan="3"| [[Technological Period]]: [[TL:19-27]] and ''[[Tech]]-Name:'' [[Ultra-Tech]]
|-
|colspan="3"| ''Common Characteristics:'' Delegative Rule (AI), Post-Scarcity, Strong nanotech, Emotive ("[[Dreaming Machine|Dreaming]] or [[Feeling Machine]]s"), [[Self-Aware Robot]]s, [[etc.]]
|-
! [[Tech Epoch]]
! [[TL]]-Range
! Remarks
|-
| [[Matter Transport Epoch]], [[Transformations Epoch]], and [[Psionics Epoch]]
| [[TL:19-21]], [[TL:22-24]], and [[TL:25-27]]
| COMPUTERS: Some Imperial scientists have quietly made the observation that [[Psionics|psionic science]] may underlay future societal and technological developments. True [[Artificial Intelligence]] is another widely anticipated factor. It is anticipated that true artificial intelligence, thinking, feeling machines whose capabilities may exceed organic sophont minds may coalesce over this [[tech period]], the [[Ultra Period]].
|-
|}

==== Beyond Brilliance ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- 
!colspan="3"| [[Technological Period]]: [[TL:28-30]] & [[TL:31-33]] and ''[[Tech]]-Name:'' [[Dei-Tech]] & [[Omni-Tech]]
|-
|colspan="3"| ''Common Characteristics:'' Mass Minds, Delegative Rule (AI), Zero-Scarcity, Very Strong nanotech, Omni-Heuristic ("Deific Machines"), [[etc.]]
|-
! [[Tech Epoch]]
! [[TL]]-Range
! Remarks
|-
| [[Transcendent Epoch]] <br>& [[Ascendant Epoch]]
| [[TL:28-30]] & [[TL:31-33]]
| COMPUTERS: Even [[futurist]]s have a hard time guessing what form electronics will take these [[tech epoch]]s or even whether they will exist at all.
|-
|}

== See also ==
{{Referral-Tree-C-Computer-design}}
{{:Referral-Tree-C-Cognitive-Technology}}
{{Referral-Tree-E-Education}}
{{Referral-Tree-I-Information-Technology}}
{{Referral-Tree-Technologies}}

== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
{{Metadata}}
{{Intermediate}}
{{Sources
 | {{Ludography cite|name=Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 01|article=Computer Programming|page=7-8}}
 |{{Ludography cite|name=Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24|article=Using your Model/1bis|page=39}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name=Challenge 25|article=Using Your Model/2 bis|page=13}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name=Stellar Reaches 08|article=Using Your Model 2 Bis, Revisited. Part 1|page=70-72}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name=Stellar Reaches 10|article=Using Your Model 2 Bis, Revisited. Part 2|page=5-7}}
 | Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
}}

[[Category: Ship Equipment]]
[[Category: Computer system design]]
{{LEN|Computer|Information Technology|Summary page article}}