Computer (mainframe)

A computer is a sophisticated electronic machine that can receive and analyze information, as well as to operate mechanical systems like factories and even spaceships. A "computer" goes beyond a simple computer tower with basic peripherals (monitor, keyboard, etc.): they are a complex network of sub-systems — called "programs" — with supporting equipment needed to run and operate them, that are capable of large-scale functions. "Programs" also game beyond simple software and applications: A single program can make-up an assembly of hardware, equipment and secondary systems needed to run the system, given its level. Every program is available in six levels. The higher levels are more complex and able to handle more information and complex operations. Each program requires a certain number of computer "function points" in order to operate. A function point is a measurement of a computer's ability to process information. Higher level programs have a higher function point requirement. The Computer Program list shows the number of function points a program needs. The more function points added to a computer, the more the whole system weighs.

A typical computer system. Level Function Points Mass (kg) 1 1-10 3 2 11-30 8 3 31-80 20 4 80-200 100 5 201-500 300 6 500+ 800+

Program 1 2 3 4 5 6 Alarm 1 2 4 8 16 32 Analysis 1 2 4 8 16 32 Bureaucracy 2 4 8 16 32 64 Commerce 3 6 12 24 48 96 Communication 3 6 12 24 48 96 Computer Lockout 1 2 4 8 16 32 Computer Security 2 4 8 16 32 64 Damage Control 2 4 8 16 32 64 Industry 3 6 12 24 48 96 Information Storage 2 4 8 16 32 64 Installation Security 3 6 12 24 48 96 Language 1 2 4 8 16 32 Law Enforcement 4 8 16 32 64 128 Life Support 4 8 16 32 64 128 Maintenance 2 4 8 16 32 64 Robot Management 2 4 8 16 32 64 Transportation 3 6 12 24 48 96

The cost of programs, in credits, is equal to the total number of function points within a system multiplied by 1,000.

Structure Points: A computer's weight in kilograms also is its number of structural points. Thus a level 4 computer that weighs 100 kg could take 100 points of damage before it stopped working.

Power Sources: Level 1 to level 4 computers are powered by parabatteries of the same type as the computer's level. Level 5 and 6 computers use power generators type 1 and 2, respectively. Computers will operate for at least one year before their batteries must be recharged. Power sources must be bought separately.

Standard Computer Programs

The standard computer programs listed below can be purchased by anyone in any store that sells computers or computer parts and equipment. A program's cost is the number of function points it requires, multiplied by 1,000 Credits.

Analysis: An Analysis program allows a computer to perform mathematic calculations and computations. Level 1 is basically a sophisticated calculator. At level 3 the program can do advanced algebra and calculus. At level 6 it can do all known mathematical calculations, including theoretical math.

Bureaucracy: A Bureaucracy program coordinates other programs. For example, a city could use the Bureaucracy program to coordinate Commerce, Communication, Industry, Law Enforcement, Life Support, Maintenance and Transportation programs. A Bureaucracy program can coordinate a number of programs equal to its level x 3. It is not needed unless the programs being coordinated are level 3 or higher.

Commerce: A Commerce program enables a computer to handle business transactions. Commerce covers such areas as banking, stocks, market trends, bookkeeping, imports and exports. A level 1 program could be used by starship computers to record the cargo manifest, passenger records and ship's books. A level 6 program could be used to coordinate all commerce in a city.

Communication: A Communication program deals with all aspects of communication, including news, entertainment and public service announcements. It can control radio, holophones and holovision communication devices. Higher program levels can handle more complex systems. A level 1 communications program might be used to handle communication and to provide packaged entertainment on a starship. A level 6 program could monitor all communication in an entire city.

Computer Security: Computer Security programs protect a computer against both physical and program tampering. A Computer Security program must be defeated or bypassed before a computer specialist can change any programs or interface two computers. Computer Security programs can also control physical defenses guarding the computer. A level 1 Computer Security program is simple code words that lock other programs, plus a simple recognition code such as a fingerprint reader. A level 6 security program sets up a complex system of codes and special directions, and guards the computer with robots or remote guns.

Industry: An Industry program deals with turning raw materials into products. It can be used for both agriculture and manufacturing. At level 1 an Industry program could run a starship's hydroponics system and machine shop. At level 6 the program could coordinate many large factories and farms.

Information Storage: The Information Storage program is passive. It is simply a record-keeping system. A level 1 Information Storage program could be used by a business to record its yearly sales data. A level 6 program could store an entire university library.

Installation Security: An Installation Security program coordinates the defense of an area. Higherlevel programs can defend larger areas. A level 1 Installation Security program could lock a building's doors at a certain time and call the police if an alarm sets off in the building. A level 3 installation Security program would not only lock the doors and call the police, but could control pressure plate sensors, I-R scanners, holovision cameras, special weapons, etc. At level 6, the program could defend an entire city or starport.

Language: The language program enables a computer to translate known languages into each other and, at higher levels, to translate unknown languages into known languages. Higher level programs can translate more languages. Translating an unknown language requires at least a level 3 program.

Law Enforcement: The law enforcement program is used to coordinate the efforts of all law enforcers in an area. Higher level programs can control a larger area. The program can handle police calls, schedule patrols, monitor trials, control riots and scan for developing crime trends. A level 1 program could monitor traffic flow and patrol routes in one precinct, while a level 6 program could run an entire city police department.

Life Support: The life support program controls lighting, temperature control, weather prediction, heating, power plant control, food storage and preparation, and water, atmosphere and waste processing and disposal. A level 1 program can control the life support system on a starship. A level 6 program could handle all the life support functions of an enclosed city. (For how life support programs affect a spaceship, see the Ship-based programs section below.)

Maintenance: The Maintenance program handles standard janitorial functions such as cleaning, painting and basic repair. It can also coordinate services such as garbage collection, fire inspection and sewage removal. A level 1 program could maintain a starship. A level 6 program could coordinate maintenance for an entire city.

Robot Management: The Robot Management program lets a computer control robots. Higher level programs can control more robots. This program often is used along with the Industry, Security, Law Enforcement and Maintenance programs. The Robot Management program must be a least as high a level as the robots it is controlling. The number of robots that a program can control equals its level multiplied by its number of function points.

Transportation: The transportation program allows a computer to control a mass transit system, including traffic control and distribution of products. A level 1 program could control mechanized sidewalks, elevators and escalators in a building. A level 6 program could run all of the monorails, buses, subways and traffic control signals in a city.

Ship-based Computer Programs

Master Control Panel: On a spaceship, a Master Control Panel is needed to link the drive, life support, astrogation and other essential programs into an easily controlled panel for the pilot. It containing at least the speech and warning programs, will be located on the bridge or in the cockpit of a spaceship. The rest of the computer apparatus can be installed near the control panel, if space is available, or tucked away in the ship wherever room can be found for it. A master control panel costs 100 Credits.

The following programs are designed for spaceship and space station operation and their systems.

Agriculture: An agriculture program regulates the temperature, light and water in the hydroponics tanks of an Agriculture Ship. The Ag program is simply a modified Life Support program of level 1, with 3 function points. If a robot brain is used to supervise the farming robots, however, a level 6 robot management program is required. This program uses 64 function points, so it costs 64,000 Cr.

Alarm: This program will cause lights to flash, dials to flicker or even sirens to wail if a programmed system on the ship begins to malfunction. The program must contain at least one level for each of the ship's engines, with a maximum level of six. (Ships with seven or eight engines may use a 6th level program.)

Astrogation: A starship Astrogator needs special equipment in order to make the delicate course adjustments before an interstellar jump. Shuttles have the simplest astrogation requirements, involving only a gyroscope, radar, gravity detectors and some gauges. The complete package costs 1,000 Cr at any spaceship construction center. System ships can get by with much simpler equipment, since they need only to navigate around one star. The telescopes, Doppler scanners, electro-charts, acceleration meters and gauges needed to navigate a system ship cost a total of 5,000 Cr at any spaceship construction center. Navigators with skill level 3 or higher can purchase very sophisticated equipment that lets them plot a jump in less time with little risk. Starships require all of the astrogation equipment of a system ship as well as a high powered telescope for long-range sighting. The package costs 15,000 Cr in its basic form, but high level astrogators can purchase a more sophisticated version for 50,000 Cr. Starship astrogation equipment can be purchased at any class I or II construction center.

Computer programs for astrogation are listed on the Astrogation Program Table. The program needed by each type of ship is listed with its program level and the number of function points it uses.

Ship Type	Program Level	Function Points	Cost of Equipment	Cost of Program
Shuttle	1	3	1,000Cr	3,000Cr
System Ship	2	6	5,000Cr	6,000Cr
Starship	4	24	15,000Cr	24,000Cr
Deluxe	4	24	50,000Cr	24,000Cr

Computer Lockout: A computer lockout program is designed to prevent unauthorized personnel from operating a space ship's controls. The lockout is a series of codewords which usually are committed to memory, although a written record of the codewords is sometimes left with a ship's first mate, in case the captain meets an unexpected and sudden demise. A lockout program must be of the same level as the ship's computer. A computer expert can get past the lockout by "Defeating Security" or "Bypassing Security."

Damage Control: This program coordinates the crew's and computer's efforts to repair damage that has been inflicted upon a ship. This program allows the ship to use its full Damage Control Rating (DCR); ships without this program can use only half of their DCR. As with the alarm program, it requires one level for each of the ship's engines.

Defensive Systems: Many types of defenses require a computer program to coordinate their activation and effectiveness. These defenses will not function without their program. The Defensive Computer Program Table lists the program level and function point requirements for each type of defense. Reflective Hulls and Masking Screens require no programs.

Defense System	Program Level	Function Points	Cost
Electron Screen	2	6	6,000Cr
Proton Screen	2	8	8,000Cr
Stasis Screen	3	12	12,000Cr
Interceptor Missile	3	12	12,000Cr

Drive Programs: The delicate balancing of fuel, temperature and thrust required by all types of spaceship engines is beyond the abilities of any single individual. Consequently, a Drive Program must be purchased and used in the ship's computer. This program will respond to a pilot's instructions ("more speed!" or "turn left") and make the necessary adjustments in the engine to cause the desired effect.

Drive Programs vary in cost and complexity, based on the type and size of the engines being operated. The Drive Program Table shows the program level required for each type and size of engine. The number in parentheses following each program level is the number of function points the ship's computer needs to operate that program. Drive programs can be purchased at any construction center that carries the engines the program will operate.

Drive	Size A	Size B	Size C
Chemical	1 (3)	2 (6)	3 (12)
Ion	3 (12)	4 (24)	4 (24)
Atomic	4 (32)	5 (64)	6 (128)

Life Support (spaceship): Life support systems on spaceships provide all the elements necessary to keep creatures on board those ships alive. These include food storage and preparation, and water, atmosphere and waste processing and disposal.

A life support (LS) system consists of the machinery that performs the various functions and a level 1 computer program to control the machinery (see above). The complexity of a Life Support system varies with the number of creatures that must be supported, not with the size of the ship.

The Life Support System Rating Chart shows how many kilo grams of life support equipment is needed to support various numbers of creatures (including animals) on a spaceship. The number in parentheses following each weight is the number of computer function points required by the system's level 1 program.

Number Supported	Mass (kg) and Function Points	Cost of Equipment	Cost of Program
1-2	3 (1)	300 Cr	1,000 Cr
3-6	5 (2)	500 Cr	2,000 Cr
7-12	9 (2)	900 Cr	2,000 Cr
13-20	15 (2)	1,500 Cr	2,000 Cr
21-35	25 (3)	2,500 Cr	3,000 Cr
36-60	50 (3)	5,000 Cr	3,000 Cr
61-100	90 (3)	9,000 Cr	3,000 Cr
101-200	180 (4)	18,000 Cr	4,000 Cr
201-500	300 (4)	30,000 Cr	4,000 Cr
501-1,000	600 (4)	60,000 Cr	4,000 Cr

Mining Programs: A standard excavation program is needed for each robot or digger shuttle involved in a mining operation, and a processing program is needed to process the ore. Program levels and function points are shown on the Mining Program Table.

Program Task	Program Level	Function Points	Cost
Excavation	2	4	4,000Cr
Processing (OPL)	4	12	12,000Cr
Processing (MR)	4	16	16,000Cr

Research Programs: Atmoprobes require a computer with level 2 program (4 function point) for each probe. A level 3 (9 function points) guidance/analysis program must be used on the ship launching the probes. A laboratory requires a level 3, 9 function point computer program to assist in analyses. A remote probe requires a level 2, 4 function point computer program to coordinate the analysis and relaying of data. The standard program used in a laboratory can be used to process and categorize the information sent to the ship from the probe.

Weapon Systems: Ship-mounted weapons must be connected to computers, which constantly feed updated information about a target's position to the weapon. Characters manning the guns choose the targets and decide when the weapons should be fired, but computers do most of the aiming.

Each weapon must have its own program. For example, a ship with two laser batteries needs two laser battery programs; one program cannot control both weapons. All of these computer programs are reusable, except the seeker missile program. Each seeker missile must have its own program, as the program and its circuitry are destroyed when the missile explodes.

Weapon System	Program Level	Function Points	Cost
Laser Cannon	1	3	3,000Cr
Laser Battery	1	4	4,000Cr
Proton Beam Battery	2	8	8,000Cr
Electron Beam Battery	2	6	6,000Cr
Disruptor Beam Cannon	2	8	8,000Cr
Assault Rocket	1	4	4,000Cr
Rocket Battery	2	6	6,000Cr
Torpedo	1	3	3,000Cr
Mines	1	1	1,000Cr
Seeker Missile	3	9	9,000Cr
Laser Pod	1	3	3,000Cr