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First Generation organic computer implant. Note the optic link display.

Organic computers are cousins of the standard Star Frontiers computer. Like normal computers, they are used to store and analyze information. However, they have many important differences. [1]

Overview[]

Unlike a normal computer, which is made of electronic circuits, superconductors, and specially formed crystals, the organic computer is grown from molecules. These are organic molecules, the same kind that form the building blocks of plants and creatures. This makes organic computers much smaller than the normal computers. Organic computers, however, are not considered to be living consciousnesses.

Since the organic computer is grown, it cannot be expanded like a regular computer (by adding function points). Instead, an organic computer has a function point potential. This is the maximum number of function points an organic computer can use at one time (and therefore the maximum number of programs that can be used at one time). However, programs can be entered and then later removed from an organic computer without damage to the computer or the program. It takes one turn to change the program of an organic computer. Unlike normal programs, when a character buys? an organic computer program, he is buying a set of pre-recorded instructions that tell his organic computer what to do. He is not buying the hardware needed to run the program. Different programs may be used at different times, but the potential cannot be exceeded by programs that are in use. The function points used by programs are the same as those listed for standard computer programs.

For example, Zir-zak, a Vrusk adventurer, has a level 2 organic computer. Its function point potential is 30. He is using the computer to manage certain areas of his spaceship. He could have a level 4 security program (16 function points), a level 2 life support (8 function points), and a level 2 installation security (6 function points) running at the same time. If he landed on a planet and wanted to use a language program, he would have to change one of the programs in the organic computer to do so. In this case, he decides life support is not needed and replaces it with a level 4 language program.

An organic computer may either be housed or implanted. A housed organic computer is much like a normal computer.[2] The actual processing part of the computer is kept in a small tank filled with nutrients. Connections allow the computer to be interfaced with other computers and machinery. Its advantage is its extremely small size. An implanted organic computer is much different from a normal computer; it is surgically placed inside a person or creature and becomes part of that person's brain. Its power is obtained from the food the person eats. An implanted computer interfaces with other computers by a micro-transmitter/receiver that is part of the implant. The computer interfaced to will require a similar transmitter/receiver as part of its equipment. Programs for an implanted computer are read by the person and "stored" in his memory. The implanted computer then draws these programs out of the person's memory. A character may have as many programs memorized as his Logic Ability divided by 10 (round up)[3]. These programs may be of any level. If the character is ever injured to zero Stamina points or below, the implanted organic computer is destroyed. This is true even if the character is placed in a freeze field and later revived.

For example, Zir-zak (our Vrusk friend) has an implanted level 1 organic computer. His Logic Ability is 65, so he may store up to seven programs in his mind. The programs can be of any level, but Zir-zak may only use 10 function points at any one time.

Important: Characters with implanted organic computers do not become supermen! They simply have access to a computer at all times. If a character attempts to have his computer solve something with too many variables, it will be beyond the abilities of the program. With any program, the character must still supply exact instructions and data. Computers cannot guess outcomes or predict events without a great deal of information.

Organic computers may only be implanted at the largest of hospitals with the most advanced of techniques. The process is very expensive and requires one month of hospital time for each level of the computer. The table below lists all the information on function point potential, size, and costs.

Organic Computer Information Table[]

Computer
Level
Function
Point
Potential
Cost (Cr)
Housed
Cost (Cr)
Implanted
Wgt (kg)
Housed[4]
1 10 10,000 100,000 N/A
2 30 35,000 400,000 1
3 100 125,000 1,000,000 2
4 250 300,000 2,000,000 2
5 600 700,000 5,000,000 3
6 1,500 2,000,000 10,000,000 3

Computer Receptor Implant[]

The computer receptor implant will allow the user of the implant to be in contact with his computer at ranges up to five kilometers. The user simply "thinks" his request to the computer. The computer (if it has the proper program) will then send an answer to the user, where it will be "heard" as a thought in his brain. So long as the user stays within range, he will be in contact with his computer.

When a character buys a computer receptor implant, he is actually buying a special implant, an attachment to his computer, and a special transmission program. The implant is a micro-transmitter/receiver with special connections that attach to the nerve cells of the user. This implant must be surgically attached to the character (just under the skin). This work can only be done at an advanced hospital (referee's decision where) and takes two weeks. The computer attachment is a similar transmitter/receiver that connects to the computer. The transmission program allows the two transmitter/receivers to talk to each other, and uses one function point. This program has no levels. The computer receptor implant costs 50,000 Cr. Transmitter/receivers that attach to other computers cost 2,000 Cr each.

Notes & References[]

  1. For a Fistful of Credits: Extra equipment for the Star Frontiers game by David "Zeb" Cook, Dragon Magazine, #112
  2. It requires a power source: Level 1-4 housed organic computers require parabatteries of the same rating. Level 5 and 6 housed organic computers require Power Generators level 1 and 2, respectively.
  3. The character is not actually "remembering" the program's code: Logic is used as reference to the complexity of the neural structure of the character, since the implant actually makes use of the brain's neural structure as "off-line" storage for said program code. An active Information Storage program may store additional inactive program code equal to a maximum number of function points equal to the level of the computer times the level of the program squared.
  4. Implanted computers are extremely small. They will have no effect on the carrying capacity, health, or appearance of the character.
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