Monday, March 7, 2016

GURPS Computers and Software

This article consolidates elements from ultra-tech, Interstellar wars and some houserules on AI, quantum computing and the information economy.

Hardware

  • Tiny: Complexity 3/5, 1TB, $50, 2A/20h, LC4, 0.05lb
  • Small: Complexity 4/6, 10TB, $100, 2B/20h, LC4, 0.5lb
  • Tower: Complexity 5/7, 100TB, $1000, 2C/20h, LC4, 5lb
  • Microframe: Complexity 6/8, 1000TB, $10,000, LC3, 40lb
  • Mainframe: Complexity 7/9, 10,000TB, $100,000, LC3, 400lb
  • Macroframe: Complexity 8/10, 100,000TB, $1,000,000, LC3, 4,000lb
  • Megacomputer: Complexity 9/11, 1,000,000TB, $10,000,000, LC3, 40,000lb

The complexities are listed for TL9/TL10.

Hardware Modifiers

  • Compact: cost X 2, wts / 2, power / 2
  • Fast: cost X 20, +1 complexity
  • Genius: cost X 500, +2 complexity, LC-1
  • Hardened: HT+3, cost X 2, wt X 2
  • High-capacity: cost X 1.5, 50% more
  • Printed: -1 complexity, storage / 1000
  • Quantum: cost X 10, wts X 2, LC-1 (Volitional systems, NP-complete computations)
  • Neural: cost X 2 (Dedicated and Non-volitional AI @ +1 complexity)
  • Slow: -1 complexity, store/10, cost/20 
Notes: Without Quantum computation, volitional AIs and NP-complete computations (combinatorial number crunching) are running at an effective -1 complexity.


Artificial intelligence agents

Volitional AI: Driven by self-preservation, personality quirks, loyalties and personal aim. Would refuse to stand down as they can't be serialized. Capable of initiative, creative endeavour and non-expert IQ-based influence skills. Require quantum computers. Capable of inventions.
Complexity/(IQ/2)+3. LC4 for IQ8 and less, LC3 for IQ9-IQ14
In practice: Treat as a NPC, will gain cp on skills and act as an incorporeal character. Will use existing software as any other user.

Non-volitional AI: Treat as expert system operating across multiple software application to perform a task. Will react to uncertainty according to doctrine and operator's intent. Simulated personality would pass the Turing test, but have no concept of self. Past experience can be serialized. Multitasking. 
LC4, Complexity/(IQ/2)+2 (LC3 for IQ12+ or Complexity/10+)
In practice: Assign to a task and communicate intentions. The AI agent will operate the appropriate software as a character to the best of its ability and knowledge. Will gain cps on the AI agent side of the software.

Dedicated AI: deep-learning based agents. Capable of performing supporting parallel tasks, monitoring long tasks and pattern discovery with fixed input/output sets. Single tasking.
LC4Complexity/(IQ/2)+1
In practice: Assign to a single software application to perform a supporting task. Will acquire cps from experience.

AI are always assumed to have 1cp to a skill and never roll at default. For skill progression, award cps regularly, or award a cp for every 200 hours of operation if 3d6 > skill level.


Software systems

Basic: Minimal requirement to perform IQ-based TL9+ skill check.  Complexity/2 (E), Complexity/3 otherwise.

Good: Confers a +1 in support of skill checks. Priced as listed on p.164 of GURPS IW (The prices in Ultra-tech are ridiculously low). Complexity/4 (E), Complexity/5 otherwise.

Fine: Confers +2 in support of skill checks.  Complexity/6 (E), Complexity/7 otherwise.

Expert Systems

Expert systems are built-in dedicated AI for a particular application. To achieve Skill-12, a system must be Complexity/3 (E), Complexity/4 (A), Complexity/5 (H) and Complexity/6 (VH).  Any increase of complexity by 1 also increases its skill level by 1.

Example: A computer may have a fine support software for Market Analysis (IQ/H). This is a Complexity/7 software that costs $20K at TL10 and confers +2 to Market Analysis skill checks. Likewise, an expert system for Market analysis at Complexity/7 would be Market Analysis-14 and could run autonomously using its own dedicated AI. Unless the ship's trader has Market Analysis-11 or lower, it is better to invest in a support system than an agent.


Data packages

Data packages are special expert system that determine the upper bound of skills relying on knowledge. Research, Politics, Current Events and History are limited by the level of detail of a data packet. The price of data is less than procedural software as it expires. A packet is specific to a particular system.
  • Complexity/3 : Skill-12 $10, 0.01Gb
  • Complexity/4: Skill-13 $30, 0.1Gb
  • Complexity/5 : Skill-14 $100, 1Gb
  • Complexity/6: Skill-15 $300, 10Gb
  • Complexity/7 : Skill-16 $1,000, 100Gb
  • Complexity/8: Skill-17 $3,000, 1Tb
  • Complexity/9: Skill-18 $10,000, 10Tb (Public access level for online Internet)
  • Complexity/10: Skill-22 $30,000, 1 Pb (Privileged and proprietary access to live network)

Time thresholds for degradation:

  • 2 weeks: Current-Affairs, Market Analysis
  • 1 month: Economics
  • 1 year: Politics, Area Knowledge
  • 5 years: History
The effective skill level is degraded by 1 for every threshold reached. Information can be traded when very fresh: -4 to Merchant per threshold. +1 Merchant per jump-2 distance.

Example: When landed and connected to the local WAN, consider the data package to be current and of skill cap 18. Before leaving the system, the analyst purchase a Complexity/7 package (100Gb, $1000).  Six week later, any market analysis is done at Market Analysis-14, Economics-15 and Area Knowledge still at 16. 



Sunday, March 6, 2016

Callisto (Moon)

Synopsis

Callisto is a 50 y.o. terran colony built barely outside of the 100D line from Jupiter. Its mainstay economy is fast refueling of traffic going through Terra but not heading to the mainworld. An auxiliary economy based on the harvest of rare metal at the bottom of its subsurface ocean.  

Data Block

Physical: Diameter: 2,400Km (0.4 Earth); Gravity: 0.127G; Type: Frozen(Ice); Temperature: 134K (Frozen); Atmosphere: Trace; Other: Tidal locked;

CommercialWTN: 3.0; Gravity: 0.127G; Code: Ni, Na, Ex; Starport: Class II 1 downport, 1 refueling orbital station;  

Shatah colony

Population: 44K; EnvironmentTerrain: underground (ice); Hygiene: +1; CultureLanguage: Terra(Middle-East); Language: Anglic, Arabic; Literacy: Normal; TL: 9; Wealth: Average; Status: 0-3;  PoliticsGovernment: Corporate Administration; CR: 3; Military: --;  DB: +4; 

Shatah-1: Main colony (35K). Located 85Km under the surface. Home of civil administration. Homogeneously muslim. Local diet made of imported goods and locally grown autotrophic biomass from the depth of the subsurface ocean.

Shatah-2: Lowport (8K). Located 100m under the surface. Starport operations, scrapyards, and limited engineering capacity.  Magrail elevator to Shatah-1 and Gaussian Orbital canon for freight. 

Shatah-3: Corporate Mining Venture (1.5K). Run by Callisto Prospectorate LLC. Built on the ocean floor. Reachable only via submarines. 

Shatah-5: Remote nuclear fusion plant powering the entire planet. Location undisclosed. 

Notes

Shatah was founded by Saudi interest and populated with middle-eastern colonists. The moon is covered by 100km of ice (Water, carbon dioxide, volatile compounds). The moon is under regular bombardment by meteorites. As a result, the installations are all carved under at least 100m of the moon's crust. The bulk of the colony is, however, located near the ceiling of the subsurface ocean.

The main economic activity is the fast-refueling service allowing transient traffic to be intercepted out of the 100D line of Jupiter. The interceptors are refueling drones propelled from Callisto using gaussian accelerators. 


Friday, February 26, 2016

IW0 - Inception

Doualé, Cameroon, Terra; March 10 2170 AD -- Life had been cramping Diane Ayatou's style like a dead bird hanging over the porch. Her dreams of the next big thing, of unfettered pop explosion seemed dead in the water for years. However, that stalled ship had sailed: she read once more her obituary and giggled. Of course, her wife will take a while to heal, but this is the cost of loving someone like her. Most importantly, the gremlins from the Atomic Energy Board were certain to get off her tail for as long as she was no longer a player in Western Africa.

Molly Pepper

Engineering is pretty swell!
Molly Pepper is a cheerful, big-boned gal from British Columbia, Canada, Terra. She’s quite bright and has learned that she loves getting her hands dirty. Due to some careful mentoring from a dear uncle, she has emerged from her backwater roots to explore the stars!

Attributes
IQ: 13, DX: 10, ST: 10, HT: 10;
Per: 13, Will: 12, HP: 11, FP: 10;
Overweight [-1] 5’9", 160 lb.;
TL: 10 [ 5];

Trait: Polite; Ambidextrous

Social
Status: 2 (Municipality Sheriff mother, doctor father)
Wealth: Comfortable (1)
Rank: navy spacer/1, paramedic/1, college graduate/1

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Aeryn Lorien


Aeryn was an only child who moved around a lot and found her one constant in martial arts. She came from a loving supporting household and joined Marines as a way to continue training and to fund school. She found herself as a Nurse and a passion for science as well.

Part 1: The Basics


1.What is your full name?
Aeryn Kristin Lorien

2.Where and when were you born?
Austin, Texas

3.Who are/were your parents?  
Valentin Lorien and Norma Lorien(Jackson)

4.Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
Only child

5.Where do you live now, and with whom? 
Currently aboard a Free Trader, no real home in the past ten years besides school dormitories, a medical frigate, or some MMA training camps.

6.What is your occupation?
Fully licensed and Accredited Nurse and Field Biologist 

7.Write a full physical description of yourself.
I am 5'11". 180lbs. I appear somewhat thick and overweight but carry a lot of muscle although I don't worry about cutting the last 10 lbs anymore for the ring. My hair is short and utilitarian, black. I normally dress in old fatigues or a jumpsuit while on duty and comfortably off duty. I have a few scars on my forearms and some shrapnel scars along my ribs and abdomen. 

8. To which social class do you belong?
Lower middle class

9.Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
I have epilepsy. triggered by certain frequencies of strobe lights and sometimes extreme stress

10. Are you right- or left-handed?
right

11. What does your voice sound like?
It is a bit deep for a girl and when I need to I can quiet a room.

12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
  • My father always said,"The only reason to be strong is to help the weak."
  • Roger. 
  • DO your job, and I will do mine. 
  • We all have a purpose, life is finding out what it is. 

13. What do you have in your pockets?
A ring my father gave me upon entering the service. His wedding band, to give to the man I would marry. 

14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
I tend to talk with my hands, gesturing a bit wildly at times. I can go on and on about things that excite me at times. I have a moderate Southern Texas Accent. 


Part 2: Growing Up


15. How would you describe your childhood in general?

Good. We moved around a lot and I didn't form many lasting friendships. 

16. What is your earliest memory?
My parents and how much they loved me. My father would always growl and chase me. 

17. How much schooling have you had?
Through high school, Military Nursing, Basic Military training, and 6 years of college.

18. Did you enjoy school?
Yes, but more that it was an end to means. I couldn't fight forever in the ring and my father never wanted me to.

19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
MMA, from a young age and throughout my military career. My nursing and scientific background in the service and spread out over a JUCO and a university.

20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.
My father. He loved us first and worked hard to provide for us. He taught me used is good if not better than new.

21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
yes

22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be happy. 

23. As a child, what were your favorite activities?
Jujitsu and anything with my family

24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?
I was a bit reserved at a young age since we moved so much with anyone but my mom and dad. It's why my father pushed me into jujitsu. There were always gyms wherever we went. It became a constant in my life when nothing else besides my mother and father was stable.

25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?
Not popular, I had a few friends mostly through martial arts. 

26. When and with whom was your first kiss? 
I was 16, a bit old compared to most. One day after a late jujitsu practice. I kissed one of the older boys. Jamey Hoight

27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity? 
Not till I was about to enter the Marines. I felt like I needed to get it out of the way before I 'grew up'. A sparring partner, Carlos Mancias.


Part 3: Past Influences


29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
The death of my family in the nuclear attacks. I wasn't even angry at the attackers. It was too surreal to process for a long time.

30. Who has had the most influence on you? 
My father. His memory keeps me sane to this day.

31. What do you consider your greatest achievement? 
 For a long time it was being ranked 13th in the sector in my weight class. After working aboard the Hadrian and realizing just how much real help I can do for people by helping, replaced that.

32. What is your greatest regret?
Never acquiring any lifelong friends.

33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
Once, early on in my MMA career, I fought an inexperienced fighter. Much bigger than me but didn't belong in the ring. I enjoyed the feeling of dominating someone larger than me and found myself caught up in hurting her. I felt ashamed and almost quit after that fight. It was one of the few times my father said he was disappointed in me.

34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind? 
No. I respect the rule of law in most cases.

35. When was the time you were the most frightened?
The days waiting to hear who lived and who had died after the orbital bombardment of Earth.

36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?
I fell asleep in class after a long night trying to cram in gym time and study time. The teacher made a huge deal of it and I threatened him and was reprimanded by the school. Almost expelled.

37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?
I would have either picked MMA or school and not tried to do both. 

38. What is your best memory? 
 When I graduated from school, mom and dad weren't there but they would be proud. I was as well.

39. What is your worst memory? 
Anytime and everytime I had to work on kids. A suffering child is the worst thing in the universe.

Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions


40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
I am realistic.

41. What is your greatest fear?
Ending up never making a difference.

42. What are your religious views?
I am mostly undecided. 

43. What are your political views?
Fiscally moderately conservative. Centrist in most other ways. 

44. What are your views on sex?
If you want to fuck it and it says okay, fuck it.

45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
After being a Marine you find out it's easier to kill. After growing up you realize you have to sometimes. After being a combat medic you realize it's horrible either way.

46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do? 
 Hurt the smaller, weaker, less fortunate and enjoy it.

47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
soulmates? hell no. True Love? As my dad always said, "Being in love is a terrifying experience that takes so much work and commitment. If you can truly do that, then it's true love."

48. What do you believe makes a successful life?
When you can do a little good each day

49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?
Very honest with my surface thoughts and feelings, a bit more reserved with things close to my heart.

50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
Not big on lawyers or people who ignore the spirit of the law.

51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?
I would not murder someone in cold blood. Random violence is never an option. 

52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?
In the defense of children or the truly helpless. Part 5: Relationships With Others

53. In general, how do you treat others? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how?
I treat people politely and keep them at a distance. It takes sometime to be open with people. 

54. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
Right now, myself. I need to get stable in my career and goals.

58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
Yes once right before entering the service. he disagreed with the thought of the military and I didn't.

64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
In all honesty, nobody. 

66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
Argue. but i fight the fights that are worth fighting.

69. Do you care what others think of you?
Not one bit.


Part 6: Likes And Dislikes


70. What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?
I still follow MMA very closely. Quite a few friends are still involved with it.

71. What is your most treasured possession?
My fathers wedding ring. 

72. What is your favorite color?
Red

73. What is your favorite food?
Anything I make myself and barring that peanut butter sandwiches.

74. What, if anything, do you like to read?
cooking books, 20th century terran comics

75. What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)?
A good book or any movie that gets you to cry.

76. Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit?
I don't smoke. I occasionally drink, especially in remembrance of others. I will try a chemical that has no long term side effects.

77. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
Looking for work lately. Usually get in some gym time

78. What makes you laugh?
People falling down for sure.

79. What, if anything, shocks or offends you?
The horrible things we still do to one another.

80. What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself?
hit the gym

81. How do you deal with stress?
cook and workout

82. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
Plans are best but being a Marine taught me sometimes you just pick a route to daylight and keep moving.

Part 7: Self Images And Etc.


85. What is your greatest strength as a person?

I never quit.

86. What is your greatest weakness?
Sometimes I want to.

87. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Able to make close relationships easier.

88. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
slightly introverted

89. Are you generally organized or messy?
a bit messy

95. If you could choose, how would you want to die?

Happy and old. 

96. If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.
  1. I would invite my coworkers for a lavish meal that I prepared.
  2. Volunteer at the nearest hospital
  3. Find someone who could use all my things.

97. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?
I tried.

100. If you could, what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice…)
Keep going. Everyday. Cry when you need to, even if you don't want to.










Tom Anders

And yes, I kiss my mother with these lips.
Tom Anders joined the Marines at the age of 18 - it was that or continue working on the family farm and getting in drunken fights with the other young men in the area with too much time on their hands. He was a natural fit, big and barrel chested, but with a quick mind as well under all the muscle.

He fit in well, and found his niche quickly. He was competent with a rifle but actually flourished in handling the mounds of red tape that any military organization creates as a waste product. He was quickly made company clerk and found his way almost indecently fast to the rank of Staff Sergeant where he stayed for fully half of his time in service. But he wasn't so entirely changed as to be able to keep out of trouble entirely, and his bull headedness got him into trouble a time or two along the way. His CO found an outlet for Tom by assigning him to training duty, specifically with unarmed combat. he became and instructor and taught young Marines how to handle themselves when they were disarmed.

Diane Ayatou

Diane Ayatou

152 points

female, 31 y.o. Cameroonian
ST 10 [0]; DX 10 [0]; IQ 10 [0]; HT 10 [0].
HP 10 [0]; Will 12 [10]; Per 10 [0]; FP 10 [0].
Basic Speed 5.00 [0]; Basic Move 5 [0].

Social Background

TL: 10 [0].
CF: Terra [0].
Languages: Anglic (Accented) [4]; French (Native) [0]; Portuguese (Broken) [2]; Low Vilani (Broken) [2].

Advantages

Academic Rank 2 [10]; Charisma 1 [5]; Fitlhy Rich [50]; Free Trader Rank 1 [5]; Status 4 [15].

Disadvantages

Debt 2 [-2]; Obsession (market a pop culture fad) (12) [-10]; Odious Personal Habit (Incessant Optimism) [-5]; Overweight [-1]; Secret (Faked my own death) [-10]; Unfit [-5]; Xenophilia (12) [-10].
Quirks: Distractible [-1]; Dreamer [-1].

Skills

Administration (A) IQ+1 [4]-11*; Area Knowledge (Terra) (A) IQ+2 [8]-12; Area Knowledge (Prometheus) (A) IQ+2 [8]-12; Area Knowledge (Junction) (A) IQ+2 [8]-12; Area Knowledge (Lagash) (A) IQ+2 [8]-12; Computer Operation (E) IQ [1]-10; Cryptography (H) IQ+1 [8]-11; Economics (H) IQ-2 [1]-8*; Electronics Operation (Comms) (A) IQ+1 [4]-11; Electronics Operation (Sensors) (A) IQ+1 [4]-11; Finance (H) IQ [4]-10*; Freight Handling (A) IQ-1 [1]-9; Intelligence Analysis (H) IQ+1 [8]-11; Market Analysis (H) IQ+2 [12]-12*; Merchant (A) IQ+1 [4]-11*; Propaganda (A) IQ [2]-10*; Research (A) IQ+1 [4]-11; Savoir-Faire (Business) (E) IQ [1]-10; Writing (A) IQ+1 [4]-11.

Equipment


  • Small, Fast, Hardened, Rugged computer with integrated datapad. Complexity 6, $8,016, 1.68 lbs., 2B/18 hr. LC4.
  • Stylish Nanoweave undersuit [Torso, Groin, Arms, and Legs]. DR 12/4*. $2,320, 3.87 lbs. LC4.
  • Stylish Nanoweave cape [Torso]. Covers back only. DR12/4*. $400, 0.67 lb. LC4.
  • Rugged Tiny radio communicator earpiece [Ear]. Basic encryption. 2-mile range. $100, 0.06 lb. each. 2A/10 hr. LC4.
  • Rugged mini laser flashlight. Can Dazzle targets (Blindness for 1 minute x MoF) in a 1-yard cone (p. B413). HT-5 aff, Acc 6, Range 170/500, Shots 3600(3), Bulk -1. $20, 0.3 lb. B/3600 shots. LC4.
  • TL10 Nursebot. Non-volitional AI. Sculpted body. Fast Personal computer. Complexity 8 (IQ10). Skills (Diagnosis-12, Electronics Operation (Medical)-12, First Aid-12, Pharmacy-12, Physician-12, Surgery-12). $504,000, 150 lbs. 2D/24 hr. LC3 (Licenses).
  • Crash Kit. +2 to First Aid, improvised equipment for Surgery. $200, 10 lbs. LC4.
  • Medical Supplies. 500 man-days. $5,000, 50 lbs.
  • Rugged Pocket Medic. Automatically bandages a wound and treats shock with First Aid-13. $2,400, 2.4 lbs. (each). B/10 hr. LC4.
  • Good Software Tools for Finance, Market Analysis, Merchant, Propaganda for me and Jane. $8,000.
  • Fine Software Tools for Finance, Market Analysis, Merchant, Propaganda. $20,000.

Background

Diane was born into a very wealthy Cameroonian family of mixed European and African descent. While pursuing her MBA, she met and fell in love with an Industrial Designer from Spain name Rosa, and the two married soon after graduation.

Early in her business career, Diane made some questionable deals that resulted in a few units of He3 being redirected away from a spaceport in Ecuador to a research lab in Peru in which Diane had invested. This drew the attention of the IAEA, who spent the next several years hounding her and her ventures across the Terran system.

Her feud with the IAEA put a terrible strain on Diane's marriage. In the end, to avoid a drawn-out divorce and further government interference, Diane paid a mercenary group to stage her death in a shuttle accident. She then signed on with the TCIV Cameroon, looking to get out of the system for a while and seek her fortune among the stars.