Starship Programs

The following programs in the Jetsom
and Moneyspider computer systems are
for use on starships or in similar situations
(they are fully described in the STAR
FRONTIERS® Knight Hawks rules):

Alarm: Monitors all programmed systems
on the ship and raises the alarm if a
malfunction occurs.
Astrogation: Used by the ship's astro-
gator (navigator) to perform the complex
calculations necessary for journeying
through space.
Computer Lockout: Prevents unauthor-
ised control of a starship. It works in a
very similar way to a computer security
program and can be defeated or bypassed
in the same way.
Damage Control: Co-ordinates efforts to
repair damage to the ship.
Drive: Handles the highly complex task of
ensuring that the ship's engines respond
to the pilot's commands.
Processing: Operates the machinery etc.
needed to process or refine raw materials.
 
 

The Computer Systems

The systems are shown schematically in
Diagrams 1 and 2 (Pull-out Sheets I and
VII) and their components are described
on Pull-out Sheets II and VIII. Each
consists of several terminals and com-
puters linked by command channels (see
below). Each computer holds several
programs whose functions relate to a
particular aspect of the workings of the
ship or platform.

Command Channels and Blocks
 
The Jetsom and Moneyspider computer
systems have two special features; com-
mand channels and command blocks.

Command Channels are the routes by
which instructions are relayed from ter-
minals to programs or between programs.
New command channels may be installed
by characters using the interfacing com-
puters subskill, but can only be connected
to a computer through the program at the
top of its list (usually a security program).
 

Terminals

Terminals each consist of a display
screen and keyboard. They have time-
switches and, unless otherwise indicated,
a terminal will be shut-down when the
characters find it. Characters must
successfully operate computer in order
to activate the terminal. They will then
receive the following information:

  - the identification number (e.g. "Term-
    4") of the terminal
  - the code-names (e.g. "J/MN") of the
    computers which it can access directly.
    Characters may automatically select
    which one they want.
 
 

Operating the System

Most tasks using computer skills (i.e.
operating computers, writing programs,
defeating security, displaying inform-
ation and manipulating programs - see
AD pages 12-13) can only be carried out
from a terminal. The others (i.e. bypassing
security, interfacing computers and re-
pairing computers) are only possible if
the character can physically reach the
unit(s) concerned.

Access and Lines of Communication

In order for characters to work on a
computer or program from a terminal
there must be a line of communication to
it from that terminal.

A line of communication can run through
any combination of command channels
and security, lockout, communication or
bureaucracy programs so long as any
remaining command blocks on the line
are pointing away from the terminal. All
terminals, therefore, have a line of com-
munication with the computers to which
they are connected.

Any security or lockout program in a line
of communication will block the passage
of commands unless its password is
known or it is defeated or bypassed.
Characters may attempt to use the defeat-
 

A computer is only fully accessed if all
computer security or computer lockout
programs along the communication line
between the terminal and it are defeated
or bypassed. If the first program inside a
computer which a line of communication
reaches is a security or lockout program,
this must also be overcome before the
computer is accessed.

It is possible to access a computer
indirectly, through a line of communic-
ation built up from another computer
which has already been accessed. To do
this it will usually be necessary to
overcome security or lockout programs
and maybe even to remove command
blocks (see above) and/or manipulate
programs (see Pull-out Sheet IV).

Displaying Information

A successful attempt to display infor-
mation on a computer which is accessed
will reveal one of the following pieces of
information (whichever is closest to the
information being sought). Each piece of
information requires a separate, success-
ful attempt to display it.

For each computer, the information avail-
able is:
  - its full designation and level (e.g.
    "Main System (3)")
  - its location (e.g. "module E - Computer
    Room")
  - a list of the code-names (e.g. "J/MN/
    BE") of its programs
  - a list of terminals and their locations
    (e.g. "Term-13; Module E - Control
    Room")
  - a list of the code-names (e.g. "M/LS")
    of the other computers it is connected
    by a command channel.

For each program within a computer, the
available information is:
  - its type and level (e.g. "bureaucracy
    (3)")
  - its command links, both with terminals
    (e.g. "Command from Term-5") and
    with programs; i.e. the code-names of
    which programs command it (e.g.
    "Command from M/MN/C") and
    which ones it commands (e.g. "Com-
    mand to J/LS/LS")
  - its purpose (the original purpose will
    always be given, regardless of the
    effects of the Matrix)
  - information storage programs can give
    many kinds of information (see the
    individual descriptions - Pull-out
    Sheets II & VIII).