1 ton docking computer...

Schoolboy

Schoolboy
... from the 70s?

Hi all this is my first post and wondered if anyone found it strange that a docking computer weighed 1 ton? Maybe the cpu clock speed is so fast it creates it own gravity weighing in at 1 ton?

...just saying :)
 

Nonoka

Nonoka
Well, let us look at all the things computers do not like.

Heat
Violent Shocks
EMP
Voltage spikes
Cosmic Rays and the list goes on.

Now let's look at what it will take to put a computer on a combat spacecraft to protect it from damage plus all of the above.

One ton sounds about right.
 

KodiakAlpha

KodiakAlpha
Nonoka said:
Well, let us look at all the things computers do not like.

Heat
Violent Shocks
EMP
Voltage spikes
Cosmic Rays and the list goes on.

Now let's look at what it will take to put a computer on a combat spacecraft to protect it from damage plus all of the above.

One ton sounds about right.
Click to expand...

I was once at a demo where a guy put an iPad in an armored case and chucked it at a wall, and the thing kept working. I'm pretty sure it didn't weigh a ton. More to the point, avionics in modern fighter aircraft are very lightweight. EMP shielding is sophisticated, but not particularly heavy.

When you really think about it, compared to the computing power necessary for flight assist, let alone hyperspace jumps, the docking algorithm is trivial. Automated docking should just be an app for your already existing on-board computer.

I get that they are going for the nostalgia of the docking computer from the original Elite game, but in reality, it is a bit much given that we are talking about technology from a space-faring society over a thousand years in the future.
 

Steve50

Steve50
Best not to use it anyway, it takes up a slot and is way waaaaaaaay slower than docking yourself. ..and not as much fun :p
 

Sgt Doom

Sgt Doom
Schoolboy said:
... from the 70s?

Hi all this is my first post and wondered if anyone found it strange that a docking computer weighed 1 ton? Maybe the cpu clock speed is so fast it creates it own gravity weighing in at 1 ton?

...just saying :)
Click to expand...
It's nothing more complicated than for gameplay reasons. A choice of slow but hands-free docking and thus increased weight, reduced jump range (though in larger ships this is negligible) and one less slot to stick other stuff in. Same line of reasoning that means we're not playing the more realistic game of peekaboo at ranges of tens of thousands of kilometres with nuclear missiles.
 
Last edited:

[SI] Bobdelion

[SI] Bobdelion
Of course it's ridiculous to try and explain away the weight of the docking computer - it's an upgrade in a game where all items must weigh at least 1 ton... therefore, docking computer's weigh a ton each. having said that it would be interesting if in the future the upgrade system was diversified to the point where you had physical and software upgrades. The latter would account for any modification to the ships systems that didn't actually require new hardware. As well as being a way of 'bolting on' functionality like automated docking functionality, or things like changes in the flight characteristics (engine tuning if you will), it could also be a way of accommodating some form of UI customisation (think, buy new ship system UI skins in the same way you would with paint jobs or decals - either in game or via the store).
 

Unfluffydave

U
Nonoka said:
Well, let us look at all the things computers do not like.

Heat
Violent Shocks
EMP
Voltage spikes
Cosmic Rays and the list goes on.

Now let's look at what it will take to put a computer on a combat spacecraft to protect it from damage plus all of the above.

One ton sounds about right.
Click to expand...

All those are things that do not go along with a living pilot too. Protection from most of those will already be in the ship, voltage spikes would already be protected against for the other computer systems in the ship.

EDIT: The standard docking computer I have just looked at (rating E) is zero ton.
 
Last edited:

mbpoblet

mbpoblet
Nonoka said:
Well, let us look at all the things computers do not like.

Heat
Violent Shocks
EMP
Voltage spikes
Cosmic Rays and the list goes on.

Now let's look at what it will take to put a computer on a combat spacecraft to protect it from damage plus all of the above.

One ton sounds about right.
Click to expand...

This should resist everything except possibly the violent shocks (and heat, maybe, depending on how the components dilate)...

Babbages_Analytical_Engine,_1834-1871._(9660574685).jpg
 
Last edited:

Windscreen Smudge

W
Nonoka said:
Well, let us look at all the things computers do not like.

Heat
Violent Shocks
EMP
Voltage spikes
Cosmic Rays and the list goes on.

Now let's look at what it will take to put a computer on a combat spacecraft to protect it from damage plus all of the above.

One ton sounds about right.
Click to expand...

You serious?

Pretty sure NASA has been doing fine against all of these problems using processors of a standard size with the calculating power of a dessicated Kumquat.
 

gwalchmai

gwalchmai
after getting fed up with the faff of docking at stations i decided to buy a docking computer as soon as i could (in gama now).

so finally find a station where i can buy one (am in part of the galaxy i have no idea is just were i was randomly put after wipe)

and great no cargo space now so pretty pointless having a docking computer as i cant haul goods now - i mean really a docking computer fills up all your cargo space this is beyond daft
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom