[Poll]: How Technical Are You?

[djh]

I've been noticing that quite a few interesting game threads gradually evolve into highly-technical conversations about some theoretical concept that will have little to no impact on the playability of the *game*. I emphasize that because I sometimes think that the people who care about these minutiae may be more concerned about having Frontier build a perfect simulation of the universe, following every known law of physics and mathematics, rather than a playble game that exists in a not-quite-perfectly-simulated universe.

Now I undersand that some of these conversations help to raise interesting and thought-provoking ideas. But I also realise that the creator of this game's universe is a Cambridge grad with a passion for Astronomy, and a skill for creating playable games. So his take on what will work is probably better than "good enough".

I also find that when an interesting thread starts becoming a battle of who-knows-the most-about-this competition, I tend to tune-out and stop following the thread. A shame when the initial premise is interesting but I'm battling with brains far more educated than mine...

I'm interested to know what level of technical skill the forumers have - whether most people have just a passing interest in Science Fiction (or Science Fact), or are the proverbial Rocket Scientists or Quantum Physicists. I'm sure that we mostly skew somewhere in-between. Personally, I'm a Sci-Fi fan myself; I read Popular Science, New Scentist, BBC Future and follow the news; have a Computer Science degree and love SciFi books, tv and films...but that is not my main interest, just one of them.

I think others might find this interesting too. You never know, if we discover that most readers really *are* Rocket Scientists, perhaps we'll find the level of technical discussion rises since most people will find it interesting. Conversely, if most people turn out to be casual SciFi fans, perhaps we'll reduce the peer-reviewed research paper approach...?

 

[JeffRyan]

I'm really an astrophysicist, but now I pose as a TEFL English Teacher in Italy. No idea how that happened.

My mathematics is far too rusty I keep meaning to dig out the books and learn some real maths again. A lot of the stuff I haven't looked at since University. But I can follow what's going on and usually know what I'm doing.

 

[Cody]

... but now I pose as a TEFL English Teacher in Italy.

Heh... I did that in Spain for a while.

 

[JeffRyan]

Heh... I did that in Spain for a while.

Me too, was in A Coruna for a couple of years.

 

[Erimus Kamzel]

Similar to JeffRyan. A degree in Astronomy and Physics 20 odd years ago but have worked in completely unrelated fields ever since, so much so that my old maths and physics notes may as well be written in a foreign language its been that long since I read any of it!

Elite and Frontier fired my mind into the world of Astronomy. Here's hoping Elite Dangerous will be like a homecoming, recapturing my youth and reawakening my more inquisitive mind & imagination

 

[JeffRyan]

Similar to JeffRyan. A degree in Astronomy and Physics 20 odd years ago but have worked in completely unrelated fields ever since, so much so that my old maths and physics notes may as well be written in a foreign language its been that long since I read any of it!

I have been guilty of using astrophysics to pick up women... pre-meeting wife.

 

[Cody]

Ah yes, Galicia... very nice! The teaching, I did in Córdoba, which is a beautiful city... but I've been around most of Spain.

 

[Oddball]

I voted for SciFi/SciFact Enthusiast (e.g., keenly follows scientific consumer media) even though I have an HND and other similar I.T. quals. However, I have been into astronomy for quite some time now and I now work for a local school.

I think that many of us here are pretty technically minded and do tend to forget the fact that Elite Dangerous is a game. I think we should treat it as such and not be too disappointed if a decision is made that doesn't quite make sense physics-wise.

 

[Robert Maynard]

I'm a Naval Architect - unfortunately the ships I am involved in the concept design of are not particularly fast....

They do however have system redundancy to allow them to maintain position so that they don't break whatever they may be deploying to the seabed in the event of a failure.

I've always enjoyed reading SciFi and factual science.

 

[Cody]

I have a first-class degree in survival from the OU*. I've been into astronomy/space since I was eight, and sci-fi since I was ten. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I worked with COBOL - but I ain't actually qualified in anything.

*The 'Opeless University

 

[kilvenny]

I am the odd one out so far. Just a gamer - My background is accounting and currently in software

 

[Jenner]

Pure enthusiast. I love sci if and try to keep somewhat abreast of current science events. I only have a liberal arts bachelors, though, although I do work in IT. Does that count for anything?

 

[izzy]

I've voted SciFi/SciFact Enthusiast + basic Sci/Eng Degree
I have a bachelor in sciences and then computer studies.

 

[Oddball]

but I ain't actually qualified in anything.

I suspect that you have a mass of knowledge and technical know-how more than a lot of graduates.

Let me tell you a true story.....

When I did my HND, my university did not provide a Bsc in computer science for my final year. This meant that I would have to travel 50 miles every day to a different university to do my final year. I just could not afford it.

However, some students did and ended up with a BSc. The frustrating thing for me at the time was not that I couldn't afford to do the same, it was the fact that some of them couldn't even program a microwave oven never mind a computer. I'm not kidding. The assignments during the course were laid out in such a way that you could take a choice of three options.

For example....

1) Design a datatype for this scenario.....

2) Design an entity relationship diagram for this scenario....

3) Design a computer program to do x,y and z

Well, I chose option 3 because I like designing programs and seeing the end result. Other people chose the easier options and they did this throughout the course. But ask them to design a program to take some data and present it in a graph and they wouldn't know where to start. Its pretty shocking when you think about it.

Also, I know quite a few very proficient programmers that do things way above my head but are not qualified. So a qualification isn't everything.

 

[Darren Grey]

I'm the only one working in science research? Oh my... I don't have a PhD though, just a BSc in Physics.

 

[Patrick_68000]

I voted for the last option and in addition I am not a gamer. But I loved Frontier Elite II. And whenever I read an article in the press about the things of the universe, I am very interested. The universe fascinates me, without necessarily being a passionate

 

[Minti2]

I voted for the last option and in addition I am not a gamer. But I loved Frontier Elite II. And whenever I read an article in the press about the things of the universe, I am very interested. The universe fascinates me, without necessarily being a passionate

Just out of interest Patrick are you going to play ED if your not a gamer then, or you just along for the ride?

 

[Patrick_68000]

Just out of interest Patrick are you going to play ED if your not a gamer then, or you just along for the ride?

I will of course play Elite Dangerous as I played Frontier Elite II. That is to say for thousands of hours. When I say I'm not a gamer, I mean that apart from Frontier Elite II and a few games on Playstation and Nintendo 64, I have not played for years. But Elite Dangerous I really play in the long term (if God wills), but there will also be times when I'll just walk around to admire the landscapes and graphics. However, I will advise you not to come and tease me, too close to me and my Cobra MK III

 

[withnail]

I've got a degree in civil and structural engineering (and that's what I do now) so nothing to do with science. I make my scientific friends cringe when I use non-SI units (cm^4 is a favourite).

Apart from that I am an avid science fiction reader and casual to moderate gamer except where Elite is concerned!

Edit: got poll wrong, should have voted BEng not casual gamer.

 

[Barns]

Computer Science BA from Cambridge (yeah, they're weird giving 'arts' for science based degrees!), worked in programming / systems architecture for 16 years or so, code up Android apps and other stuff for fun, hobbyist astronomer (backyard scope with a bunch of geeky electronics hanging off for imaging on the rare clear UK night, completed a set of the OU astronomy courses for fun, highly recommend especially the residential one at an Observatory).

Gaming wise, as much as I have time for. SciFi literature my favourite, "The Hydrogen Sonata" sitting by bedside right now waiting to be started, but the thought of it being his last makes me too sad to begin yet

Full time dad now though so expert on science of nappies (1 year old) and steam engines (4 year old)!