BSE Digest v195 #170

From: kerry@io.com (Kerry Harrison)

Date: Sat, 06 May 1995 00:00:00 +0000

BSE Digest                   Friday, 5 May 1995         Volume 195 : Number 170

Welcome to the BSE Digest,  the place to discuss all the myriad aspects of
life Beyond the Stellar Empire with other denizens of the Greater Periphery.

In this issue:

+       Re: BSE: Re: Hammerfest Visit
+       BSE: Re: New Rules [BOUNCED MESSAGE]
+       BSE: nexus.doc file on io.com
+       Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications
+       BSE: Signatures
+       Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications
+       BSE: Fleet turns
+       Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications
+       Re: BSE: Promotions
+       Re: BSE: New Rules (For RTG)
+       Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications
+       Re: BSE: New Rules
+       Re: BSE: Re: New Rules
+       BSE: Re: Chancellor Privy
+       Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications
+       Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications
+       Re: BSE: Fleet turns
+       Re: BSE: New Rules
+       Re: BSE: New Rules (For RTG)
+       BSE: Re: Morale question

See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the bse-list
or bse-digest mailing lists.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Kerry Harrison <kerry@io.com>
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 10:01:19 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Re: BSE: Re: Hammerfest Visit

On Fri, 5 May 1995 PEllisCaz@aol.com wrote:

> OOC:  Hey Mike, who sent the message is CLEARLY stated in the header of the
> message.  Therefor, I really see no point to legthen the down load time of
> other people for a signature.  Nor, do I see a point to quote something that
> could be found out by reading earlier massages with the same subject.  As for
> sending e-mail anonomously, IT IS NOT POSIBLE!

Paul,

The header just identifies the player sending the message, by signing it
with a characters name you identify which character is attribed with
saying the post (for ingame roleplaying stuff), also not everyone gets
the header information (due mostly to the design of the mail reader or
system they are using).  And a request was posted sometime back by me for
people to sign messages either in character or as themselves as appropriate.

NOW, sigfiles more than that are not necessary and are frankly beginning
to annoy me so I'd asked that those of you who are using such things
please stop - this list is already using enough bandwidth with wasting
more for stupid sigfiles.

As for sending anonymous email, it's very possible to do - but don't
bother trying to send it to this list or I'll set up a killfile for all
of the anon sites.

Kerry Harrison

------------------------------

From: Kerry Harrison <kerry@io.com>
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 10:02:41 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: BSE: Re: New Rules [BOUNCED MESSAGE]

- ---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 05 May 1995 10:51:47 EDT
From: btb4@Lehigh.EDU (B T Braun)
Subject: Re: BSE: Re: New Rules

Jame,

There were a few of your buddies looking for you at Quay last week.  I don't
recall the names, but maybe this'll help:  Short, 5 eyes (on stalks), skinny
sorta spindly-looking dudes.

M. Carson, USS Quay

Brad Braun
btb4@lehigh.edu

------------------------------

From: Kerry Harrison <kerry@io.com>
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 10:12:28 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: BSE: nexus.doc file on io.com

The nexus.doc file that was on io.com has (or had - it's since been removed)
nothing to do with the new region called the Nexus in this game, it's
from the UK BSE game and is just a system map of a system called Nexus in
their new region (the Cluster).

Kerry

------------------------------

From: "Scragg" <scragg@infi.net>
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 11:20:35 +0000
Subject: Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications

Date:          Fri, 5 May 1995 09:52:24 -0500 (CDT)
From:          Kerry Harrison <kerry@io.com>
Subject:       Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications
To:            bse-list@io.com
Reply-to:      bse-list@io.com

On Fri, 5 May 1995, B T Braun wrote:

> Maybe the easiest thing would be to use a TU-based, instead of a "real time"
> based, minimum on promotions.  This way, the more active postions would advance
> more quickly than thos simply in reserve.  I would suggest 3 months of TUs as
> the requirement, so a ship being run pretty much all of the time would make it
> in 4 months (due to snail mail lag), perhaps a bit faster if the player really
> pushes things.  Battle reports might count as an additional 140 or 280 TUs to
> reflect the rewards of serving in battle.

You could figure a way to add to the TU's for every XXXX amount of
stellars you take in when you make a sale at a starport. (the amount
should be REAL high)

Just an idea for the merchant types out there though I think battles
should be the fastest way to advance.

------------------------------

From: Michael.Keane@maf.nasa.gov
Date: 05 May 95 11:39:53 -0600
Subject: BSE: Signatures

On Fri, 5 May PEllisCaz@aol.com wrote:

<snip>

>OOC:  Hey Mike, who sent the message is CLEARLY stated in the header of the
>message.  Therefor, I really see no point to legthen the down load time of
>other people for a signature.  Nor, do I see a point to quote something that
>could be found out by reading earlier massages with the same subject.  As for
>sending e-mail anonomously, IT IS NOT POSIBLE!
>

Paul,

You only run one position in the game?  I don't.  They all have different
names, know different things, and talk to different positions.  You don't sign a
post, I assume you are lazy or deliberately trying to be anonymous (both valid
IC 'personalities').  You want me to match your header to the post, I expect an
OOC to know it is the player talking and not one of your positions.  Sorry for
the confusion.  BTW it is fairly easy to post anonymously through newsgroups and
several internet provides allow you to send anonymous E-mail (yes, I know it's
tagged to the source but how meaningful is that).  Later.

Mike

------------------------------

From: "Scragg" <scragg@infi.net>
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 12:19:42 +0000
Subject: Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications

>In BSE, rank and promotion are NOT according to contemporary military lines.
>It's more like a century or more ago, when service "to the crown" (or
>whatever) of various types was rewarded.  The various career paths should have
>different mods.  A very active trader/hauler, who advances not only his own
>pocket but the AFF as well, should be rewarded at a greater rate than the
>captain of a semi-mothballed reserve warship.  As it now stands, they will
>advance at the same rate.

Ahh but the people who attained high status and rank QUICKLY where
always involved in the Military (or had a powerfull family). The rich
business types have (and had) only very little use for rank, they get
their reward in cash and the assosiated power it wields.

Joe

------------------------------

From: jstanton@qualcomm.com (John Stanton)
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 09:46:49 -0700
Subject: BSE: Fleet turns

Thad/Pete,
    What is the status of fleet turns?
John

------------------------------

From: Cojran Michael <cojran@ucsub.Colorado.EDU>
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 10:57:31 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications

Real-world military promotions follow a time-in-service and
time-in-current-rank structure.  Once those pre-set requirement are met,
and there is a vacant higher rank position for this individual to fill,
then the individual is judged to determine if he/she qualifies based on
performance.

A minimum wait time should be there, but I think that time needs to be
spent earning the promotion.  Traders making stellars, warship captains
flying thier ships around in defense of thier AFF, etc.  But who has the
final word on promotions?  RTG?  I don't think they have the time to
track the actions of all starcaptians over a 3-4 month period to
determine eligibiliy.  It is more likely to fall in the hands of the
PD's.  And the PD's are going to promote starcaptains who have just been
sitting in port for the 3-4 months.  How else will you build up you ranks
in an AFF.

A point based system?  Sounds like more programming to me, and with
merchant captains needing to aquire points just as warship captains do,
the point variables would have to encompass just about everything.  A
mojor programming task IMO.

Mike Cofran

------------------------------

From: RTGThad@aol.com
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 13:03:34 -0400
Subject: Re: BSE: Promotions

Stockpiling starcaptains was scrapped. So was the APP system. The starcaptain
thing is a nightmare, actually, and the APP was scrapped cuz we felt it was
burdensome on the players and unnecessary.

Next time we may look into a promotion point system, maybe we'll do that in
conjunction with the new combat rules.

Thad

------------------------------

From: RTGThad@aol.com
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 13:09:22 -0400
Subject: Re: BSE: New Rules (For RTG)

Yes, creeping damage is back. I know there are mixed views on it, but that's
what we decided. It just makes too much sense. And there a lot of guys out
there who don't even bother repairing their ships cuz there are no
significant repercussions for not doing so

No, you do not have to pay the material costs for converting GRPs. Actually,
the conversion is more like "The project will take 20,000 Propulsion Points
or 100,000 GRPs or some combination therof".

Interesting idea on the Scientists. That's a definite maybe <g>

I'll look into the other stuff.

Thad

------------------------------

From: btb4@Lehigh.EDU (B T Braun)
Date: Fri, 05 May 1995 13:11:14 EDT
Subject: Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications

The thing is, some sort of service to the AFF should be included.  Simply
making yourself rich does not do this.  Using * to "buy weeks" by making
payments to the AFF would work (never to exceed the minimum) and has much
historical and present day (Terran, not BSE) precedent.

Brad Braun
btb4@lehigh.edu
///////////////////*********************************************\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
  But you don't seem to understand.  I fully expect to reign in Heaven.  After
  all, is it not better to be a live lion?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

------------------------------

From: Michael.Keane@maf.nasa.gov
Date: 05 May 95 12:11:37 -0600
Subject: Re: BSE: New Rules

On Thu, 04 May 1995 Brad Braun posted:

>Mike,
>
>As a "rough" estimate, plot the curves created by the "Some Projects" data.
>Even if you don't extrapolate, there's enough data there to begin to make some
>predictions.  When you consider how much more expensive these projects, most
>of which are lousy to begin with, have suddenly become, well....

>Be seeing you,
>
>Brad Braun
>btb4@lehigh.edu

Brad,

I still don't see your point.  Using the same semi-log scale that produces a
straight line for the starship specialization research points [level vs. log(#
res. points)] if a standard task (level 4) costs 500 electronic research points
(needs 50 fibrillium) then a virtually impossible one (level 11) costs 32,250
(3225 fibrillium).  If the ratio is 1:1000 instead of 1:100 you only need
hundreds of mu's.  I don't think it is unreasonable to require those amounts.
You will know after the feasibility study whether you want to try (or sell it to
someone who has the material to do it).  I'm just guessing on the about ratios,
but until we actually start doing feasibility studies, your guess is as good as
mine.  Later.

Mike K.

------------------------------

From: RTGThad@aol.com
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 13:14:42 -0400
Subject: Re: BSE: Re: New Rules

Existing Research Points:

If the colony elects to become a Research colony, it can do a one time
conversion of its existing points <which are now GRPs, by the way> to its
specialty point>. If it becomes a standard colony, they will remain GRPs. If
it becomes a SPC, they will be lost.

Thad

------------------------------

From: Michael.Keane@maf.nasa.gov
Date: 05 May 95 12:19:59 -0600
Subject: BSE: Re: Chancellor Privy

On Fri, 5 May Jackmyster@aol.com sent:

>Greetings!
>
>The Ataman is pleased to announce that Wotan Tembu has accepted the
>responsiabilites of "Chancellor Privy".
>
>This means that you may discuss with him anything that you would discuss with
>the Ataman.
>
>Basically, his fuctions are to "act" as a Speaker For The Rada and as the
>Ataman's "Right Side".
>
>Much Honor
>Lord Den of Earth

Leave it to the FGZ to name their second highest official after a repository for
bodily wastes.  You sure that isn't: the Ataman's "Back Side"?  All hail leader
of the toilets!  (Wait a minute, he's the head of the Rada.  Damn!  It makes
sense after all.)

V'Ril T'Bak, Ruler FOE Target

------------------------------

From: btb4@Lehigh.EDU (B T Braun)
Date: Fri, 05 May 1995 13:21:51 EDT
Subject: Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications

Joe,

I disagree.  The primary basis has always been "service to the crown."
Through the US Civil War, many commisions were simply bought outright.  The
typical Colonel of two centuries ago was ranked according to how many men he
could afford to pay & outfit.  Of course, there have always been military men
who were simply that.  However, there is NOTHING about starcaptain ranks that
are intrinsically military.  Duchies, Lordships, etc. have been (and in the
few remaining monarchies, still are) purchased by material means as often as
with blood.

Furthermore, most AFFs are COMPANIES.  As such, they are presumably interested
in material gain as their primary goals.  One of the few bennies available to
repay a starcaptain who's contributing significantly to these aims is with
rank.  The bank security guard who foils a bank robbery (=warship nailing
somone on the company posted list) might get his picture in the company
newsletter and a small bonus check.  The bean counter who saves the bank
$0.0005/transaction gets lauded greatly, both with rank and material.  Most
AFFs would do well to heed the latter model.  I realize things may well be
different for certain aliens/govts/whatever.

Be seeing you,

------------------------------

From: btb4@Lehigh.EDU (B T Braun)
Date: Fri, 05 May 1995 13:26:33 EDT
Subject: Re: BSE: Promotion Qualifications

Mike,

Yeah, but what about a simple activity log like "TU"s.  There would be no need
to add much programming at all.  In fact, the basic code for keeping track
of this stuff is already part of the system.  That, of course, assumes that
the code is reasonably structured and has tracking routines that can be passed
different variables.

Be seeing you,

------------------------------

From: "Scragg" <scragg@infi.net>
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 13:14:48 +0000
Subject: Re: BSE: Fleet turns

>Thad/Pete,
>    What is the status of fleet turns?
>John

Just my two cents. I hope they never bring them back.
The reason ABM came out with huge ships in the first place
was to get rid of fleet turns.

Joe

------------------------------

From: btb4@Lehigh.EDU (B T Braun)
Date: Fri, 05 May 1995 13:32:31 EDT
Subject: Re: BSE: New Rules

Mike,

My point is that we already have 6 feasability studies done for us.  Look in
the research chapter in the new rules.  At the end there's a section titled
something like "Some Items."  The relationship IS linear, I think with r=.95
or something.  In fact, the class 2 general project requires only 2K points,
the class 2 elctronics 9.7K.  The sample is relatively small, and we don't
know yet how well it's representative, but my original post began with something
like "If I read the rules right...."  At the moment, all we have is what's in
the rules, and some of what's in the rules worries me.

Be seeing you,

------------------------------

From: "Scragg" <scragg@infi.net>
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 13:31:29 +0000
Subject: Re: BSE: New Rules (For RTG)

If creeping damage is back you might want to think about a way
(an action that cost TUs) to avoid the damage while you make
your way back to a repair facility.

Hey, maybe a USE for repairbots again!

------------------------------

From: jstanton@qualcomm.com (John Stanton)
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 10:40:03 -0700
Subject: BSE: Re: Morale question

>Stellars are history as morale producers. Also, the max bonus in drugs and
>the manufactured goods/other categories is 40.
>
>Thad
>
Thad,
    Thanks for the info. Does colony class still add to morale? And does
extra food still add to extra morale?

Thanks again,
John

------------------------------

End of BSE Digest V195 #170
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