Kyonshi
2024-12-07 16:53:31 UTC
When trying to find interesting scenarios to prep for Traveller I came
across this Library Data:
Xnet: An informal, rather loose association of regular topics discussed
by Scouts, members of the Imperial Postal Administration, computer and
communications enthusiasts which are grouped into literally billions of
different “headers,” based on topic. Each header can be thought of as a
sort of chain letter, which gathers comments and branches out into other
headers as the mail packet proceeds to each subsequent destination. This
practice can trace its roots to the “Usenet” communication network that
still exists on Terra, as well as Usenet’s lesser imitators on other
worlds, as well as the ultimate evolution of the peer–to–peer commentary
network, better–known great FlameNet that exists within the planetary
datasphere on Core.
This is from The Starchild scenario in Signs and Portents 58 which is
also in the MgT Compendium 1, so according to Traveller canon Usenet
still exists in the 57th ct.
Note 1: I do actually think interstellar communication in Traveller
needs something like a Usenet-like forum, as the core setting conceit is
that FTL communication only can happen by messages being taken along in
ships jumping their 1-6parsec/week jumps.
Note 2: Signs and Portents was Mongoose's free ezine which they used to
support their game systems. Note the WAS. Where I downloaded all of them
for free from their website in the 2010s by now they sell them for 4
bucks on drivethrurpg.
across this Library Data:
Xnet: An informal, rather loose association of regular topics discussed
by Scouts, members of the Imperial Postal Administration, computer and
communications enthusiasts which are grouped into literally billions of
different “headers,” based on topic. Each header can be thought of as a
sort of chain letter, which gathers comments and branches out into other
headers as the mail packet proceeds to each subsequent destination. This
practice can trace its roots to the “Usenet” communication network that
still exists on Terra, as well as Usenet’s lesser imitators on other
worlds, as well as the ultimate evolution of the peer–to–peer commentary
network, better–known great FlameNet that exists within the planetary
datasphere on Core.
This is from The Starchild scenario in Signs and Portents 58 which is
also in the MgT Compendium 1, so according to Traveller canon Usenet
still exists in the 57th ct.
Note 1: I do actually think interstellar communication in Traveller
needs something like a Usenet-like forum, as the core setting conceit is
that FTL communication only can happen by messages being taken along in
ships jumping their 1-6parsec/week jumps.
Note 2: Signs and Portents was Mongoose's free ezine which they used to
support their game systems. Note the WAS. Where I downloaded all of them
for free from their website in the 2010s by now they sell them for 4
bucks on drivethrurpg.