Sandy Browne, Wed June 1st 2011 11:50pm
Newsletter - June 2011
=EDITOR'S NOTES=
Welcome to the June 2011 issue of the FNN Newsletter. The features included are:
IN THE SPOTLIGHT - The first of a series of interviews focusing on each of the Fleet's simulations, this month the USS Cambrian.
TRIVIA QUESTIONS - How well do you really know your Trek?
ARTICLE - How many computers does a starship need?
BOOK REVIEW - Doctor's Orders by Diane Duane
SPECIAL - Every month this section will bring you a link to a comics, a video, an article or a website. To start with a bang, we give you a missing scene from Star Trek 2009!
Your comments and suggestions are welcome at
fnn.sixth-fleet.com
RAdm. Nathalie Chapman
Adm. Kreg Asay
Co-Editors, FNN
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=IN THE SPOTLIGHT=
Interview conducted for FNN by Nathalie Chapman
Part of our interviews will put Sixth Fleet simulations in the spotlight so we get the insider’s view on what they are about. Today we give you the USS Cambrian, a simulation created in 1999 in Tango Fleet and later went on Sixth Fleet, through the words of GM Padraick Dornbush, also known as Paddy, aka Captain Sarah Hawkins.
Nathalie: I can’t fail to start with a reminder that Paddy Dornbush got promoted to the rank of Captain and was confirmed as full CO of the USS Cambrian on the 5th Fleet Anniversary, last April 30. Congratulations, Captain! *smile* Were you expecting it?
Paddy: Honestly, no, I was not expecting it. My focus was on trying to maintain a fun game for all parties involved without it getting too bogged down.
Nathalie: Paddy, before we get to the USS Cambrian, would you like to tell me a bit about yourself?
Paddy: I’m currently a recent graduate in a Master’s program in Biological Sciences, and am currently on the hunt for a job. I have been simming for about seven years or so. I’ve enjoyed writing stories though since I was about five years old, and have loved Star Trek since I was eight after watching Star Trek IV.
Nathalie: What were the highlights of your simming history - before you were given command of the USS Cambrian?
Paddy: The only highlight that comes to mind is developing my current character on the Hyperion, Commander Raven-Kiera Adams from being nearly Vulcan to embracing her more emotional and wild Deltan side, along with dealing with the fact that upon her marriage that she was also made into a mother.
Nathalie: The USS Cambrian has one of the longest histories in the Fleet. It went through several incarnations as a ship and several GMs. In Sixth Fleet only, it was brought in and led by our founder and first CinC, Carter Schimpff followed by Sam Jones who was our third CinC! I just have to ask... do you have any plans to run in the upcoming elections?
Paddy: No, I don’t have any plans to run in the upcoming elections. I would prefer to adjust to the fact that I’m now confirmed as the Cambrian’s CO, and dealing with the real life situations as they are presenting themselves.
Nathalie: On to the USS Cambrian. How would you present its current gameverse? Are there any special features to it?
Paddy: Currently, the Cambrian, along with the USS Oberon, is exploring the Hurucan Sector on near Romulan space. This sector is remote and it would take a few weeks for a ship to reach the core systems of the Federation at high warp. Also, in the sector is the Storm Nebula, which also spills into the nearby Toronado sector. The ship is on the forefront of exploration in this region, during a tumultuous time as Romulus has just been destroyed by the Hobus Supernova.
Nathalie: The Cambrian is a Nebula class equipped with an additional pod. What is your take on it.. Tactical pod, sensor pod, other?
Paddy: It’s a combination tactical and fighter pod. It has some of the additional tactical systems that we have seen in the media, as well as provides a hangar for the two wings of Starfleet fightercraft.
Nathalie: You took over from Sam Jones as CO in 2010 after serving as her XO for a short year or so, I think. Now that the dust has settled, do you have special projects in the works for her? Some long term gameverse developments?
Paddy: There are a few ideas that I have been toying around with over the past few weeks, such as the creation of a story arc that would tie a few missions together. The area of space she is currently in is largely unexplored, so who knows what’s out there. Also, since there is another SIM in the same region of space, I look forward to collaborating with the Oberon to really have some interesting missions.
Nathalie: Thank you for your time. We'll stay tuned for news of the USS Cambrian!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=TRIVIA QUESTIONS=
Trivia is composed of 5 questions. Everyone is invited to send their answers to the Editors, and those who get the most correct will be mentioned in the next issue (along with the answers)!
1. Who steps down from charge of the Enterprise sickbay in favour of McCoy in The Motion Picture?
2. In the Deep Space Nine episode Rivals, O'Brien and Bashir square up to one another by playing which game?
3. What was Data's cat spot turned into in The Next Generation episode Genesis?
4. What was one of Jean-Luc Picard's hobbies as a boy?
5. What does 'Uhuru' mean in Swahili?
Submit your answers by emailing the editors at:
fnn@sixth-fleet.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=ARTICLE=
How many computers does a Starship Need!
submitted by Kreg Asay, Head of the Department of Creative Resources
It has been referenced Star Trek TNG that the Galaxy Class has 3 computer cores of roughly 10 stories in height, the largest mobile computer system in the UFP! Well that's all well and good, but exactly what does each core do - I mean besides store vast quantities of information? Would the 2nd computer be a mirror of the first, and then the third a mirror of the second? Basically a redundant backup system?
Well, that is one possibility... However I believe that to be a rather large waste of space and resources. I believe that the primary and secondary cores are used for the 'day-to-day' functioning of the ship. The "Primary Core" is just that - the main computer system I.E. the one that runs the ship. It maintains life support, keeps the magnetic restraints on the warp core and plasma conduits, navigation, sensors, opens the doors, runs the turbolifts, transporters, communications, etc... Everything that you normally 'do' on the ship uses the Primary Computer Core.
The Secondary core, holds an emergency backup of the main operating systems, but only for the 'vital' things that keep the ship working - life support, magnetic restrictions, navigation, sensors, communications, etc... Just the elements that are essential to keeping the ship running. It's 'main' use is for crew use I.E. storing personal logs, correspondence, holodeck programs, replicator patterns, etc...
The third serves as an emergency backup for both of the other cores in a heavily shielded and compressed format, so that it can be 'unzipped' (to use a term from today), and re-installed on the appropriate core in case the original is damaged, or lost. It may, or may not be smaller than the other two.
That may work fine for the Galaxy Class, but what about all the other ships out there? Do they also have 3 cores? Well, in short the answer is yes - as long as they were built around the same time or later than the Galaxy Class. But the size and capacity of the cores is dependent on the size of the class of course. You can't expect an Intrepid to have 3 cores of 10 stories each considering the ship only has 15 decks to start with!
As a general guideline for ships built around the same era as the Galaxy Class, the computer cores would be equivalent to approximately 1/4 of the overall height. Thus if a ship has 40 decks, the computer would be 10 decks high. For ships built before the Galaxy Class the cores would be slightly smaller - about 1/5th. Each generation of computers backwards would reduce the size slightly back to the 2200's when the computer occupied a mere 2 decks (one for the control room, and one for the memory banks), on a Constitution Class vessel (21 decks) 1/10th of the overall size. For each generation of computers forwards the size could be reduced by 1/5th due to the improved technology.
For "TNG Era" ships, the role of the trio of computers remain the same. Ships of the "TOS: Movie Era" would likely only have 2 cores - the secondary being a backup of the primary. For TOS era ships there is only one core, with a limited memory backup - if it goes out you better hope you're close to a starbase, or that you have some miracle Engineers like Scotty on board!
According to various Tech. Guides, the location of the cores vary by ship, but generally if the ship has a 'saucer', there would be 2 cores there and the tertiary core in the primary hull. Actually I find that to be unlikely - for instance, if the Galaxy Class goes to battle and separates it's saucer section, there goes the primary and secondary computers. The primary (I.E. Engineering Hull) would have to run off the tertiary core! While that is possible of course, for ships that separate I think it's more likely that the primary core is in the Saucer, the Secondary core in the Engineering Hull, and the tertiary core somewhere between as the backup. Ships like the Prometheus are quite likely to have 4 cores - one for each 'Vector', and a backup - the "Quaternary core."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=BOOK REVIEWS=
TOS #50 - Doctor's Orders by Diane Duane
(reviewed by Kreg Asay)
Description from cover:
When Dr. McCoy grumbles once too often about the way the U.S.S. Enterprise ought to be run, Captain Kirk decides to leave the doctor in command while he oversees a rountine diplomatic mission. Kirk beams down to a strange planet nicknamed "Flyspeck" to negotiate its admission into the Federation, leaving Dr. McCoy to enjoy his new authority.
However, the doctor soon learns that command is a double-edged sword when Kirk disappears without a trace. Desperately trying to locate his captain, McCoy comes under pressure from Starfleet to resolve the situation immediately. Matters go from bad to worsewhen the Klingons arrive and stake their own claim on Flyspeck
Then another, more deadly power threatens them all, and suddenly Dr. McCoy and the Starship Enterprise find themselves pitted against an alien ship in a battle they have no hope of winning.
==== Review =======
Kirk leaves McCoy in command of the Enterprise before beaming down to be briefed by Spock. Normally Scotty, Sulu or one of the others would be left in command, but since this was supposed to be a routine science/diplomatic mission, in an area of space that was somewhat isolated and forgotten; Kirk figured it was safe to give McCoy a chance to see what command is like as payback for his frequent grumbling about 'command decisions'.
Just the thought of "Captain Bones" brings a smirk, and there were several nice comic moments in the story, in particular when dealing with the Klingon Captain. When they asked about where the legendary Kirk was, McCoy just hinted that he had taken over command - which gave him more respect from the Klingons.
Characterizations were fairly good, a few slight slips but nothing too serious. The creatures of "flyspeck" were a rather odd bunch also including massive sentient stone blocks, trees and amoebic 'blobs' that work together to build structures. There have been weirder creatures in other books, so these weren't beyond the realm of imagination.
One of the key elements of the story proved to be a major sticking point for me however. When Spock returned and McCoy tried to turn command over to him, Spock indicated that it was not possible since Kirk left him in command, only Kirk could therefore 'relieve' him of that command. That goes against logic, and likely several other regulations - Kirk left McCoy in command supposedly for one shift, in a non-emergency. Once a real emergency was declared, or the first officer returned then by all rights Spock would have been in command! McCoy could have even given command to Scotty or Sulu since both have more command experience. Leaving a non-command officer as Captain in an emergency only endangers the ship and crew.
While overall the story was decent, that one point kept nagging at me. I give it 3 out of 5 torpedoes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=SPECIAL=
Star Trek 2009 nearly featured Captain James T. Kirk. In this article TrekMovie.com releases the complete "Alternate Scene B" that never was. Do you think it would have made a great addition, or was it just "pandering to the fans"? Read for yourself, and take the poll! (The scene is at the bottom).
http://trekmovie.com/2011/05/01/bob-orci-shatner-scene-not-included-in-star-trek-2009-because-of-fan-pandering-poll-was-it/
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=EPILOGUE=
We hope you enjoy this issue. To submit articles, or suggestions for articles please contact the Editors at: fnn@sixth-fleet.com
Happy Simming!
-FNN Editors
Welcome to the June 2011 issue of the FNN Newsletter. The features included are:
IN THE SPOTLIGHT - The first of a series of interviews focusing on each of the Fleet's simulations, this month the USS Cambrian.
TRIVIA QUESTIONS - How well do you really know your Trek?
ARTICLE - How many computers does a starship need?
BOOK REVIEW - Doctor's Orders by Diane Duane
SPECIAL - Every month this section will bring you a link to a comics, a video, an article or a website. To start with a bang, we give you a missing scene from Star Trek 2009!
Your comments and suggestions are welcome at
fnn.sixth-fleet.com
RAdm. Nathalie Chapman
Adm. Kreg Asay
Co-Editors, FNN
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=IN THE SPOTLIGHT=
Interview conducted for FNN by Nathalie Chapman
Part of our interviews will put Sixth Fleet simulations in the spotlight so we get the insider’s view on what they are about. Today we give you the USS Cambrian, a simulation created in 1999 in Tango Fleet and later went on Sixth Fleet, through the words of GM Padraick Dornbush, also known as Paddy, aka Captain Sarah Hawkins.
Nathalie: I can’t fail to start with a reminder that Paddy Dornbush got promoted to the rank of Captain and was confirmed as full CO of the USS Cambrian on the 5th Fleet Anniversary, last April 30. Congratulations, Captain! *smile* Were you expecting it?
Paddy: Honestly, no, I was not expecting it. My focus was on trying to maintain a fun game for all parties involved without it getting too bogged down.
Nathalie: Paddy, before we get to the USS Cambrian, would you like to tell me a bit about yourself?
Paddy: I’m currently a recent graduate in a Master’s program in Biological Sciences, and am currently on the hunt for a job. I have been simming for about seven years or so. I’ve enjoyed writing stories though since I was about five years old, and have loved Star Trek since I was eight after watching Star Trek IV.
Nathalie: What were the highlights of your simming history - before you were given command of the USS Cambrian?
Paddy: The only highlight that comes to mind is developing my current character on the Hyperion, Commander Raven-Kiera Adams from being nearly Vulcan to embracing her more emotional and wild Deltan side, along with dealing with the fact that upon her marriage that she was also made into a mother.
Nathalie: The USS Cambrian has one of the longest histories in the Fleet. It went through several incarnations as a ship and several GMs. In Sixth Fleet only, it was brought in and led by our founder and first CinC, Carter Schimpff followed by Sam Jones who was our third CinC! I just have to ask... do you have any plans to run in the upcoming elections?
Paddy: No, I don’t have any plans to run in the upcoming elections. I would prefer to adjust to the fact that I’m now confirmed as the Cambrian’s CO, and dealing with the real life situations as they are presenting themselves.
Nathalie: On to the USS Cambrian. How would you present its current gameverse? Are there any special features to it?
Paddy: Currently, the Cambrian, along with the USS Oberon, is exploring the Hurucan Sector on near Romulan space. This sector is remote and it would take a few weeks for a ship to reach the core systems of the Federation at high warp. Also, in the sector is the Storm Nebula, which also spills into the nearby Toronado sector. The ship is on the forefront of exploration in this region, during a tumultuous time as Romulus has just been destroyed by the Hobus Supernova.
Nathalie: The Cambrian is a Nebula class equipped with an additional pod. What is your take on it.. Tactical pod, sensor pod, other?
Paddy: It’s a combination tactical and fighter pod. It has some of the additional tactical systems that we have seen in the media, as well as provides a hangar for the two wings of Starfleet fightercraft.
Nathalie: You took over from Sam Jones as CO in 2010 after serving as her XO for a short year or so, I think. Now that the dust has settled, do you have special projects in the works for her? Some long term gameverse developments?
Paddy: There are a few ideas that I have been toying around with over the past few weeks, such as the creation of a story arc that would tie a few missions together. The area of space she is currently in is largely unexplored, so who knows what’s out there. Also, since there is another SIM in the same region of space, I look forward to collaborating with the Oberon to really have some interesting missions.
Nathalie: Thank you for your time. We'll stay tuned for news of the USS Cambrian!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=TRIVIA QUESTIONS=
Trivia is composed of 5 questions. Everyone is invited to send their answers to the Editors, and those who get the most correct will be mentioned in the next issue (along with the answers)!
1. Who steps down from charge of the Enterprise sickbay in favour of McCoy in The Motion Picture?
2. In the Deep Space Nine episode Rivals, O'Brien and Bashir square up to one another by playing which game?
3. What was Data's cat spot turned into in The Next Generation episode Genesis?
4. What was one of Jean-Luc Picard's hobbies as a boy?
5. What does 'Uhuru' mean in Swahili?
Submit your answers by emailing the editors at:
fnn@sixth-fleet.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=ARTICLE=
How many computers does a Starship Need!
submitted by Kreg Asay, Head of the Department of Creative Resources
It has been referenced Star Trek TNG that the Galaxy Class has 3 computer cores of roughly 10 stories in height, the largest mobile computer system in the UFP! Well that's all well and good, but exactly what does each core do - I mean besides store vast quantities of information? Would the 2nd computer be a mirror of the first, and then the third a mirror of the second? Basically a redundant backup system?
Well, that is one possibility... However I believe that to be a rather large waste of space and resources. I believe that the primary and secondary cores are used for the 'day-to-day' functioning of the ship. The "Primary Core" is just that - the main computer system I.E. the one that runs the ship. It maintains life support, keeps the magnetic restraints on the warp core and plasma conduits, navigation, sensors, opens the doors, runs the turbolifts, transporters, communications, etc... Everything that you normally 'do' on the ship uses the Primary Computer Core.
The Secondary core, holds an emergency backup of the main operating systems, but only for the 'vital' things that keep the ship working - life support, magnetic restrictions, navigation, sensors, communications, etc... Just the elements that are essential to keeping the ship running. It's 'main' use is for crew use I.E. storing personal logs, correspondence, holodeck programs, replicator patterns, etc...
The third serves as an emergency backup for both of the other cores in a heavily shielded and compressed format, so that it can be 'unzipped' (to use a term from today), and re-installed on the appropriate core in case the original is damaged, or lost. It may, or may not be smaller than the other two.
That may work fine for the Galaxy Class, but what about all the other ships out there? Do they also have 3 cores? Well, in short the answer is yes - as long as they were built around the same time or later than the Galaxy Class. But the size and capacity of the cores is dependent on the size of the class of course. You can't expect an Intrepid to have 3 cores of 10 stories each considering the ship only has 15 decks to start with!
As a general guideline for ships built around the same era as the Galaxy Class, the computer cores would be equivalent to approximately 1/4 of the overall height. Thus if a ship has 40 decks, the computer would be 10 decks high. For ships built before the Galaxy Class the cores would be slightly smaller - about 1/5th. Each generation of computers backwards would reduce the size slightly back to the 2200's when the computer occupied a mere 2 decks (one for the control room, and one for the memory banks), on a Constitution Class vessel (21 decks) 1/10th of the overall size. For each generation of computers forwards the size could be reduced by 1/5th due to the improved technology.
For "TNG Era" ships, the role of the trio of computers remain the same. Ships of the "TOS: Movie Era" would likely only have 2 cores - the secondary being a backup of the primary. For TOS era ships there is only one core, with a limited memory backup - if it goes out you better hope you're close to a starbase, or that you have some miracle Engineers like Scotty on board!
According to various Tech. Guides, the location of the cores vary by ship, but generally if the ship has a 'saucer', there would be 2 cores there and the tertiary core in the primary hull. Actually I find that to be unlikely - for instance, if the Galaxy Class goes to battle and separates it's saucer section, there goes the primary and secondary computers. The primary (I.E. Engineering Hull) would have to run off the tertiary core! While that is possible of course, for ships that separate I think it's more likely that the primary core is in the Saucer, the Secondary core in the Engineering Hull, and the tertiary core somewhere between as the backup. Ships like the Prometheus are quite likely to have 4 cores - one for each 'Vector', and a backup - the "Quaternary core."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=BOOK REVIEWS=
TOS #50 - Doctor's Orders by Diane Duane
(reviewed by Kreg Asay)
Description from cover:
When Dr. McCoy grumbles once too often about the way the U.S.S. Enterprise ought to be run, Captain Kirk decides to leave the doctor in command while he oversees a rountine diplomatic mission. Kirk beams down to a strange planet nicknamed "Flyspeck" to negotiate its admission into the Federation, leaving Dr. McCoy to enjoy his new authority.
However, the doctor soon learns that command is a double-edged sword when Kirk disappears without a trace. Desperately trying to locate his captain, McCoy comes under pressure from Starfleet to resolve the situation immediately. Matters go from bad to worsewhen the Klingons arrive and stake their own claim on Flyspeck
Then another, more deadly power threatens them all, and suddenly Dr. McCoy and the Starship Enterprise find themselves pitted against an alien ship in a battle they have no hope of winning.
==== Review =======
Kirk leaves McCoy in command of the Enterprise before beaming down to be briefed by Spock. Normally Scotty, Sulu or one of the others would be left in command, but since this was supposed to be a routine science/diplomatic mission, in an area of space that was somewhat isolated and forgotten; Kirk figured it was safe to give McCoy a chance to see what command is like as payback for his frequent grumbling about 'command decisions'.
Just the thought of "Captain Bones" brings a smirk, and there were several nice comic moments in the story, in particular when dealing with the Klingon Captain. When they asked about where the legendary Kirk was, McCoy just hinted that he had taken over command - which gave him more respect from the Klingons.
Characterizations were fairly good, a few slight slips but nothing too serious. The creatures of "flyspeck" were a rather odd bunch also including massive sentient stone blocks, trees and amoebic 'blobs' that work together to build structures. There have been weirder creatures in other books, so these weren't beyond the realm of imagination.
One of the key elements of the story proved to be a major sticking point for me however. When Spock returned and McCoy tried to turn command over to him, Spock indicated that it was not possible since Kirk left him in command, only Kirk could therefore 'relieve' him of that command. That goes against logic, and likely several other regulations - Kirk left McCoy in command supposedly for one shift, in a non-emergency. Once a real emergency was declared, or the first officer returned then by all rights Spock would have been in command! McCoy could have even given command to Scotty or Sulu since both have more command experience. Leaving a non-command officer as Captain in an emergency only endangers the ship and crew.
While overall the story was decent, that one point kept nagging at me. I give it 3 out of 5 torpedoes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=SPECIAL=
Star Trek 2009 nearly featured Captain James T. Kirk. In this article TrekMovie.com releases the complete "Alternate Scene B" that never was. Do you think it would have made a great addition, or was it just "pandering to the fans"? Read for yourself, and take the poll! (The scene is at the bottom).
http://trekmovie.com/2011/05/01/bob-orci-shatner-scene-not-included-in-star-trek-2009-because-of-fan-pandering-poll-was-it/
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=EPILOGUE=
We hope you enjoy this issue. To submit articles, or suggestions for articles please contact the Editors at: fnn@sixth-fleet.com
Happy Simming!
-FNN Editors
