This is a followup to where the "Minor Boskonian War Bit" (seen here) thread ended up, conducted in email between the 4 persons in question. There's more after this, but it diverges from the original point, and isn't finished.

I picked up the new edition of GURPS Ultra-Tech this week, and, inspired by a series of posts that Phil Masters made about using it in Transhuman Space, I thought I'd do something similar for the IST world. Why not?
Unlike my previous bits of content, however, I am moving the timeline forward beyond what was presented in GURPS IST, and possibly even beyond the extended timeline that Bob's posted on his site. Needless to say, all of these speculations are subject to revision.
Chapter One: Ultra-Technology
Ages of Technology/Tech Level: By the early 21st century, the IST world is pretty firmly in TL9^, heading for TL 10^, which it will probably achieve in the early 2030s. It is actually already TL10^ in the area of beam weaponry. That said, much of the world gets by with TL8 or even TL7 gear, because of ...
Gadget Control: Generally, any TL9 or higher item should cost about 2.5 times its list price. In general, this extra cost represents "taxes, liability costs, and other measures". The powers that be will want to keep track of advanced technology, particularly in a world where it is disturbingly common for people to put on costumes and declare themselves the rightful rulers of the world, outfitting armies of minions to do so.
As for heroes: While the DMI (or similar organizations) probably won't help affiliated super-groups with the cost of advanced equipment, they can often smooth out the paperwork involved, or arrange contacts with the manufacturers. Of course, this will represent a favor owed them.
Buying Equipment: TRADE represents the largest "black market" for advanced technology.

...who signed me up for a subscription to Rolling Stone: am I going to be getting a bill for it?

-- Bob
---------
The Internet Is For Norns.

Bob, I've just noticed that the links to the forums from the main and DW pages still point to p087 instead of p202.
I noticed as I didn't get redirected just now.

Seen on The Inquirer: Joust the Movie. (A floating Las Vegas? WTF?)
I still say it's only a matter of time until we see "Pong the Movie"...

-Rob Kelk
"Read Or Die: not so much a title as a way of life." - Justin Palmer, 6 June 2007
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

Seen on The Inquirer: Chinese police animes (sic) to patrol web screens
Following the link in that article to the AP article gives more details and an image of the characters. They're cute, but even cute opression is evil, IMHO.

-Rob Kelk
"Read Or Die: not so much a title as a way of life." - Justin Palmer, 6 June 2007
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

According to The Inquirer, Son'y put a rootkit on their secure USB memory sticks.
You'd think they would have learned by now... Ah, well - they don't make anything I can't get from somebody else, anyway. Except for the Wii (Edit: PS3, not Wii), and I'm not really a console gamer, so I don't care. "Fool me once...", and all that.

-Rob Kelk
"Read Or Die: not so much a title as a way of life." - Justin Palmer, 6 June 2007
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

Seeing as how this weekend is Labour Day - in North America anyway - is anyone up for any TF's this weekend?
I just got a new computer so I will be able to get into Grandville now :-) States TF is now a possibility for me! Wheeee!
So, HLW available for States TF or Lady Gray on Virtue, or other TFs on Infinity and Justice on Sunday and/or Monday
Anyone else?

Hey, Bob, even though EZBoard still redirects, you might want to change the link on your main page so it points to "P202" rather than "P87."
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''

-- James Nicoll

For Bob:
1. When would Doug's likely entry into the ST be? Given that the franchise now spans 3 cities, he easily drop in on Paris or New York as well as Tokyo.
2. What's the technological impact of Doug's arrival going to be? From what I can oberved based on anime and manga. their electronics is comparable to our 1930's (vacuum tubes?). Whether or not the transistor or diode has been developed yet is the question.
__________________
Into terror!,  Into valour!
Charge ahead! No! Never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn!
- Scarlett Pimpernell