Re: AI's in full thrust

>Military systems are always larger than civil models, more robust too.
>Sure the actual processor is pretty damn small, but what about all of
the
>io. Moderd Super Computers are still big because of the need for the io
>systems. 

Actually modern supercomputers are so big because of the cooling systems
and as the excess heat can be radiated to the very useful and convenient
sinkhole of deep space. Combat within a few AUs of a star would require
steps to ensure cooling fins being used are those in the ships shadow or
you are likely to find your AI is now a lump of useless slag (well if
you're lucky it may have a use - armour , kinetic ammunition, or
reaction
mass!).

Actually this introduces the ideas of deep space patrol craft which
would
be highly automated and carry much higher numbers of batteries of higher
output but would be very limited in inner system combat as they couln't
get
rid of excess heat quickly enough. Inner system defence and planetary
assault ships OTOH have larger refrigeration systems to cool down the
weapons and AIs. The AIs would be smaller and less sophisticated to
reduce
heat generation and thus require larger human (or KV or any other race
for
that matter) crews who require support facilities such as quarters,
galley,
supplies, heads and the like further reducing system capacity.
This could be simulated by requiring all systems to have an equal mass
of
support/ cooling present if they are to be used in inner systems. If
this
is not done (e.g. if a deep space craft was to operate in the inner
system)
every time a system is used it must make a threshold check or vital
circuits are destroyed by excessive heat build up. Drives can be
operated
only up to half normal ratings without making checks ( FTL drives will
automatically fail threshold checks in inner systems before transfer can
be
achieved)

Craig

B day minus 5