NTNet brainstorming, and possible PDA conversion/merger?

[kevinz000]

Last attempt was a failure. Let's try this again
Does anyone have ideas for things that can be put on modular computers, and does anyone have any ideas on things that would make sense to be on a computer network?

Also, would it be neat to merge pdas and tablets? This is all assuming tablets get all the functions of pdas built in.

Current plans:
Mulebot automatic material delivery controlled by ntnet service.

[Dax Dupont]

Also, would it be neat to merge pdas and tablets? This is all assuming tablets get all the functions of pdas built in.

This has been my dream for a while tbh. Especially if PDA messaging gets added /with photos/. I'd also want the ability to send text files like emails/papers.

[Selea]

1.about modular consoles.
1.1.Delete all the fucking snowflake consoles.Put all their functions to modular consoles.Just with different programs.
1.2.In best case to reimplement NTSL ,but with ability to make interface.To allow to write ingame all needed programs. From cloner to shuttle caller.
2.About NTnet.
2.1.Introduce servers. Put there all technical communications like queries for medical data or athsmos stats.
2.2.Put there PDA data transfer.
2.3.put NTnet interfaces to all the machines. To allow remote control of microwave for example.Or smartfridge. So, internet of things.

I am trying to implement 2.1,2.3.

[letshavecake]

Just steal ideas from goon, like their wired networks and infrastructure. Fun things flow naturally from a good sandbox system

And if everything on the station is going to end up hooked up to the internet, and therefore remotely hackable, it might be neat to revisit that cyberspace idea from years back

[Togopal]

I dont think that forcing people to switch to tablet is a good idea. It makes no sense that the best messaging system in the future would be a bulky ass tablet. Maybe make it a roundstart preference like we have with back storage gear

[Selea]

By the way, I think, that maybe mulebots not the best idea after all.
Nobody uses dest taggers. Maybe we should make special machine-postal port.And link it to disposal system and request consoles.So this machine will manage transfer things via disposal net.

[leibniz]

Just steal ideas from goon, like their wired networks and infrastructure. Fun things flow naturally from a good sandbox system

[Anonmare]

Could go for a mixture of wired and wireless infrastructure. Departments have data cables that wire up to their machinery/consoles to one another and to a departmental server room that connects to the NTNet Relay which manages the wireless side of things. Tablets use the access levels of the ID inserted into them which uses the wireless network to authenticate the tablet to use the departmental networks, allowing you to remotely access those consoles and machines from outside the department.
Not perfectly of course, some machines require manual authentication.

Think of the wired network as LANs and the wireless as the WAN

[kevinz000]

By the way, I think, that maybe mulebots not the best idea after all.
Nobody uses dest taggers. Maybe we should make special machine-postal port.And link it to disposal system and request consoles.So this machine will manage transfer things via disposal net.

not going to bother with dest taggers, the mulebot system is solely for request console/otherwise integration.

[kevinz000]

Could go for a mixture of wired and wireless infrastructure. Departments have data cables that wire up to their machinery/consoles to one another and to a departmental server room that connects to the NTNet Relay which manages the wireless side of things. Tablets use the access levels of the ID inserted into them which uses the wireless network to authenticate the tablet to use the departmental networks, allowing you to remotely access those consoles and machines from outside the department.
Not perfectly of course, some machines require manual authentication.

Think of the wired network as LANs and the wireless as the WAN

right now we only have code for the station having a single wireless NTnet thing. there's also """wired""" NTNet cards that are honestly not simulated at all and their logic is "if this machine is anchored it can accept this card and therefore it's able to access the network no matter what". if we go a wired route there'd have to be some code integration with powernets/whatnot to be able to have ntnet wired relays on them.

[kevinz000]

I dont think that forcing people to switch to tablet is a good idea. It makes no sense that the best messaging system in the future would be a bulky ass tablet. Maybe make it a roundstart preference like we have with back storage gear

the issue is if pdas are kept and tablets are an option pdas will be a straight downgrade from tablets as they by default will not be able to use any ntnet functions other than just sending messages. it's one or the other by default, not both.

[SpaceManiac]

My main problem with the current state is that neither PDAs nor tablets are the clear winner. PDAs can hold pens, send messages on a system people actually read, are pre-programmed (cartridges) with the functionality relevant/available to your job, have more functionality, and have a faster UI. Tablets have a prettier but slower UI and ask you to wait to download programs, have a lot of useless programs/none of the functionality PDAs do, have batteries which can only be easily recharged via security-only rechargers (not sure if removing the cell to use with cell chargers - which are themselves in short supply outside engsci - is even possible), but inexplicably have certain must-have programs (supermatter monitoring, AI integrity restorer).

Wired computers should either be magic or use the powernet, there's no sense in making mappers do even more drudge piping work when there's already supply/scrubbers/power/disposals, unless that work was very small. There is precedent, the solar control computer sends control signals over the powernet. I like the idea of departmental LANs but worry about it for this reason and for taking up yet another tile in each department with a new machine (protolathes were trouble for weeks).

I don't think porting all computers to modular computers is a good idea. Enforced scarcity of circuit boards is a big part of why certain computers are allowed to be as useful as they are.

[kevinz000]

Enforced scarcity of circuit boards is a big part of why certain computers are allowed to be as useful as they are.

basically this yeah @selea.
things like comms consoles and uploads will probably never be separated
however less "game changing" consoles have possibilities of it.
maybe if we designed read-only no-copy disks that have programs on them?

[Anonmare]

On SOMA, you had to slot the multitool into consoles to download security codes. Why not give each department a console you can slot the tablet in to download the job-specific programs?

[Cobby]

remove both and elevate pAIs to the supreme beings

[letshavecake]

remove both and elevate pAIs to the supreme beings

Or just work pAIs into modular computers, either letting them act as a sentient tablet or adding a pAI/AI slot module that can be installed on computers
I think years of begging has proven that nobody with the power really wants to buff pAIs by themselves, they need to be tricked into doing it through something else

[kevinz000]

remove both and elevate pAIs to the supreme beings

Or just work pAIs into modular computers, either letting them act as a sentient tablet or adding a pAI/AI slot module that can be installed on computers
I think years of begging has proven that nobody with the power really wants to buff pAIs by themselves, they need to be tricked into doing it through something else

lol the last time i buffed pais i went way overboard due to bugs that made them nearly invulnerable ventcrawl full speed and all access and could drag lmao!

[SpaceInaba]

REMOTE RESEAAAARCH

[JStheguy]

Here's an idea.
Make the tablets that certain crew already get by default start with programs relevant to that crew member's role already installed instead of making them have to wait three centuries to download it all over spess dial-up.
Congratulations, you have improved tablets by a factor of ten thousand.

[Selea]

and make download faster.