Holographic Technology Question

[Jedi Skyler]

This is all about INPUT speed. I have run characters with a similar device a couple times, but I haven't had to go into such detail on this issue before; Alanossiel and I are PMing about it. Up until now, I'd had a generic kind of vision for it in my head, including input that was normally done directly through a reduced kind of keyboard...a kind of shorthand, if you will, like a court stenographer's machine. However, the questions she's been asking me about it have gotten me thinking more specifically about it, and coming up with some different methods of addressing the kinds of issues that might be used by a GM to slow things down for the character.

Plus, with all the friction between Jeaubert and Louw, it would do them both good for Jeaubert to have a project to work on that would keep them out of each others' collective hair...or off their scalps.

[DougRed4]

Don't have much to add here other that - if this were in my game (and provided the player was willing to pay a lot of credits for it, as it sounds all acknowledge that it would be expensive) - I'd totally allow it. It sounds like it's mostly for the "Kewl" factor, but also to have some unique and interesting tech, and I don't see it as majorly game breaking in any way, so I'd be inclined to allowing it, to encourage player creativity and uniqueness.
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Currently Running: Villains & Vigilantes (a 32-year-old campaign with multiple groups) and D6 Star Wars; mostly on hiatus are Adventures in Middle-earth and Delta Green

[Ral_Brelt]

If you're worrying about GM monkey wrenches, they can always figure one out. Depending on how things are going your holo keyboard could have a minor glitch with the imager, adding to the DC, up to the receiver being misaligned that causes the wrong code to be typed in...say when trying to breach security at an imp base, which would trigger failsafes that lock the base down and alert sector HQ. The light spill, while not enough to provide light for you in a dark situation, would make you a blazing target for anyone hunting you in said dark. An optical band with subvocal mic or retina tracking might work better for you to be honest. Preloaded assault and defensive routines, and keep the rollout keyboard for emergencies.

[Mikael Hasselstein]

[garhkal]

[Jedi Skyler]

@ Mike:

Yes, I admire that about her as well. She is very much on top of things, and she's doing a great job running the adventure, especially stepping into an already-running game. As for the input speed, yes he does have six fingers per hand. The issue is that the bracer computer is exactly that: it's a computer that is embedded in an armored bracer that resides on his left forearm. As it stands right now, input can only be made by his right hand. So, even with six fingers, typing is slower than it would be could he use all twelve. Hence the desire for full-keyboard capability.

@garkhal:

That is why the original computer unit is embedded into an armored bracer; to protect the computer components. I figure the holographic keyboard would require the addition of a second bracer, with projectors installed, so there could be a continuous, uninterrupted projection (uninterrupted, of course, except by intended input).

[Mikael Hasselstein]

[Jedi Skyler]

It's not for him to do right this second...you're starting to sound a lot like Louw...lol

[Mikael Hasselstein]

[Jedi Skyler]

lol

I am glad you've gotten involved in the discussion. I know you've put a LOT of work into the Nav Computer, and you think things out well.

I have given Alanossiel the link for this thread so she can follow along, and so she can see the results.

[garhkal]

[vanir]

What I don't get is why a holo-keyboard? Why not have a galaxy-map of computer programs suspended via 3D-projection around your head and you reach up a hand and physically move one "planet" to another to run programs and access data?
Sort of like the projected interface Tom Cruise uses in Minority Report, just holographic instead of reflected off glass but the same kind of interface action. You physically interact with holographic icons and projection to operate the computer. Much quicker than a keyboard.

[lurker]

[garhkal]

[Jedi Skyler]