I'm a little unclear on who can use computers. The computer skill includes the Manipulating Programs subskill, which is used to run, change, or delete a program. What exactly is involved in running a program? The example on page 46 has a business owner, Slingshot Simmons, buying a computer to keep track of his finances, using Analysis 2, Commerce 2, and Information Storage 1. Does Simmons need a computer specialist to run these programs with Manipulating Programs as an initial setup, or can he just buy the computer and use it? Most programs seem to be programs that always run continuously; does "running" a program mean starting it?<div><br /></div><div>While we're on the subject of computers, what does it take, if it's at all possible, to get a computer to respond in natural language? Not sentience, just language. For instance, would a high-level Communication program enable the computer to verbally tell someone, "You have an incoming holophone call"? What would it take to get the computer to hold a conversation regarding its functions? ("Open the pod bay doors, Hal." "I'm sorry Dave; I'm afraid I can't do that.")</div>
- Log in to post comments