So has anyone given any thought about how these can be used in
Traveller? Over the next few years I think they'll have a noticeable
impact on our current society (they in use /now/ but are largely the
province of hobbyists and manufacturers). The limits seem to be
available material. But I wonder if various nations will impose bans on
certain items. Here in the US, at least one guy has already made a gun
(I think it was a functioning replica of an AR-15 but I could be wrong).
Is it possible that there will be protocols programmed in to prevent the
manufacture of firearms?
I'm thinking that there will be different sizes available. Ships could
carry around desktop-sized ones that will be limited to small parts.
Machine shop varieties will be able to make larger parts. Will the
manufacturers of the devices be the same ones that make starship parts?
If so, will the machines be programmed to prohibit those designs to
force starships to buy directly from the manufacturer or a licensed
retailer?
Or is this how B and C-class starports with insignificant populations or
insufficient local tech levels get around these limitations? Parts can't
be made locally? No problem, we just need the raw materials and the
machine makes them. Insufficient population for a workforce? No problem,
robots can load the machine all you need to do is tell the machine what
to make.
Thoughts?
\_/
DED
Traveller? Over the next few years I think they'll have a noticeable
impact on our current society (they in use /now/ but are largely the
province of hobbyists and manufacturers). The limits seem to be
available material. But I wonder if various nations will impose bans on
certain items. Here in the US, at least one guy has already made a gun
(I think it was a functioning replica of an AR-15 but I could be wrong).
Is it possible that there will be protocols programmed in to prevent the
manufacture of firearms?
I'm thinking that there will be different sizes available. Ships could
carry around desktop-sized ones that will be limited to small parts.
Machine shop varieties will be able to make larger parts. Will the
manufacturers of the devices be the same ones that make starship parts?
If so, will the machines be programmed to prohibit those designs to
force starships to buy directly from the manufacturer or a licensed
retailer?
Or is this how B and C-class starports with insignificant populations or
insufficient local tech levels get around these limitations? Parts can't
be made locally? No problem, we just need the raw materials and the
machine makes them. Insufficient population for a workforce? No problem,
robots can load the machine all you need to do is tell the machine what
to make.
Thoughts?
\_/
DED