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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: G-010-a: tech, expert systems
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1993 22:53:46 -0500
The dream of any computer programmer is to develop an artifically
intelligent computer. Well, Yoshida technologies is proud to accounce that
it has taken the first step into the world of AI with its new line of
expert systems. Configured for use with present skillsofts, these systems
provide maximum flexibility and usability.

-------------------------------------------

Expert Systems:

An Expert System is sometimes considered to be a rudimentary form of
artificial intelligence. Single minded in task, it is able to conduct
research many hundreds of times faster than a human could.

An expert system is a research system and does just that, research. The
system uses current information to make logical "guesses" and
extrapolations about something unknown. First appearing in the
engineering field and other physical sciences, these computer systems
dramatically decreased the time required to take a product or idea from
concept to execution buy running simulations within itself, locating
problems, refining the model, and repeating these steps, gradually working
the "bugs" out of the system.

------------------

WHAT IS NEEDED:

All expert systems consist of four parts. These parts are:
The Expert System firmware
A Knowsoft for the Techinical, Knowledge or B/R Skill
A Datasoft for the same skill
A personal computer to provide an interface
(requires memory equal to the MP of the datasoft plus the
MP of the knowsoft times .5)


Expert System Firmware
The Firmware is really just a handful of computer processors designed
specifically to working with data and make decisions. Each firmware is
unique to the type of data it works with, so, for example, an Electronics
system will not work with Physical Science Know- and Datasofts.

The prices and intelligence are listed below.


Level Intelligence Price
----- ------------ --------
1 1 Int 18,000
2 2 Int 35,000
3 3 Int 70,000
4 4 Int 105,000


Knowsofts:
A Knowsoft will be used to synthesize the simulations for the expert
system. These are the same Knowsofts utilized in a chipjack.


Datasofts:
These provide the raw library of information for the system. Sizes and
prices of this library can vary, but a good base is as follows:

Type Size Price
---- ---------------------------- -------------
General 10 times the size of the Knowsoft in MP MP x 20
Concentration 7 times the size of the Knowsoft in MP MP x 50
Specialization 4 times the size of the Knowsoft in MP MP x 100

NOTE: These prices are only guidelines and can vary with the data. A
Hermetic library (required for spell research) costs 100/MP for example.


Personal Computer:
Provides the interface between the user and the expert system along with
working memory and additional processing power. Must have memory equal to
1/2 the sum of the MPs of the Knowsoft and the Datasoft.


-----------------------------------

HOW TO USE:

Any time a character chooses to do something that can take a great deal of
time, such as writing a program or researching a hermetic spell for
example, a research oriented expert system can be given the tasks and will
dramatically reduce the time involved.

The maximum rating of that being researched cannot exceed the level of the
Knowsoft.

To determine the amount of time it will take for the expert system to
perform its task, multiply its rating by 50 and divide the base time
required by this number. A level 4 system could perform a 200 day task in
a mere day, for example.

Once the computer has finished its computations, the GM should secretely
roll a success test. The target number will vary with the complexity of
the task, but usually the rating of that being researched is used. Roll
the number of dice equal to the Intellegence of the computer. If the
check succeeds, the the computer has produced a correct answer (but
remember, the player doesn't know this.)

If the check fails, it must be determined if the computer realizes it has
failed. Subtract the computer's intellegence from the previous target
number. Roll the computer's intellegence in dice against this new target
number. If you succeed, the computer knows it fails and informs the
player. If the computer fails this check, it believes it has a working
answer and gives it to the player. If the computer rolls all ones, use of
the solution should have some kind of disasterous effect on the player.

If a computer fails, and knows it has failed, it can keep working. Allow
the same amount of time to pass as previous and make the checks again, but
lower the target numbers by one. A computer can continue on a problem a
number of times equal to its intelligence.

Example:
A decker is going to utilize his expert system to write himself a
new level 6 MPCP program. He has a level 3 expert system with Computer
Theory-6. The base time to program the MPCP is 288 days, divided by 150,
yeilding 1.92 days (round it to two days). The decker starts the program
and walks away.
Two days later he comes back. The GM rolls three dice with a
target number of six and gets a 2,3 and 5. The computer has failed. The
GM then rolls to see if the computer knows it. Subtract 3 from the target
number of 6 and roll three dice, getting a 2,5, and 11. The computer
knows it failed and tells the player, asking "Would you like me to keep
working on it?"
If the player says yes, he can come back in two days and see if it
is done right. If so, the program is completed and ready for cooking.

---------------------------


____ Robert A. Hayden <=> hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu
\ /__ -=-=-=-=- <=> -=-=-=-=-
\/ / Finger for Geek Code Info <=> Veteran of the Bermuda Triangle
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Disclaimer

These messages were posted a long time ago on a mailing list far, far away. The copyright to their contents probably lies with the original authors of the individual messages, but since they were published in an electronic forum that anyone could subscribe to, and the logs were available to subscribers and most likely non-subscribers as well, it's felt that re-publishing them here is a kind of public service.