On 08Nov2019 1147, Thomas RUX wrote:

> Here is the details for the Generate program from CT LBB 2 Starships
> 1977 7th printing page 32:
>
> "The navigator or pilot can input specific coordinates into the
> computer concerning a destination, and the generate program will
> create a flight plan to take the ship there. In cases where a
> generate program is not available, starports have single-use flight
> plans (in self-erasing cassettes) available for all worlds within
> jump range , and for which space lanes exist (see Book 3)."
>
> Pages 32-33 "Navigation: Flight plans must be fed into the navigation
> program, which then interfaces with the jump program to actually take
> a ship ti its destination. To actually make a jump, both the jump and
> navigation  programs must be functioning in the computer (the
> generate program need only run long enough to actually create the
> flight plan)."
>
> Based on being able to get a self-erasing single-use flight plan
> cassette from a starport suggests that the generate program is used
> before a ship leaves port heading to the out bound jump point at the
> 100-D limit.
>
> In the Navigation program details of "(the generate program need only
> run long enough to actually create the flight plan)." also suggests
> that the generate program can be run at any time before making a
> jump.
>
> Of course I could once again be out-to-lunch in my interpretation of
> the text.

The single-use tapes cost Cr10,000/jump number (according to the '81
edition), a not-inconsiderable amount, and are only available for routes
along space lanes (in the '77 edition), which suggests to me that
they're reliant on a lot of processing power and a very well-mapped
path, which would give them some flexibility in timing. Generate can be
run on a model-1 computer, can calculate a jump up to j-6, and doesn't
need a space lane. That suggests to me that it's likely to be a far more
limited course in other ways, such as the time and place you jump from.
There's nothing much one way or the other in the text, I think.

In passing I notice that the '81 edition's computer record sheet still
has the '77 program sizes and prices, and the example combat ship record
sheet has a '77 version of the Type-S, with the too-small model/1 computer.

--
Rupert Boleyn <xxxxxx@gmail.com>