Internet in the KW

[Calvin]

I think this popped up earlier on the old forum, after my Engineer comp sci girl tried to access a database. Run by trolls that used it to store a secret directory of a certain Gannok adult entertainer, but that's another story. >_>

How does KW computer networks run? They are not immediately useful for most of the population, but still much so for specialised agencies and organisations with a need to communicate data. Some worlds, like Leagueheim with it's relatively open high-tech infrastructure, might have something resembling large-scale networks. Even then, it's more like a series of somewhat connected WANs and LANs run for the benefit of the organisations.

[Angelman]

In my current campaign I've had to tackle this on Criticorum. There I ruled that the big cities (Acheon and Ost in my example) have pretty well-established wireless networks used by the Guilds. Most non-guilders don't even know about them, but since my cadre includes two tech-savvy Scravers with several Think Machines between them, I've allowed them to access wireless WANs and LANs on occation. I even rule that there is a couple of telecom satelites in working order, restricted to use by the gulders and al-Malik on Criticorum - this I envisioned as a sort of international, switch-board operated, digital communication tool that people with the right connections can use for a fee.

This might be very different from how other people envision "internets" in the Phoenix Empire though.

[Danos]

Arcane Tech addresses this IIRC. Internets are proscribed mass-media. Setting up an internet draws inquisitorial interest. Using it for free exchange of news and opminion will draw fire. The Reeves use intranets a great deal, and can link, sometimes even planet wide. I think they use very secure encryption and safeguards to prevent others from accessing their nets, which prevents charges of using proscribed mass media. The Muster can set up internets using satellites and blimps, but they break them down after the battle to prevent others from using them without charge or Muster supervision. The Li Halan shut down the Rampart net. Leagueheim is basically a distributed network with tons of linked intranets, from what I can tell.

Think machine warriors can access what nets there are, or set up nets, but the inquisition will come sniffing around if you leave it up and running. Intranets for local use are what I see the guild using, maybe occasionally exchanging date through temporary links, but are not true distributed internets. The only planets with internet as we would understand it in my campaigns are Leagueheim and Pandora.