The
Interactive Atlas
Frequently
Asked Questions
What is
the purpose of this site?
The original motivation for
developing the mapper was to assist me in organizing information for my
Traveller campaign. Once I had created the engine to read and display
this data however, it struck me that it might be useful to others who play
Traveller as well. With some slight modifications to the database
engine, I found that it was fairly simple to create a "standard" version
of the map data, and also allow a customized version of the same data to
be available for my own uses. The atlas web site serves up the public
data, and I have a private site underneath with my own version of the universe.
How does
it work?
The map program basically parses
and interprets DGP format sector files, and then displays them in graphical
form. Each sector or subsector map image is dynamically generated,
eliminating the need to store large image files for every sector and subsector.
Since the data is generated upon request, it is also possible to provide
customized map data to users (although this feature is currently not exploited
to any great extent yet). In addition to map information, notes and
images can be associated to the worlds via a SQL table. When world
data is displayed, the table is searched for specific information on that
system. Currently the note data is fairly sparse, but I would like
to expand the database to include library information or perhaps references
to Traveller material that provide information on the world.
How accurate/canonical
is the map data?
In short,
I'm not sure. The data files come from various public domain repositories
for raw sector data, which include the original DGP sector files, and files
contributed by Traveller enthusiasts. No attempt has (yet) been made
to ensure that the data follows the Traveller Canon, or even that it represents
the same Mileu. That being said, I would guess that it's accurate
enough for the casual user, but perhaps not the true Traveller historian
or astrographer. If there is a publicly available source of
data that is more accurate or consistent, I will be happy to update things
accordingly. Some of the system data such as detailed world statistics,
orbital data for other worlds in the system, etc. is not canonical (since
this data is not usually available for most systems in any published Traveller
material). To create this data, I use a pseudo-random generation
process that generally follows GURPS Traveller: First-In and/or
DGP's Grand Survey procedures.
What are
the future plans for the site?
I have several ideas for enhancements,
limited mostly by time to carry them out. I would like to expand
on the database by adding more Xboat, trade, and other routes. (The
mapper supports route displays, but currently only Solomani Rim has Xboat
routes shown). I would also like to improve the note database to
include a few lines on each world in commonly used sectors, such as Spinward
Marches or Solomani Rim. I am also thinking of adding more customizeable
map features, such as allowing users to have a profile so they can create
their own personal maps, or mark out maps with routes, etc. (This
is a feature I have developed for the private side of the site that could
be made public.) I am also in the process of expanding world and
system information to include more statistics and information created from
the Traveller world generation rules.
I'm sure the best ideas though
are still out there, and I would love to hear suggestions. Please
feel free to send me
any (constructive) ideas for improvements you have.
Thanks,
Ned Utzig
Private correspondence can be sent to:
iai@utzig.com
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Traveller is a registered trademark
of Far Future Enterprises, Inc. The information on this site is compiled
from various public domain sources and does not necessarily represent official
or cannonical data.