.TH Concept Technology
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The technological level of an Empire country is primarily 
determined by the output of technology sectors
(see \*Qinfo products\*U for the specifics).  
Whenever a \*Qtechnological breakthrough\*U is produced,
The technology level of the country is typically 
raised by an amount in the ballpark of 
log10(breakthroughs)/log10(2) (the actual amount
depends on individual game configuration).
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You can also dramatically
supplement your own breakthroughs with additional
knowledge that you acquire by studying and reverse-engineering
captured or purchased high-tech vehicles and aircraft.  The
additional gain "learned" in this manner is usually equal
to your country's education level or two times the number of
etus per update, whichever is less (use the `\*Qversion\*U'
command to find factors used in your particular game).
Be aware, though, that items of more than three times your
own tech level are considered incomprehensibly complex,
will not contribute anything to learned tech, and will
slowly drop in efficiency since they are beyond your
ability to maintain and repair.
In any case, the learned tech contribution will never 
cause your resultant tech level exceed the level of your 
highest-tech toy.  Learned tech typically costs $100 per 
point.
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The technology level decays away with time however,
(the technology becomes obsolete),
at a rate of 1% per 48 time units,
(i.e., usually 1% per day).
Therefore if a country has 6 technology centers
each of which is able to produce 1 technological breakthrough a day,
the total daily production of technological breakthroughs will be 6
and the technology level of the country will approach 600,
where the 1% daily loss exactly equals the daily gain of 6.
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The technology level affects the range that guns can fire,
the range over which radar is effective,
the range that planes can fly
and the range that torpedoes can travel, among other things.
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The \*Qnation\*U command will display your current technology level
and technology factor.
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See also : innards, nation, research
