Actually, there's been quite a lot of *spirited* discussion about KA, what form it might take, different approaches to the rules. I think it's important for Dan to hear all viewpoints.

While recognizing that this has to be "SFB Starmada" (and not a straight "Starmada version of Trek in general"), I think there's probably some "unique to SFB concepts" that could be tagged as optional or advanced rules. Things that would make the casual gamer say, "What? That doesn't feel like Trek." The more generic it is, the more like mainline Trek it will appear, while staying within the bounds of the SFU.

Given that the new movie, which is garnering rave reviews, is set in an alternate universe as well, I think folks will be very open to giving KA a try. Very timely. How'd you manage that?

Yeah... ADB is not allowed to use the word "Trek" in any context.

So I may have to add it to the banned words on the forum...

Dude, you are SCARCE nowadays....

I wouldn't ban it, but members (or even some of the Admiralty) may have to be reminded from time to time.

Well,
SFB does mention that it is based on the Star Trek universe (TOS only).  FC also thanks GR for the universe (if my memory is accurate).  I have played SFB, I play FC, and I play Starmada.  So I to am also looking forward to this game.
The look and feel of FC is pretty accurate for most of The Original series feel.  Phasers, torpedoes, and shields of FC have the flavor of TOS.
How warp drive, photon torpedoes, phasers, disruptors, plasma torpedoes, and shields work in FC will have to be done in Starmada terms, but, for the most part, the rules are pretty much already there in the starmada game system.
I think how shields work (in games terms) will take a little modification of the Starmada system on how shields work.

In FC, there are shield boxes for each side.  You have those shields up on a side until enough damage has been absorbed by that shield to be dropped.  Then there is shield reinforcement, etc.

Starmada FC should have shields that reflect the FC way, right?  In my opinion, and it is only that, the shields in the FC/ Starmada universe should have the ability to absorb X number of damage points before the shield is downed.  So, unless other special rules apply (half-shields, ignore shields, etc), each arc should be able to absorb an amount of damage up to X, then it is down and offers no protection.

Well, whatever Dan & Co. comes up with for KA for shields I would think it will certainly be an option to use in other settings. That's one of the joys of Starmada's "modular" system. Hard/Ablative shields are not strictly a Trek toy, and would certainly fit in any number of settings...and thus represented by Starmada.
Of course, I'm speculating like everyone else, and can't wait to see what else comes from KA that can be cross-pollinated to other genres/ships! Besides, unless Dan shows up at your chosen gaming venue with a cease and desist order because you are using Trek shields on your ships...I'm pretty sure we can all do what we want with the rules once published 
Cheers,
Erik

speaking of ablative armor, IS there ablative shielding in the admirality edition?  Albative shielding does seem to fit the trek way of doing things.

As far as I know, there has never been ablative shielding in any version of Starmada. If it shows up in SFBarmada, that will push me into getting it.

Where did you find ablative armor in X?  I didn't see that option. Which product

If its SFB/FC based then it HAS to have directional shields,  the best and most unique thing about SFB is all the tactical ramifications of the shielding...  favoring a weak shield keeping it away from the enemy and risking exposing it to the enemy for a good firing opportunity.   Without directional shields, it really doesnt work for me.

I wonder if the movement sequence will port over? From my limited SFB experience (tried to learn it a couple of times, Fed Commander also), energy management, shields and movement were pretty core elements to tactics. The first seems extremely problematic to adapting to Starmada (good luck!)  The second's a no-brainer, and the third in-between. Sometimes in Starmada it *would* be nice to turn, fire, move, fire again, etc. I just dread SFB's solution. Would it work to break the movement into two phases (or more, depending on the speeds involved), with options to fire each weapon once anytime during the turn? I did something like that for a Kirk vs. Kahn game, and it seemed to go pretty well.

Well, in that Spirit, I am going to start posting SFB/Starmada stats for my game this weekend.

Starting with the Diminutive Klingon E4 Escort:

(75) E4-class Klingon Empire Escort

Hull: 4 3 2 1                   
Engines: 7 6 4 2                   
Shields: 3 3 2 1                   
Weapons:
1:X 2:X 3:Y 4:Y 5:Y 6:

X: Disruptor: 4/8/12, 1/3+/2/2
[AB]

Y: Phaser II: 2/4/6, 1/3+/1/1
Range-Based ROF
[GHI][JKL]

Special: Hyperdrive; Marines (2); Teleporters; Cargo (3)

I am using the "Fleet Scale" template for the E4 Light Frigate, which mounts 1 Forward Disruptor, 1 Forward PH-II and 1 Aft PH-II. Seems to fit all needs appropriatrely.

After hemming and hawing back and forth I have decided to use "Normal" Starmada Shields for the purposes of this dry run.

In order to model the variable amount of Phaser Damage at range, I am trying Range-based ROF as well. I was thinking about how Phaser Fire has been shown throughout the ST Universe history (Coherent Beams and short bursts both) and have decided that maybe sustained beams are necessary at long range where it is important to maintain more Beam Coherence than at Short range (Using More Energy) whereas at Short Range you get the "Rapid-Fire" Phaser pulses because not as much energy is lost from Beam Spreading.