Back to the main page

Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: JRCrandall@***.com JRCrandall@***.com
Subject: Datajacks Part 2
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 09:58:44 EDT
I posted a question on the "why" of multiple datajacks and got several good
answers. Thanks.

Some of the answers raised another question though. The gear description
states that riggers and deckers mount datajacks in different areas to access
different brain functions. Does this limit the accessories that can be used
with each type of jack, and does this mean that you can't use the same jack
for both purposes?

TIA again
- Jim
Message no. 2
From: Manx timburke@*******.com.au
Subject: Datajacks Part 2
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 01:08:29 +1000
At 09:58 25/08/99 EDT JRCrandall@***.com wrote
>Some of the answers raised another question though. The gear description
>states that riggers and deckers mount datajacks in different areas to access
>different brain functions. Does this limit the accessories that can be used
>with each type of jack, and does this mean that you can't use the same jack
>for both purposes?
>
>TIA again
>- Jim
>

What is means is that riggers and deckers have their jacks implanted
in different parts of the brain because the different tasks that they
are wanting to perform require different brain functions.

IIRC decking requires higher brain function and as a result the
placement of the datajack is in the temple so that the hardware
is wired into the part of the brain that processes decking.
Rigging requires lower brain function which means that a rigger's
datajack is positioned behind the ear at the base of the skull.

The hardware is the same it's just that the wetware is different.
So to answer your question you couldn't deck from a rigger's
datajack and you couldn't access a vehicle control rig from
a deckers datajack.

Datajacks that are used with skillsofts would likely be of the
decker variety.

____________________________________
Manx // timburke@*******.com.au // #950
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt
and then it's just hilarious." - Faith No More
____________________________________
Message no. 3
From: Gorbi gbmaill@***.de
Subject: Datajacks Part 2
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 18:44:53 +0200
Manx wrote:

> IIRC decking requires higher brain function and as a result the
> placement of the datajack is in the temple so that the hardware
> is wired into the part of the brain that processes decking.
> Rigging requires lower brain function which means that a rigger's
> datajack is positioned behind the ear at the base of the skull.

But what about the induction datajack or the fingertip datajack from
"Cybertechnology"?
I think you can lay a small wire through the body thus you can have your
datajack where you want to have it.

The wiring to "higher" and "lower" Brain parts (I think that is
cerebrum for
deckers and cerebellum plus some wires to the sensory system and cerebrum
for riggers) brings up the question what kind of datajack you need for
skillsoft with active skills. I would say, most of the soft would "talk" to
the cerebellum. Conclusion - every decker needs a second datajack?

Gorbi

--
I was an atheist, until I found out I was God.
Message no. 4
From: Gurth gurth@******.nl
Subject: Datajacks Part 2
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 20:09:17 +0200
According to JRCrandall@***.com, at 9:58 on 25 Aug 99, the word on
the street was...

> I posted a question on the "why" of multiple datajacks and got several good

> answers. Thanks.

That's what we're here for :)

> Some of the answers raised another question though. The gear description
> states that riggers and deckers mount datajacks in different areas to access
> different brain functions. Does this limit the accessories that can be used
> with each type of jack, and does this mean that you can't use the same jack
> for both purposes?

Using a decking jack to rig gives penalties, while using a rigging jack to
deck also gives (other) penalties; these are fully explained in Rigger 2
(page 16), and they're basically reductions in capability when using the
"wrong kind" of datajack for a task.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
De plaag is terug...!
-> NAGEE Editor * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
->The Plastic Warriors Page: http://shadowrun.html.com/plasticwarriors/<-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 5
From: Josh Munn barnack@*******.net
Subject: Datajacks Part 2
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 14:11:24 -0700
Manx wrote:
>
> At 09:58 25/08/99 EDT JRCrandall@***.com wrote
> >Some of the answers raised another question though. The gear description
> >states that riggers and deckers mount datajacks in different areas to access
> >different brain functions. Does this limit the accessories that can be used
> >with each type of jack, and does this mean that you can't use the same jack
> >for both purposes?
> >
> >TIA again
> >- Jim
> >
>
> What is means is that riggers and deckers have their jacks implanted
> in different parts of the brain because the different tasks that they
> are wanting to perform require different brain functions.
>
> IIRC decking requires higher brain function and as a result the
> placement of the datajack is in the temple so that the hardware
> is wired into the part of the brain that processes decking.
> Rigging requires lower brain function which means that a rigger's
> datajack is positioned behind the ear at the base of the skull.
>
> The hardware is the same it's just that the wetware is different.
> So to answer your question you couldn't deck from a rigger's
> datajack and you couldn't access a vehicle control rig from
> a deckers datajack.
>
> Datajacks that are used with skillsofts would likely be of the
> decker variety.
>
Um, I think you quite wrong. According to R2 p16-17 riggers can deck
with the datajack they use to rig. And I quote:

"Conversely, riggers tend to be sloppy deckers as their enhanced thalami
encourage knee-jerk reactions rather than the intense cerebral
concentration necessary for surfing the Matrix. To reflect this, rigger
characters suffer a +1 modifier to all target numbers when decking in
the Matrix. Additionally, reduce the riggers Hacking Pool by the level
of his VCR.

A rigger can get around the Hacking Pool handicap in two ways. First,
the rigger cant install a second datajack that bypasses his VCR
cyberware and connects directly to his cerebral cortex.

Alternatively, the rigger may install a VCR with a reflex trigger, which
enables him to turn his VCR on or off with a Simple Action."

I states earlier that a decker with out a VCR is able to control a
rigged vehicle if it has a datajack link but does not get any bonuses
other than a +1 to his reaction.
Message no. 6
From: Airwasp@***.com Airwasp@***.com
Subject: Datajacks Part 2
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 20:34:31 EDT
In a message dated 8/25/99 9:00:32 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
JRCrandall@***.com writes:

> I posted a question on the "why" of multiple datajacks and got several good

> answers. Thanks.
>
> Some of the answers raised another question though. The gear description
> states that riggers and deckers mount datajacks in different areas to
access
>
> different brain functions. Does this limit the accessories that can be
used
>
> with each type of jack, and does this mean that you can't use the same
jack
> for both purposes?

In theory, when it comes to dedicated datajacks, it does limit the
accessories which can be used in them. With rigger jacks, I would say that
anything not vehicle/rig-equipped will not be compatible at all.

We do allow here in the home games for a datajack to have a switch in them
which allows them to either function as a rig/matrix jack. It costs about
500 nuyen or so, but does nothing to the essence cost of the jack (K ... am I
correct on this?).

-Mike B.
Message no. 7
From: Ereskanti@***.com Ereskanti@***.com
Subject: Datajacks Part 2
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 20:42:06 EDT
In a message dated 8/25/1999 9:00:32 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
JRCrandall@***.com writes:

>
>
> Some of the answers raised another question though. The gear description
> states that riggers and deckers mount datajacks in different areas to
access
> different brain functions. Does this limit the accessories that can be
used
> with each type of jack, and does this mean that you can't use the same
jack
> for both purposes?


From a purely game mechanical POV, there is no reason or connection to
location of Datajacks vs. the immediate cognotive/motor response coordination.

However, if you allow for certain amounts of reasonability, certain locations
would be conducive to certain types of connections, which would in turn help
to decide the principle connection type involved.

-K
Message no. 8
From: Ereskanti@***.com Ereskanti@***.com
Subject: Datajacks Part 2
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 21:08:05 EDT
In a message dated 8/25/1999 7:36:35 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
Airwasp@***.com writes:

>
> In theory, when it comes to dedicated datajacks, it does limit the
> accessories which can be used in them. With rigger jacks, I would say
that
> anything not vehicle/rig-equipped will not be compatible at all.
>
> We do allow here in the home games for a datajack to have a switch in them
> which allows them to either function as a rig/matrix jack. It costs about
> 500 nuyen or so, but does nothing to the essence cost of the jack (K ...
am
> I
> correct on this?).
>
Actually, it's a Reflex Trigger of sorts, and it works between a VCR and
Wired Reflexes normally. In the games here, as Mike M. mentions above, we do
allow for the same basic "switch" to be installed in the Datajack itself.

Alternatively, we also allow for a person with an Encephalon to connect his
VCR to the Encephalon, and have the option of "moding" the VCR or Matrix.
Basically you Captain's Chair the VCR and can "HOT Mode" the Matrix, or you
can "Cool Mode" the Matrix, and take direct actions with the VCR. It still
requires the Simple/Free action type(s) to switch between modes.

-K
Message no. 9
From: Patrick Goodman remo@***.net
Subject: Datajacks Part 2
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 07:07:24 -0500
Hey, look! I'm back at my own computer!!

> > IIRC decking requires higher brain function and as a result the
> > placement of the datajack is in the temple so that the hardware
> > is wired into the part of the brain that processes decking.
> > Rigging requires lower brain function which means that a rigger's
> > datajack is positioned behind the ear at the base of the skull.
>
> But what about the induction datajack or the fingertip datajack from
> "Cybertechnology"?
> I think you can lay a small wire through the body thus you can have
> your datajack where you want to have it.

Sure you can do that, but it sure makes it easier on your surgeon, and
IMHO less invasive (thus less dangerous to you, if installing electronics
in your brain can ever be said to be less dangerous), if you put the jack
close to where it's supposed to go. Someone here once came up with the
brilliant, if not entirely pleasant, notion of a courier with a
groin-mounted datajack, close (perliously close, you ask me) to the anus
(all this was done as a means of camoflage). Personally, I don't want to
take the chance of fouling the electronics, especially since it *is*
connected to the brain, but you're right, it can be done.

--
(>) Texas 2-Step
El Paso: Never surrender. Never forget. Never forgive.
Message no. 10
From: abortion_engine abortion_engine@*******.com
Subject: Datajacks Part 2
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 00:47:09 -0400
> > > IIRC decking requires higher brain function and as a result the
> > > placement of the datajack is in the temple so that the hardware
> > > is wired into the part of the brain that processes decking.
> > > Rigging requires lower brain function which means that a rigger's
> > > datajack is positioned behind the ear at the base of the skull.
> >
> > But what about the induction datajack or the fingertip datajack from
> > "Cybertechnology"?
> > I think you can lay a small wire through the body thus you can have
> > your datajack where you want to have it.
>
> Sure you can do that, but it sure makes it easier on your surgeon, and
> IMHO less invasive (thus less dangerous to you, if installing electronics
> in your brain can ever be said to be less dangerous), if you put the jack
> close to where it's supposed to go.

Exactly. I asked my GM once if I could mount a rigger induction datajack in
my lower back, near the spine, just below the kidneys, so that I didn't need
any wires to connect to my own vehicle; I just sat in the chair and raised
my shirt. So I payed extra (money and essence) and got it.

So, sure, you can put it elsewhere, but you've got wires running through
more of your body, and it's not like your looking at a standard design, thus
you're going to pay more cash.

[In case you're curious, no, the spine induction riggerjack wasn't useful,
actually caused some problems, and in short was a huge waste. But it made
him look a lot cooler than a guy with a wire coming out of his head. Later,
when cranial remote decks came out, he was a lot happier. :) ]

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about Datajacks Part 2, you may also be interested in:

Disclaimer

These messages were posted a long time ago on a mailing list far, far away. The copyright to their contents probably lies with the original authors of the individual messages, but since they were published in an electronic forum that anyone could subscribe to, and the logs were available to subscribers and most likely non-subscribers as well, it's felt that re-publishing them here is a kind of public service.

Thwap!