| From: | Kim Christiansen <kimc@**********.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Combining Cyber (long) |
| Date: | Thu, 28 Aug 1997 07:52:49 +0100 |
>
> MC23 said on 9:59/19 Aug 97...
> > I've considered writing up a datajack version of a smart link. Wha=
t
> > does everyone think is required for it to work.
>
> That might be possible, I'm not sure. It mostly depends on whether the
> system that processes where the aiming cross is to be projected, is in th=
e
> gun or in the user's head. If it's in the gun, then this setup would do,
> IMHO, while if it's in the user then you need something more:
> Gurth
...cut some stuff out ofg the above posts...
Well, There is an option that I have explored as a player character...
Here's what I did, and it seemed to work out in game terms. I had a viper
with an external smartlinkII installed on it. Then I bought a pair of low
light mirror shades and modified them to work with my headware (datajack +
20mp memory), added thermal capability, EM sensors and smartlink
hardware and software. I put all of the extra electronics in a band that
acted as a 'croakie' as well. (slanguage: a croakie holds your glasses on
your head by attaching to the ear pieces and wrapping around the back of
your head) This gave my character, an expert in electronics & computer
w/ B/R skills, a really kewl set of mirror shades that might match the
electronics in say a security helmet. He had to buy some hardware &
software, but did all of the interface and integrationdesign himself.
BTW, the smartgun was interfaced to the shades by a thin
fib-op cord that was concealed under his armor.
This was one high tech dwarf . yeah, I know, what a cliché =).
Sooooo, aside from the obvious preening going on in that last paragraph,
here is how I see Smartlinks working.
Smartlinks are in two parts:
1) One part in the gun gives the user an aiming system probably based on a
laser, exact fire control for bursts and full auto, feeds back ammo use to
the second part, pops clips out if possible, and feeds back data on ranges
for grenade launchers. Internal smartguns would have the added capability t=
o
report ammo storgae, pop out clips(from the cyberware smartlink) and give
you status on barrel temp etc.
2a) External smartlink goggles are the user interface stuff, how much ammo
you have left, they would have targeting retciles inside the lenses and be
able to record 'friendlies' before a full auto burst. You would input eithe=
r
from eye movement with some kind of OK, either blinks or eyebrow movement t=
o
'click' on your choice.
2b) The CyberWare smartlinkII would be installed as a headware/bodyware
package and perform the same functions as the external smartlink, only this
system would accept direct neural input, and as such be an extension of the
user. The display would still be fitted to the optical nerve or to the
cybreye, and the menuing system, friendly designator and targeting reticle
would all seem 'natural', thus the -2 to all target numbers. The displays
on both systems would feed back to the user all ammo data, ranges, target
aquisition etc.
So IMHO, it would be possible to interface with a smartgun link via
datajack, variations include,
1) just doing away with the smart goggles and have the hard/software in an
external packet(wristwatch, hearing aid etc) with connection to the datajac=
k
for an emualtion of smartgoggles, -1 to target numbers etc.
2) smartlink software that would emualte the whole works would, IMHO, have
to have headware memory to execute commands and store data. You would need
to internalize some of the software for faster data access, to get that
'natural feeling' for the -2, clip pop out, grenade ranges etc that you get
with smartII cyberware.
finally, I do not think that there is an expert system installed vis-a-vis
reflex recorders, skill softs etc. The essence cost is too low for that. It
just paints your target with a BIG RED X and makes it easier for you to hit
the bad guys and not your buddies.
phewww. I am just too damned long winded! Sorry 'bout that!
kimc
"How am I supposed to know, I'm making this up as I go along!"
-famous archeologist and pre-shadow runner from the 1930's
