Back to the main page

Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: ZAC PARSONS <STU000047174@*******.EDU>
Subject: cyber-free decking part II
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 1995 20:02:26 -0600
Thanks for responding to my question earlier about what level cranial
nets rate at. I think I would agree with them being capable of full
cybernetic command- BUT! -in the same paragraph it is stated that the
net is the way of cowards, which would probably mean that it makes you
immune to black ice or it's some macho thing about not being afraid of
having cyber installed. And if it could do the same thing as a
datajack, then why would anyone except for special reasons get a
datajack? I would agree with keyboard command, but why are you even
wearing the net if it is in fact a full keyboard command. I hope I'm
not opening a new pandora's box for rules like the infamous spell-lock.
If any true authority happens to read this please just tell me what the
deal is, thanks- True Blue
Message no. 2
From: Allen Versfeld <aversfel@****.CS.UNP.AC.ZA>
Subject: Re: cyber-free decking part II
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 1995 10:32:13 +0200
The way I see it, the net simply slips onto your head. The software in
the deck then sends test signals to the net to find which terminals are
lined up with which part of the brain (since, unlike adatajack, where the
connections are permanent, a net's alignment will change every time you
put it on.) This would also make it vey simple to jack out - simply move
the net (No clumsy fingers fumbling with a fragile jack). This would
change the alignment of the net, breaking the contact.
So, when you get hit by black Ice, your meat will react violently,
and as you writhe in agony, the net will slide around your head, jacking
you out automatically.

Of course, the net has a disadvantage in that you have to sit really still!!

---------------------------
"any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
- Clarke
"any sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology"
- Murphy
aversfel@****.cs.unp.ac.za
homepage opening soon

geek 3.0
GCS/S d- s:- a? c++ UL P? W++(--) N++ K- w(+) O? M-- V? PS !PE Y+ PGP- t+ 5?
Message no. 3
From: "S.F. Eley" <gt6877c@*****.GATECH.EDU>
Subject: Re: cyber-free decking part II
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 1995 11:01:05 -0400
> Thanks for responding to my question earlier about what level cranial
> nets rate at. I think I would agree with them being capable of full
> cybernetic command- BUT! -in the same paragraph it is stated that the
> net is the way of cowards, which would probably mean that it makes you
> immune to black ice or it's some macho thing about not being afraid of
> having cyber installed. And if it could do the same thing as a
> datajack, then why would anyone except for special reasons get a
> datajack? I would agree with keyboard command, but why are you even
> wearing the net if it is in fact a full keyboard command.

My guess is that the cranial net, being an inductive device, doesn't
transfer sensory or response information nearly as efficiently as a datajack.
Give it a +1 or +2 modifier on all tests.. Whether there's a Decking Pool,
or a reduced one, is up to the GM. It's better than a tortoise, but still a
bit slow and lacking some detail. On the up side, it does provide some
resistance against Black IC, which has to work harder to set up that neural
feedback.. Scale down Black damage by half, or something.

Datajacks are also much more flexible than a cranial net, which can't be
used for skillsoft access or data dumps into headware memory.

I know I'm making all this up, but it makes sense to me.. Anyone differ?


Blessings,

_TNX._

--
Stephen F. Eley (-) gt6877c@*****.gatech.edu )-( Student Pagan Community
http://wc62.residence.gatech.edu| "There are two parties -- a right wing
My opinions are my opinions. | party, and a very right wing party."
Please don't blame anyone else. | - S. Arrowsmith
Message no. 4
From: Ian Smith <KildTheCat@***.COM>
Subject: Re: cyber-free decking part II
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 1995 00:47:29 -0400
>>> I hope I'm
not opening a new pandora's box for rules like the infamous spell-lock.
If any true authority happens to read this please just tell me what the
deal is, thanks- True Blue <<<

Although I humbly confess I have the authority, in this, of a gnat - I was
under the impression that using the head-net was similar to using a
short-haul cellular link. You can jack in, but the interface simply isn't
powerful enough or capable of enough complexity to support hacking. It makes
sense that is a cellular connection doesn't work, like the one used on a DNI
interface, then the head-net ( which would probably work on a similar
principle ) wouldn't work either. . .

PS The point of this was to create a Mage-Decker, neh? I'm all for it - but
I'll point out that if you use VR rules this kind of thing becomes VERY
difficult. You have all sorts of harmful mods. . .

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about cyber-free decking part II, 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.