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Message no. 1
From: Alfredo B Alves <dghost@****.COM>
Subject: Datajacks (Was Cybersystems Theory)
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 1998 01:07:03 -0500
On Thu, 4 Jun 1998 09:57:11 -0400 Paul Gettle <pgettle@********.NET>
writes:
>-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>At 05:30 AM 6/4/98 -0500, Mongoose wrote:
>>Unfortunately, it does not explain at all why the most
>>versatile object, the datajack, has MINIMAL essence impact. I imagine
>>because thedatajck mostlyplays simsense to you, which, withoutother
>>cyber, basically replicates normal senses.

>I noticed that. The datajack is rather undercosted, compared to other
>comparable pieces of ware. Take for example the cybercom link. At .4
>essence, it's a bit of ware that lets you convert thought into word,
>for radio transmission.
>
>A datajack, on the other hand, will convert your thoughts into
>electronic commands that can run a cyberdeck, or even a datajack
>interface equipped vehicle. That to me would seem to be a more
>dificult task than converting conversational thoughts into audio, and
>yet, a datajack only costs half as much essence as the cybercomm link.

If the datajack converted your thoughts to commands, a cybercomm link
would be redundant (just wire the radio or what ever to the datajack)

>(This of course, doesn't even begin to take into account the fact that
>the datajack is also overridding all of your senses, and handling the
>RAS cutout feature that keeps your body from mimicing what you're
>doing in the Matrix)

RAS Cutout is not in the datajack ... It's in the simsense deck, and
cyberdeck (don't ask me how though ...)

>The only explanation I can give for why the datajack is undercosted,
>is that it's the most widespread piece of cyber, and that much closer
>to being a mass-market item. I figure that the number of datajacks
>implanted is at least one or two orders of magnitude higher than the
>numbers for any other piece of ware. Cybersurgeons and cyberware
>manufacturers have more data, and much more extensive research behind
>lessening the impact of implanting a datajack, so that's why it's so
>cheap.
>
<SNIP>
<SNIP PGP>
> -- Paul Gettle (pgettle@********.net)
<SNIP More PGP>

Okay, IMO, a datajack is nothing more than a fancy, permanent electrode
... The Thought-to-data processing is handled by other systems (Which
means normal items would have to be heavily modified to accomodate
datajacks (though some, like a Pocket Secretary, would probably have the
gear standard.)

However, another version of the datajack could be:
Datasystems platform. Base unit is mounted mainly at the base of the
skull and includes a transducer similar to a Cybercomm link.
Cost: 45,000
Essence Loss: .3
Legality: Legal
Availability: 5/4 days
Street Index: 1.5
Any number of datajacks may be added and slaved to the system. Cost
are the same as in Shadowtech and Essence loss per datajack is -.05.

Kinda goofy, IMO, but what do you think?

D.Ghost
(aka Pixel, Tantrum, and RuPixel)
"Let he who is without SIN cast the first stone"

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Message no. 2
From: wafflemiester <evamarie@**********.NET>
Subject: Re: Datajacks (Was Cybersystems Theory)
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 13:40:37 -0500
> Datajacks (Was Cybersystems Theory) (Alfredo B Alves , Mon 1:07)

> If the datajack converted your thoughts to commands, a cybercomm link
> would be redundant (just wire the radio or what ever to the datajack)
>

The datajack outputs / inputs cranial electrical activity. Its up to
(other external or internal) hardware to deal with that. You could link
to your radio, But itwould do no good- you couldn'teven changechannels,
unless you gave it adtajavckcontorl (like avehicle, butprobaly much
cheapoer- we make jack adapted gear 2x cost). Also, your datajack does
not genrate sound output, so you would net send voice signals to the
radio (unless you "recorded" the sound, using cyberears/ recorders,
throat mikes, cybercomm, or just stored sound in memeory). You wouln't
hear the radio over your jack, either, without something to play the
sound in your head (like mastoid implants, ears/recoders, or the
commlink).
Riggers and deckers CAN fully utilize any / all eqipment that is
integrated into devices controlled by thier "simsense environment", but
are not justusing a jack to do so- they are using the matrix (cyberdeck)
or VCR / rigger adaption gear.

> >(This of course, doesn't even begin to take into account the fact that
> >the datajack is also overridding all of your senses, and handling the
> >RAS cutout feature that keeps your body from mimicing what you're
> >doing in the Matrix)
>
> RAS Cutout is not in the datajack ... It's in the simsense deck, and
> cyberdeck (don't ask me how though ...)

Yes, the fact that voluntary muscle activity can be shut down through
your jack is odd- and slightly disturbing.

> Okay, IMO, a datajack is nothing more than a fancy, permanent electrode
> ... The Thought-to-data processing is handled by other systems (Which
> means normal items would have to be heavily modified to accomodate
> datajacks (though some, like a Pocket Secretary, would probably have the
> gear standard.)

I basically expanded on that implication above, and it seems sound.
One thing it clears up is "DNI" controls, whic always struck me as
similar to jacks, but overpriced. If that price includes adapting the
controlled object to the DNI (or even better, vice-versa), it makes
sense.

> However, another version of the datajack could be:
> Datasystems platform. Base unit is mounted mainly at the base of the
> skull and includes a transducer similar to a Cybercomm link.
> Cost: 45,000
> Essence Loss: .3
> Legality: Legal
> Availability: 5/4 days
> Street Index: 1.5
> Any number of datajacks may be added and slaved to the system. Cost
> are the same as in Shadowtech and Essence loss per datajack is -.05.
>
> Kinda goofy, IMO, but what do you think?

What does it do, besides replacing the cybercomlink for less cash and
essence?
I think given the above interpretations, such a piece of gear is not
needed.
Message no. 3
From: Alfredo B Alves <dghost@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Datajacks (Was Cybersystems Theory)
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 16:57:32 -0500
On Tue, 23 Jun 1998 13:40:37 -0500 wafflemiester
<evamarie@**********.net> writes:
>> Datajacks (Was Cybersystems Theory) (Alfredo B Alves , Mon 1:07)
>> If the datajack converted your thoughts to commands, a cybercomm link
>> would be redundant (just wire the radio or what ever to the datajack)

> The datajack outputs / inputs cranial electrical activity. Its
up to
>(other external or internal) hardware to deal with that. You could link
>to your radio, But itwould do no good- you couldn'teven changechannels,
>unless you gave it adtajavckcontorl (like avehicle, butprobaly much
>cheapoer- we make jack adapted gear 2x cost). Also, your datajack does
>not genrate sound output, so you would net send voice signals to the
>radio (unless you "recorded" the sound, using cyberears/ recorders,
>throat mikes, cybercomm, or just stored sound in memeory). You wouln't
>hear the radio over your jack, either, without something to play the
>sound in your head (like mastoid implants, ears/recoders, or the
>commlink).
> Riggers and deckers CAN fully utilize any / all eqipment that is
>integrated into devices controlled by thier "simsense environment", but
>are not justusing a jack to do so- they are using the matrix (cyberdeck)
>or VCR / rigger adaption gear.

<SNIP>
>> Okay, IMO, a datajack is nothing more than a fancy, permanent
electrode
>> ... The Thought-to-data processing is handled by other systems (Which
>> means normal items would have to be heavily modified to accomodate
>> datajacks (though some, like a Pocket Secretary, would probably have
the
>> gear standard.)

> I basically expanded on that implication above, and it seems
sound.
>One thing it clears up is "DNI" controls, whic always struck me as
>similar to jacks, but overpriced. If that price includes adapting the
>controlled object to the DNI (or even better, vice-versa), it makes
>sense.

I was thinking of something like that ... Lets breakdown a Pocket
Secretary ...
100 MP pocket computer 500
portable phone, pocket 500
filing system ?
Total = 1000+? ... I THOUGHT this came with a datajack ... Don't know
where I got that idea ... so a datajack equipped Pocket secretary would
cost 6,000??? Ouch ... actually it'd probably be a fixed number ... like
250 (which is the VR 2 cost of a hitcher Jack) or 500 ...

>> However, another version of the datajack could be:
>> Datasystems platform. Base unit is mounted mainly at the base of the
>> skull and includes a transducer similar to a Cybercomm link.
>> Cost: 45,000
>> Essence Loss: .3
>> Legality: Legal
>> Availability: 5/4 days
>> Street Index: 1.5
>> Any number of datajacks may be added and slaved to the system. Cost
>> are the same as in Shadowtech and Essence loss per datajack is -.05.
>>
>> Kinda goofy, IMO, but what do you think?

> What does it do, besides replacing the cybercomlink for less
cash and
>essence?

It doesn't replace a cybercomm link ... It has the transduce from one so
adding a cybercomm link would be .2 Ess or so ... but what does it
converts the brain signals to data before being sent through a datajack
... so instead of being all your gear with datajack & brain signal
reading gear ... just buy it with datajack gear ... :)

> I think given the above interpretations, such a piece of gear is
not
>needed.

Niether do I ... It was just a thought ;) :P

D.Ghost
(aka Pixel, Tantrum, and RuPixel)
"Let he who is without SIN cast the first stone"

_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
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