Back to the main page

Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: hmmm
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 1993 00:31:46 -0500
I'm not sure what is worse . . .

The fact I'm writing up a Sprite Hermetic for a game tomorrow night...

Or the fact that I have TNT on in the background and 2001 is the movie.
Making a character to the sounds of men in gorillia suits beating the snot
out of each other ......

MY GOD, IT'S FULL OF STARS!

{[> Robert A. Hayden ____ #include <std_disclaimer.h> <]}
{[> \ /__ ------------------------------- <]}
{[> aq650@****.INS.CWRU.Edu \/ / Bigotry is what is incompatible <]}
{[> hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu \/ with military service. <]}
-=-=-
GEEK CODE v1.0.1: GSS d- -p+(---) c++(++++) l++ u++ e+/* m++(*)@ s-/++
n-(---) h+(*) f+ g+ w++ t++ r++ y+(*)

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Random Thought:

I am Svedish Chef of Burg. Prepaur to bey Assimilatedy.

Borg! Borg! Borg!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Message no. 2
From: "Weird Thoughts Inc." <MKNABUSCH@******.BITNET>
Subject: Hmmm
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1993 00:40:51 -0500
Well here goes once again an idea (not tested and barely thought out)
for street sammies in a tough squeeze where speed counts.

Quick Draw Smart link
Its still the tried and true standard SmartLink but with an added
feature. For just a few duckets more, a small but powerful magnet
will be added to the palmlink as well as the guns grips. Now this
sounds kinda dumb at first. The magnet allows you to draw the weapon
(provided it does not have something like a peace strap on it..sheah-
right...with runners *snicker*) without you actually touching it.
At between six inches to one foot (GM's preference...no screaming the
M-word) the weapon practically leaps into the hand. Of course the
weapon can't really be much larger than a pistol or maybe a small
SMG and it will play bloody havok in places with metal dectors.
Just a thought I wanted to throw out on the net.
-Harlequin
aka Michael Knabusch
Message no. 3
From: "Dark Thought Publications." <JEK5313@*****.TAMU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Hmmm
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1993 00:18:32 -0500
From: "Weird Thoughts Inc."
<MKNABUSCH%ALBION.bitnet@*****.nic.SURFnet.nl>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Things that make you go Hmmmmmmmmmm. . .
]Quick Draw Smart link
]The magnet allows you to draw the weapon
]without you actually touching it.
]At between six inches to one foot the weapon practically leaps into the hand.
]Of course the weapon can't really be much larger than a pistol or maybe a small
]SMG and it will play bloody havok in places with metal dectors.
]Just a thought I wanted to throw out on the net.


Why not this, instead?
An idea from Harry Harrison's Deathworld series.
A shoulder holster, custom-made, which is connected via a cable to the butt of
the pistol. (This only works for pistols. Bigger weapons just don't fit into
this kind of a holster.)

[The cable is the main magic item, and I mean magic in this case as high-tech,
not enchantment (just so Nightstalker and I won't have any conflicts over magic
and tech conflicts, at least in _this_ message. :) )]

The cable is a totally flexible plastic. However, when a current is applied,
it becomes rigid, and adopts an (ONE) designed position, namely that of your
hand's location. The current is triggered by muscle movements in the forearm
of a particular type. (Shoot-Kill-Bang type.)

Tech view: you give command for red alert to brain, impulses sent from arm to
miniprocessor, which interprets for proper signal, and sends current through
cable at receipt of proper signal.

Street view: You think "gun" and it's in your hand, almost instantly.

Sorry about the roundabout method of description. I'm running on 6 hours of
sleep in the last 60-or-so hours, and coherency at all is a major
accomplishment.


--Flare <NULLSIG COURTESY OF DOOM>

Dark Thought Publications & Doom Technologies, Inc.
>>> Working on solutions best left in the dark.
Message no. 4
From: "Stephen R. Wilcoxon" <wilcoxon@****.EDU>
Subject: Re: Hmmm
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1993 01:53:34 -0400
> Why not this, instead?
> An idea from Harry Harrison's Deathworld series.
> A shoulder holster, custom-made, which is connected via a cable to the butt
> of the pistol. (This only works for pistols. Bigger weapons just don't fit
> into this kind of a holster.)

Actually, if I remember right (just reread it last month), it's a forearm
holster with the cable.


Twilight

The Crystal Wind is the Storm, and the Storm is Data, and the Data is Life.
-- The Player's Litany
Message no. 5
From: "Richard C. Osterhout" <rcoster@*****.NET>
Subject: Re: Hmmm
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1993 05:17:19 -0400
On Mon, 30 Aug 1993, Weird Thoughts Inc. wrote:

> Well here goes once again an idea (not tested and barely thought out)
> for street sammies in a tough squeeze where speed counts.
>
> Quick Draw Smart link
> Its still the tried and true standard SmartLink but with an added
> feature. For just a few duckets more, a small but powerful magnet
> will be added to the palmlink as well as the guns grips. Now this

if its that powerful, won't it screw up the electroMAGNETIC signal that is
generated by the smartgun link and travels up the arm???

> sounds kinda dumb at first. The magnet allows you to draw the weapon
> (provided it does not have something like a peace strap on it..sheah-
> right...with runners *snicker*) without you actually touching it.
> At between six inches to one foot (GM's preference...no screaming the
> M-word) the weapon practically leaps into the hand. Of course the
> weapon can't really be much larger than a pistol or maybe a small
> SMG and it will play bloody havok in places with metal dectors.

not to mention if you're walkin' through a hardware store with loose nails
layin around when you trigger those "powerful" magnets :)

> Just a thought I
wanted to throw out on the net. > -Harlequin
> aka Michael Knabusch


personally, i think i would rather have the characters spend karma and get
a "quickdraw" skill, similar to iajitsu (sp?) which is used in martial
arts for drawing/maneuvering melee weapons (such as big swords) into
attack position...that way, you are using a skill (hard to detect with
metal detectors, btw) and maybe can get a mod on the target number...sure,
if you have a low skill score, using quickness instead would probably be
better, but once you got a high enough skill...the other benefit would be
that if this were a general skill, you could have it break down into melee
weapons, thrown weapons, or firearms...i still would make the proviso that
the skill can only be used with one handed weapons, and probably would
limit it to things like knives, batons, shuriken, grenades, and
pistols...i don't think you NEED to get two bursts off with that SMG...

now, of course many of you are saying "...but using a skill uses a complex
action!"....well, as the saying goes, "...there's an exception to every
rule!"


oh well, that's my 2 cents worth and i havent really woken up yet...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
| rcoster@*****.net Currently in Baltimore, MD |
| Richard C. Osterhout but hope to be home in |
| Orlando, FL soon!!! |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 6
From: Cysgod ac dwr melys <MHILLIARD@******.BITNET>
Subject: Re: Hmmm
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1993 09:15:44 -0500
It's iai-jitsu, I think. Lightning strike. And it's a really good idea. But
I'd bet that some lumbering razorboy would rather choose a mechanical
alternative. And thus, some techie would realise that money's to be made and
design one.
IMHO

Phelan UnD.
Message no. 7
From: Richard Pieri <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Hmmm
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1993 10:36:55 EDT
>>>>> "WTI" == Weird Thoughts Inc
>>>>> <MKNABUSCH%ALBION.bitnet@*****.nic.SURFnet.nl> writes:

WTI> Its still the tried and true standard SmartLink but with
WTI> an added feature. For just a few duckets more, a small but
WTI> powerful magnet will be added to the palmlink as well as the guns
WTI> grips. Now this sounds kinda dumb at first.

Yeah, it does:

* It shouldn't have anything to do with the Smartlink itself. It
should be a completely separate piece of cyber.

* A magnet? One, the magnet will mess up the electrical signal of a
smartlink (put a stereo speaker next to your TV some time and see
what happens :-). Two, most firearms in 2050 have a significant
amount of plastic in their construction. That's got to be a pretty
powerful magnet in order to pull a handgun out of a holster. Third,
better hope that there aren't any steel beams, car doors, etc., in
the vicinity or your hand's gonna make a bee-line for them faster
then the gun pops out.

* Woudln't it be easier, and more effective, to make a spring-loaded
holster? Equally quick, and far more Essence friendly :-).

Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> Northeastern's Stainless Steel Rat
PGP Public Key Block available upon request Ask about rat-pgp.el v1.61
||||| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
If you can't take a little bloody nose maybe you ought to go back home and
crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here. It's wonderous, with treasures to
satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid. --Q
Message no. 8
From: "David Loewenstern, Bell Labs,
Subject: Hmmm
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1993 11:20:56 EDT
... On Mon, 30 Aug 1993 10:36:55 EDT, Richard Pieri <ratinox@***.neu.edu> said:

}>>>>> "WTI" == Weird Thoughts Inc
}>>>>> <MKNABUSCH%ALBION.bitnet@*****.nic.SURFnet.nl> writes:

}WTI> Its still the tried and true standard SmartLink but with
}WTI> an added feature. For just a few duckets more, a small but
}WTI> powerful magnet will be added to the palmlink as well as the guns
}WTI> grips. Now this sounds kinda dumb at first.

} * A magnet? One, the magnet will mess up the electrical signal of a
} smartlink (put a stereo speaker next to your TV some time and see
} what happens :-).

I'd be really shocked (so to speak) if they were using electricity to
carry signals in 2050. Since chips in SR are light-based, not
electricity-based, I'd expect the wiring to be fiber-optic, not
electric coax cable.

} Two, most firearms in 2050 have a significant
} amount of plastic in their construction. That's got to be a pretty
} powerful magnet in order to pull a handgun out of a holster.

Or conversely, for this method to work, either:
1. The gun must be mostly ferromagnetic, making detection _really_ easy, or
2. A smartlink is required in your underarm, so the matching
electromagnet in the gun can be activated when the gun is drawn.

} Third,
} better hope that there aren't any steel beams, car doors, etc., in
} the vicinity or your hand's gonna make a bee-line for them faster
} then the gun pops out.

Depends on the range of the magnet. It follows the square law (force
fades off as the square of the distance). Yes, if your hand is next
to some big hunk of steel, you'll smash your hand against it. But I
thought that only antiques are made out of steel these days.

} * Woudln't it be easier, and more effective, to make a spring-loaded
} holster? Equally quick, and far more Essence friendly :-).

It doesn't have the panache of the gun flying into your hand, though.
It also won't work on anything too big to fit into a forearm holster.

I prefer the "memory-metal" method that someone else suggested earlier.

Of course, if you want it done right, get a mage to put together the
appropriate "magic fingers" spell anchor. Essence-friendly, wonderful
style, much better range, and a steal at only about (off the top of my
head) 60KY or so.

-- Quincunx <loewenst@****.rutgers.edu>
Message no. 9
From: Richard Pieri <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Hmmm
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1993 11:42:38 EDT
>>>>> "DLBL2" == David Loewenstern, Bell Labs, 201-386-6516
>>>>> <David.Loewenstern@***.com> writes:

DLBL2> ... On Mon, 30 Aug 1993 10:36:55 EDT, Richard Pieri <ratinox@***.neu.edu>
said:
>>>>>>> "WTI" == Weird Thoughts Inc
>>>>>>> <MKNABUSCH%ALBION.bitnet@*****.nic.SURFnet.nl> writes:

>> * A magnet? One, the magnet will mess up the electrical signal of a
>> smartlink (put a stereo speaker next to your TV some time and see
>> what happens :-).

DLBL2> I'd be really shocked (so to speak) if they were using
DLBL2> electricity to carry signals in 2050. Since chips in SR are
DLBL2> light-based, not electricity-based, I'd expect the wiring to be
DLBL2> fiber-optic, not electric coax cable.

*shrug*

>> Two, most firearms in 2050 have a significant
>> amount of plastic in their construction. That's got to be a pretty
>> powerful magnet in order to pull a handgun out of a holster.

DLBL2> Depends on the range of the magnet. It follows the square law
DLBL2> (force fades off as the square of the distance). Yes, if your
DLBL2> hand is next to some big hunk of steel, you'll smash your hand
DLBL2> against it. But I thought that only antiques are made out of
DLBL2> steel these days.

Buildings (*especially* the big ones), cars, lots of things. Face it,
for tensile strength, there's not much better that costs so little.

>> * Woudln't it be easier, and more effective, to make a spring-loaded
>> holster? Equally quick, and far more Essence friendly :-).

DLBL2> It doesn't have the panache of the gun flying into your hand,
DLBL2> though.

Flare gets you killed.

DLBL2> It also won't work on anything too big to fit into a forearm
DLBL2> holster.

Elucidate, please. Springs come in many sizes.

DLBL2> Of course, if you want it done right, get a mage to put
DLBL2> together the appropriate "magic fingers" spell anchor.
DLBL2> Essence-friendly, wonderful style, much better range, and a
DLBL2> steal at only about (off the top of my head) 60KY or so.

>>>>>[Oh, neat! And it's so close to that ammunition, too :-).
(kazorch! shound of a spark spell grounding through the lock)
Pity about the arm...]<<<<<
--Squeak <11:42:03/08-30-93>

Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> Northeastern's Stainless Steel Rat
PGP Public Key Block available upon request Ask about rat-pgp.el v1.61
||||| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Odds don't matter when Humans want something bad enough. --UHED series 507
Message no. 10
From: Andrew Jackson <BESAJACK@***.LIVERPOOL-JOHN-MOORES.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Hmmm...
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1993 14:58:19 GMT
all this stuff about quick drawing is very interesting however remember it only
takes one success on a reaction (4) roll to quick draw any way ..... so why
would any any sams out there bother with wasting essence on such things as even
the thickest slowest trolls out there will make this roll fairly easily anyway.

About a holster that propells a gun to someones hand .... have you read
" The Yellow Clearance Black Box Blues " .... a wonderful Paranoia adventure
detailing this device ...... do we really want paranoia stuff creeping into
sr2 ... i think not although it could make grenade throwing alot more
interesting
-:)

PreacherMan ... Toxic Shaman
Message no. 11
From: "Dark Thought Publications." <JEK5313@****.TAMU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Hmmm
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 1993 18:00:25 -0500
The Rat <ratinox> Speaks:
]>> * Woudln't it be easier, and more effective, to make a spring-loaded
]>> holster? Equally quick, and far more Essence friendly :-).

]DLBL2> It doesn't have the panache of the gun flying into your hand,
]DLBL2> though.

]Flare gets you killed.



Hey!! Not if he's nice. I mean -- _real_ nice. And he pays me lots of
money.. .

What's this: "Punsters to the left of me. Punsters to the right of me.
Punsters in front of me. Into the valley of Bad Jokes rode the 600." ( With
apologies to Suppe.)

:)


--Flare <NULLSIG COURTESY OF DOOM>

Dark Thought Publications & Doom Technologies, Inc.
>>> Working on solutions best left in the dark.
Message no. 12
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Hmmm
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1993 15:05:18 -0500
What about 'MacGyver B/R' for a skill.

The ability to use limited items to accomplish a task.

A swiss army knife gives you a -4 to all of your target numbers.

Oh, wait, this is Shadowrun, not Toon.

{[> Robert A. Hayden ____ <[} Question Authority
{[> \ /__ <]} -=-=-
{[> aq650@****.INS.CWRU.Edu \/ / <]} Finger for PGP 2.3a Public Key
{[> hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu \/ <]} # include <std_disclaimer.h>
-=-=-=-=-=-
(GEEK CODE 1.0.1) GSS d- -p+(---) c++(++++) l++ u++ e+/* m++(*)@ s-/++
n-(---) h+(*) f+ g+ w++ t++ r++ y+(*)
Message no. 13
From: Stefan Hahn <HAHN@***.EDU>
Subject: hmmm
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1993 12:21:48 -0800
(Header deleted)
>
>>>>>[This is the Official Representitive of the House Solarial of Tir
Tairngire
(message deleted)
>orders for anysuspected terrorists or criminals.]<<<<<
> -- Prince Solarial Residence (13:11:51/11.9.54)
>
>D
>D
>them of events. This would percipitate a Code Alpha Tir wde
>contact us to arrange
>--

Is anyone else getting these leftovers at the end of David's posts? I can't
figure this out.
****************************************************************/***\**********
HAHN@***.EDU***************************************************//***\\*********
***********************************************************(\*( |***| )*/)*****
**********************************************************( ^\ \***/ /^ )****
***********************************************************\ \*/ /*****
************************************************************(_ _/*\_ _)******
**************************************************************[ (*O*) ]********
***************************************************************\|***|/*********
****************************************************************\***/**********
WITH ORION'S SWORD THE HUNTER AROSE AND CONQUERED THE WORLD WITH FURY AND GRACE
Message no. 14
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Re: hmmm
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1993 14:46:39 -0600
On Tue, 9 Nov 1993, Stefan Hahn wrote:

> Is anyone else getting these leftovers at the end of David's posts? I can't
> figure this out.

1) Forward shadowtalk replies to PLOT-D
2) Yes


____ Robert A. Hayden <=> hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu
\ /__ -=-=-=-=- <=> -=-=-=-=-
\/ / Finger for Geek Code Info <=> Veteran of the Bermuda Triangle
\/ Finger for PGP 2.3a Public Key <=> Expeditionary Force -- 1993-1951
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
(GEEK CODE 1.0.1) GAT d- -p+(---) c++(++++) l++ u++ e+/* m++(*)@ s-/++
n-(---) h+(*) f+ g+ w++ t++ r++ y+(*)
Message no. 15
From: Nightfox <DJWA@******.UCC.NAU.EDU>
Subject: Re: hmmm
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1993 13:46:22 -0700
>>>>>>[This is the Official Representitive of the House Solarial of Tir
Tairngire
>(message deleted)
>> -- Prince Solarial Residence (13:11:51/11.9.54)
>>D
>>D
>>them of events. This would percipitate a Code Alpha Tir wde
>>contact us to arrange
>>--
>
>Is anyone else getting these leftovers at the end of David's posts? I can't
>figure this out.

Yep
I is getting them.
Dan
Nightfox
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daniel Waisley + SCA - March of Ered Sul - Flagstaff AZ
DJWA@******.UCC.NAU.EDU + Nau fencing club.
"Nightfox" + Brotherhood of the Cryptic Demesne - Fencing house
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
" A lack of knowledge is a dangerous thing. I am the most dangerous man in the
universe." - Daniel Waisley "Nightfox"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about Hmmm, 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.