Logs for ShadowRN and Associated Mailing Lists

From:	John Coughlin <john.coughlin@***.edu>
Subject:	Multiple Datajacks?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jun 1996 19:55:46 -0700 (MST)

Message no. 1 Hi all....gotta question for you. The guy running a decker in my
campaign (I GM) asked me the other day what is the use of multiple
datajacks. I have been playing since SR first came out, but never came
across any explicit benefits (as opposed to multiple chipjacks). What do
you folks give or receive as bennies of 2,3,4 etc datajacks? Thanks. One
magic question.....where does it describe fetishes and reusable fetishes
(I am looking for stuff on the reusable fetish and cant find stuff in the
ToC and am too lazy to look through all the magic stuff). Thanks again. John

From:	dbuehrer@****.org (David Buehrer)
Subject:	Re: Multiple Datajacks?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jun 1996 21:04:39 -0600 (MDT)

Message no. 2 John Coughlin wrote:
|
|campaign (I GM) asked me the other day what is the use of multiple
|datajacks. I have been playing since SR first came out, but never came
|across any explicit benefits (as opposed to multiple chipjacks). What do
|you folks give or receive as bennies of 2,3,4 etc datajacks?

A single datajack is wired into a person's entire brain, and allows for
something as minor as access to a datastore to something as major as a
full virtual interface with complete overide of the physical body's
senses. A single datajack does everything you could want it to do. I
don't think an additional datajack would give any benefits. On the
contrary, if you had two systems plugged into seperate jacks, each one
sending conflicting signals directly to your brain, at the very least
you would get one hell of a headache, at the worst psychosis or brain
death.

If you want to handle multiple tasks just get a slave unit like riggers
do for multiple drones. Like having a secretary plug into a central
processor that links up to the computer, phone, security and coffee
machine. She could access all four systems with one jack.

-David

/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\ dbuehrer@****.org /^\/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\/^\
"His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like
underpants in a dryer without Cling Free."
~~~~~~http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1068/homepage.html~~~~~~

From:	Peter David Boddy <pdboddy@****.carleton.ca>
Subject:	Re: Multiple Datajacks?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jun 96 23:10:59 EDT

Message no. 3 John Coughlin writes:
>
> campaign (I GM) asked me the other day what is the use of multiple
> datajacks. I have been playing since SR first came out, but never came
> across any explicit benefits (as opposed to multiple chipjacks). What do
> you folks give or receive as bennies of 2,3,4 etc datajacks? Thanks. One
> magic question.....where does it describe fetishes and reusable fetishes
> (I am looking for stuff on the reusable fetish and cant find stuff in the
> ToC and am too lazy to look through all the magic stuff). Thanks again. John

You are lazy ya bum:-) Look in the SRII main rulebook, page 133, header
"Restricted Use Spells". There may be other spots to look, but I know
what I need to know, and I am not looking it up for you.

Pete

Pete aka Spitfire
Test your might...
Classic Sub-Zero Scorpion Reptile Ermac Classic Smoke Noob Saibot
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter David Boddy
Carleton University
Email address: pdboddy@****.carleton.ca
Email address: bx955@*******.carleton.ca
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From:	HALOWEEN JACK <sbc3kcb@*******.ac.uk>
Subject:	Re: Multiple Datajacks?
Date:	Tue, 25 Jun 1996 11:48:15 GMT

Message no. 4 > John Coughlin wrote:
> |
> |campaign (I GM) asked me the other day what is the use of multiple
> |datajacks. I have been playing since SR first came out, but never came
> |across any explicit benefits (as opposed to multiple chipjacks). What do
> |you folks give or receive as bennies of 2,3,4 etc datajacks?
>
No not really the character I have played with multiple data jacks
had them because he was an Otaku. The major one was to plug himself
into the matrix the second was so that he could down load information
into an offline storage unit. I thought it would be easier to conect
them in parallel than in series.

Dave said:

> A single datajack is wired into a person's entire brain, and allows for
> something as minor as access to a datastore to something as major as a
> full virtual interface with complete overide of the physical body's
> senses. A single datajack does everything you could want it to do. I
> don't think an additional datajack would give any benefits. On the
> contrary, if you had two systems plugged into seperate jacks, each one
> sending conflicting signals directly to your brain, at the very least
> you would get one hell of a headache, at the worst psychosis or brain
> death.
>
> If you want to handle multiple tasks just get a slave unit like riggers
> do for multiple drones. Like having a secretary plug into a central
> processor that links up to the computer, phone, security and coffee
> machine. She could access all four systems with one jack.
>
> -David
Either that or use the multi tasking abilites of the Encephalon that
should be able to handle the signals of multiple Datajacks easily.

Love is the fine line between pleasure and pain

Except when you're into S&M when it's just pain! pain! pain!

Haloween Jack

From:	Brian Johnson <john0375@****.tc.umn.edu>
Subject:	Re: Multiple Datajacks?
Date:	Tue, 25 Jun 1996 10:04:18 -0500 (CDT)

Message no. 5 > campaign (I GM) asked me the other day what is the use of multiple
> datajacks. I have been playing since SR first came out, but never came
> across any explicit benefits (as opposed to multiple chipjacks).

The SR1 datajacks have all kinds of extra jab in them (See ShadowTech,
I/O, etc.) I think you can run chips through them, and smartguns, with
some adjustments could be allowed. I have some custom tech that
requires a datajack and some other cyber called a 'dumb gun' (Y'all wi'
hate this) It fires whenever it senses a person (thermo), and a bit of
software controls your arm for you. Other DJ can be used for whatever
(decking one handed, etc.)

> What do you folks give or receive as bennies of 2,3,4 etc datajacks?

You look like a serious techie, can jack a B/R chip and a <data>soft and
interface with several pieces of diagnostic equipment at the same time.
Failing that, you can control the microscope and run a liabrary chip at
the same time to verify what you've found. Reduced time of research?

> fetishes and reusable fetishes
See Grimoire2, teen pages. Grimoire1, in the twenties.

From:	"Robert J. Waters" <rjwate01@*****.louisville.edu>
Subject:	Re: Multiple Datajacks?
Date:	Tue, 25 Jun 1996 18:34:06 -0500 (EDT)

Message no. 6 Somewhere on the web are some optional rules for using multiple datajacks in
conjunction with an encephalon inorder to multitask. If you want I can email
em to you (don't remember where I got them but can find out if you would
prefer that).
--
Luc AKA BobW

EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME!
BUT THE CORPSE STILL HAS THE FLOOR!
--Kevin Spacey as Lloyd in The Ref (1994)

From:	"Robert J. Waters" <rjwate01@*****.louisville.edu>
Subject:	Re: Multiple Datajacks
Date:	Fri, 28 Jun 1996 02:27:48 -0500 (EDT)

Message no. 7 > I'd be interested in seeing that encephalon/multi-tasking thing
> ShadowTech isn't remotely specific on how it works.
> Could you post that information to the mailing list?
> Thanks.

Here it is. Also I was wanting to know how people who have used this deal or
plan to deal with otaku players who will surely want a multitasking system.
Of course this is assuming the inclusion of multitasking and otaku into a
campaign at the same time. Yes I know the topic is old, but it took me awhile
to dig up the following file from my archives.

--
Luc AKA BobW

EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME!
BUT THE CORPSE STILL HAS THE FLOOR!
--Kevin Spacey as Lloyd in The Ref (1994)

EMail: rjwate01@*****.louisville.edu
Web : http://www.louisville.edu/~rjwate01/

Here goes nothin' :)

MultiTasking

Robert A. Hayden (hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu) Vincent Esposito
(VESPOSIT@****.sunysb.edu)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTRODUCTION

With the advent of the Encephalon as a cognitive multi-tasking control
unit, a team of industrious cyber-engineers have been developing methods
for multi-tasking several datajacks, allowing many interesting
possibilities. Now you can run multiple cyberdecks, rigs, communication
jobs, computers, synthesizers, etc. in nearly any combination, as long as
you have enough datajacks.

HOW MULTI-TASKING WORKS

Multi-tasking is accomplished by switching attention between tasks at an
incredibly fast rate utilizing the cognitive multi-tasking of the
encephalon. A person using this system to run 2 decks (and thus having 2
Matrix personas doing different things) or someone rigging a vehicle and
using two remote control decks, for example, never actually executes two
commands simultaneously.

The encephalon allows the user to have his attention on one task for a few
nanoseconds, and then switches attention to another task for a few
nanoseconds. This switching is fast, but not instantaneous, so there is
some degradation in response time.

Also, the encephalon was not designed to handle multiple datastreams, so
the FIFO (First In/First Out) buffer is required. The buffer stores
outgoing commands, and incoming segments of data, so that the encephalon
only has to deal with one device. The encephalon simply looks up the region
of the buffer that is associated with the datajack it is currently giving
attention to, and writes output to that datajack in another partition of
that region.

The I/O SPU associated with a datajack looks in it's assigned region of
memory for data that is to be sent through the datajack, and places any
incoming data in that region also.

Furthermore, a Math SPU added to the encephalon acts as a floating point
math coprocessor of the 20th century, speeding up response time so reaction
penalties are reduced.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND RULES

The Basic system:

To multitask several datajacks you need a few things:

1. An encephalon of appropriate level
2. A number of datajacks
3. An equal number of I/O SPU's of the same rating as the datajacks
4. A FIFO (First-In/First-Out) buffer of headware memory
5. (optional) A math SPU whose rating is at least that of the encephalon
to decrease system overhead.

The number of datajacks that can be controlled by an encephalon is equal to
the rating of the encephalon + 1. (i.e. an encephalon-3 can multitask a
maximum of 4 datajacks)

Buffer Memory Requirements:

This is internal memory utilized by the encephalon to buffer commands and
data. To determine the amount of buffer memory that must be installed,
consult the table below.

Reaction Penalties:

Multi-tasking does cause some loss of response time due to data clash and
processing time spent switching between datajacks. Basically, this results
in a reaction penalty depending on how many datajacks are being used at any
given time. This is determined by the following table.

Encephalon # of active datajacks
Level 1 2 3 4 5
----------------------------------------------
1 0 -1 -- -- --
2 0 -1 -2 -- --
3 0 -1 -2 -3 --
4 0 -1 -2 -3 -4

This penalty applies to each "Task" being done.

For example:

OddBall is running 3 datajacks, one is a remote vehicle rig, and the others
are cyberdecks. This means that OddBall has a -2 to his reaction for each
"task".

NOTE: The addition of a Math SPU whose level is equal or greater than the
level of the encephalon will speed up response time somewhat. Adding this
extra hardware will reduce all reaction penalties by one point. (Suppose
OddBall has a Math SPU, each of his "tasks" will now only have a -1
reaction penalty). A MATH SPU will not bestow a bonus for running only one
datajack.

OPTIONAL RULE: PRIORITIZED MULTI-TASKING

Optionally, a GM can allow multitasking players (and NPC's) to use the
following "priority system" for reaction penalties.

Instead of having an across the board reaction penalty to all processes,
the multi-tasking user can distribute his reaction penalties in any
fashion. This means that the user can rank the importance of each task by
it's reaction penalty (hence the name "priority system".)

The following table shows the total penalty for running a given number of
datajacks. The user may distribute these "penalty points" among his active
datajacks in any fashion. The penalties assigned must add up to the total
given by the table.

Encephalon # of active datajacks
Level 1 2 3 4 5
----------------------------------------------
1 0 -2 -- -- --
2 0 -2 -6 -- --
3 0 -2 -6 -12 --
4 0 -2 -6 -12 -20

NOTE: The figures in this table are derived by multiplying the base penalty
(see previous chart) by the number of datajacks.

Math SPU:

After assigning penalties to all datajacks, reduce each penalty by one if a
Math SPU is present. (note: you cannot gain a bonus this way, a task
running at -0 does not become +1 with a Math SPU)

Changing Priorities:

At any time, a user may change the way his penalties are distributed. This
takes one action to accomplish, and is done exactly the same as assigning
the initial penalties.

"Dead" Tasks:

If a task goes inactive, whether on purpose or as the result of an outside
force (i.e.: A persona gets fried by IC, a remote drone is destroyed,
someone pulls out one of your cords, etc.) then the user must re-distribute
his priorities immediately to reflect the change in the system. This will
take one action.

If the user chooses, he can allow the automatic redistribution functions to
take over. If this happens, the penalties are equally divided between all
of the active datajacks. This takes no action as it is automatic. (Example:
Static is running four datajacks in a prioritized system [total penalty is
-12]. He has assigned penalties as 0, -1, - 4, -7. Suddenly, his -7
datajack is disconnected. The system reaction penalty is now -6 and the
computer will automatically assign those points as -2, -2, -2 unless Static
was to spend the next action assigning them differently.

Because each process must have a minimum amount of CPU time, there is a
maximum penalty that you can assign to a process. This penalty is based on
the number of datajacks being used and the processing power (rating) of the
encephalon. Consult the table below to determine this maximum penalty.

Maximum Penalties:

Encephalon # of active datajacks
Level 1 2 3 4 5
----------------------------------------------
1 x -2 -- -- --
2 x -2 -4 -- --
3 x -2 -5 -7 --
4 x -2 -6 -8 -11

Example: Splut is running four datajacks with a level 3 system. He must
distribute 12 priority points. The maximum number of points he could put
into one process would be 7, and he would have to use the other 5 in any of
the other three datajacks.

>>>>>{This is a classy setup, let me tell you. I
once knew a rigger who had three datajacks. Was
able to plug himself into his car and drive, fire the
car's guns, and control a flying drone all at the
same time with very little apparent loss of control.
It's not JUST for deckers.}<<<<<
-- Joyride <13:18:36/10-10-52>

>>>>>{The biggest problem I see with this
system is the fact that it is not very essence
friendly. I mean, if you want a Level 4
Encephalon, 5 level 4 datajacks, 5 level 4 I/O
SPUs, a level 4 MATH SPU, and 200 Mp of
memory, you are looking at 5.16 points of
essence!!!!!!! Who in their right mind would do
something like that?}<<<<
-- Splut

>>>>>{I would.}<<<<<
-- Datajerk <13:28:21/10-10-52>

>>>>>{Figures. Where this really pays off is that
you can have one person working on five
computer projects at once. I've heard of a bunch
of corps giving their wage-slaves level 4 systems
in order to increase productivity. It isn't very
cheap, but it really pays off in the end.

Deckers can also make good use of this system. I
know a gal who usually runs with three decks.
Each of the personas has a specialty. One can
fight real well, one is the master data-gatherer,
another sleazes and scans. Remarkable setup.
Andeach of the personas of course use the same
memory for utilities, dramatically cutting down on
the amount of data being moved around. Even
Black IC have problems fighting off three deckers
at once. Really remarkable.}<<<<<
-- Wolf 359 <13:41:46/10-10-52>

>>>>>{Christ, Wolfie. You sound like you are in
love.}<<<<<
-- Ramirez <>

>>>>>{Well, just don't tell anyone.}<<<<<
-- Wolf 359 <13:43:04/10-10-52>

From:	abortion_engine abortion_engine@*******.com
Subject:	Multiple Datajacks
Date:	Tue, 24 Aug 1999 17:14:04 -0400

Message no. 8 Of course more than one is useful. Besides the rigger/decker pair (first
mentioned in RBB2, IIRC) and wierd things like skillsoft jukeboxes (another
NERPS thing, I presume?) the sourcebooks have mentioned, once or twice,
using a datajack as an external link to an internal device. For instance, I
love the Philips Tacticomm, but hate having a headset. So, I plug the
Philips into the datajack port running to my cybercomm. Now, you shouldn't
really need a different datajack for every accessory you want linked to
(although I sometimes makes players do this if the work is done at street
level) but it sure is a pain to have to unplug Widget X to use Widget Y.

As for multi-tasking, what do you think the encephelon is for?

No, really, I'm asking. :)

When the encephelon was introduced, Smiling Bandit mentions that you can
"use these babies to multi-task your cognitive needs." What's that supposed
to mean? Why are there no (published) rules for it? Now, I'm certain many
people have a house rule, and I've seen some on the internet, but what does
FASA think? Will it be in M&M? I hope so.

(I should note, our house rule bounces back and forth from no effect to
allowing the user to essentially split personalities, inasmuch as the
multi-tasked "personality" is able to act as an expert system for the
purpose of working on any task using an inserted skillsoft, up to a number
of extra tasks equal to the level of encephelon. This way, you can be
shooting someone to bits while not paying attention at all to the data-code
decryption going inside your head, or whatever. Sensible limits must be
placed on this behavior, or all hell breaks loose. I once played a character
with a dual, max-rating encephlon who could be decking through a satellite
link--another keen use for that spare datajack!--while talking to his fixer
(street ettiquette) on his internal phone--another datajack!--and shooting
someone in the head. All the while he could be only thinking about playing
chess-by-mail with some friend from Istanbul. See the problems? My GM did.)

From:	Chris Pratt valen@*******.com
Subject:	Multiple Datajacks
Date:	Tue, 24 Aug 1999 18:22:58 -0400 (EDT)

Message no. 9 On Tue, 24 Aug 1999, abortion_engine wrote:

> Of course more than one is useful. Besides the rigger/decker pair (first
> mentioned in RBB2, IIRC) and wierd things like skillsoft jukeboxes

actually, its from the 3rd edition rulebook mixed in with all the other
gear

later
Chris
no .sig, different computer :)

Mailing List Logs for

Further Reading

Disclaimer