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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Veskrashen veskrashen@*******.com
Subject: Skillsofts and DINABs...
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 12:38:36 -0600
Here's a new twist to the skillsoft debate: DINABs. A decker can
program a utility with a built in computer skill. Does this mean that
he could use the knowledge or whatever on other skillsofts (or from
just plain skills they have) into expert utilities? Think of a
financial expert system designed for moneylaundering or what have
you...

Then, just to be really sick, add in my previous question of
cranial cyberdecks running in the background. Now you could give
Build/Repair expert chips to your deckers, and they could help out
riggers with vehicle repairs on downtime. Or give them a tactics chip,
and let them act as team coordinator, especially with all the
additional data coming in about the responding sec teams movements....

New question: since softlink systems can access datasofts, could it
be modified by a cyberdoc with sufficent cybertechnology skills to
write data to optical chips as well as read it? This could be used as
a sort of "offline" data storage for deckers with c2 decks, as well as
for other uses. If so, what would it's I/O speed be? And would data so
accessed add to System or Softlink System Load Delay? and if so, when?
Everytime accessed, or only the first time it was accessed?

-Mojo.
Message no. 2
From: Mongoose m0ng005e@*********.com
Subject: Skillsofts and DINABs...
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 16:44:09 -0600
: Here's a new twist to the skillsoft debate: DINABs. A decker can
:program a utility with a built in computer skill. Does this mean that
:he could use the knowledge or whatever on other skillsofts (or from
:just plain skills they have) into expert utilities? Think of a
:financial expert system designed for moneylaundering or what have
:you...

IMO, no. Frames / DINAB is designed to opperate matrix utilities, and
don't have the broad programing needed to utilize skills.
Secondly, the frame / dinab does not have the intellegence to make
good judgements as to HOW to use a skill. That sort of thing is more in
the relm of semi-automous knowbots, which are MUCH harder to program.


: Then, just to be really sick, add in my previous question of
:cranial cyberdecks running in the background. Now you could give
:Build/Repair expert chips to your deckers, and they could help out
:riggers with vehicle repairs on downtime. Or give them a tactics chip,
:and let them act as team coordinator, especially with all the
:additional data coming in about the responding sec teams movements....


Seeing as the character had an encephalon, which acts as a knowsoft
link, that is possible for some skills already. Active Skills running as
skillsofts require skillwires, and I don't think adding the Skillsoft to a
frame would change that.

: New question: since softlink systems can access datasofts, could it
:be modified by a cyberdoc with sufficent cybertechnology skills to
:write data to optical chips as well as read it? This could be used as
:a sort of "offline" data storage for deckers with c2 decks, as well as
:for other uses. If so, what would it's I/O speed be? And would data so
:accessed add to System or Softlink System Load Delay? and if so, when?
:Everytime accessed, or only the first time it was accessed?
:
: -Mojo.


A datajack is already capable of data output. The problem is, most
chips can't just record any input- they need to be cooked. There are some
exceptions, I think, but they are not well detailed, and those may be a
different kind / size / format / medium from other "chips".
What might be more "cannon" is hooking up a softlink to a computer,
and reading its memory as a datasoft. Of course, this is also possible
with a datajack, and the datajack can output as well...
As for the load delay, SR3 doesn't seem to use load delay. I think
accessing a chip is a free action, like other uses of cyberware.

Mongoose

Further Reading

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Thwap!