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Message no. 1
From: Patric 'Procrastination' Rogers <PROGERS@******.BITNET>
Subject: skillsofts question
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1993 14:30:00 EDT
can skillsofts be downloaded to a memory storage pack?

then can those skillsofts be accessed by some headware (datajack + i/o spu
or encephalon) and the whole softlink + skillsoft problem be ignored?


searching for opinions...

patric
progers@******.bitnet
Message no. 2
From: Vincent Paul Quitoriano <vincentq@***.CALTECH.EDU>
Subject: Skillsofts question
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 1994 16:58:36 -0700
What is the consensus out there about B/R skills as skillsofts? Are they
Active skills (requiring skillwires) or Knowledge skills (which don't)?

We haven't gotten a heavily skillsofted character until now.

Also: Shadowtech says that datajacks can access skillsofts... does that
mean access to a skillsoft chip directly (as in plugging it into the
jack)? Or merely downloading skillsoft data from some external storage?





Vince Q. aka Bright Eyes
Message no. 3
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Skillsofts question
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 1994 20:27:39 -0400
>>>>> "Vincent" == Vincent Paul Quitoriano
<vincentq@***.CALTECH.EDU>
>>>>> writes:

Vincent> What is the consensus out there about B/R skills as skillsofts?
Vincent> Are they Active skills (requiring skillwires) or Knowledge skills
Vincent> (which don't)?

The consensus is that B/R skills are not active skills. So you don't need
skillwires for B/R skillsofts, and you don't get your bonuses for Enhanced
Articulation for B/R skills.

Vincent> We haven't gotten a heavily skillsofted character until now.

Vincent> Also: Shadowtech says that datajacks can access skillsofts... does
Vincent> that mean access to a skillsoft chip directly (as in plugging it
Vincent> into the jack)? Or merely downloading skillsoft data from some
Vincent> external storage?

If you have no headware RAM you can access one skillsoft by plugging it
into your datajack, at the exclusion of all else. If you have headware RAM
you can download information skillsoft data into that RAM, thus not tying
up your datajack. Using a bank of dedicated skillsoft jacks is still more
efficient, though.

--
Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> |When not in use, Happy Fun Ball should be
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/ratinox|returned to its special container and kept
PGP Public Key: Ask for one today! |under refrigeration.
Message no. 4
From: Gareth Owen <glowen1@*****.NHS.GOV.UK>
Subject: Re: Skillsofts question
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 1994 11:36:21 +0100
Bright Eyes wrote:
> What is the consensus out there about B/R skills as skillsofts? Are they
> Active skills (requiring skillwires) or Knowledge skills (which don't)?

Active, I reckon.

> We haven't gotten a heavily skillsofted character until now.

Why not? Skillsofts are ace.

Firstly, give a runner a softlink or chipjack and he then has the
_potential_ (with the right skillsofts) to speak any language, know
any military theory skill or have a high degree of skill in any
science. Plus pure data softs like travel guides, etc.

Secondly: skillwires 3 are relatively cheap (cost and karma wise)
and allow a character to have _any_ skill he needs. i.e. a rigger
can have any b/r or vehicle control skill. OK level 3 aint earthshaking,
but it's enough for routine operations, repairs, salvage, etc. and a
rigger with skill 3 controlling a vehicle through a VCR is much better
than a normal guy using a higher skill.

Hey, I like skillsofts! :-)

> Also: Shadowtech says that datajacks can access skillsofts... does that
> mean access to a skillsoft chip directly (as in plugging it into the
> jack)? Or merely downloading skillsoft data from some external storage?

I assume the former, but I could be wrong.

>
> Vince Q. aka Bright Eyes
>

GLO

--
Gareth Owen | Mail: glowen1@*****.nhs.gov.uk
Message no. 5
From: Vincent Paul Quitoriano <vincentq@***.CALTECH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Skillsofts question
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 1994 16:37:43 -0700
> Why not? Skillsofts are ace.

Oh, yes, I know. This was one of the main debate questions when we
first started playing. My GM restricts them rather heavily. Since skillsoft
knowledge is "canned", he limits "creative" skill tests (anything not
yet
field knowledge, like new tech or gadgets) by Int.

>
> Firstly, give a runner a softlink or chipjack and he then has the
> _potential_ (with the right skillsofts) to speak any language, know
> any military theory skill or have a high degree of skill in any
> science. Plus pure data softs like travel guides, etc.
>
True, but in a hot run there's not much time to switch skillsofts around.
Plus a "high degree of skill" implies some expense, not to mention a high
memory load if you don't want to wait (high essence cost). Also, with the
mix on our team, we know every major language in Seattle twice already,
so that's not a problem.

[more gushing about skillsofts deleted]
>


Vince Q. aka Bright Eyes vincentq@***.caltech.edu

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