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Message no. 1
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Eric Bergstrom)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Wed May 29 19:55:01 2002
I'm curious, what kind of software and utilties would come bundeled with a cyberdeck? Are
there cyberdeck OSs? I have a hard time with the Matrix section so my decker suffers, Any
helpful hints for dealing with the matrix?
Message no. 2
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Iridios)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Wed May 29 20:30:01 2002
Eric Bergstrom wrote:
>
> I'm curious, what kind of software and utilties would come bundeled with a cyberdeck?

An "Off the Shelf" cyberdeck (the Radio Shack types) might come bundled
with browse and data handling utilities. Certainly none higher than a
rating 2 or 3, and no combat utils. But an OTS deck would not be
particularly useful for any real decking, IMO. Maybe good for a newbie
decker who's learning the ropes and not going up against any hard
targets.


> Are there cyberdeck OSs?

The MPCP (Master Persona Control Program) is the decks OS. (Matrix P.20
bottom of 1st col.) It controls the persona programs. It's really a
generic term and usually represents the CPU as well as the OS. Think of
the OS being wired into the CPU.

> I have a hard time with the Matrix section so my decker suffers, Any helpful hints
for dealing with the matrix?

As a player, or a GM?


--
Iridios
--
From:The Top 100 Things I'd Do
If I Ever Became An Evil Overlord
(http://www.eviloverlord.com/lists/overlord.html)

I will never build a sentient computer smarter than I am.

Used Without Permission
Message no. 3
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Gurth)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 05:10:01 2002
According to Eric Bergstrom, on Thu, 30 May 2002 the word on the street was...

> I'm curious, what kind of software and utilties would come bundeled with
> a cyberdeck?

This sort of thing is never mentioned, except for stuff like icons, persona
programs (Bod, Evasion, etc.) and so on. Actual utilities are always bought
separate from the deck, though I should imagine that commercial decks get
sold with a package of software included. I'd say programs like Browse,
Read/Write and Commlink would be installed on the deck.

> Are there cyberdeck OSs?

Probably... Again, this isn't really mentioned; you can see the MPCP as the
deck's OS, though it doesn't have a name as such. If you want to give it a
name, make one up :)

> I have a hard time with the Matrix
> section so my decker suffers, Any helpful hints for dealing with the
> matrix?

It may sound a bit philosophical, but look past the apparent complexity. The
Matrix rules are really very simple as long as you don't try to use all the
optional stuff: the decker just rolls a test while the system rolls a
countertest, and that's it. Get to grips with that, and then start adding the
more complicated things.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Begint eer ge bezint.
-> NAGEE Editor * ShadowRN GridSec * Triangle Virtuoso <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://plastic.dumpshock.com <-

GC3.12: GAT/! d- s:- !a>? C++@ UL+ P(+) L++ E W--(++) N o? K w(--) O
V? PS+ PE@ Y PGP- t@ 5++ X(+) R+++$ tv+(++) b++@ DI- D+ G+ e h! !r y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 4
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Shannon Buys)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 05:25:01 2002
> I have a hard time with the Matrix
> section so my decker suffers, Any helpful hints for dealing with the
> matrix?

Gurth wrote:

>>It may sound a bit philosophical, but look past the apparent complexity.
The
>>Matrix rules are really very simple as long as you don't try to use all
the
>>optional stuff: the decker just rolls a test while the system rolls a
>>countertest, and that's it. Get to grips with that, and then start adding
the
>>more complicated things.

Yeah, the most complicated things are knowing which system operations you
can use. It helps if you have a rough idea of how the internet and WAN's
and LAN's operate. Otherwise, just learn the major system operations. If
you want a typed out list of Decker system operations and exactly what tests
happen where, let me know and I'll mail it to you. "Plastic Rat's fast and
dirty guide to decking" it ROCKS!
Message no. 5
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Lone Eagle)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 05:45:01 2002
>From: "Shannon Buys" <shannon@******.com>
<Snip>If
>you want a typed out list of Decker system operations and exactly what
> >tests
>happen where, let me know and I'll mail it to you. "Plastic Rat's >fast
>and
>dirty guide to decking" it ROCKS!

Hey, I've been playing a decker and GMing for a decker for a while and I
wouldn't mind a look at that!
Might it be worth posting to the list, save you the hassle of sending out to
thirty diferent people.
If not please could you send me a copy?


_________________________________________________________________
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Message no. 6
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Shannon Buys)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 06:00:02 2002
>From: "Shannon Buys" <shannon@******.com>
<Snip>If
>you want a typed out list of Decker system operations and exactly what
> >tests
>happen where, let me know and I'll mail it to you. "Plastic Rat's >fast
>and
>dirty guide to decking" it ROCKS!

Lone Eagle wrote:
>>Hey, I've been playing a decker and GMing for a decker for a while and I
>>wouldn't mind a look at that!
>>Might it be worth posting to the list, save you the hassle of sending out
to
>>thirty diferent people.
>>If not please could you send me a copy?

Aren't there rules about posting attatchments to the list? If no-one minds
I'll happily send it to the list immediately.

Eagle, yours is on it's way.
Message no. 7
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Lone Eagle)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 06:15:00 2002
>From: "Shannon Buys" <shannon@******.com>
>Aren't there rules about posting attatchments to the list? If no-one
> >minds
>I'll happily send it to the list immediately.

There are, but you could probably <checks> ah, no, I was going to say you
could probably cut and paste but that wouldn't work would it.
Oh well looks like the old fashioned way is the only way.

>Eagle, yours is on it's way.

Cheers! Received and printed... Sweet!


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Message no. 8
From: shadowrn@*********.com (shadowrn@*********.com)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 08:30:01 2002
>If you want a typed out list of Decker system operations and exactly what tests
> happen where, let me know and I'll mail it to you. "Plastic Rat's fast and
> dirty guide to decking" it ROCKS!

Any chance of sending a copy my way? Looks useful. Thanks.
Message no. 9
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Graht)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 10:05:08 2002
At 04:55 PM 5/29/2002 -0700, Eric Bergstrom wrote:
>I'm curious, what kind of software and utilties would come bundeled with a
>cyberdeck?

I've always assumed that any utilities required by a legal working decker
are hosted by the host. I.e., if an architect logs on to the corporate
host the CAD program that he uses to design things runs on the host. Ditto
for even such utilities as Notepad. I view the cyberdeck like a network
card today. It allows the decker to connect to and interact with the host
(and other users connected to the host), but it isn't designed to run
independently of a host.

Of course a shadowrunner will probably "upgrade" his deck to be more
independent ;)

> Are there cyberdeck OSs? I have a hard time with the Matrix section so
> my decker suffers, Any helpful hints for dealing with the matrix?

The persona is the OS.

To Life,
-Graht
ShadowRN Assistant Fearless Leader II
http://www.graht.com
--
Message no. 10
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Chris Beilby)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 13:15:01 2002
----- Original Message -----
From: <flakjacket@***********.com>
To: <shadowrn@*********.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 8:31 AM
Subject: RE: What is the Matrix?


> >If you want a typed out list of Decker system operations and exactly what
tests
> > happen where, let me know and I'll mail it to you. "Plastic Rat's fast
and
> > dirty guide to decking" it ROCKS!
>
> Any chance of sending a copy my way? Looks useful. Thanks.

I'd like a copy as well, please...
Message no. 11
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Lars Wagner Hansen)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 13:30:02 2002
> > >If you want a typed out list of Decker system operations and exactly
what
> tests
> > > happen where, let me know and I'll mail it to you. "Plastic Rat's
fast
> and
> > > dirty guide to decking" it ROCKS!
> >
> > Any chance of sending a copy my way? Looks useful. Thanks.
>
> I'd like a copy as well, please...

How about posting it somewhere on the net, and then posting the URL here so
whoever want's to can have a look?

Otherwise I would like a copy aswell.

Lars
--
Lars Wagner Hansen, Jagtvej 11, 4180 Sorø
l-hansen@*****.tele.dk http://home4.inet.tele.dk/l-hansen
--
SRGC v0.22 SR1 SR2++ SR3+++ h+ b+++ B--- UB++ IE+ RN LST W++ dk sa++ ma+
sh++ ad++++ ri mc rk-- m- (e-- o t-- d-) gm+ M- P-
--
Main Rule of Usenet: Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to
their level, then beat you with experience.
Message no. 12
From: shadowrn@*********.com (The Cat)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 13:30:08 2002
At 13:09 -0400 30/05/2002, Chris Beilby enlightened us on the topic of Re:
What is the Matrix?:
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <flakjacket@***********.com>
>To: <shadowrn@*********.com>
>Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 8:31 AM
>Subject: RE: What is the Matrix?
>
>
>> >If you want a typed out list of Decker system operations and exactly what
>tests
>> > happen where, let me know and I'll mail it to you. "Plastic Rat's
fast
>and
>> > dirty guide to decking" it ROCKS!
>>
>> Any chance of sending a copy my way? Looks useful. Thanks.
>
>I'd like a copy as well, please...

I'd appreciate one too, if you don't mind...
Message no. 13
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Gurth)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 13:35:01 2002
According to Shannon Buys, on Thu, 30 May 2002 the word on the street was...

> Aren't there rules about posting attatchments to the list? If no-one
> minds I'll happily send it to the list immediately.

The rule is that you shouldn't post attachments. However, this is easy to
get around: just copy and paste it into a message (or import it), rather
than attach the file to a message. Unless it's a plain text file to start
with, you may have to do a little editing to make everything a bit more
readable, but that's all.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Begint eer ge bezint.
-> NAGEE Editor * ShadowRN GridSec * Triangle Virtuoso <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://plastic.dumpshock.com <-

GC3.12: GAT/! d- s:- !a>? C++@ UL+ P(+) L++ E W--(++) N o? K w(--) O
V? PS+ PE@ Y PGP- t@ 5++ X(+) R+++$ tv+(++) b++@ DI- D+ G+ e h! !r y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 14
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Derek Hyde)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 14:30:00 2002
> > >If you want a typed out list of Decker system operations and
exactly
> what
> tests
> > > happen where, let me know and I'll mail it to you. "Plastic
Rat's
> fast
> and
> > > dirty guide to decking" it ROCKS!
> >
> > Any chance of sending a copy my way? Looks useful. Thanks.
>
> I'd like a copy as well, please...

If it makes dealing with deckers easier short of banning them I'm in,
I'll take a copy too!
Message no. 15
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Jonathan)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 14:50:07 2002
> If it makes dealing with deckers easier short of banning them I'm in,
> I'll take a copy too!
>

Making deckers easier to handle... Keep the passing along going this way
please! :)
Message no. 16
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Da Twink Daddy)
Subject: Fw: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 18:40:08 2002
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gurth" <Gurth@******.nl>

>> I'm curious, what kind of software and utilties would come bundeled
with
>> a cyberdeck?

>This sort of thing is never mentioned, except for stuff like icons,
persona
>programs (Bod, Evasion, etc.) and so on. Actual utilities are always
bought
>separate from the deck, though I should imagine that commercial decks get
>sold with a package of software included. I'd say programs like Browse,
>Read/Write and Commlink would be installed on the deck.

I doubt any software that deckers use is bundled with a commercial
cyberterminal ('decks are ILLEGAL!). If a normal user is trying to do
something his passcode is authorized for, there's no test involved, the
action just gets done. Only deckers need utilities to help them beat
security. What is more likely bundled with cyberterminals are application
programs. The majority of SR matrix rules gloss over them but you can find
a little information in Matrix p. 94.

Boyd Stephen Smith, Jr.
bss03@****.edu
ICQ# 514984
Message no. 17
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Jane VR)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 18:45:02 2002
> > >If you want a typed out list of Decker system operations and exactly
>what
>tests
> > > happen where, let me know and I'll mail it to you. "Plastic Rat's
>fast
>and
> > > dirty guide to decking" it ROCKS!
> >
> > Any chance of sending a copy my way? Looks useful. Thanks.
>


me too, please

Jane




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Message no. 18
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Jonathan)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 18:45:08 2002
> I doubt any software that deckers use is bundled with a commercial
> cyberterminal ('decks are ILLEGAL!).

Decks are not illegal. Hacked jack points are.
Message no. 19
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Iridios)
Subject: Fw: What is the Matrix?
Date: Thu May 30 19:30:01 2002
Da Twink Daddy wrote:

> I doubt any software that deckers use is bundled with a commercial
> cyberterminal ('decks are ILLEGAL!). If a normal user is trying to do
> something his passcode is authorized for, there's no test involved, the
> action just gets done. Only deckers need utilities to help them beat
> security.

Yes. Only deckers use utilities to beat security, but authorized users
use utilities to make their jobs easier. Much in the way a web browser
makes using the internet easier, or the use of network monitoring 'ware
at work makes my job easier. (I have trouble counting packets by hand.
:P )


What is more likely bundled with cyberterminals are application
> programs.

Which are still utilities, just authorized and low rating ones.

--
Iridios
--
From:The Top 100 Things I'd Do
If I Ever Became An Evil Overlord
(http://www.eviloverlord.com/lists/overlord.html)

I will not tell my Legions of Terror "And he must be taken
alive!" The command will be "And try to take him alive if it is
reasonably practical."

Used Without Permission
Message no. 20
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Shannon Buys)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Fri May 31 02:05:01 2002
>If you want a typed out list of Decker system operations and exactly what
tests
> > happen where, let me know and I'll mail it to you. "Plastic Rat's fast
and
> > dirty guide to decking" it ROCKS!
>
> Any chance of sending a copy my way? Looks useful. Thanks.

I'd like a copy as well, please...


Chris, I've tried to send you copies twice, but the address
flakjacket@***********.com returns an error, mail me privately at
shannon@******.com from your preffered e-mail address and I will send it.
Message no. 21
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Shannon Buys)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Fri May 31 02:25:02 2002
Derek wrote:

>If it makes dealing with deckers easier short of banning them I'm in,
>I'll take a copy too!

Derek, your is on it's way, but in order to keep people on the list from
being spammed by requests for the document, mail me on: shannon@******.com
from your prefferred mail address and I'll happily send it to you, Oh, and
if anyone wants:

Plastic Rat's guide to SR combat for Newb's (TM) ;-) and
Plastic Rat's hard assed guide to casting spells in SR (TM)

let me know in the same way.
Message no. 22
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Shannon Buys)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Fri May 31 02:30:02 2002
According to Shannon Buys, on Thu, 30 May 2002 the word on the street was...

> Aren't there rules about posting attatchments to the list? If no-one
> minds I'll happily send it to the list immediately.

Gurth wrote:
>>The rule is that you shouldn't post attachments. However, this is easy to
>>get around: just copy and paste it into a message (or import it), rather
>>than attach the file to a message. Unless it's a plain text file to start
>>with, you may have to do a little editing to make everything a bit more
>>readable, but that's all.

Yeah, but then all my nice formatting, tables and fonts go down the tubes.
Besides, I don't mind sending it to people, that way I get a rough idea of
how usefull it is and how many people want it.
Message no. 23
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Lone Eagle)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Fri May 31 04:10:01 2002
>From: "Jonathan" <jhogan@**********.nf.net>
> > I doubt any software that deckers use is bundled with a commercial
> > cyberterminal ('decks are ILLEGAL!).
>
>Decks are not illegal. Hacked jack points are.

Cyberdecks are illegal, that's why they have a legallity code, yes you can
get a permit for them but if you just go out and buy a deck without such an
item then you're breaking the law.


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Message no. 24
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Gurth)
Subject: Fw: What is the Matrix?
Date: Fri May 31 05:40:05 2002
According to Da Twink Daddy, on Fri, 31 May 2002 the word on the street was...

> I doubt any software that deckers use is bundled with a commercial
> cyberterminal ('decks are ILLEGAL!).

I generaly use the term "cyberdeck" for both legal and illegal versions, in
the same way I still use "physad" to refer to what in SR3 should be termed an
"adept" :)

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Begint eer ge bezint.
-> NAGEE Editor * ShadowRN GridSec * Triangle Virtuoso <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://plastic.dumpshock.com <-

GC3.12: GAT/! d- s:- !a>? C++@ UL+ P(+) L++ E W--(++) N o? K w(--) O
V? PS+ PE@ Y PGP- t@ 5++ X(+) R+++$ tv+(++) b++@ DI- D+ G+ e h! !r y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 25
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Gurth)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Fri May 31 05:40:31 2002
According to Shannon Buys, on Fri, 31 May 2002 the word on the street was...

> Yeah, but then all my nice formatting, tables and fonts go down the
> tubes.

Them's the breaks...

> Besides, I don't mind sending it to people, that way I get a rough
> idea of how usefull it is and how many people want it.

Like Lars said, you could post it on a web site somewhere, that way you
don't have to mail it out all the time.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Begint eer ge bezint.
-> NAGEE Editor * ShadowRN GridSec * Triangle Virtuoso <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://plastic.dumpshock.com <-

GC3.12: GAT/! d- s:- !a>? C++@ UL+ P(+) L++ E W--(++) N o? K w(--) O
V? PS+ PE@ Y PGP- t@ 5++ X(+) R+++$ tv+(++) b++@ DI- D+ G+ e h! !r y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 26
From: shadowrn@*********.com (shadowrn@*********.com)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Fri May 31 06:15:01 2002
On Thu, 30 May 2002, Lars Wagner Hansen wrote:

> How about posting it somewhere on the net, and then posting the URL here so
> whoever want's to can have a look?
>

I can offer some webspace on my sparse website, if you need it?

--
john@*****.net http://www.kript.net/shadowrun
SRGC SR1+ SR3++ !SR2 h b++ B--- UB IE+ RN+ !W ma+++ gm M-- P-
"He's an oversexed shark-wrestling wage mage haunted by an iconic dead American
confidante. She's a bloodthirsty Bolivian Valkyrie with her own daytime radio
talk show. They're Shadowrunners!"
Message no. 27
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Jonathan)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Fri May 31 06:25:01 2002
> Cyberdecks are illegal, that's why they have a legallity code, yes you can
> get a permit for them but if you just go out and buy a deck without such
an
> item then you're breaking the law.
>

That's true of just about any item. The only things I think off hand that
are "purely" illegal as in you can't obtain a permit for is military grade
equipment and really high end cyberware/bioware. Simply stating decks are
illegal is false if you you can get a permit to make them legal to own. Like
saying it's illegal to own a gun. It's not. You CAN get permits for them.

However I don't think there's any permits covering you carting around a
military styled bazooka. :oP
Message no. 28
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Da Twink Daddy)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Fri May 31 11:25:01 2002
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonathan" <jhogan@**********.nf.net>
To: <shadowrn@*********.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 5:41 PM
Subject: Re: What is the Matrix?


> > I doubt any software that deckers use is bundled with a commercial
> > cyberterminal ('decks are ILLEGAL!).
>
> Decks are not illegal. Hacked jack points are.

According to Matrix and SR3, cyberterminals are legal and cyberdecks are
illegal. A cyberterminal (not matter how pimped out) becomes a cyberdeck
by having an evasion or masking of 1 or more. [Matrix 52, 56; SR3 303]

Legality of matrix stuff isn't covered in too much detail in the books, but
here's my impressions, some of them are backed up explictly in cannon, some
are a bit more fuzzy, and some I've pulled out of my @$$:

MPCPs, Bod, Sensor, Cold ASIST, I/O Speed, Active Memory, Storage Memory,
Reality filters, Hardening, ICCMs, RAS, Response Increase, Signal boosters,
the various wired and wireless interfaces (and supporting special
utilities), FUPS, most miscellaneous components, miscellaneous parts,
off-line storage, OCEs, the support programms for the wireless interfaces,
Compressor, Guardian, and Remote Control are legal. Most Application
programs are legal, Programming suites could be legal (but not the way laws
are going in the US...).

Evasion, Offensive and Defensive Utilities, BattleTac MatrixLink, Track
have permits available, but only to corp-sec deckers or GridSec. Hot ASIST
may have a permit available. Programming Suites have a permit available if
they aren't legal. Most miscellaneous items that aren't legeal have permits
avaiable. Worms may have permits available. Also any legal item above
that is at a level higher than everyday use (3 or 4) or that requires an
MPCP above everyday use may require a permit.

Masking, Operational Utilities, Sleaze, any legal or semi-legal utility
with the sneak or stealth option added are strickly illegal. Hot ASIST may
be illegal, although even if it is, a lot of megacorporate deckers will
still use it.

Why are operational utilities more restricted than the more "dangerous"
attack utilities? Because no legal user and no law enforcement or security
decker, when operating inside their jurisdiction, would need them at all.
Their passcodes allow them to do exactly the operations they need, and the
organizations that issue the passcodes think that should be fine. Masking
and Sleaze affect detection factor, something that is never an issue when a
user does what they are authorized to do. Sneak and Stealth options are
also strictly illegal because they offer 0 advantage to any user performing
authorized acts, only users preforming illegal activities (or having intent
to do so) will have these options. The things in my illegal category
('cept Hot ASIST) exist wholy to confuse, subvert, and avoid the security
is place and that's their ONLY purpose; that's why they are illegal. [Hot
ASIST is only illegal really as a public safety concern--the same reason
BTLs are illegal.]

Da Twink Daddy
datwinkdaddy@*******.com
ICQ# 514984
Message no. 29
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Da Twink Daddy)
Subject: Fw: What is the Matrix?
Date: Fri May 31 11:40:01 2002
----- Original Message -----
From: "Iridios" <iridios@********.net>


> Yes. Only deckers use utilities to beat security, but authorized users
> use utilities to make their jobs easier. Much in the way a web browser
> makes using the internet easier, or the use of network monitoring 'ware
> at work makes my job easier. (I have trouble counting packets by hand.
> :P )

Authorized users don't need utilities. Utilities lower the target number
for trying to trick the system into doing something. If you have the right
passcode, there is no test involved. Normal users don't use Operational,
Defensive, or Offensive utilities. They might use some special utilities
though.

Authroized users might want application programs to describe things @ a
"higher level" than the "system operations" or just hide the
"rawness" of
the system operations. What they don't need is low-level utilities meant
only to subvert the security of the system (operational utilities).

> What is more likely bundled with cyberterminals are application
> > programs.
>
> Which are still utilities, just authorized and low rating ones.

No, they are not utilities. They don't work the same at all. They don't
lower target numbers, they make "higher-level" system operations available.
For example, scheduling software allows you to "send message to person"
rather then {"search DB for person's comm code", "make commcall",
"read/write", "close commcall"}. Application programs are covered my
a
completely different design skill and are not just low-rating operational
utilities. They are much more similar to command sets, reality filters, or
even dumb frames than operational utilities.

Also application programs, may be deployed server-side (like IC) rather
than client-side (like utilities), this is often what happens in the
e-commerce section of public hosts. New system operations (most notably:
buy stuff) become available because the users are interacting with the
server-side application. Both types of applications are covered by the
same design skill. Indeed application programming is largely independent
of deployment method in 2060. This is very different from utilities, which
must run on the client-side to manipulate pulses before they ever get to
the server, or IC, which must run on the srever to have access to the
security sheaf which triggers them.

Da Twink Daddy
datwinkdaddy@*******.com
ICQ# 514984
Message no. 30
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Bira)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Fri May 31 13:05:04 2002
On Thu, 30 May 2002 20:11:43 -0230
"Jonathan" <jhogan@**********.nf.net> wrote:

> > I doubt any software that deckers use is bundled with a commercial
> > cyberterminal ('decks are ILLEGAL!).
>
> Decks are not illegal. Hacked jack points are.

No, decks are also illegal. A "legal deck" is called a cyberterminal -
works just like a cyberdeck, but has no Masking or Evasion persona
programs. A "security cyberterminal" has Evasion, but no Masking, being
used by security deckers in their home systems. Evasion is a restricted
program, so these terminals are restricted. A "true" cyberdeck has both
Evasion and Masking, and is (theoretically) only used by criminal scum.
Masking is illegal, so is a cyberdeck.


--
Bira -- homem saído das entranhas da Terra para mudar o destino da humanidade,
usando apenas um filhote de urubu e um rolo de "silver tape"...
http://www.shadowlandbr.hpg.com.br
Message no. 31
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Boyd Stephen Smith, Jr.)
Subject: What is the Matrix?
Date: Sat Jun 1 07:35:00 2002
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gurth" <Gurth@******.nl>

>> I'm curious, what kind of software and utilties would come bundeled with
>> a cyberdeck?

>This sort of thing is never mentioned, except for stuff like icons,
persona
>programs (Bod, Evasion, etc.) and so on. Actual utilities are always
bought
>separate from the deck, though I should imagine that commercial decks get
>sold with a package of software included. I'd say programs like Browse,
>Read/Write and Commlink would be installed on the deck.

I doubt any software that deckers use is bundled with a commercial
cyberterminal ('decks are ILLEGAL!). If a normal user is trying to do
something his passcode is authorized for, there's no test involved, the
action just gets done. Only deckers need utilities to help them beat
security. What is more likely bundled with cyberterminals are application
programs. The majority of SR matrix rules gloss over them but you can find
a little information in Matrix p. 94.

Boyd Stephen Smith, Jr.
bss03@****.edu
ICQ# 514984

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