From:	Robert Hayden <rahayden@*****.WEEG.UIOWA.EDU>
Subject:	Re: multitasking (repost)
Date:	Thu, 22 Oct 92 18:46:26 CET

---------- Text of forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1992 17:22:53 -0500 (CDT)
From: Robert Hayden <rahayden@*****.weeg.uiowa.edu>
To: Shadowrun Discussion List <shadowrn@*****.bitnet>
Subject: Re: multitasking

Whoa, I thought this subject died a long time ago...

It depends on the players. If they players are power hungry part-time
ADND players, then you are looking at monty haul again.

If they are resourceful and LOGICAL, you will have an excitng new technology.

Everyone complains about something upsetting game balance. God I hate
those words.

THe purpose of cyberwear is to upset the balance. The purpose of magic is
to upset the balance. Anything that can give you an edge and keep you
alive is a welcome improvement.

Vincent and I have most of the concepts regarding multitasking worked out
and once we get it finished, we will submit it to the NAGEE.

Perhaps one thing hasn't been noticed is that Multitasking isn't cheap at
all. If you want to control 5 decks, you need a Level 4 Encephalon (115k
/ 1.75 essence), 5 datajacks (lets ssay level 4 for maximum thru-put) (20k
/ 1.25 essence), 5 I/O SPUs (lets say level 4) (112.5k / 1.25 essence),
200 MP (minimum) of memory (30k / .667 essence), and realistically a level
4 MATH SPU (23k / .25 essence).

Total Cost:
>300,500 nuyen
>5.167 essence

That is a hell of a sacrifice to make and not many people will be maxing
out like that.

Technology improves logorithmically. We can multitask on computers now,
why can't we do it in 50 years? You have to think of computers
differently than you do now. Computers of 2052 are not just like
computers of 1992 with an improved interface. They are at least thousands
of times more powerful ccapable of doing things we can only dream about
now.

Does it upset the balance? A little, or at least it deals everyone a new
hand. But that is the purpose of tech, to change the odds...to make the
man better.


>> Robert Hayden | rahayden@*****.weeg.uiowa.edu | aq650@****.INS.CWRU.Edu <<
>>>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-<<<
>> Quorum, n.: The requirement for a Congressional meeting to take place. <<
>> From Latin quo: "where is (the)" and rum: "alcoholic
beverage" <<