From:	Mike & Linda Frankl mlfrankl@***.com
Subject:	Electro-Magnetic Pulse Questions
Date:	Mon, 23 Oct 2000 18:10:07 -0400

Ollie wrote:
> Nope. Most of the computers etc in Shadowrun are optically
> based. EMP has no effect.
>

I imagine that a large portion is optical, but electricity must still play a
part in the device on some level (especially for basic power). In most
optical devices today electrical devices are used to generate the signal
(lighting an LED or a more powerful Laser Diode) and the optics transport
the signal to another electrical device which converts the signal back. I
also think that certain program references, such as Sparky or Black Hammer
actually reference using the electrical systems in the deck to harm the
Decker. If the systems were totally optical then the deckers would be immune
from lethal biofeedback as there would be no power to hit them with (I think
my Decking info is accurate, but it is definitely not my strong suit, so
someone else can correct me if I'm wrong). So even if all of the
communication of signals is optic there must still be basic power, which an
EMP would definitely damage. SR3 also does not talk about new technology in
power (except for the magic of bioelectricity for cyberware) so I can't see
electricity being gone.

;)

Smilin' Jack

Franklin Isshinryu School of Karate
http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/RallyRd/mlfrankl/fiskhome.htm