Not really, because all matrix actions take X actions, and it doesn't matter if that action is obtained by high-speed typing or simply thinking. So yeah, typing gets through the exact same amount of info in an IP as thinking does.

well matrix interfaces are in general designed to work like our body (hell, thats partially why TM's exist at all), so the speed thinking thing only really comes into effect when one want to go "outside the box", coming up with ways to break the interface.

remember, in SR, you do not have to type out a lengthy command to download something, just grab its icon with your virtual hand, and put it in your virtual pocket or similar.

the TM takes this to the logical extreme btw, as they subconscious handles most of the actual hacking. They just try to do something, and all the nitty gritty code wrangling happens by instinct. A bit like moving a muscle one was not aware one could directly control, but once learned, can be repeated with little effort.

I noticed something odd, after looking at this thread.
The base book says that software rating is limited by OS.
So folks on this thread and elsewhere have observed that OS is not limited that way for Nexi.
But if we look at Unwired, in talking about System rating and Nexi and various other things, it talks about Nexi more vaguely.
The way the Nexi description (page 50) is worded, it seems to imply that the purpose of the higher system rating is to enable the higer persona and processor limits. But it does not explicitly say that it does not enable higher complexity software.

So I guess it does allow higher rating software. The reason for highlighting this is that it is a sufficiently large gain that I would have expected it to be mentioned if it were intended.

However, all that said, it does not actually allow what folks in this thread have asserted. Folks have said you could build a nexi with a rating above 6, and use it to run software above rating 6. The above deals with the second part. But there is also the first part. The tables in unwired only give prices for nexi components up to rating 6. So at least by RAW, there is not any way I could see to build a nexi with a rating above 6, even if it is "allowed" by the rest of the rules.

Yours,
Joel

PS: An ally who is an AI, who is willing to use a node you can also use as a home, can drive the response and system rating of the node rather higher (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The trick is/used to be, that a hacker in hot sim has 3 IPs, while a street sam with wired reflexes III using AR has 4 IPs, and is also not in danger of biofeedback.

This is solved by allowing 5 IPs in hot sim to both technomancers through echoes, and hackers through an implant and an upgrade to your sim module.

Is there a system rating limit to a commlink? Or, can you build a commlink with a rating 10?

You could. BTW, System is the limit on program rating, which is itself a program. A R10 System would take a software extended test (20, 6 months).

Indeed it would... it is not trivial to program such a System... though you could reduce the interval to 3 months through the use of a programming environment...

Keep the Faith

There aren't any prices or availabilities for Response 10, and Commlink Systems are constrained by their Response rating. Optimisation cannot apply to System, either.

No, But just because there are no prices, does not mean that they are unavailable, as there are examples of such systems in Unwired (may be based upon Nexi)... And optimisation is for the programs so that they can run on a lower powered System...

Keep the Faith

System and Response as far as I am aware have no correlation.

I'm pretty sure, the way the rules are written, that you can not apply optimization to the OS (System) itself.
Thus, only a Nexi can run a System of higher rating than its response.

After that, we get in to judgment. For example, can you legitimately develop a piece of software with no way to run it? Given that I think you need to test the software before you can optimize it, it seems to me that you need to be able to run the software to develop it.
Thus, to develop software, you need the high rating system, and the nexi to run it.
I would also generally conclude that said nexi is not a software development environment, and therefore you can not get the time reduction to develop either the System Itself, or the higher rated software to run on it.

So sure, if a hacker wants to have a conceptual goal of building a rating 12 System, and then writing rating 12, optimize 6, software using it, it seems like it should work. (Although I still think the wording is somewhat fuzzy as to whether they intended to allow this.) Got a lot of time on your hands? (You can probably arranged to have the 13+ dice you must have to have a chance to succeed, because you can get the rating 5 software suite. First extended test, target 24, interval 6 months. After that, it gets easier.)

Yours,
Joel

I pre-empted any discussion of applying Optimisation to System. It cost me about 5s of typing, and most people are going to ignore the mention except those who might think of it. Items with no price or availability rating are only available via GM fiat, and we don't want to discuss a GM's fiat without explicitly doing so. That's all kinds of confusing.

Given that the only Response 7+ nodes I see are in an Aztlan (i.e. Aztech) Airbase and ZOG, I think it's pretty safe to say that they're Nexuses.

Yeah, but if all you have is a commlink (No DNI, no Simsense, no feedback gloves or anything else) you are literally having to type out all of your commands, and it is no slower to type out a command than it is to grab an ARO or even think that you want to download that ARO.

GM Fiat is a great deal of the game though, as they make the world come alive and the rules are just a framework to work within... the fact that the book lists these devices implies that they can be acquired... yes, it is probably the realm of the Nexus to do so, but then again, maybe it is not... the books give fairly good guidelines of what is available (not talking availability here)...

But you are right... the discussion of GM Fiat is not really the point of contention here...
And I am going to agree that the Zurich Orbital is most likely a Nexus (or grouping of Nexi)... but even then, Nexi do not have to be the size of a van as previously mentioned... size is always relative and you might just cram a nexus build into the size of a old style Deck given appropriate access to the right equipment (High End shop or Facility) and time...

And again, a Rating 10 Program optimised to run on a Rating 6 System is still not that far-fetched...

Keep the Faith

I'll quote you the query I was answering again.



The mobility of Nexuses is immaterial to answering the question.

Considering that anyone can just buy an Agent and robohack at the same level as a book-listed corp spider, allowing hackers and high-level security guys to custom build gear/programs significantly better than a Mook actually makes them a class/archetype again. Without that next-level style powerscaling, buying up skills/stats instead of softs and programs is practically wasteful.

I would say No, and Yes respectfully, but then, that is just me... there are absolutely no Rules that say you can't...
It is all interpretation...

In the end, though, I would probably feel more comfortable with using Nexi instead of Comlinks for such highly rated equipment though...

Keep the Faith

Thanks for the info!