Effect of programs, alternative to SR4A and Unwired option Options

[kombofink]

Second post also regarding the Matrix.
I'm one of those who don't like the skill + program mechanics in the normal ruleset.
However I'm also having problems with the limiting effect of max hits = program rating (even if you just halve the hits above the rating), this rule is similar to magic, but is still extremely restricted by program ratings.

So without having ever played a hacker (or decker) and even used matrix rules before, I'll go out on a limb and suggest the following two rules as a rule (only one of them will be used, off course) for my own group:

a.
Any matrix action using a program less than the system node, suffers a -2 dice modifier on any test using that program per program rating below the system node. (so using an attack program 3 in a rating 6 node would incur a -6 DP modifier).

b.
Another way to do this would be to add the difference between the system rating and program rating as a threshold.
(using an attack 3 on a rating 6 node would add 3 threshold to any test).

This way you can hack even without programs (but with heavy dice modifiers or a large threshold)

The programs in the "system" package (see my program packages post (armor, realityfilter, biofeedback, eccm, firewall)) would work normally, and not be affected (?).

Would this be totally unplayable? Is there any problems with any of these two ways?