What does a TM commcode look like?, Or do they never have one? Options

[Cold-Dragon]

Even a technomancer 'subscribes' to places when they surf, be it in AR or VR (or I'm reading that wrong, it could be). Assuming they do indeed have to provide some sort of marker for them being in that part of the matrix, just what does a technomancer's commcode look like? Is it a funky garble of textual glitch, a randomly invented number that baffles even the TM? Or does he/she actually go "Hmm, I think I'll be 10010100 today." ?

[Konsaki]

I'm thinking it's instinctive. The TM doesnt actually choose anything, but it changes on its own when the TM spoofs her code.
Its like walking, you dont actually choose how you are going to walk, you just go. But if you want to hide your tracks or something, you would alter your stride a bit or roll your feet differently. (Best thing I could come up with off the fly)
The only difference between the commcode and walking is that once you spoof your commcode, it changes to that number until you fall asleep and turn off your brain from the matrix. Then it chooses a random commcode automaticly once it wakes up.

As for what it looks like, it most likely looks like a normal commcode so nodes will accept it. It also states in the RAW that TM's can be traced by their commcodes, so it would make sense that their commcodes are normal ones.

[GrinderTheTroll]

[Crusher Bob]

I try not to think about technomancers too much. I'm too afraid the stupid would infiltrate my brain. However, the technomancer would need the equivalent of an IP address to connect to the net, otherwise remote machines would have no idea where to send packets.

[Cold-Dragon]

[Blade]

Remember that TM are able to connect to the Matrix, which means that their mind can actually use standard protocols... When you're able to do that instinctively, you're able to get some working commcode without too much trouble.

[laughingowl]

For my Technomancer my GM has always pretty much treated it the same way that Hacker can change their code (either software override and/or hardware) (rules provided for each)

(spoofing the datatrail: [page: 224 BBB4).

We have pretty much ruled that on 'awakening' the TM manages to pick a valid one. If/When they want to change it, they need to 'reprogram' a number the exact same way a hacker would on his comlink.

(although my GM has always allowed it as an automatic sucess, I just need to take the 'time' (and anyone that had 'that number' can't call me anymore)

[Konsaki]

Thats why most TM's have a seperate commlink, along with other reasons. :P

[ReallyBored]

[Cheops]

My group treats it that a technomancer counts as having a commcode so everything is hunky-dory. Once someone actually goes back through the logs or actually really looks at his commcode they notice that something is amiss. We kind of visualize it as a perpetually changing alphanumeric string. Only other technomancers can see what it really is.

Basically we see TMs as ghosts in the machine. They wander around perfectly fine, interacting normally, but when you actually try to associate them to one place, at one time you can't do it as a non-TM.

[laughingowl]

[laughingowl]

[Cold-Dragon]

Well, if the 'only a TM can track a TM' were accurate (which it doesn't look like at the moment) It may be that, for all the code looks good, it's not on closer examination. It's a glitch in the data that represents the TM's marker, and a hacker sees only the glitch, while a TM sees the ID in the way Tm's see their stuff.

Of course, that's assuming the 'only a TM can track a TM' bit. Otherwise, it's a real code with real benefits/drawbacks.

[laughingowl]

Nothing in the rules gives anythig special for TM's and tracking.

Now one thing if you want this feel I would see as a valid house rule.

It just ditch the 'Hardware+Logic (2)' test to change your code, and say I TM can 'do it' (complex action maybe).

They have a totally 'legit' code, nothing special, but they are still effectively a 'ghost' since that code didnt exist 5 minutes ago and wont exist 5 minutes from now.

[Rotbart van Dain...]

[laughingowl]

Is it?

The rules are rather unspecific at this.

While it would help and makes some sense if you treat 'access id' as a 'mac-address' (layer-2) and commcode as IP (layer three), the manual implies otherwise:

Exhibit A (BBB4 page 208)
Commcodes, Accounts, and Datatrails
Everyone who uses the Matrix has an access code. Your Access code is like a phone number: It's how others know where to reach you online. It's also a way which you may be tracked -- something of a concern to all shadowrunners. Details on your datatrail and protecting your privacy are covered under getting online page 214.

No mentions of 'commcodes' save in the 'Title' yet your Access code is like a phone number, how people get a hold of you. Sounds like the Commcode to me. Furthermoore it links this 'commcode' and/or 'access code' to your datatrail.

Exhibit B (BBB4 page 214)
Commcodes
Everyone using the Matrix has a personal commcode, or matrix address -- the equivilant of a cell phone number or email address -- to which their calls and messages are directed. Your commcode is usually registered with a paid Matrix service provider, though numerous free (if unreliable) and annonymous shadow-sites offer the same service.

Sounds very similiar in wording and intent to the 'access code' previously. Both a compared to a phone number, both are 'how people get ahold of you'.

Exhibit C (BBB4 page 216)
THE DATATRAIL
Every time you are online -- which is usually all of the time -- your presence is logged. Every wireless device, terminal, and wired jackpoint has a unique serial number assigned by the manufactorer (and often registered with the local telecom authorities as well). This access id is associated with all of your online transactions this record is called your datatrail, and it may be used by hackers to track you down or by law enforcement to link you to certain crimes or activites.

For information on spoofing your datatrail see page 224.

Now we have a new term used 'access ID' (as oppossed to 'code') yet. The description pretty well matches the 'accces code' from the Commcodes, accounts, and datatrails paragraph. This paragrpah is titled 'commcodes, accounts, and datatrail' yet talks about 'access codes'. Then referes you to page 214 for more information. Page 214 rehashes the previous but is calling them 'commcodes' yet the description is the same. Then later on on 'The Datatrail' they use the term 'access id' however; from the first paragraph 'Commcodes, accounts, and datatrails' pretty much links 'commcodes' - 'access codes' and 'datatrails' since 'The Datatrail' is talking about 'access ID' it would appear that these all all the same thing. 'Commcode' = 'Access code' = 'Acccess ID'

This is further supports by:

Exhibit D (BBB4 page 219)
Track
With a track action, you can trace a user's datatrail from his icon back to his physical location. This is different from a Data Seach action (which is like looking someone's commcode in a directory); a trace follows the target's current connections node-by-node all the way back to the source
....
Once you have scored hits equal to the threshold, you've identified the targets orginating node and access ID (see authorized accesss page 215).



Here again we link the 'access ID' to the 'commcode' stressing once again that 'comcode' = 'access code' = 'access id'.

Never is there anything that implies there are seperate values, and numerous times they are used interchangably.

Given 'modern' technologies, you certain can house rule that 'access code' / 'access ID' is a layer 2 (MAC-Address if ethernet) and that 'commcode' is a layer 3 (IP for tcp/ip / the internet) address. Nothing directly proves this as incorrect and it does fit 'modern' topologies and technologies; however, their usage in the manual would imply that they are NOT seperate things. (or very poor editors or editors who thought they were the same thing).

Exhibit A: Commcodes is the title, yet they only mention access code. One of these has a direct link to the datatrail.

Conclusion: Commcode and Access Code are used to refer to the same value. Otherwise title would be 'Access Code, Accounts, and Datatrails'.

Exhibit B: Commcode is given an near identical description as the 'access code' also 'everyone using the matrix' has a commcode. which is comparable to Exhibit C: Every wireless devices, terminal and wired jackpoint (read everythign on the matrix) has an access id.

Conclustion: So either your wireless clothing has BOTH a commcode and a 'access id' or they are referring to one and the same thing.

Exhibit C: Everything has a 'access id' and it is leaves a record called datatrail.

Conclusion: See above. Plus, 'Access ID' creates the 'datatrail', Exhibit A, 'Commcode / access code' creates the datatrail; Commcode/access code/acccess ID are the same thing.

Exhibit D: Track is linked direcctly to 'commcode' and to 'access id' again leading us to say that they are one and the same. Both say they 'create the datatrail', track is linked to both of them. Nothing directly states a 'difference' between the two. Hence: Commcode/access code/access ID are the same.


(editted to remove quotes since they werent working)

[PlatonicPimp]

I wouldn't just give a technomancer the ability to change their access ID at will. I'd say that comes with their equivalent "masking metamagic" ability.

[Konsaki]

TM's have the ability, along with hackers, as long as they have the Spoof CF. It's as easy as a TN-2 roll to change your code.

[laughingowl]

[laughingowl]

[Rotbart van Dain...]

[laughingowl]

[Rotbart van Dain...]

[mintcar]

I don't see were this "commcode and Access ID is the same" buisness is coming from. I never got that impression from reading the books, and I don't get it now from the quotes given.

[Serbitar]