 Building computers, Response? Is that it? |
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 Apr 5 2009, 05:42 AM
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#1
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Target  Group: Members Posts: 43 Joined: 24-March 09 Member No.: 17,010  |
I'm trying to build a nexus from stuff I've bought/stolen in a campaign, but I'm having trouble understanding exactly what's what in terms of form. I have a rating four "response" that I bought, and an operating system - at rating eight - that I stole. My main problem is what "response" entails. For upgrading commlinks, response seems to denote the CPU at the heart of the device that surrounds it. But in the build table in Unwired, it looks as though "response" seems to take the place of any other hardware that would be there. Is the "response" that you're buying a catch-all for the motherboard, case, storage disk/drive/crystal, and all that jazz? And is the firewall that you're buying hardware- or software-based? I also wonder about what I can legally do with signal. I don't want to pay for the node's signal since the bus already has it's own at rating six, and I figured I could just run a fiber-optic cable or something into the transceiver that's responsible for that 10km spread to save time/money that way. Is this possible?
I'm also trying to work out a few other upgrades. My main problem in this department is that I have no idea how to deal with mod slots, since vehicle's are based on body, and others are listed. How do you calculate how many you have open? |
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Apr 5 2009, 02:39 PM
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#2
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 227 Joined: 17-April 08 Member No.: 15,907 |
QUOTE (Biokinetica @ Apr 5 2009, 12:42 AM)  Is the "response" that you're buying a catch-all for the motherboard, case, storage disk/drive/crystal, and all that jazz? And is the firewall that you're buying hardware- or software-based? Response is technically a stand alone module in most cases, but yes, it's essentially an abstraction for the overall harware proccessing ability and speed of the hardware. Storage memory in SR4/SR4A boils down to "you have as much as you need", unless the GM says otherwise for some dramatic purpose. Note that a Commlink/Normal Node Response hardware unit is not the same as a Nexus Response hardware unit. You can't build the latter with the former (nor vice wersa really). Nodes have two Hardware attributes (Response and Signal) and two Software attributes (System and Firewall). A hardware firewall in SR4 is essentially a node with a high Firewall rating (and likely some decent IC/Agents) that acts as a gateway to the matrix for other nodes. The nexus you are trying to build could act as a "hardware firewall" for your team if set up properly. QUOTE (Biokinetica @ Apr 5 2009, 12:42 AM) I don't want to pay for the node's signal since the bus already has it's own at rating six, and I figured I could just run a fiber-optic cable or something into the transceiver that's responsible for that 10km spread to save time/money that way. Is this possible? I'm not sure if by "bus" here you mean a vehicle, or a computer hardware related term, so I'll be general here. It's perfectly legal to not buy a Signal rating for a node/device, it simply means that the device in question has no ability to connect to the wireless matrix on its own. It can connect to other nodes through fiber optic cables, laser links or the like, or could be connected to a Satellite Link accessory to provide an external hardware wireless connection. Note that if you connect it to the node of your vehicle and use the vehicles Signal rating to transmit and connect to the matrix, people will find the vehicle node first if they come looking for you. If the security on your vehicle node is not up to snuff, that could mean bad things for you and your team. QUOTE (Biokinetica @ Apr 5 2009, 12:42 AM) I'm also trying to work out a few other upgrades. My main problem in this department is that I have no idea how to deal with mod slots, since vehicle's are based on body, and others are listed. How do you calculate how many you have open? I'm assuming you are referring to the Standard Upgrades listed in the vehicle descriptions. These are designed into the vehicle at the factory, and as such take up no Modification Slots. Just as the rules state, you have a number of slots available to you equal to the body of the vehicle (or 4 in the case of vehicles/drones with a Body <4). |
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Apr 5 2009, 05:26 PM
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#3
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Target Group: Members Posts: 43 Joined: 24-March 09 Member No.: 17,010 |
I'm refering to the automotive vehicle "bus", yes. As for the mod slots, I was talking about the node's number of slots, sorry. It seems as though electronics upgrades require slots just like vehicle upgrades, but unlike a vehicle, a nexus node's number of slots aren't listed.
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Apr 5 2009, 07:37 PM
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#4
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The Dragon Never Sleeps Group: Admin Posts: 6,924 Joined: 1-September 05 Member No.: 7,667 |
Read P. 212 Matrix Attributes
Response (Hardware) Signal (Hardware Firewall (Software) System (Software) That's all a node has. |
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Apr 5 2009, 07:50 PM
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#5
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 732 Joined: 21-July 05 From: Seattle Member No.: 7,508 |
QUOTE (Biokinetica @ Apr 5 2009, 12:42 AM) I'm trying to build a nexus from stuff I've bought/stolen in a campaign, but I'm having trouble understanding exactly what's what in terms of form. I have a rating four "response" that I bought, and an operating system - at rating eight - that I stole. My main problem is what "response" entails. For upgrading commlinks, response seems to denote the CPU at the heart of the device that Also note that System is limited by Response. If you have a System of 6 and a Reponse of 4, the System operates at a Rating 4. |
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Apr 5 2009, 10:05 PM
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#6
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Target Group: Members Posts: 43 Joined: 24-March 09 Member No.: 17,010 |
QUOTE (DireRadiant @ Apr 5 2009, 03:37 PM) Read P. 212 Matrix Attributes Response (Hardware) Signal (Hardware Firewall (Software) System (Software) That's all a node has. Has of what? Slots? Does this mean the hardware has four modification slots? QUOTE (Tiger Eyes @ Apr 5 2009, 03:50 PM) Also note that System is limited by Response. If you have a System of 6 and a Reponse of 4, the System operates at a Rating 4. I've never seen this in any of the books. The closest thing I can find concerns the number of programs limited by the system rating in conjunction with response. Where does it say that system itself is limited by response?
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Apr 5 2009, 10:14 PM
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#7
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 664 Joined: 3-February 08 Member No.: 15,626 |
QUOTE (Biokinetica @ Apr 5 2009, 02:05 PM) Has of what? Slots? Does this mean the hardware has four modification slots? I've never seen this in any of the books. The closest thing I can find concerns the number of programs limited by the system rating in conjunction with response. Where does it say that system itself is limited by response? Under Response, on Page 222 of SR4A or 213 of the SR4. QUOTE System measures the power of the device’s operating system (OS) software. This includes its stability, multitasking properties, ability to control hardware, resources, and the general quality of its code. If the System software ever crashes, the entire device crashes. System limits the rating of programs running on the device, and sets the limit on most devices for the number of programs that can be run without a Response drop. The System program is limited by the base Response rating of the device it is on: if the base Response rating of the device is lower than the System rating, then the System rating is set to equal the Response rating. System also sets the size of the Matrix Condition Monitor of persona programs running on the device (Cybercombat, p. 236). Comlink also have 4 modification slots. Page 196 of Unwired, under commlink modifications. QUOTE Commlinks and other electronic devices may be by a character without Hardware skill, using the rules for gear modification found on p. 126, Arsenal.
Commlinks are considered to have 4 available modification slots. In addition to the mods noted below, the following options listed under Weapon Modifications on pp. 148–153, Arsenal, may also be applied to electronics: Ceramic/Plasteel Components, Chameleon Coating, Extreme Environment Mod, Gecko Grip, Metahuman Customization, Propulsion System, Skinlink, and Tracker. |
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Apr 5 2009, 10:45 PM
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#8
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Target Group: Members Posts: 43 Joined: 24-March 09 Member No.: 17,010 |
Are you saying all the rules for commlinks are the same for nexi, except the processor limit?
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Apr 5 2009, 11:15 PM
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#9
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Mr. Johnson Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,148 Joined: 27-February 06 From: UCAS Member No.: 8,314 |
QUOTE (Kingboy @ Apr 5 2009, 08:39 AM) I'm not sure if by "bus" here you mean a vehicle, or a computer hardware related term, so I'll be general here. I certainly hope it's a term for a vehicle. Show me a GM who demands that your on-board data transfer system have a rating and I'll show you a twit who needs to be shaken vigorously. |
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Apr 5 2009, 11:16 PM
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#10
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Mr. Johnson Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,148 Joined: 27-February 06 From: UCAS Member No.: 8,314 |
QUOTE (Biokinetica @ Apr 5 2009, 04:45 PM) Are you saying all the rules for commlinks are the same for nexi, except the processor limit? That and persona limit, yeah. |
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Apr 6 2009, 02:00 PM
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#11
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The Dragon Never Sleeps Group: Admin Posts: 6,924 Joined: 1-September 05 Member No.: 7,667 |
QUOTE (Biokinetica @ Apr 5 2009, 05:05 PM) Has of what? Slots? Does this mean the hardware has four modification slots? Just like a PC has Body Agility Reaction Strength Charisma Intuition Logic Willpower + some special attributes How do you upgrade a PC (Player Character, not a computer)? Nodes have the attributes mentioned, and that is how they are upgraded. |
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Apr 7 2009, 03:05 AM
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#12
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Target Group: Members Posts: 43 Joined: 24-March 09 Member No.: 17,010 |
edit: nevermind, found what I was looking for below.
QUOTE (Matsci @ Apr 5 2009, 06:14 PM) QUOTE (Me) I've never seen this in any of the books. The closest thing I can find concerns the number of programs limited by the system rating in conjunction with response. Where does it say that system itself is limited by response? Under Response, on Page 222 of SR4A or 213 of the SR4. This is what I was thinking: QUOTE (Unwired @ page 50) Their configuration and design also means that System rating is not capped by Response. |
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Apr 7 2009, 04:25 AM
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#13
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,188 Joined: 9-February 08 From: Boiling Springs Member No.: 15,665 |
Question for everyone... can you get a custom built commlink at chargen? Honestly, I hate the stock commlinks. I also hate the rules for upgrading the hardware.
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Apr 7 2009, 12:41 PM
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#14
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 617 Joined: 28-May 03 From: Orlando Member No.: 4,644 |
Per SR4A you must purchase a stock comlink and then upgrade; remembering that you can only upgrade the Hardware +2 points from the Original Link.
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Apr 7 2009, 04:09 PM
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#15
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Target Group: Members Posts: 43 Joined: 24-March 09 Member No.: 17,010 |
Do you still have the option of building one from scratch in-game? Away from nexi for a moment; just curious.
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Apr 7 2009, 09:29 PM
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#16
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The Dragon Never Sleeps Group: Admin Posts: 6,924 Joined: 1-September 05 Member No.: 7,667 |
QUOTE (Biokinetica @ Apr 7 2009, 11:09 AM) Do you still have the option of building one from scratch in-game? Away from nexi for a moment; just curious. Yes. |
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Apr 8 2009, 05:06 AM
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#17
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,188 Joined: 9-February 08 From: Boiling Springs Member No.: 15,665 |
QUOTE (Magus @ Apr 7 2009, 08:41 AM) Per SR4A you must purchase a stock comlink and then upgrade; remembering that you can only upgrade the Hardware +2 points from the Original Link. Does anyone else think this is frakin' stupid? I totally disagree with this. Why in God's name would a hacker even buy a stock commlink except as a decoy. Also I think that cyber commlinks should be able to be custom built... especially if it's better than standard grade. |
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Apr 8 2009, 01:01 PM
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#18
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Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,973 Joined: 3-October 07 From: Fairfax, VA Member No.: 13,526 |
I was somewhat saddened to see that an option to build your own commlink from hand selected parts was not available. The old 1/1 commlink upgraded to 6/6 was the closest approximation to building your own custom hardware, and that was deliberately removed.
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Apr 9 2009, 06:17 PM
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#19
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 166 Joined: 8-April 09 From: Columbus, Ohio, USA Member No.: 17,061 |
QUOTE (Magus @ Apr 7 2009, 08:41 AM) Per SR4A you must purchase a stock comlink and then upgrade; remembering that you can only upgrade the Hardware +2 points from the Original Link. Where is the limit on upgrading commlinks? On page 240 of the core rules, it not only tells how much it costs to upgrade hardware and software, but also reference where to look for building from scratch. It even mentions "Parts costs are always half the cost of buying a hardware upgrade." |
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Apr 9 2009, 09:16 PM
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#20
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 664 Joined: 3-February 08 Member No.: 15,626 |
QUOTE (Writer @ Apr 9 2009, 10:17 AM) Where is the limit on upgrading commlinks? On page 240 of the core rules, it not only tells how much it costs to upgrade hardware and software, but also reference where to look for building from scratch. It even mentions "Parts costs are always half the cost of buying a hardware upgrade." Check the latest Errata QUOTE Device Hardware attributes like Signal and Response are now limited to +2 upgrades above the original rating. Further upgrades require a Modular Electronics Modification. (To be included in future Arsenal errata and printings as well) QUOTE MODULAR ELECTRONICS
Modular Electronics allows the upgrade of a device’s Signal and Response hardware above the normal +2 limit by making components modular and easy to replace. Slots: 1 Th reshold: 8 Tools: Kit Cost: 1000¥ Availability: 6 Special Skill: Hardware |
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Apr 10 2009, 09:34 AM
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#21
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 166 Joined: 8-April 09 From: Columbus, Ohio, USA Member No.: 17,061 |
QUOTE (Matsci @ Apr 9 2009, 05:16 PM) Check the latest Errata I'll take a look. (Makes sense, though.) |
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Apr 10 2009, 12:33 PM
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#22
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,188 Joined: 9-February 08 From: Boiling Springs Member No.: 15,665 |
QUOTE Device Hardware attributes like Signal and Response are now limited to +2 upgrades above the original rating. Further upgrades require a Modular Electronics Modification. (To be included in future Arsenal errata and printings as well) QUOTE MODULAR ELECTRONICS Modular Electronics allows the upgrade of a device’s Signal and Response hardware above the normal +2 limit by making components modular and easy to replace. Slots: 1 Threshold: 8 Tools: Kit Cost: 1000¥ Availability: 6 Special Skill: Hardware In other words if we want a Response 5/Signal 5 commlink at chargen we just have to pay an extra 1000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) for it. I think that cyberware commlinks should have this as standard. |
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Apr 11 2009, 02:55 PM
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#23
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 617 Joined: 28-May 03 From: Orlando Member No.: 4,644 |
The Modular Electronics is for vehicles and Drones not Comlinks.
QUOTE MODULAR ELECTRONICS Modular Electronics allows the upgrade of a vehicle’sSignal and Response hardware above the normal +2 limit by making components modular and easy to replace. emphasis mine |
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Apr 11 2009, 03:18 PM
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#24
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Mr. Johnson Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,148 Joined: 27-February 06 From: UCAS Member No.: 8,314 |
I'm guessing the description mentions vehicles because it's intended as an erratum for Arsenal. I'd be willing to bet that there will also be an erratum for Unwired that adds Modular Electronics to the list of mods available for commlinks.
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Apr 11 2009, 07:32 PM
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#25
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Target Group: Members Posts: 43 Joined: 24-March 09 Member No.: 17,010 |
QUOTE (Magus @ Apr 11 2009, 10:55 AM) The Modular Electronics is for vehicles and Drones not Comlinks. emphasis mine Nexi =/= commlinks. And since SR4A is indeed just a bit "frakin' stupid", can we keep the advise focused on SR4 with errata info as secondary? |
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