Homebrew Cyberware Idea, Seeking Constructive Criticism Options

[Nerdynick]

Fiberoptic Infolink
We all know there's those crazy, paranoid few who have wi-phobia. This piece of cyberware was designed with them in mind, providing an internal wired network to rout all their implants through so that they never have to worry about getting hacked again. The Fiberoptic Infolink also has several external ports (chosen when the Infolink is implanted; up to three), functioning as datajacks. Any old cyberware the character has is wired into the system when it is implanted, while new cyberware is wired in immediately. The Fiberoptic Infolink is implanted along the spinal column and has numerous extra slots to wire in new cyberware. Note, this system will not work with bioware and, although it will support nanocybernetics, has no application to nanites themselves.

Essence Cost: 0.2
Capacity: -
Availability: 4
Cost: 5,000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)

[Loch]

Isn't fiber optic cable along the spinal cord part of how wired reflexes/MBW works fluff wise? If so, what distinguishes your proposed system from these?

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Considering that you can have hardwiring, and no wireless, as a standard option to start with, this would be rather redundant.

See Augmentation:

Most cyberware comes with an integral direct neural interface, allowing the user to mentally access and control the implant. This is the primary means of control for most cybernetics and requires the implant have a built-in computer. Obviously, not all implants require such interfaces. Some, such as dermal plating and bone-lacing, are passive augmentations and don’t do much but make you tougher or stronger. Implants that don’t require any sort of mental control still come equipped with RFID sensor tags as a matter of course.

Wireless functionality is complementary to direct neural control, allowing diagnostics checks, connection redundancy in case of damage to the neural relays, software/firmware updates, and non-invasive monitoring of the implant’s performance. Almost all cyberware requires careful maintenance and regular check ups, and wireless connectivity is invariably cheaper than cutting someone open just to check on an implant.

Since most implants are computerized to some extent anyway, integrating inexpensive wireless technology is the default option given its usefulness in case the character is ever unconscious, suffering from extreme trauma, or simply wants to have a non-invasive checkup.

Nonetheless, for the paranoid, it is relatively easy to have a street doc disable or remove wireless links.

If you are worried about diagnostics and not having wireless diagnostic access. Route through your Datajack. Now, all you have to do is plug in and you have full diagnostic access to all your systems. Just like in Previous Editions.

[Nerdynick]

@Tymeaus: Huh, must've skipped over that a some point. Well thanks for pointing that out.

@Loch: Well, seeing as how its original purpose was shot down (as well as my pride (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) ), I suppose the main thing this does is let you work as a kind of USB hub for fiberoptics. Of course to make that playable you'd have to make it cost less than the three datajacks it provides or give it more "slots". Also, it was my impression that Move-By-Wire actually was implanted at the base of the skull and interrupted the spinal cord while simultaneously sending you into a constant state of seizure and only letting through the muscle commands you want it to. Wired Reflexes, on the other hand, "implant a multitude of neural boosters and adrenaline stimulators in strategic locations all over the body". So some of that deals with the spine, I'm sure, but its not exclusively in the spine and it isn't fiberoptics either.

[TheOOB]

Basically, the entirety of what your 'ware does the datajack does already. Any 'ware that needs any sort of control is hooked up to your DNI by default, while many pieces have a wireless connection, this can be turned off without losing functionality(though it makes maintenance more difficult). A datajack or trode net provides a way for you to access your DNI via a commlink or other computer.