Sure. Their living persona is just like any other persona, and can transmit through any connection.

They always have a Sim Module, so yes. (p. 233)

Yep. Indeed, they normally have ratings equal to their device rating. (p. 213)

A thing that I don't think gets a lot of play is the idea of specialized systems. A smartlink or alphaware ultrasound detector might have a firewall and system of 4, but I don't think that should let you crack that code and run your whole commlink off of their sweet OS. A credstick has a response of 6, but I don't think you can break it open and hack with it.

Specialized devices can really apply themselves directly to a specific task, and run those tasks very stably and fast with few (if any) errors. However, these specialized systems gain these sweet matrix attributes by being specialized. It's hard to hack a credstick because it does so very little, not because it's a frickin supercomputer in your pants. The rules don't talk about this, but I think it's really important for people to remember.

-Frank

This is something that has been bothering me. According to the rules, those specialized systems really ARE just commlinks, and you are even encouraged to load them up with cutting edge IC. But I can't imagine why a White Noise Generator 6 (300 ) can run the same bleeding-edge IC as a completely customized, maxed-out, top-of-the-line Commlink with all settings rating 6 (17,000 ). Yet according to the rules on 213, I can do just that. I never really liked that. Especially given that anyone who's broken the copy protection on their software (that is, essentially everyone) can load up 6 copies of that IC into every bit of gear on or in their bodies.

Or... not, as it would require you to take the Cracking and Electronics skill groups twice. p. 233 essentially says technomancer versions of these skills are "fundamentally different" than the hacker versions; thus to use an ordinary commlink in an ordinary hacker way, you would presumably need both "versions." Just thread any programs you don't run often enough to pay the (very high) complex form cost for.

Yes, You can load defensive IC onto this gear in order tp protect it, it is a node. What it is missing that the much more expensive commlink has is the ability to PROJECT A PERSONA. It can't handle the VR Or AR interface with a User, It can't allow you to access other sites via itself, It can run an Agent (IC) but that agent can't leave the node. So in effect, Like any other node on the matrix it is a place for things to be, but commlinks are unique in their ability to Take you there.

So basically if it actually matters the GM is encouraged to go ahead and adjust individual ratings as seen fit. I take that to mean that a player being a weenie and trying to exploit a loophole (for example trying to crack into credsticks from miles away) becomes the trigger for the GM to modify the ratings to appropriate levels. Or just flatout [non-RAW specified] gimp the device if they are claiming to use it as a commlink substitute.

Wouldn't running 6 pieces of IC on your smartlink, should the event ever come up, run 6 times the risk of one of them critically glitching and, say, crashing your smartlink for the near future?

I'm not a big fan of being able to run programs on dedicated pieces of gear. I understand that the Rating translates over into the firewall, etc for the equipment, but the thought of packing IC into my wristwatch in case anyone wants to h4xx0r the time seems a little ridiculous.

Well, let's look at what is missing:

Ability to project AR / VR -- this is a function of the sim module accessory of the commlink, right? I mean, a commlink without a sim module can't do VR.

Ability to project a persona -- A persona is just an icon with stats (system, firewall, response) -- which IC and agents both have. Since IC and agents can run on the device in question, it seems like it's capable of projecting a persona just fine.

As for not accessing other sites, nor allowing agents (IC) running on the node to access other sites, I have to disagree. Normal nodes do not have this restriction -- plus, it would mean that there was no such thing as trace IC (which has to search out information on distant nodes to work.)

In other words, I don't think the reasons you list are correct. Don't get me wrong, I'm *not* arguing that you should be able to slap a 300 Sim Module on your 300 white noise generator. But I'm having difficulty finding where, rules-wise, this would be unsound. If everything, down to the toaster (You know, I'd love to see the options for a rating 6 toaster oven), can run a high-level agent that is nearly as capable as a hacker, well... commlinks start to look very over-priced for the limited extra functionality they bring over that toaster.

Or, maybe I'm just upset because my commlink keeps burning my waffles.

Edit:

Yea, that's basically what I'm thinking too.

I'd missed that nifty little detail... I think I'm going to start saying devices which honestly weren't intended to run things like IC have a much lower System rating than their Rating (read, 1), and that System is tied up Piloting the device through it's normal functions. Yeah, they can load more stuff onto it, but at a -1 per extra thing running...

Yes, but a commlink without a sim module can do AR, and said toaster can't. I suppose you could attach a sim modulae to your toaster, but Why?


No, a persona is actually much more than just an Icon with stats. It is also your point of obsservation in full VR, the "YOU" that is there and thething which you interact with the matrix. A commlink is a unique peice of gear in that it is simultaneously a "Place" or node that someone can occupy in the matrix, and a "Person" Or icon which can be places. All other devices are just places you can be.

Similarly, these devices can run an agent on them, but due to the item's inability to project a persona into other nodes (since it is not a commlink), that IC can only function within the node of the item iteslf.

Now it can send and receive information with other nodes in the matrix, but it can only do so in the very specific ways required by it's device type. The "Other Nodes don't have the same restriction" thing is because your average Node on the Matrix IS a commlink, or similar device. Corporations don't run their networks on Toasters, they run them on Server farms of commlink-like devices.

You do have me a bit stuped on Trace IC in that I'm not entirely sure how it is supposed to function. If it funtions by querying the cellular network for data and processing it, then I'd allow it to work on any device. If it actively hunts down the information itself, then I'd say, like other programs, It's only usable within the node of the limited device, meaning functionally it's useless. Concept 1 works with the RAW, Concept 2 is a house rule ( actually, unless wireless world clarifies the issues, these all border on house rules. But only because there is no RAW to go on.)

Anyway, It's important to note that without a persona or agent to direct them, programs cannot be used at all. So in order to get anything to run on your toaster you will need either an agent or to be jacked into it yourself. And in theory you could be jacked into your toaster if you wanted to, just that you'd not be able to do anything except within the toaster's node.

To sum up, even though devices have the full set of commlink ratings, and they can run programs, I belive they cannot be used as commlinks because they lack the crucial interface between man and matrix, the capability to project a persona. It's a simply, workable solution that doesn't conflict with the RAW and doesn't require any reworking of the way the matrix works.

I thought there was something in the sticky-ed thread re: hacking about this.

IIRC, the consensus seemed to be that even a techno would carry around at least a basic commlink (to broadcast required info), but that they would not require anyhting to hook up to the commlink themselves.

I think it was also said (or maybe I just figured) that you could basically plug your commlink into an old wired system & run that way....