I'm running Harlequin and don't have a clue how to cross the old matrix system over to the new. Has anyone already done this?
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Under SR3/Matrix rules, if I were standing inside the local Stuffer Shack's cheapass Host I'd probably see the subsystems as their UMS defaults/node representation: - the Access subsystem (previously known as SAN nodes) is represented by a UMS rectanglar icon; - the Control subsystem (previously known as CPU or SPU nodes)are represented by 3D Hexagonal icons; - the Index subsystem (aka the SPU node) are also represented by 3D Hexagonal icons; - the Files subsystems (aka Datastore nodes) are represented by multicolored Cube icons. - the Slave subsystem (aka Slave node) might or might not be present. All of these are accessible and easily identifiable from where I stand inside the Host after passing through the Access subsystem/SAN with my Access System Operation. If I were to want to insert a fake order for a fastfood delivery at my safehouse, I would go to the Files subsystem and insert my address data and then move to the Index subsystem to insert the fake order and get the system to acknowledge it (all the while making the relevant System Tests). For comparison in a Sculpted Host system navigation becomes more intuitive and less obvious, but there is NO fundamental difference between this and SR1 and SR2 Sculpted systems: If I were standing in the Sea-Tac Airport system the same subsystems would be represented differently: - the Access system (old SAN) is represented by rotating entrance doors flanked by security guards; - the Control subsystem (aka SPUs or CPUs) are represented by Check-In Desks on the main throughfare(with the White Probe IC represented by helpful attendants behind the desk); - the various Index subsystems (SPUs) would be represented by the various Departure/Arrival Flight Information Boards around the airport concourse; - the various Files subsystems (old Datastores) would be the Waiting rooms the Flight Information boards/Index subsystems guide you to (the files themselves could be the different lounge chairs, the rolled up newpapers and magazines, the other 'passengers' or anything else that fits the metaphor - the correct System Test will tell you what is what and accessing or editing a file simply requires sitting in the correct chair or opening the correct paper). I would still have to get through the Entrance area (Access subsystem/SAN) to use the other system functions but the only real difference after that, in terms of game mechanics, is that I don't have to then "move" node-to-node (dungeon-crawl style) but can "move" about freely inside the Host. There is no need to map or draw anything since there are only 5 or 6 subsystems and notes will do to define the general metaphor. However I may need to use different Programs and System Operations to actually find what I'm looking for. The Security Sheath now represents the whole host meaning all the IC is incorporated in the general Airport metaphor around me, some obvious (security guards icons, sniffer dog icons, surveillance camera icons, etc) some not (flight attendant icons, little old lady icons, abandoned suitcase icons, etc). Remember though this does not mean that all the systems you are looking for are on one Host! Tiered and chokepoint hosts have replaced their Node system equivalents and still exist. For example in the SeaTac metaphor above, the Access subsystem (old SAN) for the 2nd-tier Host might be a security checkpoint to the Airport Personnel Restricted Area and the door beyond that leads to the second Host sculpted in Control Tower, Environmental Controls or Security Room metaphor (depending on function), or even alternately make the Access subsystem (old SAN) a Boarding Gate and a second Host sculpted in an aeroplane metaphor. |
QUOTE (Abstruse @ Oct 25 2003, 01:29 AM) |
Don't ask me who posted that either... |