Can commlinks with a response 1 run programs? I'm think they can't, just gotta make sure since this seems a bit broken. Here are the rules that I'm refering to:

"At every multiple of the processor limit, a device’s Response is reduced by 1, to a minimum of 0. For example, if a commlink has a processor limit of 5, then its
Response is reduced by 1 for every 5 programs running on it.
Peripheral devices and commlinks have a processor limit equal to their System rating. Nexi have larger processor limits (System x3)."

So, if a CMT Clip commlink (response 1) runs 1 program it would have a Response of 0? Doesn't this basically crash the device?

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That would appear to be so, unless the program has that Optimized option from Unwired. Assuming a CMT Clip is akin to a cheap, pay-as-you-go cell phone with a built-in browser, that seems to fit. The Clip is for people that don't really need to do anything with their Commlink except phone calls and messages.

I think it should be greater then Response limit....IE Response of 1 can Run 1 program..before it drops. It seemed odd to me how it was phrased and works.

Though if you look at it and say a Response of 0 is runs just has no processing power to do much else but run the program.

do not forget that a user logged on to a node can make use of programs stored on that node.

i would guess that a library node of some sort would provide the users with a browse program and so on.

Ergonomic programs? Maybe?

It has to be able to use a program. All commlinks come with scan 1, and it is kinda necessary for the link to function.

Yeah, let's assume/handwave that the Scan 1 program runs as an inherent part of the OS.

in one place it says equal, in another place it says more. or at least, it used to... haven't checked closely in SR4A.

I could have swore it said more than in SR4. Not sure on SR4A though.

Reducing a node's Response to zero (it can't go any lower than zero) doesn't crash the node, it just makes everything run very slowly. Run 10 programs at once if you'd like to on that CMT or Meta Link, just don't expect any of them to run very fast.

In game terms, the only real effect is that your VR initiative (and any other tests that use Response) are lowered by the same amount as Response for as long as you are running a number of programs equal to or above increments of the Processor Limit for the device in question. Seeing as how you're likely not doing a lot of high end VR Hacking/Jumped In rigging from such a low level device, it's probably not that big of an issue.

Per bold: does that mean on a Response 1 comlink your init can't be reduced by more than one?

I doubt it, but that's what I thought of when reading those two bits.

Bold tells the story, as far as I can tell. You can run up to four programs with no reduction in Response; running five to nine programs reduces Response by 1; ten to fourteen programs reduces Response by 2, etc. Or am I missing something?

You're skipping the "For example, if a commlink has a processor limit of 5" bit, it's rather important.

@Draco: Yes, if you are trying to use a Response 1 commlink in VR for some ungodly reason, and you use, well pretty much any programs on it, your Response (and correspondingly the amount added to your VR Matrix Initiative) will will be reduced by 1 to zero, and never any less than that. Run ten programs on said link, you will still be at Response zero, and your VR Matrix initiative has effectively only been reduced by 1.

Though using such an inferior device in VR matrix Combat will probably get you killed...

This was the part I was checking.

True dat. Hence the phrase "for some ungodly reason".

Also, if the Response drops to zero then you can't subscribe to anything.

Edit: It looks like, strangely, that the System rating isn't lowered by Response lost due to the process limit.

heh, you missed some good flames when that was not cleared up back around the first print...

basically, the matrix rules where the first target used by the veterans to "prove" how messed up the new rules system was...

I was not here for that, but I know exactly how the rules were (has been fixed in Errata, unless I am mistaken - which would be very sad indeed).

Original version: You have a Rating 4 Response, & run 6 programs. You are over the limit enough to qualify for a 1-point reduction. Your Response is now 3, with 6 active programs. You are over the limit enough to qualify for a 2-point reduction. Your Response is now 2, with 6 active programs. You are over the limit enough to qualify for a 3-point reduction. Your Response is now 1, with 6 active programs. You are over the limit enough to qualify for a 6-point reduction. Your Response is now 0 (minimum), with 6 active programs.

I keep it simple.

Whenever you run MORE programs than your Response the Response drops by 1. System Limits the MAX rating of a program and is limited by Response.

So, having a Response 6 commlink with System 4 means that you can run:

6-5-4=Response: 4
6-6-6=Programs: 18

End result: 18 rating 4 programs at once without lowering their effectiveness.

For simplicity I also rule that ALL commlinks have at least ALL common programs at rating 1 per default when you buy them because you cannot do anything without them.

or have their MSP allow access to some low rating programs/agents on their nodes...

Wow... Some definite Craziness in rules analysis there...

Nope, just MicroSoft Windows 2070.