The more software you run, the more likely you are to have your commlinks response reduced.

I was wanting to know if SYSTEM and FIREWALL, which are both programs, count against this total or not?

Even with a Response 5 commlink, five programs will slow it down, so knowing if you start with 0 or 2 when you just have your OS and Firewall loaded will have a big effect.


You can't run without your OS, but is their anything stopping you from ditching the firewall if you are running two many programs?


Max,
Dunedin, NZ

To use a slightly cancerous analogy, System and Firewall are, in background terms, software, but they do not follow the rules for game items using the keyword "Software", rather they are "Attributes [Software]" (as opposed to "Attributes [Hardware]" like Signal and Response) for networked devices. So no, they do not count against the number of running programs.

This is also why you can run a Rating 6 Firewall on a Response 4 commlink, as well as why there are no Program Options from Unwired applicable to either Sytem or Firewall.

I suppose you could run without a Firewall if you custom built the commlink/node from scratch, but I hope you like sharing your commlink with every hacker/techno/spambot/zombie army you walk past...

actually I would be worried about the FIRST hacker you walk by. I can see that hacker looking at your "naked" 'Link and going "OH GOODIE! Free nuyen, and a nice Trojan Horse carrier!" I can see the hacker setting up a nice firewall and using the poor slot as a diversion at a later date."

No.