QUOTE (cndblank @ Jul 23 2013, 05:57 PM)

So is remote decking even viable any more?
We used to use a remote decker (NPC) and a combat decker (PC) to handle things.
Often part of the mission was to set up a laser link that was connected to the buildings matrix so that our remote decker could work the system.
Can you do any thing to provide a remote decker with direct access to the target system?
in theory, "direct access" negates all noise penalties caused by distance. precisely what constitutes direct access is a bit unclear, however.
in general, i would say that any connection that goes directly from device to device without having to use the matrix/wireless to transmit data qualifies. so, for example, you could use a fiberoptic cable (not recommended for corporate infiltration, but handy if you want to use a central location for security deckers so that a team of deckers can cover a larger area). or you could use a laser transmitter (but obviously this will be limited by the range of the laser). in general, for the purposes of getting into a corporate facility, there isn't much you can do without getting noticed. i suppose you could have drones infiltrate the HVAC and lay fiberoptic cable leading to a laser link on the outside of the building or something, but i would presume that HVAC has security in the shadowrun world (at least, by any place concerned about security enough to not be a pushover), and so you'd need to figure out how to deal with that, too.