Alright, so some observations...

The RCC itself doesn't have a sim module (which is sort of strange), but presumably I'm supposed to be using the sim module from my VCR. Is that sim module hot or cold?

If I decide to use the VCR's sim module to access AR and VR (not necessarily for rigging, but for the DNI effects), is it obvious that I'm using it? If I decide to go down to the corner shop, using a trusty decoy commlink, would it be obvious that I'm using a restricted VCR to provide the DNI?

One of the stories talks about a guy browsing the music on a girl's commlink because she had it in a public folder. The hacker still had to hack it to download it but was able to see the software, IIRC.

Are there any rules for private folders? Or is it just one of those handwavium things where you tell the GM that files on the commlink aren't publicly viewable? I can sort of understand some things being open to the public "I got an advanced copy of the new Darwin's Bastards album, everyone that looks at me can see it!" but everything public seems beyond silly, but I don't recall seeing anything like that.

Your mandatory Control Rig brain implant comes with a sim module (pages 265 & 452). What I don't see initially is whether this is hot or cold.

Yeah, I saw the sim module from the Control Rig (this came about by finding it rather funny that the RCC didn't come with a sim module, unlike a cyberdeck, then realizing that's most likely because its build into the control Rig), I was just curious if I was missing someplace that stated whether or not that module was hot or not. I guess it doesn't say, despite being described in two different places.

You don't autospot files per Matrix Perception - only devices, personas and hosts. So files aren't all publicly available.

The passage under "VR and Rigging" page 266 would seem to imply that the sim module in the Control Rig can operate in either cold or hot sim.

As far as the RCC I would imagine it can be used without a Control Rig, probably in AR mode if the user doesn't have some other sim module (such as in a deck or modified commlink).

So then in the story how did the guy browse her music? Unless I'm missing something, he wasn't racking up any Overwatch until he actually hacked the commlink and was able to download the files.

Is this just a not quite explained part of the Matrix?

I haven't read through the fiction yet, but it could be just a fluff thing. Maybe the girl is running some kind of social media software that creates a profile of her interests including what she's currently listening too.

Once the protagonist hacks the commlink he can do a Matrix Perception test to locate the file and an Edit test to copy it.

ETA: I think it's designed to illustrate the difference between a casual matrix user who is routinely broadcasting all kinds of personal metadata and how a hacker operates.

matrix perception does not start OS. one of the things matrix perception can do is "Spot a target icon you’re looking for". it also very clearly states that the list is not exhaustive, and is merely intended to let you know what sort of things are possible.

since matrix perception is not a sleaze or attack action, it can be done without generating OS. and given that the girl is not a matrix specialist or anything, we can presume she wouldn't have changed the file icon, so it was probably clearly identifiable for what it was.

You actually do... which is why there is some specific advice on how to handle sensitive data:

"A file is a collection of data. It can be a film, a song, a book, financial records, an image, a news article, and so on. It can even be a collection of other files (a “folder”)." - pg. 219

"Most of what you keep on your commlink are files, this includes music, your SIN (fake or otherwise), licenses (also fake or otherwise), maps, email messages, your contact book, AROs, and so on. These files are visible to people who can see your commlink in the Matrix, so most people keep all of their files in a protected folder." - pg 222

So in the Matrix, files are small icons visible to everyone who's spotted your commlink (or persona, since the moment you start using it, the device icon transforms into your persona). You can circumvent this, by putting your sensitive stuff in another file (a folder), then protecting it, which can be done with the "Edit File" matrix action.

"To protect a file, make a Simple Computer + Logic [Data Processing] test. The number of hits you get becomes the rating of the protected file. A protected file cannot be read, changed, deleted, or copied until its protection is broken." - pg. 239

How does this jive with the Matrix Perception siebar on page 235?



It quite explicitly states that you can only see devices (and by extension personas), hosts, and shit you've personally marked. I guess then non-protected files are being counted as part of the device icon, or sticking out of it or something?

Ah, this is actually helpful. Thanks.

The waitress was within 100m and not running silent.

Devices, though, not files. Those are two separate things. It may not be contradictory, but definitely worth errata'ing in.

How you "see" stuff in the Matrix still depends on how you configured your filters:

"There are uncounted billions of icons in the Matrix. Devices have icons in the Matrix in sort of the same way that living things have auras in astral space. This could get overwhelming, but some background tech keeps
things from getting out of control.
The first piece of assistance comes from your commlink, which automatically filters out the least interesting icons. Do you want to know the virtual location of every music player in the world? Right, neither do I. So the Matrix will usually show you an icon for an individual’s personal area network (PAN), not every device in that network (although it makes exceptions for interesting or dangerous devices in that network, such as
a gun)."

The above is well written and simply makes sense, and the writers did a really good job in making players *understand* why matrix perception filters are in place in the first place.

As for files themselves, unless it's inside a host, a file won't be an icon displayed on its own, it'll be part of the user's PAN:
"Most individuals have multiple electronic devices on them at once, and having icons for each one show up would provide too much visual clutter in the Matrix. Often, what shows up instead is an icon representing an individual’s personal area network. This icon often looks similar to the physical device that serves as master for the network, such as a commlink, but individuals will sometimes choose a design or logo that means something to them (such as sports team logos, Concrete Dreams album covers, or corporate designs). Some devices are not merged into the single PAN icon; if an individual is carrying a wireless-enabled gun—or any other wireless device that might kill you—it will show up separately so that it can be identified rapidly. Unless, of course, the user has gone to the trouble to hide that icon, but that’ll be covered later."

So when you're looking for a user's files, you must locate the user first (*this* action might require a Matrix Perception test if they're running silent). Once you do, locating a file in his PAN is a matter of adjusting your filters. What you simply *can't* do though is look for a specific file on the Matrix and pull it out of your hat, like a rabbit in a magic trick.

When looking for information, you instead do a Matrix Search (*not* Matrix Perception check), the SR equivalent of googling stuff... and even then you won't be able to just "locate" a specific file, like Mr. Johnson Ares' commcode directory. You'd have to go after his PAN and hope he keeps it on his personal commlink instead a host. In the later case, you'd have to keep tabs on him and hope he'll lead you to the appropriate host... then you'll have to worry about how you're going to get the files out of the host's secure archive, but that's a different issue.

So... to reiterate: stuff people keep on their commlink can be seen as part of their PAN by anyone with access to their device/persona. (When they're not using it, the commlink is just a device, when they're on-line - even in AR - it's a persona). Normally you don't see this stuff, unless your commlink's filters judge it important (like a gun!), or unless you tweaked your filters to show it. (Heck, if you want you can even see data-streams, even if it'll do you little good).

What you see though is *just* an icon, and some cursory meta-data (like when the last edit happened, whether it's protected or if it has a data-bomb attached if you took the time to properly inspect it using Matrix Perception). It is not the same though as being able to read or bugger with it. Until you access it, you have no idea what the contents are beside what the Matrix sculpting intentionally reveals. You need at least 1 mark to do the Edit File action... and actually read/copy/write/erase, etc. the darn thing.

As for how difficult this is: Since files don't have stats of their own, they use their owner's stats (the host or the commlink/persona's) when defending against your marking. Next files can be protected... and finally files can even have a data-bomb attached. So yeah, while it's easy to spot if a guy has files on him (and who doesn't! Every damn bugger on the 'trix is supposed to have a valid SIN to begin with!), it's darn harder to get the file you actually want if they know what they're doing and took some precautions.

In the example where BK copies some music from a waitress's 'link, she didn't keep her stuff in a protected folder and wasn't running in silent mode... so BK could just rife through her PAN, and being an album bought of a retailers the sculpting probably screamed what it was right away... to actually get it, he needed a mark though.