Analogy doesn't work. Compress only has the bizarrely priced utility. Besides Read/Write, there's rating 1, complexity 1 word processors covered under Applications.

You can edit files just fine, so why do you need a word processor Application? The rules and fluff text all revolve around deckers. The designers have been consistently clueless when it comes to writing them on just about every level. This just happens to be one of those areas.

And while no tests may be required, you'll still likely want to make one if you want to do it quickly.

This isn't a really fair argument either. How does a Read/Write utility, which from the operations it is in charge of seems to be more of a really hackish FTP program, affect how easily or quickly you manipulate files? Indeed, in the 2060s I'd expect most of the editing software like Notepad and the like to be included for free in any standard software bundle, much as it is in most computers today. The only time you'd need to buy something like a Read/Write utility is if you want to do something outside the norm, like break into and copy/overwrite someone else's files. After all, that is all the Read/Write utility does, by Canon; any other operations you associate with it are only a result of your preconceived notions (resulting IMO from a misinterpretation of flavor text; see below)

Just because you don't make a living from decking doesn't mean you wouldn't ever want to break into someone else's computer for some reason. That, IMO, is what the "non-decker users" is referring to: amateurs rather than professionals. A CD-burning program isn't only useful for people who want to make and sell illegal copies of their CD collection, you know.

This is possibly a very good point. See, one big pradigm we're dealing with in the world of computer science today is the idea of programs as data. All programs currently in existence can be represented in the same way as the data they manipulate, giving us some powerful abilities which work well with the current binary-based computers. In the 2060s there is every possiblility that computer science has gone in the opposite direction; that now it is data that is being represented as a proceedure. Now, how is this possible, and what does it mean? As I am currently without my master's degree in 2060s computing technology I have no idea. But, it's pretty safe to say that all our current ideas of what makes sense and what does not in terms of computing have all gone out the window, and it's possible this includes the idea of compression.

See that's what I'm saying, that maybe it's not the system itself that's wrong, but the assumptions you are bringing into it. See, right now you're assuming that data in SR is analogous to data in the real world. Specifically, you are making the assumption that data is analytic, capable of being broken down into component parts, when in fact SR seems to be presenting data as synthetic, which is rather the opposite. Consider, for example, that datasofts have ratings, rather than a continuom of values for size. This implies a measure of quantization to data that simply does not exist in the current computer paradigm.

The unit of measure for program size--the megapulse--as well as the nature of the storage medium hints at a possible reason for this: data, as well as everything else, may well be stored as a proceedure. It makes sense, actually: it explains why data is saved as a "datasoft," implying software, as well as other things like why software makes up so large a percentage of the hardware costs. Now, why is this the case; why is everything being stored in proceedure form rather than in binary? Who knows; if we understood that our technology would jump up by 50 years. One thing is clear though; because software is incapable of being broken down without losing the integrity of the encapsulated data, compression algorithms become much more complicated, and may well require the odd steps outlined. This technology is 60 years beyond us; who knows what it might be capable of, or *not* capable of?

Depends on the size of the bolt and the type of stainless, and the shape the stock comes in.

For the non-metalworker, carbide inserts (Disposable cutting tool) cost $15 Canadian OR MORE a peice. An hour's labor is $70+.

If the bolts are less than an inch, I could see up up $30 a bolt. One foot, high tolerance bolts to an odd size could be WELL over a hundred.

System operations on a system to which you don't have authorized access are going to be illegal most of the time. The only time they wouldn't be would be if you are with the NSA or similar organization, if you are trying to counter deck against a compromised system that you've been hired to fix, or some other situation in which the legal authorization to use the system is not the same as the computer designating you as an "authorized user."

If you need to roll a system operation test, the odds are you are doing something illegal.

On another note, I do have to say that the compress function being a utility rather than an application seems pretty goofy to me, too.

And elementals are a pretty good investment if you can get your team to agree that they each get a cut of the pay and that you'll send it to them

What is "Spirit Strength"?

Also, elementals are useful because you can have a big group of them (assuming you've got the Charisma). Call them to you, astrally project and you're totally safe from bullets and explosions - just do scouting while your elementals beat guards senseless.

(*cracks whip* back on topic people!)

The trick is timing and having a place to sleep it off. 7-12 hours of all 1s aren't that bad if you're asleep throughout that period. I lasts for at least 7 hours, provided essence of 6, and, unlike mundane drugs, it is not addictive.

ah, thanks! I completly passed over those when I was reading through M&M

Gah! What's channeling? Here I thought I knew magic. hmmph, guess they were right when they said "Chummer, I can write a book on what you don't know."

Wishful thinking?

In this case, it'd probably be because if there are still any threats immediately after the channeling ends, you'll be at 10 boxes on at least one condition monitor soon enough with or without the drain.

Not really ... spirits of man has confusion ... the ultimate mancrusher-critterpower.

SYL

Unless your buddy is awakened, you'll have to remain the elemental's controller for it to sustain spells. Making it do the long version of sustaining costs the rest of its services, and binding your elemental to another person costs one service. Since your mundane sammies aren't going to be casting improved aim on themselves, you'll have to keep control of it. If your buddy is a sorcerer or shaman, however, you can bind it to her (costs one service) and then she can have it sustain an appropriate spell that she casts.

Remote services can be any service the elemental would normally be able to perform, so you could easily say to it "sustain [insert spell of appropriate category] on [insert buddy's name] as a remote service." The only problem with that is that nobody controls that elemental anymore and you'll actually have to roll dice to control, kill, or banish it to make it quit sustaining the spell.

Putting someone else in control of your elemental counts as a service. The way the "sustain a spell" service is worded suggests that only the controler can cast the spell to be sustained, and the [Force] days version of sustaining burns up any services you had remaining, so you won't be able to hand it over to someone else.

Hmm...maybe if you had 3 services you could do the sustain [force] combat turns, hand over control, and then that person could have the elemental switch over to sustain [force] days. I don't know how that works in regards to a spirit only being able to do one service at a time, though.

p. 186

Now reading this, it makes me think that the materials are *ONLY* used up if he tries to conjure and fails. If he conjures successfully, the materials are still available for the next use (excepting, presumably, the big pile of clay or water or whatever).

Thoughts?