Date: Wed, 06 Dec 1995 14:41:53 -0800 (PST)
From: Tony Case <desslok@elwha.evergreen.edu>
Subject: Re: Hacker and Cyberspace
In-reply-to: <199512061520.AA01132@augustea.it>
To: jae+sw-rpg@DRYCAS.CLUB.CC.CMU.EDU
Errors-to: jae+sw-rpg-errors@DRYCAS.CLUB.CC.CMU.EDU
Reply-to: jae+sw-rpg@DRYCAS.CLUB.CC.CMU.EDU
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            Kryd/Rebellion Neural Computer Interface
About Cyberspace:
     Computer interface is widely spread across the galaxy, if
not widely accepted. Any good cyborg will be able to access a
computer to some extent, such as the Sorosuub Motion Interface
Package. However the Kryd Neural Computer Interface system is a
step beyond anything Sorosuub has ever developed, allowing the
users to directly manipulate the computer as if through a
keyboard or mouse.
     Users, called Netrunners, interface with the computer in
Cyberspace. Since few human brains can understand the direct flow
of data from the computer, Cyberspace presents the data in a way
that's user friendly and almost pleasing, in the form of familiar
surroundings.
     Various Cyberspace programs, called Sims, could be used for
psychological evaluations, training programs, mental therapy,
relaxation, or actual computer programming. The actual
applications have not yet EVEN begun to be explored.
     There is a dark side, however. Rouge Sims could easily exist
much as computer viruses have plagued normal computers for
decades. Programmers speculate that a Rouge Sim is a AI software
that accesses Cyberspace much like a droid might, except without
the bulky body that goes with it. Removing Rouge Sims might be as
easy as rebooting the computer or as difficult as removing all
the chips by hand, physically throwing them as far away as you
can, and rebuilding the Deck from scratch.

Using Cyberspace:
     The Netrunner's physical appearance in Cyberspace is
entirely dependent on the users perception of himself. This can
range from the truly bizarre (like a pink and yellow tu-tu and 20
gallon cowboy hat) to the almost understandable. (Someone at knee
level height with the nickname "little"). AI computers have a
much easier time changing form at will. It is possible to alter
this appearance. The difficulty depends on how strong the mental
image is. The down side is that maintaining the form requires
constant concentration, subtracting one die from all the other
rolls. Its usually not worth the bother. The Netrunner's
abilities remain unchanged from realspace world, even perceived
abilities. If the Netrunner sees himself as a big, husky
musclebuilder, but is a wimp in realspace, he still has a 98
pound weakling's strength.
     The ability to manipulate the interface's environment
depends on the netrunner's willpower skill, augmented by the
Computer Programming skill. For every five dice of Computer
Programming the Net Runner has, it adds a dice to willpower. This
represents the subconscious effect the skill has on the mind.
     Generally the Netrunner is arrives without possessions. This
changes as the user accesses the computer in different ways.
eliminating a virus might mean tracking a large bug through a
forest with a bantha gun and killing it. The shotgun represents
the virus killer program. Interacting with the residents of
cyberspace simulates the actual accessing of the computer.
     Generally the more outrageous the request, the less likely
the netrunner is likely to get it. A Horde of womprats might be
easy enough to summon up in a Sim of Beggars canyon, but tougher
than hell on a Sim of a Star Destroyer's bridge.

                      Sample Difficulties

           Star Destroyer  Beggars Canyon
Skyhopper           20             5
Hydrospanner        12             10
Mechanic/Tech       10             10
Darth Vader         5              25
Blaster Pistol      19             14
Womprat             30             3

     When two netrunners wish to manipulate Cyberspace, its a
simple Willpower vs. Willpower roll. However due to the machine
construction of their brains, AI's and Rouge Sims have a +5 or
greater to their rolls.
     The passage of time inside the Sim is MUCH faster than
realspace. This is by no means accurate, but consider a day in
Cyberspace to be a minute in realspace. This is effected by
number of users jacked in, speed on the computer, numbers of
programs in use, etc.
     Should the netrunner be killed in the Sim, the program will
usually dump the user to a waiting area in RAM and reboot. This
is not 100 percent accurate, and some cardiac failure has
occurred in cyberspace when the program crashes. Should this
happen, usually the mind will crumple like a tin can long before
the body dies. Should the program crash, then the systems failure
(guru meditation #3246648) will take all the netrunners with it.
The netrunners have one chance at exiting the program properly. A
difficult willpower roll should exit correctly.

The Interface:
     Netrunners interface with Cyberspace in two way generally-
through a direct fiber-optic neural jack implanted into the body,
or through a wire mesh crown like device nicknamed the Beginner's
Terminal. Interfacing this way is more dangerous, but allows
access without muss or fuss- no messy jack holes to drill into
your spine.
     If the user is abruptly unjacked from the deck without
properly exiting from cyberspace, the following will happen-
     A: The Computer will completely shut down and lock up until
an expensive and time consuming overhaul is done.
     B: The Deck Operator will be terminated from his job.
     C: The Netrunner will be turned into a artichoke rutabaga.

     This is not a good thing.

     It is highly recommended that the system is monitored from
realspace by either a live being or a AI computer. The optimal
set up is a live monitor in Realspace in communication with an AI
in Cyberspace.