Actually.. Throwback also includes other words too that says its not wireless, and cannot be used wirelessly.
THROWBACKS
Some devices are throwbacks,devices that do not have wireless capability. While they still exist, they are becoming more and more rare in the 2070s. Throwbacks cannot be accessed by wireless connection, and so can neither
be controlled remotely nor gain a wireless bonus
Throwbacks, specifically stand against your position there. Notice how Remarkably it states several times how you're not able to use it wirelessly? It takes some extremely impressive mental gymnastics to completely ignore the first paragraph of text. Throwbacks are an exception, and it specifically states how they are an exception.
WIRELESS
FUNCTIONALITY
The world is wireless. Almost every device you can think of has been computerized and equipped with a wireless link, including your microwave, your gun, maybe even your eyes. Every gear item has a wireless-enabled computer built in. Even non-electronic items without any moving parts have built-in computers, so now your pants can store your favorite music (and tell you when it’s time to do the laundry). The few devices that are non-wireless are most likely tagged with RFID tags(p. 440).
the part about the bone lacing and the bones, is because the bone lacing has absolutely no way of breaking your bones. Its not made to break your bones. Its not built to heal your bones. Its not built to move. Its simply a lattice of a material around your bones that lacks any other functions.
Guns fire slugs of metal. No amount of hacking is going to change that its slugs of metal its flinging out. You can't hack the gun to shoot healing beam, or love arrows. You can't hack a gun so it can administer anti-toxin instead of bullets. However you are capable of firing a gun wirelessly. Because guns are built to fire bullets, and are capable of being accessed remotely.
Its the same way with the Data-Tap. The wireless bonus is NOT its wireless function. It is a wireless function. Why do you think it detonates wirelessly as a bonus? because if you're always limited to using a cable to plug into it.. You'd be right next to it. With no need to blow it up. You could take it with you.
However if you're accessing it wirelessly, and someone finds it.. Well you might want to blow it up so they don't know it was you who was tapping the line.
Believe it or not, but the entire thing over pointing out the wording of the section on throwbacks is related to an argument on the word "can." Xenon's entire argument relies on the possibility that "can" indicates other options when used. I'm pointing out that the word does not.
As for that bit you posted: You're using common sense when looking at the wireless bonus. Problem: Nothing indicates the wireless function has to actually be the ability to use the main function of the device. You simply cannot use bone lacing to reinforce your bones wirelessly; it must be implanted. Nor can you use it, as you pointed out, for a function that is not possible for it.
Well, here's the thing... The data tap's language on using it is specific to UAP connections. Also, read what the data tap actually does; it creates an access point for direct connection to two devices connected by wire. Nothing about it indicates it serves any function outside of, basically, being a hacker-installed UAP. Everything about it except for blowing it up is related to direct connections. Being able to use it for non-wired connections is something that exists outside of RAW.
As it stands, every bit of the wording about the device pretty much backs up that it's only intended for establishing direct connections. Which means you can't use it for wireless access because it's not possible to establish a direct connection wirelessly; the fact it specifies UAP connections for using it backs that up.
So here's the problem: To prove you can use it wirelessly, you have to find wording within the device that allows you to do so. RAW, the device doesn't allow it and doesn't exist for connections where it would be possible anyway. Or you can take the common sense approach and just houserule it.
As for the rest... read my reply to Xenon. What I have to say about him when he gets into the "cans" is very, very relevant to what you said.
Edit: Just to note... I am not arguing that the data tap lacks wireless functionality.
You can also use a wire that is not included in the spooled data filament.
"Can" is simply not equal to "Must", "Have to", "Shall" (or other similar words).
"Can" also doesn't mean that you have other options than the one specified.
Seriously, if we go in circles any faster on this one, I think we'll generate our own artificial gravity. We're already drawing people in and trapping them
And, yes, I am poking fun at myself with that
That is not the same thing as:
You must connect it via universal data connector
or
You have to connect it via universal data connector
They are giving an example of how you can connect to the data tap.
Which they don't need to, as it was defined at the beginning of the equipment section. That every device has a UAP doesn't need mentioned again for a connection value. Just mention you use it to tap into wires, include a wireless bonus, and save the extra wording for something else. Like the Krime Cannon and where it gets its one point of recoil reduction from. I know this is part of your point, and am going to take the comment as a whole, but I wanted to address this separately as a lead-in to what I'm going to say.
You use this hacking tool by attaching it to a data cable.
There is no "can" here.
To use this tool you must attach it to a data cable.
Once it’s clamped onto the cable, you can use it via universal data connector.
There is a "can" here.
There might or might not be other methods to connect to the data tap.
Any device directly connected to the data tap also has a direct connection with the devices on either end of the cable (see Direct Connections, p. 232) and vice versa.
There is no "can" here.
To get a direct connection with the devices on either end of the cable you must have a direct connection to the data tap.
The tap can be removed without damaging the cable.
There is a "can" here.
It might or might not be possible to remove the data tap in such a way that you damage the cable.
You misread the last sentence with a "can" in it. Read the wireless bonus as well. The "can" in this case is not indicating that there is a possibility of damaging the cable, but indicates it is possible for you to remove it this way. You can also choose to leave it in place, or can choose to wirelessly remove it by blowing it up. Which would be useful for creating permanent taps, such as for illegal Matrix access. The wireless bonus would allow you to monitor those taps from a distance, then detonate it if it is discovered.
The use of the word "can" basically is a short way of saying "you may do this, or you may choose not to do it." It's a lingual form of the binary decision making computers use all of the time.
Now, note that everything you quoted is how you use the device. Not "attaching it to a wire" as being the use, but "attach it to a wire, plug in with a direct connection, and later on remove it if you wish." That is the entire usage summarized.
Now, ask yourself this... why does this device specify direct connections and why does it specify UAP connections? Well, the former is obviously for wired networks; but, then, by common sense, the device could then just broadcast the entire data stream wirelessly. After all, for the era in which it exists, that makes sense that it could do both. Except, it apparently can't.
Notice how
everything about the device
except its wireless bonus is related to wired connections. It connects to a wire. It specifies a UAP connection for connecting to it to use the wired network. It specifies direct connection. It basically sounds like a portable UAP you can clamp onto any wire you come across, doesn't it?
You can use it for direct connection to wired networks? Okay, that's supported in the rules.
You can wirelessly blow the sucker up? Okay, that's supported.
You can use it wirelessly for connecting to wired networks? Absolutely nothing in the text indicates that. But it makes common sense, even if the rules don't support it.
It is not the phrase "you can use its included spooled data filament to connect to a throwback directly," that prevent you to connect wireless to a throwback device (that phrase only give you a suggestion on ONE possible way to connect to its UDC; you don't HAVE to use the spool that is included. There might or might not be other ways to connect to a throwback directly without using the included spooled data filament)
- it is the phrase "Throwbacks can’t be accessed by wireless connection" that prevent you from connecting to it wireless.
I was using that to show the inherent problem with your argument; after all, I'm not the one who is arguing that the word "can" indicates functionality beyond what is present. I'm pointing out the inherent problem with that argument.
I must have miss-read what you typed. If that was the case then i apologize.
(I got the impression you said there was several other items that could be used to gain access to a wired network)
Oh! No, I had misread what you were asking about.
Pretty much, pick any single item in the blades section. Then grab a kit related to hardware. Then you can use those blades to tap into a wired network (you're using the kit to provide a device you can plug both ends of the now-severed wire into so you can monitor the network). The rest of the items pretty much follow the same pattern. Of course, the moment you go severing live wires, you'll probably either die or get instantly caught. Or both. Kinda why the data tap is so important...
