Skillwires are a thematic choice, not really a practical one. IMO, however, a skilljack is highly useful for a runner; they're relatively Essence-friendly, and they are So Goddamn Useful it makes a runner cry - from linguasofts to area-based knowsofts*, that is the Way To Go.
* - IMO, a datasoft such as a mapsoft takes time to access - it's like pausing to access the map on your iPhone. It may be faster than an iPhone, but you have to look through it. (I also use 'rating' Datasofts/Mapsofts, just like a hermetic mage's e-library, or the difference between a Rand-McNally map and a USGC Survey map of the same area.) Convert that information from something you have to take a few seconds to access into something you straight out KNOW, and you really have reason to cook.
"We're trapped!! How the hell are we going to get out?!?"
"We're not trapped. Go into this room. Okay, now punch through the bottom panel there. Main wet wall."
"How the hell did you know that?!?"
"Knowsoft of the building architecture. Started getting them after that clusterfuck in Caracas."