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"Average" Comlink

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veritastheeidolon

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« on: <10-12-11/2054:20> »
I've realised that it's rather hard to tell precisely what level of security the average com-link has.

I'm just looking for examples of what sort of software you might expect from various general NPCs.

Examples:
the street tough, almost certainly has a second hand Meta-Link from 5 years ago and they have never bothered installing anything besides what came with the stock OS.

What about an average corp wage slave who spends their day working on graphic design templates? Sure their com-link is corporate provided, but what do they have loaded on it?

A Lonestar cop would have all the needed software put on by their in-house hacker, but assuming that such a hacker is average, what would you expect to find? A full Agent throwing black IC around like it was going out of fashion? Or just a basic scan routine operating on its own, ready to call in the hacker back at base?

What about Johnsons and Fixers? They presumably don't slack on matrix security, but what do they load up with?

Stay at home mothers?

I tend to find that non-hacker/rigger runners really don't even look at their com-links at character gen and just buy a stock OS without any software.

In short, can you give me some examples of the sorts of Hardware and Software in detail that people are likely to have running on their Com-links at various strata of society?

Phylos Fett

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« Reply #1 on: <10-12-11/2057:36> »
Well, according to the BBB, the Lone Star officer has a commlink that has a Device Rating 3.

Havick

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« Reply #2 on: <10-12-11/2102:49> »
i think some of the standard software would be in the Basic user suite. as far as comlinks, most likely something that's  3/3 with a 3/3 OS
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veritastheeidolon

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« Reply #3 on: <10-12-11/2112:04> »
Device ratings are all well and good, but I was looking for a higher resolution than that.

That device rating of 3 dictates the 4 main com-link attributes, but that's not quite what I was after. I was asking about what sort of software you could expect NPCs to have running/available to load.

Is it likely that the Lonestar grunt will have their own IC? (Considering that IC programmes cost thousands of Nuyen, probably exceeding the cost of a mid-range com-link on its own before you even give it any fun programmes.) What software would they have easy access to? (Taking into account the limits of what a rating 3 device can manage, they won't be able to have an unlimited amount of security software running.)

Phylos Fett

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« Reply #4 on: <10-12-11/2119:04> »
Well, it gives an indication that whatever programs that you feel the LS officer needs would be at Rating 3. They'd have the basic programs needed to do their job, an interpretation that varies from table to table. Personally, I don't give the LS or KE guys much to play with because it's just not cost effective - the same way that fitting them out with the latest weapons, armor and ammo isn't cost effective.

Crash_00

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« Reply #5 on: <10-12-11/2250:27> »
Quote
Personally, I don't give the LS or KE guys much to play with because it's just not cost effective - the same way that fitting them out with the latest weapons, armor and ammo isn't cost effective

Well it really just depends. You have to look at cost vs. reward. If giving them the best and latest will appeal to those hiring and get more contracts, then it may very well be cost effective. For instance, KE's has always upheld the image of being the elite of the elite with all the newest toys.

With them having a major player (Ares) as their parent corporation, they could get the newest in weapons and tech at just about cost since its in the parent corp's best interest to keep them in control.

As far as software goes, I usually have each officer loaded up with a Basic User+ setup and a higher level Scan, Weapon Watcher, and Noise Analysis. If there is a manhunt going on, they'll usually also have access to Facial Recognition, Gait Analysis, and possibly Voice Analysis depending on location.

I figure a corporation like Ares wouldn't be buying licenses for another corporation for their subsidiary's officers. It would be much more cost effective to build their own code for their in house programs (I also have KE with its own OS).

Average every day sprawlers probably don't have much more than a Basic or Pro User suite. I can see IT tech's having another suite or two out of Unwired, but most of the programs around just aren't friendly and common on people that are up to good (as opposed to us up to no good runners).

Johnsons/Fixers are another story. I usually have them running agents ready to shut things down if they get invaded. Likewise, they're ready to fight tooth and nail to keep their secrets. Often on Johnsons I will have an actual decker in VR bouncing around to provide overwatch. I don't usually give KE officers agents, but they do have a fully staffed matrix security office and sometimes in a pinch a VR decker will pop in to assist them.

rasmusnicolaj

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« Reply #6 on: <10-13-11/0130:45> »
Coporate guys will propably have a Pro User suit and security programs installed by their company hacker so they don't compromise their firms security with to slopy commlinks maybe even with some sort of hidden alarm rutine that alert the company hacker if something wrong is going on. And what ever program needed to do their job.

I can defenitely se cops with low rank agents that run different scanning softwares to spot known criminals so the cop frees up his own memory skills to do, well cop things. Agents are expensive, but copied from a central place and distributed to all street cops should keep costs down - especially if the company can make it's own coding.

Normal people with enough money probably have rather fancy commlinks but with a basic software suit. So a higher than average firewall but not really any useful programs. Maybe a good command program to control the household utility robots so you don't risk that the butler drone brings you a scotch instead of a dry martini  :D

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Joush

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« Reply #7 on: <10-13-11/0426:33> »
Average user: Device 2 comlink with basic user package, 1-6 entertainment and information programs.

Police officer: Device 3 link with basic user package, Analyze 3, Mapsoft 3 (Patrol area), Scan 3. May call a station for additional technical support.

When in doubt, give them appropriate programs at a rating equal to the device of their comlink. Keep in mind that IC on low rated comlinks can easily double their cost to modest benefit.
« Last Edit: <10-13-11/0435:26> by Joush »

veritastheeidolon

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« Reply #8 on: <10-13-11/1018:23> »
Excellent stuff, thanks guys.

CanRay

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« Reply #9 on: <11-06-11/1735:28> »
Exactly.  Any details that need to be shared with the 'Runners would be on degrading/flash paper of optical chips with deniablity built into them.  "Ah, that does look like our letterhead and format, but if you go under the base information of the file, you'll see that it was actually made on a proprietary system designed, owned, and only used by a competitor."
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Glyph

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« Reply #10 on: <11-06-11/1738:12> »
With in-house software and economies of scale, corporate types can have anything they would plausibly need for their jobs, although it will generally be capped at the rating: 2 or 3 of their device.

Johnsons, I think, would be similar to runners in that they would have a throwaway commlink in active mode, and a "real" commlink running in hidden mode.  But even the "real" commlink woudn't have any personal or sensitive information (unless it was deliberate misinformation) - it would only be used for coordinating with his/her security detail and other mission-related things like cred transfers and details about the specific job.  Why would an anonymous middleman looking to hire deniable assets show up with a device they know can be hacked, that has information that can be used against them on it?


And sorry, CanRay, you were replying to my post, but I deleted it because the formatting made it look horrible (super-narrow column).  The second paragraph is what I originally posted.

CanRay

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« Reply #11 on: <11-06-11/1849:57> »
To repeat myself then:  Exactly.  Any details that need to be shared with the 'Runners would be on degrading/flash paper of optical chips with deniablity built into them.  "Ah, that does look like our letterhead and format, but if you go under the base information of the file, you'll see that it was actually made on a proprietary system designed, owned, and only used by a competitor."

And, no, that wasn't to boost my post count at allllllllllllllllll...  ;D
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FastJack

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« Reply #12 on: <11-07-11/0740:57> »
To repeat myself then:  Exactly.  Any details that need to be shared with the 'Runners would be on degrading/flash paper of optical chips with deniablity built into them.  "Ah, that does look like our letterhead and format, but if you go under the base information of the file, you'll see that it was actually made on a proprietary system designed, owned, and only used by a competitor."

And, no, that wasn't to boost my post count at allllllllllllllllll...  ;D
Like you really need to anymore. :P

Kontact

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« Reply #13 on: <11-10-11/0343:37> »
According to the fluff in Unwired, most legit MSP contracts provide low-level programs and agents to subscribers. 

Check out p. 42 for the skinny on what regular folk and illegal types do for their Trix.

Wakshaani

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« Reply #14 on: <11-12-11/0807:36> »
Yeah, for me, the avreage person has a Commlink 2 with programs to match. Professionals who need the extra power step up to a 3 (Police, tech specialists, etc)... 4 is reserved for System Administrators and the like. Higher than that are high end support for Matirx-themed megas. The average corp drone at NeoNET, for instance, has a Commlink 3, while the tech guys have a 4 and the Sys Admins have a 5... tech support in other megas are always jealous of these guys' toys and NeoNET uses the dangle of better tech to recruit.

Add another rank for "Security Specialists" who get called in from regional when things go sideways. Add yet another for "Home Office", for when things are absolutely falling apart and you need the best the company has, STAT. (Yeah, that means NeoNET has home office guys with rating 7 systems, but, they *should* be scary.)