From: kulance@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re: Questions about the Net
Date: 30 Jul 92 03:50:04 GMT
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services
Archive-Name: rgc535
News-Moderator: Approval required for posting to rec.games.cyber

In article <1992Jul29.171228.12812@Veritas.COM>, tagg@hg.uleth.ca writes:
> 
>       Hey, how about a new topic?
> 
>       The Net has always posed great problems for me.  Almost nowhere is it
> accurately enough described to suit my taste.  
Hear Hear, Yeah! Right on!

> 
> -- Who can jack in?
> Talsorian seems to hint that only Runners can jack.  This is clearly stupid;
> why would the thing be build if only a chosen few could use it with any level
> of proficiency.  (I think this was changed somewhat in 2020 but I still perfer
> the old, gritty boxed 1st edition.)
> Does everyone jack?  Do you do word processing by VR, or is it only used by
> computer geeks?  How common is it?  What sort of people _wouldn't_ jack?
> 
The Way I see it is anyone with rudimentary knowledge (some kind of computer
skill) and some I-plugs can jack in.  The Net is set up for corps and scholars,
etc. to use it.  It wasn't created as a playgrond for hackers.  The Interface
skill as I see it is to use illegal warez and to do semi-illegal things in the
'face such as net combat and stealth, traces etc.

SUMMARY: Almost anyone can use the net for information that is allowed to them,
but to have fun, and go outside the lines you need Interface skill.



> -- What is the physical basis for the Net?
> ICE: Intrusion Countermeasure Electronics.  One school of thought is that the
> Grid is a computer projection of _electronic_ signals; that is to say,
> impedences, resitances, amplifiers, multiplexers, security gates.  Physical
> objects.  This would explain the 'trace': a physical route that the electrical
> signals flow, a pattern of switches and gates that defines the route of the
> signals.
> Another possibility is that there is one big computer or network of
> computers with integrated software that work together to create an artificial
> reality, representing all nodes on the network within this reality, and
> governing their interaction.  Netrunner battles would be a hacker contest on
> the unseen command level of this system.  Drawbacks: assumes either collusion
> between all software designers or a powerful agency to put such an integrated
> and cohesive system into place.  Unlike cpunk.
> Another possibibity: the deck does all the work, representing all software
> constructs in whatever system is being used into the same visual context. 
> Drawback: a deck that can interface and interpret signals from ANY computer
> system would be frigging powerful.  Too powerful to be a mere terminal.  Smart
> as an AI, maybe.

Interface the magazine has inadvertantly given a great basis for the net in
issue three while discussing AIs.  The dominion class AI creates the I-G
algorithms that the cyberdecks translate into images the user sees.  The
dominion almost becomes the entire region of the net and oversees the data
transfers between and within regions.  The AI isn't limited to one huge system
but is spread out thru the fortresses of the entire region.

Fortunetly dominions do not develop personalities and only interfere when the
entire region is threatened with destruction. (Although there is a rumor that
the ANtarctican dominion is harboring some renegade AIs.)

> 
> -- What is the correspondence between real-world geography and net geography?
> Both Cpunk and Shadowrun have an almost one-to-one correspondence.  I say nuts
> to that...  why should the net follow three dimentional spacial relationships
> anyway?  Why can't things be larger on the inside than the outside?  Why should
> things exist only in one place?  Why should it be more difficult to move to a
> distanct point than a closer one?  This question must be answered in the
> context of the last one.
> 
Cyberspace is a mirror of the real world.  The distances don't matter too much
because there is little lag time since it's all moving at the speed of light. 
It provides a good refrence (isn;t that the purpose of Cyberspace?) for finding
a system.  If you're looking for a Spanish corporation it makes sense to go to
a rapresentation of Spain.  

Things already can be bigger inside than they appear (i call it the Tardis
effect)  A virtual reality that emulates an entire city can fit in memory of 4
fortress blocks.

The difficulty of moving farther is inherent because you sitll have to route
thru more fiberoptic lines and satellite bounces to reach a system farther
away.  All things in Cyberspace must have a physical system in the real world.

> -- Are Netrunners computer programmers or video game players extrodinare?

Both.  The good ones program their own stuff and customize what they buy.  Then
they use the reflexes of a game player to execute the warez and hack the forts.

> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>           Nathaniel Tagg               The U of Hell,  Lethbridge, AB
>     "It's just a matter of putting one point seven one five three seven two
> and two point two oh four six two eight together."     --The Doctor 
> ___The opinions expressed by the author of the preceding message are not 
> nessesarily representative of the opinions of the author of the
> preceding message.____
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thats my .02eb,
See ya in the 'face,
Paul "the Shrike" Tobia
kulance@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu