HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: cmeadows@nyx.cs.du.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Questions about 2.0.2.0. from a new user
Date: 3 Oct 92 18:41:10 GMT
Organization: Nyx, Public Access Unix @ U. of Denver Math/CS dept.
Content-Type: text
Archive-Name: rgc715
Content-Length: 1718


Hello.  I just got ahold of Cyberpunk 2.0.2.0. and the Chrome book.
They're all I have.        

There are some things that aren't explained/covered in the book, that
I would like to know about.  I'll list a few questions here, and hope
I get answers.  I'd prefer that you post to the net, so I can read all
the answers at once and don't have to worry about overloading my mailer.

Something called "braindance" is mentioned, but I'm not sure if it's
ever described.  What exactly is it--is it like BTL chips in Shadowrun?
(Oops, I used the dreaded "S" word...)

Artificial Intelligences are mentioned, but nothing is said about HUMAN
artificial intelligences.  I assume that if programs like Soulkiller (from
"Never Fade Away") can tear a person's psyche out of his body, others   
can make copies of human minds.  There must be experimentation going on
with this, or something.  I like the "Ghost in the Machine" idea, and
would like to bring the netghost of Alt, Johnny Silverhand's girlfriend,
into a future campaign as an AI.  I'd like to know what changes should
be made to the standard AI rules, and what kind of stats I should 
give...
 
What CPU rating does that cellular decking suit in CHROME start out
with?  I assume it starts with a rating of one...What exactly do the 
biomonitor chips in that suit do?

I'm sorry if any of this is in the book already...I haven't been through
ALL of it yet, and there's a possibility that I may have missed some of
this stuff in it...if it's there, please point it out to me, okay?  And
if more specific answers to any of the above questions can be found in
any of the Cyberpunk supplements, please point me at them...
 
Thanks!    
               -----Chris Meadows
From: markc@hpcvxjme.cv.hp.com
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re: Vampirepunk!?!?
Date: 30 Sep 92 21:20:09 GMT
Reply-To: apple!hp-pcd.cv.hp.com!markc
Organization: UTD-CV Corvallis, OR
Archive-Name: rgc704

In article <1992Sep30.194638.5810@Veritas.COM>, wilder@mik.uky.edu (jeff wilder) writes:
> I bought Night's Edge, and, believe me, I'm not a vampire freak.
> 
> It's well worth the bucks, and I think you missed the point of the
> supplement...

I called my local game store right after reading about _Night's_Edge_
here in rec.games.cyber.  They not only don't have it in the store,
they don't show it on their list of soon-to-be-released R. Talsorian
Games products.  If R.T.G. isn't the producer of _Night's_Edge_, then
who is?  Where can I get my hands on this item?

        Mark F. Cook

USMail: Hewlett-Packard
        User Interface Technology Division - Corvallis (Tech. Marketing)
        1000 NE Circle Blvd.  Corvallis, OR 97330

INTERNET: markc@hpcvss.cv.hp.com
          markc%hpcvss.cv.hp.com@relay.hp.com
From: flex@camelot.bradley.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: BigRipps stats
Date: 27 Sep 92 13:34:41 GMT
Organization: Bradley University
Archive-Name: rgc682


	Anybody out there have the stats for the BigRipps cyberweapon
as printed in an Interface issue (I believe #1)?  If you do, could you
send them to me.  Thanks.

Jim Cook
Flex@camelot.bradley.edu
From: flex@camelot.bradley.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re: CP2020 New Stuf?
Date: 30 Sep 92 20:31:35 GMT
Organization: Bradley University
Content-Type: text
Archive-Name: rgc703
Content-Length: 555

In <1992Sep30.182202.3789@Veritas.COM> kulance@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes:


>	Well R.Tal has gotten some new sources out in a fairly small amount of
>time, (read: no more ice ages inbetween releases). So I was wondering if anyone
>overheard something at a 'con or such on what R.Tal has in store.

	From GenCon once again - Chromebook II, Maximum Metal, Protect and
Serve (policeman sourcebook), Eurotour (Eurosolo source/adventure book).
Possibly more CP stuff, but I can't remember if there is or not.

Jim Cook
Flex@camelot.bradley.edu
From: acd@hotld.att.com
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re: Vampirepunk!?!?
Summary: Ianus Publishers
Date: 2 Oct 92 21:06:02 GMT
Organization: AT&T
Content-Type: text
Archive-Name: rgc717
Content-Length: 926

In article <1992Oct02.200658.17421@Veritas.COM>, markc@hpcvxjme.cv.hp.com writes:
> In article <1992Sep30.194638.5810@Veritas.COM>, wilder@mik.uky.edu (jeff wilder) writes:
> I called my local game store right after reading about _Night's_Edge_
> here in rec.games.cyber.  They not only don't have it in the store,
> they don't show it on their list of soon-to-be-released R. Talsorian
> Games products.  If R.T.G. isn't the producer of _Night's_Edge_, then
> who is?  Where can I get my hands on this item?

	It is an RTG licensed product from Ianus Publications (?) who
	also did Over the Edge by Jonathan Tweet and some Ars Magica/
	Vampire stuff.

	I found it interesting and liked the psionics. My CP2020 GM
	felt the older Vampires should have a ton more skills ( and
	Dracula a great Combat Sense than 8 ) unless what was shown
	was a "representative sample" or they sleep a bunch!

	Ciao,
	ACDurston, ..!att!hotld!acd
From: flex@camelot.bradley.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re: CP2020 New Stuf?
Date: 2 Oct 92 17:27:34 GMT
Organization: Bradley University
Content-Type: text
Archive-Name: rgc710
Content-Length: 678
Apparently-To: rec-games-cyber@uunet.uu.net

In <1992Sep30.182202.3789@Veritas.COM> kulance@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes:


>	Well R.Tal has gotten some new sources out in a fairly small amount of
>time, (read: no more ice ages inbetween releases). So I was wondering if anyone
>overheard something at a 'con or such on what R.Tal has in store.

	R. Talsorian Games is coming out with the Chromebook II, Maximum
Metal, EuroTour, and some more scenarios through Atlas games.  This information
comes from Gen Con '92.  Chromebook II and Maximum Metal should be out
around January.  Also, there is a new cop sourcebook called Protect and Serve
that has been released in the past three months.

Jim Cook
Flex@camelot.bradley.edu
From: aragorn@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re: Looking for Cyberpunk Music
Date: 25 Sep 92 20:45:42 GMT
Organization: The Banzai Institute
Content-Type: text
Archive-Name: rgc684
Content-Length: 579

cmeadows@nyx.cs.du.edu writes:
: 
: And I'm not just talking about heavy metal music, either.  Pop, light 
: rock, hard rock, even (gak) country music, if you think the words or
: just the style of the song fit the Cyberpunk image.  I'd like to hear
: your ideas.

I wouldn't necessarily call this heavy metal, 'cause I really despise metal,
but the Canadian band Voivod is EXCELLENT for background during a cp run.
It's intense, fast, futuristic lyric content, hard-edged, all that rot.


Steve J. White
aragorn@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
aragorn@convex.csd.uwm.edu
skeptic@large@9600bps
From: joshua@veritas.ogi.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Vampirepunk!?!?
Date: 5 Oct 92 00:30:48 GMT
Article-I.D.: Veritas.1992Oct06.010859.18463
Organization: VERITAS Software
Content-Type: text
Archive-Name: rgc720
Content-Length: 1301

I saw this great movie called "Red Blooded American Girl" In which the
hypothesis is that the vampirism is a very strong invasive disease ... And
it is memory linked (as in you have all of the memories of the people you
"dryclean" and the people you only infect, get all the memories that you
are carrying) and gives cell regeneration, for the virus is continuously
growing, but it needs new blood to grow on.  You don't get the teath, some
of the spectrum bothers your skin, high intensity light bothers your eyes,
it ups the oxy-carriers to your muscles (all of them, folks, a female
vampire might not have teath down there, but it really doesn't make a
difference ... ) etc.  If anyone wants stories, or further descriptions,
don't hesitate to reply to me privately.

P.S. How do *you* handle rape in your campaign ...
--
Bronto: "Do you trust him not to double cross you Rick?"
Rick: "About as much as I'd trust a vampire to give me a blow job."
--
--
Finally, Europe caught the Black Death. The bubonic plague is a
social disease in the sense that it can be transmitted by
intercourse and other etceteras. It was spread from port to port
by inflected rats. The plague also helped the emergance of the
English language as the national language of England, France
and Italy.
--
Internaut at large.
From: z_copeab@ccsvax.sfasu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re:  GURPS cyberpunk
Date: 29 Sep 92 17:31:26 GMT
Organization: Stephen F. Austin State University
Archive-Name: rgc694
News-Moderator: Approval required for posting to rec.games.cyber

In article <1992Sep25.200338.16158@Veritas.COM>, jhk6@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu writes:
> GURPS Cyberpunk equipment list. The non-cyber equipment is taken directly 
> from Ultra-tech, and features space opera laser weapons with poor physics, 
> as well as virtually impenetrable armor suits - which not only detract from 
> a realistic atmosphere, but do not fit in well with the gritty cyberpunk 
> atmosphere. 

	Well, you can just ignore the lasers and armor, and use what is in the
Basic Set :-)
	Anyway, who says those CIDs are for the PCs? Ever heard of elite
megacorp strike forces?...
	(BTW, even a CID isn't 'virtually impenetrable', if you can prepare --
AP rounds in a 7.62mm NATO weapon work wonders at getting through them...)


> 	This is notably not integrated well with the tech - cyberware 
> eyes can detect electronic bugs by looking, but in the equipment list, 
> bug detectors are much larger, and can only detect them at a range of 
> a foot or less. You can buy goggles which provide holographic sights for 
> your gun, but the same options are not available for cybereyes and 
> built-in cyber weaponry. 

	Well, the cyber bug detector costs $20,000 and can't pick up passive
bugs. The hand-held version costs only $500 and picks up active *and* passive
bugs.

	See my other post for how to handle a cyber weapon link; I agree that
it is poorly handled in GURPS Cyberpunk.

	I do think, however, that the costs for cyberwear are *far* too high;
I have reduced them by a factor of 10 in my campaign.

Brandon Cope
From: colin@Cayman.COM
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re: INTERFACE #1-3
Date: 25 Sep 92 22:36:43 GMT
Organization: Cayman Systems Inc., Cambridge, MA
Content-Type: text
Archive-Name: rgc688
Content-Length: 2993

[[ Further discussion of this topic should be moved to email unless
   it is directly related to gaming.  --Joshua ]]

Well, Jim, lemme tell ya.  Can you say big brother?  I knew you could.

How's this for cp:  This guy, Phil Zimmerman, does a public-key
encryption utility called PGP, which stands for "Pretty Good
Protection."  It uses the RSA algorithm, which is patented in the USA,
even though it's been made available through some public channels.
Phil gets told to "have nothing to do with PGP."  In addition, under
US law, RSA is considered "munitions", so PGP's illegal to export.

The end result: If you want to have private, positively authenticated
communications with someone, via, say, email (ie., use PGP), you have
to *import* it into the US.  This means downloading it from a foreign
BBS or ftp'ing it from from a foreign ftp site.  Mega bogus.

To tell you a little more about what it does, here's a few lines from
the doc file:

"Synopsis:  PGP uses public-key encryption to protect E-mail and data
files.  Communicate securely with people you've never met, with no
secure channels needed for prior exchange of keys.  PGP is well
featured and fast, with sophisticated key management, digital
signatures, data compression, and good ergonomic design."

...

"Pretty Good(tm) Privacy (PGP), from Phil's Pretty Good Software, is a
high security cryptographic software application for MSDOS, Unix,
VAX/VMS, and other computers.  PGP allows people to exchange files or
messages with privacy, authentication, and convenience.  Privacy
means that only those intended to receive a message can read it. 
Authentication means that messages that appear to be from a
particular person can only have originated from that person. 
Convenience means that privacy and authentication are provided
without the hassles of managing keys associated with conventional
cryptographic software.  No secure channels are needed to exchange
keys between users, which makes PGP much easier to use.  This is
because PGP is based on a powerful new technology called "public key"
cryptography.  

PGP combines the convenience of the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA)
public key cryptosystem with the speed of conventional cryptography,
message digests for digital signatures, data compression before
encryption, good ergonomic design, and sophisticated key management. 
And PGP performs the public-key functions faster than most other
software implementations.  PGP is public key cryptography for the
masses."

Sounds like a great basis for a run to me :-)
--


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Colin Steele     | Cayman Systems, 26 Landsdowne St., Cambridge, MA 02139
 colin@cayman.com | (617) 494-1916 x209 | applelink D0523 | Fax (617) 494-9270
From: z_copeab@ccsvax.sfasu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re:  GURPS cyberpunk
Date: 29 Sep 92 17:19:17 GMT
Organization: Stephen F. Austin State University
Archive-Name: rgc691
News-Moderator: Approval required for posting to rec.games.cyber

> In article <1992Sep25.200338.16158@Veritas.COM>, jhk6@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu wri
>    tes:
>>       The cyberware also, in many places, seems to be just the list of
>> advantages from Fantasy Folk and the Basic rules. For example, you can buy
>> chips for Strong Will and Charisma! (although you have no reason to do so
>> with points, since they costs the same as they would naturally).

	Well, some of them do make sense. Also, I would recommend that you not
charge character point for different chips, but rather double the character
point cost of chip slots (since most chips are around 10 CP, it balances well,
and means that a character isn't paying CP for a chip they can't use (say, the
character has three chips and only two chip slots)).

	The weapon cyberlink was horribly done. Reduce the cost to 5 CP and 
require the weapon to be fitted with a laser sight. Treat the weapon as if the
firer had HUD sights (p.47), and don't forget about the bonus of the laser
sight. I wouldn't allow it without a cybereye, or with an internal weapon.

Brandon Cope
From: jhk6@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re:  Cyberspace vs Cyberpunk 2020 vs GURPS cyberp
Date: 29 Sep 92 17:18:40 GMT
Reply-To: apple!cunixb.cc.columbia.edu!jhk6 (John H Kim)
Organization: Columbia University
Content-Type: text
Archive-Name: rgc697
Content-Length: 2816

allens@yang.earlham.edu (Allen Smith) writes:
>jhk6@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu writes:
>>       The cyberware also, in many places, seems to be just the list of
>> advantages from Fantasy Folk and the Basic rules. For example, you can buy
>> chips for Strong Will and Charisma! (although you have no reason to do so
>> with points, since they costs the same as they would naturally).
>
>        I'd agree that a Charisma chip, given how Charisma is defined,
>seems not to make very much sense. The only way I can figure it out is
>that it's an enhancement chip (copied from people with Charisma) that
>boosts the effectiveness of the areas of the brain that have to do with
>social interactions, etc.
>        Strong Will, however, I can see. If it senses that you're trying
>to overcome an emotion, for instance, and itself fires impulses that help
>to inhibit the emotion, then it could do it. The stronger the inhibitory
>signals, the more will. Now, one might ask why then it's cost per level in
>cash rather than a flat-out cost for the maximum available. However, this
>can be explained by that the more powerful the neural stimulation/inhibition, 
>the better the accuracy of firing needs to be for proper functioning.
>        In other words, one could probably get a strong will chip that
>cost less, but it'd cause some side effects- such as damping out all
>emotions in a group instead of just the one that one was trying to
>overcome. A bit of a problem....

	I would imagine that damping emotions would just make one listless 
and uninspired rather than strong-willed. In my game, I had a tailored 
drug which deadened empathy - it made its users into machines who could 
kill without remorse, because subconciously they did not even recognize 
the targets as human - just moving images. This is a far cry from shelling 
out some bucks to get a higher Will roll, however. 

	The point is that the GURPS cyberware was not designed along the 
lines of reasonable technological innovation, but rather just finding 
technological excuses for the existing list of advantages. This is why you 
do not find these sort of side-effects being listed with the Strong Will 
chip, and why there are all sorts of inconsistancies in the rest of the tech. 

	For example, there are a couple of cyberwares which are incredibly 
invasive and altering (like sealing the body against vacuum, and putting 
compressed air cartridges and a motor in the lungs), while some basic ideas 
are missed - like expanding lung capacity for greater activity, filters in 
the throat, etc. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Kim                    | "Deservin's got nothing to do with it."
jhk6@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu |
Columbia University         |                - William Munny, 'Unforgiven'
From: allens@yang.earlham.edu (Allen Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re:  Cyberspace vs Cyberpunk 2020 vs GURPS cyberp
Date: 27 Sep 92 06:50:54 GMT
	  .COM>
Organization: Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana
Archive-Name: rgc681

In article <1992Sep25.200338.16158@Veritas.COM>, jhk6@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu wri
   tes:
>       The cyberware also, in many places, seems to be just the list of
> advantages from Fantasy Folk and the Basic rules. For example, you can buy
> chips for Strong Will and Charisma! (although you have no reason to do so
> with points, since they costs the same as they would naturally).

        I'd agree that a Charisma chip, given how Charisma is defined,
seems not to make very much sense. The only way I can figure it out is
that it's an enhancement chip (copied from people with Charisma) that
boosts the effectiveness of the areas of the brain that have to do with
social interactions, etc.
        Strong Will, however, I can see. If it senses that you're trying
to overcome an emotion, for instance, and itself fires impulses that help
to inhibit the emotion, then it could do it. The stronger the inhibitory
signals, the more will. Now, one might ask why then it's cost per level in
cash rather than a flat-out cost for the maximum available. However, this
can be explained by that the more powerful the neural
stimulation/inhibition, the better the accuracy of firing needs to be for
proper functioning.
        In other words, one could probably get a strong will chip that
cost less, but it'd cause some side effects- such as damping out all
emotions in a group instead of just the one that one was trying to
overcome. A bit of a problem....
        -Allen
From: uplink@cwis.unomaha.edu (John M. Scheibeler)
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re: Vampirepunk!?!?
Date: 2 Oct 92 21:23:02 GMT
Organization: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Archive-Name: rgc716


	I especially liked the fact that they included stats for Dracula.
Yow, he'd be REALLY hard to kill...

uplink
From: kulance@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: CP2020 New Stuf?
Date: 30 Sep 92 05:52:20 GMT
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services
Archive-Name: rgc696
News-Moderator: Approval required for posting to rec.games.cyber


	Well R.Tal has gotten some new sources out in a fairly small amount of
time, (read: no more ice ages inbetween releases). So I was wondering if anyone
overheard something at a 'con or such on what R.Tal has in store.

Later,
Pauly
From: flex@camelot.bradley.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Re: Vampirepunk!?!?
Date: 2 Oct 92 17:22:23 GMT
Organization: Bradley University
Archive-Name: rgc711

In <1992Sep30.174216.2518@Veritas.COM> kulance@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes:


>	Well it was bound to happen.  R.Tal was the first to try to mix the two
>hottest themes in frp since who knows when.  I just saw in the local gaming
>store a book called Night's Edge.  Yes folks it's those wacky vapires going
>against cyber-munchkins in a genre free for all. 
>	Personally one of the reasons I like CP2020 over others is the pure
>cyberpunk feel of the game.  No magic, no superpowers, just the meat, and the
>metal.
>	Anyway, I was wondering if anyone shelled the $10 for it and is willing
>to do a short review of the work.  I'm just wondering if there is anything of
>redeeming value in there.

	Since my first two posts didn't seem to work, I'll respond yet again,
in hopes of a better turnout.  Night's Edge is made by Ianus Games, liscensed
by R. Talsorian Games.  The sourcebook is quite good, packing information on
both vampires and werewolves, including special abilities and mental powers.
There are also some characters and some scenarios in the back.  Don't forget
the Hunters and anti-vampire clans that have been organized, all which can
affect your players in the most cyberpunk ways.  If you are interested in
modern day philosophies of kin and like cyberpunk too, this is a book for you.
There is even a section on creating your own vampire or werewolf characters,
up to the GM to decide if that will be used in the game.  I do recommend this
book - I have enjoyed it thusfar, although I have not been able to sit down
and peruse it as of late.  

Jim Cook
Flex@camelot.bradley.edu
From: kulance@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.cyber
Subject: Vampirepunk!?!?
Date: 30 Sep 92 05:49:06 GMT
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services
Archive-Name: rgc693


	Well it was bound to happen.  R.Tal was the first to try to mix the two
hottest themes in frp since who knows when.  I just saw in the local gaming
store a book called Night's Edge.  Yes folks it's those wacky vapires going
against cyber-munchkins in a genre free for all. 
	Personally one of the reasons I like CP2020 over others is the pure
cyberpunk feel of the game.  No magic, no superpowers, just the meat, and the
metal.
	Anyway, I was wondering if anyone shelled the $10 for it and is willing
to do a short review of the work.  I'm just wondering if there is anything of
redeeming value in there.

Later,
Pauly