comStar Firewall alert - PhaseThrough

software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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must be tailored to its user’s particular neuromuscular and cerebral
system as well as the specifications of the individual’s cyberware
systems necessary to process the skillsoft. As a result, this option
provides a +1 dice pool modifier for all tests undertaken with this
customized skillsoft without impacting the skillsoft’s rating directly.
A Personalized skillsoft may not be used by someone other
than the user it was personalized for.
pluscode (rating)
Program Types: Simsense (Activesoft)
A Pluscode activesoft reduces the demands on skillwire
systems through sophisticated cache and routing algorithms,
enhanced mnemonic correlation, and redundancy-integration
schemes. In effect, reduce the skillsoft’s rating by the Pluscode rating
when applying the skillsoft towards the skillwire’s maximum
rating limits (see p. 335, SR4). The skillsoft is still limited to a base
rating equal to or less the than the skillwire’s rating. The skillsoft
option cannot reduce the skillsoft’s impact on the rating limits to
less than 1.
Software prograMMing
To create a program from scratch—whether a new exploit
tool, a home-brewed application, a patched up add-on, or a wiz
piece of malware—time must be spent to crank out the code.
Complex software typically involves days or even weeks of programming.
Code must be constructed, debugged, rewritten, and
tested before the program is finalized and ready to use. Thanks to
augmented reality and the mobile Matrix, however, programmers
can devote time to code-wrangling wherever they are.
Software coding
The basic rules for programming are described under Coding
your own Programs, p. 240, SR4. All a programmer needs is
Software skill and a device (a basic commlink will do) on which
the program can potentially be run.
Note that due to the recording nature, format, and specialized
post production techniques used to create simsense programs,
neither skillsoft nor BTLs can be programmed and updated in the
standard software sense. Simsense options have to be bought together
with the “mother program”.
programming Suites
A character can also enhance his programming by using
a software programming suite that provide a number of useful
tools such as smart editors, library packages, code optimizers,
dynamic compilers, source code debuggers, and other virtual assistants.
Most programming suites are designed as an augmented
reality or virtual environment, allowing the character to code by
manipulating menus and icons that represent basic functions,
code, and features.
The rating of a programming suite acts as a positive dice pool
modifier for any programming or upgrading test (but not cracking).
nexus programming
A coder can also take advantage of a virtual programming
environment on a mainframe or network of connected nodes
(see Nexus, p. 196). Programming environments are expert
programming agents designed specifically for the computing
capacity of corporate nexi. Unlike suites, environments do not
have ratings and don’t add dice to any tests for programming/
upgrading. Using a programming environment, however, reduces
the interval of the programming/upgrading test by half (see
Coding Soft ware Table, p. 240, SR4, and Advanced Programming
Table, p. 119).
While most programming environments are in the hands of
corporate software developers and manufactures, independent
and shadow providers do exist. The typical charge for using a programming
environment is 100¥ per programming day. Naturally,
mainstream hosts will require proof of identification (including
SIN) and will demand certain waivers be signed; some will
even require contracts or payment in advance. Some have also
been known to monitor those who use their systems—either to
prevent hackers from writing illegal code or to steal the code for
their own purposes.
To steal programming time, a character must hack into a
nexus with a programming environment and validate an account
that allows them to use it. The hacker can then use the environment
until the system’s security notices something is wrong with
the account.
programming teams
Characters may also work together in teams to produce, crack
or alter programs. Programming in teams is treated as a normal
Teamwork Test (p. 59, SR4).
coding program options
Coding program options is handled in the same manner as
software coding. The Advanced Programming Table (p. 119) provides
the thresholds and interval periods for programming these
options.
If a character wishes to upgrade software he already has with
new program options, he must possess the source code. Source
code can be acquired by cracking the program, in the same way
as circumventing copy protection (see Source Code and Piracy,
p. 228, SR4, and Piracy, p. 94). Programs that are modified with
new options are no longer considered legal programs, and suffer
degradation just like other illegal software.
patching
As noted under Legal vs. Pirated Software, p. 108, illegal
software does not receive regular updates from the manufacturer
and so suffers from rating degradation. A hacker can still upgrade
a program on his own, however, a process known as patching. In
order to patch a program, the hacker must have the source code
for it (acquired by cracking it, see Source Code and Piracy, p. 228,
Software Coding Availability Cost
Software Programming Suite (Rating 1–5) 6 Rating x 1,000¥
Programming Environment Access 8 100¥ per day
Unwired
Simon Wentworth (order #1132857) 9