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| sunnys_guide_to_programming_and_deckbuilding [2022/08/20 23:49] – [OOC Tips and hints] sunny | sunnys_guide_to_programming_and_deckbuilding [2023/06/17 14:12] (current) – [Ready. Set. Program? (An explanation of the skills necessary)] khai |
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| ====== Sunny's Guide to Programming and Deckbuilding ====== | ====== Sunny's Guide to Programming and Deckbuilding ====== |
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| - Introduction (aka, I try to convince you just to pay someone else to do it) | |
| - The tools of the trade, explained. (Necessary equipment) | |
| - Are you ready to program? (An explanation of the skills necessary) | |
| - Are you ready to build a deck? (An explanation of the skills necessary) | |
| - Programs list | |
| - Parts list | |
| - OOC Tips and hints | |
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| ==== Introduction (aka, I try to convince you just to pay someone else to do it) ==== | ==== Introduction (aka, I try to convince you just to pay someone else to do it) ==== |
| Had a lot of you asking me about how I program and the like. Programming is important if you do want to be the novahot matrix cowboy/cowgirl. That's true. And the benefit of investing in the skills and equipment to do your own programming and deckbuilding is that you will always be able to access what you need to jack into the matrix, without relying on others. Even an experienced decker can have their proggies shredded by IC, and having the ability to bounce back by just cooking some new chips can be what saves you from looking like an utter bakebrain in front of your team. | Had a lot of you asking me about how I program and the like. Programming is important if you do want to be the novahot matrix cowboy/cowgirl. That's true. And the benefit of investing in the skills and equipment to do your own programming and deckbuilding is that you will always be able to access what you need to jack into the matrix, without relying on others. Even an experienced decker can have their proggies shredded by IC, and having the ability to bounce back by just cooking some new chips can be what saves you from looking like an utter bakebrain in front of your team. |
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| However, a warning: __**Deckbuilding is time-consuming and expensive.**__ If you do not have a good computer to do the program and are inexperienced with deckbuilding, you can spend DAYS working on just one part. //((OOC: Using the starting computer to do my programming, it took me 12+ OOC hours to finish my first MCPC. Accordingly, I wouldn't recommend doing deckbuilding until you have better gear and stats.))// And as you will see, a custom deck is requiring many parts to function. In life, the saying "time is money" is so true. Depending on ones goals, it can be just as profitable to buy a storebought deck. And if you are having friends, reaching out to another netjockey to see if they have a hand me down can be a legit way to acquire a hot ASIST deck without building it yourself. | However, a warning: __**Deckbuilding is time-consuming and expensive.**__ If you do not have a good computer to do the program and are inexperienced with deckbuilding, you can spend DAYS working on just one part. //((OOC: Using the starting computer to do my programming, it took me 12+ OOC hours to finish my first MPCP. Accordingly, I wouldn't recommend doing deckbuilding until you have better gear and stats.))// And as you will see, a custom deck is requiring many parts to function. In life, the saying "time is money" is so true. Depending on ones goals, it can be just as profitable to buy a storebought deck. And if you are having friends, reaching out to another netjockey to see if they have a hand me down can be a legit way to acquire a hot ASIST deck without building it yourself. |
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| ...but if you're reading this, you're already thinking of sinking your time and money into this. So, choom. | ...but if you're reading this, you're already thinking of sinking your time and money into this. So, choom. |
| Program Design (Operational): All other programs not covered by the | Program Design (Operational): All other programs not covered by the |
| previous categories. | previous categories. |
| | |
| | Don't confuse Program Design (Cyberterm) with Cyberterminal Design! The first helps you program the software, the second helps you build the part into your deck. |
| | |
| ===The program phase=== | ===The program phase=== |
| Settle in, Omae. This is where the bulk of the work is. | Settle in, Omae. This is where the bulk of the work is. |
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| This uses your training in Computer B/R, and it can take days or even weeks for the bigger programs. | This uses your training in Computer skill, and it can take days or even weeks for the bigger programs. |
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| Creating or buying a **programming suite** from another programmer and installing it on your computer will speed this up, as will using a better computer... or being a better programmer - an easy prospect if you just use skillwires. | Creating or buying a **programming suite** from another programmer and installing it on your computer will speed this up, as will using a better computer... or being a better programmer. |
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| ===Cooking your completed program=== | ===Cooking your completed program=== |
| |7 |Medic|No.|**RUN** medic. Heals your icon. Loses effectiveness with each use, potentially requiring the decker to **unload** and **reload** medic.| | |7 |Medic|No.|**RUN** medic. Heals your icon. Loses effectiveness with each use, potentially requiring the decker to **unload** and **reload** medic.| |
| |8 |Snooper|No.|(NERP)Assists with Analyze Operations.(NERP)| | |8 |Snooper|No.|(NERP)Assists with Analyze Operations.(NERP)| |
| |9 |BattleTac|No.|(NERP)Use with your comlink program to assist each other in the matrix!(NERP)| | |9 |BattleTac|No.|(NERP)Use your comlink program to assist each other in the matrix!(NERP)| |
| |10|Compressor|No.|(NERP)Potentially compresses files, making them load/download faster. (NERP)| | |10|Compressor|No.|(NERP)Potentially compresses files, making them load/download faster. (NERP)| |
| |11|Analyze|No.|Allows **ANALYZE** actions (host, security, subsystem, paydata, file, icon ) to succeed. **LOCATE** IC and uses the Analyze utility! (NERP: Locate Slave, which is used to find security cameras and other slaved devices uses the Analyze utility) | | |11|Analyze|No.|Allows **ANALYZE** actions (host, security, subsystem, paydata, file, icon ) to succeed. **LOCATE** IC uses the Analyze utility! (NERP: Locate Slave, which is used to find security cameras and other slaved devices uses the Analyze utility) | |
| |12|Decrypt|No.|**DECRYPT** access, files, slaved subsystems.| | |12|Decrypt|No.|**DECRYPT** access, files, slaved subsystems.| |
| |13|Deception|No.|Crucial for **LOGON** and graceful **LOGOFF**.| | |13|Deception|No.|Crucial for **LOGON** and graceful **LOGOFF**.| |
| |14|Relocate|No.|(NERP)| | |14|Relocate|No.|(NERP) Defeat IC programs that have begun location cycles against you.| |
| |15|Sleaze|No.|Average of Sleaze program and Masking Chip = how hidden you are.| | |15|Sleaze|No.|Average of Sleaze program and Masking Chip = how hidden you are.| |
| |16|Scanner|No|**LOCATE** Decker/ **SCAN** Decker| | |16|Scanner|No|**LOCATE** Decker/ **SCAN** Decker| |
| |24|Evaluate|No*|Created with your data brokerage skills, and pretty crucial if you want to **LOCATE** paydata. | | |24|Evaluate|No*|Created with your data brokerage skills, and pretty crucial if you want to **LOCATE** paydata. | |
| |25|Validate|No|(NERP?) Used to make it easier to perform administrative level changes, access system logs, etc. | | |25|Validate|No|(NERP?) Used to make it easier to perform administrative level changes, access system logs, etc. | |
| |26|Swerve|No| | | |26|Swerve|No|Abort Host Shutdowns. | |
| |27|Programming Suite|No*|Recommended install on your programming computer.| | |27|Programming Suite|No*|Recommended install on your programming computer.| |
| |28|Commlink|No|Make a **CALL** within the matrix to a commode number. (NERP: Tap Commcall) | | |28|Commlink|No|Make a **CALL** within the matrix to a commode number. (NERP: Tap Commcall) | |
| |29|Cloak|No|**Evade** an IC you are in matrix combat with. | | |29|Cloak|No|**Evade** an IC you are in matrix combat with. | |
| |30|Lock-On|No | | | |30|Lock-On|No|Helps us in matrix combat, and stops IC from maneuvering against us. | |
| |31|Cold ASIST Interface|Yes.|Protects your meat, but slows you down. OOC: You cannot use hacking pool in Cold ASIST. | | |31|Cold ASIST Interface|Yes.|Protects your meat, but slows you down. OOC: You cannot use hacking pool in Cold ASIST. | |
| |32|Hot ASIST Interface|Yes.|Experience the matrix, raw and unshielded. Better than any BTL, baby. OOC: Allows you to use hacking pool. | | |32|Hot ASIST Interface|Yes.|Experience the matrix, raw and unshielded. Better than any BTL, baby. OOC: Allows you to use hacking pool. | |
| - If you haven't yet, CREATE your cyberdeck. Name it. Decorate the chassis. | - If you haven't yet, CREATE your cyberdeck. Name it. Decorate the chassis. |
| - SIT down because you're going to be at this for a while, Chummer. | - SIT down because you're going to be at this for a while, Chummer. |
| - CREATE your first part. (OOC: create part) For this example, the MCPC. | - CREATE your first part. (OOC: create part) For this example, the MPCP. |
| - As you create the first plan for your part, you will be able to see how much it will cost in parts and chips.//((1) Name: Test MPCP, Software Needed: YES,2) Type: MPCP,3) MPCP Designed For: 6, q) Save and Quit, Parts Cost: 1260 nuyen, Chips Cost: 144 nuyen | - As you create the first plan for your part, you will be able to see how much it will cost in parts and chips.//((1) Name: Test MPCP, Software Needed: YES,2) Type: MPCP,3) MPCP Designed For: 6, q) Save and Quit, Parts Cost: 1260 nuyen, Chips Cost: 144 nuyen |
| ))// | ))// |
| - Once you are happy, **q**uit planning and start doing! | - Once you are happy, **q**uit planning and start doing! |
| - Some parts MAY require you to design, but others may not. The MCPC requires a design. //((OOC: design <part name>))// | - Some parts MAY require you to design (Cyberterminal Design!), but others may not. The MPCP requires a design. //((OOC: design <part name>))// |
| - The MCPC also requires software. Follow the programming steps (see above) to CREATE, DESIGN, PROGRAM, and then COOK a MCPC chip that is the same rating as your plan. | - The MPCP also requires software. Follow the programming steps (see above) to CREATE, DESIGN (Program Design (Cyberterm)!), PROGRAM, and then COOK a MPCP chip that is the same rating as your plan. |
| - Once you have the COOKed program and the completed DESIGN plan of the part (MCPC in this case), you can BUILD <part> <deck>. | - Once you have the COOKed program and the completed DESIGN plan of the part (MPCP in this case), you can BUILD <part> <deck>. |
| - In order to have a a working deck, repeat this process with all of the parts noted as 'required' as per below. You will also likely want some optional parts, but the minimum for a deck that will turn on are the parts listed as 'required' being built into the deck. | - In order to have a a working deck, repeat this process with all of the parts noted as 'required' as per below. You will also likely want some optional parts, but the minimum for a deck that will turn on are the parts listed as 'required' being built into the deck. |
| - If you realise that I wasn't joking and that this is a massive undertaking for someone new to decking, don't be afraid to shelve your project and come back to it when you have a better grasp of programming, a better computer that can have a higher rating programming suite, or turning to the more experienced deckers within the community for help. | - If you realise that I wasn't joking and that this is a massive undertaking for someone new to decking, don't be afraid to shelve your project and come back to it when you have a better grasp of programming, a better computer that can have a higher rating programming suite, or turning to the more experienced deckers within the community for help. |
| |4 | |Cold ASIST Interface | |Cold ASIST mode limits the damage to you, the decker, from grey and black IC.|All store bought decks and cyberware use Cold ASIST interfaces. You cannot choose to use hot ASIST mode with a Cold ASIST interface. In Cold ASIST mode, you lose the ability to use your hacking pool and there's no point in building and installing response increases.| | |4 | |Cold ASIST Interface | |Cold ASIST mode limits the damage to you, the decker, from grey and black IC.|All store bought decks and cyberware use Cold ASIST interfaces. You cannot choose to use hot ASIST mode with a Cold ASIST interface. In Cold ASIST mode, you lose the ability to use your hacking pool and there's no point in building and installing response increases.| |
| |5 |Optional|Hardening |Yes|A collection of internal deck programs designed to reinforce your deck’s resistance to invasive code such as viruses, gray and black IC, etc. Each point of hardening reduces damage from Black IC to your deck's icon **or to YOU, the actual decker**. It also makes it harder for grey IC to damage your icon.|Recommended, if you like your brain unbaked.| | |5 |Optional|Hardening |Yes|A collection of internal deck programs designed to reinforce your deck’s resistance to invasive code such as viruses, gray and black IC, etc. Each point of hardening reduces damage from Black IC to your deck's icon **or to YOU, the actual decker**. It also makes it harder for grey IC to damage your icon.|Recommended, if you like your brain unbaked.| |
| |6 | |ICCM Biofeedback Filter| | | | | |6 | |ICCM Biofeedback Filter| |This is important if you run into sparky or black IC. It allows a decker to **attempt** to logoff. | | |
| |7 |Required|Icon Chip |Yes|Your mind is represented by your persona icon, which can have any appearance you wish, Omae.|Make it a wiz one, yeah?| | |7 |Required|Icon Chip |Yes|Your mind is represented by your persona icon, which can have any appearance you wish, Omae.|Make it a wiz one, yeah?| |
| |8 |Required|I/O Speed | |Input and Output, baby. |I/O's are like those old modems that connected terminals and computers back in the dark ages. All uploads and downloads are always at the full I/O speed of your deck.| | |8 |Required|I/O Speed | |Input and Output, baby. |I/O's are like those old modems that connected terminals and computers back in the dark ages. All uploads and downloads are always at the full I/O speed of your deck.| |
| |9 |Required|MCPC |Yes|The Master Persona Control Program, the master operating system of a cyberdeck. The Cyberdeck's OS. The MPCP Rating is the central value for cyberdecks. The MPCP Rating multiplied by 3 equals the maximum total of the deck’s persona programs. No single Persona Rating may exceed the MPCP Rating, and the maximum value for utility programs is equal to the MPCP Rating|You want as high an MCPC score as possible, Omae.| | |9 |Required|MPCP |Yes|The Master Persona Control Program, the master operating system of a cyberdeck. The Cyberdeck's OS. The MPCP Rating is the central value for cyberdecks. The MPCP Rating multiplied by 3 equals the maximum total of the deck’s persona programs. No single Persona Rating may exceed the MPCP Rating, and the maximum value for utility programs is equal to the MPCP Rating|You want as high an MPCP score as possible, Omae.| |
| |10|Required|Bod Chip |Yes|Bod is the decker's resistance to damage and is used primarily in combat to prevent damage to the deckers **icon** from White and Grey IC. Bod **does not** prevent against damage to the Decker.|For use in Custom Decks only. Different to the store bought version, can't use store bought in custom decks. You need to build in a bod chip.| | |10|Required|Bod Chip |Yes|Bod is the decker's resistance to damage and is used primarily in combat to prevent damage to the deckers **icon** from White and Grey IC. Bod **does not** prevent against damage to the Decker.|For use in Custom Decks only. Different to the store bought version, can't use store bought in custom decks. You need to build in a bod chip.| |
| |11|Required|Sensors Chip |Yes|Sensors are used to detect icon movement within a host. It is the decker's eyes and ears when he is logged on. High sensors can help detect IC before they attack, giving you the opportunity to maneuver yourself to a better position.|For use in Custom Decks only.Different to the store bought version, can't use store bought in custom decks. You need to build in a sensors chip.| | |11|Required|Sensors Chip |Yes|Sensors are used to detect icon movement within a host. It is the decker's eyes and ears when he is logged on. High sensors can help detect IC before they attack, giving you the opportunity to maneuver yourself to a better position.|For use in Custom Decks only.Different to the store bought version, can't use store bought in custom decks. You need to build in a sensors chip.| |
| |12|Optional|Masking Chip |Yes|Masking helps a persona camouflage itself to its surroundings. It is one of the most useful persona programs in a decker's arsenal. Coupled with the Sleaze utility program it determines your detection factor. The higher your detection factor is, the more difficulty the host (and IC) have detecting your presence. Your detection factor is the average of both your masking chip and any sleaze utility program loaded on your deck.|For use in Custom Decks only. Different to the store bought version, can't use store bought in custom decks. You need to build in a masking chip.| | |12|Optional|Masking Chip |Yes|Masking helps a persona camouflage itself to its surroundings. It is one of the most useful persona programs in a decker's arsenal. Coupled with the Sleaze utility program it determines your detection factor. The higher your detection factor is, the more difficulty the host (and IC) have detecting your presence. Your detection factor is the average of both your masking chip and any sleaze utility program loaded on your deck.|For use in Custom Decks only. Different to the store bought version, can't use store bought in custom decks. You need to build in a masking chip.| |
| |13|Optional|Evasion Chip |Yes|Sometimes even the best decker gets caught out. When this time comes they need the evasion persona program. It helps not only in combat maneuvers but to help avoid Trace IC from locking onto you.|For use in Custom Decks only. Different to the store bought version, can't use store bought in custom decks. You need to build in an evasion chip.| | |13|Optional|Evasion Chip |Yes|Sometimes even the best decker gets caught out. When this time comes they need the evasion persona program. It helps not only in combat maneuvers but to help avoid Trace IC from locking onto you.|For use in Custom Decks only. Different to the store bought version, can't use store bought in custom decks. You need to build in an evasion chip.| |
| |14| |Ports (FUPS) | | | | | |14|NERP |Ports (FUPS) |No |Allows you to plug in speakers, battery packs, cameras, chip and or credstick readers, disk drives, display screens, keyboards, and so on and so forth. |A deck can have up to two times MPCP rating accessories plugged in.| |
| |15| |RAS Override | |Stops a decker from flailing about in meat space. | | | |15|Optional*|RAS Override | |Stops a decker from flailing about in meat space. While a deck will turn on without the RAS Override, you will want one. As decking is so much harder because you are constantly distracted by meatspace. |(OOC: Massive TN penalties for decks without RAS override) | |
| |16|Optional|Reality Filters |Yes| Increases reflexes in the matrix by filtering all the iconography so that the display is standardised for the user. (NB there is no -1 MCPC downside) | | | |16|Optional|Reality Filters |Yes| Increases reflexes in the matrix by filtering all the iconography so that the display is standardised for the user. |(OOC: there is no -1 MPCP downside) | |
| |17|Optional|Response Increase |No |Helps your reflexes in the matrix. Like wired reflexes, only in the matrix! You MUST be running in hot ASIST mode to utilise this.| | | |17|Optional|Response Increase |No |Helps your reflexes in the matrix. Like wired reflexes, only in the matrix! You MUST be running in hot ASIST mode to utilise this.| | |
| |18|Required|Matrix Interface | |Allows you to interface with the world data network, the matrix, via your central nervous system.| | | |18|Required|Matrix Interface |No |Allows you to interface with the world data network, the matrix, via a datacable connecting your central nervous system to a jackpoint.| A wired interface. | |
| |19| |Maser Interface | | | | | |19|NERP |Maser Interface | | | | |
| |20| |Cellular Interface | | | | | |20|NERP |Cellular Interface |Yes*|Uses radio trancievers to connect directly into a cellular network. |*A cellular link utility is required to use this. | |
| |21| |Laser Interface | | | | | |21|NERP |Laser Interface |Yes*|Uses a laser tranciever to transmit data via the infared spectrum to another receiver connected to the matrix which is within line of sight. |*A laser link utility is required to use this. | |
| |22| |Microwave Interface | | | | | |22|NERP |Microwave Interface |Yes*|Uses a microwave tranciever to connect to a microwave transponder which is connected to the matrix. Additional fiberoptic cable can be used to set the dish further away from the cyberterminal. |*A microwave link utility is required to use this interface. | |
| |23| |Radio Interface | | | | | |23|NERP |Radio Interface |Yes*|Uses radio transmissions to connect directly to a radio network. |*A radio link utility is required to use this interface.| |
| |24| |Satellite Interface | | | | | |24|NERP |Satellite Interface |Yes*|Uses high-spectrum radio waves to connect to a satellite transponder. |*A satellite link utility is required to use this interface.| |
| |25| |Signal Amplifier | | | | | |25|NERP |Signal Amplifier |No |A signal amplifier is a device used to increase the flux rating of a wireless interface. Used with any interface other than the standard matrix interface. | | |
| ====OOC Tips and hints==== | ====OOC Tips and hints==== |
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| IF any of this has proved confusing, I really think Khai has written a less confusing guide than me. [[khai_deckbuilding|Khai's Guide to the Amateur Decker]] | I wrote V1 of this guide closer to when Awake CE started being a thing. Since writing, people have written some easier quickstart guides. |
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| | If you just want to know a recommended build, [[khai_deckbuilding|Khai's Guide to the Amateur Decker]] gives a really good overview of that. |
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| I've tried to make the information contained within accurate to Awake's systems, but if something is wrong please do let me know. | I've tried to make the information contained within accurate to Awake's systems, but if something is wrong please do let me know. |
