THOUGHTS ON MAN AND MACHINE CYBERWARE

ANTENNAS
Where is the internal antenna for th GPS and comm systems? My thinking is the antenna would be either in the skull, right under the skin or located along the back, again right under the skin. With advanced technology and techniques one antenna network couold be used for multiple systems.

Since these systems do need antennas of some sort would armor and being in vehicles affect them?

SPATIAL RECOGNIZER
This system is used now to detect gunshots and their point of origin. That could be a good use for the system - all corp facilities probably have systems that perform similar functions. Makes silencers all the more important.

ULTRASOUND
Why do they SPECIFICALLY note you cannot see the "hole" that Silence produces in the sound-map? For mana-based spells that I can see, but the description given directly contradicts what was said in the shadowcomments of Target: Smugglers Havens (p. 75).

SUBDERMAL SPEAKERS
Uhm, they have these now you know. Why do they cost essense? All it does is send vibrations through your skull. Military models used now are mounted externally, in your helmet.

CRANIAL CYBERDECKS
It makes no sense that all the components are actually in your head, the components must be implanted elsewhere and only connected via datalines to your brain.

I'm assuming the decks given are NOT just miniaturized versions of the SR3 decks, but just decks with equivalent capabilities.

DATA COMPACTOR/MATH SPU
Especially for the data compactor, it would seem to be a whole load easier to implant a dedicated processor module that enables to to run programs via headware memory. Then like a "doublespace" utility does the compression/decompression on the fly. No need to buy a ridiculously overpriced of gear to do something you could download as a free utility off the Matrix or make yourself. Hell an implanted cybderdeck is a better monetary deal then a Rating 4 compactor.

The Math SPU could also have it's functions taken over by software. Perhaps limited to Rating 2 since it would be a tad slower? On the plus side it would be a LOT easier to upgrade a software based Math coprocessor with the latest algorithms and shortcuts.

INDUCTION DATAJACK
I assume you need a special connector attached to a dataline to feed data to an induction datajack. When they say it transfers the data optically I assume that is in error (Well I hope so). I assumed it was via electromagnetic means (hence the term "induction").

RIGGERWARE
Could you get this gear in an external "box" that would clip onto your head? That way you could look like the cyborg "rigger" from the second Star Wars movie that helped Lando run Cloud City ;) And it would be more essense friendly.

BIOMONITOR
I think I like the CP2020/Plastic Warrior version better. A small subdermal display with a really small diagnostic unit below that could monitor things like pulse rate, blood pressure and other simple things that most people would care about. It would not need any neural connections and be way cheaper then the M&M version.

SKINWATCH
Hey, someones already patented it. Why not include it for completeness? Right now to get the same effect you need a Math SPU and router and subdermal display. That's a total of .32 Essense and 4200 nuyen!!! For a WATCH. Not to mention your poor router only has 8 ports left.

FOOT ANCHOR
If implanted in a meat leg and you suffer knockdown do you suffer from bone fractures? I would think so. What is the barrier rating of combat boots? Does footwear count as a barrier modifier? What if you have steel/composite footwear (like every good shadowrunner should have). Or are you assumed to be barefoot? :)

HYDRAULIC JACKS
Excuse me? You can get these in meat legs!?

OXSYS CYBERGILL
This sounds like a pretty obvious implant (being implanted in your neck). What is its Concealability?

CLIMBING CLAWS
Can these support your body weight if installed in your meat limbs without ripping off? The general consensus on the mailing list was "yes".

SMARTLINK SUBSYSTEMS
Well, we all know this section has some minor problems. Delete the second paragraph and you should be home clear (no I don't see any problem with using smartgoggles as the display unit).

KID STEALTH
It would seem to be a bit easier to get cyberlegs that could "fold" back to make them digigrade. The knee would need modification of course. This way we could have the effect of the KS without it's bogus social implications.

CYBERSKATES
Is this modification obvious (ie you have no toes, feet shaped like blocks)? Puzzled over why the non-retractable version exists :) The retractable version requires you have at least your entire lower legs replaced. That seems mighty harsh since I imagined they just fold sideways, not actually retract into your feet.

1,000nuyen for rollerblades you can never take off seems harsh. What is the penalty for trying to go up stairs with these things? :)