Hey folks. Very sorry there haven’t been many updates of late; been heads down with my day job, we’re at peak crunch time. Things look like they’re calming down, so expect new chapters soon. In the meanwhile, I have a question for the Cyberpunk fans (and those who are particularly interested in naming stuff in RPGs)
In the SectorNet section, two things are causing me trouble: the Asset that contains the programs used to access the SectorNet, and the various static and autonomous virtual defenses. I need names for these.
Neuromancer / Netrunner fans will point to Deck and ICE, respectively. I get that, and it’s definitely my fallback if I can’t come up with better terms. But I’m very open to other suggestions (especially since ICE is an outdated misnomer “Intrusion Countermeasures Electronics” refers to physical hardware, not software).
Any ideas would be very appreciated!
Firewalls would be more modern and generic
The Asset used to access the Net could be called a Rig. I encountered the word ‘Kit’ the other day as gamer slang for a specific character’s ability and stats, and I feel like that would work well. Maybe attach it to some other word since kits (little K) are a type of asset already.
I think the concept, not only the name, is out of date.
The deck could be a smartphone, a laptop or a neural implant with specialized software. I would just make that sw illegal and/or difficult to obtain. State of the art hardware or software could give you a bonus over a regular computer or a common program.
The same for ICE. I would not give it a single name. It could be an autommated defense routine, an administrator AI or an enemy hacker.
“Don’t name it” isn’t super helpful for referring to things in text and educating readers on a concept.
Alfred Rudzki I think Alpo _ might be saying “don’t name it” as in, there’s not one thing, it’s many
Right, but that still doesn’t help explain a concept, right? I mean, we all know there’s not one single starship in our UW games right, but we still use a word to encompass all of them, right? Its better than saying “airplane that make go-go through space”? Yeah, there’s probably a lot of Defenses From Hacking and Computers For Hacking, but maybe we should focus on a descriptive word for Defenses and Computer for use in the text? 🙂
You jack in via a “Jack” the appearance of which varies greatly based, to an extent, on the needs of the user. Corporates connect up via a direct plug, while those more fashion- (or covert-)oriented use less obvious connections (hidden ports? Some version of Bluetooth?)
Jesse R I’m liking “Jack”, as it’s fairly simple yet evocative of an action. How about a NetJack, to make it a bit more unique in function.
Aaron Griffin While Firewall is true to current technology, the name has too much of a visual attached to it in the virtual space (literal wall of fire). I’d definitely see a FireWall being a type of [ICE], but I think I’d like something more general to replace [ICE].
Maybe just “Countermeasure” or “Ward”?
Alpo _ I would need a name for the categorization for these concepts, a broad name that encompasses all the things you mentioned.
I like Wards. Its clear, simple, but it sounds stylish enough that you want to picture a character on a SyFy show say “Damnit, I’ve never seen Wards like these before.”
I like Wards too. I thought maybe IV for the deck concept (Intrusion Vector) plus it has a kind of injection overtone to it. Oooh, how about ShIV (Shadow Intrusion Vector) plus it’s all stabby.
I’d say maybe Barriers instead of Wards, because its a little more sterile sounding, but it might conjure up too much of a mental image — like Firewall.
You could use a current-day term: NETD (network defense). In terms of accessing the system, if you wanted to make it more techno’babel you could use something like jack(sector) or jack(local), etc. differentiate different scenarios of where they’re trying to do it (and maybe require different equipment. Maybe a system connected to a large array (like on a startship) to jack across a sector, but a handheld “jackdeck” (or “deckjack”) could hack a network anywhere on the planet.
Jack and NETD seem pretty cool and general enough to encompass the broad array of things discussed in each category.
I’m down with ‘Jack (though I still prefer NetJack). I don’t know how to pronounce NETD in a conversation (netted? net dee?)
Maybe NDEF? (endeff).
Oh! How about ASH? Automated Security Heuristic. You can have Black Ash and Red Ash (the same way you had Black Ice and White Ice)
I dig ASH especially because you can color it like that and make it sound cool.
Whatever it is, I just prefer it to be easily translated into other idioms. 🙂
Rob Barrett interesting, care to expand on that? I’m not sure I understand what you mean.
E.g., SectorNet. Not the name I would ever use for a galactic internet, but it’s generic enough that I can change it out for something else that fits the feel I’m after.
Whereas, as has been pointed out in this thread, different computer metaphors convey different material technologies.
An example from a different system: Stars without Number’s spike drive. It’s just a bit too integrated into the default setting’s assumption of psionics to be easily relabeled “hyperdrive.”
Sean Gomes pronounced, net-dee
Possible alternate:
ASP (Automated security protocol). Snake like, they Bite you, some are hidden, some are poisonous. The metaphor carries pretty far.
“Automated Security Process” actually makes more sense. The security protocol is what would spawn the process 🙂
For the hacker’s kit, I’d say Net_Mesh and for the obstacles and threats maybe Guard_Apps and Data_Forts?
ICE is reminiscent of old physical hardware, and then there were computer servers, but there is a new wave now of distributed memory and so I suggest the defensive programs would be CloudMinders, or just ‘Minders, which would understate their vicious nature towards hackers. If they destroy enough of your brain you might not think of much else but the horrific looks they wore in virtual reality, like demons and creatures of the classic views of Hell.