[TimTurry]

I'd be surprised if this question has not been asked/answered before, but my googlefu just found me a bunch of false positives.

So, if I am a decker and for whatever reason, I don't want a datajack (or any cyber), can I still use a cyberdeck? Do I have any penalties by using trodes? How much?

[fseperent]

Trodes act as a DNI, so you're good.
No penalties to my knowledge.
I can't say for certain if trodes can be jammed.

[Kaeylum]

Yes, trodes can be used with a cyberdeck, and create a DNI with it.  The downside is, you don't get the -2 to noise that a wirelessly running data jack would offer.  The upside is it allows me to make a awakened decker, without loosing essence.

[TimTurry]

Thanks guys.  I have another completely unrelated question that I will ask here, so as not to clutter up the forum with my noob questions.  If it doesn't get seen/answered here, I will make a new topic. 

I am looking at the list of Matrix actions, and the skill/stat each requires to work.
Given me with:
Logic 5        Intuition 4           Computer 6 ranks
Matrix search is listed as Computer + INT

Sooooo, is that
Computer skill + INT ->   (6 ranks of computer + 5 Logic stat) = 11 computer skill roll + Int 4 ==> total 15 Matrix search
or is it
Computer Rank + INT -> 6 computer + 4 INT ==> total 10 Matrix Search

[fseperent]

Logic doesn't matter for matrix search, so why did you add it for the first one?
The second formula is the right one.

[Kiirnodel]

The question of linked attribute gets brought up quite often.

The short answer is you just use Ranks + Intuition (Option 2).

The slightly longer answer is that just because a skill has a linked attribute (like Logic us to Computer) doesn't mean that you add it in when a skill roll calls for Skill + Att.
They always restate the attribute you roll when they list a skill test, and you wouldn't add Logic twice if it said Computer + Logic, right?
The concept is covered at the beginning of the skills chapter, look for "Skills and Linked Attribute" header.

[firebug]

A "linked attribute" is simply supposed to be the most common used attribute with that skill--  To help you design a character.  For instance, knowing "Agility is linked to these skills" lets you know that you'll most often be using those two in combination.

Computer is one of the skills that uses its linked skill less often, as Matrix Perception and Matrix Search are very commonly used.  But any time a test is done, it will tell you what skill to use, and what attribute to use for the specific roll--  It will never just say "Make a Firearms" roll or "Make a Hacking roll".

An example of times when you wouldn't use the linked attribute is things like using any active skill as a knowledge skill.  Say a shotgun is heard in the distance--  Maybe a player wants to see if their character recognizes it by the sound (something very possible IRL) and could perhaps roll Longarms + Logic.

[TimTurry]

That was really helpful.  Thanks.

[DigitalZombie]

On a related note regarding your first question.
There are 4 different ways of using your link/cyberdeck etc.
You can have a datajack giving you DNI, a cable and noise reduction. With DNI you merely need to think of something and your deck does it for you. just hacked a roto drone? you can get it to mentally turn on its former corporate masters and fire its gun at them
Second you have the trodes as already mentioned- these also gives you DNI, but no cable or noise reduction. But more essence friendly.
Third you have the Imagelink/cybereyes, soundlink/cyberears and AR gloves. This doesnt give you DNI, so you have to move your hands to get things done. Want to hack that rotodrone? use your AR virtual keyboard and do some hacking+logic with your AR gloves to get some marks on it. Then use your hands and take control of the AR image of the drone and point it towards the corporate goons and fire away with your agility+gunnery at those bastards.
The fourth option is not using anything at all, besides your cyberdeck/link- this works in the same way that a smartphone works today- meaning you would have to have it in your hand and press its buttons physically to make it do stuff. It most likely also have a camera so you can use it to see AR - kinda like when kids today are running around trying to catch pokemons. You still roll your normal dice pools as the others but you need at least 1 hand free, maybe even both. Its useful if you have some negative qualities concerning AR.

The last 2 options wont allow you to go into VR.