I don't like machine translator implants

[oblong]

They give away secret laws. Having some way to listen in to :s would be fine, but the implants are too easy and portable. I suggest plugging a radio into a buttbot would make it buttify everything it hears on :s, but really anything would be better than the implants.

[UrsulaMejor]

I think the implants should stay, but they should require much more effort to acquire. it is kindof hard to work together over a secret law when anyone could be listening

[salix_catus]

A possible remedy for this is for pda chat to be more easy to use. Pda chat rarely gets monitered. A rogue AI could use :s chat to create false conversation that they know will likely get listened in on. Meanwhile the pda conversation tells a different story.

[thehman03]

I don't like you.

Machine chat should be a bit more difficult to listen in to though, because every robotocist practically gives away the implants every round.

First point still stands though.

[BaneOfGiygas]

Just make them cost more resources. Translating machinelanguage to english has gotta be at least pretty damn difficult, right?

[babayetu83]

it's fine the way it is

just use pda chat you doof

[BaneOfGiygas]

See but here's the problem. The main circumstances in which you'd want to covertly talk with your cyborgs is when? When you're rogue. The problem is that PDA chat is not very quick and distracts you from everything else that's going on while you're trying to hammer out a message. Since the crew is most likely trying to hunt you down and otherwise foil your efforts, you really don't want to have to stand around waiting until your message is finished typing. It's just not efficient at all. Typing in the chat box lets you quickly move around/switch your camera view and otherwise react more quickly to stuff that happens.

[Erev]

Send your borgs a message with a new radio frequency by way of the PDA. Laugh while everyone tries to figure out how you are collaborating without machine chat.

This is assuming that borgs can adjust their radio - its been a while since I've been one.

[Frank_Stein]

Give the AI and borgs a way to see how many implants are being used.

Maybe even a way to see who is implanted? Sure you can listen in on the AI, but it will also paint a giant target on your head if it goes rogue. Gives it a risk vs. reward type thing.

Also add a much harder to acquire but untraceable way to monitor the binary channel.

[oblong]

Chatting with PDAs (or persuading other synthetics to use a different radio channel) is a bit of a hassle when there is already a convenient channel for synthetics to coordinate with one another. Here's some more ideas:

-Translator implants must be bought from the D.O.C.
-Chat on robospeak using a program on a dwaine terminal
-Debrain a cyborg, close the head and it will relay out loud what is said on robospeak
-Replace implants with machine translator prostheses which must be worn on the ear meaning you can't wear them with a normal headset radio
-Translator implants only give you gibberish or code unless your body has 1 synthetic part
-Only synthetics can use robospeak

[Roomba]

I think maybe just having them require a couple rare materials, like telecrystals or something along that line would work. Prevents people from just handing them out like candy for anyone who asks, requires a little bit of cooperation to obtain.

PDA chat is hard because there's no general robotics department, so the AI has to PDA message every borg individually to coordinate anything, plus it requires the borg have their PDA out at the moment to receive it. Also, it's only a little harder to monitor all PDA chat than it is to obtain translator implants.

[Marquesas]

A little material adjustment could work, yes.

[salix_catus]

You're all saying pda chat isn't convenient to use... that is what I was saying...I was suggesting making it easier to use...

[Sundance]

Borgs should not have pdas as a "tool" option (Borgs rarely use pda due to this fact, it takes up a hand slot) but should have it in their silicon commands tab, beside show laws and such. Just a simple "open pda" command would suffice.
A message "silicon" under departments (similar how you can mass message medical and security) would also be rad.

[oblong]

I really like sundance's borg changes, and making translator implants harder to manufacture would be great.