媒体和娱乐> 问问大多数薪奴，他们使用矩阵的最大目的是什么，娱乐将占据第二位(当然是在工作之后)。糟糕的是，即使是我，也会在晚上喝上一杯霞多丽，看上一部催泪的拟感电影来消磨时光。
> Pistons
媒体和娱乐企业--往往是同一个企业--已经崛起，以满足人们对永无止境的新闻播报、拟感点播和即时获取全球信息的渴望。付费服务的流媒体新闻播报提供无广告的新闻，而“免费"服务往往充满了垃圾广告。如果你在寻找华而不实、耸人听闻的新闻广播，请查看大型媒体网络，如阿瑞斯公司的杜鲁门传播网络(Truman Distribution Network)或地平线公司的特纳-久利(Turner Hisato)。如果你想得到一些不偏不倚的报道，你会想看看新兴企业的"公民记者”或个人博客。
地下新闻网络是一个历史悠久的传统。随着简单易用的录制功能成为大多数通讯链的标准配置，再加上大规模博客网络，地下新闻网络已经转向了个性化的视角。像“连接！”这样的流行博客网络允许泛人类与任何关心他的人分享其生活故事--用视频、评论和订阅者反馈补全。元矩阵(MetaMatrix)是Evo旗下的一个社交网络，主要依靠泛人类公民记者，即CJ，为主流媒体经常忽视的问题提供元观点。这些网络中的许多都有数量巨大的全球追随者，将公民记者和/或关注狂与世界各地的订阅者们联系起来。成为公民记者很容易--你需要的只是一个具有视频和音频录制功能的通讯链和需要记录的东西。
劇透 - :
MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT
> Ask most wageslaves what they use the Matrix for most, and entertainment is going to take the #2 spot (after work, of course). Heck, even I’ve been known to kick back with a glass of chardonnay and a good tear-jerker sim to while away an evening.
> Pistons
The media and entertainment corps—frequently one and the same—have risen to meet the desire for never-ending newsfeeds, on-demand sims, and instant access to global information. Pay-forservice streaming newsfeeds provide commercial-free news, while the "free" services often are loaded with advertising spam. If you’re looking for flashy, sensationalist news broadcasts, check out the large media networks, like Ares’ Truman Distribution Network or Horizon’s Turner Hisato. If you want somewhat unbiased coverage, you’ll want to look to the new crop of “citizen journalists” or personal blogs.
Underground news networks are a longtime tradition. With simple-to-use recording features standard on most commlinks coupled with massive blogging networks, the underground news network has shifted to an individualized perspective. Popular blogging networks like Connections! allow metahumanity to share its life stories—complete with video, texting, and subscriber feedback—with anyone who cares to see it. MetaMatrix is an Evo-owned social network that relies heavily on metahuman citizen-journalists, or CJs, to provide a meta point of view on issues that the mainstream media frequently ignores. Many of these networks have a huge global following, connecting citizen-journalists and/or attention freaks with subscribers around the world. Being a CJ is easy—all you need is a commlink with video and audio recording and something to record.
> 请注意，那不一定是有趣的东西。“连接！"中充斥着如此多的业余垃圾视频，以至于找到一个真正有用的故事几乎是不可能的，尽管真正热门的故事往往像野火一样通过系统传播。他们声称自己是一个"干净”的网络，但对于那些渴望近距离接触公民记者的课外活动的人们来说，这里不断地有自制的色情片上传。
> Snopes
> 博客可以成为了解一个潜在目标或找出一个公司的弱点的好方法。人们会谈论的东西真是令人吃惊。当然，大多数公司对谈论新项目或谈论你老板的恋足癖有相当严格的规定。他们雇用搜索代理和企业黑客来搜索那些真正有罪的博客。
> Slamm-0!
> 盗版媒体机构是获得真实新闻的另一个好地方。这些人很残酷，经常雇用狂奔者来帮助挖出一个故事。如果你想获得真实的、相关的、狡猾的故事，并在其中加入最少的耸人听闻或废话，请查看盗版网络。KSAF是我在西雅图地区的最爱。
> Sunshine
> 这有点无耻，不是吗？
> Kat o’ Nine Tales
热门全球社交网络
易耗品(Consumables)：声称要通过消费者的决定影响企业的变化，促进产品安全、公平定价和企业监督，他们的口号是：“我们的钱，我们的生活，我们的意见很重要”。这是一个获取和发布产品信息的好地方，从口香糖到榴弹应有尽有。如果你想在买东西之前检查一下，请订阅这个网络。
盖亚网(GAIANET)：一个环境观察小组，发布从萨满教的地球友好博客到狂奔者找到的企业滥用环境的视频片段。这是一个回归自然的嬉皮士和像Terra-First这样的环境恐怖分子的聚会场所。虽然这个网络大部分都是空谈，但他们偶尔也会淘到金子，比如最近对Radisys化学公司的曝光导致Radisys高管因在塔科马倾倒毒素而被多次逮捕。
红娘(Matchmakers)：这是最受欢迎的约会服务(或许只是拥有最大用户群的服务)，这个收费服务小组允许会员发布他们的详细资料和他们对伴侣的偏好。该网络允许你查看符合你要求的人是否在范围之内，甚至会提供会面建议。该网络还提供实时博客功能、建议专栏、从餐馆到花店的评分系统、内容包括从个人修饰到搭讪教学的流媒体视频和音频文件，以及他们在全球主要地区的标志性“十大最佳接吻地点”名单。
玩家联盟！(GamersUnite!)：这个社交网络支持所有与游戏有关的东西。它为各种类型的游戏玩家提供了一个聚会场所--AR、VR、甚至桌游，并帮助将多用户游戏与玩家联系起来。会员可以对游戏进行评分，讨论策略，发布作弊器，并对他们最喜欢的游戏进行讨论。这个网络也是软件盗版商最喜欢的垃圾场，用户经常可以下载他们破解的最新和最伟大(甚至包括未发布的)的游戏副本。
魔网(MagicNET)：在崩溃2.0之后，这个老牌的备用网站得到了新的改观。觉醒用户可以与其他志同道合的人见面交流，讨论最新的理论，并发布法术公式(包括非法获得的受版权保护公式，如果你知道在哪里找的话)。这里还有专门的区域来讨论地球母亲给我们带来的所有古怪的超自然事物。
劇透 - :
POPULAR GLOBAL SOCIAL NETWORKS
Consumables: Purporting to affect corporate change through consumer decisions, promoting product safety, fair pricing, and corporate overwatch, their motto is: “Our nuyen, our lives, our opinions matter.” This is a great place to get—and post—info on products, everything from chewing gum to grenades. If you want to check something out before you buy it, subscribe to this network.
GAIANET: An environmental watch group that posts everything from shamanistic earth-friendly blogs to runner-obtained video footage of corporate environmental abuse. It’s a meeting place for back-to-nature hippies and environmental terrorists like Terra-First! While the network is mostly just talk they hit gold occasionally, like the recent exposure of Radisys Chemical that resulted in multiple arrests of Radisys executives for dumping toxins in Tacoma.
Matchmakers: The most popular of the dating services (or perhaps just the one with the largest subscriber base), this fee-for-service group allows members to post their details and their preferences for companionship. The network allows you to see if someone meeting your specifications is within range and even provides meeting suggestions. The network also provides a live blogging feature, advice columns, a rating system for everything from restaurants to florists, streaming video, and audio files on everything from personal grooming to pickup lines and their signature “Ten Best Places to Kiss” lists for major sprawls around the globe.
GamersUnite!: All things game-related are supported by this social network. It provides a meeting place for gamers of all kinds—AR, VR, even board games—and helps link up multi-user games with players. Members can rate games, discuss strategy, post cheats, and kibitz about their favorite games. This network is also the favorite dumping ground for software pirates, and users frequently can download copies of the latest and greatest (even unreleased) games that they’ve cracked.
MagicNET: The old standby got a new facelift after the Crash 2.0. Awakened users can meet and mingle with other likeminded folk, discuss the latest theories, and post spell formulae (including illegally obtained copyrighted formulae, if you know where to look). There’s also special areas devoted to all the wacky paranormal things Mother Earth’s been throwing at us.
游戏虚拟游戏是一个巨大的矩阵娱乐会场。虽然在线游戏曾经是锁在父母地下室的极客们的专利，但如今AR技术已经将虚拟游戏带出了地下室，进入了公共场所。像《电子忍者》(Electronic Ninjas)这样的互动式AR游戏，允许参与者在遇到附近的对手时向其他游玩者发起挑战并开始一场AR决斗。目前最热门的游戏是《洛基山化身》(Rocky Mountain Avatar)，允许参赛者以雷鸟VTOL走私者的身份互相挑战。赛道均基于真正的实物。许多商场和公共区域赞助他们的赛道以提高人流量。例如，在西雅图贝尔维尤购物中心的人会在另一个游戏者在他或她附近时收到提醒。然后他们就可以互相挑战跑完这个赛道。你经常可以通过他们不稳定的--而且往往是危险的--动作来发现这些铁杆游戏玩家，因为他们对一个与物理环境脱节的AR幻想世界做出了回应。
VR游戏则更受欢迎，许多游戏企业开发的VR游戏甚至通过冷模连接就能获得近乎BTL级别的体验。关于编程非法水平的生物反馈的持续性传言一直困扰着这个行业，一些流行游戏，如《闪光世界》(Glitterworld)则正在接受调查。在VR中，你可以成为任何你想成为的人，从炙手可热的拟感影片制作人到中世纪的屠龙者。有些游戏是以奖励为导向的，吸引了数百万的参与者、观众和完整的媒体报道。
> 如果你喜欢在更私密化的社会环境中进行游玩，游戏咖啡厅和窝点会更受欢迎。有些只是由游戏玩家占据的咖啡厅，而其他的则实际上提供了一些供游戏玩家在沉浸在VR中休息的区域，甚至是“棺材”。
> Kat o’ Nine Tales
> 有些人出售BTL和加州热芯片
(译注：一种来自加州的非法拟感芯片，效果接近BTL但风险相对较小)，或者兼营一点矩阵赌博，甚至为客户提供在线色情服务。不是所有人。不过，如果你正在寻求一点调整，你有机会在游戏玩家的窝点找到它们。
> Beaker
劇透 - :
GAMING
Virtual gaming is a huge matrix entertainment venue. While online gaming was once the province of geeks locked in their parents’ basements, nowadays AR has brought virtual gaming out of the basement and into public venues. Interactive AR games like Electronic Ninjas allow participants to challenge other gamers to duels when they encounter a nearby opponent, engaging them in an AR combat. The current top game is Rocky Mountain Avatar, which pits contestants against each other as T-Bird smugglers. The courses are based on real physical objects. Many malls and public areas sponsor their courses to improve foot traffic. Someone at the Bellevue Mall in Seattle, for example, would be notified when another gamer was in his or her vicinity. They could then challenge each other to run the course. You can frequently spot the hardcore gamers by their erratic—and often dangerous—movements and actions as they respond to an AR fantasy world disconnected from their physical surroundings.
VR games are even more popular, with many gaming corps producing almost-BTL level experiences even through cold-sim connections. Persistent rumors of programming illegal levels of biofeedback haunt the industry, with popular games such as Glitterworld being investigated. In VR, you can become anything you’d like, from the producer of a nova-hot sim to a medieval dragon slayer. Some games are prize-oriented, drawing millions of participants, spectators, and complete media coverage.
> If you prefer your gaming in a more personal social setting, gaming cafes and dens are hugely popular. Some are simply coffee shops taken over by gamers, while others actually provide areas, even “coffins,” for gamers to rest in while immersed in VR.
> Kat o’ Nine Tales
> Some sell BTLs and CalHots or run a bit of Matrix gambling on the side, or even provide customers with online porn. Not all of them. If you’re looking for a fix, though, chances are you can find it in a gamers’ den.
> Beaker
拟感是一项奇妙的技术，它让人们走出自己沉闷和压抑的生活，进入另一个世界。虽然便宜的通讯链只能启用AR功能，但更高级的型号允许用户通过冷模连接到矩阵--“冷”意味着不可能通过信号烧毁你的灰质。启用热模的通讯链是非法的。当然，不戴头盔骑摩托车在大多数地方也是非法的，而且原因类似--没有人想看到你的大脑碎片被涂在公路上。但这并不能阻止很多人。这些日子以来，即使是冷模也是相当该死的心灵震撼。最近，通过无线技术下载BTL质量的热模的进展已经重度渗透到了冷模的质量改善中。
几十年前，我们社会接受了拟感技术。那时，你总是可以知道你是在一个计算机构造中；“几乎和真实的东西一样好"只是一句口号。"优于生活”是留给高度成瘾性的拟感芯片的，它在提供超真实感觉的同时也在煎熬你的神经通路。然而现在，拟感娱乐和游戏场所的质量已经吸引了整整一代人进入VR来体验电子世界的奇迹。虚拟度假拟感让西雅图的薪奴在不离开客厅的情况下就能体验到发光的蓝色海洋和灿烂的加勒比白沙滩。用心理学定制的情绪音乐、颜色和气味编程的舒缓拟感是唾手可得的。你可以在虚拟的酒吧里喝醉，在虚拟的牛排店里享受牛排的所有味道(并且没有任何讨厌的饱和脂肪酸)，甚至在虚拟妓院里与一个有才华的伴侣相会。
有这么多好东西可以提供给薪奴，难怪拟感技术如此受欢迎？你与其说是会计比尔，不如成为独眼比尔，在模拟海洋的VR游戏中成为令人畏惧的海盗，或者与数百万其他享受娱乐的人一起在《闪光世界》竞争。虽然现实是受限的，但拟感是自由的。整整一代人都已经完全迷上它了。
> 我记得我还是个孩子的时候，我妈妈为我花多少时间在电脑上而担心。现在，没有人再去想一个人整天在办公室里插着电源，然后回到家插着电源进行一些虚拟休息。哦，每隔一段时间，一些公共卫生部门的人就会发出警告，说有这样一个久坐的社会的有害影响，或者孩子们的大脑需要阳光来成长，或者其他一些反有线的废话。在大多数情况下，你生活的大部分时间都是插着电源，享受一些冷模，这是很平常的事，没有人对它另眼相看。
> FastJack
> 我看到最近的一些统计数字，基于矩阵的成瘾(不包括BTL之类的)现在是UCAS中最常见的成瘾，最终甚至超过了咖啡因。但与咖啡因不同，大多数矩阵成瘾是心理上的(而不是生理上的)。
> Butch
> 如果我可以在热模时享用到咖啡因，生活就完美了。
> Snopes
劇透 - :
SIMSENSE
Simsense is wonderful technology that lets people step out of their own dreary and depressing lives and into another world. While the cheaper commlinks are only AR enabled, fancier models allow users to connect to the Matrix via cold-sim—cold meaning that it isn’t possible to fry your gray-matter through the signals. Hot-sim enabled ‘links are illegal. Of course, riding a motorcycle without a helmet is illegal in most places too, and for similar reasons—no one wants to see bits of your brain smeared on the highway. But that doesn’t stop too many people. These days, even cold sim is pretty damn mind-blowing. Recent advances in downloading BTL-quality hot sims via wireless technology has trickled down to seriously improve the quality of cold sim.
We embraced simsense as a society a few decades ago. Back then you could always tell you that were in a computer construct; “almost as good as the real thing“ was the catchphrase. ”Better than life” was reserved for highly addictive simchips that delivered ultrareal sensation while simultaneously frying your neural pathways. Now, however, the quality of simsense entertainment and gaming venues has enticed an entire generation into VR to experience the wonders of the electronic world. Virtual vacation sims allow a Seattle wageslave to experience a glowing blue ocean and brilliantly white Caribbean beaches without leaving their living room. Relaxation sims programmed with psychologically tailored mood music, colors, and scents are available. You can get drunk in a virtual bar, enjoy all the taste of a steak in a virtual steakhouse (without any of those pesky saturated fats), even meet up with a talented companion in a virtual brothel.
With so many great things to offer to the wageslave, is it any wonder that simsense is so popular? Instead of being Bill the Accountant, you can be One-Eyed Bill, feared pirate in a sim-seas VR game, or compete in Glitterworld along with millions of other entertainment hopefuls. While reality is limiting, simsense is freeing. An entire generation has become hooked.
> I remember being a kid and having my mom worry over how much time I spent with my computer. Now, no one thinks twice about someone who spends all day plugged in at the office, then comes home and plugs in for some virtual R&R. Oh, every now and then some public health flunky sends out a warning about the harmful effects of having such a sedentary society, or how kids’ brains need sunshine to grow, or some other anti-wired bullshit. For the most part, it’s so commonplace to live large parts of your life plugged in, enjoying some cold sim, that no one blinks at it.
> FastJack
> I saw some recent stats that Matrix-based addictions (excluding BTLs and the like) were now the most common addiction in UCAS, finally passing caffeine. Unlike caffeine, though, most Matrix addictions are psychological (rather than physically based).
> Butch
> If I could just get a caffeine-drip while I was hot simming it, life would be perfect.
> Snopes
AR技术也已经占领了夜总会的舞台。许多最热门的俱乐部提供不同的DJ曲目列表订阅，直接输送到你的通讯链上，让每个客人或连接的团体听到不同的音乐并随之舞蹈。即使有现场表演者的俱乐部也会用AR技术来加强表演，包括通过链接加入多层次的拟感反馈。当然，对于我们这些有所偏好的人来说，这里有各种各样的VR俱乐部，在那里你可以在你定制的标志性自我的舒适环境中与其他人进行社交。最好的VR俱乐部和酒吧提供接近BTL级别的体验，所以你点的神风饮料可以给你带来真实的兴奋感(如果你的生物反馈程序正确运行，你甚至可以带着后效醒来)，你可以感受到和你跳舞的那个美丽而忧郁的女士那丝绒般柔软的皮肤。一些俱乐部要求顾客具有泛人类的形态，而另一些则允许使用你能想象到的任何图标……所以你可以和风暴云一起跳舞，和一个巨大的、没有特征的棉花糖喝酒，或者与一头霓虹龙争论盗版软件问题。
劇透 - :
AR/VR CLUBS
AR has also taken over the nightclub scene. Many of the hottest clubs offer different DJ track list subscriptions channeled directly to your commlink, allowing each guest—or connected group—to listen and dance to different tunes. Even in clubs with live performers, the act is enhanced with AR, including adding in multi-level sim feedback available through a ‘link. Of course, for those of us who prefer, there are a variety of VR clubs, where you can socialize with others in the comfort of your customized iconic self. The best VR clubs and bars offer near-BTL-level experiences, so the Kamikaze drink you order can give you a realistic buzz (you can even wake up with a hangover, if you program your feedback right), and you can feel the silky soft skin of that pretty blue lady you’re dancing with. Some clubs require patrons to have metahuman forms while others allow any icon you can imagine … so you could be dancing with a storm cloud, having drinks with a large, featureless marshmallow, or arguing warez piracy with a neon dragon.
> 甜心，我收到了你关于周围最好的俱乐部的说明。这里有几个我最喜欢的。我可以给你一张其中任何一家的VIP通行证，以换取一个很小的帮助……。
PCP，香港：一个纯粹的VR夜总会，对允许进入的图标有严格的规定(只允许泛人类外形)，这个地方以顶级表演者的原创音乐为荣，其热门歌曲和乐谱从未见过真正的阳光。俱乐部的图标根据播放的音乐而变化，饮料和食物也是如此，有传言说，一个超链者团队负责这里的装饰。有一群聪明的程序员可以帮助客人修改他们的图标以适应主题，以防你穿着重金属音乐出现，最后却变成摇摆的爵士乐。
Ion Dreamz, LA: 一个虚拟的脱衣舞俱乐部，满足任何人的所有偏好，从最平凡的到你可能根本没有想象过的东西。这里有一个专门的区域，供滥交者和喜欢更多亲身体验的人使用，但你需要知道问谁(试试杰里，她是想象馆楼层的一个女服务员)。一个警告：这个地方的饮料很硬，因为他们的管理层发现，客户越是醉醺醺，小费就越高。
High Rollers: 这是一个豪华的赌博网络，吸引了来自全球各地的高额赌客。没人知道它的总部在哪里，因为在大多数地方，这个网络是严重违法的。它的图像令人惊奇；如果你想要一个张扬的拉斯维加斯赌场的感觉，或者一场安静的高赌注扑克游戏，或者其他任何东西(包括投注或参与实际的血腥运动)，他们都已经在网络上为你找到了一个位置。如果你想去参观，在西雅图的竞技场有一个通往那里的后门……至少在我上次检查时有。
The Masquerade(不尽相同，但都在欧洲)：大巡游的虚拟演绎，在那里，许多精通技术的达官贵人来来往往，在虚拟的光辉中杯觥交错。当然，必须持有邀请函，但如果你能进入(通过邀请函或一些非常聪明的黑客手段)，那就值得一去。环境通常是一个高大的宴会厅，有水晶吊灯、纯金地板和镶满宝石的装置。有一些安全的“侧室”，从主宴会厅分支出来，有权有势的人们可以溜过去，进行密室交易或找到一些虚拟的独处时间。
> Kat o’ Nine Tales
劇透 - :
> Sugar, I got your note about the best clubs around. Here’s a few of my favorites. I can get you a VIP pass for any of them, in return for an itty-bitty favor … .
PCP, Hong Kong: A purely VR nightclub, with strict regulations on the icons allowed inside (metahuman shapes only), this place prides itself on original music from top-notch performers, with hit songs and scores that never see the actual light of day. The club’s iconography changes based on the music playing, as do the drinks and eats available, and the rumors are that a team of technos does the decorating. A staff of wiz programmers are available to help guests modify their icons to fit into the theme, in case you show up dressed for heavy-metal and end up with swinging jazz.
Ion Dreamz, LA: A virtual strip club catering to any and all preferences, from the most mundane to things you probably haven’t even imagined. There’s a special area for swingers and folks who enjoy more hands-on entertainment, but you need to know who to ask (try Jerry, she’s a waitress on the Imaginarium floor). A word of warning: the drinks at this place are hardcore, as the management has discovered that the more inebriated the client, the higher the tips.
High Rollers: This is a posh gambling network which attracts high rollers from around the globe. No idea where it’s based at, since in most places this network is highly illegal. The imagery is amazing; if you want the feel of a flamboyant Las Vegas casino, or a quiet game of highstakes poker, or anything else (including betting on—or participating in—actual blood sports), they’ve got a spot on the network for you. If you want to visit, there’s a backdoor to the place at the Coliseum in Seattle … least there was last time I checked.
The Masquerade, (varies, but in Europe): A virtual rendition of the Grande Tour, where the more tech-savvy of the high and mighty come to associate and hobnob in virtual splendor. Invitation only, of course, but if you can get in (through either an invitation or some very clever hacking), it’s worth the visit. The setting is generally a lofty ballroom, with crystal chandeliers, solid gold floors, and gem-studded fixtures. There are quite a few secure “side-rooms” that branch off from the main ballroom, where the powerful can slip away to make backroom deals or find some virtual alone time.
> Kat o’ Nine Tales
广告和垃圾邮件当然，提到矩阵和媒体，你不得不谈论广告……或垃圾邮件。公司喜爱AR技术，因为它允许他们不断向潜在客户投放广告。每个人的通讯链都在不断追踪他们的消费模式，将购买--甚至只是浏览--的数据发回给母公司，后者像龙一样囤积着这些数据。在运动器材的橱窗前停顿一下？浏览了一下PCC中的滑雪屋网站？不要惊讶有几十个度假优惠，户外运动设备的销售广告，冬季服装的促销优惠，甚至多个“雪兔”挂钩的优惠塞满了你的通讯链。通过分析你的购买模式、你的消费习惯和你的购物偏好，企业可以用特定的广告来锁定你，旨在让你进行消费。
然而，广告投放和垃圾邮件之间有一条精细的界线。每个人都有自己的定义，就我个人而言，当我收到重复的服务广告时，我倾向于舍弃一个ID，这需要花费几天到几周的时间。一旦越过这个界线，所有的虚拟垃圾就变成了垃圾邮件。垃圾邮件过滤器由每一个主要的通讯链提供商、软件开发商和大型企业出售。问题是，虽然他们可以暂时过滤掉竞争对手的垃圾邮件，但他们总是允许自己子公司的垃圾邮件通过。奇点公司(Singularity)的安全护盾(SafeShield)和联络的SPAMOUT！很受欢迎，尽管安全护盾在你的通讯链因处于填埋区而被淹没时通常会使它彻底关机。
劇透 - :
ADVERTISING/SPAM
Of course, you can’t mention the Matrix and media without discussing advertising … or spam. Corporations love AR because it allows them to constantly throw advertisements at potential customers. Everyone’s link is constantly tracking their spending patterns, sending purchasing—even just browsing—data back to parent corporations, who hoard the data like a dragon does gold. Pause by a window display of sporting equipment? Browse the site for a ski lodge in the PCC? Don’t be surprised to have dozens of vacation offers, sales ads for outdoor sport equipment, promotional offers for winter clothing, and even multiple offers of “snow-bunny” hook-ups clogging up your commlink. By analyzing your buying patterns, your spending habits, and your shopping preferences, corporations can target you with specific ads designed to get you spending.
There is a fine line between advertising and spam, however. Everyone has their own definition of where this line is drawn— personally, I tend to drop an ID as soon as I get repeat ads for services, which takes anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Once the line is crossed, all that virtual junk becomes spam. Spam filters are sold by every major ‘link provider, software developer, and megacorp. The catch is that while they may temporarily filter out competitor’s spam, they invariably allow their own affiliates’ spam to get through. Singularity’s SafeShield and Renraku’s SPAMOUT! are popular, although SafeShield tends to shut your ‘link down completely when it gets overwhelmed in a spam zone.
