Rules

A character who’s trying to use the more sophisticated applications of information technologies – advanced program ming, program writing, system architecture, elaborate programs, technical maintenance, upgrade design and installation, soft ware repair, etc. – should have at least three dots in Computer, plus at least one dot (probably more) in Technology. Hardware repair involves at least one dot in Technology with a specialty in Computer Hardware.

Outside the movies, such tasks tend to take time… minutes at least, hours more often, sometimes even days or weeks, depending on the scope and complexity of the task. Beyond daily tasks (say, basic repair if you’re a member of the Geek Squad), this sort of thing could require a roll: usually Intelligence + Computer for software application, Perception + Computer for troubleshooting, and perhaps Dexterity + Technology (Computer Hardware) for fiddly physical tasks. Brainstorming and system design (hardware or software) usually require Intelligence + the appropriate Ability, although Wits or Perception might come into play as well, depending on the task. In most cases, these tasks would involve standard rolls for simple feats and extended rolls for complex or time-consuming ones. (See the Dramatic Feats entries Computer and Design, Mage 20, p. 403.)