I would like to try and bring some reason to these discussions, I know that might be difficult considering the quality of people involved, but please, bare with me.

A recent discussion has commented on the use of walkie-talkies and/or radios in RP, and once again people have complained that such equipment is not fair for RP, and here are the reasons listed (at least the ones I have heard):

- Walkie-talkies and/or radios are high tech equipment
- Everybody is broke
- They can not be tracked
- They can not be countered

I would like to cover each of these points:

First off if people still consider walkie-talkies high tech equipment, then I think we should still regard sliced bread as a miracle. Yea, walkie-talkies are soooo high tech that barbie ever has her own:
http://www.target.com/Barbie-Chat-Me-Jelly-Talkies/dp/B000P3LHTA/sr=1-8/qid=1216007461/ref=sr_1_8/602-7314048-5097445?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Awalkie%20talkie&page=1
...you can even get it in many different pretty colors.

Secondly, and this one is going to be difficult because it's going to require a degree of math and general logic. If everyone is broke, how can they afford designer clothes, brand new cars, and the hottest new guns? I've lived in California, I've seen broke people, and there is not one person in CD who is broke. Period. I've never even seen a beggar in CD. Also, it's kind of hard to be broke, when there are more jobs than people in CD. As well, if we're supposed to be gang members, dealing in drugs and prostitutes I'd like to think we'd have some spare change in our pocket, otherwise what would be the point of breaking the law?

Thirdly, walkie-talkies and radios can be tracked, in fact the radio's used during the Cerberus attack in the Hospital can be listened in by anyone with the same radio, and the time to figure out what channel we're on. Just like any other type of hack, it will take time, but if you have the diligence to do it, you can listen in.

Fourthly, they can be countered. Walk up to me, and rip it off my ear. OMG! You just countered it. Wasn't that hard.

Seriously people, we're not power gaming, we're not trying to deny anyone fair rights. We're playing along, but to our own tune. If you can't hum along, get over it, that's just life.

As well, the Cerberus are not the only ones who use radios, I've seen the CDPD, CDFD and the CD Hospital staff use radio's on more than one occasion. So you say, well of course they'd have them! You're right, but they could be stolen, yes? Making it possible for anyone who is broke to have a radio. As well, if you want to talk about truly unfair, if you aren't a part of the CDPD, CDFD or the CD Hospital staff, you can't listen in on their radio conversations because they're all in a private group chat! Tell me how I am supposed to hack that one? At least our radio's can be listened in on. Also, if you are going to ban radios, then you need to ban cell phones as well, and probably beepers. Good luck with that one.

Finally, I've included a link to radios that you can pick up, from 15 dollars, to 300 dollars, and anywhere in between. If thats not proof enough that this new complaint is bogus, then I don't know what is.

http://www.target.com/gp/search/602-7314048-5097445?ie=UTF8&index=target&field-browse=1038576&ref=sr%5Fbx%5F1%5F1&field-keywords=walkie%20talkie

Patches