A slicer was a computer expert, often self-taught, who excelled at working within a complex computer network, and could extract information from this network with great skill. Often, this information was secured by any number and manner of encryption and lockout systems, and a skilled slicer was able to circumvent these systems without triggering alarms.

Several members of the Jedi Order during the Old Republic^[2] employed computer experts to write and slice code. While most code slicing could be performed by droids, the "personal touch" was often required for special jobs.

Equipment[]

Simplest forms of slicing didn't require any special equipment; from almost any common computer terminal, knowledge of special codes and network routes allowed an experienced slicer to mount some signals and access records or camera feeds from distant parts. Juno Eclipse, using the pilot console of the Rogue Shadow was able to access systems of the Executor or encrypted Imperial records.^[4]

When tampering with electronic systems, professional slicers used specialized computers and electronic lock breakers, many built by the slicers themselves, to eke out a living in the digital world. These computers were carefully guarded and constantly modified and upgraded by the slicer, who rarely discussed its specs except with like-minded individuals. Complex access codes and even self-destruct mechanisms were often used to prevent a slicer's computer from falling into the wrong hands.

Many freelance slicers charged their clients for these "necessary" modifications as part of the requirements for the job in question.

Identities[]

Slicers essentially had two, or sometimes more, identities. In place of their true identity, slicers generally used code names; even regular business associates would not know a slicer's true identity. Keeping their true identity a secret was very important to successful slicers; they would rather not have to spend their time evading law-enforcement personnel, bounty hunters, and fringers with personal vendettas. Criminal slicers tended to use flashy pseudonyms, while government and corporate slicers often had militaristic code names or alphanumeric designations.

Socketguards were specially designed to combat slicers.

Slicer droids were intelligent automatons that excelled at sifting through mounds of useless data for the one needed factoid.

One slicer went by the handle "Tiny F."^[5]

Identity slicers were forgers who specialized in altering the identity of their client. Going beyond providing new identification papers or holographic disguises, skilled identity slicers could alter one's genetic code or construct a perfect genetic duplicate, as Anomid identity slicer Dretcher did for the con artist Gault Rennow.^[6]

Behind the scenes[]

A slicer or the verb slicing are all equal to the real-life term hacker or hacking, along with the stereotyped appearance.

Appearances[]

Sources[]

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