While the FAQ cleared up a few already, and looking at other forum threads cleared up one or two more, I am still having trouble with a few things.
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1. Operator class question:
OPERATIVE’S EDGE (EX) 1st Level
Your diverse training as an operative grants you a +1 insight
bonus to initiative checks and to skill checks. This bonus
increases by 1 at 3rd level and every 4 levels thereafter.
Does this apply to ALL skills? It doesn't clarify. And why would it grant an insight bonus when insight doesn't stack with the skill focus gained by Operative Specializations?
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2. Engineer class question:
REMOTE HACK (EX) 5th Level
You can use your custom rig to attempt Computers and
Engineering skill checks at a range of 20 feet. At 7th level
and every 2 levels thereafter, this range increases by 10 feet.
A target of this ability (or a creature attending or observing
your target) can attempt a Perception or Sense Motive check
(DC = 10 + 1-1/2 × your mechanic level + your Intelligence
modifier) to determine that you are the origin of this activity.
Since it says '...Engineering skill checks at a range of 20 feet.' does that mean it can be used for actions with the engineering skill that would otherwise require hands or other manual work, such as repairs?
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Yes, operative's edge applies to all skills. No, it does not stack with skill focus. That is why operatives gain the incredibly powerful ability to Take 10 under any circumstances with skills that the have Skill Focus in, at the level where Operative's Edge becomes a +3 bonus.
The text of remote hack makes no limitations on what sort of checks can be performed at a distance. As a result, I would expect a lot of GM variation on what limits Remote Hack has in their game.
Re #2 (and I think you meant Mechanic, not Engineer)
It says what it says, so it means what it means. Yes, rules-as-written, you can do repairs remotely. Whether the GM allows a particular circumstance is up to them. I can't imagine that often when you'd need to really.
As for #2, I would check with my GM. If you are attempting to do something that requires physical contact, ie... repair work or some form of manipulation, then I don't think your custom rig would suffice. The custom rig is simply an interface tool. If the repairs are something like.. rerouting power then sure.. but if you are making physical repairs.. then of course you wouldn't be able to.
Thanks everyone. That clears up all I needed.
In regards to the computers and engineering at a distance:
You can use a hacking kit to access a computer without using
a user interface, but this requires you to have physical contact
with the computer or to make contact through an infosphere or
similar network that is linked to the computers.
No one seems to have an issue with a custom rig performing an action which is impossible with simply wireless/infosphere communication, i.e. hacking a computer with no wireless receiver (and no remote communication to the infosphere) with maybe just a dumb keyboard or perhaps not even that.
In case you don't allow a custom rig to do that, its no better than a comm unit (infosphere/wireless access) built into every armor and a hacking kit.
That implies the custom rig is performing some more fundamental manipulation either on the keyboard/interface, or on the hardware making up the computer itself if it lacks such an interface, such as electrical flow or internal physical switching.
One way to interpret the remote computers and engineering checks is the custom rig is projecting something in addition to the traditional radio waves, such a manipulated gravity, some kind of force effect, or some kind of controlled magnetic fields. Such effects are extremely common in other tech we have access to (i.e. weapons, armor upgrade force fields, gravity manipulation augmentations, etc). Why wouldn't a custom rig be able to manipulate those forces, at least on a small scale?
At which point remote engineering checks do make sense. Remote moving of fine damaged parts out of place, inducing electrical flow to heat sections via internal resistance allowing for soldering, re-seating of memory sticks, and so forth all become possible remotely.
The issue is differentiating this sort of (near-)microscopic level manipulation at a distance from low level telekinesis. I agree that a remote hack can manipulate electrons to gain access to a computer, open an electronically controlled door, or short out an explosive device or trap. I don't think it should be able to turn a doorknob, cut a wire, or poke the gears of a mechanical trap.
In high tech environments, however, this shouldn't be an issue.