It’s a Friday night. You’re gaming on Xbox Live with your best buds. The trash talking has begun. You’re in the middle of a very emotional, deeply moving conversation that will forever define the characters of those involved. Then it hits you. The hunger. The thirst. Maybe even Mother Nature, herself. You need munchies. You need drinkage. It can’t be ignored, and neither can the international (or interstate) dialog that is somehow linking your supposed lack of Halo skills to the questionable legitimacy of your birthright. You clearly need both hands to open your favorite beverage (or to answer nature’s call), and that Xbox controller doesn’t exactly carry itself to the kitchen to get your needed refreshment. What to do?

Things For Stuff has provided a solution to your quandary. Enter, the Controller Holster.

This simple, sturdy, one-piece, injection molded snap-on device attaches to the backside of your Xbox 360 controller, just over the battery compartment. Its simple design is an absolute perfect fit that will not interfere with your game play, headphone jack, Chatpad, or any port or device on the controller. But don’t just take my word for it. Check out Things For Stuff’s website for a more detailed description and a 40 second video demonstration.

The folks at Things For Stuff were kind enough to provide a sample for me test out. After greedily opening the package I found myself impressed with the grade of plastic the Holster is made of. Very firm and solid; nothing flimsy or cheap. I wasted no time to try this new gadget out. Inside the c-shaped attachment there is a knurled protrusion that fits perfectly in the cable port at the top of the Xbox 360 controller. Situate this protrusion over the port and rock the holster back to snap in over the bottom side of the battery compartment. A very nice and snug fit.

Next, test its functionality. The belt clip on the Controller Holster provides you with roughly 1/4 inch gap. Just enough to slide it down over the waist line of your pants. Hooking the Holster on anything thicker, like a leather belt, I wouldn’t advise. Although I have not attempted this, I can tell that doing so would test the limits of the belt clip’s rigidity. But it was great on the waistband of my jeans or my pajama bottoms. So I commenced to walking around in my home with my Xbox 360 controller on my side, looking like the awesome gamer that I am. Never once did I feel that the controller was going to drop. It stayed put with absolutely no wiggle.

For its intended purpose, keeping you in the conversation while you step away from the TV, the Controller Holster fits the bill nicely and does a great job. At $9.95, I feel the price point may be just a teensy bit high. I do know that you usually get the quality you pay for and it seems to me that you’re getting a quality product here. I’m eager to see what other gadgets Things For Stuff will come up with in the future.

For more information on the Controller Holster, or to purchase, please visit ThingsForStuff.com

So what do you think? Is this something you might find useful? Drop a comment or tweet and let us know.

The next step in immersive gaming has arrived for PlayStation 3 owners in the form of Move. Seen by some as a Nintendo Wii knockoff, the Move has entered the marketplace as anything but. With the same versatility as, and greater precision than the Wii, Move has established itself as a new benchmark for motion-controlled gaming.

While not totally hands free like Microsoft’s Kinect, Sony’s Move is equally entertaining but has the interactivity of buttons to set itself apart from it’s peers. Not to put down any competitor to the Move, but, as a kid, when you were sword fighting with your friends, did you imagine you were holding swords or find sticks to use? And wasn’t cops and robbers a lot more fun when you had toy guns to use instead of pointing your finger?

Sony’s Move is a motion-based controller that makes use of the PlayStation Eye and many internal sensors to detect movement, position, and angle and attitude of the controller. Even the slightest and subtlest of movements are detected and reflected on-screen. Move is the next best thing to putting your hands inside your TV to control your gaming (if that were possible).

Use of deadly force is authorized

I’ve spent quite a bit time of time playing Sports Champions, which was released by SCEA (Sony Computer Entertainment America) at the time of launch of Move. The amazing precision of the Move controller is most noticeable in sports events like archery, table tennis, and sword fighting. Changing the angle of your paddle in table tennis to put top-spin on the ball allows you pull off the same trick shots you would do on a real table. Not holding your sword at the right angle when making your slashes will result in fewer points earned. You want to hit your opponents with the sharp edge of the blade, not the blunt broad side.

I have also spent some time playing the demo of The Shoot, another title released by SCEA that is reminiscent of the air gun shooting galleries at the county fair. But The Shoot has a lot more going for it than the ambient smell of cotton candy and funnel cakes. Once again, every subtle move made by your hands is detected by Move. With every trigger pull, I was reminded of just how steady your aim needs to be.

While I have broken a sweat and found myself a little out of breath (and have the sore arms to prove it), I’m eager to put Move through the ringer and see it used by some great FPS games. While we’re going to have to wait until February to see the likes of Killzone 3, which will put Move and it’s separate Move Navigation Controller to use, I am convinced that Move will become the new gaming standard.

Navigation controller and Move controller

If you are a PlayStation 3 owner, I’m here to say that Move is a must-have accessory for your console. Each Move controller is $49.99 MSRP and the Navigation controller is $29.99 MSRP. The PlayStation Eye is $39.99 MSRP and a Move bundle with the Eye, one Move controller and Sports Champions is available for $129.99 MSRP.

I strongly recommend getting two Move controllers and one Navigation Controller. With two Moves, some games like table tennis or Ubisoft’s Racquet Sports can be played with a partner. Also archery, in Sports Champions, is a lot more enjoyable when using two Moves to aim and shoot a bow. The Navigation controller will be required with future games like Killzone 3, due out in February, and SOCOM 4, due out in late March.

Recently, I decided I needed new headphones for listening to my iPod Touch. While there are many that you can buy that retail well under $50, they don’t quite have the BAM POW OOMPH of those over $100. Also, you can go through quite a few sub-$50 units before you find a set that are durable and satisfy the audiophile in you. That being said, my father always tells me “Only a rich man can afford to buy cheap stuff.”

My search led me to NOX Audio and their new Specialist over-the-ear headphones. Not only are these headphones fantastic, they fit the bill for anyone and everyone. Yes, it’s a bold statement. But please, read on.

Here are the specs as posted on the NOX Audio website:

• Drivers: Dual 26mm Mylar
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Passive Noise Reduction: 50% 1 kHz
• Optimal Audio Isolation: 51dB @ 1kHz
• Sensitivity: 104 dBSPL @ 1 kHz
• THD: <0.5% @ 1 kHz; <2% from 40 Hz to 20 kHZ
• Input impedance: 32-ohms
• Microphone: 4mm
• Weight: 0.30 lbs

What do these specs mean? Well, I really don’t know all the technical jargon, but I do know that they translate to audio BLISS! Their full, crisp and rich sound lets you hear every subtle note in your music and every bit of commotion in your games, from bombs to butterfly wings. Yes, they are my audio heaven.

The Pros

The NOX Audio Specialist was developed with not just audiophiles, but also gamers (PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3) and Skype users, in mind. The Specialist has a retractable 4mm mic in the left earpiece. The right earpiece has a large and easily operated volume control, a sliding mute switch and one cable attachment to jack in to your device(s). This cable is detachable, which after much thought as to why NOX Audio did this, seems to make the unit as modular as possible. Should something go wrong with the cable, it can be easily replaced.

The Specialist is designed and built to be ergonomic and comfortable. Since the human ear sort of slopes back, pointing to the rear, the earpieces were mounted to do the same. Cushioned and covered in a very soft fabric, you almost can’t tell you’re wearing anything at all, save for the amazing noise canceling that the earpieces provide, which is just enough to let you enjoy your music or your in a loud environment, but not so much that someone has to shout at you to get your attention.

Since I received my Specialist headphones, they have primarily been used for gaming. And WOW what an experience it is. The Specialist makes use of the optical audio output on gaming consoles ensuring the highest fidelity in sound. The built-in microphone is crisp and clear and you are easily heard and understood in online gaming. The Controller Plug that interfaces your gaming controller with the Specialist is a great addition to your gaming experience. It allows you find your own preferred balance of your online teammate’s voices and the game’s volume. Accessories are required for the Specialist to be used in gaming (sold as a bundle or separately).

Yes, it's WAY cooler than it looks

The Cons

The NOX Audio Specialist is not without its flaws. I found the sliding microphone mute switch on the right earpiece to be rather small and a bit difficult to locate and operate. Also, the 3.5mm jack that is plugged into your devices is at a straight angle. While I’m gaming, I relax my arms to my side, allowing my gaming controller to stay close to my torso. With an Xbox 360 controller, having the headphone jack in the rear, the Specialist jack is pressed into my torso putting a bend in the cable and stress on the jack. A right-angle or a semi-right-angle jack would do the job much better. I have also found myself needing to reseat the USB dongle in the Xbox 360 after a power cycle, where the Playstation 3 or PC does not have this problem. All in all, these caveats are not deal breakers for the quality you get from the Specialist.

The Verdict

I have sampled other $100+ headphones in my time. At $79.99 MSRP, the NOX Audio Specialist is a great buy for anyone. However, if you’re in it for the gaming, I recommend the Specialist Bundle for $99.99 MSRP which comes with a USB dongle, mic/game audio controller and optical cable for interfacing with your gaming medium. These accessories can be purchased separately, but it’s cheaper to buy the bundle up front.

You can find the NOX Audio Specialist on Amazon.com or visit their website for more information and to purchase directly from NOX Audio.

(Editor’s Note: Neither NOX Audio, its partners, or authorized resellers provided free products, demo units, or any form of compensation to the writer of this review or Geek Shui Living. The opinions expressed herein are those of the writer, who purchased them and was kind enough to share his objective observations regarding their quality with other potential consumers.)

This holiday season, Microsoft will be offering the Kinect for Xbox 360. Not to be outdone, Sony also plans to debut Move for PlayStation 3. These peripherals will immerse gamers a little deeper into the game where every move and gesture of the hands and body will be the controller. The Kinect and Move will also bring augmented reality to the table as an entertainment experience. While these devices show a lot of promise and potential, somehow I don’t think this is where gaming should be for the 21^st century.

Video gaming has come a long way since the days of the Atari 2600 console. Graphics are now rendered in 3D with textures, effects, and environments that, at times, seem to blur the line between watching a live action movie and computer generated images (CGI). As we have entered the 21^st century, gaming has become more immersive and interactive: replacing the one-button wired joystick with wireless controllers that seemed to have more buttons than you could handle and motion-detecting wands and cameras.

In the early 1990’s, virtual reality (VR) was the hot topic in entertainment, education, research, technical training, and just about every other aspect of life. There was even a TV show about it called VR5 and starring Lori Singer.

VR was yesterday’s promise for today. TVs and computer monitors were on their death beds. It is now 2010, ten years into the 21^st century. So, where are my VR helmet, gloves, and vest? …and stuff?

In 1995, The VFX-1 hit the market and showed all the promise of the future. Every movement you made with your head was tracked by the helmet.  Flight simulators on the PC became amazing overnight. No longer did you have to hit a button on your keyboard to “turn your head”. You just turned your head, and the tracking in the helmet did the rest for you.  The VFX-1 immersed your ocular and auditory senses like never before.

The VFX-1 helmet didn’t come cheap; it premiered at roughly $900.00 (USD). If you looked at it as a replacement for your existing monitor, it wasn’t a bad trade-off. But it wasn’t supposed to replace it, and your average gamer could not swing that kind of cash for gaming in the mid-90’s. This is the likely reason that the VFX-1 ultimately failed.

Also, there were some undesirable side effects that resulted from using virtual reality equipment. After being immersed in this other reality and removing the equipment from your body, disorientation, dizziness, and nausea were common occurrences…and all of this after only 10 minutes of use.

After having numerous personal experiences with VR in the mid-90′s, I never experienced any ill effects from unplugging. I suspect users were unplugging too quickly by going about their normal duties before “readjusting”. To put it in perspective, one should keep in mind that NASA astronauts use VR to train for space walks for hours at a time. Alas, the side effects were something that seem to have gotten in the way of the virtual reality reaching its full potential, at the time.

(If you can’t tell by now, I’m lamenting the failure of the markets to embrace VR!)

Now it’s 2010, and Vuxiz has their own offering for virtual reality, the iWear VR920 (pictured in the first image, above). The device is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, and XP but isn’t quite as geek-chic as the VFX-1, nor quite as immersive. What the iWear VR920 does boast, though, is a long list of PC games and applications with which it promises to be compatible. Starting at $399.00 (USD), the iWear may actually stand a chance of keeping the VR dream alive.

The disappointing truth, though, is that limiting your product to only PC use is cuts out a large market share. Sony? Microsoft? Are you listening here? There are people in the world that would LOVE to skip past the Move and Kinect offerings. We’re ready to jump on the VR bandwagon. If the goal of console and gaming companies is to create an immersive environment and an unforgettable experience, flapping your arms in the air and waiving around wands in front of a proprietary camera is definitely not the answer.

So, for now, it looks like gamers will have to wait a little bit longer for that elusive, true VR experience. I’m sure it will come eventually. Let’s just hope it  happens before we all get to old to be able to move enough for it to actually work.

This week developer Dice gave their recent hit Battlefield: Bad Company 2 an adrenaline shot. Onslaught mode was made available for purchase on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. What was already an action packed game filled with intense combat action for online play, just got beefed up even more. For the price of $9.99 on PSN, or 800 points on XBL, Onslaught mode is now available for download.

Onslaught allows four friends to team up together to capture objectives while fighting against an extremely aggressive, intelligent, and constantly re-spawning AI. Some of the enemy units have been seen to behave a lot like other players behave in multiplayer, without the cognitive thinking, of course. Most of the time, enemy units are not standing still to shoot at you, making for a harder target at which to shoot. Additionally, enemy units don’t wait for you to come to them, or for you or your team to be spotted; they are actively and aggressively seeking out you and your team.

They say the greatest defense is a strong offense. In Onslaught Mode, this holds true. If you’re not playing by this rule, you will soon find enemy units closing on your initial spawn point – your base of operations. In the Isla Inocentes map, for example, upon capturing the first objective, the AI will launch a Russian Havoc attack helicopter. The Havoc will drop several teams of enemy soldiers, who will commence to lay down heavy, heavy fire on your team. The key in Onslaught is to keep at least one of your teammates alive. If all four die, the game is over. The balance for this over-the-top aggression is set by how weak the enemy soldiers are made. They’re as easy to kill as the enemy units in Campaign mode, but you are in a target-rich environment. Having each of your teammates play as a different class is strongly recommended.

In Onslaught mode, the scoring system is handled the same way as it is in multiplay: 50 points for a kill, 10 points for a headshot, 20 points for a squad heal, etc. However, the real goal is the leader board. For bragging rights you will want to complete a given map as quickly as possible. You can even replay it to better your previous time. While this is a novelty, at best, I am disappointed that the points you earn are not carried over and added to your multiplayer stats in some fashion. I understand that these are two completely different gaming modes with different rules, but I feel like Dice missed the boat on an opportunity to level your character up and unlock additional perks.

A couple issues seemed to have made it past quality control in the PS3 version. I have been met with difficulty when trying to accept a game invite from someone in my friends list. I will get a system message that says “the game is full”, or “no games can be found”. The other issue, which is admittedly less frequent, is that I have occasionally been booted from a game in progress. While annoying, I was able to quickly rejoin and continue playing.

While some Battlefield: Bad Company 2 players have not been very happy about a price tag being attached to what many felt should have been free (or included at retail), Onslaught mode has made a very strong impression. What was already a chaotic and challenging game, has seemingly become moreso by continuing to simulate a denser “fog of war”. Onslaught has also brought more to BFBC2 than just a lighter purse: it has brought a new way to play an already great game.

Below we’ve embedded an official trailer from the game. Take a look at some of the action, and you’ll probably decide that it may be a worthwhile addition to your gaming inventory.

Yesterday, the multiplayer-only demo for the highly anticipated game Transformers: War For Cybertron was released on Xbox Live. Within just two hours of going online, as many as 3,000 gamers had already joined the fray. The game is an exciting prospect for fans, both young and old and promises to be the Transformers experience they’ve always wanted. Being a total fan of the franchise since it’s introduction in the U.S. in the early 80′s, I wasted no time getting to XBL to download the demo.

The demo allows you to choose between Team Deathmatch or Conquest modes. Once you have been teamed up with other players, you can choose between playing as a Scout or a Soldier. All other play modes and character types have been reserved for the full game. You are allowed a few options in customizing your character with a few weapons, but the developer, High Moon Studios, promises that there will be many options for the customization of your character and more game modes to choose from, once the full version of the game is released.

I spent some time playing both Team Deathmatch and Conquest. The controls were pretty easy to learn, and it was almost as if I knew beforehand which button would do what. The camera is fixed over the right shoulder of your character in robot mode and is centered behind when in vehicle mode. Moving around in robot mode is pretty smooth, and the speed feels just right. Moving around in vehicle mode is even better and keeps the flow of play going smoothly. Additionally, the transformations between vehicle and robot modes are very impressive.

Playing as a soldier, you’re a tank, both literally and figuratively. When in vehicle mode, your character is a tank with a very powerful gun, capable making one-shot kills. At first, I thought this was very unbalanced, until I realized that the vehicle is slow, and the projectiles fired are not extremely fast-moving. The Soldier has some powerful weapons at its disposal but is somewhat slow-moving.

Playing as a Scout, you are smaller than a Soldier and a little weaker. You do have the ability, though, to make yourself invisible for a period of time. When you start shooting, you become visible again. You also have the ability to snipe with one of your two weapons. There are no one-shot kills here, which is fine, but the weapon still seems a little weak, overall.

Throughout the maps in both Team DM and Conquest, you will find power-ups for health and ammunition. Yes, your guns will go empty, and you periodically have to reload. But what’s really cool is that when any character is killed, their weapon is left on the ground for you to pick up. It doesn’t matter if they are a different character type. If you want their more powerful weapon, you can just start using it.

If the campaign mode in the full game lives up the hype, it looks like Transformers: War For Cybertron will be a hit. The game is scheduled for official release on June 22, 2010, for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, and Nintendo Wii and DS.

If there was any doubt before regarding the game, this demo just sealed the deal and ensures I’ll be pre-ordering my own copy!

For screenshots, video trailers, and more information about Transformers: War for Cybertron, visit its official home on Xbox.com.

It seems like only a few months ago that Microsoft released Windows 7. That’s why some were surpised to hear the operating system’s first Service Pack (SP) is expected to be released in its Beta form in July 2010. Luckily for Microsoft (and users of the OS), the SP1 release isn’t based on the need to fix a multitude of problems, as was the case with Windows Vista SP1.

Instead users can expect a rollup of Windows Updates released, since the initial release of the OS last year. One new feature that is significant in Windows 7 SP1 is the addition the Remote Desktop client that supports changes released in Windows Server 2008 SP1. Because the SP1 Beta doesn’t include any critical fixes that weren’t already provided through regular Windows Updates, many users may opt to hold off on installing it, since the final release version is likely to be released within a few months.

In the never-ending quest to be the best gamer out there, a new company brings to the public a new gadget that just may give you the upper hand….or thumb, in this case. Enter Kontrol Freek with their two snap-on accessories for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 controllers: FPS Freek and Speed Freek.

FPS Freek and Speed Freek are universally-fitting, snap-on attachments for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 controller. While Kontrol Freek touts some pretty strong hype about their products, it seems to be able to back it up with many favorable customer reviews.

FPS Freek on the Xbox

FPS Freek comes in a set of two devices that snap-on to your analog sticks, essentially making them longer. Designed with the First Person Shooter (FPS) in mind, the product is designed to work like a lever…with less effort and more output. If you’re a serious gamer like me, you may get a little too excited, from time to time find yourself over-correcting your aim and missing your target. Having the analog sticks extended helps prevent this over-correction without sacrificing control or speed. An added bonus to the analog sticks being made longer is that they become more ergonomic. As a positive result, I noted less fatigue in my thumbs, after extended periods of gameplay.

The FPS Freek attaches firmly to the analog sticks of both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3/Dualshock controllers. For the 360 controller, it’s a perfect fit. However, the attachment to the Dualshock is not a perfect fit, as the base of the FPS Freek will occasionally leave rub marks on the Dualshock’s housing that surrounds the analog stick. Because of this, you may want to periodically check that the FPS Freek isn’t about come off the Dualshock’s analog stick.

This shortfall to the Dualshock/FPS Freek fit does not affect game play in the slightest, but you will be able to tell it’s not quite a perfect fit. Using the FPS Freek on the PlayStation 3, my accuracy and kill ratio in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 improved noticeably. Additionally, while playing Mass Effect on the Xbox 360 (particularly while driving the Mako), I experienced reduced frustration and was able to enjoy the game much more than in previous experiences.

Speed Freek, the sister attachment to FPS Freek, comes in a set of two, but you will likely only use one. Speed Freek does not increase the length of the analog stick. Rather, it provides a perfect pocket for your thumb to rest in and serves as a brace to prevent excessive movement.

Speed Freek on the Dualshock

Speed Freek was designed with racing games in mind. I have found that there is a lot less play between the contact of my thumb and the analog stick, providing more accurate control of the vehicle I’m driving. I have put this device to the test in Wipe Out on the PlayStation Network. My control is more precise, and, as a result, my lap times improved.

FPS Freek or Speed Freek can be purchased, from Kontrol Freek’s website, in varying combinations of white, black, and gun metal, for $9.99. You can also purchase a bundle (one set of FPS Freek and one set of Speed Freek) for $19.99. There are other online retailers who sell these as well, but they don’t offer the choice of colors. You may want to shop around for a better price. Either way, the $19.99 I spent on the bundle was a worthy investment that I highly recommend to every gamer out there.

As an avid gamer and a PlayStation 3 aficionado, I’m always looking for tips, tricks, gadgets, and trinkets to heighten my gaming experience and give me an extra edge when playing online against other human minds. Sadly most add-ons do not live up to their hype, but I have found one that does: Dual Triggers for the PlayStation 3 controller from Performance Designed Products (or PDP).

Released in November 2009, Dual Triggers is a set of two concave attachments that snap on to the L2 and R2 buttons of the PlayStation Dualshock 3 controller. Dual Triggers are just as easily removed as they are installed, if you find it doesn’t suit your needs. Once attached, they give you the feel of a rather large gun trigger in place of the rounded-off buttons, which is ironic, in name and function, since most PlayStation 3 shooters use L1 and R1 as primary or secondary weapon’s fire.

Dual Triggers with L2 attached

Below is a quote from the manufacturer’s product description and product highlights:

**********

The Dual Triggers for the PS3 Six-axis controller provides extra grip, comfort and leverage for gamers. We know that things can get intense in the heat of battle. These triggers add just a bit of height and are concave enough to keep your fingers from slipping. Adding more control the triggers snap right on to the controller, no glue, no mess. The triggers are a simple addition that can help increase your accuracy in racing, flight, and shooting games. With this added precision you can go on to become a gaming champion.

• Dual Triggers increase your accuracy in racing, flight and shooting games.
• Compatible with Sony SIXAXIS Controller and Sony DualShock 3 Controller
• Unique design offers extra grip and comfort to an existing PS3 controller.
• Outfit all your Sony Controllers and gain a competitive advantage over your opponents

**********

So how does the manufacturer’s hype stand up? Well, Dual Triggers definitely add extra grip and comfort, and my fingers never feel like they were going to slip off, especially for games that require holding the L2 or R2 buttons for extended periods. Another plus, unless you have really big hands, is that the L2 and R2 buttons feel a little closer to the L1 and R1 buttons. It doesn’t feel as if I have to over-extend my fingers to get the job done. However, as much comfort that Dual Triggers provides, my accuracy has not improved. Also, pressing the trigger buttons did not noticeably affect how I manipulated the analog control sticks with my thumbs.

You should see my right thumb!

I’ve played quite a few games with and without the Dual Triggers. Over time, I have come to love the Dual Triggers and find that, without them, I feel lost. Dual Triggers can be found just about anywhere video games and accessories are sold, or from directly through PDP’s website, for around $5.99 (as of the last check). For that price, it’s an accessory that’s worth trying out, and one that I am confident most PS3 gamers will enjoy.

For most people, hearing the words “telephone company” brings a relatively drab image to mind of your typical phone line in your home and a crusty lineman climbing the aged and weathered telephone pole in your back yard. Many people may even think of the DSL line connected to their home computer and hope the phone company is doing something to keep their “technology” up-to-date. But what most people don’t know is that the local telephone company or ILEC (Independent Local Exchange Carrier) is much more than DSL service or the Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) to which they’re accustomed. Your ILEC is indeed at the forefront of existing and emerging communication technologies that you may or may not know about.

Does it work now? How 'bout now?

As a typical consumer, much of what the phone company provides to you in the way of services is transparent or may never apply to you. For people starting or growing a business, these services may be invaluable to your success. The purpose of this article is to equip residential and business consumers with enough knowledge to at least understand the basics of telecommunications technology. For those who work in the IT field, you may learn about something that can facilitate your company’s growth and help meet the growing demand for more data and faster connectivity.

POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) or DS0 is your basic telephone line. ILECs were built on POTS/DS0 lines. When a POTS/DS0 is not being used for voice, it can transmit data at 64Kb/s. As the years passed and technology improved, calling features became available like Call Forwarding, Caller ID, Call Waiting, and Voice Mail to name few. POTS/DS0 lines have been used for years by FAX machines and modems, as well as voice.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) services are a means of providing a dedicated connection for use with video conferencing, data, and voice. Basic Rate ISDN still exists in speeds of 128 Kb/s. An ISDN doesn’t sound very fast but it provides an always-on connection and your IP address is never periodically renewed. With Basic Rate ISDN you have 128 Kb/s upstream and downstream. Primary Rate ISDN makes use of a T1 line (we’ll discuss this later) to provide the customer with 1.54 Mb/s connection. Again, you get the same connection speed upstream and downstream. If money is no real issue for you, multiple Primary Rate or Basic Rate ISDN lines can be bundled together to meet your data consumption needs. And with the use of repeaters, ISDN lines have no limitation on the customer’s distance from the ILEC’s equipment.

ADSL (Asymetrical Digital Subscriber Line), or DSL for short. DSL service provides a very fast download speed to your computer while providing a relatively slow upload to the network. That’s why it’s Asymetrical. For example, if you subscribe to a 12 Mb/s ADSL service, you will be able to download data to your computer at speeds up to 12 Mb/s. But you will only be able to upload data at speeds up to 1.3 Mb/s. These speeds are determinate on your distance from the ILEC’s equipment and the size of the cable carrying the signals to your establishment. ADSL service has a distance limitation to it allowing a customer to be only two miles from the company equipment; up to five miles in rare cases. ADSL comes in varying speeds and flavors, and some markets and carriers provide speeds up to 24 Mb/s.

This is what your ADSL is doing.

T-1’s, or T-carriers have been around longer than ISDN lines and carry a heftier price tag with them than Basic Rate ISDN or ADSL. The basic unit of a T-carrier is a POTS/DS0 line. 24 DS0 lines form a T1 which provides a dedicated connection of 1.54 Mb/s or 24 POTS/DS0 lines. T1 lines can be apportioned to supply any variety of needs. The customer can have it setup so that 12 channels are for data, and 12 channels are for voice; or any combination thereof.

Some T-carriers are called T-3’s. A T-3 is comprised of 28 T-1’s. That’s 672 POTS/DS0 lines, or a data speed of 44.73 Mb/s. T-3’s are quite expensive, but provide data speeds more than adequate for handling a wide variety of video, data and voice applications.

Optical Carriers, are just that: carriers being transported over fiber optic lines and transmission systems. Some of the most commonly known Optical Carriers are OC-3, OC-12, and OC-48. What these denominations are saying is that an OC-3 is carrying three T-3’s, and an OC-12 is carrying twelve T-3’s, and so on (I’ll let you do the math on how many POTS/DS0 lines that is). Optical Carrier systems can be setup for point to point or ring applications. If a company has multiple locations spanning over a city, county, state, or country, ring applications are usually the way to go.

Each little fiber carries its own OC carrier.

Metro Ethernet is a relatively new deployment of services offered by ILECs. Ethernet is capable of some blazing fast data speeds, but it’s limited in distance. Metro Ethernet removes the distance limitation and can cover a large metropolitan area with data speeds in the gigabit range. The Metro Ethernet hubs, routers, and switches are connected via fiber optic lines and bring Ethernet to the MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) (pun intended). Metro Ethernet is commonly used by education and government entities. But the technology can even be used by an Internet Service Provider to bring another option of connectivity to their customers.

Other services provided by your ILEC may surprise you. Some phone companies provide infrastructure services to customers. 911 Call Centers and the FAA use the infrastructure of copper and fiber optic cables on a daily basis to run their critical operations. Local municipalities use copper and toll equipment for traffic lights. Railroad companies rely on an ILEC’s systems for monitoring the integrity of the rail system. Police departments and cab companies lease radio circuits so their building on the edge of town remains connected to the radio tower at their downtown offices to ensure communications with their sky scraper offices.

Different ILECs and different markets provide a slew of different services and technologies. What has been covered here are just a few examples of what your ILEC can do for you. Data speeds, capabilities, and pricing vary based on markets and providers. For more information, contact the sales or business office of your local telephone company.