The Phiber-Space 2056 Catalogue

by Paolo “WiRe” Falco (FALCO@ALMA.IT)

The datacord and the plug are some of the most essential and overlooked pieces of hardware for the rigger and the decker. Wether connecting your rig to your car, your nervous system to your deck, your C2 to the system or your eyes to your gun, the datacord plays the essential role, next to the datajack and the DataPlug, i.e. the thing you slap into your datajack. But not all datacords and all plugs are the same. Prove you can choose with the Phiber-Space 2056 Catalogue!!!

ChangePlugs

ChangePlugs are the answer for all you guys who have trouble finding the correct socket for your plug. With the introduction of the new Gibson ICS baseneck datajacks, in fact, many systems are adapting to the new Gibson plugs instead of the old Fuchi ones. This, of course, without even thinking of east-european Svetlana plugs or the African Mombatta ones, not to mention the several local variations. Change plugs tith the ChangePlugs, an all-encolsing, easy-to-carry one-fits-all!

Conceal         15
Rating          3
Weight          0.1
Availability    4/2hrs
Cost            20 Y
Street Index    1

Note: While this item might seem completely useless information, just think how your campaign will change with the introduction of different plugs, experimental plugs, rigger plugs… It could well drive many deckers and riggers crazy! Also, make deckers or riggers who WANT their datajacks installed in invisible positions (the neck) PAY for that. Make them dependent on a simple ChangePlug!

Cordless DataPlug

The Cordless DataPlug is a two-piece gadget composed by two standard datajack plugs, one of which is slightly bigger than usual. It functions as a standard piberoptic wire, but only at ranges of less than 5 metres. Additionally, it cannot be used for decking purposes, since the static interference ruins the performance of decks. The Cordless Plug works by converting data into radio waves, and then re-converting it again.

Conceal         7*
Rating          1
Weight          0.2**
Availability    2/2hrs
Cost            200Y
Street Index    1

* Conceilability is to notice the smaller plug when linked to head. The whole packet by itself is small as a pack of cigarettes. ** Weight is the bigger unit. The smaller plug is negligible.

Cordless Plugs work as normal when used with smartguns and in other ways, but add +1 to all control tests for each meter beyond the first 2 when used for rigging and add +4 to all tests when used for decking.

A good gadget… One good use is for all people without a smartlink, so they can finally use their guns linked to the datajack without having them dangle around on pieces of string. It is also useful because the smaller cranial plug is quite invisible once you wear a hat or wig. Another good use is for riggers, since they can finally control their cars even if not being inside. I have seen some scuzzhead rigger driving a 20-ton behemoth on a busy highway by pure cybernetic link while sitting on its fragging ROOF! Quite a sight. Only, be careful, these babies DO lose data, and they are NOT as fast as the standard phiberoptic link… SO, watch out…
Bloster <12:34:22/06/16/56>

DataSwitch

The Dataswitch is a small box with 3 or 6 dataplugs on one side and one on the other. By simply flipping a switch you can safely access any of the 3 or 6 external links active, without any fear of damaging feedback to your neural system.

Conceal         15      13
Rating          3       6
Weight          0.2     0.3
Availability    2/2hrs  2/2hrs
Cost            100 Y   120 Y
Street Index    1       1

When linked with the cordless dataplug, it all makes sense, eh? You put one cordless dataplug in yer head, then attach to your belt one of these dataswitches, and you can easily control up to 6 thingies without having any cord dangling around you… Just watch out, because cordless dataplugs tend to interfere with one another, so it’s safer if you install only one… Me and a friend of mine had a race with TWO cars each by using cordless dataplugs and dataswitches. We kept controlling each of them alternatively, flipping to each of them while keeping in range for the cordlesses. It was, like, rad!
Rigger Happy <03:34:43/06-17-56>

What rigger happy is omitting to say is that while having that race, he and his friend managed to crash one car each, run over six raccoons, two old persons and a baby in a pram, and that Rigger Happy finally lost by abandon when his last car crashed into the ice rink of a shopping mall after a long race into the Fuchi Arcology’s second floor in Atlanta. The cordless dataplugs definitely DO interfere with one another!
Snoop <04:23:33/06-16-56>

Oingo-Boingo™ DataCord

The Oingo-Boingo™ Datacord vaguely resembles a couple of linked dataplugs one of which has a spiral-like attachment to it. When the two plugs are pulled apart, the datacord extends up to 3 metres, and is held by a blockable coil. When the cord is pulled and suddently released, the datacord retracts in the spiral compartment with a pulling force of about 3 Kgs.

Conceal         -
Rating          3 Kgs :)
Weight          0.3
Availability    2/6hrs
Cost            170 Y
Street Index    0.8

 This can be a helluva use, just be carful. One friend of mine once had a Predator II attached to one Oingo-Boingo, and he retracted it, while losing the grip (he had trouble with incoming fire), so the Predator went *wissssp and retracted against his skull with a pulling force of 3Kgs. Now all of the Physically inclined of you should know that 3Kgs./force for 1.5 Metres generate quite an impact when applied to a heavy object. He went Gleep and we had to carry him home. Still unsatisfied with this performace, he decided to put the cord the other way round: that is to put the coil on the gun and the free plug in the datajack. He pulled, retracted and the datajack went Fizz. 3 kgs can generate quite a strain on a delicate piece of electronic equipment when pulled sideways! Be carful with these babies!
Bloster <12:39:21/06/16/56>

Encoded Dataplugs

The encoded dataplug can be attached permanently to a piece of hardware and encoded to make impossible for anyone without the four or eight-letter password to access the link.

Conceal         -       -
Rating          1       2
Weight          -       -
Availability    2/4hrs  2/4hrs
Cost            100 Y   170 Y
Street Index    0.5     0.5

Gee, four letter! What are we, radio shack?
Skrappa <13:23:55/06-17-56>

Hey, wait, it’s not as useless as it seems. You drop that remote control rig, and you can be sure that for some time nobody can use it. You don’t care about long-term, buddy. You just want to make sure that for three or four minutes nobody else touches your drones… And, after all, these cords can be replaced in about half an hour, so…
Bloster <17:34:22/06/17/56>

Fluorescent Datacords

Now available in tasteful day-glo colors and holographic pattersns, they liven up your connections. Why go around with dull black cords when you can have a bright fluo one?

Conceal         -1
Rating          -
Weight          -
Availability    2/2hrs
Cost            20 Y
Street Index    1

* Any weapon with a fluorescent datacord attached and in use is at -1 conceilability, ditto for decks (IF they have a Conceilability rating), or Rigs.

Coz a black one is less visible at night!
Bloster <12:47:22/06/16/56>