RE: Cellphones (Full Version)

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juliaoceania -> RE: Cellphones (10/3/2008 9:04:51 PM)

I have used my cell to call in an emergency.... namely a mentally ill woman was wandering in the street endangering herself and others, so I called 911 on my cell. I have to wonder just how many people have been helped or saved because of cellphones... to them these little gizmos saved their life.. so yes, for those people it was a necessity. So I have to ask... what did people do before the phone? You could go back to the telegraph... or send a letter on the pony express[:D]

I would have to say that you must like some modern communications... you are posting this via the internet... you do not "need" the internet either, yet you use it. It makes my life infinitely easier for people to contact me with my cellphone because I am never at home and never near a landline....I suppose I could go anti telecommunications technology, but why? It serves my interests to use it. I do not find my cell to be annoying, people do not call me to bail them out of jail, or to pick them up, or any other annoying sort of thing... perhaps that was your experience with a cell... but I would think that was a function of who you gave your number to, instead of being the cellphone's fault.



bluepanda -> RE: Cellphones (10/3/2008 9:13:16 PM)

I really hate the damned things, but I have to carry, not just 1 - 2 of the fuckers with me 24/7 for my job. I hate 'em. I finally gave in and gave up on my landline a couple of years ago, though. I figured as long as I have to carry the cells 24/7, I may as well use one for my personal phone. Now my landline is used just for DSL, and the only phone number anyone has for me is my cell number. It's a matter of simple practicality, but I still detest the damned things.

The thing I hate the most about them is that everybody just expects you to be so damned accessible when you have one. They get so offended if they call you and you don't answer. I just tell 'em, "When I bought it, I signed a contract promising to pay the bill every month. It didn't say anything about how often i was required to answer it." I frequently don't bother answering it, and never answer in a public place unless it's the emergency phone. If it's important, leave a message. If you don't, that's your choice, but don't bitch that you couldn't get ahold of me.



DesFIP -> RE: Cellphones (10/3/2008 9:22:01 PM)

Cellphones allow my ums to reach me at any time, and me to reach them in case of a change of plans.

The midteen went to the movies tonight, if it's Friday he goes to the movies and then McDonalds and he gets picked up around ten at McDonalds. This is a routine that has gone on for years. Tonight there must have been 200 teens at the movie theater and a massive fight broke out. So at 9:00 came a frantic phone call saying "get me out of here".

Without that, and him being picked up ten minutes later, he might have been drawn into the fight, despite him being at the far end of the parking lot. I'd rather get a phone call preventing a problem than one from the police saying he had been knifed.

Two years ago the older one missed fielding a softball and needed 32 stitches on the eyebrow. I was running errands and had my cellphone. Ten minutes later there I was taking her to the emergency room.



Aileen1968 -> RE: Cellphones (10/3/2008 10:05:59 PM)

I only use my cell phone to order pizza when I'm on the road and to discuss storage units.



dreamerdreaming -> RE: Cellphones (10/3/2008 11:16:12 PM)

Whatever floats your boat is fine for you, Termyn8or.

But as a woman, I'm thankful for the help my cellphone can provide me, in times of need. With 911 on speed dial and a built- in camera... I think a lot of women can breath easier nowadays with their cellphones at the ready in case of emergency.

It wasn't so long ago that women everywhere were prevented from calling 911 by their abusers ripping the phone cord out of the wall. That was so common that in my state they finally passed a law against it.

'Nuff said.




Sasy -> RE: Cellphones (10/3/2008 11:21:31 PM)

I dont care for my cell phone  it actually annoys me. But Kids need you  handy, and it was really nice  when we lost power and a friend talked me through the storm as it passed  So I put up with the electronic leash of the cell



Usako -> RE: Cellphones (10/4/2008 1:11:36 AM)

Don't quite understand the point of this topic, sounds like a total bitchfest.

I love my cellphone. I have a lot of friends across the country so my cell let's me talk to them without having to bother with a landline and sharing a phone with someone. I usually only talk on my phone at home and at night since the minutes are free then, I dislike using my phone in public because I don't want the whole world to know my business. Plus, text messages! A quick one can convey a message without even the need to call someone. Gotta love ring tones and being able to take a picture on the go, novelty amusement for the win.

Going out, running late? Just a quick call with a cell to say you're on the way and people feel better. Someone needs something from the store? Call and let the other person know. I don't have that many people calling me but it's nice to own a cell phone so I know if someone did want to chat or ask me something they can or visa versa.



SummerWind -> RE: Cellphones (10/4/2008 4:45:55 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

I am basically useless.



Lucky Bastard



barelynangel -> RE: Cellphones (10/4/2008 12:57:15 PM)

Well, i personnally simply LIKE the convenience of being able to either choosing to take a call at times its convenient for me to do so instead of waiting until i get home to return all the calls and vms people leave spending much of my relaxing time at home returning calls, i enjoy talking to people on long rides through an earpiece just as i enjoy the company when they are in the car, and it cuts down on people calling me at work when it may not be a convenient time so i can put my phone on vibrate and call them back at a more convenient time during the whole day and not just at night after i get home from my day.  Its also convenient with my job and getting calls when i am on the road instead of having to wait until i am home or at work to deal with something as simple as a one word answer from me to a quick question.  I enjoy the ability to text someone instead of bothering them or me with a call that could go off on many tangents making it longer than it needs to be.  I simply enjoy the convenience the technology allows me, just like i enjoyed a laptop when i had one instead of the stationary desktop.  I don't like communication being strictly isolating me at a home to use, such as a landline or a desktop computer.

So its technology i enjoy and i would say most people find it a convenience and not a NEED - as everyone has indicated just what 20ish years ago we all made it through our teen years without ALWAYS being able to get ahold of our parents (which is why we relied a lot more on neighbors and extended families as alternative numbers to tru), though to me the more a convenience is integrated into your life the more of a need it becomes because you lose the reliance of old ways. 

I still am not sure the point of this thread, but i never had a cell phone or laptop until about 7 years ago, but now i thoroughly enjoy same and look forward to many new inventions of the future that allow me more freedom, convenience with greater ability to communicate with people in my life.  I mean email is still a fairly new concept and how many people nowadays could really do without it expecially with being able to utilize the concept to coordinate schedules with invites and such and allow people to get back to you or you them when convenient?

angel



DesFIP -> RE: Cellphones (10/4/2008 1:27:56 PM)

Three years ago when the oldest one was learning to drive, she backed into the garage door rendering it useless. I called The Man and he talked me through a temp repair since he wasn't going to be up for a while. Without that, I would have called the garage door company and paid over $150 for them to come and fix it, travel time to and from the shop and a rural community makes everything expensive.



IrishMist -> RE: Cellphones (10/4/2008 3:06:22 PM)

I have  a cellphone and the youngin has one; Me because it's provided for me by work, along with a beeper...her because we don't have a landline and I wanted her to be able to call anytime...and from  anywhere....that she needed to.

We don't get the problem of unwanted calls though...mine is for work or emergency...she is the only outside person who has the number....and hers is loaded with her friends and family ...if I want to talk to the rest of the family, I just use hers.

It works out pretty good.

edited to add:
JULIA....nice to see you posting again [:D][:D][:D]



purelea2003 -> RE: Cellphones (10/4/2008 3:13:01 PM)

My cell phone company provides roadside assistance for an extra $7 a month. It covers any vehicle I happen to be in with My phone. Basically they tow, jump, bring gas or change tires. I've used it twiice - pretty handy.






juliaoceania -> RE: Cellphones (10/4/2008 3:13:32 PM)

quote:

ULIA....nice to see you posting again


Thanks!



KatyLied -> RE: Cellphones (10/4/2008 4:21:06 PM)

Some day, if you run over a dead deer and blow out a tire, late on a Sunday night, you'll be glad you had your cell phone and could make that AAA phone call.  Especially if your kid was with you.



Maya2001 -> RE: Cellphones (10/4/2008 6:12:05 PM)

The decision to get a cell phone came  when I ended up getting a flat tire.... this was right after a news broadcast announced that day was the 2 nd anniversary of the murder of Linda Shaw  whose car end up with a flat tire   ...whose killer was still not found and my flat tire occurred in the exact same area where she was found brutually raped and murdered..it scared the hell out of me so bad after having this happen right after the newscast that I continued driving on the tire  ..which wrecked the sidewall so ended up costing me extra ..... 2 days before  my incident a woman had her car break down in the exact same stretch   in which she had to sit and  wait in the car all through the night before the police finally showed up on a night where temperature where well below freezing ..that was enough to finally convince me not to be stubborn about having new technology

Having a cell phone also means I do not have to be  tied to sitting at home by the phone  if I am waiting for an important call ..I can still go about my day and do the things I need to do



SilverMark -> RE: Cellphones (10/4/2008 6:36:16 PM)

Hate 'em but, live on one...like we have a choice now?
Business, family, friends...but do love the caller ID ....take the calls I want and ignore the ones I don't!



barelynangel -> RE: Cellphones (10/5/2008 8:31:03 AM)

My favorite thing of late is they are now advertising this safelink wireless (safelinkwireless.com) which is a governmental assistance program (the website doesn't specify the assistance of the government) for low income/no income/already receiving government aid-eligible people, it blows my mind they are advertising this on television:

Lifeline Benefits
Lifeline Assistance is part of a program that was created by the government to provide discounted or free telephone service to income-eligible consumers. To help bring you this important benefit, SafeLink Wireless is proud to offer Lifeline Service. Through our Lifeline Service you will receive FREE cellular service, a FREE cell phone, and FREE Minutes every month! SafeLink Wireless Service does not cost anything – there are no contracts, no recurring fees and no monthly charges.  Any Minutes you do not use will roll-over. Features such as caller ID, call waiting and voicemail are all also included with your service. If you need additional Minutes, you can buy TracFone Airtime Cards at any TracFone retailer Walmart, Walgreens, Family Dollar, etc). SafeLink Airtime Cards will be available soon.
Your exact benefits, including the number of free Minutes you will receive, depend on the state you live in.

In TN the minutes are 68 per month.  How many people who only use their cellphones for emergency could benefit from same in only having 68 minutes a month FREE instead of paying the outrageous amounts they do for monthly service (service, the fees associated with same, the outrageous taxes associated with same) or the expensive pay as you go just to have it for emergencies?  Oh not to mention it seems they get text messaging too at the cost of .3 minutes per message sent. 



angel



pahunkboy -> RE: Cellphones (10/5/2008 10:25:58 AM)

ouch to a few of the "so what" posts here.

I am intrigued to here how one copes with teck and it does evolve and change.

I went thru a phaze with 2 cells. But I was moving and it was needed.

What once was $20 A MONTH IS  now like $42 a month. every month.  Term has it right.  The post is meant to challenge your assumptions as to what is needed and not. A good thing- to review your needs from time to time.

I put $100 on a prepaid for a year. It has lasted most of that time frame.  I have a landline and it is cheap so I keep it and use it.

Sillly me tho. I was curious like a cat and fried my desktop pc.  I just had to see how it worked.  again!

Men in general are not creatures to endlessly gab on a phone.    My phone costs are less then $10 A MONTH.    Now if i can stop breaking computers I will be ok.





OsideGirl -> RE: Cellphones (10/5/2008 12:21:33 PM)

When Master and I were robbed at gunpoint.....the cell phone was to use to call 911 immediately and call the bank and all of our credit card companies before those punks got to the corner. Instead of maxing our our credit cards, emptying our bank account and dealing with the institutions trying to get that money back into our accounts.....they got about $100 and a Tigger key chain.

Master just got me a new pink Crackberry....and I love it. We can isstant message each other rather than calling or emailing during the day.




LDRandAstarte -> RE: Cellphones (10/5/2008 12:43:19 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: marieToo

Cell phones irritate me to the extent that people use them while they drive, and people are constantly on them every where you go and you have no choice but to hear everyone's conversation ie., in the grocery store etc.



Do you mean that with the exception of people on their cell phones, no one talks in your world, and you never have to be bothered by hearing those conversations going on around you everywhere you go ie: in the grocery store etc?



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