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glocke
Intermediate Member
Username: glocke

Post Number: 128
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 7:08 am:   Edit Post

Went out for a nice long hike sunday morning and did some thinking about stuff.....

Does anyone miss the days before cell phones and email, when everyone didn't expect to be able to get in touch with you 24/7 ?
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 869
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 7:21 am:   Edit Post

Not sure I follow - I do carry a cell phone around, just in case I need to make a call, but it is only switched on when I want to make a call myself. Other than that, it is switched off.
bob
Senior Member
Username: bob

Post Number: 633
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 7:22 am:   Edit Post

Not me - never had a cell phone :-) I also refuse to use instant messaging, despite some pressure from work to do so.

Sounds like the hike was a good idea. Next time leave the phone at home.
olieoliver
Advanced Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 264
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 7:40 am:   Edit Post

Most phones also now have GPS, so not only can they call you, they can tell where you're at too. "Big Brother" is watching you. What's next. a bar code on the hand or a micro-chip under the skin. HMMMMM seems I've read this before...
lowlife
Advanced Member
Username: lowlife

Post Number: 222
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 7:59 am:   Edit Post

When I purchased my new puppy last year, he came equiped with a micro-chip embedded under his skin. When the appropriate scanner is placed in proximity to his chip. the scanner beeps, and displays the unique ID number retreived from the chip. Then with the appropriate Internet software, the ID number is entered and returns my ID and the Vet's ID. So in the event of the dog being lost, the local SPCA (for a fee) will return the dog to the owner.

I've heard that they also have cell phones for dog's. The cell phone is attached to the dogs collar and pressing any button will execute the same action; calling a pre-programmed number, usually the owner's. Also, since the GPS is active, someone, somewhere could track the dog's movement.

Ellery (Lowlife)
olieoliver
Advanced Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 265
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 8:30 am:   Edit Post

Some call this convenience and security, I call it unnatural and intrusive.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35766
This was also predicted.
glocke
Intermediate Member
Username: glocke

Post Number: 129
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 9:13 am:   Edit Post

I guess what I am saying is that for the majority of the people I know, since I have a cell phone, they expect me to be available, or at least to answer it all the time....I am thinking more and more that being "wired" (via interent/cell phone), in todays age is just a big instrusive pain....

Interesting article olie. I remember when I was living in Missoual MT back in the 90's there was some ex green beret type running for some office or other, (Bo Gritz i think was the name). He was always talking about chips being implanted in people in the future...most people thought he was a nut.
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 800
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 9:18 am:   Edit Post

that WAS predicted and it's also considered the mark of the BEAST!
jalevinemd
Senior Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 411
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 9:36 am:   Edit Post

We had a microchip implanted in our Great Dane as a pup. I was there when they did it...right under the scruff of his neck. He didn't seem to mind a bit.
olieoliver
Advanced Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 266
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 9:49 am:   Edit Post

Thats what I was implying Keavin. It's says that you won't be able to buy or sell without taking the MARK. I'll stop there before I start to preach.......How 'bout them Cowboys!
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 412
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:09 am:   Edit Post

We got one of those pay as you go phones but only for travel. It beats walking down the interstate trying to find a phone to call AAA. It's number has only been given to immediate family members. Heck I still use hardwired phones. They are more secure and have better legal protections.

As far as work goes I've always told them to call my home phone and I will return their call whenever I can. If I am on vacation I'm not available. No cell phone. No computer. No contact.
I have no problem disconnecting from all of the intrusive junk we have created (phones, IM,email, you name it). As a matter of fact you might call me a Luddite when it comes all this "being wired" junk (and I've written and architected some of it for my company). I also blame it for the general loss of civility in this country.

Keith
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 1240
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 12:13 pm:   Edit Post

My cell phone is turned off unless I'm calling out, or I'm expecting a call. (It's great for hooking up when you pick someone up at the airport, and things like that). My number is only given out to family and friends, clients get it only in emergencies. The "Off" button is my favorite feature. Also,

- no camera, (if I want to take pictures, I use my camera, not my phone)

- no text messages (what's up with this? Unless you are in high school and you want to talk during class without getting caught by the teacher, what is this for? I'll bet I can say what I want to communicate much faster than anyone can type it onto a telephone keyboard),

- no games,

- nuthin' but phone.

I'd even get a monochrome display if I could find one as these should use less battery life than a color screen. I also stay away from the "FASTRACK" system they use around here for bridge tolls as I prefer not to let big brother keep track of my movements. On this issue, I'm right there with Olie.

Bill, tgo
tbrannon
Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 58
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 12:47 pm:   Edit Post

I could never understand the text messaging when I was living in the U.S. and paying such low fees for airtime.

I had a huge shock when I arrived in NZ. Mobile phones are VERY expensive here and talk time is not cheap. It only costs $0.10 to send a text here, but talking costs $2.99/minute. I text my wife sporadically throughout the day to see how things are going-
zuperdog
Junior
Username: zuperdog

Post Number: 45
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 5:05 pm:   Edit Post

Bill-

I bought a Motorola V60: monocromatic screen, no extras (it only has two rings to choose from). It works better than my wife's new fancy phone (reception almost everywhere), the battery lasts for several weeks of frequent use (I'm out and about and use it for work), and replacement parts are really cheap. You can buy almost any NOS phone, and have your cell company put their chip in it. I was really happy to get rid of the color screen and games.
chuckc
Junior
Username: chuckc

Post Number: 33
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 5:23 pm:   Edit Post

Keith:

You certainly hit on one of my "hot buttons" in terms of the loss of civility. People act like the world is their phone booth and we should sit by idly and listen to the inane chatter regardless of whether it's intrusive or not. Makes you just want to take that phone and beat them over the head with it. Here in Houston my favorite is watching women drive these huge SUVs in the morning either going to work or dropping the kids off at school and the phone is plastered to their ear. What in the world could be so important that you need to be on the phone gabbing about anything and paying about as much attention to their driving skills as a 3 year old attending a Broadway play, short of a major emergency, at 7:00 AM?????????????
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 1241
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 5:43 pm:   Edit Post

Robert:

I had the v60. After the third one crapped out I gave up and moved a little closer to he 21st century. (But just a little - with my heels dug in - kicking and screaming - LOL)

Bill, tgo
paulman
Junior
Username: paulman

Post Number: 12
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 7:19 pm:   Edit Post

I saw on the Carvin site they are microchipping guitars too. Now they'll know where all the Carvin's are...mark of the beast indeed *smirk*
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 615
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 1:39 am:   Edit Post

Charles.
Here in the UK, Driving whilst using a mobile has been made an offence punishable by a minimum £50 fine. has it stopped people doing it? Absolutely.......NOT!

Graeme
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 413
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 4:45 am:   Edit Post

Graeme,
We have a patch work of laws here. Most states have no restrictions. Some only ban school bus drivers or teenagers. There are 1 or 2 that have a full ban. The remaining only ban hand held units. The argument I always hear is if you ban cell phones you will also need to ban eating, putting on makeup, reading the newspaper, etc. I personally see no reason not to make those illegal too.

Keith
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 618
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 4:48 am:   Edit Post

Several (many) years ago, a driver was convicted of eating an apple whilst driving on a motorway (interstate).
Very recently a lady was convicted for applying her makeup and speeding at the same time. She'd already been banned from driving anyway! Unbelievable behaviour!

Graeme
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 3708
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 12:30 pm:   Edit Post

Living in a state that banned teenagers might be interesting. <g>
gare
Advanced Member
Username: gare

Post Number: 373
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 3:38 pm:   Edit Post

Since our landline at home is always tied up internetting, I had to get the cell, only way people can get a hold of me.
Last fall I upgraded the phone..the girl is showing me all the 'happenin stuff'..internet (yeah like I can read that lil screen), text messaging, camera, etc etc..I finally had to ask her if I could make calls with it, which kind of stopped her dead.
Ok..who the heck are people talking to at 630 in the morning in their cars ?
Most calls I get while driving are missed calls..gotta get the darn thing out of pocket while getting past the seat belt, oh well they'll call back if it's important.
I also have the phone on vibrate so's not to wake the dead with an incoming call, kinda feels good..nevermind.
Hell, I still have the rotary dial phone my parents had when I was a kid.
My favorite bartender went ballistic on a guy last week that was being rather obnoxious with calls etc.
She grabbed his phone and tossed it out the door and told hm don;t come back..a lost Kodak moment.
G
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 564
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 7:22 pm:   Edit Post

Gare,
I hope you gave that bartender a standing ovation.

Mike
byoung
Advanced Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 291
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 12:57 pm:   Edit Post

I like my crackberry, and I'm unapologetic. I do try to be polite; and I try to make sure and use handsfree in the car.

But I still like my blackberry, regardless of the critics. It has enabled me to have a flexible work schedule, and be much more productive.

Just thought that this thread deserved a contrarian view.

Bradley
pace
Advanced Member
Username: pace

Post Number: 227
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 1:15 pm:   Edit Post

My work cell is a Nextel w/ the Direct Connect option... I didnt know this until it happened (at a funeral of all places), but if someone is trying to reach you it will power back up and start ringing!!!!!! WTF!?!?!?!??!

On a similar note, I get a kick out of late '80s- early 90's movies where some hotshot is gabbing away on their "mobile phone"..... too cool!
gare
Advanced Member
Username: gare

Post Number: 374
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 3:21 pm:   Edit Post

Yeah Mike..she got a big cheer and bigger tips that nite.

G

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