Quote from: Pica Pica on October 14, 2012, 03:27:17 PM

I've decided I will stick with it until the rubberband breaks, then I'll upgrade - to a new rubberband.

Sounds like a good plan!

I find it interesting to see all the other points of view.  I'm surrounded by first-adapters 'got to have it two days before it comes out' types (no, I'm not one, I'm just surrounded by them). 


I wrote - and thought, and still do - quite a bit on the notion of technological determinism.  How long it takes from an idea to be some novel toy or gadget, to something in general use at an elite level, to the point where everyone has one, and, as the wheel turns (as I've tried to say) pretty much HAS to have one.  You can see that in things as varied as computers, indoor plumbing, automobiles, credit cards - it's a hell of a list.  In the 60s computers were only in use for a few things, they were huge, and very expensive.  In the 70s personal computers started to happen, but people still didn't see a reason for them, but by the early 80s the secretary pool/steno pool was being replaced by that box on the managers desk.  Within 5 years we all had one at office jobs.  Then we all had one at home.  Killer aps (word processing and spreadsheet/bookeeping) helped.  So did games.

I fought cell phones for years.  For one right as that trend was really breaking on the West Coast I moved from the Midwest, where it was still a luxury/novelty deal.  So I missed the ramp up to it.  But I did hold out for a year.  That's it.  I just had to have one because a) it's how people were doing biz, and that was changing (speeding up) and b) I found myself in a life where I didn't get home till real late, if then, and I didn't have an office, and, so, if I wanted to get calls I had to take the phone with me, because I wasn't hanging out with the phone anymore.  At once I felt silly for putting off getting one, and in pretty rapid order I was wondering how I had done without one.

And that's the point of no return.  "how did I ever life without this?"

And oh its not like my life would end if they all went away, but parts of my life would go away if mine went away.  It's in touch with the people I want, in the way/manner that's best (calls/text/email).  It has all the information in the world - but mostly timetables, schedules, reviews, directions and the like.  I do use the map deal quite a bit, take some photos too - they are not awesome, but it's nice to be able to snap them. 

I mean we didn't exactly get the Dick Tracy 2-way wrist radio - but only because it's bigger.  And while we did not get flying cars, these things are pretty cool little items.

 I don't have a phone. There's no real point in having a phone without having people who phone you, as far as I can tell.

Aside from the cool, social status boosting factor thing.

I don't have anything against this fancy stuff. Actually I  think they are pretty neat devices. But I have no real use for them except as a novelty and I certainly don't see the value.  But that's just me. I am essentially retired now and I have no use for web access etc. Additionally I find reading the tiny screens problematic. I need to magnify this board  two or three times to read it comfortably on a 13" computer screen.

Mine's 12 years old and I'm keeping it till it falls apart, because I got 5 free texts a day for its lifetime when I bought it.

Also I don't trust any internet-connected device that I can't run tcpviewer on to see who it's talking to.

I still have a cord phone. 

I guess I'm old fashioned too. I have an LG phone that I can make and receive calls and take an occasional picture.  It has a few other features but I don't use them. I don't understand the reasoning behind texting. To me it's much simpler to enter a number and speak to the person directly.
I must be missing something.

MaryEllen

Texting's only value is a really quick message. For example: "I'm here."

Texting is often a lot cheaper than a phone call. I prefer email. If I replaced email with actual phone calls, I'd be on the phone all day. With time in short supply, email and SMS are sometimes preferable and are amenable to prioritisation.

Texting's only value is a really quick message

Texting has got two things going for it.  1. you have a copy of it in writing  2. you can deal with it at leisure

I hate talking on the phone. It represents a certain investment of time. Often texting keeps you from getting trapped into a phone call that lasts more than 60 seconds.

Not for me it doesn't

That too.   And most of the time it's just too inconvenient (if not dangerous) for me to answer.  On one hand I'd love to be one of those people who take their phones to the hot tub and talk on them (should be a death penalty crime), but if I did that it would be swimming in a matter of seconds, because that's the way my life is.  If I ever got a tattoo it would read "Don't tempt fate."  Which is the same reason I don't answer it when I'm on a ladder, driving a fork-lift, or holding on to a line that's supporting a lot of weight (and yes, I've seen all those things - a lot)  And if it's information, then having a record of it is real nice.  Even if people hate it when you pull up the text and say: Umm, here is what you sent me.

I've got a "dumb" one, too.  It can do text messages, but I don't send them myself.  It can also play proper ringtones, but I'd rather just leave the phone on vibrate so I don't have to remember to set it back when I need it silent.  There are a few things I can imagine a smart phone being nice for, but since I don't make many calls, I'm only paying about $10 a month, and I save a decent amount of money that way.

Well, now I am aslave to fashion and technology...I got my first smart phone a couple days ago. Everytime I use it, I'm reminded that my eyesight. Isn't. What it used to be.  :|. LOL at least I don't need y laptop as much as before.

I've seen more than one hospital consultant using ancient mobile phones.

Quote from: onerous on October 31, 2012, 04:28:56 PM
I've seen more than one hospital consultant using ancient mobile phones.

Oh, those are like the ones EMTs have. Those are agency-distributed phones that are environment-proof, shock-proof, and have huge batteries so they don't run out.

I had a MillSpec phone.  Dropped it from a truss (twice), dropped it in a bucket of water, abused it to the nth degree.  It lasted 5 years.  Not bad.

  Not anymore.  My sister gave me a new family plan phone that her son had for my birthday.  It is basic with a camera and a USB port.  No, you cannot wand the display.  She gave it to me because I was driving cross country through deserts without a phone nor there is a phone booth anywhere anymore.
  No more Superman changing booths or TARDIS?

  Joelene

I downgrade from Nokia E52 to Sony Ericson W380i
But still have enough functions for me, call and sms, just sometimes missing navigation