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Folks without cell phones, what?!!

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Ken from Chicago

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Feb 9, 2010, 5:07:41 AM2/9/10
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Last night, two shows had ye olde current trope:

Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.

CHUCK had the new tech gal, Lana Lang, doing an on-site service repair, and
she missed an important cell phone call, because she left it in the car.
Okay, it's one thing if she had it in her purse and didn't hear it, but left
it in the car?! Considering she's in the tech field, on the job, on-site for
an assignment, and she's out of touch? Argh.

DAMAGES had a guy in the prosecutor's office miss an important phone call
because he left his cell phone on his desk, just left it on his desk. What
guy doesn't carry his cell phone in his shirt pocket? The cell phone wasn't
even in his jacket pocket or plugged in to be recharged. That would at least
give some plausible excuse for not having it on him, but nooooo, it was just
lying on his desk.

It seems so lame in the 21st century, especially consider how well-connected
telephonically people are. I mean look at your habits, look at other people.
You get a cell phone call and what do you do after? You put it back where it
was, either in your pocket or purse, but not, people in tv and movies put it
down on the table or desk, like it was landline phone receiver. It's
idiotic, in service to an idiot plot.

Fine, you want people incommunicado, okay, but there are other ways, better
ways. Aside from the tiresome no cell signal, phones could run out of power
(as opposed to only running out of power DURING a call), people could have
phones on vibrate or simply distracted from hearing the call or simply not
recognize the call number and let it go to voice mail. Then again a lot of
people let recognized phone numbers go to voice mail to screen their calls.

-- Ken from Chicago


Obveeus

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Feb 9, 2010, 7:19:15 AM2/9/10
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"Ken from Chicago" <kwicker1...@comcast.net> wrote:

> Last night, two shows had ye olde current trope:
>
> Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.

What about folks that don't even own a cell phone?

> Fine, you want people incommunicado, okay, but there are other ways,
> better ways. Aside from the tiresome no cell signal,

Tiresome? I'd call that reasonable and predicted since nearly every person
that I have ever talked to (with them being on a cell phone) has offered up
a horrible signal where only about 50% of what they say making it through to
the other side. I think that people who use cell phones all the time have
simply forgotten how a phone is actually supposed to sound/work so they
don't think that hearing every other word or only the first 2/3rds of each
word is reasonable/normal as a form of electronic verbal communication.

> Then again a lot of people let recognized phone numbers go to voice mail
> to screen their calls.

Is there anyone that doesn't do that?


record hunter

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Feb 9, 2010, 7:57:02 AM2/9/10
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On Feb 9, 7:19 am, "Obveeus" <Obve...@aol.com> wrote:

+1 on everything Obveeous said. I don't even own a cell phone, let
alone keep one in my shirt pocket at all times.

Nancy2

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Feb 9, 2010, 10:29:18 AM2/9/10
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> alone keep one in my shirt pocket at all times.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Neither do I own one - thought I was the only person on the planet
without one. ;-)

N.

Mac Breck

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Feb 9, 2010, 10:30:27 AM2/9/10
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record hunter wrote:
> On Feb 9, 7:19 am, "Obveeus" <Obve...@aol.com> wrote:
>> "Ken from Chicago" <kwicker1b_nos...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Last night, two shows had ye olde current trope:
>>
>>> Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.
>>
>> What about folks that don't even own a cell phone?
>>
>>> Fine, you want people incommunicado, okay, but there are other ways,
>>> better ways. Aside from the tiresome no cell signal,
>>
>> Tiresome? I'd call that reasonable and predicted since nearly every
>> person that I have ever talked to (with them being on a cell phone)
>> has offered up a horrible signal where only about 50% of what they
>> say making it through to the other side.

That happens on my work cellphone (AT&T) but not my personal one
(Verizon). The AT&T one is often like talking via two tin cans
connected by a string. When work can't reach me, or the connection is
really bad (e.g. signal-to-noise ratio about even) after a couple of
tries on the AT&T, they call me on my Verizon, and it's like they're
standing right next to me. I used to have an AT&T personal cellphone
(their top of the line cellphone at the time, BTW.) but dropped 'em
because of dropped calls, less bars/no signal and poor customer service.
When I see the AT&T ads, about having more bars and great coverage, I
just have to laugh.


> +1 on everything Obveeous said. I don't even own a cell phone, let
> alone keep one in my shirt pocket at all times.

I own a cellphone and it (and my work cellphone) are on my belt at all
times, except when being charged, and then I have to stay within earshot
because I'm on-call. Been that way for the past 10 years. OTOH, I do
know people who own cellphones, who carry then in their pants or coat
pocket and are always putting them down any old place, and who need to
call their cellphone to see where it is, and who lose cellphones when
calling it doesn't work because the battery's dead. One bought a
bluetooth earpiece and it was lost within 3 days. Told him it'd happen,
but the putz didn't listen.

--
Mac Breck (KoshN)
-------------------------------
"Babylon 5: Crusade" (1999) - "War Zone"
Galen (to Gideon): "I've been penalized before for helping other
people. I've been trying to decide whether or not I should risk it
again."


David Johnston

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Feb 9, 2010, 10:53:34 AM2/9/10
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On Tue, 9 Feb 2010 07:19:15 -0500, "Obveeus" <Obv...@aol.com> wrote:

>
>"Ken from Chicago" <kwicker1...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Last night, two shows had ye olde current trope:
>>
>> Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.
>
>What about folks that don't even own a cell phone?

They aren't lawyers and tech support.

Sir Blob

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Feb 9, 2010, 10:55:03 AM2/9/10
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On Feb 9, 11:07 am, "Ken from Chicago" <kwicker1b_nos...@comcast.net>
wrote:

damages was fantastic and cell phones are a pain in the arse i
fortunately dont have to stand with

Sir Blob

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Feb 9, 2010, 10:55:27 AM2/9/10
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the first season of damages, that is

Obveeus

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Feb 9, 2010, 11:24:15 AM2/9/10
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"Mac Breck" <macthe...@yahoo.com> wrote:

>> On Feb 9, 7:19 am, "Obveeus" <Obve...@aol.com> wrote:
>>> Tiresome? I'd call that reasonable and predicted since nearly every
>>> person that I have ever talked to (with them being on a cell phone)
>>> has offered up a horrible signal where only about 50% of what they
>>> say making it through to the other side.
>
> That happens on my work cellphone (AT&T) but not my personal one
> (Verizon).

It happens with Verizon as well. Verizon is notorious for having weak
signals.

> I do
> know people who own cellphones, who carry then in their pants or coat
> pocket and are always putting them down any old place, and who need to
> call their cellphone to see where it is, and who lose cellphones when
> calling it doesn't work because the battery's dead. One bought a
> bluetooth earpiece and it was lost within 3 days. Told him it'd happen,
> but the putz didn't listen.

The same people that misplace their keys, wallet, purse, or glasses will
also lose their cell phones. I don't think the phones can really be blamed
when this is clearly a product of operator error. Any TV show that portrays
people leaving behind/losing cell phones seems like an accurate portrayal of
human action.


Obveeus

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Feb 9, 2010, 11:25:06 AM2/9/10
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"David Johnston" <da...@block.net> wrote in message
news:k613n5t29lpf9v3ot...@4ax.com...

Cell phone = glorified leash.


Tony Calguire

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Feb 9, 2010, 12:32:28 PM2/9/10
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"Ken from Chicago" <kwicker1...@comcast.net> wrote in
news:edydnVIPuoJvruzW...@giganews.com:

> Last night, two shows had ye olde current trope:
>
> Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.
>


You missed House last night... Lucas grabbed Cuddy's nanny's cell phone by
mistake.

Invid Fan

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Feb 9, 2010, 12:51:55 PM2/9/10
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In article <hks27g$1dc$1...@news.eternal-september.org>, Obveeus
<Obv...@aol.com> wrote:

> "Mac Breck" <macthe...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>

> > I do
> > know people who own cellphones, who carry then in their pants or coat
> > pocket and are always putting them down any old place, and who need to
> > call their cellphone to see where it is, and who lose cellphones when
> > calling it doesn't work because the battery's dead. One bought a
> > bluetooth earpiece and it was lost within 3 days. Told him it'd happen,
> > but the putz didn't listen.
>
> The same people that misplace their keys, wallet, purse, or glasses will
> also lose their cell phones. I don't think the phones can really be blamed
> when this is clearly a product of operator error. Any TV show that portrays
> people leaving behind/losing cell phones seems like an accurate portrayal of
> human action.
>

My sister uses just a cell phone instead of having a land line at home,
and as such the phone gets put down in whatever room she was last
talking in, or ends up in her purse.

--
Chris Mack "If we show any weakness, the monsters will get cocky!"
'Invid Fan' - 'Yokai Monsters Along With Ghosts'

Flasherly

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Feb 9, 2010, 1:31:18 PM2/9/10
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Saw the market demographics -- it's around 10-15% that don't have
them, with the abstract's focus on reasons for people who could
otherwise afford them.

I see them as an unfortunate alternative for many -- not by in large
established, pay-as-you-go convenience though also potentially
pricey. Victims of the all-pervasive monthly payment and another hand-
to-mouth financial PLAN. The $40+ clip. But, it's marketing -- a
determinate for whatever people will bear as their going price.

I don't have a cell payphone. I would provided I could keep the
minutes I bought, say were it possible to keep minutes for a year if
unused, rather than talking shit just to use up time and money. Maybe
at some future reference. Same reason I'm not on the television cable
PLANS, $60 to waste time on 95% of programming shit with advertising
every three minutes.

A landline with unlimited local calling modulated into the internet,
VOIP, runs me $40 monthly. I had to have both in order to qualify for
that price. Both are good when needed, even though I usually wouldn't
do much phone talk. I was considering a cell and dumping the
landline, but they said no. Understandable and may depend on
individual circumstances. . .I make money off the internet and have to
have it. Whatever works.

Cindy Hamilton

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Feb 9, 2010, 2:47:24 PM2/9/10
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On Feb 9, 5:07 am, "Ken from Chicago" <kwicker1b_nos...@comcast.net>
wrote:

I have a cell phone. I do tech support, but only from my desk at
work. Our
customers get support 8-5 Eastern time.

Only my husband has my cell number. I use about a minute a month
of cell time.

In fact, today I appear to have left my cell phone on the dining room
table, which
is where I leave it when I come home and take it out of my pocket. I
simply
forgot to pick it up this morning.

The cell phone is for my convenience, and my husband's. If I don't
recognize
his cell number or our home number, I don't even answer it.

Cindy Hamilton

David

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Feb 9, 2010, 2:50:00 PM2/9/10
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On Feb 9, 12:32 pm, Tony Calguire <calgu...@tcfreenet.invalid> wrote:
> "Ken from Chicago" <kwicker1b_nos...@comcast.net> wrote innews:edydnVIPuoJvruzW...@giganews.com:

>
> > Last night, two shows had ye olde current trope:
>
> > Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.
>
> You missed House last night... Lucas grabbed Cuddy's nanny's cell phone by
> mistake.

That was on purpose to keep Cuddy from calling her all the time. He
also disconnected her home phone.

erilar

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Feb 9, 2010, 3:34:05 PM2/9/10
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In article
<cf46317d-0e1b-4ee0...@l19g2000yqb.googlegroups.com>,
Sir Blob <sirb...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> > It seems so lame in the 21st century, especially consider how well-connected
> > telephonically people are. I mean look at your habits, look at other people.
> > You get a cell phone call and what do you do after? You put it back where it
> > was, either in your pocket or purse, but not, people in tv and movies put it
> > down on the table or desk, like it was landline phone receiver. It's
> > idiotic, in service to an idiot plot.

I have a cell phone. It's turned off unless I want to call someone,
which is extremely seldom, or have asked someone to call me on it, which
is even rarer. Most of the year it's in my car. During the winter when
it's slippery I do carry it in the pocket of the jacket I usually wear
walking.

Some of us are NOT dependent on the things day to day.

--
Erilar, biblioholic medievalist


http://www.chibardun.net/~erilarlo

tom

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Feb 9, 2010, 4:10:10 PM2/9/10
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"erilar" <dra...@chibardun.net.invalid> wrote in message
news:drache-A73423....@news.eternal-september.org...
> In article

>
> I have a cell phone. It's turned off unless I want to call someone,
> which is extremely seldom, or have asked someone to call me on it, which
> is even rarer. Most of the year it's in my car. During the winter when
> it's slippery I do carry it in the pocket of the jacket I usually wear
> walking.
>
> Some of us are NOT dependent on the things day to day.

I have a cell phone I use very little. My Virgin per minute plans requires I
"top up" $15 when I run low or every 90 days, which ever comes first. At $5
per month and $.18 per minute that gives me about 28 minutes of air time
every month and the minutes carry over. I use it SO much that I currently
have a positive balance of $95.76.

The best thing about my cell phone is I can fit my drivers license, medical
ins card, ATM card, credit card and a $20 bill in the case and have carried
no wallet for about 15 years.

moviePig

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Feb 9, 2010, 4:51:15 PM2/9/10
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(You had me at "virgin-per-minute plan"...)

--

- - - - - - - -
YOUR taste at work...
http://www.moviepig.com

tom

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Feb 9, 2010, 5:27:21 PM2/9/10
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"moviePig" <pwal...@moviepig.com> wrote in message
news:f9f82495-a909-46bc...@v5g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...

On Feb 9, 4:10 pm, "tom" <1@~.com> wrote:


>> I have a cell phone I use very little. My Virgin per minute plans
>> requires I
>> "top up" $15 when I run low or every 90 days, which ever comes first.

(You had me at "virgin-per-minute plan"...)

Now why can't *I* be that clever?????????????

Bob(but not THAT Bob)

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Feb 9, 2010, 6:14:43 PM2/9/10
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Mine's in the car - I won't be missing any msgs since I've never given
the number out (Hell -I don't even know it!).

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ne...@netfront.net ---

Bob(but not THAT Bob)

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Feb 9, 2010, 6:18:31 PM2/9/10
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Obveeus wrote:
>
> "Ken from Chicago" <kwicker1...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > Last night, two shows had ye olde current trope:
> >
> > Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.
>
> What about folks that don't even own a cell phone?
>
> > Fine, you want people incommunicado, okay, but there are other ways,
> > better ways. Aside from the tiresome no cell signal,
>
> Tiresome? I'd call that reasonable and predicted since nearly every person
> that I have ever talked to (with them being on a cell phone) has offered up
> a horrible signal where only about 50% of what they say making it through to
> the other side. I think that people who use cell phones all the time have
> simply forgotten how a phone is actually supposed to sound/work so they
> don't think that hearing every other word or only the first 2/3rds of each
> word is reasonable/normal as a form of electronic verbal communication.
>


Those of us who haven't acquired "digital" hearing lack the ability to
fill in the mi sing b ts of th c nver s tion

erilar

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Feb 9, 2010, 6:55:50 PM2/9/10
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In article <4B71EC...@nowhere.com>,

"Bob(but not THAT Bob)" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote:

> Mine's in the car - I won't be missing any msgs since I've never given
> the number out (Hell -I don't even know it!).

Family members, my dog's vets(she stays in their kennel when I go away)
and a very few friends have mine--along with the warning that I may only
turn it on every other month. And I don't know the number myself.

The Mad Snorkeler

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Feb 9, 2010, 10:05:30 PM2/9/10
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Bob(but not THAT Bob) wrote:
> Mine's in the car - I won't be missing any msgs since I've never given
> the number out (Hell -I don't even know it!).

What on earth is the point in having it if it never is used??

Obveeus

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Feb 9, 2010, 10:50:30 PM2/9/10
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"The Mad Snorkeler" <sno...@snarkle.net> wrote in message
news:hkt7pu$gmk$1...@speranza.aioe.org...

In case of an emergency? Not really of much use though unless you stay in
populated areas with your car (no signals in the middle of nowhere).

From watching the TV commercials I learned that cell phones escape (out of
reach) in car crashes so it is better to have OnStar. Sure, the OnStar ad
promotes that you will lose control of your vehicle while just trying to
slow down and avoid a deer and sure the OnStar commercial promotes that you
will be too injured afterwards to help yourself, but hey, isn't it worth it
to drive a dangerous piece of garbage car as long as it is equipped with
OnStar?


Pete B

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Feb 9, 2010, 11:17:10 PM2/9/10
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In article <edydnVIPuoJvruzW...@giganews.com>,
kwicker1...@comcast.net says...

> Last night, two shows had ye olde current trope:
>
> Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.
>
> CHUCK had the new tech gal, Lana Lang, doing an on-site service repair, and
> she missed an important cell phone call, because she left it in the car.
> Okay, it's one thing if she had it in her purse and didn't hear it, but left
> it in the car?! Considering she's in the tech field, on the job, on-site for
> an assignment, and she's out of touch? Argh.

Hey, i forgot it in the car today *g*

> It seems so lame in the 21st century, especially consider how well-connected
> telephonically people are. I mean look at your habits, look at other people.

After I read about the likelyhood of radiation ("what, cigarettes? No
no, they are quite safe son, we wouldn't sell them otherwise") I've
started to keep it far away from me - though usually with in earshot.

Pete B

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Feb 9, 2010, 11:48:21 PM2/9/10
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In article <drache-A73423....@news.eternal-september.org>,
dra...@chibardun.net.invalid says...

Yeah but you are old Erilar ;)

Id've have it on all the time if it wasn't for the radiation.
And when Google releases their padd then I'm probably going to have one
them around all the time.

Until I can be converted to digital ;)

The Mad Snorkeler

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Feb 10, 2010, 12:23:25 AM2/10/10
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Pete B wrote:
> Id've have it on all the time if it wasn't for the radiation.

What radiation?

TBerk

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Feb 10, 2010, 1:28:40 AM2/10/10
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On Feb 9, 2:07 am, "Ken from Chicago" <kwicker1b_nos...@comcast.net>
wrote:

> Last night, two shows had ye olde current trope:
>
> Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.
>
> CHUCK had the new tech gal, Lana Lang, doing an on-site service repair, and
> she missed an important cell phone call, because she left it in the car.
> Okay, it's one thing if she had it in her purse and didn't hear it, but left
> it in the car?! Considering she's in the tech field, on the job, on-site for
> an assignment, and she's out of touch? Argh.
>
> DAMAGES had a guy in the prosecutor's office miss an important phone call
> because he left his cell phone on his desk, just left it on his desk. What
> guy doesn't carry his cell phone in his shirt pocket? The cell phone wasn't
> even in his jacket pocket or plugged in to be recharged. That would at least
> give some plausible excuse for not having it on him, but nooooo, it was just
> lying on his desk.
>
> It seems so lame in the 21st century, especially consider how well-connected
> telephonically people are. I mean look at your habits, look at other people.
> You get a cell phone call and what do you do after? You put it back where it
> was, either in your pocket or purse, but not, people in tv and movies put it
> down on the table or desk, like it was landline phone receiver. It's
> idiotic, in service to an idiot plot.

Aw, Ken. C'mon. If the damn'd electronic tether is causing your
stress you have a tendency to 'put it down' so to speak.

And if you put your phone in your shirt pocket, it's going to fall out
given any reason to bend over like to tie your shoes or pick something
up off the floor.

>
> Fine, you want people incommunicado, okay, but there are other ways, better

> ways. Aside from the tiresome no cell signal, phones could run out of power
> (as opposed to only running out of power DURING a call), people could have
> phones on vibrate or simply distracted from hearing the call or simply not

> recognize the call number and let it go to voice mail. Then again a lot of


> people let recognized phone numbers go to voice mail to screen their calls.
>

> -- Ken from Chicago

I see your point, but you seem rabid about making it.


berk

TBerk

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Feb 10, 2010, 1:41:40 AM2/10/10
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"They call me MR. Pig!"

(Lion King; while not up there with life lesson gold as Star Trek and
Sesame Street/Mr Rodger's Neighborhood, it serves...)


berk


TBerk

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Feb 10, 2010, 1:48:41 AM2/10/10
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Even when you are not making a call, the cell phone 'radiates' energy.
It is defaulted to periodically check in with the cell network (even
if just to update the built in clock).

A minuscule amount to be sure but it can be thought of as immersion in
an electrical field, one up in the radio wave spectrum.

This may not be a good thing, in and of itself it's not necessarily
causative but cumulative along with the other stressors of modern life
it might be a bad gamble that folks are living with.


berk

cop...@yahoo.com

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Feb 10, 2010, 4:01:41 AM2/10/10
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I miss phone calls every now and then because I'm listening to music
via earplugs (mp3 player or laptop).

A person might have more than one cellphone (work and personal*) and
normally only carries one at a time.

It's also possible you might have to leave where you're at suddenly
and just forget to grab the phone if you don't think you're going far
or long.

* a real cynic might say "work, home and mistress")

Brandon

jeepers

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Feb 10, 2010, 7:45:26 AM2/10/10
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On Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:34:05 -0600, erilar
<dra...@chibardun.net.invalid> wrote:

>In article
><cf46317d-0e1b-4ee0...@l19g2000yqb.googlegroups.com>,
> Sir Blob <sirb...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> > It seems so lame in the 21st century, especially consider how well-connected
>> > telephonically people are. I mean look at your habits, look at other people.
>> > You get a cell phone call and what do you do after? You put it back where it
>> > was, either in your pocket or purse, but not, people in tv and movies put it
>> > down on the table or desk, like it was landline phone receiver. It's
>> > idiotic, in service to an idiot plot.
>
>I have a cell phone. It's turned off unless I want to call someone,
>which is extremely seldom, or have asked someone to call me on it, which

How selfish of you. You can contact anyone you want at your
convenience, but no one can contact you should they want to. Typical
old folk mentality.

-J.

Thanatos

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Feb 10, 2010, 9:47:30 AM2/10/10
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In article <73a5n558rum6siler...@4ax.com>,
jeepers <no...@none.net> wrote:

How selfish of you, expecting that everyone should be subject to your
whims and available the moment you decide you want to talk to them.

Typical self-centered jackass mentality.

trotsky

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Feb 10, 2010, 10:16:09 AM2/10/10
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I think you only get that if you wage some sort of jihad.

trotsky

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Feb 10, 2010, 10:22:53 AM2/10/10
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Pot...kettle.

Invid Fan

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Feb 10, 2010, 10:36:27 AM2/10/10
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In article <XOadnRcOsYZPUO_W...@mchsi.com>, trotsky
<gms...@email.com> wrote:

Mind you, if you're only lasting a minute...

Nancy2

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Feb 10, 2010, 11:53:41 AM2/10/10
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On Feb 9, 11:51 am, Invid Fan <in...@loclanet.com> wrote:
> In article <hks27g$1d...@news.eternal-september.org>, Obveeus
>
>
>
>
>
> <Obve...@aol.com> wrote:
> 'Invid Fan'             - 'Yokai Monsters Along With Ghosts'- Hide quoted text -

>
> - Show quoted text -

And when the power goes out, she's got nothing.

I would have a cell phone in a New York minute if there were such a
thing as paying as you go - like, pay $50 for "x" minutes, and when
those are used up, buy some more - like a phone card.

But all the pre-pay deals are "x" amount of money every 90 days or
something like that - I had such a huge balance on one that I had, I
quit using it and transferred the $$ over to my granddaughter. I
never, ever, ever, used the minimum $20 every 90 days it cost.

N.

erilar

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Feb 10, 2010, 12:04:06 PM2/10/10
to
In article <73a5n558rum6siler...@4ax.com>,
jeepers <no...@none.net> wrote:

The whole world has access to my landline. The cell is for emergency.
Besides, reception on the cell in my underground house is spotty at best.

erilar

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Feb 10, 2010, 12:06:18 PM2/10/10
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In article <MPG.25dc59006...@news.usenetserver.com>,
Pete B <xxxh@_xsomeething.com> wrote:

> In article <drache-A73423....@news.eternal-september.org>,
> dra...@chibardun.net.invalid says...

> > Some of us are NOT dependent on the things day to day.


>
> Yeah but you are old Erilar ;)

I also live in a house where cell reception is close to nil. I have a
landline there.

The Mad Snorkeler

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Feb 10, 2010, 12:06:36 PM2/10/10
to
TBerk wrote:
> On Feb 9, 9:23 pm, The Mad Snorkeler <snor...@snarkle.net> wrote:
>> Pete B wrote:
>>> Id've have it on all the time if it wasn't for the radiation.
>> What radiation?
>
> Even when you are not making a call, the cell phone 'radiates' energy.
> It is defaulted to periodically check in with the cell network (even
> if just to update the built in clock).

That's harmless RF energy, and at very low power. You'd need a much
higher power to get even thermal effects, and it's not ionizing.

Cell phones are harmless to biological tissue. It's been proven repeatedly.

erilar

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Feb 10, 2010, 12:08:54 PM2/10/10
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PS

In article <drache-022378....@news.eternal-september.org>,
erilar <dra...@chibardun.net.invalid> wrote:

> In article <4B71EC...@nowhere.com>,
> "Bob(but not THAT Bob)" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote:
>
> > Mine's in the car - I won't be missing any msgs since I've never given
> > the number out (Hell -I don't even know it!).
>
> Family members, my dog's vets(she stays in their kennel when I go away)
> and a very few friends have mine--along with the warning that I may only
> turn it on every other month. And I don't know the number myself.

I can be reached via landline, e-mail, and usenet. The cell is for
emergency use.

~consul

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Feb 10, 2010, 12:25:12 PM2/10/10
to
and thus Nancy2 inscribed ...
> On Feb 9, 11:51 am, Invid Fan <in...@loclanet.com> wrote:
>> My sister uses just a cell phone instead of having a land line at home,
>> and as such the phone gets put down in whatever room she was last
>> talking in, or ends up in her purse.
> And when the power goes out, she's got nothing.

I have only a cell phone as well, no landline, I couldn't justify paying $20 for a separate line that was duplicated in the cell, and i needed the long distance more than a landline.

The power outage is a concern of mine as well, but I've decided that if the power goes out, I still have like 4/5 hours left in my cell, and that I can make my emergency calls out to whomever would have been concerned. Texting takes less power and is more reliable in a disaster anyways. And it would be just to do a quick update and then "word gets around" that "I was okay and don't bug me, I'm working the disaster relief!"

And I can go w/o _wanting_ to talk to someone on the cell. It's the coffeemaker that would cause a riot! :D
--
"... respect, all good works are not done by only good folk. For here, at the end of all things, we shall do what needs to be done."
--till next time, consul -x- <<poetry.dolphins-cove.com>>

record hunter

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Feb 10, 2010, 12:29:49 PM2/10/10
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On Feb 10, 9:47 am, Thanatos <atro...@mac.com> wrote:
> In article <73a5n558rum6silerrmlsa65sbgp5ek...@4ax.com>,

>
>
>
> jeepers <n...@none.net> wrote:
> > On Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:34:05 -0600, erilar
> > <dra...@chibardun.net.invalid> wrote:
>
> > >In article
> > ><cf46317d-0e1b-4ee0-8b94-6b0840bb9...@l19g2000yqb.googlegroups.com>,

> > > Sir Blob <sirbl...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > >> > It seems so lame in the 21st century, especially consider how
> > >> > well-connected
> > >> > telephonically people are. I mean look at your habits, look at other
> > >> > people.
> > >> > You get a cell phone call and what do you do after? You put it back
> > >> > where it
> > >> > was, either in your pocket or purse, but not, people in tv and movies
> > >> > put it
> > >> > down on the table or desk, like it was landline phone receiver. It's
> > >> > idiotic, in service to an idiot plot.
>
> > >I have a cell phone. It's turned off unless I want to call someone,
> > >which is extremely seldom, or have asked someone to call me on it, which
>
> > How selfish of you. You can contact anyone you want at your
> > convenience, but no one can contact you should they want to. Typical
> > old folk mentality.
>
> How selfish of you, expecting that everyone should be subject to your
> whims and available the moment you decide you want to talk to them.
>
> Typical self-centered jackass mentality.

A ringing phone is request, not a demand. Unless you're Jeepers.

Invid Fan

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Feb 10, 2010, 1:17:27 PM2/10/10
to
In article
<c24bf60f-fb99-4635...@o3g2000yqb.googlegroups.com>,
Nancy2 <nancy-...@uiowa.edu> wrote:

> On Feb 9, 11:51�am, Invid Fan <in...@loclanet.com> wrote:
> > In article <hks27g$1d...@news.eternal-september.org>, Obveeus
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > <Obve...@aol.com> wrote:
> > > "Mac Breck" <macthevor...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> > > > I do
> > > > know people who own cellphones, who carry then in their pants or coat
> > > > pocket and are always putting them down any old place, and who need to
> > > > call their cellphone to see where it is, and who lose cellphones when
> > > > calling it doesn't work because the battery's dead. �One bought a
> > > > bluetooth earpiece and it was lost within 3 days. �Told him it'd happen,
> > > > but the putz didn't listen.
> >
> > > The same people that misplace their keys, wallet, purse, �or glasses will
> > > also lose their cell phones. �I don't think the phones can really be
> > > blamed
> > > when this is clearly a product of operator error. �Any TV show that
> > > portrays
> > > people leaving behind/losing cell phones seems like an accurate portrayal
> > > of
> > > human action.
> >
> > My sister uses just a cell phone instead of having a land line at home,
> > and as such the phone gets put down in whatever room she was last
> > talking in, or ends up in her purse.

> And when the power goes out, she's got nothing.
>
Mind you I get the same with my cordless land line. At least she gets a
few hours if she left it charged :)

Obveeus

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Feb 10, 2010, 2:09:44 PM2/10/10
to

"~consul" <con...@dolphinsTAKEAWAY-cove.com> wrote:

> The power outage is a concern of mine as well, but I've decided that if
> the power goes out, I still have like 4/5 hours left in my cell,

Can't people just use their car to charge the cell phone if the power goes
out in their home?

> Texting takes less power and is more reliable in a disaster anyways.

I think the reason that texting (an extremely archaic form of communicating
over an 'audio system') is so popular is that every other word is not
removed by the crappy cell phone signals.

> And I can go w/o _wanting_ to talk to someone on the cell. It's the
> coffeemaker that would cause a riot! :D

Just stir some grounds directly into some cold water and drink it all down.


Steve Newport

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Feb 10, 2010, 2:27:00 PM2/10/10
to
From: Obv...@aol.com (Obveeus)
Cell phone = glorified leash.
-------------------------------------
I always let mine go to voice mail- but my wife works with runaway
foster kids.

Steve Newport

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Feb 10, 2010, 2:34:45 PM2/10/10
to
From: dra...@chibardun.net.invalid (erilar) The whole world has access
to my landline.
-------------------------------------
I use mine mostly for Web TV.

Steve Newport

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Feb 10, 2010, 2:40:25 PM2/10/10
to
From: no...@none.net (jeepers)
Typical old folk mentality.
----------------------------------
Zzzzzzzzzzz

Flasherly

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Feb 10, 2010, 3:20:34 PM2/10/10
to
On Feb 9, 5:27 pm, "tom" <1@~.com> wrote:
> "moviePig" <pwall...@moviepig.com> wrote in message
>
> news:f9f82495-a909-46bc...@v5g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...

> On Feb 9, 4:10 pm, "tom" <1@~.com> wrote:
>
> >> I have a cell phone I use very little. My Virgin per minute plans
> >> requires I
> >> "top up" $15 when I run low or every 90 days, which ever comes first.
>
> (You had me at "virgin-per-minute plan"...)
>
> Now why can't *I* be that clever?????????????

They actually issue the damn things at indigent centers (ie- the
plastic flying eagle for food stamps). Guess a mom's gotta do what
she's gotta do -- a gaggle of kids and no money for potential things
that could get messy. Not sure details -- seems it's the cell phones,
the plan Target offers/sells. Free phones or next to nothing ($19
phones not everybody needs for mooning their ass) -- supposedly The
Cheapest going (the barest base, basic plan at $5 a monthly pop).
Then there's The Plan's other aspect, locking the Proprietary into A
Plan -- hence hacking out some damn ROM chip and figuring out a
lateral layering of shared level industry protocols. Gott'a be
careful nothing's stuck -- be like BlueRay and dwindling discs,
otherwise, if it slipped and went fickle.

Obveeus

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Feb 10, 2010, 3:23:27 PM2/10/10
to

"Steve Newport" <birdp...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:13035-4B7...@storefull-3173.bay.webtv.net...

There you go, show him what a real old person does.

As for leaving a cell phone turned off when you aren't looking to get calls
(or only using it for emergencies or only using it for family or etc...),
that sounds like an infinitely better *mentality* than people who look down
at the 'caller id' and decide if they are going to answer the call.


~consul

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Feb 10, 2010, 3:59:34 PM2/10/10
to
and thus Obveeus inscribed ...
> "~consul" <con...@dolphinsTAKEAWAY-cove.com> wrote:
>> The power outage is a concern of mine as well, but I've decided that if
>> the power goes out, I still have like 4/5 hours left in my cell,
> Can't people just use their car to charge the cell phone if the power goes
> out in their home?

I have that too. :D And a spare AA battery pack charger. I travel a lot where the 'lectic may not be guarenteed.

>> Texting takes less power and is more reliable in a disaster anyways.
> I think the reason that texting (an extremely archaic form of communicating
> over an 'audio system') is so popular is that every other word is not
> removed by the crappy cell phone signals.

That, and the "message" is sent in a burst, so it doesn't overload the cell signals from everyone else trying to communicate.

Anthony Buckland

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Feb 10, 2010, 4:35:25 PM2/10/10
to

"Obveeus" <Obv...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:hktae7$a78$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
>
> "The Mad Snorkeler" <sno...@snarkle.net> wrote in message
> news:hkt7pu$gmk$1...@speranza.aioe.org...

>> Bob(but not THAT Bob) wrote:
>>> Mine's in the car - I won't be missing any msgs since I've never given
>>> the number out (Hell -I don't even know it!).
>>
>> What on earth is the point in having it if it never is used??
>
> In case of an emergency? Not really of much use though unless you stay in
> populated areas with your car (no signals in the middle of nowhere).

The last one we had deactivated as a better model
superseded it sits around as useful for the following:

911 phone (in Vancouver, anyway, this requires no
activation).

Clock (set by the phone company).

Alarm clock.

Calendar.

For playing a few simplistic games


Anthony Buckland

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Feb 10, 2010, 4:38:09 PM2/10/10
to

<cop...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8ff5b31b-824d-413a...@l26g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...

In the latter case, "mistress," it could turn out to be
a really bad idea to leave it powered if it has GPS.


Bob(but not THAT Bob)

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Feb 10, 2010, 5:00:59 PM2/10/10
to
The Mad Snorkeler wrote:
>
> Bob(but not THAT Bob) wrote:
> > Mine's in the car - I won't be missing any msgs since I've never given
> > the number out (Hell -I don't even know it!).
>
> What on earth is the point in having it if it never is used??

I use it when I'm out ONLY - why put up with garbled crap at home?

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ne...@netfront.net ---

Steve Newport

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Feb 10, 2010, 5:16:34 PM2/10/10
to
From: Obv...@aol.com (Obveeus)
look down at the 'caller id' and decide if they are going to answer the
call.
-----------------------------------------
Nothing wrong with that either. Skipping solicitors and talking to
people when you're not pressured and in the right mood.

Obveeus

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Feb 10, 2010, 8:10:15 PM2/10/10
to

"Steve Newport" <birdp...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:13037-4B7...@storefull-3173.bay.webtv.net...

When you see someone look at the ID to decide if they want to pick up the
call, you pretty much know that they are doing the same thing when you call,
but don't get an answer. When not wanting to talk on the phone, people that
simply turn off the phone are much classier than people that screen calls.


Anthony Buckland

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Feb 10, 2010, 11:16:56 PM2/10/10
to

"Bob(but not THAT Bob)" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:4B732C...@nowhere.com...

A lot of this discussion is applicable only to people
who have nobody in their lives (spouse, boss, clients)
who expects to be able to call them on a particular
number regardless of where they are or in some cases
what they're doing.

And for the latter two classes of callers, this is far, far
from new. Thirty years ago I had a good friend who was
an IBM customer engineer (guy who hangs around a
particular client to deal with the hardware and systems
the client is using -- in this case, half a floor of hardware,
and software to match). Most days he was required to
have a pager of the type then available, and not to get
out of range at any time whatever (yes, he did have
days off and vacations, the only exceptions). No
skiing to the back of Vancouver's North Shore mountains
in his free time on working days, for instance.


Zombie Elvis

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Feb 11, 2010, 1:22:11 AM2/11/10
to
On Tue, 9 Feb 2010 04:07:41 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"
<kwicker1...@comcast.net> wrote:

>Last night, two shows had ye olde current trope:
>
>Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.
>
Yeah we need a new trope!

>Fine, you want people incommunicado, okay, but there are other ways, better
>ways. Aside from the tiresome no cell signal, phones could run out of power
>(as opposed to only running out of power DURING a call), people could have

This is it. Most modern smartphones have terrible battery life. I
myself tend to carry a spare battery just in case my phone runs out of
juice.

Get ready for the new trope!

DETECTIVE MOM: So Ian's DNA is on at the scene. Ian is the serial
killer! Ohmigod. I have to call my daughter Jennifer. She's with Ian
right now!

Close up on Detective Mom's face as she dials and puts the phone to
her ear. Scene changes to daughter as she sits down for dinner with
Ian. Zoom into Jennifer's purse panning across a wallet, some
lipstick, tissue and a fancy new phone which begins to glow (note:
check with Apple, Palm, or Google for promotional considerations).
Zoom in further to phone's screen:

PHONE SCREEN: Low Battery...Shutting Down.
--
"I recall a time not long ago when a bullet in the chest meant a
sucking chest wound, not a quick bandage job and a climactic
final confrontation with a criminal mastermind atop an unfinished
skyscraper."
- Seen on The Onion

Roberto Castillo
roberto...@ameritech.net
http://mind-grapes.blogspot.com/
http://zombie-gulch.myminicity.com/

Bob

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Feb 11, 2010, 2:58:06 AM2/11/10
to

Thanatos.... PLEASE email me. Trust me on this one pal, ok?

Obveeus

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Feb 11, 2010, 6:56:56 AM2/11/10
to

"Zombie Elvis" <DELETEMETOREPLY...@ameritech.net> wrote:
> Get ready for the new trope!
>
> DETECTIVE MOM: So Ian's DNA is on at the scene. Ian is the serial
> killer! Ohmigod. I have to call my daughter Jennifer. She's with Ian
> right now!
>
> Close up on Detective Mom's face as she dials and puts the phone to
> her ear. Scene changes to daughter as she sits down for dinner with
> Ian. Zoom into Jennifer's purse panning across a wallet, some
> lipstick, tissue and a fancy new phone which begins to glow (note:
> check with Apple, Palm, or Google for promotional considerations).
> Zoom in further to phone's screen:
>
> PHONE SCREEN: Low Battery...Shutting Down.

The cell phone companies will be lining up for the opportunity to do a
product placement that says 'this phone causes death'.


erilar

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Feb 11, 2010, 2:00:20 PM2/11/10
to
In article <hkuq5u$d5b$1...@gist.usc.edu>,
~consul <con...@dolphinsTAKEAWAY-cove.com> wrote:

> And I can go w/o _wanting_ to talk to someone on the cell. It's the
> coffeemaker that would cause a riot! :D

THAT is definitely one of the worst parts of a power outage!!! My
landline works. I have a wood stove. I can roast hotdogs and
marshmallows in it. I have an oil lamp. My internet connection is out,
but my laptop will entertain me for a while on battery. None of these
will make coffee!

record hunter

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Feb 11, 2010, 2:04:42 PM2/11/10
to
On Feb 11, 2:00 pm, erilar <dra...@chibardun.net.invalid> wrote:
> In article <hkuq5u$d5...@gist.usc.edu>,

>
> ~consul <con...@dolphinsTAKEAWAY-cove.com> wrote:
> > And I can go w/o _wanting_ to talk to someone on the cell. It's the
> > coffeemaker that would cause a riot! :D
>
> THAT is definitely one of the worst parts of a power outage!!! My
> landline works. I have a wood stove. I can roast hotdogs and
> marshmallows in it. I have an oil lamp. My internet connection is out,
> but my laptop will entertain me for a while on battery. None of these
> will make coffee!

Get a Melitta. http://comfortfirst.com/p-30998-melitta-10-cup-manual-coffee-maker-cm-106.aspx

Or a Chemex if you feel like splurging. http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/Coffeemakers.htm

Steve Newport

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Feb 11, 2010, 2:39:25 PM2/11/10
to
From: anthonybuc...@telus.net (Anthony Buckland) A lot of this

discussion is applicable only to people who have nobody in their lives
(spouse, boss, clients) who expects to be able to call them on a
particular number regardless of where they are or in some cases what
they're doing.
---------------------------------------
I have nearby in-laws in their late 80's and
a dog who goes into diabetic comas. Cell phones allow me a high priority
ring. It's good to keep the land phone for while the cell is charging.

Steve Newport

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Feb 11, 2010, 2:33:42 PM2/11/10
to
From: Obv...@aol.com (Obveeus)
When not wanting to talk on the phone, people that simply turn off the
phone are much classier than people that screen calls.
----------------------------------------
This is all silly. There are some calls you have to take, and some you
might want to respond to at another time. It's not a snub to delay a
response.

Obveeus

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Feb 11, 2010, 4:17:20 PM2/11/10
to

"Steve Newport" <birdp...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:14161-4B7...@storefull-3171.bay.webtv.net...

Yes, screening your phone calls is a snub. It is also a snub to answer your
phone while you are interacting with someone else face to face (eating out
at a restaurant for example). Just turn the stupid phone off once in
awhile.


Steve Newport

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Feb 11, 2010, 4:34:28 PM2/11/10
to
From: Obv...@aol.com (Obveeus)
screening your phone calls is a snub.
--------------------------------------------
I don't agree. You really need to keep everything simple, don't you?
BTW, I will add that I can't think of a person I know over 50 who
doesn't have a cell phone.

Obveeus

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Feb 11, 2010, 4:49:00 PM2/11/10
to

"Steve Newport" <birdp...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:14164-4B7...@storefull-3171.bay.webtv.net...

True. For them, the cell phone has replaced the need for that 'I've Fallen
and I can't get Up' device.


Default User

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Feb 11, 2010, 4:49:51 PM2/11/10
to
erilar wrote:

> In article <hkuq5u$d5b$1...@gist.usc.edu>,
> ~consul <con...@dolphinsTAKEAWAY-cove.com> wrote:
>

> > And I can go w/o wanting to talk to someone on the cell. It's the

> > coffeemaker that would cause a riot! :D
>
> THAT is definitely one of the worst parts of a power outage!!! My
> landline works. I have a wood stove. I can roast hotdogs and
> marshmallows in it. I have an oil lamp. My internet connection is
> out, but my laptop will entertain me for a while on battery. None of
> these will make coffee!

Get one of those camping percolators. Or just heat water and steep the
coffee, then run it through a filter in sieve.


Brian

--
Day 374 of the "no grouchy usenet posts" project

Steve Newport

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Feb 11, 2010, 5:03:03 PM2/11/10
to
From: Obv...@aol.com (Obveeus)
screening your phone calls is a snub.
--------------------------------------------
SN: I don't agree. I can't think of a person I know over 50 who doesn't
have a cell phone.>>>
-------------------------------------------
For them, the cell phone has replaced the need for that 'I've Fallen and
I can't get Up' device.
------------------------------------
SN: Like I said, you really need to keep things simple.

record hunter

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Feb 11, 2010, 5:26:52 PM2/11/10
to
On Feb 11, 4:34 pm, birdpare...@webtv.net (Steve Newport) wrote:
> From: Obve...@aol.com (Obveeus)

Think of me.

Obveeus

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Feb 11, 2010, 6:02:09 PM2/11/10
to

"Steve Newport" <birdp...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:14161-4B7...@storefull-3171.bay.webtv.net...

clap on...clap off.


Artis

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 6:10:03 PM2/11/10
to
On Feb 9, 9:29 am, Nancy2 <nancy-doo...@uiowa.edu> wrote:
> On Feb 9, 6:57 am, record hunter <record.hun...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Feb 9, 7:19 am, "Obveeus" <Obve...@aol.com> wrote:

>
> > > "Ken from Chicago" <kwicker1b_nos...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > > > Last night, two shows had ye olde current trope:
>
> > > > Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.
>
> > > What about folks that don't even own a cell phone?

>
> > > > Fine, you want people incommunicado, okay, but there are other ways,
> > > > better ways. Aside from the tiresome no cell signal,
>
> > > Tiresome?  I'd call that reasonable and predicted since nearly every person
> > > that I have ever talked to (with them being on a cell phone) has offered up
> > > a horrible signal where only about 50% of what they say making it through to
> > > the other side.  I think that people who use cell phones all the time have
> > > simply forgotten how a phone is actually supposed to sound/work so they
> > > don't think that hearing every other word or only the first 2/3rds of each
> > > word is reasonable/normal as a form of electronic verbal communication.
>
> > > > Then again a lot of people let recognized phone numbers go to voice mail
> > > > to screen their calls.
>
> > > Is there anyone that doesn't do that?
>
> > +1 on everything Obveeous said. I don't even own a cell phone, let
> > alone keep one in my shirt pocket at all times.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Neither do I own one - thought I was the only person on the planet
> without one. ;-)
>
> N.

I don't have a cell phone, either.

~consul

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 6:13:07 PM2/11/10
to
and thus Artis inscribed ...
> I don't have a cell phone, either.

I will fess up that I didn't have a cell phone until abut 3 years ago. I had my _pager_ :D

Michael Black

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 7:26:55 PM2/11/10
to

"What's the world coming to, everyone has cellphones now. When I was a
kid, you were lucky if you got a pair of walkie-talkies for Christmas, and
luckier still if that kid across the street didn't break the antenna the
first day out".

Michael

Mac Breck

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 7:22:32 PM2/11/10
to
erilar wrote:
> In article <MPG.25dc59006...@news.usenetserver.com>,
> Pete B <xxxh@_xsomeething.com> wrote:
>
>> In article <drache-A73423....@news.eternal-september.org>,
>> dra...@chibardun.net.invalid says...
>
>>> Some of us are NOT dependent on the things day to day.
>>
>> Yeah but you are old Erilar ;)
>
> I also live in a house where cell reception is close to nil. I have a
> landline there.

I had that problem when I had T-Mobile and they monkeyed with their
towers, and then with AT&T. Then, I switched to Verizon, and no more
problem. :-D

--
Mac Breck (KoshN)
-------------------------------
"Babylon 5: Crusade" (1999) - "War Zone"
Galen (to Gideon): "I've been penalized before for helping other
people. I've been trying to decide whether or not I should risk it
again."


Mac Breck

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 7:39:58 PM2/11/10
to
Obveeus wrote:

> "Mac Breck" <macthe...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>>> On Feb 9, 7:19 am, "Obveeus" <Obve...@aol.com> wrote:
>>>> Tiresome? I'd call that reasonable and predicted since nearly
>>>> every person that I have ever talked to (with them being on a cell
>>>> phone) has offered up a horrible signal where only about 50% of
>>>> what they say making it through to the other side.
>>
>> That happens on my work cellphone (AT&T) but not my personal one
>> (Verizon).
>
> It happens with Verizon as well. Verizon is notorious for having weak
> signals.

My experience with Verizon over the past five years straight has been
the exact opposite. My Verizon phone has more bars than the AT&T phone
about 90% of the time, equal bars about 9% of the time and fewer bars
about 1% of the time. As far as dropped calls are concerned, in five
years I've had maybe 2 or 3 dropped calls with Verizon, but several a
week with AT&T. My AT&T drops calls when it has four or five bars, but
my Verizon hangs onto calls when it has one bar. I've worn one Verizon
and one AT&T cellphone on my belt for the last five years straight, with
them both always on. In my experience, Verizon blows the hell out of
AT&T.


>> I do
>> know people who own cellphones, who carry then in their pants or coat
>> pocket and are always putting them down any old place, and who need
>> to call their cellphone to see where it is, and who lose cellphones
>> when calling it doesn't work because the battery's dead. One bought
>> a bluetooth earpiece and it was lost within 3 days. Told him it'd
>> happen, but the putz didn't listen.
>
> The same people that misplace their keys, wallet, purse, or glasses
> will also lose their cell phones. I don't think the phones can
> really be blamed when this is clearly a product of operator error.

With them always on my belt (except when charging), I always know where
they are.


> Any TV show that portrays people leaving behind/losing cell phones
> seems like an accurate portrayal of human action.

Maybe for those not on-call.

Mac Breck

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 7:48:41 PM2/11/10
to
Nancy2 wrote:
> On Feb 9, 11:51 am, Invid Fan <in...@loclanet.com> wrote:
>> In article <hks27g$1d...@news.eternal-september.org>, Obveeus
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> <Obve...@aol.com> wrote:

>>> "Mac Breck" <macthevor...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>>> I do
>>>> know people who own cellphones, who carry then in their pants or
>>>> coat pocket and are always putting them down any old place, and
>>>> who need to call their cellphone to see where it is, and who lose
>>>> cellphones when calling it doesn't work because the battery's
>>>> dead. One bought a bluetooth earpiece and it was lost within 3
>>>> days. Told him it'd happen, but the putz didn't listen.
>>
>>> The same people that misplace their keys, wallet, purse, or glasses
>>> will also lose their cell phones. I don't think the phones can
>>> really be blamed when this is clearly a product of operator error.
>>> Any TV show that portrays people leaving behind/losing cell phones
>>> seems like an accurate portrayal of human action.
>>
>> My sister uses just a cell phone instead of having a land line at
>> home, and as such the phone gets put down in whatever room she was
>> last talking in, or ends up in her purse.
>>
>> --
>> Chris Mack "If we show any weakness, the monsters will get cocky!"
>> 'Invid Fan' - 'Yokai Monsters Along With Ghosts'- Hide quoted text -

>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> And when the power goes out, she's got nothing.

??? When my power goes out, my landline still works. The phone line
supplies the power. Maybe the person you're talking about uses a
cordless phone (base station needs to be plugged in to the AC), or maybe
they have Comcast phones. LOL, when my cousin Jim had Comcast Digital
cable, digital phone and broadband internet and the cable went out, he
lost all three, TV, phone and internet. My landline phones are old
(1980s) AT&T corded phones (pushbutton, tone dial) that just plug into
the phone line and nothing else.

Mac Breck

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 7:52:14 PM2/11/10
to
erilar wrote:
> In article <hkuq5u$d5b$1...@gist.usc.edu>,
> ~consul <con...@dolphinsTAKEAWAY-cove.com> wrote:
>
>> And I can go w/o _wanting_ to talk to someone on the cell. It's the
>> coffeemaker that would cause a riot! :D
>
> THAT is definitely one of the worst parts of a power outage!!! My
> landline works. I have a wood stove. I can roast hotdogs and
> marshmallows in it. I have an oil lamp. My internet connection is
> out, but my laptop will entertain me for a while on battery. None of
> these will make coffee!

Hand grinder. Percolator on the wood stove. ;-)

Mac Breck

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 8:21:22 PM2/11/10
to

I have a Corningware percolator, but haven't used it since I got the
Bunn home unit.

Mac Breck

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 8:17:08 PM2/11/10
to
cop...@yahoo.com wrote:
> I miss phone calls every now and then because I'm listening to music
> via earplugs (mp3 player or laptop).

I don't. Mine personal cell is set to ring and vibrate on every call.
The work cell is set to ring at full volume, and on the loudest ringtone
(Ringtone 1). The only possible time I might miss a call is when I'm
cutting the grass (due to the noise and vibration of the mower), and
then I attach the belt clip to my shirt collar. Ringtone 1 is like a
jackhammer.


> A person might have more than one cellphone (work and personal*) and
> normally only carries one at a time.

I have to carry both all the time. Non-work calls are locked out of the
work phone, both incoming and outgoing. My personal cell is the only
way non-work calls can reach me reliably, and work calls can reach me
100% of the time.


> It's also possible you might have to leave where you're at suddenly
> and just forget to grab the phone if you don't think you're going far
> or long.

If it's on your belt, it's always there. No need to remember it.

aemeijers

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 8:37:33 PM2/11/10
to
Ken from Chicago wrote:
> Last night, two shows had ye olde current trope:
>
> Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.
>
> CHUCK had the new tech gal, Lana Lang, doing an on-site service repair, and
> she missed an important cell phone call, because she left it in the car.
> Okay, it's one thing if she had it in her purse and didn't hear it, but left
> it in the car?! Considering she's in the tech field, on the job, on-site for
> an assignment, and she's out of touch? Argh.
>
> DAMAGES had a guy in the prosecutor's office miss an important phone call
> because he left his cell phone on his desk, just left it on his desk. What
> guy doesn't carry his cell phone in his shirt pocket? The cell phone wasn't
> even in his jacket pocket or plugged in to be recharged. That would at least
> give some plausible excuse for not having it on him, but nooooo, it was just
> lying on his desk.

>
> It seems so lame in the 21st century, especially consider how well-connected
> telephonically people are. I mean look at your habits, look at other people.
> You get a cell phone call and what do you do after? You put it back where it
> was, either in your pocket or purse, but not, people in tv and movies put it
> down on the table or desk, like it was landline phone receiver. It's
> idiotic, in service to an idiot plot.
>
> Fine, you want people incommunicado, okay, but there are other ways, better
> ways. Aside from the tiresome no cell signal, phones could run out of power
> (as opposed to only running out of power DURING a call), people could have
> phones on vibrate or simply distracted from hearing the call or simply not
> recognize the call number and let it go to voice mail. Then again a lot of
> people let recognized phone numbers go to voice mail to screen their calls.
>
> -- Ken from Chicago
>
>
Shrug.
Mine lives in my briefcase. I turn it on maybe once a week to check
messages, and charge it every 3-4 months. I only carry it when I am on
call, or traveling and needing to meet up with people.

--
aem sends...

aemeijers

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 9:01:39 PM2/11/10
to
Invid Fan wrote:
> In article
> <c24bf60f-fb99-4635...@o3g2000yqb.googlegroups.com>,

> Nancy2 <nancy-...@uiowa.edu> wrote:
>
>> On Feb 9, 11:51 am, Invid Fan <in...@loclanet.com> wrote:
>>> In article <hks27g$1d...@news.eternal-september.org>, Obveeus
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> <Obve...@aol.com> wrote:
>>>> "Mac Breck" <macthevor...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>> I do
>>>>> know people who own cellphones, who carry then in their pants or coat
>>>>> pocket and are always putting them down any old place, and who need to
>>>>> call their cellphone to see where it is, and who lose cellphones when
>>>>> calling it doesn't work because the battery's dead. One bought a
>>>>> bluetooth earpiece and it was lost within 3 days. Told him it'd happen,
>>>>> but the putz didn't listen.
>>>> The same people that misplace their keys, wallet, purse, or glasses will
>>>> also lose their cell phones. I don't think the phones can really be
>>>> blamed
>>>> when this is clearly a product of operator error. Any TV show that
>>>> portrays
>>>> people leaving behind/losing cell phones seems like an accurate portrayal
>>>> of
>>>> human action.
>>> My sister uses just a cell phone instead of having a land line at home,
>>> and as such the phone gets put down in whatever room she was last
>>> talking in, or ends up in her purse.
>
>> And when the power goes out, she's got nothing.
>>
> Mind you I get the same with my cordless land line. At least she gets a
> few hours if she left it charged :)
>
You should ALWAYS have at least one old-style line-powered corded phone
in the house, even if you don't keep it plugged in. Modern disposable
ones are about ten bucks, and you still see old real WE phones that will
last longer than you will, at garage sales and thrift stores once in a
while. I hate cordless phones with a passion. I don't wander around when
I talk- why make the hardware any more complicated and unreliable than
it needs to be?

--
aem sends...

aemeijers

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 9:05:37 PM2/11/10
to
Obveeus wrote:
> "Steve Newport" <birdp...@webtv.net> wrote in message
> news:13037-4B7...@storefull-3173.bay.webtv.net...
>> From: Obv...@aol.com (Obveeus)
>> look down at the 'caller id' and decide if they are going to answer the
>> call.
>> -----------------------------------------
>> Nothing wrong with that either. Skipping solicitors and talking to
>> people when you're not pressured and in the right mood.
>
> When you see someone look at the ID to decide if they want to pick up the
> call, you pretty much know that they are doing the same thing when you call,
> but don't get an answer. When not wanting to talk on the phone, people that
> simply turn off the phone are much classier than people that screen calls.
>
>
I'll get caller ID when they quit charging extra for it. I didn't get
touchtone till they quit charging extra for it. I refuse to pay extra
for data that is in the call stream anyway.

--
aem sends...

aemeijers

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 9:11:34 PM2/11/10
to
erilar wrote:
> In article <hkuq5u$d5b$1...@gist.usc.edu>,
> ~consul <con...@dolphinsTAKEAWAY-cove.com> wrote:
>
>> And I can go w/o _wanting_ to talk to someone on the cell. It's the
>> coffeemaker that would cause a riot! :D
>
> THAT is definitely one of the worst parts of a power outage!!! My
> landline works. I have a wood stove. I can roast hotdogs and
> marshmallows in it. I have an oil lamp. My internet connection is out,
> but my laptop will entertain me for a while on battery. None of these
> will make coffee!
>

?!?!?! You have a wood stove, but no tin coffee pot you can set on it,
filled with fresh snow? No clean funnel and a clean hankie to use as a
filter? You don't need a coffee maker to make coffee, man. Cowboys
traveling on horseback out in the boonies used to do it all the time. It
ain't rocket surgery.

--
aem sends....

AZ Nomad

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 9:55:59 PM2/11/10
to

were you born in the 30's? The only people I know so fucked up when
it comes to technology are in their 70's or 80's.

Steve Newport

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 10:22:08 PM2/11/10
to
I like my cell phone. I get good reception and it often comes in handy
in ways a land phone could not. OTOH, I don't feel the need to have a
big screen TV, Blue-Ray, etc.

aemeijers

unread,
Feb 11, 2010, 11:31:42 PM2/11/10
to

Up yours. I was born in the late 50s, and I do tech for a living. I just
have no particular need to be available 24/7 most of the time. When I
need it, I carry it. We got my 83 YO father a cell when he broke his hip
2-3 years ago, to keep in a pocket in case he fell. Now that he is
mostly healed up, he keeps it in the car. Cut the umbilical cord, kid.
You CAN spend a few hours without social feedback to prove you still
exist. You are probably one of those fools blocking the aisles at a
grocery store while talking on the damn phone. 'No cell phone use while
driving' should also apply to shopping carts.

--
aem sends...

Michael Black

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 1:10:24 AM2/12/10
to

It's funny, a lot of those people seem to look at me like I was going to
rob them. That's really a state of being oblivious, they don't even
realize they are blocking the aisle, which leaves me no choice but to
squeeze past them, or if I'm feeling polite, wait in the hope that they'll
make room.

They can't be the problem, so it must be that I was waiting to rob them.

Michael

hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 1:23:30 AM2/12/10
to
On Feb 9, 5:07 am, "Ken from Chicago" <kwicker1b_nos...@comcast.net>
wrote:

> Folks who have cell phones--but just not on them.
>
> CHUCK had the new tech gal, Lana Lang, doing an on-site service repair, and
> she missed an important cell phone call, because she left it in the car.
> Okay, it's one thing if she had it in her purse and didn't hear it, but left
> it in the car?! Considering she's in the tech field, on the job, on-site for
> an assignment, and she's out of touch? Argh.

Lots of people leave their cell phones in the car or somewhere else,
or just lose them. At the end of a commuter train run conductors find
phones dropped by the passengers. I once saw a phone laying on the
sidewalk. I don't think Lana expected to be locked in a vault out of
reach of her phone. (As an aside, did Lana ever hook up with Clark in
Smallville? )

Obveeus

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 7:00:03 AM2/12/10
to

"aemeijers" <aeme...@att.net> wrote in message
news:foSdnWjL1a3QJOnW...@giganews.com...

I don't own a coffee pot, but seriously, if you do own one and you have the
ability to make hot water on a stove/fireplace/car engine/whatever...can't
you just pour that hot water into the filter area of the coffee pot (with
the coffee positioned in its usual place)? After all, the coffee maker
already has the coffee grounds/filter/pot parts worked out for you, doesn't
it? No need for tin pots, steeping, hanky filters, funnels, and such.


Obveeus

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 7:05:37 AM2/12/10
to

"Mac Breck" <macthe...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> cop...@yahoo.com wrote:
>> I miss phone calls every now and then because I'm listening to music
>> via earplugs (mp3 player or laptop).
>
> I don't. Mine personal cell is set to ring and vibrate on every call.
> The work cell is set to ring at full volume, and on the loudest ringtone
> (Ringtone 1). The only possible time I might miss a call is when I'm
> cutting the grass (due to the noise and vibration of the mower), and
> then I attach the belt clip to my shirt collar.

I made a joke yesterday about a cell phone just being a leash and here you
are somewhat literally making your cell phone into a dog collar.

> If it's on your belt, it's always there. No need to remember it.

Pavlov.


Obveeus

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 7:10:12 AM2/12/10
to

"aemeijers" <aeme...@att.net> wrote:
> Up yours. I was born in the late 50s, and I do tech for a living. I just
> have no particular need to be available 24/7 most of the time. When I need
> it, I carry it. We got my 83 YO father a cell when he broke his hip 2-3
> years ago, to keep in a pocket in case he fell.

See, Newport, I told you that old people use cell phones to replace that
'I've fallen and I can't get up' device.

> Cut the umbilical cord, kid.

Amen. People are really reaching a pathetic state when they cannot even
function for a few minutes without 'being on the grid'.

> You CAN spend a few hours without social feedback to prove you still
> exist. You are probably one of those fools blocking the aisles at a
> grocery store while talking on the damn phone. 'No cell phone use while
> driving' should also apply to shopping carts.

Remember the days when people could go grocery shopping and decide which
brand of canned peas to buy without having to call and consult their partner
on the purchase? Now, people seem to think that every minute decision needs
to be hashed out with a cell phone call.


Obveeus

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 7:02:42 AM2/12/10
to

"Steve Newport" <birdp...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:13037-4B7...@storefull-3173.bay.webtv.net...
>I like my cell phone. I get good reception and it often comes in handy
> in ways a land phone could not. OTOH, I don't feel the need to have a
> big screen TV, Blue-Ray, etc.


Try and keep up with the r.a.tv cutting edge postings. Blu-Ray is obsolete
already. You need to get 3D Blu-Ray to be part of the hip crowd now.


erilar

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 11:07:24 AM2/12/10
to
In article <slrnhn9gpv.j...@ip70-176-155-130.ph.ph.cox.net>,
AZ Nomad <azno...@PremoveOBthisOX.COM> wrote:

What's wrong with not being enslaved by a cell phone?

--
Erilar, biblioholic medievalist


http://www.chibardun.net/~erilarlo

erilar

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 11:09:38 AM2/12/10
to
In article <rKKdnbx5CMa7R-nW...@giganews.com>,
aemeijers <aeme...@att.net> wrote:

> 'No cell phone use while
> driving' should also apply to shopping carts.

What a lovely idea! "No cell phone use while walking where other people
are walking" would be sweet, too. Cell phone slaves can be a pedestrian
problem, too.

erilar

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 11:13:17 AM2/12/10
to
In article <14161-4B7...@storefull-3171.bay.webtv.net>,
birdp...@webtv.net (Steve Newport) wrote:

> From: Obv...@aol.com (Obveeus)
> When not wanting to talk on the phone, people that simply turn off the
> phone are much classier than people that screen calls.

> ----------------------------------------
> This is all silly. There are some calls you have to take, and some you
> might want to respond to at another time. It's not a snub to delay a
> response.

My landline always works. It's next to my computer in the middle of my
house.

erilar

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 11:15:18 AM2/12/10
to
In article <hl1u0e$8vr$1...@news.eternal-september.org>,
"Obveeus" <Obv...@aol.com> wrote:

> "Steve Newport" <birdp...@webtv.net> wrote in message

> news:14164-4B7...@storefull-3171.bay.webtv.net...
> > From: Obv...@aol.com (Obveeus)


> > screening your phone calls is a snub.
> > --------------------------------------------
> > I don't agree. You really need to keep everything simple, don't you?
> > BTW, I will add that I can't think of a person I know over 50 who
> > doesn't have a cell phone.
>

> True. For them, the cell phone has replaced the need for that 'I've Fallen
> and I can't get Up' device.

That wouldn't do me much good. In the house my cell would be as hard or
harder to reach than my landline 8-)

erilar

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 11:18:50 AM2/12/10
to
In article <foSdnWjL1a3QJOnW...@giganews.com>,
aemeijers <aeme...@att.net> wrote:

Oh, I have one in the camping gear in the attic over the garage. But
since I normally make my coffee into a thermos in the first place, I
haven't had an outage that lasts long enough to get really desperate in
wintertime. In the summer that stove isn't in use. I'd have to go
build a fire outdoors.

erilar

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 11:21:41 AM2/12/10
to
In article
<b238a42c-06e0-47f7...@f15g2000yqe.googlegroups.com>,
record hunter <record...@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Feb 11, 2:00 pm, erilar <dra...@chibardun.net.invalid> wrote:
> > In article <hkuq5u$d5...@gist.usc.edu>,


> >
> > ~consul <con...@dolphinsTAKEAWAY-cove.com> wrote:
> > > And I can go w/o _wanting_ to talk to someone on the cell. It's the
> > > coffeemaker that would cause a riot! :D
> >
> > THAT is definitely one of the worst parts of a power outage!!! My
> > landline works. I have a wood stove. I can roast hotdogs and
> > marshmallows in it. I have an oil lamp. My internet connection is out,
> > but my laptop will entertain me for a while on battery. None of these
> > will make coffee!
>

> Get a Melitta.

I use a Melitta filter, a filter cone, and make coffee into my thermos
every morning. I was responding to another post without thinking in
terms of heating water on the Round Oak, which is really silly, since a
pot of water on top of it is my humidifier.

Steve Newport

unread,
Feb 12, 2010, 12:04:22 PM2/12/10
to
From: Obv...@aol.com (Obveeus)
get 3D Blu-Ray to be part of the hip crowd
---------------------------------------
Thanks for the warning.

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