General Cycling Discussion - Value of Cell Phones

I always carry a cell phone with me. When my kids get home from school they call me to let me know they've gotten home. Today, when I was squeezing in a quick ride before I had to pick my son up from an after-school meeting, my phone rang. It was my son. He had forgotten his meeting and had ridden the school bus home. I got to ride an extra 45 minutes. I love cell phones.

Right now my cell phone is merely my emergency backup in case of equipment failure or heaven-forbid some sort of accident. I am sure down the road once I have kids a similar use will be found for it.

I have a business, :) my wife is a shrink :eek: ... and a 10yr old son is in fifth grade. I am so:confused: Both my wife and I never go anywhere without our cells and she also carries a beeper for her wackos.

Our new cells are very small and offer phone text messaging back and forth for free...it's pretty neat and internet access with webbrowser and email. I haven't had the occasion to use the internet features, and don't think we will...no real reason.

When I travel, I take along my infrared notebook and use my infrared cell as access porta and VOLA.... technology wins my heart :p

Value of Cells... mines like credit cards...always with me and always being used. :beer:

Mines saved me a long walk a few times - I like them. In fact, I got rid of my landline. They have, however, been discussed quite a bit.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14309&highlight=cell+phone

Originally posted by Garbear
I Both my wife and I never go anywhere without our cells and she also carries a beeper for her wackos.


It's good to see how the mentally ill are using technology these days !!

just kiddin'.. it cracked me up when I read about the whackos !

Jeff

I hate them. I may have to carry one for work in the near future and that sucks. I hate anything that connects me constantly to other people. I barely like land phones.

The ironic twist is I am an IT specialist involved with communication. :D

Originally posted by Maelstrom
I hate them. Yea. Now, no matter where you are or what you're doing, someone can bother you.

They are useful in an emergency. And not so bad as long as no one has your number.

Yes i am like you Maelstrom!

I hate the bl**dy things .

I have to carry one at work and it is always going off at in-opportune times, interrupting meeitngs and site discussions.

I vow when I finally pack in work, I will wear my heaviest boots, lay the cell phone on the ground and then "STOMP ON IT". what gratification that will give me.

I do not like the long term radiation possibilities from them either, i keep thinking every time i use it that is another 200 hundred brain cells FRYED.

Originally posted by willic


I do not like the long term radiation possibilities from them either, i keep thinking every time i use it that is another 200 hundred brain cells FRYED. Use a headset

I don't have a land line anymore so obviously my cell is my only phone. I really like the convenience of always having a phone with me. So if there is somebody that I need to call I don't have to remember to do it when I get home because 8-10 times I'll forget. Being in college there are times I'm away from my house all day long so it's the only way people can get in touch with me for whatever reason. Last reason is that since I've been in college I seem to move almost once per year so this way I have one number to be reached at all the time.

Beau

I guess I just don't like people. I don't care to be contacted or to contact people. If I really need to talk to someone it can always wait. I guess I look at it like a leash. Simply put everyone I see with cell phones gets interupted at the worst times. And very few (not all but most) people are ignorant as to how rude it is to be put on hold (while standing there) so someone can take a call (this is only one example what about restaurants, buses (I HATE people chatting away in the seat beside me on a plane or bus), movie theatres for example). Sorry I don't ever need or want that kind of connection.

As for the radiation. I still eat meat and refuse to stop. I am sure the steroids in there are just about as bad as radiation. :)

A couple of years ago I swore I would never own one. I am well known in my circle of friends and co-workers for fantasizing about traveling back in time to stop Alexander Ghram Bell from inventing his infernal device which would one day destroy the world. Even better still is my win the lottery fantasy about taking all the phones at my work place into the parking lot for the telephone trap and skeet challenge. In this event my buddy and I take turns hurling phones into the air while the other guy blasts them with a twelve guage:D Seriously, the telephone is the greatest obstacle to productivity I can think of with the exception of football pools. However, it became necessary for me to get a cell phone for work related purposes and it gradually began to grow on me. I now use it primarily to stay in touch with my little girl. Even though her mom and I are divorced and live in different cities, I insist on having daily conversations with my daughter. As I have one of the bajillion anytime minute, unlimited long distance plans, it makes these ends affordable. Plus, with the caller I.D. I can ignore any call I don't wish to answer.

Originally posted by Garbear
I haven't had the occasion to use the internet features, and don't think we will...no real reason.

It just means that you are lucky and do not need to make heavy decisions, which depend on weather forecast.

Even my son owns a cell phone. What I like about his new Simens ME45 is that it has the protected screen saver feature. After 2 minutes screen saver comes and without the secret code one can not use phone at all.

Once I lost my Ericsson 320 and I was a bit uneasy that several hundred of my contacts got into someone's hands.

My Nokia 6210 does not have such a security feature either.

What I also like about a mobile phone is that I can enter birthday dates of my acquaintances and be reminded early in the morning about a birthday ever since.

I get reminded and send text message with my congratulations. People like it.

I also worry about radiation and carry my phone either in rucksack or in a pannier. Or keep it a in drawer. The number recognition allows me to return call, as I see it on the screen.

But I try to avoid to carry it close to my body, because a mobile phone connects with the base from time to time by itself.

Mobile phones allow to plan better, change plans last minute, and by this solve many problems without driving.

In general IT technologies may reduce the pressure on environment, because they allow to communicate without meeting physically. Technologies do already exist, the problem is, however, that some people do not want to learn how to use it.

They invent reasons to not learn it like idiotic: "I hate computers!", "I hate cell phones!". Yeh, it is better (sic) jump into the cage and drive across the city, than to learn how to make a digital photo and send it via e-mail.

Thousands drive every day around a city to carry just a piece of paper to be signed in some offices. But all this can be done with electronic signatures.

All is needed for it is that there is no man in a team, who would say sacramental: "I hate..."

Originally posted by Maelstrom
I hate them. I may have to carry one for work in the near future and that sucks. I hate anything that connects me constantly to other people. I barely like land phones.

The ironic twist is I am an IT specialist involved with communication. :D

that borders on being a really odd career choice for a techno-hater. lose a bet or something?

i carry mine on epics only, far from civilization where if i am injured, i may be beat. but when i ride, it is off, not silent - off!

Originally posted by Alexey


It just means that you are lucky and do not need to make heavy decisions, which depend on weather forecast.

Even my son owns a cell phone. What I like about his new Simens ME45 is that it has the protected screen saver feature. After 2 minutes screen saver comes and without the secret code one can not use phone at all.

Once I lost my Ericsson 320 and I was a bit uneasy that several hundred of my contacts got into someone's hands.

My Nokia 6210 does not have such a security feature either.

What I also like about a mobile phone is that I can enter birthday dates of my acquaintances and be reminded early in the morning about a birthday ever since.

I get reminded and send text message with my congratulations. People like it.

I also worry about radiation and carry my phone either in rucksack or in a pannier. Or keep it a in drawer. The number recognition allows me to return call, as I see it on the screen.

But I try to avoid to carry it close to my body, because a mobile phone connects with the base from time to time by itself.

Mobile phones allow to plan better, change plans last minute, and by this solve many problems without driving.

In general IT technologies may reduce the pressure on environment, because they allow to communicate without meeting physically. Technologies do already exist, the problem is, however, that some people do not want to learn how to use it.

They invent reasons to not learn it like idiotic: "I hate computers!", "I hate cell phones!". Yeh, it is better (sic) jump into the cage and drive across the city, than to learn how to make a digital photo and send it via e-mail.

Thousands drive every day around a city to carry just a piece of paper to be signed in some offices. But all this can be done with electronic signatures.

All is needed for it is that there is no man in a team, who would say sacramental: "I hate..."

[if you are being sarcastic I am sorry because I missed it :)]

You obviously haven't read the responses against owning one. I live for computers and keep up with the times. But the need to be connected all the time is ridiculous for anyone in non-emergency situations. So yes I hate cell phones.

Airborne,

:)...strange eh?...I am not a techno hater. In fact I treasure technology and all it has to bring. However as I have stated previously and will state again, I like my seperation period. I feel sorry for people who feel under any and all circumstances they need that connection. (I know I sound like a hippy but really it is just a matter of choice :))

In reality I am stuck in a job because I am damn good at it and have been working with computers since I was 6. If I had my choice I would probably coach mtbiking (I suck so I can't) or some other sport while working part time as an internet application developer from home. :)

Originally posted by Maelstrom
if you are being sarcastic

I am not sarcastic.

I am plain upset when I hear that someone does not wish to make an effort to learn a common place technology.

It is neither cute, nor funny. The chain is as strong as its weakest link.

If a person can not, or more correctly, does not wish to use a technology, it makes it useless for other people who duly invested time and effort in mastering it.

I understand well that you wish to protect your private time. Modern mobile phones have many features to assist in this. For example, you can make the phone ring during your private time only if a family member calls, etc.

You could not do it with old simplistic ground phones. All is needed is to read through the phone manual.

There are may features there to protect privacy. Especially in the new generation of mobile phones.

For example, my son's new Simens ME45 can switch off itself at a certain time every day. If one cares about privacy and not being disturbed, why should one hate such a phone?

Well mine just sits and doesn't get used.

I think the problem many people have with them is being unable to locate the off button.

I wouldn't want to get around without one but I also switch mine off when I'm in meetings or simply chatting to someone in the office.

I choose when I'm available to people calling me rather than having my life run by other people's agendas.

I was able to buy the house we're living in now because I had my cell phone on a ride. I saw the real estate sign and was able to arrange to see the house and put in an offer before it was listed, at a time when the real estate market was unusually hot and people were actually bidding prices up.

Usually I just carry it for emergency purposes, and, knock on wood haven't had to use it that way yet.

I have a cell phone, primarily for business, and usually carry it around on weekends when I am away from the house. My cycling time is my time and I don't think I will ever take it with me on rides.

Originally posted by aerobat
I was able to buy the house we're living in now because I had my cell phone on a ride. I saw the real estate sign and was able to arrange to see the house and put in an offer before it was listed, at a time when the real estate market was unusually hot and people were actually bidding prices up.

Usually I just carry it for emergency purposes, and, knock on wood haven't had to use it that way yet.
Getting that house before anyone else did sounds like an emergency to me.:p

Originally posted by SipperPhoto


It's good to see how the mentally ill are using technology these days !!

just kiddin'.. it cracked me up when I read about the whackos !

Jeff

Talking of whakos
My Mum was a psychiatric nurse and years ago in her unit one of the whakos used to pick up the ward phone when no one was around and answer internal calls.

Frequently it was doctors calling for information from the ward sister and this whacko ( who had had no medical experience or training) used to give advice and prognosis, drug recommendations etc for other patients over the phone .

This patient had been in so long that he had picked up the lingo and carried it off for over a year before being caught out.!
:( :eek:

Originally posted by earleybird


Talking of whakos
My Mum was a psychiatric nurse and years ago in her unit one of the whakos used to pick up the ward phone when no one was around and answer internal calls.

Frequently it was doctors calling for information from the ward sister and this whacko ( who had had no medical experience or training) used to give advice and prognosis, drug recommendations etc for other patients over the phone .

This patient had been in so long that he had picked up the lingo and carried it off for over a year before being caught out.!
:( :eek:

This is what still to be done about phones. They should have some serious built in security. Especially on mobile phones, which transmit the caller's number and have an organizer inside.

I read that 60000 mobile phones are lost in London taxis per year. Having a mobile phone full of personal information, a criminal may start to plot something.

Am I the only person on earth that STILL does not own a cell phone?

Originally posted by cycletourist
Am I the only person on earth that STILL does not own a cell phone?

yes

can you hear me NOW?

I have a cell phone.. the only time it gets used is in the car on the way home from work to tell her that I'm on my way. Then it gets turned off most of the time. She always gets mad saying "we pay $40 a month for you to have a cell phone, leave it on !" I still don;t see the need for one.. although i do carry it when I go on long rides to give her a call if I a)breakdown somewhere remote, and don;t wanna walk all the way back in cycling shoes, or b) I get out too far, and know I'm gonna bonk beffore geting back home.... so far I've been lucky and have never had to use it, but I know the one time I forget to throw it in the wedge under the seat I will need it... but I always keep it turned off, and never give my cell number out to anyone unless I know they need to get ahold of me for something.

Ack... need more espresso this Monday morning


Jeff

Originally posted by cycletourist
Am I the only person on earth that STILL does not own a cell phone?

No - I've resisted, or rather seen no need for one. i can see they've got their uses in an emergency, or if you travel a lot but personally I don't feel the need to be in contact with people every minute of the day. From observation 99% of their use seems to be pretty facile, but may be that's working in a college.

Richard

Originally posted by SipperPhoto


It's good to see how the mentally ill are using technology these days !!

just kiddin'.. it cracked me up when I read about the whackos !

Jeff

Just so there's no confusion... I am so :confused: my wifes cell is for her office to contact her in regards to emergency's relating to her "adolesent" patients... Kids and their parents are really wacko these days... oh boy:)

Originally posted by MediaCreations
I think the problem many people have with them is being unable to locate the off button.

I wouldn't want to get around without one but I also switch mine off when I'm in meetings or simply chatting to someone in the office.

I choose when I'm available to people calling me rather than having my life run by other people's agendas.

Exactly! Unless you need to be reachable all the time, turn the phone off, and use the caller ID to screen your calls! A cell phone has its uses, and certainly anyone who has had a medical emergency or an accident (either in a car or on a bike) is eternally grateful for those people who have a cell phone and make that 911 call. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that lives have even been saved by quick responses due to folks having cell phones.

I carry my cell phone when I ride, but it's switched off. It's not for people to contact me, but rather for me to use if I need to. I only give my cell phone number out to a select few people and if I'm expecting them to call me, I might switch the phone on. Otherwise, they know to leave a voice mail message.

My son sometimes stays at home alone. The ground phone line can be easily cut.

But he has his mobile phone. He can call me and I will come to help in 10 minutes.

My father-in-law is elderly person. If he is down somewhere in the city he can call me or his daughter and we will be there in no time.

But if I keep my mobile phone switched off, they will just lose time calling me. It will not work.

So sorry, guys. Keeping the thing off is not suitable for me. I will keep my phone on. I have promises to keep.

Alexey, those are all valid reasons to leave your phone on all the time. As I said, there are lots of reasons to do that, and I'm thankful that we have the technology that allows us to be in touch so easily.

I'm a single parent and during the time when my son was younger (he's 20 now), I was glad to have a cell phone so he could reach me at any given moment. That was one call I'd always accept.

I've had a mobile phone now for so many years, thant many of my friends don't even realise that I have a land line as well. The down side is I maintain the local Scout Groups internal directory, out of 112 kids there are 3 over the age of 11 that do not have a mobile number, and over 40 that do not have a e-mail address.

txt msgs rule!

Ok, I think it's crazy for kids to have cell phones. It's hilarious seeing them at the mall chatting on their cell phones. I didn't have an email address until I got to college and didn't have a cell phone until a year or so into it. My parents wouldn't pay for my beeper in high school and I couldn't afford a cell back then. 1994-1998.

Beau

Originally posted by Beau
Ok, I think it's crazy for kids to have cell phones. It's hilarious seeing them at the mall chatting on their cell phones.

Yes, there are negative things about kids having mobile phones.

But there are positive aspects too, if one works with a kid explaining how the technology works.

A computer inside a modern phone is more powerful than that which was on the Apollo spacecraft.

If a kid uses this complicated phone just to chatter, than it is close to useless. But if he/she maintains with the help of an adult the database of contacts, schedules, birthdays reminders, understands data protection, etc. than it is the part of his/her education.

It is also educating to help the kid to connect a mobile phone to PC via infrared port and do the updating via convenient PC keyboard.

Kids are interested when something is fun. The mobile phone is fun for a kid.

Originally posted by Alexey
Kids are interested when something is fun. The mobile phone is fun for a kid.
I'm just glad I'm not paying their phone bills.

Cell phones definetly have their place in society. I think it is ridiculous when they have to post messages at a movie theater to tell people to turn them. I mean what next are we going to have chargers at restaurant tables so that people charge one last time before they head to the clubs or what not.

I may be dating myself, but we never had a telephone until I was 14 years old in 1957. Now I wear one on my belt. If I don't want any incoming calls, I turn it off!!! Most phones have that feature. I pay for it. It's for my convenience, not others... Only time I have it on is if I'm expecting a call from my wife, otherwise known as the Buff Babe..... Jim

I certainly wouldn't ride without my phone since I'm usually riding by myself, though it's usually turned off. It can be really aggravating when the thing rings and I have to stop and answer it! When I want to ride, I ride. When I want to talk on the phone, I'll sit on the couch and talk on the phone! :D

When I first got my phone (lo, so many years ago), my mum thought I was crazy until I pointed out to her that my hubby worked nights, so in the winter the only time I'd be driving it would be dark, and did she really want me to have to flag a stranger down if I happened to have car trouble (now this was in the "before time" when I drove more than I rode). She thought about it a minute, then called my sister (who lives alone) and told her she should get a cell phone! :)

Now even my little 89 yr. old mum has one - she takes it whenever she drives, and loves her free long distance!