Simplifying the electronic life of a 70+'r
10-07-12, 09:12 AM
#26
Senior Member
If you still need to receive FAXes via a dedicated phone number, I would look into eFAX (www.efax.com). eFAX lets you receive FAXes as e-mails, eliminating the need for a dedicated land line. The company issues you a new FAX number to which people can send FAXes. Then they convert it into a pdf file so you can view it on your computer. It takes a little longer than a regular FAX, but these days, there aren't too many FAXes that need urgent attention. Most pressing matters are handled by e-mail. You can get a free account for a handful of FAXes per month or you can pay twenty bucks or so and get a little bit more.
To SEND a FAX right from your computer, Windows has a built in feature that costs nothing extra. You'll still need a landline, but it can be shared with the one you use to make phone calls. You can even use this same line to receive FAXes, provided you know when a FAX is coming and you are there to click a button.
NOS88's advice about scanning pages and e-mailing them is probably the best solution to eliminating your FAX lines, though.
Your post is a good segue into what I decided would be my first thread on this forum. I just finished reading Grant Petersen's "Just Ride," a book that lends a good deal of credence to my "Approaching 50" outlook on bicycling. Essentially, Petersen, a former racer, debunks a lot of the myths and attitudes that keep newbies and casual cyclists from enjoying cycling as much as they should. Basically, he mocks (sometimes obnoxiously) those who spend more time trying to keep up with the latest cycling equipment and the newest fitness research and gives a giant nod to bicyclists who can just hop on the saddle and ride.
I agree with about 80% of his opinions. Has anyone else read this book?
To SEND a FAX right from your computer, Windows has a built in feature that costs nothing extra. You'll still need a landline, but it can be shared with the one you use to make phone calls. You can even use this same line to receive FAXes, provided you know when a FAX is coming and you are there to click a button.
NOS88's advice about scanning pages and e-mailing them is probably the best solution to eliminating your FAX lines, though.
Your post is a good segue into what I decided would be my first thread on this forum. I just finished reading Grant Petersen's "Just Ride," a book that lends a good deal of credence to my "Approaching 50" outlook on bicycling. Essentially, Petersen, a former racer, debunks a lot of the myths and attitudes that keep newbies and casual cyclists from enjoying cycling as much as they should. Basically, he mocks (sometimes obnoxiously) those who spend more time trying to keep up with the latest cycling equipment and the newest fitness research and gives a giant nod to bicyclists who can just hop on the saddle and ride.
I agree with about 80% of his opinions. Has anyone else read this book?
10-07-12, 09:52 AM
#27
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I will say that although I enjoy riding, and don't pay much attention to the cycling marketplace, there are in every hobby, folks that get most of their satisfaction from acquiring rather than using equipment.
That's great for the manufacturers and sellers and good for me since I like to buy lightly used stuff for low prices.
10-07-12, 09:58 AM
#28
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Internet and landline are $82 here. But I could trim the internet part with a slower connection.
Thank heavens someone else doesn't have a cell phone. I tried them in the 80s, twice in the 90s, and again in the early 00s. Couldn't see how they improved my life. But they sucked money out of my wallet, caused constant interruptions, and the batteries died just when I really needed them.
DF: Dump the fax and use the public library instead. At ours, it's $1/page, with a free cover sheet. Kinkos and Staples do it too, but at higher prices.
I've also dumped my printer. I print maybe two pages a month (club ride maps mostly) so I do it at work for the same 20¢ a page we charge patrons.
I haven't owned a television in almost a decade. TV rots the mind.
Thank heavens someone else doesn't have a cell phone. I tried them in the 80s, twice in the 90s, and again in the early 00s. Couldn't see how they improved my life. But they sucked money out of my wallet, caused constant interruptions, and the batteries died just when I really needed them.
DF: Dump the fax and use the public library instead. At ours, it's $1/page, with a free cover sheet. Kinkos and Staples do it too, but at higher prices.
I've also dumped my printer. I print maybe two pages a month (club ride maps mostly) so I do it at work for the same 20¢ a page we charge patrons.
I haven't owned a television in almost a decade. TV rots the mind.
1) Cell phones make our lives safer... I keep my cell phone on me most of the time. If I am hurt, or my bike or vehicle is disabled, I can call somebody.
2) TV doesn't rot the mind. But many of the shows that are on it can (and do!)... It's not the medium -- if you allow trash to infiltrate your brain (whether it is from a book, newspaper, internet or TV), your brain will rot. Just as there are many good books, there are many good TV programs (although every year they seem to be fewer and fewer good ones)...
10-07-12, 10:10 AM
#29
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Two points:
1) Cell phones make our lives safer... I keep my cell phone on me most of the time. If I am hurt, or my bike or vehicle is disabled, I can call somebody.
2) TV doesn't rot the mind. But many of the shows that are on it can (and do!)... It's not the medium -- if you allow trash to infiltrate your brain (whether it is from a book, newspaper, internet or TV), your brain will rot. Just as there are many good books, there are many good TV programs (although every year they seem to be fewer and fewer good ones)...
1) Cell phones make our lives safer... I keep my cell phone on me most of the time. If I am hurt, or my bike or vehicle is disabled, I can call somebody.
2) TV doesn't rot the mind. But many of the shows that are on it can (and do!)... It's not the medium -- if you allow trash to infiltrate your brain (whether it is from a book, newspaper, internet or TV), your brain will rot. Just as there are many good books, there are many good TV programs (although every year they seem to be fewer and fewer good ones)...
2) Agree 100%
Ditch the fax. Scan and email anything or if you really need a fax, any of the libraries, fedex or UPS stores will do. No need for a long distance plan on your home phone if you have internet and a smartphone. Magicjack has an app for iPhone/ipad and you can call pretty much anywhere for nothing using wifi. Works well. I use it extensively. I wouldn't have a long distance plan on your cell either.
Cable, well, buy what you need. I like diverse entertainment including arts and news. For movies, I use Netflix. Works well and costs about $8/ month.
10-07-12, 10:12 AM
#30
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1) Facetime: You can call them and they can see you (or their kids) on the front facing camera. That's reassuring for mom's. (But depending on your plan, you may need to do it via WiFi instead of over the carrier's Wireless)
2) Find my Friends: If you take the kids anywhere, mom can see exactly where you are on a map.
3) Shared pictures: when you take a picture, you can share it via the ICLoud and mom can see it on her phone
Plus, the App store has myriad fun games for the kids. Some of them are brain rotting action games, others are challenging logic games (like Disney's "Find my Water") and some are educational games.
Also, you can add video such as: YouTube and NetFlix as well as rent or buy movies from I-Tunes to keep them entertained after they wear out poor old grandpa...
Sometimes I think Steve Jobs was thinking of grandparents when he invented the IPhone!
10-07-12, 10:34 AM
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That's great! A couple things that the IPhone will enable you to do (if you kids have Apple products):
1) Facetime: You can call them and they can see you (or their kids) on the front facing camera. That's reassuring for mom's. (But depending on your plan, you may need to do it via WiFi instead of over the carrier's Wireless)
2) Find my Friends: If you take the kids anywhere, mom can see exactly where you are on a map.
3) Shared pictures: when you take a picture, you can share it via the ICLoud and mom can see it on her phone
Plus, the App store has myriad fun games for the kids. Some of them are brain rotting action games, others are challenging logic games (like Disney's "Find my Water") and some are educational games.
Also, you can add video such as: YouTube and NetFlix as well as rent or buy movies from I-Tunes to keep them entertained after they wear out poor old grandpa...
Sometimes I think Steve Jobs was thinking of grandparents when he invented the IPhone!
1) Facetime: You can call them and they can see you (or their kids) on the front facing camera. That's reassuring for mom's. (But depending on your plan, you may need to do it via WiFi instead of over the carrier's Wireless)
2) Find my Friends: If you take the kids anywhere, mom can see exactly where you are on a map.
3) Shared pictures: when you take a picture, you can share it via the ICLoud and mom can see it on her phone
Plus, the App store has myriad fun games for the kids. Some of them are brain rotting action games, others are challenging logic games (like Disney's "Find my Water") and some are educational games.
Also, you can add video such as: YouTube and NetFlix as well as rent or buy movies from I-Tunes to keep them entertained after they wear out poor old grandpa...
Sometimes I think Steve Jobs was thinking of grandparents when he invented the IPhone!
10-07-12, 11:18 AM
#32
Time for a change.
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Mobile phones and I have one but as I have said- I use it very rarely. Mobile phone calls are expensive over her so most have a contract that allows for so many minutes- so many texts and so much Downloads included in the monthly charge.
But another point- Mail--I mean ordinary sending letters type mail.
I rarely send anything by post and if I do I do not have a postage stamp in the house. E-Mails are my communication and the only mail I get is bills. I hate the postman.
But another point- Mail--I mean ordinary sending letters type mail.
I rarely send anything by post and if I do I do not have a postage stamp in the house. E-Mails are my communication and the only mail I get is bills. I hate the postman.
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10-07-12, 12:06 PM
#34
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For a long time we had 2 land lines (phone and dial up) then it was 2 land line and cable service with 2 cell phones. Ugh!!
Now it's 1 landline (internet phone sucks IMO!!) 2 cell phones and cable internet/TV. I negotiate a price contract with cable for heavy discount each year.
Now it's 1 landline (internet phone sucks IMO!!) 2 cell phones and cable internet/TV. I negotiate a price contract with cable for heavy discount each year.
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
10-07-12, 02:50 PM
#35
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Never got too complicated with the electronics. One perk of retirement was that I got to sever the electronic connection to the job, no more midnight phone/pager calls.
We only had one tv in our house until last year when we bought a small one for the kitchen, we always watched tv as a family and chose shows carefully. Still have cable with internet, (no HBO, Showtime etc.), however due to competition from another provider coming into the area we have negotiated better prices for the last two years with no contracts with our current provider. (Not a lot of programming worth watching.)
Regarding cell phones, we went prepaid with Tracfone, $100 for one year service. I can not justify the cost for smart phone data plan.
One item I would like to have is an iPad, hmm...maybe Christmas.
We only had one tv in our house until last year when we bought a small one for the kitchen, we always watched tv as a family and chose shows carefully. Still have cable with internet, (no HBO, Showtime etc.), however due to competition from another provider coming into the area we have negotiated better prices for the last two years with no contracts with our current provider. (Not a lot of programming worth watching.)
Regarding cell phones, we went prepaid with Tracfone, $100 for one year service. I can not justify the cost for smart phone data plan.
One item I would like to have is an iPad, hmm...maybe Christmas.
10-07-12, 03:42 PM
#36
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I can't keep up!! And folks talk and write to me in language I don't understand.
Current situation:
2 land lines from our old phone company which has changed names at least 3 times and is now Century Link - one extremely cheap as it is grandfathered in. 2 fax machines/printers which we use for fax maybe 2 times per year.
2 cell phones, of which we use about 300 minutes of our contracted 700 minutes, including a smart phone on which I can check email, read this silly forum, and do a variety of "apps" that somehow I managed to live about 70 years without needing them. I have 2 GB of downloads contracted for each month through Verizon, and use about 1 for unneeded checking of email and forums and internet, etc.
We don't have many extended phone conversations - but a few.
Low level Dish contract for TV, of which we get main channels and a few others we watch, but ismostly filled with ionfomercials. I am not into sports except the Broncos a small bit. We have 4 TV's on boxes. DVR which my wife loves for time shifting. Netflix.
About 4 computers scattered throughout the house (1 W-7, 3 xp) which I use a lot, for "volunteer" activities, to write to you folks, moderate several listservs, a lot of email, etc., and my wife listens to AOL radio
I have some fancy schmantzy web cams with mikes that I never use.
My son has Skype which he uses a lot I tried it and it kept going screwy. He forwards it to his cell phone when heis not at his computer. I also tried some Google thingie**********?
A friend has ??? Jack, which seems to plug into the phone jack and work.
I have pretty good internet thhrough the phone company and wifi in the house.
I have limited commercial TV, being behind a ridge.
I have everything "bundled" which saves me $15/month.
All of the above costs over $350 per month, which blows my mind, and I need to reconfigure.
I am considering giving up the Dish, buying a decent UHF antenna (which may give me better reception) and placing it in the high garage (rooftops not allowed here) and wiring it into my current cable system. Also, getting rid of the landlines and using only cell phones. All the TV's are pre UHF or whatever we have today. They used to work great until the govt got involved again.
Any thoughts. Remember, I am from the pre-computer age. Write gently and in language your mother could understand.
Thanks
Bicycle related - I use this stuff to write on the BICYCLE forum.
Current situation:
2 land lines from our old phone company which has changed names at least 3 times and is now Century Link - one extremely cheap as it is grandfathered in. 2 fax machines/printers which we use for fax maybe 2 times per year.
2 cell phones, of which we use about 300 minutes of our contracted 700 minutes, including a smart phone on which I can check email, read this silly forum, and do a variety of "apps" that somehow I managed to live about 70 years without needing them. I have 2 GB of downloads contracted for each month through Verizon, and use about 1 for unneeded checking of email and forums and internet, etc.
We don't have many extended phone conversations - but a few.
Low level Dish contract for TV, of which we get main channels and a few others we watch, but ismostly filled with ionfomercials. I am not into sports except the Broncos a small bit. We have 4 TV's on boxes. DVR which my wife loves for time shifting. Netflix.
About 4 computers scattered throughout the house (1 W-7, 3 xp) which I use a lot, for "volunteer" activities, to write to you folks, moderate several listservs, a lot of email, etc., and my wife listens to AOL radio
I have some fancy schmantzy web cams with mikes that I never use.
My son has Skype which he uses a lot I tried it and it kept going screwy. He forwards it to his cell phone when heis not at his computer. I also tried some Google thingie**********?
A friend has ??? Jack, which seems to plug into the phone jack and work.
I have pretty good internet thhrough the phone company and wifi in the house.
I have limited commercial TV, being behind a ridge.
I have everything "bundled" which saves me $15/month.
All of the above costs over $350 per month, which blows my mind, and I need to reconfigure.
I am considering giving up the Dish, buying a decent UHF antenna (which may give me better reception) and placing it in the high garage (rooftops not allowed here) and wiring it into my current cable system. Also, getting rid of the landlines and using only cell phones. All the TV's are pre UHF or whatever we have today. They used to work great until the govt got involved again.
Any thoughts. Remember, I am from the pre-computer age. Write gently and in language your mother could understand.
Thanks
Bicycle related - I use this stuff to write on the BICYCLE forum.
10-07-12, 05:27 PM
#37
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Some thoughts at this time - THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT RESPONSES!!
1. Due to my wife's health/pain problems, we don't get out at all at night. The TV, and, particularly having the DVR for time shifting, etc., is extremely important to her. I was able to negotiate a $15 discount on the TV service. We have the cheapest TV package, and we will keep it.
2. We do not need the landline phones, and will begin by leaving a message on our answering machine referring folks to our cell phones. After a period of time, we will dump the landlines, and, especially all the federal and state taxes that go with the landlines. Our only concern is the 9-1-1 situation, as we have used them a couple of times in the past. Any thoughts?
3. I will keep our current DSL Internet, which is 7mbs, which serves our needs fine.
4. We will keep the current 700 minutes onthe cell phones. I haven't yet figured out the smart phone option and whether or not I want to keep it.
5. Drop Netflix. We hardly ever use it, and now we have "on demand" - a new service with out DirectTV - very similar to Netflix.
So, that is where we are in our thinking. It will save us about $100/month.
1. Due to my wife's health/pain problems, we don't get out at all at night. The TV, and, particularly having the DVR for time shifting, etc., is extremely important to her. I was able to negotiate a $15 discount on the TV service. We have the cheapest TV package, and we will keep it.
2. We do not need the landline phones, and will begin by leaving a message on our answering machine referring folks to our cell phones. After a period of time, we will dump the landlines, and, especially all the federal and state taxes that go with the landlines. Our only concern is the 9-1-1 situation, as we have used them a couple of times in the past. Any thoughts?
3. I will keep our current DSL Internet, which is 7mbs, which serves our needs fine.
4. We will keep the current 700 minutes onthe cell phones. I haven't yet figured out the smart phone option and whether or not I want to keep it.
5. Drop Netflix. We hardly ever use it, and now we have "on demand" - a new service with out DirectTV - very similar to Netflix.
So, that is where we are in our thinking. It will save us about $100/month.
Last edited by DnvrFox; 10-07-12 at 08:08 PM.
10-07-12, 09:13 PM
#38
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Regarding 911 with your cell phones: get the local emergency number for your area and set that up as a speed dial on your phones - I'm not sure just how you do that, but a call to the local Police should probably do the trick.
That gets you connected with a local responder - you'll still need to give the the address info, etc.
That gets you connected with a local responder - you'll still need to give the the address info, etc.
10-08-12, 11:12 AM
#39
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Consider picking up Amazon Prime for $79 a year. For that $79 you get unlimited streaming movies/tv shows, 2 day FREE delivery of Amazon ordered products and all the e-books you can read.
We've managed to save a lot of money buy ordering most everything we need from Amazon, or online, while avoiding the total car , and time, expense to buy at B&M stores. I buy one tank of gasoline once every two month or less now!! THAT'S a huge savings!!!!!!!!
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
Last edited by Nightshade; 10-08-12 at 11:17 AM.
10-08-12, 11:37 AM
#40
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I have Amazon Prime and use Amazon more now that I get delivery in two days. The other Amazon services are okay but do not necessarily carry all movies and ebooks. Amazon has some great savings. Apple and Amazon, IMO, have the two best ecosystems that are in a positive secular trend.
10-08-12, 11:53 AM
#41
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Well, for what it is worth, if you want to reduce the cost of your landline phone service but keep your landline (number), and you have broadband internet service, check out Ooma at www.ooma.com. It provides you with free local and nationwide phone service at less then $4.00/month (in my case) after a one time cost of about $150-$175 for the system. I was paying over $50/month for my basic landline phone service. In just four months, the Ooma system paid for itself. Now I have unlimited nationwide phone service for less than $4.00/month. It worked for me. I have my broadband internet service via my cable company. For what it is worth. Ooma works with 911!
Ride On!
-Spoke
Ride On!
-Spoke
Last edited by Spoke; 10-08-12 at 11:56 AM.
10-08-12, 12:02 PM
#42
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That's great! A couple things that the IPhone will enable you to do (if you kids have Apple products):
1) Facetime: You can call them and they can see you (or their kids) on the front facing camera. That's reassuring for mom's. (But depending on your plan, you may need to do it via WiFi instead of over the carrier's Wireless)
2) Find my Friends: If you take the kids anywhere, mom can see exactly where you are on a map.
3) Shared pictures: when you take a picture, you can share it via the ICLoud and mom can see it on her phone
Plus, the App store has myriad fun games for the kids. Some of them are brain rotting action games, others are challenging logic games (like Disney's "Find my Water") and some are educational games.
Also, you can add video such as: YouTube and NetFlix as well as rent or buy movies from I-Tunes to keep them entertained after they wear out poor old grandpa...
Sometimes I think Steve Jobs was thinking of grandparents when he invented the IPhone!
1) Facetime: You can call them and they can see you (or their kids) on the front facing camera. That's reassuring for mom's. (But depending on your plan, you may need to do it via WiFi instead of over the carrier's Wireless)
2) Find my Friends: If you take the kids anywhere, mom can see exactly where you are on a map.
3) Shared pictures: when you take a picture, you can share it via the ICLoud and mom can see it on her phone
Plus, the App store has myriad fun games for the kids. Some of them are brain rotting action games, others are challenging logic games (like Disney's "Find my Water") and some are educational games.
Also, you can add video such as: YouTube and NetFlix as well as rent or buy movies from I-Tunes to keep them entertained after they wear out poor old grandpa...
Sometimes I think Steve Jobs was thinking of grandparents when he invented the IPhone!
10-08-12, 02:23 PM
#43
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But, the post was in response to one fortunate grandpa who babysits his grandkids several times a week -- and it points out ways that the IPhone can enable the busy mom to stay in touch with her own kids while they are with grandpa -- and ways that poor grandpa can get a break after the kids wear him out!
... Technology is not always negative. Used properly it can bring people closer and make life better
10-08-12, 02:47 PM
#44
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Well, for what it is worth, if you want to reduce the cost of your landline phone service but keep your landline (number), and you have broadband internet service, check out Ooma at www.ooma.com. It provides you with free local and nationwide phone service at less then $4.00/month (in my case) after a one time cost of about $150-$175 for the system. I was paying over $50/month for my basic landline phone service. In just four months, the Ooma system paid for itself. Now I have unlimited nationwide phone service for less than $4.00/month. It worked for me. I have my broadband internet service via my cable company. For what it is worth. Ooma works with 911!
Ride On!
-Spoke
Ride On!
-Spoke
10-08-12, 02:50 PM
#45
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Boy, I'm 55, and there are so many things that make me say "Why does anyone need this?" But, if this helps:
-No Landline. I went cellular only about two years ago. It's been lovely. I have a regular contract phone, and a cheap pre-paid phone for a backup.
-No GPS. What, oh what, was wrong with a Rand McNally road atlas? Ok, I'll go a little fancy and use google maps when needed. Side note: I love the story
about the woman who drove down trolley tracks in Brookline last August, because "her GPS told her to". Here is the article for the Pics-or-it-didn't-happen crowd.
Silly driver. Wasn't there a driver who drove into a
Swamp in FL, because her GPS told her to?
-I have no need for a smart phone.
-Ditto for a cycling computer.
-Facebook? Nope.
-No cable TV. Too expensive, and I rarely watch TV. I do watch DVDs though.
Speaking of which: Whatever comes after Blu-Ray, let's all just ignore it. OK?
-No Landline. I went cellular only about two years ago. It's been lovely. I have a regular contract phone, and a cheap pre-paid phone for a backup.
-No GPS. What, oh what, was wrong with a Rand McNally road atlas? Ok, I'll go a little fancy and use google maps when needed. Side note: I love the story
about the woman who drove down trolley tracks in Brookline last August, because "her GPS told her to". Here is the article for the Pics-or-it-didn't-happen crowd.
Silly driver. Wasn't there a driver who drove into a
Swamp in FL, because her GPS told her to?
-I have no need for a smart phone.
-Ditto for a cycling computer.
-Facebook? Nope.
-No cable TV. Too expensive, and I rarely watch TV. I do watch DVDs though.
Speaking of which: Whatever comes after Blu-Ray, let's all just ignore it. OK?
10-08-12, 03:09 PM
#46
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10-08-12, 03:50 PM
#47
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[QUOTE=DnvrFox;14816385
2. We do not need the landline phones, and will begin by leaving a message on our answering machine referring folks to our cell phones. After a period of time, we will dump the landlines, and, especially all the federal and state taxes that go with the landlines. Our only concern is the 9-1-1 situation, as we have used them a couple of times in the past. Any thoughts?
.[/QUOTE]
One of the issues with dropping the landline is losing the convenience of having multiple handsets around the house. My wife and I are old enough (Mid 50's) to possibly never get used to carrying the cell phone room to room. Thus you lose a huge convenience of those multiple handsets when your cell phone is downstairs in the kitchen and you're upstairs watching TV.
In theory, there's a Bluetooth system, that couples the cell phone(s) to the home phone wiring. Thus you can drop the landline and with a coupled cell phone on a charger, still get the call on the handsets around the house. I've not not used it but it sounds intriguing and would pay for itself the first month.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasoni...&skuId=2174037
As to Faxes ?. I agree with PapaTom that going to an e-mail based system works very well. We do this at work, using a copier/printer/scanner machine to scan to PDF and e-mail it to our work e-mail account. You can then forward as desired. Pretty much everybody has e-mail and the same for Adobe doc's.
All this has me thinking.....
2. We do not need the landline phones, and will begin by leaving a message on our answering machine referring folks to our cell phones. After a period of time, we will dump the landlines, and, especially all the federal and state taxes that go with the landlines. Our only concern is the 9-1-1 situation, as we have used them a couple of times in the past. Any thoughts?
.[/QUOTE]
One of the issues with dropping the landline is losing the convenience of having multiple handsets around the house. My wife and I are old enough (Mid 50's) to possibly never get used to carrying the cell phone room to room. Thus you lose a huge convenience of those multiple handsets when your cell phone is downstairs in the kitchen and you're upstairs watching TV.
In theory, there's a Bluetooth system, that couples the cell phone(s) to the home phone wiring. Thus you can drop the landline and with a coupled cell phone on a charger, still get the call on the handsets around the house. I've not not used it but it sounds intriguing and would pay for itself the first month.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasoni...&skuId=2174037
As to Faxes ?. I agree with PapaTom that going to an e-mail based system works very well. We do this at work, using a copier/printer/scanner machine to scan to PDF and e-mail it to our work e-mail account. You can then forward as desired. Pretty much everybody has e-mail and the same for Adobe doc's.
All this has me thinking.....
Last edited by Lightingguy; 10-08-12 at 03:56 PM.
10-08-12, 04:40 PM
#48
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In theory, there's a Bluetooth system, that couples the cell phone(s) to the home phone wiring. Thus you can drop the landline and with a coupled cell phone on a charger, still get the call on the handsets around the house. I've not not used it but it sounds intriguing and would pay for itself the first month.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasoni...&skuId=2174037
As to Faxes ?. I agree with PapaTom that going to an e-mail based system works very well. We do this at work, using a copier/printer/scanner machine to scan to PDF and e-mail it to our work e-mail account. You can then forward as desired. Pretty much everybody has e-mail and the same for Adobe doc's.
All this has me thinking.....
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasoni...&skuId=2174037
As to Faxes ?. I agree with PapaTom that going to an e-mail based system works very well. We do this at work, using a copier/printer/scanner machine to scan to PDF and e-mail it to our work e-mail account. You can then forward as desired. Pretty much everybody has e-mail and the same for Adobe doc's.
All this has me thinking.....
Interestingly, I had to complete a financial form today, and the only two ways to get the completed form to the financial company was fax or snail mail. As I hate snail mail, I faxed it, which gave me a 2nd thought about keeping the fax machine. Also, the medical world does not yet know about email, and we have a lot of exchanges of medical records and updates, etc., which we fax. Yes, I could go to the library, but what a bother - it is miles away. I could snail mail, but then you need a stamp, envelope, addressing, etc.
I guess I use the fax more than I thought in my OP.
10-08-12, 04:50 PM
#49
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Dnvrfox, Do not use email for private and sensitive information. Email is not a secure form of communication. It's amazing what people will put in emails, SSNs for instance.