1. Why do people use cell phones for local calls while they are in a place that has a perfectly good land line?

Is it because they are so used to the shitty connection that using something clearer would throw them off? Are they trying to hide something about themselves behind the burble talk and fake sense of urgency that comes with cell phones (battery low, busy, on the move)?

I liken it to someone having a pet or smoking in their house. They don't smell the stink. To everyone else, it smells like shit.

These awkward, unintelligible conversations are so unnecessary. Fuckin' dial the phone. Whatever time you save scrolling through the names on the speed dial will be wasted in "what-at"s, and running through the halls like a lunatic looking for slightly better than no reception.

greg

i think this is due to minutes fever

if you have minutes fever, you feel as if you have paid not for the privilege of just having a phone at your disposal, but for a set number of minutes, and by not using every minute, you are therefore wasting money and some kind of ethereal resource

minutes fever also precipitates meaningless conversations with people one sees daily, awkwardly long 'checking in' calls with one's parents at the end of every month, repeated checking of messages, etc.

it is retarded and usually fades with time

tm

Greg,

Quite possibly, someone might have called your cell phone while you were in a building w/ a land line. So, you take the call on your cell phone.

You really have no room to comment on cell phone usage, when you don't even have one.

I used to bitch about people and their cell phones before I got one myself and realized how convenient and useful they are. Anyone without a cell phone is choosing to live in the past.

Hope you enjoy it.

Actually, anyone owning a cell phone hates being modern. This is evident in the way that a cell phone probably has the quality of the original telephone in its early stages of development. So they are very retro in a way.

I used to bitch about people and their cell phones before I got one myself and realized how convenient and useful they are. Anyone without a cell phone is choosing to live in the past.

I didn't star bitching until you got your cell phone. Hmm. Maybe if I get a phone all these problems/voices will go away.
Is this really happening, or is it another dream.

More later,

greg,

I switch to landlines when ever I can (work, home, friend's) however, cells have their place. I like the fact that I can make a call (almost) anywhere and NOT feel like I am imposing on anyone....depending on where I am, I dont like bothering someone with "Hey, do you mind if I use your phone?". That is what I like best about them.

Intern_8033 wrote:Greg, bro, I totally know what your saying!
It's like toothbrushs. Why when I go to the grocery store are there like 5,007 different toothbrushs? What, does one of them _SUPER_ brush your teeth? I mean, come on! I mean, what's up with that?! Jeez!
Folks, just pick a toothbrush and buy it, don't stand there in the aisle for twenty minutes trying to make up your mind!

Sorry I know this is a post about cell phones but COME ON! Someone had to say something.

Keepin' my eye out for bullshit for all yall,

Intern 8033

Mr. Intern 8033 Sir,
This all seemed too familiar and a quick search revealed that this is the 2nd time you have gone off on this rant in this forum. (http://www.electrical.com/phpBB2/viewto ... toothbrush)
Did something tragic happen to you in the toothbrush aisle that we should know about?
On the bright side, in your previous rant there were 5,027 toothbrushes so maybe someone is listening.

Respectfully,
timmx
P.S. I own and hate cellphones.

The only time I use a landline, now that I own a cell phone, is when I am currently on my cell phone and need to make a second call. The cell phone, however, is terrific because it can be used anywhere, and I especially enjoy answering it while right in the middle of a conversation with someone, because, you understand, it might be important.

What I can't stand is when people check their email on their watch. What? You can't tell time and check your email the traditional way? Geez.

I learned recently that the requirement for "up time" in the US "land line" phone network is "five nines" - meaning phone communication has to be clear & not cut off for technical reasons 99.999% of the time. That's practically NASA! Cellular phones are not so reliable!

Russ, you are a computer geek and might like to read this, if you haven't already:

http://www.fastcompany.com/online/06/writestuff.html

greg wrote: I liken it to someone having a pet...They don't smell the stink. To everyone else, it smells like shit.

what is that supposed to mean, smart-ass?

back to the subject at hand, though, i have to say that while i have opinions on cell phones in general, i think that my most profound hatred is reserved for people who previously SAID that they disliked cell phones, but then got one (who cares if they found it on the ground for free? excuses, excuses), and is now so obsessed that when you go to a show with them, they stop they guy taking money at the door, and say:

"OH my GAWD, is that a PZ-189735-LX? those are SOOO cool! mine is just a step down, it's a PZ-1989734-LR. want to see it? here, i have a picture of it in my wallet...i'll show you that one, too! the phone actually took its own picture!"

they then proceed to spend 10 minutes talking to the guy about a fucking cell phone, for crissakes, and you get to stand idly by, missing one of your favourite bands.

that's what i hate.

i get MY toothbrusses from the dentist--i don't have to pay, or choose. AND, they say stuff.

regahds,
jet.

p.s. MY phone is analogue, too.