Community weekly poll: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not?
- 3/6/07 1:41 PM
I really don't like them at all...
by Billba - 3/7/07 12:33 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Ive gone months with out my cell phone. It makes the people I work with crazy. THey have them stuck to there heads twenty four seven... I live to work I don't work to live. 40 or 50 hrs a week is enuff turn it off
Cell phones generally suck
by cathrynm47 - 3/7/07 12:38 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have a cell phone: a prepaid phone I use only for emergencies or possibly when I'm in a hotel rather than pay the hotel phone connection fees. I also use a prepaid long distance card in other situations. Other than that, my cell phone is never on.
I have never understood, nor will I ever understand, this all-fired need to be available to anyone at all times. And regarding people who are so arrogant and rude as to take/make cell calls during performances, while driving, or in other public situations, I have never been so close to wanting to punch someone than at those times. I especially am totally disgusted with these narcissistic blighters who have to discuss their personal lives right out in the open in front of everyone. Have we really degenerated as a society that badly?
Cell phone use is probably my #1 pet peeve and I'm glad to see from this discussion that a lot of people feel the same as I do.
Cell Phones and the Companies
by nhojremlap - 3/7/07 12:52 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Most of the cellular carriers in the US are ripping off the consumers. The cost of the plans are too high, especially in comparison to what is offered in Europe. The cost of overages and early termination fees are ridiculous. And the marketing is absurd - suggesting that teens "must" have a phone to stay in touch. The reason they're after the teen-aged customers is so they can rake in extra dollars.
I bought a TracFone (pay as you go) a few years ago to use in case of emergencies. That's really all I need. I can see how many minutes of airtime I have remaining simply by looking at the display, I have no contract, I paid no activation fee, and I don't pay an outrageous amount for it.
Getting ripped off?
by ReneB47 - 3/7/07 1:13 PM In reply to: Cell Phones and the Companies by nhojremlapAs a long time cell phone user (10+ years) and having one of the first mainstream phones back with Airtouch (W.Coast, 97), I have been with every other phone company (cept t-mobile and this new "Alltel"). I've always gone back with the same one (now Verizon). I personally swear by them, the ETF is of no consequence for me because I don't ever plan on leaving them. There pricing is on par or maybe slightly better than other providers and is getting significantly less expensive every day. My first plan was $39.99/ month and I got a mere 40 minutes, no more no less. Now I am paying $80, and get 1300mins, free whatever, in-calling etc. If your only gripe with cell phones is the pricing, wake up and do some homework. I know people that swear by Cingular (or ATT, w/e), T-Mobile, Sprint, whoever. Don't expect to blindly walk into cell phone store "X" and buy a phone and have it magically work for you. Talk to all the companies, read up on cNet (most of this site is nothing but reviews), talk to other people you know with cell phones, read about the particular phones you want, do some stinkin research. And if your only gripe is you didn't own one before, you don't own one now, well, thats your choice, don't complain about it.
I need one for break downs or getting lost
by Tashadow - 3/7/07 1:12 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
First off, I don't talk on my cell phone while driving, I know better. Before I was driving, I had no problem living without one but, being a disabled single woman on the road, I need to have a phone in case of an emergency. Like a time when my tire went flat while I was driving down the road. Without a phone, I would have had to get out and walk to a gas station which is not safe for a woman alone. Especially at night. The only free phones are for 911 only and, why tie up the 911 center when I can just call a relative when I am stuck? Yes I could still live without a cell phone but, I feel safer having one for when my car breaks down or if I get lost somewhere. Which has happened.
In emergency, cell phone is NO help
by Jim Brunner - 3/7/07 1:33 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Many cell phone users in California are unaware that calling 911 from a cell phone is not the same as calling from a land line. 911 cell phone calls are routed automatically to CHP in Sacramento, and then painstakingly, slowly, routed to correct area. This causes a 15-20 mintute response to an emergency call versus the 2 minute response time from a land line. Law enforcement agencies in California tell citizens: NEVER USE YOUR CELL PHONE TO CALL 9-1-1.
I don't own one
by clsgis - 3/7/07 1:40 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Two reasons.
1. There is no cell phone carrier with a good reputation for customer service. They are all awful. There's hardly any regulation, and they all take advantage.
2. It has been my privilege to work with some of the best Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) engineers in Silicon Valley. It was our job to measure and control the radiation from computer equipment to meet requirements like CISPR B. These guys bill hundreds per hour, and can afford any kind of phone they want. None of them was evangelical about it, but none of them had cell phones. That's got to tell you something. I don't care to operate a four watt microwave transmitter one inch from my brain, or my kidney. I suppose I'll eventually get one, when I can figure out how to keep it away from parts of my body I don't want to irradiate.
No cell phone for me
by Fremia - 3/7/07 1:51 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Yes cell phones have made our lives more convinent but, the downside is that I have to listen to every conversation on the things. Doesn't matter where I am library,class,family events, you name the spot you can't escape it.
Another reason that I refuse to get a cell phone is that I just do not like phones in general. Eventually telemarketing is going to invade here to. Besides it has always been easier for the people that know me to reach me by e-mail because they know that I check just about every one of them.
Definitely Could Live Without It.
by oldmainframer - 3/7/07 2:04 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
But I don't have to, because there's one minor exception. When I'm on the road in the 5th wheel, I take a TracFone prepaid for emergencies. Otherwise the things are pretty useless.
cell phones
by f3474drum - 3/7/07 4:52 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
most people think they are only good for emergencies.
What Cell Phone?
by Cyborganizer - 3/7/07 4:55 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I do not have cable TV and I do not have a Cell Phone.
Definately need phone service of some kind
by JMShearer - 3/7/07 7:16 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My take on the subject of cell phones is that I definately need phone service of some kind. Just about everybody does these days. I'm just not sure it necessarily has to be a cell phone, as I rarely take it with me when I'm away from home. Most of the calls I make or recieve are easier and more appropriate to deal with at home, and most of my travelling takes me to places where having a cell would be of little use due to weak or no signal strenght, even if carrying one would be a smart move. But since my appartment doesn't have jacks for land lines and VoIP is still slightly out of my price range at present, I'll be sticking with my cell phone.
For emergencies only
by sleeppro319 - 3/7/07 7:35 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I hate cell phones, they are just an excuse to be rude and thanks to manners no longer being important and therefore not being taught, the use of cell phones have just made this even more evident.
I had someone almost hit me and I put my hand up to my phone and shook my head back and forth, trying to point out to her that if she put the phone down she would not have to slam her brakes. She got out of the car and informed me that it was an emergency call. Supposedly that made it ok for her to cause an accident. She was not happy when I asked her if her car insurance company accepted that as a legitimate excuse for causing accidents.
I probably would not last as a cashier with so many people who are checking out and talking on their cell phones. The cashier is trying to do her job but can't because the phone call is more important than the business at hand.
All that said-I do have one, but it is truly for emergencies. My car broke down twice with my child in the car, at night, in the middle of nowhere. Very scary. Thankfully God was with us and kept us from danger.
God Bless, <:))))<><
I have a house phone and a work phone. I have internet.
by wolfbreath - 3/7/07 8:42 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have a house phone, work phone, and internet. Someone can get a hold of me somehow. Not only that, most other people have a cell phone. no big deal.
Got Burned?
by ReneB47 - 3/7/07 8:50 PM In reply to: Could you live without your cell phone? Why or why not? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It kind of saddens me that reading so many entries into this thread, especially on cNet.com, a technology site, that so many people have been burned one way or another with cellphones. I personally have owned one for 10+ years and think it's the greatest thing on the planet. Then sms, thought that was the greatest invention since sliced bread. Then pix msg's, cam fon's, smartfon's, internet fon's, etc. I can virtually fit my whole world in one small, easy to use package. Other wise, I'd need a bag of quarters, my laptop, a modem, try to hunt down a landline connection, and more to do the same things. Now I'm not saying everyone needs this, but I can't imagine how so many people are saying it's a bad thing! I think that would be a good thread to start "How much technology is too much technology, and why?"
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
