top of the heap to third world status in one generation

[Mr D]

I don't think the cell-phone is an improvement over land-line phones.

I paid $15 for a land line in San Diego in the early 00's.

Any phone company that charges $35 for a land-line is making a $30+ profit.

They can't charge depreciation on the equipment - unless they install a whole new set, financed with low interest rates =

tax savings from declaring depreciation on new, debt-financed equipment ... the strange world of 21st century Shit-Telecom.

Of course it is good that family & friends can have a cell phone when they're on the road & get stuck.

I still prefer the land line.

I got 112K over my last land line.

Agreed..... I have a landline because in the event of actual emergency or major power outage you have a much better chance of the landline working.

If my employer did not require it I'd probably still be one of the only people without a cellphone. I live in a densely populated area so the whole cell phone in the event of an emergency thing is just a sales pitch to me.

I do get a kick from people with $200 a month cellphone bills. You can get total wireless for $300 a YEAR with no contract plus $30 - $150 for a smart phone. No leasing no extra fees and it's on Verizon's network.

In addition we learned through a mafia case your cellphone can be turned in to an eavesdropping device even when powered off. We know it makes a great tracking device for LEO.

 

[moose eater]

The old flip phones can still be had for $30 brand new.

Employers learned quickly the value of smart phone as an electronic leash.

I still carry an old-school flip-phone. Capable of data, but I'd need to carry a magnifying glass too, so I don't pay the $5/mos extra that would allow that feature.

Watched my older son lose, submerge, shatter, or otherwise destroy close to a dozen smart phones, and determined that IF I wanted to carry a computer in my pocket, with a fragile screen, I'd get a Sherpa and a cart to carry one.

It's become a mark of yesteryear without my initially noticing. Saw an old acquaintance and former fishing partner in the grocery a couple months ago. As he approached, he laughed. He commented on the flip-phone as part of my identity. He already knows that if they're at my home, the music on the stereo is likely vintage 70s, more often than not.

Already lined out my next flip-phone purchase for my $30/month plan. Though the selection is getting more rare.

And it's WAY more difficult to butt-dial a flip-phone.

 

[h.h.]

Bought my last phone straight from China.When my last computer broke, I didn’t buy another.


It’s my diagnostic tool for engine check lights.
It monitors the temperature on my bbq.
Controls my house lights when I’m away.
Takes pictures of wiring I can’t see.
Labels I can’t read.
Handy for recording documents.
Snap shots of porch pirates in the neighborhood.


It was great in school. Board full of notes, take a picture.
Want to ID a plant. Take a picture.


I have my moms drug list when I take her to the doctor.
It’s my radio on the tractor.


Gas station locator. Auto parts. Triple A.
Light, portable.
Don’t need a desk or a table.




I’m not paranoid enough to think that anybody is seriously keeping tabs on me. If they were, they’d be wasting their time.

 

[Bobby Boucher]

To each their own.

Personally, I feel my life is technologically enriched by not using my phone for anything other than calls and texts.

The new ipads are only ~300 bucks and paper thin. I can type better, use multiple apps and screens simultaneously, read better, actually see the details in any video I'm watching, use a slew of apps that are ill fitted or simply not compatible with smart phones..

Plus it doesn't fit in my pocket where it would undoubtedly radiate my privates. Save a ton of money not paying for some ridiculous data plan when theres wifi everywhere, anyways.

 

[St. Phatty]

Agreed..... I have a landline because in the event of actual emergency or major power outage you have a much better chance of the landline working.

If my employer did not require it I'd probably still be one of the only people without a cellphone. I live in a densely populated area so the whole cell phone in the event of an emergency thing is just a sales pitch to me.

I do get a kick from people with $200 a month cellphone bills. You can get total wireless for $300 a YEAR with no contract plus $30 - $150 for a smart phone. No leasing no extra fees and it's on Verizon's network.

In addition we learned through a mafia case your cellphone can be turned in to an eavesdropping device even when powered off. We know it makes a great tracking device for LEO.

Moore's Law applies to Telecom gear just as much as computers.

So why isn't Telecom access getting cheaper ?

Actually I think computer equipment reached its max value sometime between 2008 and 2012.

Software has gone through the roof so I cling to a Windows 7 machine because of the installed software base.

When I window shop for laptops on the Internet, I very seldom find something close to my own laptop - 4 cores 8 thread Intel CPU with 17 inch matte screen. Cost $849 in 2012, from HP shopping.

Now everything is more expensive - except high res monitors, and the high-core-count CPU's.

Actually AMD is kicking Ass with their recent CPU's.

 

[h.h.]

To each their own.

Personally, I feel my life is technologically enriched by not using my phone for anything other than calls and texts.

The new ipads are only ~300 bucks and paper thin. I can type better, use multiple apps and screens simultaneously, read better, actually see the details in any video I'm watching, use a slew of apps that are ill fitted or simply not compatible with smart phones..

Plus it doesn't fit in my pocket where it would undoubtedly radiate my privates. Save a ton of money not paying for some ridiculous data plan when theres wifi everywhere, anyways.

I did move up up an 12” iPad.
Other than size, not much of an improvement.
The screen freezes a lot. Just long enough to irritate.
The keyboard will freeze as I type.
Heavy to hold.

 

[White Beard]

Short memories....

Land lines cost $40 each when I had mine cut: allowable extra charges brought a single line up to $60/mo. Dial-up internet sucked then, little doubt it sucks now.

I have a cell now. Still $60/mo. But I can do all the things h.h. mentioned. I can and do turn the phone off entirely from time to time. The one I have has a better than decent camera, and I keep photo records. I can keep up with my clients and friends, handle business, listen to music, track the news. Long-distance charges no longer exist, just data plans.

In the bad old days, the phone was physically wired into the wall (yes, RJ-45 connectors are new)...and if someone decided to go fatal-attraction on your ass, there was nothing you could do except rip the wires out...smart move, but how’s no sleep for a month and jumping at the sound of a ringing phone for a few years? (Spoiler: not so good)

Mostly I use my iPad. VPN is an essential.

 

[h.h.]

For the kid who breaks everything.https://doogeemall.com/en

 

[Bobby Boucher]

I did move up up an 12” iPad.
Other than size, not much of an improvement.
The screen freezes a lot. Just long enough to irritate.
The keyboard will freeze as I type.
Heavy to hold.

I've owned most every size and shape of ipad. None were as useful, durable, or versatile as the smallest ones. My 9.7 is almost about 2/3 the weight of your 12'er.

Tempted to buy myself another mini 4, which weighs less than half of what you got there.

Yours is 633 grams, mine is 444 grams, and the mini 4 is 304 grams, for comparison, but the smaller ones are so much more wieldy without all the leverage working against your wrist.. Whole different ballgame.

My 2018 9.7 hasn't been freezing or anything like that.. fwiw

 

[h.h.]

I've owned most every size and shape of ipad. None were as useful, durable, or versatile as the smallest ones. My 9.7 is almost about 2/3 the weight of your 12'er.

Tempted to buy myself another mini 4, which weighs less than half of what you got there.

Yours is 633 grams, mine is 444 grams, and the mini 4 is 304 grams, for comparison, but the smaller ones are so much more wieldy without all the leverage working against your wrist.. Whole different ballgame.

My 2018 9.7 hasn't been freezing or anything like that.. fwiw

I had to change the way I hold it. Smaller, I’d just use my phone.


Mine skips letters. Then spellcheck makes up words.
Like a ouji board.

 

[Bobby Boucher]

I prefer to watch my videos on my 60" and use the keyboard on my macbook for any typing. People opting for phones over computers or a tablets, imo, is just.. I dunno. It doesn't erk me anymore, but it certainly used to.

I use a bit of processor intensive software, so my opinion might be a little biased, but with as much typing people do with their endless texting and search queries, it still amazes me a little bit that people opt out of using a traditional keyboard.

I would argue that anyone with a small enough and powerful enough laptop, tablet, and gps system, would find little use for pricey data plans and "smart" phones. The money they would save would pay for new units every few years, too.

 

[buzzmobile]

I miss my razr.

So do I.

 

[h.h.]

I prefer to watch my videos on my 60" and use the keyboard on my macbook for any typing. People opting for phones over computers or a tablets, imo, is just.. I dunno. It doesn't erk me anymore, but it certainly used to.

I use a bit of processor intensive software, so my opinion might be a little biased, but with as much typing people do with their endless texting and search queries, it still amazes me a little bit that people opt out of using a traditional keyboard.

I would argue that anyone with a small enough and powerful enough laptop, tablet, and gps system, would find little use for pricey data plans and "smart" phones. The money they would save would pay for new units every few years, too.

I can do everything on my phone that I can do on my iPad.The iPad won’t connect to my printer.
I don’t want to make video calls.
The phone fits in my side pocket.
I like erking good people.

 

[Gry]

Ran across someone who worked with subliminal messaging.
Will never cease to be amazed by this life.

 

[moose eater]

Ran across someone who worked with subliminal messaging.
Will never cease to be amazed by this life.

I think programming of many sorts is possibly one of the biggest threats or barriers to our ever becoming truly free beings. If we think abnormal is normal, or can't recognize issues, tyranny, coercion, bias, etc., then we fail to evolve or 'right' things which need righted.

 

[Microbeman]

Would sure be an upgrade for me.
Getting to a point I detest them.
They humble me on a daily basis.
I see young girls with long plastic fingernails use them with precision.
No matter how careful I am, I hang up on people I care about , stick the phone
in airplane mode and turn the flashlight on with out ever intending to do so.
Have learned if I want speak with someone, I need to set the phone on a table top and not to touch it.

Precisely!

 

[h.h.]

My car talks to me.
I’m very careful how I answer.

Trying to deal with warming my coffee. Putting a dome of silence over the microwave. I can’t help thinking that’s what they want me to do.

 

[Gry]

Can recall disconnecting the 'voice box' of a vehicle I once drove.
Felt like the right thing to do then, and the thought still brings a smile to my face.
The door never was a jar.

 

[moose eater]

No 'On-Star' in any of my vehicles.

 

[h.h.]