[Ren]

[quote=briansd1]Cellular modem is a rip off, you can tether most cell phones with a 3G data plan to your computer and have internet that way. Same thing. Why pay the carriers extra? You just need to learn how to do it.[/quote]

I know how to do it, have done it, and choose not to. I like being able to use it on any computer (bluetooth or no) and let my wife borrow it when she needs it. The cost comes out very nearly the same for one person, less since we share it. I pay $45 for AT&T phone service (cheaper than Verizon, I don’t care how much better their network is) and another $40 for Verizon internet (cheaper than AT&T).

[Ren]

[quote=briansd1]Cellular modem is a rip off, you can tether most cell phones with a 3G data plan to your computer and have internet that way. Same thing. Why pay the carriers extra? You just need to learn how to do it.[/quote]

I know how to do it, have done it, and choose not to. I like being able to use it on any computer (bluetooth or no) and let my wife borrow it when she needs it. The cost comes out very nearly the same for one person, less since we share it. I pay $45 for AT&T phone service (cheaper than Verizon, I don’t care how much better their network is) and another $40 for Verizon internet (cheaper than AT&T).

[Ren]

[quote=briansd1]Cellular modem is a rip off, you can tether most cell phones with a 3G data plan to your computer and have internet that way. Same thing. Why pay the carriers extra? You just need to learn how to do it.[/quote]

I know how to do it, have done it, and choose not to. I like being able to use it on any computer (bluetooth or no) and let my wife borrow it when she needs it. The cost comes out very nearly the same for one person, less since we share it. I pay $45 for AT&T phone service (cheaper than Verizon, I don’t care how much better their network is) and another $40 for Verizon internet (cheaper than AT&T).

[Ren]

[quote=briansd1]Cellular modem is a rip off, you can tether most cell phones with a 3G data plan to your computer and have internet that way. Same thing. Why pay the carriers extra? You just need to learn how to do it.[/quote]

I know how to do it, have done it, and choose not to. I like being able to use it on any computer (bluetooth or no) and let my wife borrow it when she needs it. The cost comes out very nearly the same for one person, less since we share it. I pay $45 for AT&T phone service (cheaper than Verizon, I don’t care how much better their network is) and another $40 for Verizon internet (cheaper than AT&T).

[Ren]

[quote=briansd1]Cellular modem is a rip off, you can tether most cell phones with a 3G data plan to your computer and have internet that way. Same thing. Why pay the carriers extra? You just need to learn how to do it.[/quote]

I know how to do it, have done it, and choose not to. I like being able to use it on any computer (bluetooth or no) and let my wife borrow it when she needs it. The cost comes out very nearly the same for one person, less since we share it. I pay $45 for AT&T phone service (cheaper than Verizon, I don’t care how much better their network is) and another $40 for Verizon internet (cheaper than AT&T).

[Ren]

[quote=northparkbuyer]True. But I have dialed 911 in my life exactly 0 times. Odds are I never will. And if “they” can find me in an emergency, they can probably find me anytime, which doesn’t seem like privacy.[/quote]

I’ve called 911 once. Suicidally crazy Corvette driver. I may never need it for an emergency again, but if I was laying alone at the bottom of a cliff with a broken leg and I didn’t have it, at that moment I’d probably be thinking that I would happily pay $25,000 to have one (40 years worth of cell bills).

[quote]That is cool (is this capability really available for civilians? Wow). But again, I must cite the odds. It may be a legitimate use of a mobile phone, but I’ve had my car stolen exactly 0 times in my life, and odds are it never will be. Plus, I keep hoping somebody steals my 1990 Volvo.[/quote]

Yup, you just need to have an alarm that’s integrated with it and your ignition. If it’s a newer car with bluetooth (and there’s a microphone), you can even talk to the thief through the stereo, or just listen in to any conversations that may be taking place.

[quote]But I think some people are turning off their brains to depend on these devices. I have friends who cannot remember a single phone number or address, because all this information is in their device and omitted from their brain. Why even bother trying to remember bread or any other groceries when shopping? –Just call up the house and find out what you’re out of (and try to not annoy the other shoppers with one side of a banal grocery discussion — chances are they’re on their phones, too, so no worries).[/quote]

This is true. The only numbers I remember are my own and my wife’s (barely).

There are some unspoken rules. You don’t talk on the phone in the checkout line, or anywhere else where the people around you can’t escape. Grocery store aisles are okay.

[Ren]

[quote=northparkbuyer]True. But I have dialed 911 in my life exactly 0 times. Odds are I never will. And if “they” can find me in an emergency, they can probably find me anytime, which doesn’t seem like privacy.[/quote]

I’ve called 911 once. Suicidally crazy Corvette driver. I may never need it for an emergency again, but if I was laying alone at the bottom of a cliff with a broken leg and I didn’t have it, at that moment I’d probably be thinking that I would happily pay $25,000 to have one (40 years worth of cell bills).

[quote]That is cool (is this capability really available for civilians? Wow). But again, I must cite the odds. It may be a legitimate use of a mobile phone, but I’ve had my car stolen exactly 0 times in my life, and odds are it never will be. Plus, I keep hoping somebody steals my 1990 Volvo.[/quote]

Yup, you just need to have an alarm that’s integrated with it and your ignition. If it’s a newer car with bluetooth (and there’s a microphone), you can even talk to the thief through the stereo, or just listen in to any conversations that may be taking place.

[quote]But I think some people are turning off their brains to depend on these devices. I have friends who cannot remember a single phone number or address, because all this information is in their device and omitted from their brain. Why even bother trying to remember bread or any other groceries when shopping? –Just call up the house and find out what you’re out of (and try to not annoy the other shoppers with one side of a banal grocery discussion — chances are they’re on their phones, too, so no worries).[/quote]

This is true. The only numbers I remember are my own and my wife’s (barely).

There are some unspoken rules. You don’t talk on the phone in the checkout line, or anywhere else where the people around you can’t escape. Grocery store aisles are okay.

[Ren]

[quote=northparkbuyer]True. But I have dialed 911 in my life exactly 0 times. Odds are I never will. And if “they” can find me in an emergency, they can probably find me anytime, which doesn’t seem like privacy.[/quote]

I’ve called 911 once. Suicidally crazy Corvette driver. I may never need it for an emergency again, but if I was laying alone at the bottom of a cliff with a broken leg and I didn’t have it, at that moment I’d probably be thinking that I would happily pay $25,000 to have one (40 years worth of cell bills).

[quote]That is cool (is this capability really available for civilians? Wow). But again, I must cite the odds. It may be a legitimate use of a mobile phone, but I’ve had my car stolen exactly 0 times in my life, and odds are it never will be. Plus, I keep hoping somebody steals my 1990 Volvo.[/quote]

Yup, you just need to have an alarm that’s integrated with it and your ignition. If it’s a newer car with bluetooth (and there’s a microphone), you can even talk to the thief through the stereo, or just listen in to any conversations that may be taking place.

[quote]But I think some people are turning off their brains to depend on these devices. I have friends who cannot remember a single phone number or address, because all this information is in their device and omitted from their brain. Why even bother trying to remember bread or any other groceries when shopping? –Just call up the house and find out what you’re out of (and try to not annoy the other shoppers with one side of a banal grocery discussion — chances are they’re on their phones, too, so no worries).[/quote]

This is true. The only numbers I remember are my own and my wife’s (barely).

There are some unspoken rules. You don’t talk on the phone in the checkout line, or anywhere else where the people around you can’t escape. Grocery store aisles are okay.

[Ren]

[quote=northparkbuyer]True. But I have dialed 911 in my life exactly 0 times. Odds are I never will. And if “they” can find me in an emergency, they can probably find me anytime, which doesn’t seem like privacy.[/quote]

I’ve called 911 once. Suicidally crazy Corvette driver. I may never need it for an emergency again, but if I was laying alone at the bottom of a cliff with a broken leg and I didn’t have it, at that moment I’d probably be thinking that I would happily pay $25,000 to have one (40 years worth of cell bills).

[quote]That is cool (is this capability really available for civilians? Wow). But again, I must cite the odds. It may be a legitimate use of a mobile phone, but I’ve had my car stolen exactly 0 times in my life, and odds are it never will be. Plus, I keep hoping somebody steals my 1990 Volvo.[/quote]

Yup, you just need to have an alarm that’s integrated with it and your ignition. If it’s a newer car with bluetooth (and there’s a microphone), you can even talk to the thief through the stereo, or just listen in to any conversations that may be taking place.

[quote]But I think some people are turning off their brains to depend on these devices. I have friends who cannot remember a single phone number or address, because all this information is in their device and omitted from their brain. Why even bother trying to remember bread or any other groceries when shopping? –Just call up the house and find out what you’re out of (and try to not annoy the other shoppers with one side of a banal grocery discussion — chances are they’re on their phones, too, so no worries).[/quote]

This is true. The only numbers I remember are my own and my wife’s (barely).

There are some unspoken rules. You don’t talk on the phone in the checkout line, or anywhere else where the people around you can’t escape. Grocery store aisles are okay.

[Ren]

[quote=northparkbuyer]True. But I have dialed 911 in my life exactly 0 times. Odds are I never will. And if “they” can find me in an emergency, they can probably find me anytime, which doesn’t seem like privacy.[/quote]

I’ve called 911 once. Suicidally crazy Corvette driver. I may never need it for an emergency again, but if I was laying alone at the bottom of a cliff with a broken leg and I didn’t have it, at that moment I’d probably be thinking that I would happily pay $25,000 to have one (40 years worth of cell bills).

[quote]That is cool (is this capability really available for civilians? Wow). But again, I must cite the odds. It may be a legitimate use of a mobile phone, but I’ve had my car stolen exactly 0 times in my life, and odds are it never will be. Plus, I keep hoping somebody steals my 1990 Volvo.[/quote]

Yup, you just need to have an alarm that’s integrated with it and your ignition. If it’s a newer car with bluetooth (and there’s a microphone), you can even talk to the thief through the stereo, or just listen in to any conversations that may be taking place.

[quote]But I think some people are turning off their brains to depend on these devices. I have friends who cannot remember a single phone number or address, because all this information is in their device and omitted from their brain. Why even bother trying to remember bread or any other groceries when shopping? –Just call up the house and find out what you’re out of (and try to not annoy the other shoppers with one side of a banal grocery discussion — chances are they’re on their phones, too, so no worries).[/quote]

This is true. The only numbers I remember are my own and my wife’s (barely).

There are some unspoken rules. You don’t talk on the phone in the checkout line, or anywhere else where the people around you can’t escape. Grocery store aisles are okay.

[Ren]

[quote=briansd1]One thing to be careful about the cell phone: it’s a tracking device.[/quote]

I don’t worry about the tracking thing. Where I go isn’t a secret and doesn’t need to be. If “they” (the MIB?) want to find me and actually go to the trouble of doing so, more power to them. They can buy me lunch, or take pictures of me while I eat Rice King in my car – whatever floats their boat 🙂

[Ren]

[quote=briansd1]One thing to be careful about the cell phone: it’s a tracking device.[/quote]

I don’t worry about the tracking thing. Where I go isn’t a secret and doesn’t need to be. If “they” (the MIB?) want to find me and actually go to the trouble of doing so, more power to them. They can buy me lunch, or take pictures of me while I eat Rice King in my car – whatever floats their boat 🙂

[Ren]

[quote=briansd1]One thing to be careful about the cell phone: it’s a tracking device.[/quote]

I don’t worry about the tracking thing. Where I go isn’t a secret and doesn’t need to be. If “they” (the MIB?) want to find me and actually go to the trouble of doing so, more power to them. They can buy me lunch, or take pictures of me while I eat Rice King in my car – whatever floats their boat 🙂

[Ren]

[quote=briansd1]One thing to be careful about the cell phone: it’s a tracking device.[/quote]

I don’t worry about the tracking thing. Where I go isn’t a secret and doesn’t need to be. If “they” (the MIB?) want to find me and actually go to the trouble of doing so, more power to them. They can buy me lunch, or take pictures of me while I eat Rice King in my car – whatever floats their boat 🙂

[Ren]

[quote=briansd1]One thing to be careful about the cell phone: it’s a tracking device.[/quote]

I don’t worry about the tracking thing. Where I go isn’t a secret and doesn’t need to be. If “they” (the MIB?) want to find me and actually go to the trouble of doing so, more power to them. They can buy me lunch, or take pictures of me while I eat Rice King in my car – whatever floats their boat 🙂

[Author]

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