The Tech Support Thread

[[ETM]]

Neither me or my wife own a cell phone and I think we're better people because of it.

Well, that's cool if you can pull it off. I don't know if it makes you better people, but it definitely means you lead a lifestyle that doesn't include many of the common aspects for most of the people.

I could go rogue and ditch my cellphone. I wouldn't be able to contact my family since I don't have a landline, I'd lose most of my clients and jobs and pretty much be left with very few choices in life.

[Ezee E]

Well, that's cool if you can pull it off. I don't know if it makes you better people, but it definitely means you lead a lifestyle that doesn't include many of the common aspects for most of the people.

I could go rogue and ditch my cellphone. I wouldn't be able to contact my family since I don't have a landline, I'd lose most of my clients and jobs and pretty much be left with very few choices in life.

But you'd be a better person.

[EyesWideOpen]

I'm not saying that we are better than other people because we don't have cellphones, I'm saying we are better off not having cellphones. Of course in certain instances (if you require one for a job, out of town constantly) then they might be a good tool but for the most part they are doing far more damage to our society than good.

[Ezee E]

I'm not saying that we are better than other people because we don't have cellphones, I'm saying we are better off not having cellphones. Of course in certain instances (if you require one for a job, out of town constantly) then they might be a good tool but for the most part they are doing far more damage to our society than good.

How is it doing more damage? I'd like to hear your thoughts on this, because I find it pretty hard to believe.

Not only in the cases listed, but as an aide in emergency, the cellphone is great. Not only in the "emergency" cases of being lost, others being lsot, or a quicker reach for kids, but also in the instance of yourself being hurt. Many phones have ICE Support so that ER Docs can easily notify someone.

[[ETM]]

I agree that they have changed a lot of things for the worse, but the inevitable truth is that once it has changed, you can't just go back. The whole world has to. So yeah, if you can manage without it in the modern world, more power to ya, but that just means you're very, very, very lucky.

[EyesWideOpen]

How is it doing more damage? I'd like to hear your thoughts on this, because I find it pretty hard to believe.

Not only in the cases listed, but as an aide in emergency, the cellphone is great. Not only in the "emergency" cases of being lost, others being lsot, or a quicker reach for kids, but also in the instance of yourself being hurt. Many phones have ICE Support so that ER Docs can easily notify someone.

Your example makes up less then 1% of all cell phone calls though. It's making people into neurotic robots who have to be constantly checking their phone when they should be focused on other things (walking or driving for example so they don't run others over). I drive a truck around downtown Phoenix for the majority of my work day and I'm constantly having to watch out for people on their cellphones walking in front of my truck when their not paying attention and the same with drivers pulling in front of me and almost colliding with me and never even noticing because they're to involved in their phone conversation.

I imagine far more lives are lost due to cell phones then are saved by them.

[Ezee E]

Your example makes up less then 1% of all cell phone calls though. It's making people into neurotic robots who have to be constantly checking their phone when they should be focused on other things (walking or driving for example so they don't run others over). I drive a truck around downtown Phoenix for the majority of my work day and I'm constantly having to watch out for people on their cellphones walking in front of my truck when their not paying attention and the same with drivers pulling in front of me and almost colliding with me and never even noticing because they're to involved in their phone conversation.

I imagine far more lives are lost due to cell phones then are saved by them.

How about the amount of lives that are saved because 911 is called quicker as a result of cell phones?

[Dukefrukem]

How is it doing more damage?

They destroy every good horror movie idea.

[Fezzik]

I'm not saying that we are better than other people because we don't have cellphones, I'm saying we are better off not having cellphones. Of course in certain instances (if you require one for a job, out of town constantly) then they might be a good tool but for the most part they are doing far more damage to our society than good.

To be fair, this argument has been made after every major advance in technology.

Every technology has its good points and its opportunity for abuse. Its all about how its used.


Sure, I hate it too when people's driving is affected by talking/texting, or when people use their phones at the movies, etc.

But I'd be lying if I didnt get a kick out of it the first time I called home from the store (on my first cell phone, about 10 years ago), to make sure I was getting the exact correct formula of cough medicine for my niece.


Or the first time I used my iPhone to call a friend from the office supply Store, took a picture of the desk I was looking at, sent it to him via email on my phone and then talked to him as he looked at the picture and confirmed that the desk was the one he was looking for.

Little things, but I can't imagine trying to do stuff now without being able to contact people when I need to.

Best use of cellphones so far: Calling people when I'm lost to get directions.

[bac0n]

I switched to Macs 6 years ago and I've never looked back. Whatever limitations they might have are things I don't wanna do anyway, so it's all smiles for me.

[[ETM]]

Loads and loads of software not available on Macs. Some Apple software is equal or better than the PC stuff, but there's always more choice in the other camp. As with the phone, mp3 players, Apple philosophy "we know what you need, so just give in" just rubs me the wrong way every time. Quality hardware, often quality software, but waaay too little choice in every aspect of the experience.

[lovejuice]

I switched to Macs 6 years ago and I've never looked back. Whatever limitations they might have are things I don't wanna do anyway, so it's all smiles for me.

to me, it's just the opposite. my main reason for sticking with pc is thai fonts. (i'm a writer afterall.) even the shittiest pc in a computer room handles thai fonts better than my office mac.

"we know what you need, so just give in" just rubs me the wrong way every time.

totally agree here.