Went into city the other day on the train. There they all were, young and old, mostly young, thumbs going ten to the dozen, chimes of one sort or another ringing out on a regular basis, a girl two seats away carried on a conversation for 25 minutes in a loud voice that in the end was totally meaningless, fatuous and downright irritating but it did achieve one thing, it helped the telco's bottom line. Three stops from home a middle aged bloke gets on sits down and brings out a notebook, plugs in the earphones and microphone then proceeds to dictate some diatribe about setting a course for some students, intermittently looking around to make sure that he is being noticed. Three stops from where he got off, roughly 8 minutes then he had to put the laptop away!! Magnarc is sitting there, wondering what sort of society we will be in twenty years time, (shouldn't really affect me, twenty years on would put me in the late nineties which I doubt that I will reach) Am I the only one in Melbourne who has a mobile phone to just receive and make calls? Am I the only one who does not need an App to find out where I'm going, (or where I've been!!!)
Got a lift with Brother in Law a few days ago and there he is talking to someone called Siri on his phone asking her, (it was a womans voice) where was the nearest Thai restaurant, and he has lived in that particular country town for forty years!!!. I can only assume that it was for my benefit. ( he has always been a bit of a big noter)
Ok I admit to being dragged kicking and screaming into the mobile phone era, I realised the benefits when one is on the road, so I caved in and bought one, trying to work out how to operate the bloody thing, well, I think I'll leave that for another day!!!!!!
End of rant.
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Those who wish to reap the blessings of freedom must, as men, endure the fatigue of defending it.
Interestingly, I went to a Uni reunion last year - the first time in 52 years I had seen the guys I studied with. Of the 7 there, only one had a smartphone. The others (including me) had the older type mobiles - you know - the one which make a noise and you pick them up and press a green button and say "Hello". Isn''t that what phones are for?
We were sitting in restruant in Hong Kong. A couple on the next table were there before us. Both were using Smart phones and did not communicate to one another the entire time. When their meal arrived they stopped and dished up a serving each and continued on, never speaking. Go figure.
Yeah, that's what the basic functions of phones are erad, but these days they bare so much more useful. While I was still working (12 months ago) I had all my tech data and schematics stored on the phone for easy access at the point of work. I used the camera to take a snap of a possibly dodgy looking component, or part of a schematic, to MMS to the engineer working in the main office to get his opinion on something. Or just photos of the job for future reference. I had a spreadsheet where I kept all my work hours, that would automatically calculate shift loading, leave accrued etc, because the office staff were notorious for stuffing it up. I use an electronics app that has many functions that I used on a daily basis (voltage drop, wire sizing etc) as well as a multitude of other info that I used from time to time. I have my Troopy servicing schedule on a spreadsheet, with all the parts numbers noted for belts, brake shoes, pads, hoses, filters, so I can walk into a store and get the bits I need without having to sift through the suppliers applications charts. I have heaps of other info and datasheets for electronics componenets, mechanical specs. I have (although not much use now) a current CV with PDF copies of all my trade and academic certificates, along with pics of stuff I have worked on (which was what actually swung my last job, when they didn't understand the relevance of my actual trade to theirs). I use it to pay my bills, and do some banking tasks It is my reminder for regos and licence renewals plus various other odd chores or appointments. Plus a myriad of other tasks trivial and not so trivial. Scientific Calculator and conversions app I wish I had something similar years ago when I used to rely on ratty old notepads and books with plastic sleeves to hold "Good Guts" information.
Just don't ring me, my phone is way to busy to be taking phone calls
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Yes I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
I hate mobile phones and until a few years ago I had an old brick. The only time I use it is for safety and to charge it. I have never used an app I don't know how to use half of the functions and I don't care to. Mobile phone behavior has replaced real interactions with real live people.
I hate that face book and twitter rubbish as well.
I quite like the internet though, it can be very handy sometimes.
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How do you think I've remained interested in life this long?
Caliban. If you still had the orginal brick it also doubles up as a personal defense weapon that you can hit an offender over the head with or poke their eyes and other sensitive parts out with the aerial lol.
I agree with the demise of real face to face chat though but I admire how most young people can walk through crowded shopping malls with their phone in front of them as they text and not walk into a shop glass window or post and don't usually bump into many approaching people also busy texting
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
she does the dishes and the washing ask me if I want coffee, makes breakfast lunch & dinner What i want to eat,To me she is a million dollars worth she got only one problem she doesn't like to drive
When I was young & commuting into the city to work via train every day I used to enjoy admiring the legs of the young ladies my age wearing mini-skirts, far more interesting than looking at a telephone screen. A lot of them seemed to appreciate my admiration which was very gratifying. I ended up chatting & dating a few of them too.
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.