Freaking Cell Phones

[Miss Mia]

I go to make a phone call today and it shuts off.  I turned it on and it won't do anything.  It's on, the battery's charged, but it won't actually go to the screen so I can make calls.

 

So after work I have to go to AT&T and get a new phone.  Grr. 

On the upside, I've decided to do the pay as you go instead of signing a new contract.  I really don't use my cell phone much and I'm paying like $60/month right now.  I have a gazillion roll over minutes.

[guest]

My phone has done the same thing from time to time, MM, but my method for fixing it involves removing the battery, putting it back in, and it worked fine after that.  But it sounds like your phone's problem was worse.   

I'm going to let my contract run out and then get a pay as you go plan as well.  I have one year to go.

[Miss Mia]

My phone has done the same thing from time to time, MM, but my method for fixing it involves removing the battery, putting it back in, and it worked fine after that.  But it sounds like your phone's problem was worse.   

I'm going to let my contract run out and then get a pay as you go plan as well.  I have one year to go.

Yeah, I tried taking the battery out and I giggled the SIM card too.

Oh well, I told my dad and he said if it's not much he'll pay for a new phone.  I found an LG for $40.  I can always upgrade later.  And really I'll be saving money each month by going on pay as you go. 

[Chris_]

My phone has done the same thing from time to time, MM, but my method for fixing it involves removing the battery, putting it back in, and it worked fine after that.  But it sounds like your phone's problem was worse.   

I'm going to let my contract run out and then get a pay as you go plan as well.  I have one year to go.

Yeah, I tried taking the battery out and I giggled the SIM card too.

Oh well, I told my dad and he said if it's not much he'll pay for a new phone.  I found an LG for $40.  I can always upgrade later.  And really I'll be saving money each month by going on pay as you go. 

LG phones are good, from what I hear.  Inexpensive, but they work just as well as the more expensive ones.  I may consider one too. 

[Miss Mia]

My phone has done the same thing from time to time, MM, but my method for fixing it involves removing the battery, putting it back in, and it worked fine after that.  But it sounds like your phone's problem was worse.   

I'm going to let my contract run out and then get a pay as you go plan as well.  I have one year to go.

Yeah, I tried taking the battery out and I giggled the SIM card too.

Oh well, I told my dad and he said if it's not much he'll pay for a new phone.  I found an LG for $40.  I can always upgrade later.  And really I'll be saving money each month by going on pay as you go. 

LG phones are good, from what I hear.  Inexpensive, but they work just as well as the more expensive ones.  I may consider one too. 

I want that w580i, but I'll just wait, I don't want to spend that much right now...well my dad won't spend that much.  LOL.

I'm sure the LG will work just fine. 

[Lacarnut]

I go to make a phone call today and it shuts off.  I turned it on and it won't do anything.  It's on, the battery's charged, but it won't actually go to the screen so I can make calls.

 

So after work I have to go to AT&T and get a new phone.  Grr. 

.

I wish everyone of those suckers would die. Can not tell you how many times I have almost gotten hit in my car where some dumb ass is running his or her mouth off.

[Chris_]

Leo Getz (Joe Peschi Lethal Weapon 4)

They **** you with the cell phones!

[Chris_]

I go to make a phone call today and it shuts off.  I turned it on and it won't do anything.  It's on, the battery's charged, but it won't actually go to the screen so I can make calls.

 

So after work I have to go to AT&T and get a new phone.  Grr. 

.

I wish everyone of those suckers would die. Can not tell you how many times I have almost gotten hit in my car where some dumb ass is running his or her mouth off.

I've made it a habit NOT to use my cell-phone while driving, out of respect for others. Mine gets used mostly while I'm in NOT in the car.  With all this traffic around where I live, anyone who uses a cell-phone while driving has a death wish.    I've had family members get hit from behind because other people were too busy yakking on the phone to pay attention to the road. 

[Chris_]

I go to make a phone call today and it shuts off.  I turned it on and it won't do anything.  It's on, the battery's charged, but it won't actually go to the screen so I can make calls.

 :banghead:

So after work I have to go to AT&T and get a new phone.  Grr. 

.

I wish everyone of those suckers would die. Can not tell you how many times I have almost gotten hit in my car where some dumb ass is running his or her mouth off.

On the road, talking on a cell phone is equivalent to driving drunk.  And that is true whether you are using a headset or not.

I don't talk on the cell unless I 100% know I am on a long (20+ mile) straight freeway.  And even then I keep it short.  People who use cell phones in congestion should be floggedin public -- their disdain and self-absorption is truly the definition of evil.

And I tell this to my colleagues who think their stupid calls are more important than my life.

[Miss Mia]

I don't use my phone in the car unless it's an emergency. 

Okay, I picked up the cheapy LG.  I'm so sad.   

I don't have any of my fun ring tones.  It just sucks.  But I am on the pay as you go right now.  Hmm, I'm thinking in a couple of months I'll sign on a contract again and get a better phone. 

[Uhhuh35]

Leo Getz (Joe Peschi Lethal Weapon 4)

They **** you with the cell phones!

That's gotta' hurt!

[Chris_]

My TI-83 stopped working today. 

I hope the batteries are just dead.

[jtyangel]

I'll wait for my public flogging. LOL. Seriously, my children fighting and whining in the backseat are more of a distraction then a brief phone call. I find I'm about as distracted as talking to someone in the passenger seat. I think the real problem with the cell phones is the fiddling with them..holding them to the ear(so one can't turn their neck appropriately), dialing #s, etc etc. That's where the distraction lies. Either way, this is an individual abilities thing. Some people are just very good drivers regardless and can multi-task on the road, others shouldn't even have other people in the car when they are driving since they are so prone to distraction or don't have multi-tasking skills in this area.

Oh and my latest phone--bought a couple months ago is the Treo 755P.

[Chris_]

I'll wait for my public flogging. LOL. Seriously, my children fighting and whining in the backseat are more of a distraction then a brief phone call. I find I'm about as distracted as talking to someone in the passenger seat. I think the real problem with the cell phones is the fiddling with them..holding them to the ear(so one can't turn their neck appropriately), dialing #s, etc etc. That's where the distraction lies. Either way, this is an individual abilities thing. Some people are just very good drivers regardless and can multi-task on the road, others shouldn't even have other people in the car when they are driving since they are so prone to distraction or don't have multi-tasking skills in this area.

Oh and my latest phone--bought a couple months ago is the Treo 755P.

No, it has to do with the wiring of the human brain.  Using the phone is a distinct brain action that requires the same part of your brain that you use to drive.  Things like changing CDs or radio stations, talking to the person next to you, yelling at the kids are all easily accommodated by your brain while you drive. 

But when you get on the phone, different "circuits" kick in and you essentially are overloaded.  Study after study (I can get them if you want) basically state that driving with a cell phone conversation is the same as driving drunk. The physical part of it (dialing, etc.) just takes you from drunk to really drunk.

It isn't a question of multi-tasking skills.  It is a question of biology.

Now, before you take or make your next cell phone call in the car, especially with the kids, you need to ask yourself "would I make this drive drunk?"  If the answer is no, then demur and defer.
 

[rich_t]

I'll wait for my public flogging. LOL. Seriously, my children fighting and whining in the backseat are more of a distraction then a brief phone call. I find I'm about as distracted as talking to someone in the passenger seat. I think the real problem with the cell phones is the fiddling with them..holding them to the ear(so one can't turn their neck appropriately), dialing #s, etc etc. That's where the distraction lies. Either way, this is an individual abilities thing. Some people are just very good drivers regardless and can multi-task on the road, others shouldn't even have other people in the car when they are driving since they are so prone to distraction or don't have multi-tasking skills in this area.

Oh and my latest phone--bought a couple months ago is the Treo 755P.

No, it has to do with the wiring of the human brain.  Using the phone is a distinct brain action that requires the same part of your brain that you use to drive.  Things like changing CDs or radio stations, talking to the person next to you, yelling at the kids are all easily accommodated by your brain while you drive. 

But when you get on the phone, different "circuits" kick in and you essentially are overloaded.  Study after study (I can get them if you want) basically state that driving with a cell phone conversation is the same as driving drunk. The physical part of it (dialing, etc.) just takes you from drunk to really drunk.

It isn't a question of multi-tasking skills.  It is a question of biology.

Now, before you take or make your next cell phone call in the car, especially with the kids, you need to ask yourself "would I make this drive drunk?"  If the answer is no, then demur and defer.
 

Really?  Got any evidence of that?  I've never heard that before.  I'd like to read more about it.

[Chris_]

It was in the news a while back.  Here's a link to the study... http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-6090342-7.html

[rich_t]

It was in the news a while back.  Here's a link to the study... http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-6090342-7.html

Oh that part I can believe and have actually heard.

I meant the part about "Using the phone is a distinct brain action that requires the same part of your brain that you use to drive."

I should have been more clear with my question.

Sorry for the confusion.

[jtyangel]

I'll wait for my public flogging. LOL. Seriously, my children fighting and whining in the backseat are more of a distraction then a brief phone call. I find I'm about as distracted as talking to someone in the passenger seat. I think the real problem with the cell phones is the fiddling with them..holding them to the ear(so one can't turn their neck appropriately), dialing #s, etc etc. That's where the distraction lies. Either way, this is an individual abilities thing. Some people are just very good drivers regardless and can multi-task on the road, others shouldn't even have other people in the car when they are driving since they are so prone to distraction or don't have multi-tasking skills in this area.

Oh and my latest phone--bought a couple months ago is the Treo 755P.

No, it has to do with the wiring of the human brain.  Using the phone is a distinct brain action that requires the same part of your brain that you use to drive.  Things like changing CDs or radio stations, talking to the person next to you, yelling at the kids are all easily accommodated by your brain while you drive. 

But when you get on the phone, different "circuits" kick in and you essentially are overloaded.  Study after study (I can get them if you want) basically state that driving with a cell phone conversation is the same as driving drunk. The physical part of it (dialing, etc.) just takes you from drunk to really drunk.

It isn't a question of multi-tasking skills.  It is a question of biology.

Now, before you take or make your next cell phone call in the car, especially with the kids, you need to ask yourself "would I make this drive drunk?"  If the answer is no, then demur and defer.
 

Nice emotionalism in the last sentence there, free. It's right up there with a hundred or two idiots laying down playing dead in front of Phillip Morris in the 'Truth' commercials. 

[Chris_]

Nice emotionalism in the last sentence there, free. It's right up there with a hundred or two idiots laying down playing dead in front of Phillip Morris in the 'Truth' commercials.  :lmao:

Yeah, it was a little over the top.  I guess I am very passionate on the subject since I have been almost run off the road and one time inches away from being hit in a crosswalk by cell phone users.

IMHO, people who talk and drive have complete disdain and contempt for the other drivers -- their silly-assed little conversation is more important than my life.  And that I don't think is over the top.

[Chris_]

It was in the news a while back.  Here's a link to the study... http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-6090342-7.html

Oh that part I can believe and have actually heard.

I meant the part about "Using the phone is a distinct brain action that requires the same part of your brain that you use to drive."

I should have been more clear with my question.

Sorry for the confusion.

I may have oversimplified, but here is a start: http://www.infoworld.com/articles/hn/xml/01/08/06/010806hnecbrain.html

[Toastedturningtidelegs]

Nice emotionalism in the last sentence there, free. It's right up there with a hundred or two idiots laying down playing dead in front of Phillip Morris in the 'Truth' commercials. 

Yeah, it was a little over the top.  I guess I am very passionate on the subject since I have been almost run off the road and one time inches away from being hit in a crosswalk by cell phone users.

IMHO, people who talk and drive have complete disdain and contempt for the other drivers -- their silly-assed little conversation is more important than my life.  And that I don't think is over the top.

Free? Do you ever change the radio station while driving? Ever eat while driving? both of these things will cause you to become distracted and not have your complete attention to driving.

[jtyangel]

Nice emotionalism in the last sentence there, free. It's right up there with a hundred or two idiots laying down playing dead in front of Phillip Morris in the 'Truth' commercials. 

Yeah, it was a little over the top.  I guess I am very passionate on the subject since I have been almost run off the road and one time inches away from being hit in a crosswalk by cell phone users.

IMHO, people who talk and drive have complete disdain and contempt for the other drivers -- their silly-assed little conversation is more important than my life.  And that I don't think is over the top.

I still think you are over emotionalizing the topic. I'd like to know the driving records of everyone in that study. I think that matters. FWIW and hoping it does not jinx me, I have not been in an accident and I've been driving 20 years. SOME people should not talk and drive for the same reason some people should not drive 18 wheelers or fly planes. They simply do not have the capability for it, nor are they responsible enough drivers to understand when driving conditions warrant limited distractions. They are the same people that end up in ditches because they drive 50 mph in a blizzard. But, that is a personal responsibility issue and like ending up in a ditch before a blizzard, you get ticketed for it AFTER you have committed a driving offense caused by your inability to use judgment when driving, you don't ban everyone from driving in a blizzard.

At least tell me you aren't the type that has the misconception that people who use their phone with driving do it ALL the time and in ANY driving condition. That simply is not true.

[Chris_]

Nice emotionalism in the last sentence there, free. It's right up there with a hundred or two idiots laying down playing dead in front of Phillip Morris in the 'Truth' commercials. 

Yeah, it was a little over the top.  I guess I am very passionate on the subject since I have been almost run off the road and one time inches away from being hit in a crosswalk by cell phone users.

IMHO, people who talk and drive have complete disdain and contempt for the other drivers -- their silly-assed little conversation is more important than my life.  And that I don't think is over the top.

I still think you are over emotionalizing the topic. I'd like to know the driving records of everyone in that study. I think that matters. FWIW and hoping it does not jinx me, I have not been in an accident and I've been driving 20 years. SOME people should not talk and drive for the same reason some people should not drive 18 wheelers or fly planes. They simply do not have the capability for it, nor are they responsible enough drivers to understand when driving conditions warrant limited distractions. They are the same people that end up in ditches because they drive 50 mph in a blizzard. But, that is a personal responsibility issue and like ending up in a ditch before a blizzard, you get ticketed for it AFTER you have committed a driving offense caused by your inability to use judgment when driving, you don't ban everyone from driving in a blizzard.

At least tell me you aren't the type that has the misconception that people who use their phone with driving do it ALL the time and in ANY driving condition. That simply is not true.

Fair enough -- I am mostly ranting against people who get on the phone and talk nonstop before, during and after their driving trip (we all know the type). Although my hard and fast rule is to never accept cell phone calls while driving, I will allow myself to make a brief call if I know I am on a long, uninterrupted, straight stretch.  But I limit it to a minute or so.

[DixieBelle]

I gotta go with FD on this one. It is a different type of distraction and not comparable to turning on the radio or talking with a passenger. I've tested the theory on myself and I do feel distracted in a different way when talking on a cell phone. That's why I don't it at all. In fact, I keep it on silent while driving. I lived a lot of years before cell phones. I cannot think of a single thing that needs to be communicated to me in the short amount of time I drive my car. I turn the ringer back on when I put my keys in my car and I check for messages then. We rely too heavily on electronics as it is. Call me a luddite!!!

[Lauri]

I go to make a phone call today and it shuts off.  I turned it on and it won't do anything.  It's on, the battery's charged, but it won't actually go to the screen so I can make calls.

 

So after work I have to go to AT&T and get a new phone.  Grr. 

On the upside, I've decided to do the pay as you go instead of signing a new contract.  I really don't use my cell phone much and I'm paying like $60/month right now.  I have a gazillion roll over minutes.

you need to meet Loik.... Loik is da man.