It’s hard getting used to not having a reliable land line phone sitting patiently nearby. But if the truth be known, many seldom use the land line and rely on their more convenient cell phone. Why not weigh the options and settle down for one or the other and save a bundle of money. Of course, that may be a decision that must be considered carefully, but possibly the biggest problem will be getting over not having that clunky land phone around. The cell phone may not be useful for some, however, and getting rid of it may be more practical. And still yet, both may be necessary and that option must be clearly defined. Doing that will do away with guilt over too many phones and will quiet the emotional overcharged.
Land phones are more reliable
Land phones, those clunky little technological wizards that have been technologically changing since Alexander Graham Bell invented them March 10, 1870, are becoming outdated; yes they are outdated, but still useful. Yet they cannot be carried in one’s pocket and no one can text message on them, but they are everywhere and can go places cell phones cannot. Neither do they have to be recharged about every two days and they seldom rudely cut you off without warning when their battery is on empty or when you have entered into territories they cannot enter. And for the most part, they are easier to hear and to speak in to.
Until more recent portable phones existed, land lines with their wall jacks and their cords that reached only a few feet with their wall jacks and chords that reached only a few feet. Phone users had to stop whatever they were doing and run to the phone; that was a nuisance. Yet one unmistakable advantage to this type of system was freedom from telephones. One could opt out for a few hours and no one, friend, neighbor, parents, husband, wife or employer could find you. Of course, individuals who were of the more responsible sort would have a way for them to leave messages, a kind of forerunner to the cell phone’s text messaging.
Cell phones are here to stay
When Martin Cooper’s cell phone, which was invented in 1973, hit the market in 1983, the world of telecommunications never looked back. Motorola, the manufacturing company owned by Google, knew they were to have the last word in telecommunications. It appears that way at least, but still the larger and older phones are still visible on business desks. However, cell phones are hot items and keep changing and getting more involved. In fact, they are now probably the most useful ‘toy’ around.
One of the more useful features of cell phones is safety and convenience. As an example, when on the road and the car stalls, it’s simple to call for a tow truck. Formerly one had to wait for help from passersby to alert someone that help was needed. Another advantage, parents can rest assured their child can call them when they are having trouble at school or need to be picked up. Useful, useful, useful are written all over these gadgets in so many ways, but as with everything, they too have their downside.
Cell phones are a waste of time in many instances. How many times are they used to combat boredom, or to have something to do as a pretense to get out of chores or against the problem of being alone and having to think? In that respect, they are over used as are most technological gadgets. It’s up to the owner and the one in need to see that they use this newest communication medium correctly and wisely.
Telephone problems in general
Having others know where one can be reached at any time of the day is both good and bad. Others trying to sell their products get their long list of potential customers in various ways from companies selling addresses and phone numbers. These companies gather data by making sure telephone numbers are listed on order forms and collecting them during the course of business. What then happens is chaos for the phone user who grows weary from getting those numerous solicitations over their phone. And most annoying of all, are calls at dinner time.
There’s really no way around such ruthlessness among those trying to make money any way available, but the owner of the phone has a few options. One of these is stop making their phone number available to everyone that asks for it. As an example: You are placing an order for an item and expect not to be using this company on a regular basis. Why give them your phone number? You pay the amount, give them an address and if they have a problem and need to get your attention, why can’t they send you a snail mail note?
Once upon a time, in the not too distance past, this was the only means of communication, and it seemed to work well. In other words, be stingy with your telephone number. The cost privilege and the modern convenience of cell phone service is high. And if it is chosen, it should be a useful and legitimate service. Elderly people are especially vulnerable; they get numerous calls from solicitors who try to sell them on various items they don’t need or don’t want. It makes no difference to them that their Medicare insurance will pay for it; their only thought is to be left alone. They may think to themselves, “If I need such and such an item, I will call you. I may be old but I am not stupid, nor am I greedy.”
As a final thought, each person must decide if they need to be available every minute of the day or night. Do their lifestyles need such means of being available to others? Weigh the costs of not having one or the other phone against lifestyle and see if getting along without the huge costs of maintaining both is possible. If not, sure, give it a trail run. There will be no problem of reinstating the phone, either one, if doing without is too problematic. There are not too many places to hide anymore, but look carefully as there may still be a household nook available after removing an aggravating phone line.