[Razor]

I am working on a project at school. The topic we got is about mobile phones. We are supposed to discuss advantages and disadvantages (good and bad sides) on using these gadgets. So what do you guys think? What is good and what is bad about them? Please post your suggestions, opinions, reasons on why is something good/bad etc...

Thanks

[Petrarch of the VBB]

There is one, non-dangerous, nice and middle-of-the-road opinion.

they are useful.

[01010]

I like blue screens

[elorran]

Mobiles are good because they allow you to communicate with others much more freely than we typically could before.  They are fashionable and as both are handy to have around in emergencies.

However, for these same reasons, mobiles are bad if you are trying to get away from it all.  People still can contact you if you have a mobile on your person (and it's turned on).  Mobiles can be expensive and some people can't afford them or the upkeeps and so can't always be as 'fashionable' as other people with their mobile phones (creating yet another gap in society).  Mobiles are also annoying when the go off in a public area (especially libraries and such).

Mobiles are especially bad when driving.  How many accidents have been coursed by those stupid retards who insist on driving, one handed down the motorway (or freeway in US cases) paying little attention to the raod as they natter on about last nights rave or party to a mate or college.  Yes, there are numerous people who do it including some of you here.

Another possible bad side to mobile phones is the signals they put out.  Mobiles use microwave communications.  Now while these are harmless in their configured form, no one knows what prolonged exposure may do to the human body (or even effect the brain) and the number of such signals 'polluting' the airwaves has increased by almost 4000% over the last 10 years... that figure is correct, 4000% on main land europe.  I dread to think what it's gotten like in North America (US & Canada).

However, do we see mobiles going out of society's window any time soon?  I think not.  But even if someone does prove the mobiles are dangerous for one reason or another we won't get rid of them right away, we'll probably just find another method to using them that isn't thought to be harmful.  Mobiles are good for communications, but at the same time can be annoying and bad for just the same reasons at times.  And there is also the possibility that the microwave radiation could be harmful in some way (the new age cigerettes, except this time around everyone is forced to 'breath in the passive smoke' of mobile phone transmissions).

People have come to accept the need for mobiles and some are far to dependant on them in the present day and age.  And we won't be seeing a defenestraition* of mobiles any time soon.

* Defenestration; the art of throwing things out of a window.

[Styxx]

Originally posted by elorran
* Defenestration; the art of throwing things out of a window.

A word that, obviously, derivates from "finestra", meaning "window".

[kode]

yes. My mobile is very useful. let us just forget the fact that I almost exclusively use it as an alarm clock...

[Stunaep]

just a fact: 79% of estonians own cell phones.

[beatspete]

Phones are useful generally, though there are a lot of kids who should be doing more important things than texting their little friends to get da gssp.

[Stealth]

cellphones are bad because they increase your phone bill when you overuse your minutes, but the advantages are you can check email, chat, message (text), etc.

[kode]

I think I've called for about $50 since I first got a mobile phone years ago.

I've tested WAP a little. quite useful, but awfully slow.

[CP5670]

useless as far as I am concerned; I never need to talk to anyone anyway.

[Styxx]

Originally posted by CP5670
useless as far as I am concerned; I never need to talk to anyone anyway.

You mean, no one would bother to talk to you anyway.

[Ulundel]

Originally posted by Stunaep
just a fact: 79% of estonians own cell phones.

Woa! That much...even I didn't know that

You mean, no one would bother to talk to you anyway

lol

[Knight Templar]

Cell Phones are great. I've had a Cell phone for 3 years now, and its a nice asset when I need it. No reason really not to have one unless you are afraid of communication.

Most people say it costs too much money, but a good alternative would be to get rid of Home phones, which usually aren't any better than Cell phones, cost more in the long run (cells you get free minutes and cool plan dealies) and Home Phones attract telemarketers.

[Tar-Palantir]

but a good alternative would be to get rid of Home phones, which usually aren't any better than Cell phones

Unless of course you have to connect to the internet though a 'phone line in which case a mobile would be expensive.

Personally I wish mobiles could be de-invented. Yes they have their (good) usages and yes, I have one, but its usally kept on silent. Plus anyone who knows me knows to contact me though my land line.

What was quite amusing (to me) with mobiles phones is when I saw three people who had gone out for a night to the bar I was in, all had there phones out and all were texting people. Maybe I'm being naive here, but if your going out together, are you going to talk to each other rather than three other people.

Ringtones are also annoying. Especially since it seems half the people who have mobiles can't remember what ringtone they have. Thus when a 'phone starts ringing, lots of people reach for their 'phone. I have nice tone which is an electronic  'ring ring'. Perfect.

Do you know what? I don't think I like mobiles.  

[Petrarch of the VBB]

I dont mind mobile phones (I have one myself), but its the cutlure surrounding them that I can't stand. All this illitrte txt lnguge. It's just bollox. And what's more, these people who MUST have the latest phone, and MUST have the new covers. People who hire other people to ring them, just so they can answer the phone in an unnesescarily elaborate way.

[beatspete]

Originally posted by Petrarch of the VBB
And what's more, these people who MUST have the latest phone, and MUST have the new covers.

Not the latest phone - a Nokia 3310.  Own one or you are soooo uncool.  Duuuhhhhh!

And ringtones! Why must every magazine i read be full of adverts for ringtones?  I dont care!


...plus none of them are polyphonic...




Edit:
w00t^2 - post number 600!

[Knight Templar]

no way dude, 3360 all the way

[Martinus]

[color=66ff00]
I have a text messager, it's a motorola v100e. It's got a full keyboard and international letters as well so I can text in russian if needs be. I have a love hate relationship with mobiles (cellphones)  on the whole, they're pretty useful but how many people do you know that have a mobile and never have it switched on?

Damn ringtones too, I can mostly block out the newer songs, I don't keep track of instantly forgettable chart music but what really peeves me off is good tunes that are butchered. I personally keep my phone on vibrate but if I need an audible warning I have programmed the ringer to play the 'mission failed' music from metal gear solid.  "SNAAAAAKE"
[/color]

[Fineus]

I use my phone for phoning and texting, thats it. I really don't get the point of all these new things they're putting on - it ups the price massively but are half the features really useful? These days it seems people are just as geeky for using their phones so much as they are for playing games in days of old - at least that's how it seems to me. I mean it's just as social... I'm steering clear of the whole thing, my phone is for contacting or being contacted. Thats about it.