Me as well. For about the past 6 mos. I'm still working on trying to find the right plan. RIght now I have a 800 min plan and I get close to hitting the limit every time.
My nights start at 9 and I try to make some calls during the nights and weekends, but it's been tough to train myself to limit phone time.
Cinqular is fazing out their GAIT phones. I have been told by the local Cingular rep that by this spring sometime I will have to get a new phone because the GAIT system will be discontinued and completely replaced with the GSM network.
"One thing I didn't anticipate, but much appreciate, is that I can use otherwise dead time to make calls"
This is one of the things that annoys me most about cell phone users. I'm not comfortable being filler for anyone's "dead time". There are few people on the planet who make driving and parking an interesting enough procedure, that I want to be a part of it.
Ah, thanks for the info, Butch. I figured it would happen sooner or later, but didn't realize that it would be so soon. Too bad, I really like the coverage.
Bala, I have a 1400 minute plan, and for that, and data, and an option to include Canada in my calling area, I pay about $110/month (real charges, including all fees and taxes).
I take your point, 27. I have to admit I get a little annoyed when people call me when they're waiting for the bus or some such. But then, that's often the price of talking to someone at all, versus not.
Cell only for about 6 years; I love it. Purported expectations (this is a Dataquest #, so a bit suspicious) is that 10% of the phone market will move to this solution. I think the new Tivos and the old Replays called home through a high-speed connection, so that might be a possible fix.
Six years is hardcore, Tim. I'd bet cold hard pennies that you live in Seattle or the Bay Area.
Matt, I tried that; cheapest service I could get was $25, and that just wasn't worth it. Plus, it was a complete SNAFU: double bills, two phones numbers assigned to my place...
Apparently, all these voice-over-IP (I think that's what they're called) services are still waaaay early in the testing phase. My girlfriend recently switched to all-Vonage for her small business, which relies heavily on phone lines. She's happy about the cost reduction, not so much about the occasional inconvenience of her phone service blipping out because of an undiscovered bug (or because Time Warner cable service went out in her little patch of Manhattan, which Vonage obviously isn't even accountable for). So if you're looking to switch your business, I'd say wait a little while. But for home use, the occasional inconvenience might be a little more tolerable.
I thought that Skype is voip, but only for others using skype; it's like voice IM'ing. Sounds cool, but not that cool.
My personal favorite dream is VOIP service + an 11g enabled PDA/cell = calling from your home phone when you have access to a WiFi network. You'd only have to use your cellular minutes when you didn't have free WiFi. I'm not even sure it would be that good a deal - but it would be soooo cool.
Unf, you mean the phone you had to borrow repeatedly in Alaska to check in with your taskmasters back home? Same one. Ok, it creaks a bit when you squeeze it, but I love it.
Grrr. I hate cell phones. I have persisted in my neo-Luddite rejection of the entire technology. You do know that's how the Dept. of Homeland Security is tracking you, right, Ogged? Hope you have coverage in Gitmo, sucker.
Every time I see somebody yammering away in the grocery store on one of those damn things, it takes all the restraint I have developed to keep from running them down with my cart (CRASH -- tell 'em you'll call 'em back once you get the bone set, byatch!). God, I loathe those things; I have all my cube-neighbors stupid ringtones torturing me as I fall asleep every night. I know it isn't rational, but that's my neurosis and I'm sticking to it.
I love you guys, don't get me wrong. But if we ever go drinking together, you'd better set those damn things to vibrate or I'll go all Latrell Sprewell at the first ring.
Hey now, I was raised right: mine's almost always on vibrate, I leave the restaurant to take the call, and I find a corner of the store and speak softly if I really really need to talk just then. And just to make sure that I'm not the guy doing fifty in the left lane because I'm too stupid to drive and talk, I never do less than 80 when I'm on the phone. The lost art of manners, baby.
The CDMA carriers (Sprint and Verizon for sure, I don't know much about the second-tier CDMA carriers like alltel) have most of their phones capable of analog roam. The disadvantage is that these phones won't work most places overseas.
If I were to be switching to a cell-only phone, though, I would take advantage of the 15-day (30 day in california) "trial" period they offer to see if you get coverage in the areas you frequent. Also, be aware that unless you have a plan that covers it, roaming can be quite expensive.
You souldn't use your phone while driving, ogged.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 11:53 AM
No, other people shouldn't use their phones while driving.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 11:55 AM
"shouldn't", that is.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 12:01 PM
Me as well. For about the past 6 mos. I'm still working on trying to find the right plan. RIght now I have a 800 min plan and I get close to hitting the limit every time.
My nights start at 9 and I try to make some calls during the nights and weekends, but it's been tough to train myself to limit phone time.
What plan do you have?
Posted by Balasubramani | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 12:04 PM
Cinqular is fazing out their GAIT phones. I have been told by the local Cingular rep that by this spring sometime I will have to get a new phone because the GAIT system will be discontinued and completely replaced with the GSM network.
Posted by butch | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 12:05 PM
"One thing I didn't anticipate, but much appreciate, is that I can use otherwise dead time to make calls"
This is one of the things that annoys me most about cell phone users. I'm not comfortable being filler for anyone's "dead time". There are few people on the planet who make driving and parking an interesting enough procedure, that I want to be a part of it.
But I don't wish radiation on you, or anything.
Posted by girl27 | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 12:12 PM
Ah, thanks for the info, Butch. I figured it would happen sooner or later, but didn't realize that it would be so soon. Too bad, I really like the coverage.
Bala, I have a 1400 minute plan, and for that, and data, and an option to include Canada in my calling area, I pay about $110/month (real charges, including all fees and taxes).
I take your point, 27. I have to admit I get a little annoyed when people call me when they're waiting for the bus or some such. But then, that's often the price of talking to someone at all, versus not.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 12:20 PM
Cell only for about 6 years; I love it. Purported expectations (this is a Dataquest #, so a bit suspicious) is that 10% of the phone market will move to this solution. I think the new Tivos and the old Replays called home through a high-speed connection, so that might be a possible fix.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 12:26 PM
It is posible to get a stripped down landline. Just local service. Mine only runs about $15-17 per month.
That should allow TIVO to work and you can use it at home for local calls.
Posted by Matt Hamand | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 12:30 PM
Six years is hardcore, Tim. I'd bet cold hard pennies that you live in Seattle or the Bay Area.
Matt, I tried that; cheapest service I could get was $25, and that just wasn't worth it. Plus, it was a complete SNAFU: double bills, two phones numbers assigned to my place...
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 12:33 PM
Also, I forgot to mention, I have been meaning to try vonage or one of those services, there's another one called skype.
Has anyone tried that?
I am happy to have ditched my landline. It makes me feel more mobile. And more importantly, one less bill!!
Posted by Balasubramani | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 12:47 PM
I thought we had previously established that your phone sucks. Or did you get a new one?
Posted by unf | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 12:58 PM
Re: Vonage
Apparently, all these voice-over-IP (I think that's what they're called) services are still waaaay early in the testing phase. My girlfriend recently switched to all-Vonage for her small business, which relies heavily on phone lines. She's happy about the cost reduction, not so much about the occasional inconvenience of her phone service blipping out because of an undiscovered bug (or because Time Warner cable service went out in her little patch of Manhattan, which Vonage obviously isn't even accountable for). So if you're looking to switch your business, I'd say wait a little while. But for home use, the occasional inconvenience might be a little more tolerable.
Posted by Joe Drymala | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 1:41 PM
I thought that Skype is voip, but only for others using skype; it's like voice IM'ing. Sounds cool, but not that cool.
My personal favorite dream is VOIP service + an 11g enabled PDA/cell = calling from your home phone when you have access to a WiFi network. You'd only have to use your cellular minutes when you didn't have free WiFi. I'm not even sure it would be that good a deal - but it would be soooo cool.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 1:49 PM
Phil Greenspun had post about Vonage a bit ago.
Unf, you mean the phone you had to borrow repeatedly in Alaska to check in with your taskmasters back home? Same one. Ok, it creaks a bit when you squeeze it, but I love it.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 2:22 PM
Grrr. I hate cell phones. I have persisted in my neo-Luddite rejection of the entire technology. You do know that's how the Dept. of Homeland Security is tracking you, right, Ogged? Hope you have coverage in Gitmo, sucker.
Every time I see somebody yammering away in the grocery store on one of those damn things, it takes all the restraint I have developed to keep from running them down with my cart (CRASH -- tell 'em you'll call 'em back once you get the bone set, byatch!). God, I loathe those things; I have all my cube-neighbors stupid ringtones torturing me as I fall asleep every night. I know it isn't rational, but that's my neurosis and I'm sticking to it.
I love you guys, don't get me wrong. But if we ever go drinking together, you'd better set those damn things to vibrate or I'll go all Latrell Sprewell at the first ring.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 3:20 PM
Hey now, I was raised right: mine's almost always on vibrate, I leave the restaurant to take the call, and I find a corner of the store and speak softly if I really really need to talk just then. And just to make sure that I'm not the guy doing fifty in the left lane because I'm too stupid to drive and talk, I never do less than 80 when I'm on the phone. The lost art of manners, baby.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 3:26 PM
I never do less than 80 when I'm on the phone
Alright then. We can date.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 3:30 PM
Call me!
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 3:31 PM
I have persisted in my neo-Luddite rejection of the entire technology.
Does that mean you refuse to accept all calls from cell phones as well?
Posted by aj | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 3:56 PM
Just what the site needs: a pretender to Wolfson's throne.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 3:58 PM
There's a throne?
Posted by aj | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 4:02 PM
I think it's made of porcelain.
Posted by Cala | Link to this comment | 01-21-05 9:17 PM
The CDMA carriers (Sprint and Verizon for sure, I don't know much about the second-tier CDMA carriers like alltel) have most of their phones capable of analog roam. The disadvantage is that these phones won't work most places overseas.
If I were to be switching to a cell-only phone, though, I would take advantage of the 15-day (30 day in california) "trial" period they offer to see if you get coverage in the areas you frequent. Also, be aware that unless you have a plan that covers it, roaming can be quite expensive.
Posted by Ian Argent | Link to this comment | 01-24-05 9:56 AM