Digital cameras
Camcorders
Calculators
Alarm clocks
Instant messengers
Telephones
Thermometers (to an extent)
Maps (to an extent)
Cassette/CD players/MP3 players
Voice recorders
ATMs (to an extent)
Calenders, PDAs
Photo albums
Newspapers
Dictionaries/thesauruses
Encyclopedias
Books in general (to an extent)
Radios
The Weather Channel
Standalone GS units
Flashlight (limited)
Scanner (limited)
Police scanner
Video game system (limited at this time)
TV
Kitchen timer
Phone book
Pager
Brick and mortar stores (Amazon, ebay, other online retailers)
Personal computers (to an extent. Smartphones ARE computers, but they can't do everything a PC can do...yet)
What else can the smartphone do that made older devices obsolete/redundant?
crazy uncles
Other smartphones
I'd say everything on that list is limited or to an extent. There are some useful things, such as a flashlight or calculator that I don't normally carry around. But I still have an alarm clock. Hell, got a new one at Christmas! I don't want to click my phone everytime I want to see what time it is.
A smartphone is a phone. I don't think it replaced itself.
A smartphone is a combination of everything that electronics can do (which includes most things on the list). Tablets, laptops, and desktops are basically the same thing but bigger, although you cannot call people (other ways of contacting people are still possible).
Even though an electronic device that's 4 years old (like the laptop that I'm using to type this right now) may be considered outdated or obsolete, it still has its uses.
brain function
The obvious one is missing from the OP's list - the humble wristwatch. I haven't worn a watch since buying my first monochrome screened dumbphone around 15 years ago. In fact almost everyone I know doesn't wear a watch any more. I'm surprised watch manufacturers are still in business.
Portable gaming devices to an extent.
Quote from: Truvelo on January 01, 2015, 12:09:03 PM
The obvious one is missing from the OP's list - the humble wristwatch. I haven't worn a watch since buying my first monochrome screened dumbphone around 15 years ago. In fact almost everyone I know doesn't wear a watch any more. I'm surprised watch manufacturers are still in business.
I didn't mention a watch because you have to pull your phone out of your pocket or wherever you keep it and turn the screen on to see the time. With a wristwatch, you simply have to look at your arm. I carry my phone with me but I wear a watch as well.
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
I believe information and knowledge are wonderful things.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
Oh trust me, my Facebook feed tells me that there are still a lot of people who don't know things.
Torpedo levels! :-D
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 01:36:10 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
Oh trust me, my Facebook feed tells me that there are still a lot of people who don't know things.
Perhaps to bolster both of our points, I have often said that one of the things that keeps me away from Facebook is that it keeps me from knowing more than I should about my friends.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 05:41:47 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 01:36:10 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
Oh trust me, my Facebook feed tells me that there are still a lot of people who don't know things.
Perhaps to bolster both of our points, I have often said that one of the things that keeps me away from Facebook is that it keeps me from knowing more than I should about my friends.
As a tool for future historians and cultural anthropologists though, Facebook is going to be priceless. Could you imagine if we had access to a Facebook of the 1800s?
Quote from: Truvelo on January 01, 2015, 12:09:03 PM
The obvious one is missing from the OP's list - the humble wristwatch. I haven't worn a watch since buying my first monochrome screened dumbphone around 15 years ago. In fact almost everyone I know doesn't wear a watch any more. I'm surprised watch manufacturers are still in business.
Watches are making a comeback. Two of my kids who never wore watches now have them. Probably for the reason already cited, that it's always there and always on.
Also, an interesting experiment. Immediately after you see someone look at his or her wristwatch, ask what time it is. Most people have to look again. That's because telling the time is "digital" and looking at a watch is "analog". You see Mickey's hands at 10 and 2 and you "know what time it is", but you don't compute 1:50.
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 05:58:16 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 05:41:47 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 01:36:10 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
Oh trust me, my Facebook feed tells me that there are still a lot of people who don't know things.
Perhaps to bolster both of our points, I have often said that one of the things that keeps me away from Facebook is that it keeps me from knowing more than I should about my friends.
As a tool for future historians and cultural anthropologists though, Facebook is going to be priceless. Could you imagine if we had access to a Facebook of the 1800s?
"Jenkins, look! Kathy posted a third time about these 'Express Lanes' and something called a 'dink' with too many of some kind of item. What could it all mean?"
Does archive.org capture Facebook? Quite a lot of the information on the internet is fleeting and vanishes.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 06:22:55 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 05:58:16 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 05:41:47 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 01:36:10 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
Oh trust me, my Facebook feed tells me that there are still a lot of people who don't know things.
Perhaps to bolster both of our points, I have often said that one of the things that keeps me away from Facebook is that it keeps me from knowing more than I should about my friends.
As a tool for future historians and cultural anthropologists though, Facebook is going to be priceless. Could you imagine if we had access to a Facebook of the 1800s?
"Jenkins, look! Kathy posted a third time about these 'Express Lanes' and something called a 'dink' with too many of some kind of item. What could it all mean?"
Does archive.org capture Facebook? Quite a lot of the information on the internet is fleeting and vanishes.
Maybe, but I assume Facebook itself keeps an archive of everything locked away somewhere. Long AFTER our deaths, I assume that that archive will be utilized by academic institutions to research the cultural norms of today and our reactions to major world events. Of course, future generations may also come away with the impression that we were all colossal morons.
Quote from: bugo on January 01, 2015, 01:05:11 PM
Quote from: Truvelo on January 01, 2015, 12:09:03 PM
The obvious one is missing from the OP's list - the humble wristwatch. I haven't worn a watch since buying my first monochrome screened dumbphone around 15 years ago. In fact almost everyone I know doesn't wear a watch any more. I'm surprised watch manufacturers are still in business.
I didn't mention a watch because you have to pull your phone out of your pocket or wherever you keep it and turn the screen on to see the time. With a wristwatch, you simply have to look at your arm. I carry my phone with me but I wear a watch as well.
My work uniform does not have any pockets (and it is against policy for employees handling cash to wear pants with pockets) so a watch is still necessary.
Even with no practical purpose a watch can still function as a fashion accessory, like a necktie (which has no other purpose anymore).
I've worn a watch since I was a kid, and I feel naked without one. The only time I take it off is when I shower.
As for digital cameras, my phone's camera works OK in a pinch, but it's no substitute for a good camera with a zoom lens, adjustable features such as ISO/ASA, aperture and shutter speed, and other functions.
And the Internet-enabled functions are nice, but I prefer a computer to a smartphone for most everything.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 01, 2015, 08:29:06 PM
I've worn a watch since I was a kid, and I feel naked without one. The only time I take it off is when I shower.
As for digital cameras, my phone's camera works OK in a pinch, but it's no substitute for a good camera with a zoom lens, adjustable features such as ISO/ASA, aperture and shutter speed, and other functions.
And the Internet-enabled functions are nice, but I prefer a computer to a smartphone for most everything.
I once saw a comment that when a boy wants to know the time, he looks at his phone, whereas a man looks at his watch.
Totally agree with you about cameras. At the Winter Classic today I had both my iPhone and my DSLR. The DSLR was substantially better in just about every way, not least because the iPhone pictures were too digitized and jaggy-looking if I zoomed in a lot.
Some smartphone features are great to have, though. Mobile check deposit is extremely convenient.
Watches are also useful in professional environments. If I'm at work, it might be seen as unprofessional to pull out my phone. I can easily glance at my watch and get the time though.
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 05:58:16 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 05:41:47 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 01:36:10 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
Oh trust me, my Facebook feed tells me that there are still a lot of people who don't know things.
Perhaps to bolster both of our points, I have often said that one of the things that keeps me away from Facebook is that it keeps me from knowing more than I should about my friends.
As a tool for future historians and cultural anthropologists though, Facebook is going to be priceless. Could you imagine if we had access to a Facebook of the 1800s?
What makes you think Facebook is going to be around for hundreds of years?
Quote from: bugo on January 01, 2015, 01:05:11 PM
Quote from: Truvelo on January 01, 2015, 12:09:03 PM
The obvious one is missing from the OP's list - the humble wristwatch. I haven't worn a watch since buying my first monochrome screened dumbphone around 15 years ago. In fact almost everyone I know doesn't wear a watch any more. I'm surprised watch manufacturers are still in business.
I didn't mention a watch because you have to pull your phone out of your pocket or wherever you keep it and turn the screen on to see the time. With a wristwatch, you simply have to look at your arm. I carry my phone with me but I wear a watch as well.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mighty-watches.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F02%2Fpocket-watch-3.jpg&hash=205e4600c952193c280180ff9ef08a0d79ce42d3)
You have to pull this out of your pocket.
Quote from: kkt on January 01, 2015, 10:59:45 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 05:58:16 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 05:41:47 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 01:36:10 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
Oh trust me, my Facebook feed tells me that there are still a lot of people who don't know things.
Perhaps to bolster both of our points, I have often said that one of the things that keeps me away from Facebook is that it keeps me from knowing more than I should about my friends.
As a tool for future historians and cultural anthropologists though, Facebook is going to be priceless. Could you imagine if we had access to a Facebook of the 1800s?
What makes you think Facebook is going to be around for hundreds of years?
Oh it won't be, but I assume that the digital records will be kept. As it gets easier to store massive amounts of data, I imagine that we'll see Facebook's entire archive kept somewhere.
If/when Facebook goes under, I wonder what will happen to the data that they have. Zuckerberg has accidentally created a window into the soul of American (and really the world's) pop culture and the information that Facebook has WILL be valuable to future generations. We've seen historians scramble to get personal correspondence from previous generations, I can only imagine the value that Facebook would have.
The same could be said for AARoads or any other online forum really. We have more written correspondence than any civilization that has ever existed. It's a shame that the quality of writing has gone drastically down.
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 02, 2015, 12:02:09 AM
It's a shame that the quality of writing has gone drastically down.
Quote from: Pompeii graffitiI screwed the barmaid
Quote from: NE2 on January 02, 2015, 01:10:48 AM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 02, 2015, 12:02:09 AM
It's a shame that the quality of writing has gone drastically down.
Quote from: Pompeii graffitiI screwed the barmaid
But it came so far UP from then. 18th-19th centuries were unquestionably the pinnacle of writing. American 20th-century writers set the bar to come down from literary excellence to reflect common speech. Literary quality has declined notably over the last 50 years as a result. We've lost cursive and letter-writing, and degraded to text speak.
Language is always evolving. But like I've noticed with other aspects of society, sometimes evolution takes a step backwards. If the least fit are the ones who survive (oh hey Honey Boo-Boo), does that redefine "fit"? Is monosyllabic, misspelled writing the Platonic ideal we are heading toward?
Quote from: bugo on January 01, 2015, 01:11:37 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
I believe information and knowledge are wonderful things.
Not all information is necessary or critical for getting through life. Yesterday, my aunt wanted me to use my smartphone to google where "Harbor Federal Savings and Loan Association" is located because it was written on a yardstick that my uncle picked up at a yard sale. In the past, we would have guessed "Harbor...hmm...most likely in Baltimore City or Anne Arundel County near the Baltimore Harbor" and carried on with our lives. Yesterday, I found out with my phone that it is located on Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena, MD, in Anne Arundel County near the southside of the harbor. That's great to confirm, but it wasn't necessarily critical information that we absolutely had to know.
That being said, in that same afternoon, we used the Pinterest app on my phone to plan my cousin's baby shower, and it's definitely going to be more creative due to some of the cool pins we found. Rather than just bake a cake, we are going to bake cupcakes, place them on the table in the shape of a baby carriage, and decorate accordingly. No, having a baby carriage cupcake cake isn't necessary, but having access to someone else's great idea will make it better. My cousin will say "That's so cute! Where did you get this idea?" and she'll remember it long after the day is over.
So yeah, having a smartphone to access information instantly (taking some of the mystery out of life) can be both useless as well as enriching.
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 02, 2015, 12:02:09 AM
Quote from: kkt on January 01, 2015, 10:59:45 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 05:58:16 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 05:41:47 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 01:36:10 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
Oh trust me, my Facebook feed tells me that there are still a lot of people who don't know things.
Perhaps to bolster both of our points, I have often said that one of the things that keeps me away from Facebook is that it keeps me from knowing more than I should about my friends.
As a tool for future historians and cultural anthropologists though, Facebook is going to be priceless. Could you imagine if we had access to a Facebook of the 1800s?
What makes you think Facebook is going to be around for hundreds of years?
Oh it won't be, but I assume that the digital records will be kept. As it gets easier to store massive amounts of data, I imagine that we'll see Facebook's entire archive kept somewhere.
If/when Facebook goes under, I wonder what will happen to the data that they have. Zuckerberg has accidentally created a window into the soul of American (and really the world's) pop culture and the information that Facebook has WILL be valuable to future generations. We've seen historians scramble to get personal correspondence from previous generations, I can only imagine the value that Facebook would have.
The same could be said for AARoads or any other online forum really. We have more written correspondence than any civilization that has ever existed. It's a shame that the quality of writing has gone drastically down.
Hard disks are cheap... but they have a short lifetime. Admins have to continually watch over the data, make sure backup procedures are working, migrate from 3-years-ago technology to today's. Admins naturally expect to be paid. I don't see them maintaining such an archive for centuries when advertisers stop paying to advertise to dead people.
There's also the rights issue. I don't use Facebook and haven't read their contract this week, but I think there would be some problems with releasing information that was posted for friends only to researchers. Lots of families wouldn't necessarily want selfies Grandma made when she was 17 to be released to the general public 100 years afterwards. And under ever-extended copyright terms they'll probably be able to enforce that.
Quote from: SSOWorld on January 01, 2015, 11:51:03 PM
You have to pull this out of your pocket.
Pocket watches ended for everyday purposes when it became possible to make a wristwatch that kept time as well.
There are lots of times when I keep my cell phone off. Working, driving, at a show. I might still want to glance at my wrist to see the time, but don't want to wait a minute for my phone to turn on and make its little beeps just to see what time it is.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 01, 2015, 08:29:06 PM
I've worn a watch since I was a kid, and I feel naked without one. The only time I take it off is when I shower.
^^^^^^
THIS.
I don't wear a watch when I'm sitting at home doing nothing, but when I go somewhere I like to have one on. The few times I went to work without one I felt "naked" (and used that very word to describe it). If anybody cares, I wear a $20 cheapo Walmart special Timex. It keeps time and it's easy to read so it is fine for me.
Speaking of watches, did you know you can remove scratches with toothpaste? I thought it was a bullshit urban legend until my watch was so scratched up that it interfered with being able to see the numbers. Take a tiny bit of toothpaste, put it on a toothbrush, and scrub the watch with a medium amount of force. If your watch is like mine, the scratches will come right off.
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 02, 2015, 12:02:09 AM
Quote from: kkt on January 01, 2015, 10:59:45 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 05:58:16 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 05:41:47 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 01:36:10 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
Oh trust me, my Facebook feed tells me that there are still a lot of people who don't know things.
Perhaps to bolster both of our points, I have often said that one of the things that keeps me away from Facebook is that it keeps me from knowing more than I should about my friends.
As a tool for future historians and cultural anthropologists though, Facebook is going to be priceless. Could you imagine if we had access to a Facebook of the 1800s?
What makes you think Facebook is going to be around for hundreds of years?
Oh it won't be, but I assume that the digital records will be kept. As it gets easier to store massive amounts of data, I imagine that we'll see Facebook's entire archive kept somewhere.
If/when Facebook goes under, I wonder what will happen to the data that they have. Zuckerberg has accidentally created a window into the soul of American (and really the world's) pop culture and the information that Facebook has WILL be valuable to future generations. We've seen historians scramble to get personal correspondence from previous generations, I can only imagine the value that Facebook would have.
The same could be said for AARoads or any other online forum really. We have more written correspondence than any civilization that has ever existed. It's a shame that the quality of writing has gone drastically down.
I've said before that when the Aaroads forum becomes defunct, that the posts should be archived somewhere because there is a massive amount of information here that cannot be found elsewhere on the internet. There's a lot of garbage too, but the good outweighs the bad.
Quote from: Alps on January 02, 2015, 01:31:44 AM
Quote from: NE2 on January 02, 2015, 01:10:48 AM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 02, 2015, 12:02:09 AM
It's a shame that the quality of writing has gone drastically down.
Quote from: Pompeii graffitiI screwed the barmaid
But it came so far UP from then. 18th-19th centuries were unquestionably the pinnacle of writing. American 20th-century writers set the bar to come down from literary excellence to reflect common speech. Literary quality has declined notably over the last 50 years as a result. We've lost cursive and letter-writing, and degraded to text speak.
Language is always evolving. But like I've noticed with other aspects of society, sometimes evolution takes a step backwards. If the least fit are the ones who survive (oh hey Honey Boo-Boo), does that redefine "fit"? Is monosyllabic, misspelled writing the Platonic ideal we are heading toward?
Hmm....where have I seen this prediction...Oh yeah, it was on Idiocracy. If you haven't seen that movie you should check it out.
Quote from: bugo on January 02, 2015, 01:49:58 PM
I've said before that when the Aaroads forum becomes defunct, that the posts should be archived somewhere because there is a massive amount of information here that cannot be found elsewhere on the internet. There's a lot of garbage too, but the good outweighs the bad.
That's pretty much true with any subject.
Quote from: Truvelo on January 01, 2015, 12:09:03 PM
The obvious one is missing from the OP's list - the humble wristwatch. I haven't worn a watch since buying my first monochrome screened dumbphone around 15 years ago. In fact almost everyone I know doesn't wear a watch any more. I'm surprised watch manufacturers are still in business.
In healthcare watches are used to take pulse, respiration and blood pressure. (If someone does manually, which is more reliable)
Quote from: Alps on January 02, 2015, 01:31:44 AM
Quote from: NE2 on January 02, 2015, 01:10:48 AM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 02, 2015, 12:02:09 AM
It's a shame that the quality of writing has gone drastically down.
Quote from: Pompeii graffitiI screwed the barmaid
But it came so far UP from then.
It did? We remember Shakespeare and others not because they were the only people writing, but because they were the best people writing. We look at the past through rose colored glasses while failing to realize that only the best survived while the crap was flushed to the dustbin of history. Seriously, who the hell is going to remember
Honey Boo-Boo 500 years from now? They may remember and still view something like
Firefly, but as for
Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire?, that's nearly forgotten already. Every generation writes and produces good stuff and crap. For every great hit from the 1960s, there was a whole steaming pile of crap you'd rather not listen to. For every Dickens and Twain from the late 19th century, there's a bunch of pulp that's better off as much or toilet paper (and people did use it that way). We remember the best, forget the worst, and then claim that things are worse than they every have been. It's a bunch of bullshit. Things are no better and no worse than they have been, and will ever be.
I started wearing a watch regularly when I was in 8th grade. I didn't have a cellphone of any kind until I was in 12th grade. To this day I still constantly wear a watch and it feels weird not to. Not only is it quicker to check than to extract my phone from my pocket, but it also permits me to check the time if my phone's battery is dead or if I am in a place where my phone must be turned off (such as in a movie theater or on an airplane).
As for cameras, I carry an actual camera around and am a bit snobbish about this fact. But then I am actually into photography as a hobby and a cellphone camera just doesn't have all the features I need for that.
My smartphone has, however, shamelessly replaced paper maps for me, with the caveat that I still navigate manually rather than having it give me directions.
Quote from: bugo on January 02, 2015, 01:47:30 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 01, 2015, 08:29:06 PM
I've worn a watch since I was a kid, and I feel naked without one. The only time I take it off is when I shower.
^^^^^^
THIS.
I don't wear a watch when I'm sitting at home doing nothing, but when I go somewhere I like to have one on. The few times I went to work without one I felt "naked" (and used that very word to describe it). If anybody cares, I wear a $20 cheapo Walmart special Timex. It keeps time and it's easy to read so it is fine for me.
Speaking of watches, did you know you can remove scratches with toothpaste? I thought it was a bullshit urban legend until my watch was so scratched up that it interfered with being able to see the numbers. Take a tiny bit of toothpaste, put it on a toothbrush, and scrub the watch with a medium amount of force. If your watch is like mine, the scratches will come right off.
Toothpaste is a great mild abrasive. I am told it's decent at clearing up headlight lenses.
Quote from: Brandon on January 02, 2015, 02:36:37 PM
We remember Shakespeare and others not because they were the only people writing, but because they were the best people writing.
that's pretty sad. I always equate the whole punch line to Macbeth, that he was never "born" but rather "untimely ripped" to be the equivalent of Honey Boo Boo level lazy writing.
and don't get me started on Juliet waking up 30 seconds after Romeo dies. that's soap opera shit.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 02, 2015, 04:02:57 PM
Toothpaste is a great mild abrasive. I am told it's decent at clearing up headlight lenses.
Have heard that as well, but have never tried it. I wonder how well some of those exfoliating body scrubs would work? I shower using the Irish Spring GEAR scrub (only because the regular Irish Spring exfoliating scrub -- "Inspired by Celtic Rock Salt" -- isn't available in my area.
I think anything gritty would fail. You want to polish the lens.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 01, 2015, 08:29:06 PM
I've worn a watch since I was a kid, and I feel naked without one. The only time I take it off is when I shower.
As for digital cameras, my phone's camera works OK in a pinch, but it's no substitute for a good camera with a zoom lens, adjustable features such as ISO/ASA, aperture and shutter speed, and other functions.
And the Internet-enabled functions are nice, but I prefer a computer to a smartphone for most everything.
I used to have a nice DSLR and a small Canon Powershot point-and-shoot. Different tools for different purposes. Nowdays though, my cell phone replaced the Powershot but not my DSLR.
Do NOT use your smartphone as an alarm clock! It'll destroy your battery faster.
Quote from: kkt on January 02, 2015, 11:33:54 AM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 02, 2015, 12:02:09 AM
Quote from: kkt on January 01, 2015, 10:59:45 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 05:58:16 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 05:41:47 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 01:36:10 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
Oh trust me, my Facebook feed tells me that there are still a lot of people who don't know things.
Perhaps to bolster both of our points, I have often said that one of the things that keeps me away from Facebook is that it keeps me from knowing more than I should about my friends.
As a tool for future historians and cultural anthropologists though, Facebook is going to be priceless. Could you imagine if we had access to a Facebook of the 1800s?
What makes you think Facebook is going to be around for hundreds of years?
Oh it won't be, but I assume that the digital records will be kept. As it gets easier to store massive amounts of data, I imagine that we'll see Facebook's entire archive kept somewhere.
If/when Facebook goes under, I wonder what will happen to the data that they have. Zuckerberg has accidentally created a window into the soul of American (and really the world's) pop culture and the information that Facebook has WILL be valuable to future generations. We've seen historians scramble to get personal correspondence from previous generations, I can only imagine the value that Facebook would have.
The same could be said for AARoads or any other online forum really. We have more written correspondence than any civilization that has ever existed. It's a shame that the quality of writing has gone drastically down.
Hard disks are cheap... but they have a short lifetime. Admins have to continually watch over the data, make sure backup procedures are working, migrate from 3-years-ago technology to today's. Admins naturally expect to be paid. I don't see them maintaining such an archive for centuries when advertisers stop paying to advertise to dead people.
There's also the rights issue. I don't use Facebook and haven't read their contract this week, but I think there would be some problems with releasing information that was posted for friends only to researchers. Lots of families wouldn't necessarily want selfies Grandma made when she was 17 to be released to the general public 100 years afterwards. And under ever-extended copyright terms they'll probably be able to enforce that.
Facebook's TOS already takes care of that. Anything you post becomes property of Facebook the minute you post it and they can do mostly whatever they want with it.
Mark Zuckerberg controls the rights to an absurdly high amount of teenage girl selfies.
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 12:41:42 PM
Do NOT use your smartphone as an alarm clock! It'll destroy your battery faster.
only if you don't wake up... and "destroy" is the wrong word to use here.
Quote from: SSOWorld on January 03, 2015, 12:55:58 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 12:41:42 PM
Do NOT use your smartphone as an alarm clock! It'll destroy your battery faster.
only if you don't wake up... and "destroy" is the wrong word to use here.
Fine, wear out. ;)
Batteries need sleeping time, too. :D
Quote from: The Nature Boy on January 01, 2015, 01:36:10 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM
Mystery. Remember not knowing things?
Oh trust me, my Facebook feed tells me that there are still a lot of people who don't know things.
And they vote.
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 12:58:33 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on January 03, 2015, 12:55:58 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 12:41:42 PM
Do NOT use your smartphone as an alarm clock! It'll destroy your battery faster.
only if you don't wake up... and "destroy" is the wrong word to use here.
Fine, wear out. ;)
Batteries need sleeping time, too. :D
I don't run alarms 24/7. It's all relative. There are a lot of time-dependent apps on smartphones besides alarm clocks.
Quote from: SSOWorld on January 03, 2015, 12:55:58 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 12:41:42 PM
Do NOT use your smartphone as an alarm clock! It'll destroy your battery faster.
only if you don't wake up... and "destroy" is the wrong word to use here.
You've never seen me react to an alarm clock.
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 12:41:42 PM
Do NOT use your smartphone as an alarm clock! It'll destroy your battery faster.
Even if your phone is plugged in?
When I was in my late teens/early twenties, my friend and I would listen to albums that didn't have the lyrics printed on the cover and try to discern the words that the vocalists were singing. We would listen to a few seconds then pause, write down what we thought we heard, then rewind and listen to it again to see if the words we wrote down sounded correct or not then rewind it and listen to it then rewind, play, and pause over and over. If we were unsure about a passage, we would rewind and listen to the phrase and rewind and listen...over and over. It took hours to do an album, and sometimes we just had to guess. Sometimes we gave up if it was really hard to understand the singer so we eventually gave up. If it was a cassette, rewinding and playing and rewinding and playing over and over wasn't good for the health of the tape. I remember in particular trying to figure out the lyrics for Slayer's Reign In Blood. I had the cassette version with no lyrics in the foldout. The album is only 29 minutes long but I bet we spent 29 hours trying to figure out the lyrics. Tom Araya's singing style didn't make it any easier. Later, I bought the CD version which has the lyrics printed on the foldout, and we compared our notes to the actual lyrics and we were WAY off on some of the words. Today, you can just get online (whether on a computer or on a phone) and type "Slayer Reign In Blood Lyrics" and they would pop up on the screen instantly. (Yes, I know that online lyrics are sometimes inaccurate, but we can listen to the song while reading the lyrics to see if they match up.) Did it take away the fun? Yes and no. It was fun at the time but I destroyed my tape doing it and it got tiring listening to the same part of the same verse over and over. It certainly makes life easier.
Quote from: bugo on January 03, 2015, 02:41:09 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 12:41:42 PM
Do NOT use your smartphone as an alarm clock! It'll destroy your battery faster.
Even if your phone is plugged in?
Yep, the phone should be turned off at night to preserve the battery. Leaving it plugged in after it's fully charged decreases the battery's life.
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 05:59:19 PM
Quote from: bugo on January 03, 2015, 02:41:09 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 12:41:42 PM
Do NOT use your smartphone as an alarm clock! It'll destroy your battery faster.
Even if your phone is plugged in?
Yep, the phone should be turned off at night to preserve the battery. Leaving it plugged in after it's fully charged decreases the battery's life.
It's probably cheaper to put additional wear on a battery than it is to keep a landline for those times that the cell phone is turned off. Batteries are going to have to get better to work with how people use their phones.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 03, 2015, 07:03:58 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 05:59:19 PM
Quote from: bugo on January 03, 2015, 02:41:09 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 12:41:42 PM
Do NOT use your smartphone as an alarm clock! It'll destroy your battery faster.
Even if your phone is plugged in?
Yep, the phone should be turned off at night to preserve the battery. Leaving it plugged in after it's fully charged decreases the battery's life.
It's probably cheaper to put additional wear on a battery than it is to keep a landline for those times that the cell phone is turned off. Batteries are going to have to get better to work with how people use their phones.
Battery manufacturers probably think the batteries work just fine now. :biggrin:
Many times on school days (especially this year so far) I'd have my phone as an alarm clock to wake me up in the morning, but I get so little sleep Im always knocked out and it's usually (literally) 10-20 minutes before I actually wake up. So it's wasting battery the whole time (I actually usually don't have my phone plugged up when I'm sleeping; usually when I'm in the shower and/or when I'm on it for a "little" while after Im in bed. Many times it'll go from 100% to 80 or even 75%. Speaking of the iPhone battery, lately my phone has been acting like a drunk scrap of metal. A few days ago I was in Times Square in NYC for New Years Eve, and at the beginning it was 15% (Ik, Ik, I was an idiot and didn't charge it up at all before, but I really thought I was savioring my battery; but that's not the point). 1 hour later it was 10%, after taking a bunch of pictures and doing some other things. I turn it off, and put it in my pocket, then, one minute later I pull it out and it's at 1%!!! Needless to say it went dead right after that. Then, an hour later (obviously I never got a chance to charge it) I randomly tried to turn it back on hoping for a miracle from God above, and it actually turns on, then it's at 7%!!! Then, one minute later, it was at 4%. Then it went dead again right after that. I ended up taking pics on my mom's phone & sending them to myself later. Crap like that has been happening with my phone battery lately and it's pissing me off. And my mom's having it too (FYI we both have an iPhone5S, and maybe this kind of thing is happening a lot with that iPhone generation, but I really don't know)!!
But anyways, I think smartphones have kind of replaced a lot of things in a way, but it has replaced nothing fully, and never will. It has so many things, like a calculator, clock, compass, camera, etc. but it doesn't completely replace those things. I don't personally, but some people on here have said they still wear watches and have a smartphone. It just can't fully replace anything.
Quote from: adventurernumber1 on January 04, 2015, 05:44:33 AMSpeaking of the iPhone battery, lately my phone has been acting like a drunk scrap of metal. A few days ago I was in Times Square in NYC for New Years Eve, and at the beginning it was 15% (Ik, Ik, I was an idiot and didn't charge it up at all before, but I really thought I was savioring my battery; but that's not the point). 1 hour later it was 10%, after taking a bunch of pictures and doing some other things. I turn it off, and put it in my pocket, then, one minute later I pull it out and it's at 1%!!! Needless to say it went dead right after that. Then, an hour later (obviously I never got a chance to charge it) I randomly tried to turn it back on hoping for a miracle from God above, and it actually turns on, then it's at 7%!!! Then, one minute later, it was at 4%. Then it went dead again right after that. I ended up taking pics on my mom's phone & sending them to myself later. Crap like that has been happening with my phone battery lately and it's pissing me off. And my mom's having it too (FYI we both have an iPhone5S, and maybe this kind of thing is happening a lot with that iPhone generation, but I really don't know)!!
This also happened on the 3 and 4. Battery dies at higher and higher reported remaining charge (skipping suddenly to 1%), then comes right back on when plugged in, way above 1%. My friend's 3 was dying at upwards of 50% at the end. There's a ton written about it online.
QuoteBut anyways, I think smartphones have kind of replaced a lot of things in a way, but it has replaced nothing fully, and never will. It has so many things, like a calculator, clock, compass, camera, etc. but it doesn't completely replace those things. I don't personally, but some people on here have said they still wear watches and have a smartphone. It just can't fully replace anything.
I don't know much about calculator-buying habits these days, but everytime I see one I'm surprised. Usually it's at something like a cafe where servers have to make adjustments and can't do math quickly.
Quote from: kkt on January 03, 2015, 08:56:51 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 03, 2015, 07:03:58 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 05:59:19 PM
Quote from: bugo on January 03, 2015, 02:41:09 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 03, 2015, 12:41:42 PM
Do NOT use your smartphone as an alarm clock! It'll destroy your battery faster.
Even if your phone is plugged in?
Yep, the phone should be turned off at night to preserve the battery. Leaving it plugged in after it's fully charged decreases the battery's life.
It's probably cheaper to put additional wear on a battery than it is to keep a landline for those times that the cell phone is turned off. Batteries are going to have to get better to work with how people use their phones.
Battery manufacturers probably think the batteries work just fine now. :biggrin:
What. I NEVER turn off my phone at night and barely any of the battery has worn down overnight, even with an alarm set. The alarm is such a minor function. You all must have other apps that are draining the battery. I have an almost 4 year old iPhone 4.
iPhone
Same here. The alarm literally drains almost none of my battery.
I also have an iPhone 4.
I think some of you are confusing the battery going from 100% -> 0% (temporary) with the battery going from brand new -> not working (permanent).
Quote from: 1 on January 04, 2015, 01:53:08 PM
I think some of you are confusing the battery going from 100% -> 0% (temporary) with the battery going from brand new -> not working (permanent).
Except the phone's not permanent. Doing these things will still probably mean that the battery lasts longer than the phone does against the forces of physical damage, software upgrades that tax it, increasing memory demands, etc. I also have an iPhone 4, and while the battery is not at peak condition, neither is the phone, and I don't see the other limitations of the phone outlasting those of the battery.
Edit: I realize this contradicts my earlier comment about battery issues in iPhones. But I think for most people's average phone-keeping time (2-4 years, from what I can tell) it still holds true.
Quote from: 1 on January 04, 2015, 01:53:08 PM
I think some of you are confusing the battery going from 100% -> 0% (temporary) with the battery going from brand new -> not working (permanent).
Yes. That's what I'm talking about.
Battery life is a curse. By the time I got rid of my last phone it would go from fully charged to near dead in about 8 hours. It was 16 months old. The replacement was prompted by the phone physically breaking, though, not the battery.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 04, 2015, 05:59:35 AM
I don't know much about calculator-buying habits these days, but everytime I see one I'm surprised. Usually it's at something like a cafe where servers have to make adjustments and can't do math quickly.
I have had a ten-key desk calculator (adding machine) on my desk since 2006. It's a lot quicker than using the one on the phone since it's literally a foot away from my hand at any given time. The TAX+ button is pretty nice too.
We use similar calculators at work because we need the paper tape printouts attached to some of our paperwork for Accounting.
Smartphones have replaced anything alone people used to do at restaurants and bars (including talk to others).
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 07, 2015, 10:52:32 AM
Smartphones have replaced anything alone people used to do at restaurants and bars (including talk to others).
Even drinking (thanks, Hypnotoad app).
I miss my pocket PC and indestructible Nokia phone. As separate devices, they met my needs well with great battery life. As a smartphone, I'm fighting a mediocre phone with moderately poor service area and fighting for battery life of the device, too.
Oh, and "All glory to the Hypnotoad!"
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 07, 2015, 10:52:32 AM
Smartphones have replaced anything alone people used to do at restaurants and bars (including talk to others).
Sorry, Megatouch. You had a good run providing titties 'n beer to people in the 2000s.
Quote from: GCrites80s on January 07, 2015, 02:36:31 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 07, 2015, 10:52:32 AM
Smartphones have replaced anything alone people used to do at restaurants and bars (including talk to others).
Sorry, Megatouch. You had a good run providing titties 'n beer to people in the 2000s.
I must have repeated my own post, because I now recall mentioning that these things seemed to have a new version every year or so until about 2008.
Smartphones are replacing those little punch cards coffee shops give/gave you to collect free coffees (and sandwich/burrito/etc. places). Increasingly, you get those by paying by having your phone scanned.
About the only thing they haven't replaced is toilets.
One advantage that cell phones have over (most) watches.... accuracy! Unless you have one of those watches that sets itself to the atomic clock, watches will drift off eventually no matter if it's mechanical or digital. Cell phones get their time from the cell phone system, and is usually very accurate. Plus, as I noted in a previous thread (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=12758.msg308103), there are multiple sources for ensuring accurate time.
Also, while the cell phone and smart phone include cameras, if you want a QUALITY camera shot, you need to use a good camera.
And, while cell phones and tablets are handy for situations, I still prefer a nice full-screen monitor and desktop system even over my laptop. Frequently, I'm hooking up my work laptop at home to a full keyboard and monitor.
Quote from: ZLoth on January 21, 2015, 03:24:24 AM
One advantage that cell phones have over (most) watches.... accuracy! Unless you have one of those watches that sets itself to the atomic clock, watches will drift off eventually no matter if it's mechanical or digital. Cell phones get their time from the cell phone system, and is usually very accurate. Plus, as I noted in a previous thread (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=12758.msg308103), there are multiple sources for ensuring accurate time.
Not really. My laptop and my 2 Android phones are off from each other.
Quote
Also, while the cell phone and smart phone include cameras, if you want a QUALITY camera shot, you need to use a good camera.
True to an extent, but I've seen some EXCELLENT pictures made from an iPhone.
Quote
And, while cell phones and tablets are handy for situations, I still prefer a nice full-screen monitor and desktop system even over my laptop. Frequently, I'm hooking up my work laptop at home to a full keyboard and monitor.
I run a dual monitor system: the monitor on my laptop and a second screen mounted above it on a stand that I built from scrap wood and the bottom of an old table. I reckon you could make one from the bottom of a computer chair so it would be adjustable.
Quote from: ZLoth on January 21, 2015, 03:24:24 AM
One advantage that cell phones have over (most) watches.... accuracy! Unless you have one of those watches that sets itself to the atomic clock, watches will drift off eventually no matter if it's mechanical or digital. Cell phones get their time from the cell phone system, and is usually very accurate. Plus, as I noted in a previous thread (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=12758.msg308103), there are multiple sources for ensuring accurate time.
....
There are often problems during the Standard Time/DST shift. It's usually fixed within a few hours, but I haven't yet worked during one of the time changes where the cell network accurately and correctly shifted precisely as it was supposed to. EMS/LE , healthcare workers and others who may need precise timekeeping know to wear a watch or otherwise have a back-up until the cell network gets it right.
Thankfully:
(https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQYmjfua7on1XAw-FbIKmYb0ZCB0wh18TW30zBA3o-pvEVFU0ro)
Quote from: bugo on January 21, 2015, 10:45:25 AM
Quote from: ZLoth on January 21, 2015, 03:24:24 AM
One advantage that cell phones have over (most) watches.... accuracy! Unless you have one of those watches that sets itself to the atomic clock, watches will drift off eventually no matter if it's mechanical or digital. Cell phones get their time from the cell phone system, and is usually very accurate. Plus, as I noted in a previous thread (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=12758.msg308103), there are multiple sources for ensuring accurate time.
Not really. My laptop and my 2 Android phones are off from each other.
What is the difference between your Android phone and the your laptop? According to ClockSync (http://markholtz.info/clocksync), my phone is running .804 seconds ahead of the atomic clock. I also have my computer poll us.pool.ntp.org on a daily basis, and again, it's fairly accurate. My clock radio which gets the time via a local FM station via RDBS is about 30 seconds fast.
Now, I can deal with a few seconds off. 30 seconds is fine for my clock radio. It's the one minute or more being off is what drives me up the wall.
Quote from: ZLoth on January 21, 2015, 01:19:00 PM
Quote from: bugo on January 21, 2015, 10:45:25 AM
Quote from: ZLoth on January 21, 2015, 03:24:24 AM
One advantage that cell phones have over (most) watches.... accuracy! Unless you have one of those watches that sets itself to the atomic clock, watches will drift off eventually no matter if it's mechanical or digital. Cell phones get their time from the cell phone system, and is usually very accurate. Plus, as I noted in a previous thread (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=12758.msg308103), there are multiple sources for ensuring accurate time.
Not really. My laptop and my 2 Android phones are off from each other.
What is the difference between your Android phone and the your laptop? According to ClockSync (http://markholtz.info/clocksync), my phone is running .804 seconds ahead of the atomic clock. I also have my computer poll us.pool.ntp.org on a daily basis, and again, it's fairly accurate. My clock radio which gets the time via a local FM station via RDBS is about 30 seconds fast.
Now, I can deal with a few seconds off. 30 seconds is fine for my clock radio. It's the one minute or more being off is what drives me up the wall.
Cell phones actually make pretty poor watches. As far as accuracy, GPS time is intended to be 19 seconds off of civil times because civil time has leap seconds and GPS time does not. Cell phones have trouble with the DST change and if you're near a time zone border you can get caught alternating between towers in different zones fading in and out. When you're not near a tower, the cell phones' accuracy is horrible. If it's been off for a while, the phone's accuracy is horrible. If the phone is off or on standby, it takes half a minute to get it powered up so you can look at the time. If the phone is on, it runs out of battery in a day or two (some people's only last half a day!), so if you want to go somewhere you can't recharge your phone you lose your timepiece as well.
NTP is great! With it synching to a server every 17 minutes, not only does it synchronize but it also tracks how much your computer's clock drifts and even if internet is lost it greatly improves the computer's accuracy. After it's trained it should differ from the atomic clock by only single digits of milliseconds.
Cell phones are also annoying to rely on in the vicinity of tome zone lines, as they can incorrectly shift an hour without warning.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 21, 2015, 03:35:06 PM
Cell phones are also annoying to rely on in the vicinity of tome zone lines, as they can incorrectly shift an hour without warning.
You're right! I should have thought of that. :rolleyes:
I only thought of it because I visit folks from time to time that live near such a line, and it can be very confusing.