I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

suzieq60

RR - I don't even have a smart phone. Don't like FB or Twitter. Worried about the way society is going. I can't believe children have mobile phones, facebook pages etc. I do have a FB page but don't post on it, I use it to read some groups I've joined.

Then again, the older generation were probably worried about us back in the early 70's when hippy power was the norm.

lassie11

Suzie - you say "from any tweets I've read, it just seems to be used to abuse people." which suggests to me that you have a twitter account and see what you call abuse happening. If that is the case, then it would be a good idea to change the people you are following. If you are not on twitter and do not have an account, then how do you know what is going on with it?

I have a twitter account and really enjoy following a small number of people. There are a lot of things to be learned on social media but it requires considerable critical thinking and good sense to sort out the nonsense from the useful.

My smart phone is an excellent asset. It allows me to keep in touch with people, check my e-mail,  play games and have a camera with me at all times (essential with grandchildren around). I can access information on any topic at any time with it, read books, read newspapers, play music and always have a clock and alarm clock with me. At certain times the calculator in it is really handy (my arithmetic is fairly pathetic) and I like the texting feature so that I can talk to my son at times and to my sister who has a hearing problem. It also has children's games on it primarily for my grandchildren but once while waiting at an airport, a tired mother was really grateful when I was able to entertain her children for a while.  Sometimes I even use it as a phone! That smart phone is really smart.

 Facebook,  Twitter and  smart phones are here to stay in some form.  It's best to learn them, use them and not be afraid of them.

suzieq60

I only read tweets published in the paper - I don't have an account. I just believe I pay for phone and internet at home, why should I pay for it away from home. Now remember I am supposedly technically savvy being a software engineer.

I never even turn on my mobile phone - I keep it for my safety and that's it. We might use it when we are in NZ but rarely.

QuinnCat

lassie - I love all the ways you use the Iphone.  Got me thinking, what do I use mine for in addition to your list....I listen to radio stations all over the US and I also use it to listen to my XM radio subscription.  I use MapMyWalk to measure and record my daily walks.  i use GAIA, which loads 7.5 minute topo maps, via satellite, for anywhere I am, and uses GPS to map where I am and where I'm going and how far I've gone.  Took a new hike a month ago and I could tell we were between Stink Creek and Mt Bradley....a part of the woods I'd never been in.  Very cool.  I've used Find Friends.  Asked Siri, on Wednesday, what the meaning of a few words were.  I take pictures all of the time!  Honestly, it's the best appliance I own.

lassie11

oh yes - the maps.  When I am in the Big City, the map function tells me where the traffic jams are so I can plan a route accordingly. Because the map function can pin point where you are, it can also help you get back to where you meant to be. I used that last week while out of town and not quite on the right road.

gardengumby

I do like my smartphone as it helps me when I get lost.  I am, however, not a fan of social media.  I don't believe it is healthy for society, as most people seem to be moving to interacting with others via 140 characters or less.  Discussion seems to have disappeared in favor of short one liners.  I'm not a luddite, as like Suzie, I have spent my life in the technical field, but I am also of the opinion that simply because something can be done doesn't mean that it should be done.

suzieq60

GG - I'm always seeing people walking along the street with their eyes on their phone - not enough face to face interaction anymore.

I have friends on my bus to and from work. Got a call from sweet Fernanda yesterday to see how I was. She and her sister never married and they live quite close to me. I took them to my markets one weekend as they don't drive. So lovely of her to call. Her sister insisted on speaking to me too. My morning friend Dot, has also called to see what's going on with my knee.

Looks like the Synvisc injection hasn't worked, but everything was complicated by severe pain on the right side of my knee and down the shin - turns out it was my back causing it - pinched nerve. I've had 2 back treatments and the pain is gone, so now I can see how my knee actually feels - still can't straighten but it is much better. Going to see the doctor this week to discuss surgery and am going to try going to work on Monday - so sick of working from home.

Just did a big clothes clean out and swap around seeing Winter looks like it's finally here - got 2 giant bags full to take to the charity shop

gardengumby

So sorry the injection didn't work for you.  I'm rescheduled to see the bone doctor for my shoulder, but really just want the problem to go away.  I'm so incredibly sick of doctors and surgeries.  I wish they'd come up with something that really worked to relieve the pain in old well-used joints.  I don't expect it work as well as it did when I was 20.  I just don't want it to hurt anymore.

suzieq60

GG - it was a gamble - $400 down the drain BUT worth the effort. ChrissyB on here has just had her second knee done - actually on the 31st May and she's still in really bad pain. I'm going for minimally invasive surgery. Chrissy hadn't heard of it - it shows you the difference between having private insurance and not - I can pick who does it.

kayfh

When I was in my 20s I tore the cartilage in my knee by falling in a hole (don't ask). When I was in 49. I had the most incredible pain (in my mind at the time) in the same knee.  I thought that it was likely a re injury so I sought help for that.  It wasn't until I was 55 that because it was not improving, but rather getting worse, I needed to take action.  Either serious drugs or something. Back to physio.  Even had craniosacral therapy, acupuncture,  and yes tramadol.  Good drug that one.  The knee problem was actually a herniated disk.  I saw a neurosurgeon and had a discectomy.  For 3 years I thought I was a "failed back surgery".  Then BC.  I was switched to hydro morph low dose every 4 hours.  And thought I'd need it for life.  I got so tired of taking drugs and their attendant side effects and then drugs to deal with those that I decided to quit everything not related to BC.  It was a very unpleasant time.  When I came through it I realized that my back which was were my pain localized after the sx did not hurt very much.  I probably needed the sx, but I also needed to be patient. The neurosurgeon told me that.  (It is not in my nature to be patient with myself.  But I am learning.) My neurosurgeon at Sunnybrooke Hospital in Toronto, who my family physician referred me to because of his reputation, was Muslim.  So is my oncologist.  I really like both of them.

River_Rat

Kay, patience with my body is something I have had to struggle with in recent years. I'm glad you came out the other side feeling better.

My cell phone is not a smart phone but I do have a mini iPad with a cell account. Honestly the phones are too small for me to be able to do the things you all mention with my tired old eyes, plus for some reason I just don't want my phone to do everything but there are times that I do need that "connectivity." The full size iPad was too big for me to cart around. DH took that and got me a mini and I love it. I don't take it with me on a day to day basis. But if I'm traveling or have a day with appointments where I'll be kept waiting I have it. It makes it possible for me to look at the gluten free menu options in the area I'm at and to check to see if various products at the grocery are gluten free. I get very ill if I get a gluten exposure so this aspect has been very valuable to me.

I also worked with computers - database management, design and query writing - so limited programming. Maybe those of us who have worked on computers simply don't want to be chained to them.

IllinoisLady

Interesting discussion of phones but I'm technically challenged.  Also, even if I were not, affordability would be as issue.  I don't have a cell phone of any kind right now.  I count myself lucky to have learned to find my way around on this computer -- though I don't always do it well.  I 've managed to pull off what pretty much is important to me. 

Lately ( I had it that way before but had forgotten ) I re-learned how to disable the standard fonts on web-pages, including this one, and use one that I find more pleasing.

Old injuries or age....probably almost always a recipe for issues to come up with important joints.  My knees have been 'iffy' for awhile.  I am reluctant to rush into anything, but no reason for me to fear any outcomes.  I injured both my knees as a young teenager and now at 68 I fear that something will need correcting at some point in the future.  Just fortunate that I don't have constant reminder through pain that issues may be on the way.  I am careful ( learned the hard way ) about being mindful about how I turn my legs....always trying to keep at straight as possible.   No wonder they say growing old is not for sissies. 

Jackie

 

Anonymous

thought I'd posted this, but doesn't look like it went thru

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/13/westboro-baptist-cop-kiss_n_5492654.html

love it.  Yeah, D.C.

River_Rat

Sunflowers, nice. I was hoping that the death of Fred Phelps would lead to the demise of that hateful group. It is good to see their intolerance challenged with a mere display of love.

YramAL

I have a flip phone cell phone. I purposely do not have a smart phone because I know myself and I know that I would become one of those people who are constantly looking at their phone. It's a very conscious decision for me.

Mary

Anonymous

rr - I thought it would too, agree with you, the best way to fight that kind of hatred is with LOVE.

Anonymous

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/sykes_picot_agreement.htm

and/or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sykes%E2%80%93Picot_Agreement

In the hopes this may deflect any of the simplistic, blame the President, or anybody else, for the situation today.

SUNSHINE - first day in 7 days!  Off to garden...hope all are well.

Bren-2007

Hi Guys,

We finally got smart phones a couple months ago.  We don't have laptops or iPads though.  It was a real challenge learning to operate the iPhone.  Just not used to that type of technology.  I'm happy we have them now.  I took it with me when I traveled to San Diego in April and was able to check into BCO, Facebook and my email accounts while I was gone.  It's also nice when you're stuck in the airport waiting for a flight.  I still haven't figured out how to use the map function yet and a bunch of other stuff ... but I know enough to like having it.  It's also great to be able to check my bank balance when I'm not at my computer!

We got a new TV last night ... it's amazing how the prices have dropped.  It was $400 less than the same brand we bought 8 years ago.  Still can't get over how the lightning fried the TV, satellite box and the cables.  We had a heavy duty surge protector on them ... so don't know how it happened unless it was through the cable from the dish.

Thank goodness for Tim's vacation pay!  I was also able to get my glasses yesterday.  It's a challenge getting used to no-line bifocals.  I've never had bifocals before.  I don't have a problem with the upper part for distance, it's the bottom part for reading that is hard for me.  Guess it's going to take some time to get used to them.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!

hugs,

Bren

IllinoisLady

Bren, I have no line trifocals and in a couple of weeks.....you'll be easily forgetting you had issues.  My friend who switched from old fashioned bifocals to no line had headaches for two weeks and just when she thought she would have to switch back.....it all turned right and she was good.  It's an adjustment but I think not so hard.  I don't move my head too much.....I move my eyes up or down so to speak more than my head...............but did find....however you have had your glasses centered ( lots of people knowing they will slip somewhat.....bring them down a bit to compensate for that ) is how you will want them to be most of the time.  I put mine pretty much all the way up ---- so just the fact that they have slipped warns me that if I want to see really good.....I need to move them back up. 

Hope it doesn't take the whole two weeks for you.  It will be great once you get the hang of it.

Jackie

suzieq60

RR - I do database design and querying too and UI programming. My mobile phone is prepaid - I think I need to top it up but keep forgetting. I agree, when your work all day is on a computer, it's nice to pick up a book and read.

IllinoisLady

From the dull, dry and nearly un-changing faction: http://www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/3-biggest-right-wing-lies-about-poverty

Jackie

IllinoisLady

And a great demonstration of why the GOP fails so very often: http://crooksandliars.com/2014/06/ari-fleischer-demonstrates-gop-both-sides  they are clueless most of the time about what they said and stood for last week -- good proof here.

Jackie

IllinoisLady

I put in a longer version of this yesterday I think but couldn't resist the last two words of this......

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/06/13/1306676/-Krugman-nails-it-The-Fix-Isn-t-In

Jackie

IllinoisLady

Jackie

bluedahlia

Italy 1 - England 1

Anonymous

Oops, sorry, wrong thread. 

IllinoisLady

I had no idea about these Navaho servicemen.  What a truly interesting and amazing story.   http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/06/04/1304404/-Chester-Nez-last-of-the-original-Navajo-Code-Talkers-dead-at-93

Jackie

bluedahlia

Italy wins 2 - 1!  Yeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaw!

Anonymous

You guys are missing a great thread, if you haven't yet checked out what Bessie was TRYING to discuss.  Really has become a humorous train wreck.  Proving the point Bessie was trying to make, but not in the way expected.

Think it was Blessed who coined the phrase Munchausen by Internet....

pip57

Jackie, there was a movie about them called "Windtalkers" put out about 10 or so years ago. Worth a watch.  

Sunny, I think maunchausen by internet perfectly describes what is going on in that thread. However, I do wonder if there is some functional problems impairing her decision making. She apparently has a BA in English. That would be a big red flag for any family member reading her posts.