Cellphones and Other Wireless

[pretermitted_child]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
It seems to me from a bandwidth perspective, there's no way you could cram entire 40-page image files over cell wireless to a handheld,

Well, from a purely bandwidth perspective, it may take a loooooooooong time for that file to be transmitted to the handheld (assuming the handheld has enough memory to handle such large files). As you may know, a file is broken up into discrete data packets prior to transmission, so it's really a matter of whether you have the patience to wait for your handheld to receive every packet and reorder/assemble them, and also whether your handheld has enough memory to store the file. To speed up transmission, I guess you can use compression (again, with the caveat that your handheld has enough memory to uncompress).

and then be able to read it on a tiny handheld screen.

There is, apparently, a utility that does this. See http://store.redmercury.com/acidimagepro.html





p(DISCLAIMER: I don't own/use a handheld device.)c

ETA: My 255th post (11111111 in binary -- it's a byte with all ones) is on a techie question. Woo hoo!

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
He's young enough to carry a Blackberry, but old enough that he remembers typewriters. So he assumes that a lot of stuff is possible that simply isn't because he's got this "gee whiz, these things are amazing, is there anything they can't do?" approach to personal tech.

I think you should refer him to this article

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
I think you should refer him to this article

Thanks. This was the best part:

"There are these MP3's and PDF's and a million other things that you don't even know what they are," Ms. Tauber said. "I don't feel like I need to figure out computers, because my instinct is there's just no way."

That's great --- computers as the third sex.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by pretermitted_child
As you may know, a file is broken up into discrete data packets prior to transmission, so it's really a matter of whether you have the patience to wait for your handheld to receive every packet and reorder/assemble them, and also whether your handheld has enough memory to store the file.

Good point re: packets. He'd be seriously pissed if it took days for him to get a complete e-mail with an attachment.

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

Of course, the minute we successfully implement this, he'll be asking why there isn't a way for the handheld to receive only the important faxes and scans. He's The Guy With 3,000 Old E-Mails Stacked Up in His In-Box, too, BTW.

[Flinty_McFlint]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
He's The Guy With 3,000 Old E-Mails Stacked Up in His In-Box, too, BTW.

Hey--do we work in the same office? One of my bosses gets a zillion spams and doesn't filter or sort any email, and occasionally asks me to sort through them and find stuff. Not fun looking through an in box that has about 5,000,000 emails dating back to 1995.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Flinty_McFlint
Hey--do we work in the same office? One of my bosses gets a zillion spams and doesn't filter or sort any email, and occasionally asks me to sort through them and find stuff. Not fun looking through an in box that has about 5,000,000 emails dating back to 1995.

I think The Guy With 3,000 Old E-Mails Stacked Up in His In-Box is some kind of archetype to which all GPs eventually aspire.

I doubt we work in the same office. The only feces we fling around here are metaphorical. Usually.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch


As for the 2x2 screen, I dunno, maybe he assumes the thing will read it to him.

Here's another approach. Take the first page of one of those faxes. Use image viewer or whatever to shrink it to the phone screen size. hand it to him. ask if he can read it. when he can't, ask him whether he wants to tie up his phone for 3 hours receiving 40 pages like that that he can't read.

[pony_trekker]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
I think you should refer him to this article

I tell you. I work at a place that's in the technological stone age. Having some tech savy (I am one of the few that knows how to save documents to the network) I often get the retard calls (Let me ask pony -- "How do I install Kazza so I don't get caught?")

But except for that little doo hickey, I kind of prefer technological idiocy. I am not expected to work on documents at home, write briefs on the road (no firm laptop); have plenty of email free days (no blackberries) and check in by cell (no cell phone subsidy) only when I want to.

[Atticus Grinch]

God damn, I wish I'd thought of this first. {Spree: News story re: startup introducing free downloadable software that turns any wireless router into a gateway for individual users to sell WiFi access, with profit-sharing between the software provider and the home user.}

So everyone with a wireless access point can "sell" Internet access, including WiFi telephony, and kick back 15% to LinSpot. Brilliant. When they introduce the PC version of this, it could kill T-Mobile and other WiFi providers paying to install their own infrastructure.

[Alex_de_Large]

The combined Cingular and ATTWS gsm coverage will look something like this.

spree: coverage map from a recent FCC filing by Cingular.

[NotFromHere]

OK, is this for real?
LONDON (Reuters) - British commuters take note -- the respectable person sitting next to you on the train fumbling with their cell phone might be a "toother" looking for sex with a stranger.

"Toothing" is a new craze where strangers on trains, buses, in bars and even supermarkets hook up for illicit meetings using messages sent via the latest in phone technology.

"Toothing is a form of anonymous sex with strangers -- usually on some form of transport or enclosed area such as a conference or training seminar," says the "Beginner's Guide To Toothing" on a Web site dedicated to the pursuit.

He said potential toothers begin by sending out a random greeting -- usually "Toothing?."

"If the other party is interested, messages are exchanged until a suitable location is agreed -- usually a public toilet, although there are tales of more adventurous spots such as deserted carriages or staff areas," his guide adds.

Isn't this dangerous? How do you know who's toothing you?
Why not just wear a t-shirt that says "I'm looking for random sex. Call me. 555-1212. Isn't that the same?

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...toryID=4867149

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by leagleaze

I am sure, on occasion, it is a dangerous thing to do. Sometimes you hear about someone getting killed doing it. But not as often as you would think.

Yeah, HIV never killed anyone.

But at least we have an explanation for Kevin Spacey's cell-phone fiasco.

(but none for why he would have reported it in the first place)

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by leagleaze
This is not a new thing, using the technology is perhaps, but people have been meeting in random places for random hookups with strangers for ever. A lot of people use the Internet for it. Before that there were just cruisy spots people went to to hook up, parks, toilets, what have you.

I am sure, on occasion, it is a dangerous thing to do. Sometimes you hear about someone getting killed doing it. But not as often as you would think.

I thought that was what hookers were for. I understand cruising - at least you know that others are there to cruise. But if I'm sitting the train and some random creep asks me if I'm toothing - that's going to freak me out.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
I thought that was what hookers were for. I understand cruising - at least you know that others are there to cruise. But if I'm sitting the train and some random creep asks me if I'm toothing - that's going to freak me out.

I have been toothed (or bluejacked, as it is alternatively known) while sitting on a trian. It wasn't a sexual come-on, just a friendly message. I have no idea who sent it. Since then, I never leave bluetooth turned on when I am not using it. Saves batteries, too.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I have been toothed (or bluejacked, as it is alternatively known) while sitting on a trian. It wasn't a sexual come-on, just a friendly message. I have no idea who sent it. Since then, I never leave bluetooth turned on when I am not using it. Saves batteries, too.

But why would a random stranger even send you a message?