Can You Hear Me Now??? How about Now? Zap! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Cynthetiq · 02-22-2005, 07:54 AM

Quote:

SHUT THE CELL UP
By ANGELA MONTEFINISE
LINK

Can you hear me now?

Unsuspecting cellphone users may find themselves saying that more often now that cellphone jammers — illegal gizmos that interfere with signals and cut off reception — are selling like hotcakes on the streets of New York.

"I bought one online, and I love it," said one jammer owner fed up with the din of dumb conversations and rock-and-roll ringtones.

"I use it on the bus all the time. I always zap the idiots who discuss what they want from the Chinese restaurant so that everyone can hear them. Why is that necessary?"

He added, "I can't throw the phones out the window, so this is the next best thing."

Online jammer seller Victor McCormack said he's made "hundreds of sales" to New Yorkers.

"The interest has gone insane in the last few years. I get all sorts of people buying them, from priests to police officers."

Jammers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from portable handhelds that look like cellphones to larger, fixed models as big as suitcases.

Their sole goal is to zip inconsiderate lips. The smaller gadgets emit radio frequencies that block signals anywhere from a 50- to 200-foot radius. They range in price from $250 to $2,000.

But don't expect to find jammers at the local Radio Shack — they're against Federal Communications Commission regulations because they interfere with emergency calls and the public airwaves. They are illegal to buy, sell, use, import or advertise.

A violation means an $11,000 fine, but the FCC's Enforcement Bureau has yet to bust one person anywhere in the country.

"This is not a crime that they're going after," said Rob Bernstein, deputy editor at New York City-based Sync magazine.

He said jammers are here, and their use is multiplying.

"Right now, there's a growing curiosity about jammers in the United States and New York," Bernstein said. "There's no better way to shut up a loudmouth on the phone, so people definitely want them and are finding ways to get them."

One way is at a spy shop on Third Avenue, which sells medium-sized jammers out of a back room for $1,500. The sales clerk there said he had sold jammers to a 50-year-old man who bought one to use on the Long Island Rail Road, and to restaurateurs.

Folks who run auto auctions also buy them to stop people from chit-chatting about prices and rigging their bids, the clerk said.

An employee at a West Village spy store said the shop also sells jammers, but only to people from other countries.

One local purchaser bought a portable jammer last year, and said he likes using it at Roosevelt Field mall on Long Island.

"One time I followed this guy around for 20 minutes," he said. "I kept zapping him and zapping him, until finally he threw the phone on the floor. I couldn't stop laughing. It was so cool."

Jammers were first developed to help government security forces avert eavesdropping and thwart phone-triggered bombings. But by the late 1990s they were being sold to the public.

There are suspicions that some hotel chains employ jammers to cut down on guests' cellphone use and boost in-room phone charges.

Personally I see an affront to common coutesy, the pleasantry of conversing in public in a tone that doesn't disrupt everyone else. I don't care if you are on a cell phone or talking face to face with your friend, there's no need to be boistrous or scene causing, ALL the time.

People don't know how to be courteous to each other any more... so technology is going to help in some capacity.

I've posted several threads about this in the past, but this article is most interesting since it shows business who are using it for different means, some to stop cheating or others to force options.

Personally I think we'll find more people who follow others to zap their convos as we did when laser pointers were the rage at all lectures, concerts, etc.

maleficent · 02-22-2005, 08:04 AM

Quote:

There are suspicions that some hotel chains employ jammers to cut down on guests' cellphone use and boost in-room phone charges.

Now, I realize I can't have it both ways, but this one would really annoy me... Even local calls in a hotel room start to add up, recently I was in a hotel that charged for 800 numbers (after the first 10 minutes). Cell phones in hotels are a necessity.

But other places... If people could talk in reasonable volumes, I wouldn't have a problem with it so much, or at least didn't have so many inane conversations.

Amtrak, on their NY to DC Metroliner, has a quiet car, where no cell phones, no loud conversations, no loud beepy toys are allowed... This is their most popular car, and if per chance your phone does ring while in this car, the car residents aren't above hanging you by your toes outside the train as the train travels along at 120 mph. It's a good thing.

We seem to have gotten way too "It's all about me,and screw everyone else" and this zapper does nothing to change that mentality.

quadro2000 · 02-22-2005, 08:12 AM

I'm all in favor of jammers being used in places like restaurants and theaters, but I am 100% opposed to them being used in public situations, like a bus, a subway, or on the street.

I agree that people are often rude and obnoxious on their cellphones. But people were rude and obnoxious long before cellphones. Using a jammer is the equivalent of going up to somebody and putting tape over their mouths.

The other problem with a jammer is that one can be completely anonymous, so people will use it not only to shut people up, but also just as a random prank, like the laser pointer you mentioned, to see how many people they can mess with. This can cause great problems - what if it's an emergency situation?

It would take a pretty courageous person to go up to somebody on their cellphone and ask them to please lower their voice. This solution is for cowards.

Personally, I think places like restaurants and theaters should have a policy listed on their front door, explaining that they use jammers, and patrons are free to leave their cellphones with the maitre'd/staff if they absolutely need to be contacted during their stay. That doesn't bother me. But using them on the streets is unacceptable to me.

Ripsaw · 02-22-2005, 08:14 AM

With a radius of 200', this device has a criminal potential that has yet to be realized.

TexanAvenger · 02-22-2005, 08:14 AM

Quote:

One local purchaser bought a portable jammer last year, and said he likes using it at Roosevelt Field mall on Long Island.

"One time I followed this guy around for 20 minutes," he said. "I kept zapping him and zapping him, until finally he threw the phone on the floor. I couldn't stop laughing. It was so cool."

I was kind of liking the idea up until this. I understand that some people would just use these maliciously and that really kills the buzz I had going about getting one of these. If people just start using them maliciously, the FCC would crack down a lot faster and harder, and I wouldn't want to be caught with one.

dksuddeth · 02-22-2005, 08:33 AM

idiots one and all. the makers of this should be made to pay millions upon millions and recall every one of the damn things fining them thousands a day until they recover all of them.

Cervantes · 02-22-2005, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexanAvenger

I was kind of liking the idea up until this. I understand that some people would just use these maliciously and that really kills the buzz I had going about getting one of these. If people just start using them maliciously, the FCC would crack down a lot faster and harder, and I wouldn't want to be caught with one.

I'm all with you. sure it could be a fun prank but concidering the criminal and malicious potential it is pretty dangerous.

Does these jammers have any effect on an airplaine? navigation, communication? even if they don't it woulnd't take a genious to change them into doing just that.

The_wall · 02-22-2005, 10:04 AM

I would be that asshole that would jam any phone call I could, I would have a damn good time doing it too. Cell phones are evil.

kutulu · 02-22-2005, 10:45 AM

How pathetic must someone's existance be if they are so upset by someone on a cell phone or need to find pleasure by interrupting someone else's private life? People like this need to get the hell over themselves. It disgusts me.

What happened to just asking someone to lower their voice or *gasp* just ignoring them?

mazagmot · 02-22-2005, 12:47 PM

I do like the use in theaters and restaurants, but I have issues with the way some of the people were using them. I'm with kutulu on this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by kutulu

How pathetic must someone's existance be if they are so upset by someone on a cell phone or need to find pleasure by interrupting someone else's private life? People like this need to get the hell over themselves. It disgusts me.

But as for the criminal intent, I'm sure that criminals could have been using these for a while. I doubt it's very hard to design a small circuit with a transmitter that allows you to jam radio signals.

guthmund · 02-22-2005, 02:16 PM

I've long been a proponent of 'cell-free' zones such as theaters, restaurants and the like.

I was in the library the other day (I volunteer there) and had to ask someone to leave because she was talking on her cell-phone. She was getting book recomendations.

It would have been nice if the owners of such establishments had taken the initiative and instituted it on their own.

However, due to their inaction, other methods have been explored and they've placed the 'responsibility' into the hands of the juvenile.

Responsible use of these would be nice, but I ain't holding my breath.

Cynthetiq · 02-22-2005, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kutulu

How pathetic must someone's existance be if they are so upset by someone on a cell phone or need to find pleasure by interrupting someone else's private life? People like this need to get the hell over themselves. It disgusts me.

What happened to just asking someone to lower their voice or *gasp* just ignoring them?

I've tried the ignore.. and if you happen to be on a 1.5 hour train ride with some girlie chatting with her g/f over who's sleeping over etc... people did ask, nicely. She retorted by speaking even louder. It wasn't until someone went apeshit that she lowered her voice.

kutulu · 02-23-2005, 08:42 AM

People talk loudly everywhere. Somehow it's worse if they are talking loudly on a mobile. Whatever.

The_wall · 02-23-2005, 10:41 AM

I'm of the opinion cell phones should be used in emergencies only. Why can't people just talk on regular phones or *gasp* talk to the person in person. And do you really need to be able to contact a person 24/7. I really don't like this cell phone culture and would gladly jam peoples phones and laugh while doing it. I would mostly like to do it to people talking on there phone while driving.

"How pathetic must someone's existance be if they are so upset by someone on a cell phone or need to find pleasure by interrupting someone else's private life? People like this need to get the hell over themselves. It disgusts me."

You're getting pretty upset over something so dumb. It's not like this is going to become a huge problem and you're not going to ever be able to talk to someone on a cell phone because of these. Although that is my dream.

betula · 02-23-2005, 10:42 AM

It seems worse because you only hear half the conversation. Plus, people will generally speak louder into a cell phone than to a person next to them because they have to to be heard clearly over the line. As much as I dislike cell phones, these jammer things are the wrong way to 'police' those that are not courteous.

JumpinJesus · 02-23-2005, 08:51 PM

Cell phone ear pieces have made it virtually impossible for me to tell the difference from your run-o'-the-mill crazy person and someone on a cell phone.

In most cases, people talking on cell phones don't bother me, but every now and then I see something that irks me, though it doesn't affect me. We went out for pizza the other day and this woman was sitting by herself talking on a cell phone. She was eating her garlic bread, talking on the phone, and giving the "wait a minute" finger to the waitress who was waiting to take her order. I was thinking that it was rude and unsightly to watch this woman talking and eating at the same time while ignoring the obviously very busy server, but then it occurred to me that this woman would be rude and inconsiderate regardless of whether she had a cell phone or not. The cell phone just made it more obvious to everyone around her.

MSD · 02-23-2005, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripsaw

With a radius of 200', this device has a criminal potential that has yet to be realized.

Yeah, isn't it great to be illegally selling something that can prevent everyone in the building from calling 911?

These idiots can have fun zapping calls like assholes, and some day there's going to be a headline about some woman being raped an murdered because her cell phone was jammed by a prankster out on the street following a guy and zapping his phone.

jorgelito · 02-23-2005, 09:06 PM

Hey, if we have to put up with cell phones then we have to put up with cell phone jammers. Sounds fair to me.

Regarding the laser pointer fad, when's the last time someone used one? Like all fads, it will sort itself out.

I'm all for it in schools, hospitals, churches, theaters etc.

Hey on the plus side, it could potentially jam a signal intended to detonate an IED. I think that is why the Isreali army developed the cell phone jammer in the first place.

filtherton · 02-23-2005, 10:02 PM

I think in response to cell phone jamming i will now speak really loudly into my phone whenever i make a call in a public place. Why not, if random jerks are going to create effectively random swaths of cell phone dead zone? If i'm going to be punished for the rude cell phone use of someone else, than i might as well get some rude cell phone use myself. You know, i mean, fuck everyone but me. Sometimes i like to put boots on random cars whose colors i find disfavorable. Fuck 'em, they annoyed my sense of aesthetics.

I'd sooner confront a loud cell phone user than stoop to passive aggression where it is clearly not necessary. In fact, i'd recommend that anyone save their money for a spine.

dksuddeth · 02-24-2005, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_wall

I'm of the opinion cell phones should be used in emergencies only. Why can't people just talk on regular phones or *gasp* talk to the person in person. And do you really need to be able to contact a person 24/7. I really don't like this cell phone culture and would gladly jam peoples phones and laugh while doing it. I would mostly like to do it to people talking on there phone while driving.

"How pathetic must someone's existance be if they are so upset by someone on a cell phone or need to find pleasure by interrupting someone else's private life? People like this need to get the hell over themselves. It disgusts me."

You're getting pretty upset over something so dumb. It's not like this is going to become a huge problem and you're not going to ever be able to talk to someone on a cell phone because of these. Although that is my dream.

of course the cellphone user COULD be doing work with it, like talking to someone in california about an important bit of business that could cost millions of dollars but I guess that to YOU, transcontinental business shouldn't be done.

dksuddeth · 02-24-2005, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgelito

Hey, if we have to put up with cell phones then we have to put up with cell phone jammers. Sounds fair to me.

Regarding the laser pointer fad, when's the last time someone used one? Like all fads, it will sort itself out.

laser pointer aimed at airliner landing at detroit

thats from two days ago.

dirtyrascal7 · 02-24-2005, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

We seem to have gotten way too "It's all about me,and screw everyone else" . . .

you could copy and paste this into nearly any thread linked to a news story... the circumstances are different, but the mentality is always the same. everyone seems to think that their individual rights are more important than the rights of the majority, whether they think they should have the right to talk on their cell phone or stop other people from talking on theirs. why are we all such greedy bastards?

Redlemon · 02-24-2005, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSelfDestruct

Yeah, isn't it great to be illegally selling something that can prevent everyone in the building from calling 911?

These idiots can have fun zapping calls like assholes, and some day there's going to be a headline about some woman being raped an murdered because her cell phone was jammed by a prankster out on the street following a guy and zapping his phone.

This was a plot point in a novel I read recently; some guys hijacked a casino boat, and they hid a cell phone zapper on the roof so that no one could call for help.

The_wall · 02-24-2005, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSelfDestruct

Yeah, isn't it great to be illegally selling something that can prevent everyone in the building from calling 911?

These idiots can have fun zapping calls like assholes, and some day there's going to be a headline about some woman being raped an murdered because her cell phone was jammed by a prankster out on the street following a guy and zapping his phone.

Oh yes I'm sure that will happen but who's more important Mrselftdestruct, the person who got raped because of phone jammers, or the thousands saved by phone jammers by preventing the IED from detonating that jorjelito was talking about?

It's not like everyone is going to go out and buy one of these, I believe the article said they were fairly expensive, I know I'm not rushing to go out and buy one, and as I've stated I would have fun with one. Remember there was a time before cell phones and we got by without them just fine.

filtherton · 02-24-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_wall

Oh yes I'm sure that will happen but who's more important Mrselftdestruct, the person who got raped because of phone jammers, or the thousands saved by phone jammers by preventing the IED from detonating that jorjelito was talking about?

It's not like everyone is going to go out and buy one of these, I believe the article said they were fairly expensive, I know I'm not rushing to go out and buy one, and as I've stated I would have fun with one. Remember there was a time before cell phones and we got by without them just fine.

Well, since people get raped every day and where i live IED devices are extremely rare, i find the IED defense laughable. I have no problem with legitimate security use. The problem is when average, passive aggressive pranksters get their hands on things like this. A bigger problem is when someone who has more malicious intent gets ahold of one of these devices.

kutulu · 02-24-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_wall

Remember there was a time before cell phones and we got by without them just fine.

Ya and there was a time when we got by without computers. Before that, there was a time we got by without cars. Before that, we got by without fire.

Mobile phones are here to stay. They make life easier and more enjoyable for people. I'm sure as hell not going to curtail my use just because someone is bothered by me talking on the phone.

kurty[B] · 02-24-2005, 10:22 AM

I went to a movie last week, only three or four groups of people at the movie, during the previews, a laser pointer made it's way out, at first I just mentioned how annoying it was to my girlfriend. Then as the opening credits started rolling and it shot across the screen I lost it, got up, turned around and yelled "if I see that goddamn thing one more time, I'll make this movie horrible for each and every damn one of you!" Never saw the pointer until the closing credits... The only other time I've lost it in a theater was when a girl kept whipping out her phone and txt msging during the movie, damn blue light in the corner of my eye!

I don't mind phones or pointers in public, but I wish common courtesy was more prevalent.

The_wall · 02-24-2005, 10:35 AM

I'm all about getting rid of computers and cars as well, we just gotta do some preperation because we rely way too heavily on them right now. Yes I know I'm using a computer right now.

Oh and I also find the IED thing laughable, but I also find the rape story laughable as well which is why I said it. I'll tell you what, you guys can be the first to say I told you so when you see a headline in the papers about such a situation happening.

kutulu · 02-24-2005, 10:38 AM

Yes because our lives were so much better before those things.

The_wall · 02-24-2005, 10:41 AM

I'm sure you weren't even alive before cars, and my guess is you were probably at least extremely young before computers, though correct me if I'm wrong, but how can you claim how good life was in those times if you weren't even alive. Oh did you read about it so you know?

filtherton · 02-24-2005, 10:47 AM

I think we should go back to a land before time. I love those cuddwy widdle dinosaws.

Furry · 02-24-2005, 11:11 AM

How's this for a temporary solution? Have emergency-number calls use a) a different frequency from those that can be normally jammed with this gizmo or b) modulate those call signals in such a way that they slide past the jamming? Your smartphone would recognise emergency numbers and use the reserved frequency/modulation protocols for them and no other calls.

raeanna74 · 02-24-2005, 11:34 AM

This is nuts. Technology is all great but every new thing begets more problems with more solutions that themselves cause problems. Who could have told us it would have gotten this bad back when they had those huge cell phones that you couldn't hold for more than 5 minutes before your hand got tired.

After reading this I'm proud to say that I've never owned a cell phone and have only considered buying a prepaid one for emergency purposes ONLY.

kutulu · 02-24-2005, 11:51 AM

What exactly is bad about having a mobile? How have cell phones actually made our lives worse? I don't get it.

Give me real answers, not this "it's annoying to listen to someone talking on the phone" crap.

cyrnel · 02-24-2005, 11:53 AM

Just when Kutulu was conversing: "Ya and there was a time when we got by without computers. Before that, there was a time we got by withou" *CLICK!* *BLOOP!*

Mutter...mumble... redial...*BEEP!*

"Hello? As I was saying, Mobile phones are here to stay. They make life easier and more enjoyable for people. I'm sure as hell not going to curtai" *CLICK!!* *BLOOP!*

GODDAMNIT!

Heh.

Not to make you into a target of scorn, kutulu, your post just reminded me of one of those loud conversations.

Don't think I could ever bring myself to go vigilante outside my own home or business.

Anyone else want to join a dead pool for time until we hear about FCC crackdowns? The big cell providers can't appreciate the resulting support calls.

ObieX · 02-24-2005, 02:17 PM

Cell phones are only annoying to me in a theater. Any time someone whips one out in a movie everyone else think that gives them the right to take theirs out as well. The second i see someone on their phone i let out a quick "shut up" or "turn off the damn phone" or int eh case of two-ways where its more like a walketalkie a "*shhht* Turn off the phone! Over. *shhHht*"

Anywhere else i don't see a problem. As mentioned above i think people are just angry because they only get to hear half the conversation. To those people i can only say "mind your own damn business and stop eavesdropping."

Seriously, what's so bad about hearing someone chatting on a phone on a bus/train ride? If someone was talking to someone sitting next to them would it upset you as much? Personally i think if listening to people talk upsets you so much, then PUBLIC transportation is not for you.

I would like a serious answer. What's so bad about these things, except for in a theater? Is it jealousy that this person has an apparent social life and you don't? Feeling like no one wants to talk to you? A feeling of unimportance? How dos this make your restaraunt going experience worse? The restaraunt is full of people talking all around you yet you feel the need to single out the one person who is talking but doing so into a device?

I'm with Kutulu 100%

Edit: By "you" i mean anyone reading this to whom it applies. Not any one previous poster.

flstf · 02-24-2005, 05:23 PM

Sounds like it is just a matter of time before a large percentage of the population in high density areas have these things since prices will most likely fall as demand picks up. Now if they could design a zapper to change the volume level on boom boxes.

Portable Cellular Jammer

Looks just like your mobile phone, allows you to carry it anywhere without others aware: in class, in seminar, in shop, place of worship, library, on train or bus during trip, etc.

StanT · 02-24-2005, 05:57 PM

I wonder if we could mount them on the center line of roads. If I have one more close call because someone can't shut up and drive, I'm going to reach out and strangle someone.

jorgelito · 02-25-2005, 01:23 AM

Er...um..guys? I think the IED thing was taken out of context. I was trying to show that there was a function for these devices outside of pranksters and cell-phone ragers. I think most are made in Taiwan and Israel. The primary market was Israel Defense Forces in jamming IEDs and the secondary market opened up recently.
I think so far, it's mostly hospitals, churches, restaurants and theaters for obvious reasons because there is a demand for cell phone free zone.

As for why people find them annoying? Well, I think it's mostly the "overly loud" and inconsiderate users. I.e. - talking on your phone in line and holding up the line cause you put your "talk to the hand" up at the cashier person (it's just rude).

People tend to talk louder on a cell ohone than in conversation for a technical reason: They cannot hear themselves throught the earpiece. In land phones, a second signal or echo is bounced back throught the earpiece giving it a more natural sound. Not so in cell phones (something to do with signal or bandwith or something)

People talking inconspiciously or "not loudly" are not derided or noticed for that matter. I don't care if it's a cell phone: shouting in a check out line, hospital, theater etc is just plain rude whether you're on a cell phone or not. The extra reason why people are annoyed with cell phones is the rudeness accompanying it. Unless you're a doctor or whatever, please turn off your phone when we are having a conversation together. Same in school. Why must you talk (on phone or to your neighbor) while the teacher is talking?

The worst is when I went to visit my G'ma in the hospital. She was hooked up to a lot of machines and stuff. Outside the room was a big sign, "No cell phone use" and an explanation why (it interferes with the equipment). well, I heard some guy yelling in the hallway and when I poked my head out there, I saw this guy yelling into his cellphone, right under the sign (WTF!)! So I said, "Hey" and pointed at the sign and he glared at me and gave me the finger. I rang for the nurse and was about to tell her that a man was found dead in the hallway but some doctor yelled at him and the dude took off. But that's messed up and also why people dislike some cell phone
users.

Oh, the good news, my grandma made a speedy recovery and is fine.

rat · 02-25-2005, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_wall

And do you really need to be able to contact a person 24/7. I really don't like this cell phone culture and would gladly jam peoples phones and laugh while doing it. I would mostly like to do it to people talking on there phone while driving.

I could think of plenty of times where being able to keep in verbal contact with someone 24/7 with no extra charges for long distance is either essential or far more practical than land lines.

For one, any businessperson that has family and travels, let alone one that has children. Hotel phone rates are ridiculous, and while there is no monetary value one could put on being able to tell his children goodnight, if there's a more practical and cheaper way to do it, why not? Or take the time I ended up piss drunk across campus wandering around...dumb decision, but thankfully bumped into someone that had a friend of mine's number so he could come and pick my dumb ass up and keep me from getting a PI. The ability to call a taxi while intoxicated rather than driving home one's self....I could list more. There are plenty of intangible and safety issues that cell phones provide a cheap, reasonable solution to--and I don't think they're going away anytime soon...

02-22-2005, 08:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
quadro2000 All Possibility, Made Of Custard Location: New York, NY	I'm all in favor of jammers being used in places like restaurants and theaters, but I am 100% opposed to them being used in public situations, like a bus, a subway, or on the street. I agree that people are often rude and obnoxious on their cellphones. But people were rude and obnoxious long before cellphones. Using a jammer is the equivalent of going up to somebody and putting tape over their mouths. The other problem with a jammer is that one can be completely anonymous, so people will use it not only to shut people up, but also just as a random prank, like the laser pointer you mentioned, to see how many people they can mess with. This can cause great problems - what if it's an emergency situation? It would take a pretty courageous person to go up to somebody on their cellphone and ask them to please lower their voice. This solution is for cowards. Personally, I think places like restaurants and theaters should have a policy listed on their front door, explaining that they use jammers, and patrons are free to leave their cellphones with the maitre'd/staff if they absolutely need to be contacted during their stay. That doesn't bother me. But using them on the streets is unacceptable to me. __________________ You have to laugh at yourself...because you'd cry your eyes out if you didn't. - Emily Saliers

02-22-2005, 08:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ripsaw Chef in Training	With a radius of 200', this device has a criminal potential that has yet to be realized. __________________ "We are supposed to be masters of space, but we cant even line up our shoes?" One life, one chance, one opportunity.

02-22-2005, 08:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
dksuddeth Junkie Location: bedford, tx	idiots one and all. the makers of this should be made to pay millions upon millions and recall every one of the damn things fining them thousands a day until they recover all of them. __________________ "no amount of force can control a free man, a man whose mind is free. No, not the rack, not fission bombs, not anything. You cannot conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him."

02-22-2005, 10:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
The_wall Psycho Location: Rhode Island biatches!	I would be that asshole that would jam any phone call I could, I would have a damn good time doing it too. Cell phones are evil. __________________ "We do what we like and we like what we do!"~andrew Wk Procrastinate now, don't put off to the last minute.

02-22-2005, 02:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
guthmund big damn hero	I've long been a proponent of 'cell-free' zones such as theaters, restaurants and the like. I was in the library the other day (I volunteer there) and had to ask someone to leave because she was talking on her cell-phone. She was getting book recomendations. It would have been nice if the owners of such establishments had taken the initiative and instituted it on their own. However, due to their inaction, other methods have been explored and they've placed the 'responsibility' into the hands of the juvenile. Responsible use of these would be nice, but I ain't holding my breath. __________________ No signature. None. Seriously. Last edited by guthmund; 02-22-2005 at 02:19 PM..

02-22-2005, 10:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	How pathetic must someone's existance be if they are so upset by someone on a cell phone or need to find pleasure by interrupting someone else's private life? People like this need to get the hell over themselves. It disgusts me. What happened to just asking someone to lower their voice or gasp just ignoring them?

02-23-2005, 08:42 AM	#13 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	People talk loudly everywhere. Somehow it's worse if they are talking loudly on a mobile. Whatever.

02-23-2005, 10:41 AM	#14 (permalink)
The_wall Psycho Location: Rhode Island biatches!	I'm of the opinion cell phones should be used in emergencies only. Why can't people just talk on regular phones or gasp talk to the person in person. And do you really need to be able to contact a person 24/7. I really don't like this cell phone culture and would gladly jam peoples phones and laugh while doing it. I would mostly like to do it to people talking on there phone while driving. "How pathetic must someone's existance be if they are so upset by someone on a cell phone or need to find pleasure by interrupting someone else's private life? People like this need to get the hell over themselves. It disgusts me." You're getting pretty upset over something so dumb. It's not like this is going to become a huge problem and you're not going to ever be able to talk to someone on a cell phone because of these. Although that is my dream. __________________ "We do what we like and we like what we do!"~andrew Wk Procrastinate now, don't put off to the last minute.

02-23-2005, 10:42 AM	#15 (permalink)
betula Upright Location: Buffalo, NY	It seems worse because you only hear half the conversation. Plus, people will generally speak louder into a cell phone than to a person next to them because they have to to be heard clearly over the line. As much as I dislike cell phones, these jammer things are the wrong way to 'police' those that are not courteous.

02-23-2005, 08:51 PM	#16 (permalink)
JumpinJesus Junkie Location: Chicago	Cell phone ear pieces have made it virtually impossible for me to tell the difference from your run-o'-the-mill crazy person and someone on a cell phone. In most cases, people talking on cell phones don't bother me, but every now and then I see something that irks me, though it doesn't affect me. We went out for pizza the other day and this woman was sitting by herself talking on a cell phone. She was eating her garlic bread, talking on the phone, and giving the "wait a minute" finger to the waitress who was waiting to take her order. I was thinking that it was rude and unsightly to watch this woman talking and eating at the same time while ignoring the obviously very busy server, but then it occurred to me that this woman would be rude and inconsiderate regardless of whether she had a cell phone or not. The cell phone just made it more obvious to everyone around her. __________________ "I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

02-23-2005, 09:06 PM	#18 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Hey, if we have to put up with cell phones then we have to put up with cell phone jammers. Sounds fair to me. Regarding the laser pointer fad, when's the last time someone used one? Like all fads, it will sort itself out. I'm all for it in schools, hospitals, churches, theaters etc. Hey on the plus side, it could potentially jam a signal intended to detonate an IED. I think that is why the Isreali army developed the cell phone jammer in the first place.

02-23-2005, 10:02 PM	#19 (permalink)
filtherton Junkie Location: In the land of ice and snow.	I think in response to cell phone jamming i will now speak really loudly into my phone whenever i make a call in a public place. Why not, if random jerks are going to create effectively random swaths of cell phone dead zone? If i'm going to be punished for the rude cell phone use of someone else, than i might as well get some rude cell phone use myself. You know, i mean, fuck everyone but me. Sometimes i like to put boots on random cars whose colors i find disfavorable. Fuck 'em, they annoyed my sense of aesthetics. I'd sooner confront a loud cell phone user than stoop to passive aggression where it is clearly not necessary. In fact, i'd recommend that anyone save their money for a spine.

02-24-2005, 10:22 AM	#27 (permalink)
kurty[B] Sauce Puppet	I went to a movie last week, only three or four groups of people at the movie, during the previews, a laser pointer made it's way out, at first I just mentioned how annoying it was to my girlfriend. Then as the opening credits started rolling and it shot across the screen I lost it, got up, turned around and yelled "if I see that goddamn thing one more time, I'll make this movie horrible for each and every damn one of you!" Never saw the pointer until the closing credits... The only other time I've lost it in a theater was when a girl kept whipping out her phone and txt msging during the movie, damn blue light in the corner of my eye! I don't mind phones or pointers in public, but I wish common courtesy was more prevalent.

02-24-2005, 10:35 AM	#28 (permalink)
The_wall Psycho Location: Rhode Island biatches!	I'm all about getting rid of computers and cars as well, we just gotta do some preperation because we rely way too heavily on them right now. Yes I know I'm using a computer right now. Oh and I also find the IED thing laughable, but I also find the rape story laughable as well which is why I said it. I'll tell you what, you guys can be the first to say I told you so when you see a headline in the papers about such a situation happening. __________________ "We do what we like and we like what we do!"~andrew Wk Procrastinate now, don't put off to the last minute. Last edited by The_wall; 02-24-2005 at 10:39 AM..

02-24-2005, 10:38 AM	#29 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	Yes because our lives were so much better before those things.

02-24-2005, 10:41 AM	#30 (permalink)
The_wall Psycho Location: Rhode Island biatches!	I'm sure you weren't even alive before cars, and my guess is you were probably at least extremely young before computers, though correct me if I'm wrong, but how can you claim how good life was in those times if you weren't even alive. Oh did you read about it so you know? __________________ "We do what we like and we like what we do!"~andrew Wk Procrastinate now, don't put off to the last minute.

02-24-2005, 10:47 AM	#31 (permalink)
filtherton Junkie Location: In the land of ice and snow.	I think we should go back to a land before time. I love those cuddwy widdle dinosaws.

02-24-2005, 11:11 AM	#32 (permalink)
Furry Crazy Location: UK	How's this for a temporary solution? Have emergency-number calls use a) a different frequency from those that can be normally jammed with this gizmo or b) modulate those call signals in such a way that they slide past the jamming? Your smartphone would recognise emergency numbers and use the reserved frequency/modulation protocols for them and no other calls. __________________ Furry is the leader of his own cult, the "Furballs of Doom". They sit about chanting "Doom, Doom, Doom". (From a random shot in the dark by SirLance)

02-24-2005, 11:34 AM	#33 (permalink)
raeanna74 I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot! Location: Upper Michigan	This is nuts. Technology is all great but every new thing begets more problems with more solutions that themselves cause problems. Who could have told us it would have gotten this bad back when they had those huge cell phones that you couldn't hold for more than 5 minutes before your hand got tired. After reading this I'm proud to say that I've never owned a cell phone and have only considered buying a prepaid one for emergency purposes ONLY. __________________ "Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

02-24-2005, 11:51 AM	#34 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	What exactly is bad about having a mobile? How have cell phones actually made our lives worse? I don't get it. Give me real answers, not this "it's annoying to listen to someone talking on the phone" crap.

02-24-2005, 11:53 AM	#35 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	Just when Kutulu was conversing: "Ya and there was a time when we got by without computers. Before that, there was a time we got by withou" CLICK! BLOOP! Mutter...mumble... redial...BEEP! "Hello? As I was saying, Mobile phones are here to stay. They make life easier and more enjoyable for people. I'm sure as hell not going to curtai" CLICK!! BLOOP! GODDAMNIT! Heh. Not to make you into a target of scorn, kutulu, your post just reminded me of one of those loud conversations. Don't think I could ever bring myself to go vigilante outside my own home or business. Anyone else want to join a dead pool for time until we hear about FCC crackdowns? The big cell providers can't appreciate the resulting support calls. Last edited by cyrnel; 02-24-2005 at 11:56 AM..

02-24-2005, 02:17 PM	#36 (permalink)
ObieX Pickles Location: Shirt and Pants (NJ)	Cell phones are only annoying to me in a theater. Any time someone whips one out in a movie everyone else think that gives them the right to take theirs out as well. The second i see someone on their phone i let out a quick "shut up" or "turn off the damn phone" or int eh case of two-ways where its more like a walketalkie a "shhht Turn off the phone! Over. shhHht" Anywhere else i don't see a problem. As mentioned above i think people are just angry because they only get to hear half the conversation. To those people i can only say "mind your own damn business and stop eavesdropping." Seriously, what's so bad about hearing someone chatting on a phone on a bus/train ride? If someone was talking to someone sitting next to them would it upset you as much? Personally i think if listening to people talk upsets you so much, then PUBLIC transportation is not for you. I would like a serious answer. What's so bad about these things, except for in a theater? Is it jealousy that this person has an apparent social life and you don't? Feeling like no one wants to talk to you? A feeling of unimportance? How dos this make your restaraunt going experience worse? The restaraunt is full of people talking all around you yet you feel the need to single out the one person who is talking but doing so into a device? I'm with Kutulu 100% Edit: By "you" i mean anyone reading this to whom it applies. Not any one previous poster. __________________ We Must Dissent. Last edited by ObieX; 02-24-2005 at 02:58 PM..

02-24-2005, 05:23 PM	#37 (permalink)
flstf Easy Rider Location: Moscow on the Ohio	Sounds like it is just a matter of time before a large percentage of the population in high density areas have these things since prices will most likely fall as demand picks up. Now if they could design a zapper to change the volume level on boom boxes. Portable Cellular Jammer Looks just like your mobile phone, allows you to carry it anywhere without others aware: in class, in seminar, in shop, place of worship, library, on train or bus during trip, etc. Last edited by flstf; 02-24-2005 at 05:37 PM..

02-24-2005, 05:57 PM	#38 (permalink)
StanT © Location: Colorado	I wonder if we could mount them on the center line of roads. If I have one more close call because someone can't shut up and drive, I'm going to reach out and strangle someone.

02-25-2005, 01:23 AM	#39 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Er...um..guys? I think the IED thing was taken out of context. I was trying to show that there was a function for these devices outside of pranksters and cell-phone ragers. I think most are made in Taiwan and Israel. The primary market was Israel Defense Forces in jamming IEDs and the secondary market opened up recently. I think so far, it's mostly hospitals, churches, restaurants and theaters for obvious reasons because there is a demand for cell phone free zone. As for why people find them annoying? Well, I think it's mostly the "overly loud" and inconsiderate users. I.e. - talking on your phone in line and holding up the line cause you put your "talk to the hand" up at the cashier person (it's just rude). People tend to talk louder on a cell ohone than in conversation for a technical reason: They cannot hear themselves throught the earpiece. In land phones, a second signal or echo is bounced back throught the earpiece giving it a more natural sound. Not so in cell phones (something to do with signal or bandwith or something) People talking inconspiciously or "not loudly" are not derided or noticed for that matter. I don't care if it's a cell phone: shouting in a check out line, hospital, theater etc is just plain rude whether you're on a cell phone or not. The extra reason why people are annoyed with cell phones is the rudeness accompanying it. Unless you're a doctor or whatever, please turn off your phone when we are having a conversation together. Same in school. Why must you talk (on phone or to your neighbor) while the teacher is talking? The worst is when I went to visit my G'ma in the hospital. She was hooked up to a lot of machines and stuff. Outside the room was a big sign, "No cell phone use" and an explanation why (it interferes with the equipment). well, I heard some guy yelling in the hallway and when I poked my head out there, I saw this guy yelling into his cellphone, right under the sign (WTF!)! So I said, "Hey" and pointed at the sign and he glared at me and gave me the finger. I rang for the nurse and was about to tell her that a man was found dead in the hallway but some doctor yelled at him and the dude took off. But that's messed up and also why people dislike some cell phone users. Oh, the good news, my grandma made a speedy recovery and is fine.