I've often thought that what I need is not a cell phone, but a two-way pager. Why? A two-way pager allows me to be able to engage in short conversations without having to fully engage in a conversation, stopping other things I'm doing, I could use a full keyboard function without a full-size keyboard, and I could read my e-mail without having to be at a full-size computer or plug into any other network.
Because I don't necessarily have the time or the concentration needed to devote to a full-blown conversation, I just need to be able to have a simple communication method or modality, and this seems to fit the bill. I can send out multiple messages quickly without having to worry about getting message machines and not being able to track communication, and I can be sure that I can look back at what I said. For example, let's say I'm waiting in the airport for my flight. Many times it is impossible to carry on a conversation on a telephone due to the ambient noise, with all of the loudspeakers ushering passengers and letting you know who is the next group to board. If I want to be able to communicate effectively, without interruption, using a two-way pager is the ultimate tool. Many people dispute needing a full keyboard, saying they can use abbreviated versions, but I can tell you that I need a full keyboard, for sure, as I am unable to type using any other method, don't want to have to learn how to use yet another piece of equipment, and I don't need a full-size keyboard to carry with me. A pager with a mini keyboard, or QWERTY keyboard should do just fine. I'm able to type full words and sentences, and don't have to abbreviate, which in business communications can be less than effective. When people use their instant messaging system, they often use abbreviations, such as LOL for laughing out loud, BRB for be right back, and so on, but if I had to make use of an abbreviated keyboard, I would most likely end up sounding like a fifteen year old for the rest of my life. I would rather have a means to express myself rather than to have to resort to truncating my speech or written communication. What I value the two-way pager for the most, however, is for just plain reading. Reading my e-mail, to be exact. There is nothing more maddening than having to wait to get to somewhere with a WI-FI service, or to be able to get to another type of high speed connection area. Particularly as a frequent flyer, you could be waiting for hours upon hours for an opportunity to read your e-mail. Perhaps my e-mail isn't important in the grand scheme of things, in terms of national security, or losing or making millions of dollars, but to me, it's the most important thing to be able to read my e-mail. It keeps me in touch with the outside world, to find out what's going on, and to be sure that I have to stay on my flight schedule because I haven't yet done what I really want to do - finish my conversation over my two-way pager. |
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