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Reason why I'm strongly considering switching *from* Verizon: I only make about 1/2 dozen long-distance calls per year, landline only -- I don't have a cell phone. I'm paying about $75 per month even if I make *zero* calls incoming or outgoing. That's like a grand per year. There is no way in hell that it costs them that much to maintain the line, nor to operate their biz. I'm looking at a "dumb" cell phone which has no features other than being just a phone. No contract nor termination fees - the phone is owned outright. Flat rate per month with no roaming nor long-distance charges. X$ per month buys you X minutes, and that's it.

http://www.jitterbug.com/

There you go.

I'll just leave this here for you: http://www.jitterbug.com/Phones/

Those "limitations" are exactly this.

And this is what I mean about taking what is actually a weakness and spinning it into a strength.

The iPhone is brilliant because it doesn't force people to conform to technology. It does this by limiting features?

have I got a phone for you!
http://www.jitterbug.com/

Nobody fucking cares

You make the same logical fallacy that you criticized the GP for. You don't care. You assume that nobody else cares.

Even accepting the premise that sales of the iPhone prove that nobody cares about openness. It doesn't mean that people wont care going forward. To be safer, you should say, "As far as I can tell, nobody cares at the moment"

Empirically, it can be said that Apple's platform is far more restrictive for developers and users than Android (or WebOS or even Windows Mobile).

All things being equal, closed/restrictive systems tend to attract fewer developers than open/permissive ones. Fewer developers means fewer applications, less innovation on the platform...

And historically, Apple has experienced the very same developer flight with Macintosh. They applied tight controls over their systems, charged boutique prices, and the result was that cheaper, crappier PCs dominated. Not because people loved them, but because that's where all the software was.

You act like there are only two options.

1. Let Apple decide what's best.

or

2. Have a terribly complicated experience that only a techie could love.

the GP and myself would like an option 3:

make the hardware and software as capable as possible and let the users/developers determine the boundaries of its capability.

p.s. "nerd rage"? you do know you're on Slashdot right? "News for Nerds" and all.

You want the Jitterbug.

That, or you can create your own network by putting up one cell in a remote location like Montana (can't remember the exact place) and do everything else through roaming agreements. You don't think that Virgin Mobile owns their own network in the U.S., do you?

The Palm Pre on Sprint does roam on Verizon's network, but the data plan does not. Without a data plan, the Palm Pre is comparable to the Jitterbug.

I like having (most of) the power of my computer in the palm of my hand, wherever I go. I enjoy being able to browse the web, play a quick game or send some emails as I'm waiting for a table or out on a smoke break.

If you don't like this sort of thing, then don't buy one of these. May I recommend the JitterBug.

Apple participated in the design of the PowerPC.

The key word here are surely "participants in design." No capital investment. No long term commitments.

In a deep recession the iPhone can be seen for what it is - a high-tech gadget in a market that is moving towards the low-tech Jitterbug.

The basic cell phone the geek always says he wants but never actually buys.

You don't want an iPhone. You want a Jitterbug.

Did you forget the eeepc? Old people love that shit more than their jitterbug

Whooosh! It's called a joke.

JitterBug. This phone also has an am/pm clock built in, so I hope that doesn't overwhelm you.

Quit whining, pop a Geritol, drink your Metamucil, and buy a Jitterbug Have fun at Bingo, I'll be standing on your lawn using my Iphone.

What is my dream mobile phone? It is JUST A FREAKIN' PHONE. No touch screen. No web browsing. Just a single line B&W LCD, maybe two lines for easier caller ID printing. And with big buttons.

Have a look at the Jitterbug phone.

dude, your dreamphone already exists: http://www.jitterbug.com/Phones.aspx Now you just have to download a "Git off my lawn!!" ringtone

He might find this meets some of his needs:

Jitterbug

However, it looks like you have to also buy service through them.

I can still type in an ip address with directory trees or a direct URL for a piece of content and 99% of the time i'll get what i was looking for.

Sure macromedia has made the spidering on flash video's an annoying freakin whore to get to, but if your client doesn't blow you can still get the direct link to the raw flash (FLV extension) through it's version of safari's "activity" window.

I can still load NTTP, and the technology still does a reasonable job of routing around censorship if you're savvy enough with tech to program the "off timer" on your TV.

This is yet another scare-mongering or "omg the good ol' days are gone" story.

When last I checked there were still people composing jazz, there are still people writing comic books, there are still sports cars and after-market parts that will let you make a hot-rod (or people who will do it for you), they still sell model M keyboards, and the internet is still there.

Things change, and usually the "old model" doesn't go away if it has any merit, but the evolution continues, expanding choice (unless the MAFIAA makes it illegal, in which case someone needs to be shot).

Case and point, the jitterbug phone is available to people who don't want the bloat, complexity, and OMGKITCHENSINK they throw into today's phones (15 menus to start dialing, oh I wonder why the vehicular collision rate among users is so high!).

I have the phone for you!

Without knowing your provider it's hard to say but there is the Verizon Wireless CDM 8905 which is pretty bare bones in comparison with most of today's offerings.

Here's your phone, grandpa!

http://www.jitterbug.com/

"than those who don't use cell phones" . . . And how many Americans really never use cell phones? I see folks who can't afford an automobile or other things in life who have a cell phone. It is more important than cable in many cases. As to "I happen to hold mine in front and use the loudspeaker but that's purely because I'm deaf in one ear and don't like not being able to hear anything else that's going on." I am sure everyone around you loves it when you get a phone call. :) Do I see a Jitterbug in your future? (sorry, couldn't resist).
:)

He means he wants one of these, 'cos he's elderly and kind of stuck in his ways.

This phone is right up your alley

I'm sure they'd have a one button "hold for emergency" button, not unlike the Jitterbug. It is probably mandated by law.. These are simple design issues. I'm sure they'd want to make the device appealing to parents.

Jitterbug

I bought one of the Jitterbugs for my wife's mother (in her mid-70s), and we had her using it in a few minutes. The phone is plenty loud for the hard-of-hearing, with a rubber cuff around the earpiece that cuts down outside noise.

My wife liked it so much we ordered a second one for her. She has limited dexterity due to cerebral palsy, and the larger form of the phone made it easier to hold than most of the tiny things on the market today. The buttons are large, backlit, and have good tactile feedback. We've tested it in rural areas of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan with good results... coverage seems excellent.

Overall, Jitterbug is a nice product for a largely overlooked market niche.

When in doubt ask About.

Basically 3 places Jitterbug, Wirefly, and Net10.

Jitterbug I've seen and it's large numbers (buttons and screen) make it ideal for stiff fingers and bi-focal eyes.

In last month's issue (May/June '07) of the Sierra Club magainze there is an ad on page 20 for
Jitterbug from firstSTREET 1-866-540-0299

Plain cell phones for $10 a month, promo code 32988

http://www.jitterbug.com/

I don't own a cell phone, and have no intention of getting one anytime soon, but the phones and
fess don't look to bad.

http://www.jitterbug.com/

Jitterbug, "the phone for boomers and beyond", is exactly that. They offer two models, Dumb and Dumber. The Dumb model has a big numeric keypad. They couldn't resist putting in a display, though. The Dumber model has no numeric keys, just three huge buttons: "Operator", "Tow" (or some other preselected legend), and "911". The phone produces a "comforting dial tone".

They couldn't resist including menus, arrow keys, voicemail, a phone book, and a recent call list, either. But not GPS tracking, which might make sense given the target market.

The phone book is preloaded when the phone is ordered. Updating it thereafter can be done by fax (!), live operator assistance, or a web site, but not from the phone itself.

I don't know much about this company, but their phones and services are geared toward older people who just want a plain phone to make occasional calls.

http://www.jitterbug.com/

The lame commercials for the older generation phone, The Jitterbug!

Woo Ha Ha! Time to get a jitterbug! I laughed so hard when I saw this phone, but its exactly what your mom may be looking for. No frills, no toys, just POCS (plain ol' cell service) http://www.jitterbug.com./

I guess it was too much search Google for "simple phone":

http://www.jitterbug.com/

Don't know anything about them, but check out JitterBug...saw a commercial on TV...have never even ben to the website though, so no guaruntees(sp) http://www.jitterbug.com/

Jitterbug - http://www.jitterbug.com/Phones.aspx

Here ya go. Sure it's targetted for old people but the simplicity is nice.

• Live, 24-hour operators provide personal service
  
• Dialing is easy with large, backlit buttons
  
• A soft ear cushion lets you hear every word
  
• Affordable rate plans from just $10 a month
  

I recently saw an ad in US News & World Reports that was for a very basic, phone-only cellphone, just like the kind that I hear people begging for all the time on Slashdot.

It looked like they were going for the older demographic, because of the emphasis on large print and big keys, but it seemed like something that would appeal to anyone who wanted a very simple phone (but not as dumbed-down as the one-button children's cellphones).

It's apparently called the Jitterbug, and is made by Samsung. It seems to be marketed by a network or virtual network called "Greatcall," but perhaps it's possible to buy the phone elsewhere and use it on a different network. I assume the plans that they're pushing with it are similarly basic.

What would be nice would be if you could get it as an unlocked GSM phone, and then pop in a T-Mobile SIM (last time I checked, TMobile had the least-expensive voice-only plans, in cost per minute).

But I want my 1997 cellphone back. The earpiece was actually at my ear, and the mouthpiece was actually at my mouth, more or less. It had buttons that a full grown man could actually press one at a time. It made calls. It worked if you dropped it.

but if you try and write about another fictional villain, say a Star Wars Sith Lord, and you will find your ass sued into the ground.

Yes, if you write about a Sith Lord.

However, you can write about a guy that looks devilish, has wicked special powers with a vibro-sword due to his being specially attuned to the negative aspects of the universe, is an apprentice of another even badder bad dude, and is working on his skills with shooting lightning from his fingers.

The only problem you'll face then is accusations of ripping the character off, but George isn't going to sue you.

I mean, consider how many people could sue Lucas if it worked that way.

It's not just a tried and true story, it is the classic story.

The hero myth, retold in many forms, be it Hercules, Frodo, Paul Atreides, Arthur, or a white hatted Tom Berenger fighting evil cattle barons is meant to be told again and again. A youth sets out on a quest aided by an elder mentor who dies or leaves early in the quest. The youth, imbued with mystical powers, totems, and/or animal or spirit guides, stares into the maw of evil coming back victorious but scarred to be misunderstood by those around him.

The impact of all of these stories on me as a young person was not to impress me with either special effects or dialogue (though I would argue both were great..."who is more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?", "I don't care what you smell, just get in there!", "You came in that? You're braver than I thought!") but to inspire me with examples of people who in the face of danger and evil made their morality the focal point of their life.

WWLSD?

Don't skip the sociopolitical commentary of Dune. Let's see... valuable substance, used for damn near everything, only found in a desert place, guarded by fierce people with a suspiciously Arabic language... Nope, no idea what he was talking about there.

Never having read Dune I was amazed how much of Star Wars was influenced by it, as outlined here

To his credit, Lucas also robbed Flash Gordon, Kurosawa, Joseph Campbell, and Tolkien :)

Uh oh! You didn't bash Star Wars! Quick, mod him a troll :D

If you want to know more about the influences of classical myths on Star Wars, I suggest the DVD features or this site: http://www.jitterbug.com/origins/myth.html

The original 1970's Battlestar Galactica was an allegory of Mormon scriptures.

http://www.jitterbug.com/origins/general.html for details, scroll down.

...not just the Dune novels. Some even say that the story of the original is very close to "The Hidden Fortress". This site explains things very well.

George Lucas was a keen social sciences student before he discovered film, and he was specifically taken with anthropology, sociology and psychology. I recall seeing an interview years ago where he compared The Force to Jung's collective unconscious, as an all-encompassing, all-permeating energy that connects all people. There was more, which I can't recall, but archetypal stories such as Star Wars, The Matrix and others all draw on philosophy, theology and other social sciences, whether we want to admit it or not. You should read this interview with George Lucas where he says:

When I first got to college, I was very interested in the social sciences, anthropology, sociology, psychology, those kinds of things. And I was still interested in art and photography. I didn't know that I could actually put them all together in one occupation and love it.

check out thisarticle - there is a table listing the supposed similarities. I never really even noticed them myself

The similarities between Dune and Star Wars are incredible, here are just a few:

1.) In Dune, the hero is names after a biblical person, Paul, while in Star Wars the hero is named after a biblical person too (Luke). Both of which rise from the the desert to topple the evil empire.

2.) In Dune, the chief enemy of the hero turnes out to be the heros grandfather. In SW, the chief enemy of the hero turns out to be the hero's father. (And if you take it even farther, the emperor in Dune is also related to Paul, as Duke Leto and the emperor were cousins).

3.) In Dune, there is a monolopy on space transit and shipping by the Spacing Guild. In SW (EP1-2) there is a monolopy on space transit and shipping by the Trade Federation.

4.) In Dune, you have a warrior group who have supernatural-esque powers (The Bene Gesserit). In SW you have a warrior group who have supernatural powers (The Jedi).

5.) In Dune, the Bene Gesserit have mind control abilities (The Voice). In SW the Jedi have mind control powers (The Jedi Mind trick). Both of which can be negated by a strong mind.

6.) In Dune, the galaxy is made up of an Empire with a demotractic power base (The Lansraad (Spelling?)). In SW you have an Empire with a democratic power base (The Senate).

7.) In Dune, you have both energy weapon based warfare, and melee (swords and knives) combat. Most combat takes place with energy or projectile weaponry, but key battles are fought melee. In SW, you have both energy based combat, and melee combat (swords). Most combat takes place with energy weapons, while key battles are fought melee.

I could go on but it would probably be wasted. There are other fun facts though, like early drafts of the SW script referring to the most precious commodity in the Empire being, *gasp* spice, and the Jedi fighting technigue being known as the Jedi Bendu (while the Bene Gesserit technique is called the Prana Bindu).

To give proper credit some of the above material is from: http://www.jitterbug.com/origins/dune.html