Comments on: Cell phone becomes new town crier

Universities and cities are seeing how these staples of 21st century society can be turned into tools for keeping people informed and protected.

[blueshore]

It looks nice, but...

the problem is that most teachers and professors ask students to TURN OFF the cell during class. That could be solve by using a PA system.

Also, since SMS does not provide with a special method to display an Alert message, a early warning could be interpreted as just another message. New cell phones could be upgraded with software that identifies certain flag and put the cell phone in an Alert mode (similar to the EAS).

Finally, no everyone can afford a cell phone in some areas, as basic plans are usually $30 and up. Universities can provide with low cost plans and support phone recycle programs: even a simple WiFi device capable of display an alert message, or even a pager (good old trusty pager) could be provided free to the new students to be returned when graduated.

[bkblair]

Best Option Available Today

Most students turn off their ringer and use the vibrate mode almost exclusively. They don't actually TURN OFF the phone itself.

So they would get the message and it would indicate who it was from w/o having to read it just like any other message sent today.

Until something better comes along, THIS IS THE WAY TO GO!

[Renegade Knight]

Fair Points

BUT the issues can be solved. Push technology can push out a warning. Tornado, or Evacuation.

Cell phones may not be univesal but they are as close to it as exists now.

Even if you don't have one someone next to you does.

It's the right idea. The wireless folks can propose how to make it happen or they can have it dictated to them by the government.

Either works for me.

[shinsccr8]

West Chester County New York

Is actually Westchester county New York.

Love the idea though. I remember being in college(last year.....) hoping to get class cancellation notices quicker. This problem would obviously be solved if all had broadband access with email phones but that would have to wait for another couple of years to be standardized. one thing is that this technology may become obsolete one broadband becomes cheaper and PDA phones become standardized.

[meyersm]

thanks, will fix

we appreciate your tip.