Devices enforce cellular silence, sweet but illegal

A gadget that jams cellular signals has gained popularity as the use of cellphones has invaded more public places.
The New York Times

The story "Devices enforce cellular silence, sweet but illegal" published November 4, 2007 at 5:35 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[ceoballmer]

I'll still take sweet!

lol<br /><a class="jive-link-external" href="http://fakesteveballmer*blogspot.com" target="_newWindow">http://****************.blogspot.com</a><br />lol

[ahickey]

Needed

I think at this stage these Jammers are needed in places like cinemas, medical centers and restaurants.<br />Before mobile phoned we got on fine. You left the number for the restaurant with who ever was taking your calls and were contacted if needed.<br />Now you are contacted if somebody wants to.<br />I was in a restaurant last week where the people next to me got a non-essential call. They were loud and did disturb everybody nearly.<br /><br />To me this is exactly the same ethical question as smoking (without the death).<br />Selfish people imposing their wishes on the larger community.<br />Nobody is saying don?t use your phone, I?m just saying take other people into account.<br />If a call is urgent then that?s understandable, but if it?s just a chat why not wait rather than disturbing everybody with your chatter.<br />Flip it the other way. If I decided to talk random jibberish (which is what one side of a call is) would the mobile phone users not be disturbed by it? Would they prefer if I stopped? Would I be considered inconsiderate?<br /><br />On the gripe scale ? another mobile related issues is the use of mobile phone on speaker to play tinny crappy music for all the endure. Again, selfish inconsiderate behavior.

[Mike_in_Florida]

Finally - yes!

WOW this is great! I get tired of rude people not turning off their cellphones. It's about time we strike back at them. Of course the government will make it illegal - it's a revenue stream for them. Good for the folks who have these things. Some people need to be quieted down.

[bluemist9999]

Needs some balance

While I also don't like loud cellphone users, I feel the "enforced quiet" cellphone jammers shouldn't be used everywhere. <br /><br />Ideally, I'd like to see, say, a broadcast that would force all cellphones into a special "silence" mode --- which silences all ring tones (except vibrating) and bans voice calls, but not text messages. This would allow people to communicate without disturbing those around them.<br /><br />The next best case would be to allow cell phone jamming only in specific "cell phone quiet" zones that are clearly labeled, such as hospitals, theatres, concert halls.<br /><br />While it is inconsiderate to be a loud cell phone user, adding further inconsideration in return only adds to the negativity, and accomplishes nothing.

[TravP]

Please don't

I hate cell talkers as much as anyone else. Concerts, movies, and meals are no time to be chatting with a friend who isn't in your presence.<br /><br />BUT, jamming cell signals is not the solution. I say this because I have a vested interest in being able to receive emergency calls when I'm out and about. In fact, were it not for being reachable by cell phone, my wife and I would never feel comfortable going out on twice yearly dates while our son, who has a variety of medical needs, remains home with relatives.<br /><br />My wife and I don't call each other on our phones. We don't chat while driving. We have them set to vibrate 100% of the time. By all measures, we are conscientious cell users. So don't take away the comfort provided us by the knowledge that we can be reached anywhere, any time should our son require emergency medical attention.<br /><br />I know it's tempting to shut up the inconsiderate teen or 20-something sitting next to you, but take into consideration the other people in the area who might actually need to receive their calls and who do so discreetly.

[MaxAgent86]

The real problem is between our 2 ears

Except for special issues, most of us do not really need to be reached anywhere anytime. We have to learn to turn the damn thing off more often. At my workplace cells are forbidden (its a helpdesk call centre.)In Some places like hospitals it is mandatory that we turn them off (at leat in my area) because it can interfere with their equipment.<br /><br /> In the event that you are expecting an important call there is a handy little feature that is available on most cell phones &#38; providers: call forwarding (when i is feasible obviously). Just punch in the number your at, turn the phone off advise the place your at that if they get a call from xyz to come and get you, others your busy. <br /><br /><br />I agree that jammers are not the solution but sometimes...

[moonskin]

Pathetic

I think this is rather sad, that so many people have very little courtesy for others around them in public that individuals and businesses need to put jammers in place for cell phone users. I agree balance needs to be obtained. What happened to the good ol days when the world around us wouldn't fall apart because someone missed a phone call? Cell phones are like unions, a necessary evil that you would rather do without.

[bluegyro]

Unwanted noise pollution

Another obnoxious new form of noise pollution comes from the <br />audiovisual playing of ads coming from the recently installed <br />screens at each pump at Shell gas stations. I don't want to have to <br />listen to their ads while I pump my gas, and got a card from the <br />gas station owner so I could call and tell them I'm not getting my <br />gas there until they stop the ads.

[chonnom]

Shame not Jam

Do what I do, invite yourself into the conversation. Start making comments about what they're talking about and when they eventually say something with their self-righteous indignation, just smile and say "you were speaking so loudly, I just assumed you wanted everyone elses input".

[magicman73]

I support the jammers.

"It's counterintuitive that when the demand is clear and strong from wireless consumers for improved cell coverage, that these kinds of devices are finding a market," said Jeffrey Nelson, a Verizon spokesman. The carriers also raise a public safety issue: jammers could be used by criminals to stop people from communicating in an emergency."<br /><br />No, it's not counterintuitive. Yes, cell phone play an important part in our lives but there needs to be a line drawn somewhere. There is no need to have a 2 hour long conversation at 6am during the entire length of my commute. In all honesty the mass transit lines should institute a policy where certain rail cars are for phone usage and other cars are not.<br /><br />Secondly, we need to do away with the FCC entirely. It sickens me that the government controls so many aspects of our daily lives including air!<br /><br />Lastly, there has never been a single case, anywhere around the world, the terrorists have ever used a cell-phone jammer. This is yet another scare tactic to further instill the herd mentality into our heads. Much like the Brady Campaign is saying that large bore rifle can be used to take down civilian aircraft which has never happened anyone in the world once this silly claim is being made so that we automatically poo-poo the idea.<br /><br />I for one throughly support the use of cell phone jammers and feel that certain areas should be automatically off limits. MOVIE THEATERS IS ONE SUCH PLACE! I am so sick and tired of spending $25-$30 dollars to see a movie and have the chowerhead in the seat next to me testing and talking throughout the entire movie.<br /><br />And forget about talking to the management. They'll just tell you to move your seat. You didn't do anything wrong but now you have to move.<br /><br />What a joke.<br /><br />Anyway, more cellphone jammer. Less cellphone morons.