mountainsoft
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
It's no secret that I am not a big fan of cell phones. Other than being able to call for help if my car breaks down, or being able to read news when I'm bored visiting family, I would be perfectly happy not to own a cell phone. Unfortunately, cell phones are becoming more and more pervasive in today's world.
For starters, I can't log on to most web sites these days without requiring two factor authentication with my cell phone. Yeah, it enhances security, but it's a hassle waiting for the code to arrive (if it even comes), assuming I can even get a cell signal here at home. Then I have to type it in on the web site, especially annoying when the page doesn't default with the cursor ready to type. I end up typing in the number only to discover the cursor wasn't ready and I have to type it all in again. Not to mention all these 2FA's used up my cell phone minutes last week and I had to buy more minutes.
Last summer I installed a new Mr Cool mini-split system. Naturally, I had to use a cell phone to connect the head unit to the wall thermostat. Also, except for basic functions, I have to use my cell phone to change any of the other settings in the thermostat. Dumb. So I leave that thermostat off and just use the remote control.
The real kicker was when I bought an Osmo Action camera to take on vacation with us. I thought the small size would be handy to just carry around as we're out and about. Unfortunately, there was no mention that the camera won't work until you "activate" it with a cell phone. Of course the app has to be side loaded and for whatever reason is completely incompatible with my "ancient" 4 year old cell phone. Sorry, I'm not getting a new cell phone to use a camera. Stupid. It is being returned.
I was always told not to put all your eggs in one basket, but everything today is being assigned to the cell phone. So dumb...
For starters, I can't log on to most web sites these days without requiring two factor authentication with my cell phone. Yeah, it enhances security, but it's a hassle waiting for the code to arrive (if it even comes), assuming I can even get a cell signal here at home. Then I have to type it in on the web site, especially annoying when the page doesn't default with the cursor ready to type. I end up typing in the number only to discover the cursor wasn't ready and I have to type it all in again. Not to mention all these 2FA's used up my cell phone minutes last week and I had to buy more minutes.
Last summer I installed a new Mr Cool mini-split system. Naturally, I had to use a cell phone to connect the head unit to the wall thermostat. Also, except for basic functions, I have to use my cell phone to change any of the other settings in the thermostat. Dumb. So I leave that thermostat off and just use the remote control.
The real kicker was when I bought an Osmo Action camera to take on vacation with us. I thought the small size would be handy to just carry around as we're out and about. Unfortunately, there was no mention that the camera won't work until you "activate" it with a cell phone. Of course the app has to be side loaded and for whatever reason is completely incompatible with my "ancient" 4 year old cell phone. Sorry, I'm not getting a new cell phone to use a camera. Stupid. It is being returned.
I was always told not to put all your eggs in one basket, but everything today is being assigned to the cell phone. So dumb...