Journal 4

o What was the telecom product/service? I am going to discuss the use of a cell phone on this post.

o How were you directly or indirectly impacted by the product/service? I am directly affected by a cell phone because it is the only phone that I have. I use it to communicate to people on hawaii as well as on the mainland. It is also the only way I can talk to my fiance when he is overseas. I am indirectly affected by cell phones because people are always on their cell phone: in traffic, walking around campus, ect. I am indirectly affected because I may want to talk to someone and they will be on a cell phone instead of talking with me. I can also overhear conversations, whether I want to or not.

o Did you/others/society benefit from the use? If so, how? I think I benefit from the use of a cell phone because I can call anyone, anywhere. I am usually not in one spot for very long and thus it would take a long time to get information to me if I just had a land line instead of a cell phone. I like the easability of being able to be reached and being able to reach others. I am linked to many by this cell phone from on hawaii to on the mainland. I think society benefits from the use of a cell phone because society is able to reach emergency services and reach their families in times of need. I think cell phones are a great advancement in technology.


o Did problems arise because of the telecom product/service?

I have not had any problems with this telecom product. I think their are concerns with how cellphones hinder communication or cause communication to be less personal, but I do not think it changes how I use the telecom service.

o How was your communication/information exchange facilitated or hindered by the product/service?
I think my communication is facilitated because it makes my communication quicker, more efficient and portable. I don't think the cell phone hinders my communication unless the call is dropped or their is too much interference.

o Did your communication pattern/style change when the product/service was used? In what way?

I think my communication pattern has changed because I can call someone to tell them something and make the conversation quick. I am also called a lot more on my cell phone because it is so easy to pick up the phone and call me then it is to figure something out of their own. Also, with caller ID, we usually do not answer with who is calling and who we are looking for. We assume that the person we are calling is the person that will pick up the phone. I think we have lost some of the formality when using the cell phone. Otherwise, I don't think my communication pattern has changed much when looking at talking on a land line compared to a cell phone.