http://www.draplindustries.com/archives/000594.html

I actually think I could use these under some circumstances (the symphony, movies, nice restaraunts etc).

"You want a real problem with the world?... Self-righteousness."

Ah, this is the simple answer to me.

I thought the product would be some sort of signal jamming device. :D

I must admit, I find it an interesting sociological phenomenon that when two people are having a conversation face to face with each other about, say, their latest STD treatment, they lower their voices. But if the same people are having a conversation about the same subject on a cell phone, they raise their voices. Apparently the perception is that it must not be embarrassing if both of you aren't seen together.

Just an odd little thing I've noted.

I thought the product would be some sort of signal jamming device. :D
Something like this (http://www.globalgadgetuk.com/Personal.htm) you mean?

Whoa! Cool! I wonder if it really work.

I know some buildings in europe (like concert halls and art museums and libraries) installed such devices to cover the building. I'm not sure if the little one in the link works, but I know the ones in the building works. For a while there was some buzz about the US doing the same thing, but the whole freedom of speech thing started getting bandied about. And there are legit reasons to have cell phones/pagers on (set to vibrate) in places like that, such as doctors, people who have relatives in bad shape in hospitals etc. But those people usually are very concientious about their usage...it's the rest of the twits out there who need a clue batting.

Kevin Spacey is going to put those phone blockers into his theatre in London. We don't seem to mind Americans stopping our freedom of speech ;).

If you blocked telephone signals on your own property would you be breaking the law, or does the goverment own the airwaves in people's homes? If you do own the airwaves over your land, how high does your ownership go?

I'm not entirely certain about this Anka, but I believe the government owns the airwaves, as it sets which frequencies can be used for what (found this out when I ran into some instruments I use at work). I believe you would be in violation of FCC (federal communications committee) rules if you were to block or scramble airwaves, if you did so at certain frequencies (like those used for airplanes, telephones, radio, tv etc). But there are huge bands of unused frequencies which you would not get in trouble for.

So I think the answer to your question is yes, you would be breaking the law by blocking cell phone signals on your own property.

Why is it so annoying for you guys that people say what they wanna say over cell phones? In Puerto Rico, EVERYONE has cell phones and it isn't annoying, most people keep their conversation to normal levels of sound and keep their cellphones on silent in public libraries, class rooms or similar places. Also if their phones sound they inmediately leave the area as to not cause an interruption, or a distraction.

Must be pretty hectic over there huh?

As I understand it, it's The Public that owns the airwaves, and the FCC regulates them on behalf of the public interest. If you went ahead and jammed or used one of the frequencies that's already in use, that would be illegal as it's against public interest. Since radio waves dont acknowledge property lines, I cant imagine the "your own property" argument standing up, unless you could prove that your blocking technology extends no further than your property and has no adverse effects on other peoples use of those blocked frequencies.

most people keep their conversation to normal levels of sound and keep their cellphones on silent in public libraries, class rooms or similar places. Also if their phones sound they inmediately leave the area as to not cause an interruption, or a distraction.

It must be nice. People here are not so conscientious, and don't seem to have any problem having long conversations about nothing important in movie theaters, libraries, restaurants etc. And they don't seem to mind doing so in a VERY loud voice.

I went to the Oregon Symphony once, to see Bobby McFerrin (who has perfect pitch btw, and an amazing voice) conduct the symphony then do some acapella stuff. In the middle of one of his acapella songs, someone's cell phone rang. He literally stopped performing, walked off stage, walked back on stage with his cell phone and called his daughter to say good night to her. Probably the best response that could have been hoped for really, but he was furious. And so was I. He never did finish the piece he had been singing.

So yeah, it's different here. People seem to be more centered on themselves and not be aware that there may be a zillion other people they are inconveniencing.

I learned yesterday, on NPR, why people shout into their cell phones, its because they can't hear themselves. Regular phones actually amplify your voice and you hear yourself as being plenty loud in the ear piece, however cell phones don't do that. So you don't have that feedback as to how loud you are talking, so you talk real loudly to make up for it.

They also talked about how technology has made what used to be a sign of insanity, walking around and talking to no one in a loud voice, common place. :D I'm still having a hard time adjusting to that. I find a lot of cell phone behavior very offensive. Probably because I'm becoming an old fogey. I especially hate when you're with someone in a social setting and they spend their time talking to someone else on the bloody thing.

What do you all think about cell phone use during air travel? Frankly, I think it'll suck. I don't want to have to listen to people shouting into their cell phones while I'm trying to catch a few Z's or read or work quietly or watch the movie. I hope if they do this they'll make a cell-phone booth for people to use.

P.S. Bobby McFerrin is cool. :D

I expect we'll get used to cell phone behavior. It's hardly worse than smoking foul smelling weeds that make people cough, lower their health, and put a horrible stench into people's clothes, is it?

To me, Anka, its similar to when folks used to wander around carrying big boomboxes and blasting them in public places, when was that, the 80's? I think cell phone users tend to be unaware or uncaring of how their loud conversations are affecting people around them. Just like people who used to cart boomboxes around were. I never did get used to the boomboxes, fortunately that fad faded.

Eventually some sort of unstated code of cell phone use will evolve and people will act rightfully offended when someone violates it, like Bobby McFerrin did. Maybe there will be cell-phone and non-cell-phone sections in restaurants. If only there were cell-phone and non-cell-phone freeways.

Don't worry, be happy!

Since part of this thread is comparing differences between countries, let me tell you this short story.

First, I live in the U.S. About 10 years ago on a trip to Stavanger, Norway, we happened to go to one of the movie theatres in the downtown section. It was a late night showing and the majority of the audience was local teenagers. Drinks from the concession stand came in glass bottles, which were carried into the theatre. During the showing, no bottles rolled down between seats or were even dropped. I should add the theatre, though small, was filled. At the end, everyone filed out and placed their empty bottles in a rack by the exit. No fuss, no mess, no bother. Just a common knowledge of how to act properly in a public gathering.

In contrast I know what a normal american theatre looks like between shows, and glass bottles would never ever be used here.

You're supposed to hear yourself on a cellphone? LOL People are so silly.

I went to the Oregon Symphony once, to see Bobby McFerrin (who has perfect pitch btw, and an amazing voice) conduct the symphony then do some acapella stuff. In the middle of one of his acapella songs, someone's cell phone rang. He literally stopped performing, walked off stage, walked back on stage with his cell phone and called his daughter to say good night to her. Probably the best response that could have been hoped for really, but he was furious. And so was I. He never did finish the piece he had been singing.

lol nasty!!!