How will you score in the cell phone etiquette test?

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: KEITH SHAW ON WIRELESS COMPUTING
DEVICES
07/12/05
Today's focus: How will you score in the cell phone etiquette
test?

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Happy National Cell Phone Courtesy Month
* Links related to Wireless Computing Devices
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: How will you score in the cell phone etiquette
test?

By Keith Shaw

If it's July, it must be National Cell Phone Courtesy Month. I'm
not sure if that's an official national recognition, but it is
according to Sprint, which put out a press release announcing
its continued efforts to "promote courtesy and reduce the
country's annoyance level with such things as wireless phones
ringing during movies, at funerals or in business meetings."

In fact, Sprint actually has an etiquette spokeswoman,
Jacqueline Whitmore, who is the founder and director of the
Protocol School of Palm Beach and creator of Cell Phone Courtesy
Month (aha!). In the press release, Whitmore encourages
old-fashioned courtesy and common sense when using a wireless
device. For example, don't talk on the phone while a sales clerk
is trying to help you, keep your voice down when talking and
turn off the phone in certain locations, such as at a movie
theater, church or other public place.

In case you're feeling all high and mighty about how polite you
are, Sprint has a Web site where you can take an "etiquette
test" to see how you rank against others (
<http://www.sjp.com/sprint/survey_start.asp> ). I took the test
and scored 79, a score that's one level above the rudest users.
I was told that I "got some answers right," but needed to
improve my etiquette skills. I probably need to review Sprint's
suggestions on proper wireless etiquette -
<http://www2.sprint.com/mr/consumertopic.do?topicId=260>.

Sprint is probably right, but at the moment, I don't care. I'm
OK with my ineptness when it comes to wireless etiquette. I now
feel in certain situations and locations that I don't have to be
as polite with my cell phone than in the past. For example, I
now freely pull out the phone and start calling friends or
colleagues when in a store, on a subway or other public
transportation, without thinking too much that other people
probably don't want to hear my conversation. But I don't worry
too much because those people are probably already on the phone
having their own conversations. Wireless etiquette is a lofty
goal, but how many times do you have to shout from the rooftops
to people to be more polite before people actually start
listening? Again, they're not listening because they're too busy
having conversations on their cell phones.

At least I'm not the rudest cell phone user - when I took the
test there were 341 people who scored in the lowest ranking -
about 11.5% of the total. So if you are angry with me for my
attitude, I can point you in 341 other directions.

In a totally unrelated, yet somewhat ironic, announcement -
Sprint announced it would offer songs from heavy-metal band
Metallica as ring tones. Sprint users can now download tones
made from actual clips from the band's songs, including "Enter
Sandman," "Fade to Black," and "For Whom The Bell Tolls." The
clips will cost $2.50 per download, Sprint says.

I suppose hearing Metallica come from someone's phone is less
rude than hearing the Mexican Hat Dance over and over and over
again, but some people may still think that's rude.
_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Keith Shaw

Keith Shaw is Senior Editor, Product Testing, at Network World.
In addition, he writes the " Cool Tools
<http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/cooltools.html> "
column, which looks at gizmos, gadgets and other mobile
computing devices.

You can reach Keith at <mailto:kshaw@nww.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Oracle
Grid Glossary

Grid computing is a vehicle to extend the life of existing
assets, not to end the life of existing infrastructure assets.
The Oracle Grid runs applications faster than the fastest
mainframe. You can adopt Oracle Grid technologies with minimal
investment, zero disruption, and fast ROI. Learn more about the
specialized set of terms and acronyms that define Grid
technologies with this comprehensive glossary. Download the
Oracle Grid Glossary now!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=108337
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Archive of the Wireless Computing Devices newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/mobile/index.html

Keith Shaw's Cool Tools:
http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/cooltools.html
_______________________________________________________________
FEATURED READER RESOURCE
TEN WAYS TO STOP SPYWARE

You will get spam down to a manageable level this year, but then
spyware will kick in. Spyware cleaners will help, but won't
eradicate all the unwanted activity at the office, at home.
Here's a ten step guide you can follow to curb the spyware
problem:
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile3047>
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