mobile phone signal

[spiderman]

Despite the inherent practical advantages associated with being Spiderman and though I'm really not that interested in the fad of phoning incessantly to other folk, it really bugs me that we on Seil appear not to have made any effort to organise a decent continuous and ubiquitous mobile phone signal around the island. Surely there are enough farmers and land-owners around to find one who would be happy to host a mast in return for some lucre, thereby giving residents, tourists and business/trade visitors a reasonable degree of modern-day contact with the outside world. Mobile phones are increasingly important for all kinds of applications, many frivolous but some serious, and we should be connected up to the planet in this way if we want to remain (or become?!) viable.

Anyone with the necessary bit of land want to contact Vodaphone?

[Minimum]

I'm more than happy to remain cut off from mobile 'phone contact. In fact, I even like it when the landline goes down.

Out of interest, I understand digital 'phones work in this area.

[spiderman]

Maybe you will eventually feel that you are all a bit isolationist over there - no bridge, no phones etc - but unfortunately this means that you are, perhaps unwittingly, something of a liability to the rest of local society which has to come and rescue you, in all weathers, from illness, fire, crime, rising sea level, tidal wave, erosion, other natural disasters etc.. No problem for me with my superhuman powers, but a bit tricky perhaps for ordinary mortals like the local GP etc. To want to have no contact with the outside planet is surely the policy of someone who is, on the one hand, currently healthy and, on the other, highly self-oriented. Much better surely to have the potential not necessarily for you to contact the outside world under normal conditions but to allow you to deal with inevitable emergency and for the outside world to contact you if it needs to. Let's have a mobile signal all over Seil and Easdale!!

[Minimum]

The usual "friendliness" prevails towards someone with a different view.

[spiderman]

Sorry, mini, really didn't mean to be unfriendly. I had just had a tough time chasing off the Green Goblin so maybe I was a bit outspoken and rude back then. Feel better now, ready for some more action. Of course you can have your different view and escaping from the hub-bub and technology of the unnatural urban world out there is totally desirable and necessary from time to time. But mobile phone technology doesn't need to be intrusive and it is THE basis of present-day communication for most people whether at home or at work or on vacation or in emergency. YOU don't have to use it but it is surely a necessary piece of progressive community infrastructure.

[novus ordo seclorum]

The only "necessary piece of progressive community infrastructure" needed on Seil is a Pole Dancing Club like they had on Luing.

[spiderman]

Novice ordure naecluerum, that's a big help. Thanks.


[Maybe, to keep you happy, the Seil Country Dancing Club could include a few Polish dances for these immigrants to our area? ]

[MA1BOB]

Maybe some country western dancing for us Yanks who come to visit.

Actually, I believe that those of us who come to visit don't want things to change for our benefit. I stay at B&Bs so that I can enjoy the local culture and people. Hotels try to cater to visitors ideals of what they are used to.

Let me go to the local pub for a pint and bar meal.

Cheers

Bob

[spiderman]

Sorry, yankee-boy, can't hold Seil back just for your summer holidays. Mobile phones are the basis of emergency-response nowadays, e.g. if, heaven forbid, you were to have a heart attack on holiday, wouldn't you prefer to be able to have someone call an ambulance? Or if Al Qaeda hits UK, largely as a result of your country's mad foreign policies, the main UK national emergency-response messaging to the population is via mobile phone technology. Also people year-round trying to do business need basic communications. And, as for young tourists visiting Seil, the agonies....etc etc.

Give us a break, yankee-boy, we, in Scotland, made a disproportionately large contribution to development of telecommunications technology - let us get on with using it for our own social safety and efficiency

[MA1BOB]

Sorry that you feel such hostility towards me. I will make it a point not to respond to any posts that you make as not to offend someone of your stature in the community. I was under the assumption that this was an open forum to discuss ideas, not attack each other. My mistake.

Cheers

Bob

[spiderman]

Sorry, friend, there wasn't intended to be anything personal at all......maybe a wee bit anti the present US administration but nothing at all against you. Feel free to return in safety.

[Joomac]

Aw Spidey, I understand you mate, and I don't think you're being offensive, just quirky.Humour and opinions don't always go together but I do most definately get your point, especially with the emergency services. By the way, Vodaphone is the only network that hubby can be reached by moby when in the wilds of Scotland.

Would Seil be ready for a few Morris dancers and a drop of scrumpy to entertain the immigrants do you think?

'course, I s'pose I would be classed as one being a mere sassenach!!

[spiderman]

Thanks, Joomy. Since over half the Seil population is Sassenach, your scrumpy and Morris dancers would be most welcome, I'm sure. The other lot, the highland Scots, are slightly in the huff with the English after last Saturday's massacre at Twickenham. But they'll get over it!

Yep, Vodafone's the best here even if much of Seil is still a no-go area for it too.

All the best from the land of winter sun!

[Joomac]

Just had a thought......how wild would the wilds be on a touch of whisky and a pint of scrumpy or three??!!

Or would that be classed as intergration of the wrong variety?

And could you send a little winter sun down to us freezin' southerners please? You know what weak sissies we are !!!

[nimby]

Have you ever visited friends in areas where everyone gets a signal. The ignorance of a mobile phone going off constantly, oh and then there's texting (don't know if I spelt that correct).

Robots, zombies springs to mind. "Oh I have been waiting on this text excuse me will you?" No I will just p**s off and leave you to play with your phone.

Oh how did we ever manage without them before? Fine just fine thanks.

[spiderman]

Yep, Nimby, what you say is dead right but please don't throw the baby out with the bath water - mobile phone is nowadays a vital element of emergency response, of delivery of individual and community safety plans and of sea and mountain rescue strategies. Why should we on Seil be deprived of such benefits? N.I.M.B.Y. isn't always a responsible attitude!

[harbourseal]

I can think of where you can stick your mast Spidee

[spiderman]

Dear little Phoca (vitulina), most common of the pinnipeds, I had indeed heard that a gene or two of dinosaurus can be found in immature examples of your species!

[Pentlandpirate]

Hi Spidey,

Seems as if you like living dangerously: maybe thats why you so urgently need all emergency services at your beck and call. Just in case you upset someone else! But yes, the mobile phone is an aspect of life that is if anything more important in remote areas. It can make the difference between life and death. We all hate phone masts, any blot on the horizon, but who thinks their own backyard is more important than saving someone's life? Accidents and emergencies don't always happen to someone else.

[abe lincoln]

i know a local farmer who might help, funny, he uses big words like you as well