taking privacy seriously

[Larry]

Here's a humorous (but true, unfortunately) example of bad human
factors design... I was taking a call on my Treo 600 in a public area
of my workplace. The person on the other end of the conversation
started saying something private that I wanted to make sure no one
overheard so I pressed the phone harder to my ear to block out the
sound. That caused my cheek to press against the Treo's screen at the
exact place where the "Speakerphone" on-screen button is located, with
results about what you'd expect.

Did she make you say out loud that you loved her... "Ima justa gonna
die" ?

...Jim Thompson[/QUOTE]

I realize that the reply above was intended to be humorous, but it does
bring up a beef I have with design... it seems privacy issues are
usually at the bottom of the list or not even considered. In the
example above, there could be serious consequences. Suppose I'm
discussing a very private medical issue or arranging an interview with
a different employer. If that hapenned to you, you probably wouldn't
think it was so funny.

I've often brought up privacy issues and been miffed that the concerns
are dismissed out of hand or the assumption is that anyone who is
concerned about privacy must be doing something wrong. That is a very
disturbing attitude.

 

[Jim Thompson]

I realize that the reply above was intended to be humorous, but it does
bring up a beef I have with design... it seems privacy issues are
usually at the bottom of the list or not even considered. In the
example above, there could be serious consequences. Suppose I'm
discussing a very private medical issue or arranging an interview with
a different employer. If that hapenned to you, you probably wouldn't
think it was so funny.

I've often brought up privacy issues and been miffed that the concerns
are dismissed out of hand or the assumption is that anyone who is
concerned about privacy must be doing something wrong. That is a very
disturbing attitude.

Well. Just do as I do... own an ancient Motorola StarTAC phone that
just behaves ONLY as a phone ;-)

...Jim Thompson

 

[Rich Grise]

I realize that the reply above was intended to be humorous, but it does
bring up a beef I have with design... it seems privacy issues are
usually at the bottom of the list or not even considered. In the
example above, there could be serious consequences. Suppose I'm
discussing a very private medical issue or arranging an interview with a
different employer. If that hapenned to you, you probably wouldn't
think it was so funny.

That wouldn't happen to me, because when I have a private matter to
discuss on the telephone, I don't blabber it in the middle of a restaurant
or movie theater.

And _especially_ if I'm calling about jobs, I don't do it on my current
employer's equipment, within earshot! Whaddaya, a dunce?

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Ken Taylor]

That wouldn't happen to me, because when I have a private matter to
discuss on the telephone, I don't blabber it in the middle of a restaurant
or movie theater.

And _especially_ if I'm calling about jobs, I don't do it on my current
employer's equipment, within earshot! Whaddaya, a dunce?

Thanks,
Rich

Agreed. If privacy is an issue, do it in (drum roll.....) private.

Ken

 

[Paul Hovnanian P.E.]

[snip]

Well. Just do as I do... own an ancient Motorola StarTAC phone that
just behaves ONLY as a phone ;-)

How much longer do you suppose those older phones will be supported on
the network?

I still keep an analog Motorola brick as a backup. In spite of the
cellular companies' efforts to get everyone to trade up to digital
phones (in order to comply with the requirement to pinpoint wireless 911
call locations), its the only phone I have that will reliably connect to
a network, even out in the boondocks. Needless to say, its the only one
that's worth a damn when attempting to place an emergency call.

 

[Frithiof Andreas Jensen]

On Wed, 08 Mar 2006 06:27:35 -0800, Larry wrote:

And _especially_ if I'm calling about jobs, I don't do it on my current
employer's equipment, within earshot! Whaddaya, a dunce?

*Everybody* knows what it is about when someone says. "...Of course I am not
fucking happy ..." on the phone ;-).

 

[Joseph2k]

*Everybody* knows what it is about when someone says. "...Of course I am
not fucking happy ..." on the phone ;-).

OP was using personal equipment. I take my privacy pretty seriously, very
near to the point that will violate the "patriot act". I often insist on
certain communication modes.