Smartphone or Computer

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I am curious to know how many of us (percentage  wise) Post and Reply on this Forum using Smartphones, and how many do so using the computer.

Neither my wife nor I have any need for "smart phones," and we don't own any.  My wife likes to hike, so she has a flip phone for emergency communication.  My car has a built- in phone, but I rarely use it.  All my posting I do from my Linux laptop.

I'm with BALSHIS--no need for a "smart" phone and use a Linux laptop.

The reason I ask has to do how this Forum can be integrated in one's life, and the frequency of posting on it.

The smartphone makes posting on this Forum very easy and convenient. For instance, my wife and I just went to a diner for breakfast. When she went to the ladies's room, I got the idea for this topic and posted it before she returned to our table. This Forum is a very nice "filler," enabling one to do something interesting to fill in little gaps of time in one's life.

Oftentimes, when I am running trains, I will get an idea for a photo or video, which I can create, using my smartphone in my pocket, and post on this Forum, right then and there.

Balshis and Scotie, I'm not making a value judgment regarding the use of smartphones, computers and lap tops. Whatever a particular individual is comfortable with and enjoys is just fine.

I suspect, however, that those Forum members like me, that use the smartphone, will tend to post more often than those who don't, because it is such a quick, easy and convenient process.

I use my iPad to read and post here most of the time.  However, if the post involves pictures I use my computer when it makes sense.

Strictly a desktop guy. Windows 7 and 10. Have a computer in our study on the main floor, one near the (under construction) layout in the basement and one at work. have a Smart phone, but never enabled my email on it. 

1 PC, 3 laptops, 2 tablets (1 iPad, 1 Samsung), an Android phone and no flip phone.  When I post I post from any of them.  

I really do not know anyone without a smart phone with the exception of myself and my three year old great grand daughter.

We go to dinner once a week with another couple and there are times when all three of the other people at the table are on their smart phones.

I am not opposed to smart phones.  I just do not have the time that it apparently requires to own one.

I may be unusual in that I'm 67 years old and exclusively use the smart phone whenever viewing or posting on this Forum.

Do you think I ever run trains using the LionChief smartphone App? The answer is No. The reason is I'm perfectly happy with the remote unit, and I'm not yet comfortable with the App, even though it is relatively user friendly like the remote unit.

Not sure if the topic mentioned below has ever been done (I will do a search on this Forum to find out),  but I wonder what percentage of us use a smartphone App to run our trains, and the ages of those who do. Would think it would be the younger generations.

Hi Arnold & members:

On November 10, 2018 • I published a video about model trains and the use of a computer, on my YT channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...8y9AHCmks&t=260s

In this Train Room Update video. I have a new item for the train room, which I am calling, “Top Secret”. So hang onto your railroad hat's to see what’s new in the train room. I will also be doing a train room tour. All aboard for a model railroad adventure with Train Room Gary.

Gary

I use a Windows desktop in my home office to post.  I do view the forum on my phone when I have downtime like Arnold describes (restaurants, waiting rooms, etc.).  But I generally don't post while I'm out and about.

Arnold, I don't know how you even see the print on a phone.  I use a laptop with super hi res screen and still can only just look at the pictures.  Whoops, maybe it's my brain that's gone and not my eyes.

Chris S. 

I also do not "need" a smartphone, any more than I need toy trains. I avoided them as long as I could until I could no longer deny their usefulness. Like Balshis's wife, I'm an avid hiker, and also lead hikes all over my state for the park system I work for. Many of the trail systems we visit have poorly marked trails and no maps in some cases. If we get turned around I can pull up a map app on my phone and can quickly find my location. Drivers can do the same thing on roadways. I am not fond of the turn-by-turn directions phones and GPS units use, however, preferring instead to bring up the map, see when I am and use that map similar to how I'd use a paper one, with the advantage of seeing exactly where I am on the map. 

The point going off on this apparent tangent is that we all use some degree of modern technology to better enjoy our trains. Many of those poo pooing smartphones have made the switch from conventional  to "smart" control of their layouts. They are even communicating their feelings on the topic on an online forum. What technology you use is a personal choice but it should be in informed choice, not based on disdain for new things, or the stupid or rude things things some do with that technology (phones). I own TMCC equipped engines, saw what they could do, but went back to conventional control. My choice, but I didn't make the choice the way my late father stubbornly refused to buy any car with an automatic transmission, because they were "new and unnecessary" (even though they'd been around for almost 50 years when he last drove )

German posted:

What technology you use is a personal choice but it should be in informed choice, not based on disdain for new things, or the stupid or rude things things some do with that technology

Well put

Take photos and videos  with an iphone.  Post with a desktop.  Conventional only train operation...as someone else so aptly put..."a selective user of technology."    Fendermain

It's funny to reflect on this -though I miss the forum app that made it relatively easy to browse and paste.  I view the forum only through computers. I have a myriad of devices - laptops, tablets, desktops, smartphones - though for my trains, i seem to be going backward in time - only run conventional and now moving into clockwork

Any of you new tech adopters try Windows 95 yet, I am considering an upgrade.

Chris S.

FireOne posted:

Any of you new tech adopters try Windows 95 yet, I am considering an upgrade.

Chris S.

I signed in just to like your reply...   BTW, I’m exclusive iPad for forum work, including photo/video.  Win10 laptop for my LSU jobs.

I have both work and personal laptops but, 99% of my forum viewing is done on my iPhone.  I reckon it’s just convenience that drives this.  I just about always have my phone nearby - not so much where the laptops are concerned.

Curt

I use both. I originally did not have a smart phone, but have definitely come to appreciate it. I often use it at train shows to look for operating manuals or part numbers. I was at a show where a club member bought an engine with didn’t have instructions with it. He couldn’t get it running on the layout. I was able to get the manual for it from the Lionel site, discovered it was TMCC, and was able to find the program switch to  reprogram it. We would not have gotten it running for the show without the smart phone.

At 76, I own and use both a smart phone and a laptop computer, and have had both Legacy and DCS, but there is just something about a ZW or Z4000 throttle handle that can never be matched by digital technology. I am not a Luddite, but am definitely "Old School" when it comes to running my trains! (posted on my Galaxy S5)

Smartphone

I have a IPad and smart phone but do all my posting on OGR with my IPad 3. I just can't see well enough on my smart phone to read or post.

Dave

All computer for me, I don't even own a phone. I actually thought you were going to ask how we run our trains. My answer would be the same, though with the new Bluetooth engines coming, guests will be able to use their phones. 

I see from a quick search that running trains with smartphones and computers has already been extensively discussed on this Forum. 

I think the diversity among us in our interests, backgrounds, how we run our trains and how we post on this Forum, etc. is very cool. It keeps everything interesting, and enables us to learn from each other and help each other. Arnold

I began programming computers for engineering purposes fifty-five years ago and have used and written a multitude of applications, worked on computers and computer systems too numerous to mention, and continue to do so today even though I've been retired since 2014. When I'm home, my desktop computer is my means of communication and access to OGR. When I'm out of the house, I still use a flip phone for voice and text messages, but I prefer to leave the internet activities until I get home to the desktop. There is a time and place for everything, and constant attention to a smartphone and the internet is not a way of life for me. But, eventually, I will have a smartphone...

MELGAR

I use my IPad Air 90% of the time since it is so easy to do the Forum in my easy chair. I have a 15” laptop where I also go to the Forum. Love my Legacy controlled trains; I still appreciate the folks that want to stick with traditional operation as well!!

Carl J

Ross:

You raise a good point about using your smartphone at train meets.

I have tired of buying something, thinking I don’t have it only to get home and discover I do.  

Earlier this year I started emailing myself a copy of my inventory spreadsheet right before heading to a train meet or show.  This allows me to quickly refer to it on my phone before buying something.

Curt

Arnold, I much prefer using the computer, however, I am not always near it.  Therefore, I usually post from my iPhone 6S.  We only have one computer, a desktop, and I don't have a tablet.

 How do you keep coming up with so many great conversation starters???   I'm glad you do!! 

Curt, Once I was at a show and bought an item I had just bought 2 weeks earlier from a Forum member!  Talk about short term memory being the first thing to go!    Since then, I have access to my inventory spreadsheet on my phone at all times. 

I do both, but there really is no substitute for my trusty old Gateway desktop with the 17" monitor and wireless mouse.

It has more capability, is far easier to navigate with, and I don't have to fight with that **** autocorrect.

Fortran, Basic, TTL, -- ahh-- those were the days!

My Samsung S7 smart phone is too small for me to easily do posts.  I do use it to read the forum.  For posting, especially with pictures, I use my desktop.

Arnold;

Even with my reading glasses, I find doing anything on my iPhone difficult - I am one of those oddballs who use it as a phone primarily. Probably 97% of my Forum visits are on my iPad Pro... big screen,  easy to read/navigate.

Assembler, RPG, RPGII, COBOL, a little Fortran, some PC language I don't remember the name of.  DO NOT miss it!

GregM posted:

Assembler, RPG, RPGII, COBOL, a little Fortran, some PC language I don't remember the name of.  DO NOT miss it!

 

 

I love to hear about fellow ASM coders! 

Assembler (370 & 6502!), Cobol, Fortran, Basic, C-List, Rexx.  And I do miss it!!

Chris Lord posted:

GregM posted:

Assembler, RPG, RPGII, COBOL, a little Fortran, some PC language I don't remember the name of.  DO NOT miss it!

 

 

I love to hear about fellow ASM coders! 

Assembler (370 & 6502!), Cobol, Fortran, Basic, C-List, Rexx.  And I do miss it!!

I think some of us are speaking a different language. You sure sound like you know what your talking about and having fun at the same time.😊

Only use the smartphone to access the Internet when away from my desk and only visit the OGR forum when at my desk.

What, me worry?

Mark Boyce posted:

Arnold, I much prefer using the computer, however, I am not always near it.  Therefore, I usually post from my iPhone 6S.  We only have one computer, a desktop, and I don't have a tablet.

 How do you keep coming up with so many great conversation starters???   I'm glad you do!! 

Mark, I have been meditating on your above question, and discussed it with my wife during our drive home this evening from visiting family in upstate NY. I will meditate on it some more and get back to you, probably by email. One thing I will share now is that I  greatly enjoy the light hearted creativity this Forum gives me an opportunity to express.

Your uplifting words, Mark, to those in the throes of the hard work involved in building, and substantially renovating, their layouts, are greatly appreciated by me and many of our Forum friends. Arnold

I have a iphone but all forum stuff with my Chromebook