Week 1

So Week 1 is drawing to an end, and it's been a lot more difficult than I thought it would be!

As predicted, being back at work after my week off has been a real test, as it's very much back to reality.  From a work point of view, I used to use my phone for a number of things: I'd set my alarms for the week ahead (my memory for alarms is horrendous); I'd programme in shifts for the next few weeks, or take photos of the rotas to check at my leisure; and I'd use the 3G connectivity to check on travel problems on my route to/from work.  Clearly I can't do any of these things, so the wonder of a diary, and a classic alarm clock have come in really useful.

As far as breaks are concerned, my standard procedure is to sit down and check Facebook/Twitter/Instagram and the BBC News website while eating my lunch (chicken!).  It's not that I'm antisocial and don't want to talk to anyone on my break - more that I'm very rarely on my break at the same time as anyone else - and frankly the itch to see what's going on in the world can sometimes become just too much!  This week it's been very much finding amusement where possible, but actually it has helped me prep bits and pieces for work and reflect on things that are going on, so it's not all that bad!

Can I carry on?  I would definitely say yes.  As much as I'm definitely missing the easy access to the World beyond on breaks, and indeed at home, I'm determined that I can do this.  I've managed to get a whole lot more reading done, and I think I'm still learning things all the time which is refreshing.

And yes, James, I realise that most people are reading this on a smart phone.

What am I missing?

1. Facebook/Twitter/Instagram
2. Snapchat!
3. Traffic updates: as much as I can easily divert to alternative routes where I need to, sometimes the matrix signs don't actually advertise delays or problems until it's too late!
4. The ease of organising calendars/alarm clocks all from one small device.

What am I gaining from this so far?

1. It's debatable, but I think I feel a lot more patient.  I don't have to have everything available to me there and then, and I realise that if I am stuck in traffic, there's plenty worse that could happen.
2. It's making me think, and manage my time better!
3. Getting a lot more reading done!
4. I don't feel like a slave to technology anymore (SO FAR!)

... and they're off.

So somewhat earlier than planned, the experiment has begun.

A Nokia 105 has been kindly donated for the purpose.  Full details courtesy of the Nokia Website are here (and yes, it's the blue one).  It features... well, very little, actually. It can make/receive calls, send/receive text messages, it has a torch (no, really), an alarm clock, and among its games is the amazing Snake <- Details courtesy of Wikipedia, but frankly if you don't remember that game, there's something seriously wrong with you.

Significantly, its battery life is incredible, and I definitely have to say I'm looking forward to not having to charge my phone every day without fail - especially when I go camping: I think I'll have a great smug feeling watching all of the other punters wandering over to pay to charge theirs, I must say.

Anyway - how's it feeling so far?

I've got to say, so far, so good.  It is definitely odd having to wait for a laptop to warm up before I'm able to access the internet, and it's odd not being able to get all my Facebook, Twitter and email updates without setting foot out of my bed, but I don't feel like I'm really missing anything.

Having said that, I've not really had chance today - it's been a busy day of voluntary work, mostly in areas of Notts where phone signal is hopeless on a smart phone anyway (although I received texts and calls in one area where I couldn't even have made emergency calls on the Samsung, so that's progress for you!), so it all remains to be seen.

In a word: content.

Could you survive without a smart phone?

This was a question I've been asked by a few people since I started sharing the news of this experiment, which will actually form part of someone's course project.  Consequently, if I fail, that individual has my full apologies!

Weirdly enough, last night I came across this article, courtesy of Esquire Magazine, about a guy who went a year without a phone at all, and hasn't looked back (so far).  It's interesting, if quite deep, and I'm fairly certain I couldn't go completely cold turkey, if only because of my heck of a commute to Leicester every day.

I've had various smart phones for about six years now: I've gone through Nokia Smart phones (yes, really), a Blackberry Bold (pre-riot-fame), and more Samsungs than you can shake a stick at.  The longest I've kept one (and keep in mind that most of the previous have been bought out of my own pocket in between upgrades), is my current one - a Samsung Galaxy SII - probably the best of them, and without a doubt the most indestructible.

I've never considered getting an iPhone, incidentally.  The battery life just seems absolutely shocking, and frankly the customisation options are awful.

So what's the deal?
Starting from Monday, 24th February (don't ask why I chose that date, it's a random one, I know), I can use a phone.  However, said phone handset cannot feature:

• A touch screen
• A camera
• Internet access

A quick search of Carphone Warehouse reveals that I have a choice of five handsets matching this criteria.  That is five out of 74 phones overall.  Clearly then, my choice is limited.  I've narrowed this down to a Nokia, full details of which I'll pop on here on Monday when the experiment begins.

Those are the only rules, at this precise moment in time.  However, common sense must prevail.  I can use as many texts as I want (unlimited as per contract), and I can use as many minutes as my contract permits, and I can still use the internet on my laptop at home.

How am I currently feeling about it?

Optimistic.  I currently use the internet on my phone a LOT, mostly through boredom, and to avoid having to talk to people when I really don't want to, so I'm fairly sure that if I had another distraction I could cope reasonably well.  However - there are certain apps that I'm fairly addicted to: Twitter, Facebook, the Natwest app and Instagram, and I think that these are what I'll miss the most.  Being able to get updates of the latest happenings is, I think, part of our 24 hour news culture - we need to know what's happening right now, and as soon as it's happening.

I think it will also be difficult in as much as I will also have to share the laptop with two other people so won't have the instant easy access I currently enjoy.

On the plus side, I'm hoping it'll save me money through not exceeding my data allowances, and also give me much more time to do more reading, more of the things I love, and also give me opportunities to have the time to try new things.