And now for something really off topic...

[BrucePerens]

It could only insert the "1" now because no local number prefix exists with the same digits as the area code you are dialing. Tomorrow, a local number prefix with the same digits may exist. So, the system doesn't want to habituate you to dialing a number in a way that will go someplace other than you intend tomorrow.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by BrucePerens

It could only insert the "1" now because no local number prefix exists with the same digits as the area code you are dialing.

So why doesn't it do it now?

Tomorrow, a local number prefix with the same digits may exist.

So if an ambiguity develops tomorrow, and it doesn't know what I intend when I dial, it could inform me of that ambiguity. But today, asking me to redial using a "1" when no ambiguity exists, is silly.

The idea that it wants me to remember which numbers (of the 100 numbers I've memorized) need a "1", and which ones do not, seems a bit thin - especially if, as you say, the need for a "1" will change in the future, requiring me to change my memorized list.

Bill

[momto4girls]

lol Were we not talking about school? I'm confused.

[Larryjb]

Actually we were talking about slide rules which reminds me about how I proved my point to my Chemistry 11 students yesterday. I was using a Pickett N-300 (a tiny 6" model) while teaching. A student commented from the back corner " this is the 21st century, they have calculators now." Well, he got his answer but didn't use his brain to notice he'd multiplied instead of divided. I took a few seconds longer but had the right answer.

The very point I was trying to make was that you had to use your brain to make sure your answer was in the right magnitude. The stindent in the back made my point for me.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by momto4girls

lol Were we not talking about school? I'm confused.

You're right, Mom. I apologize for taking us way off topic, into an area not even vaguely TM-related.

Bill

[HoMiPa]

Originally Posted by Bill

You're right, Mom. I apologize for taking us way off topic, into an area not even vaguely TM-related.

Bill

Well, it IS after all, a thread called "And now for something really off topic", in a subtopic of "Off Topic" I actually like how off topic topics segway from one thing to another, to another. Sort of how my brain works anyway..... LOL

[Larryjb]

And now to take a hard right with the topic again,

Because the dialer in a cellphone is a computer program, I assume that the program may insert the "1" when necessary. A landline phone may not have that ability. Either this, or some disgruntled telephone operator at will changes the "1" rules on us just to make our lives as miserable as theirs.

Much the same way the programmers at Samsung messed up the handwriting recognition on my Samsung Note.

[Larryjb]

Originally Posted by HoMiPa

Ha ha - well, that has me stumped as well - I've never received either recording. But then, I'm still trying to figure out why I have to "Press 1" for English....

Because in Canada you get french instead. (Okay, not really, but at least we have an "official" reason because we have 2 official languages. I believe your Spanish is an unofficial 2nd language.

[Shane826]

Larry-
My cell phone (Sprint) makes me hang up and redial with 1 if I’m off Network, roaming on another provider’s network, which is quite often. Because Sprint SUCKS.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by HoMiPa

Well, it IS after all, a thread called "And now for something really off topic", in a subtopic of "Off Topic" I actually like how off topic topics segway from one thing to another, to another. Sort of how my brain works anyway..... LOL

OK, Holly, do you remember this? Back in the old days, the ability to direct dial a long distance call was a new and magical thing. Any direct dial long distance call had to be preceded with either a "1" or a "0". Both of these signified that you were dialing a long distance call. Beyond that, a "1" signified that the call was station-to-station, meaning that as soon as someone at the other end picked up, you started paying. A "0" signified that the call was person-to-person, so an operator would come on, ask your name, then ask the name of the person you wanted to speak to. When someone at the other end answered, the operator would say "I have a person-to-person call from Jane Jones for Jimmy Johnson. Is Jimmy Johnson available?" If the answer was "No, he is not here", then the operator would drop the call. If the answer was "Yes, I am Jimmy Johnson", then the operator would complete the connection, start the timer, and get off the line.

Needless to say, a person-to-person call was a lot more expensive than a station-to-station call. This system was easy to abuse, and didn't last long.

Bill