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A day in the life of a non-smartphone user

Sporadic Sparkly

I'm aware there are many discussions on these forums related to technology such as smartphones, so I thought I'd add another one to the collection.

Earlier today I had used my desktop computer to sign into my Patient Access account to submit a repeat medication request. Whilst I do own an infrequently-used mobile phone, it is not a smartphone. Therefore, anything I do that is internet-related is done via my desktop computer, which suits me just fine.

Having entered my sign-in details for my Patient Access account, there's then a dreaded Captcha screen, which in my opinion is not really tailored to people living in the UK. In my case, I am lucky if I can manage to pass the Captcha screen exam first time, and without uttering a few choice words in the process.

Of course, before I can progress to ordering my medication, I am then required to enter a 6-digit code, sent via SMS to my infrequently-used PAYG mobile phone. Because it is used so infrequently, past experience has taught me to check beforehand that the battery doesn't need charging. It only adds to my frustration if the battery runs out of juice in-between receiving an SMS and reading it.

Because we now live in an era where it seems to be assumed that EVERYONE owns a smartphone, I am then asked if I would like to activate two-factor authentication by downloading a 3rd-party app. As I don't own a smartphone to download the app onto, the only other option available is to select, "Remind me next time". It would just be great if there was another option provided that enabled me to bypass the reminder after signing in.

Parents

  • Good for you, Sparkly, phones are an absolute pain! I also hate the Captcha, half the time it insists I got it wrong, when I'm 99.9% sure it was right. Laughing And when it asks for SMS verification I'll almost always lose signal...

    That being said I do use my phone a lot, way too much truth be told. Though unlike most women my age I'm not on social media all day long. On my phone I'm normally either Googling stuff (how to do this...), or on the ebay app, listening to music on Youtube or I'll be taking photos with the phone camera.

    My phone is used for a lot of stuff though. I use internet banking and I literally now couldn't access my account without it. Because my family is so scattered we all keep on touch via WhatsApp like once a month, send everyone a message to let them know I'm still alive. My phone also has this handy app which connects to the doorbell so that when it rings whoever's out there appears on the phone screen.

    The downside is when it all goes wrong-which it does all the time!-you can't access or do anything. And if the phone breaks they are not at all cheap to replace. Overall though as an actual phone it's hardly used. I never make calls. I always have it on silent and almost never answer it unless it's a family member and we've prearranged the phone call. My family know I suffer with anxiety so know never to call me up randomly.

    But I do use it too much though with my sight I can't use it as much as I did so that's a good thing. My favourite thing about it is the memory card is huge and I've got over a thousand pictures of my little girl on it which I look at to remind me of better times. Knowing they are on there makes her feel close all the time.

  • in reply to A=BCD

    Search terms when looking for something on Google drives me mad 

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