12 votes

Documenting the last pay phones in America

6 comments

  1. [6]
    AugustusFerdinand
    Link
    So in a past life, I worked for a payphone company as an Operations Manager, did everything from build the phones in our warehouse to repairing a few in the field to programming them from our...

    So in a past life, I worked for a payphone company as an Operations Manager, did everything from build the phones in our warehouse to repairing a few in the field to programming them from our Protel Expressnet system/bank of computers and modems at the office.

    Fun times.

    AMA if you have any questions payphones or the business of it.

    10 votes
    1. [3]
      FlippantGod
      Link Parent
      Do you think there is anything worse off without payphones, or have their functions been fully replaced with the advent of cheap handsets? What do you think of technology like payphones in works...

      Do you think there is anything worse off without payphones, or have their functions been fully replaced with the advent of cheap handsets?

      What do you think of technology like payphones in works of science fiction?

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        AugustusFerdinand
        Link Parent
        A payphone doesn't have a battery, doesn't rely on a cell signal, is hardier, and can (could? - I don't know if collect calls are still possible) be used for free. However, all of these things are...

        A payphone doesn't have a battery, doesn't rely on a cell signal, is hardier, and can (could? - I don't know if collect calls are still possible) be used for free. However, all of these things are less and less of an shortcoming for nearly all of the population and, short of the indigent, practically a non-issue these days.

        As in what do I think of them used in science fiction? I think it just tends to date it.

        4 votes
        1. Bear
          Link Parent
          There are still photos of people lining up to use the (still working) pay phones in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy after it severely damaged New York City in 2012. How Hurricane Sandy forced NYC...

          However, all of these things are less and less of an shortcoming for nearly all of the population and, short of the indigent, practically a non-issue these days.

          There are still photos of people lining up to use the (still working) pay phones in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy after it severely damaged New York City in 2012.

          How Hurricane Sandy forced NYC to reconnect with pay phones

          I would argue that as the effects of climate change become more and more obvious, a robust backup method of communication is still needed.

          2 votes
    2. [2]
      nukeman
      Link Parent
      What era of tech? Compared to a home phone equivalent of a Western Electric Model 2500.

      What era of tech? Compared to a home phone equivalent of a Western Electric Model 2500.

      1 vote
      1. AugustusFerdinand
        Link Parent
        Second to last major generation in the US. Circuit boards and heavy duty relays, but no CC readers or displays.

        Second to last major generation in the US. Circuit boards and heavy duty relays, but no CC readers or displays.

        2 votes