Solved An annoyance about smart phones

Patsy1011 · 2026-07-01T14:05:41-0400

Not EVERYONE has one...me for one or two or more. This morning in attempting to log on to a site, I was required to scan a "I'm human" code to log in. Well, can't do it. No smart phone so now I'm locked out of this site. I wrote the site people that I need an alternative method of sign in - Hope to hear. But, bottom line is -- because not EVERYONE has a smart phone, alternative log in methods really should be provided. Is that such a big deal?? Just a little gripe. Thanks.

Ghot · 2026-07-01T14:24:15-0400

Patsy1011 said:
Just a little gripe.

OAT · 2026-07-01T14:26:00-0400

You are right, there should always be an alternate way of doing things.
Sadly, web developers don't always think that way.

Thank you @Ghot, YS was always my favorite.

glasskuter · 2026-07-01T14:34:02-0400

I have a smart phone but absolutely refuse to scan a QR code. I'll do a passcode. 2 step verification, email, or password but if not given one of those as an alternative, they lose me. She gone.

Marie SWE · 2026-07-01T14:46:11-0400

It's just google in a nutshell. :eyeroll:

.. They want everyone to use a google android(or iphone) so they can collect more data. Google+data=money

So i agree, there should be an alternative.. I dont use a smartphone as i dont have use for one. My computers can do everything much better then a smartphone can. i have a real keyboard to type on and i dont have less then a 15" screen(laptop) and several 24" screens to my desktop setup.
So i will never get a smartphone just for one task to verify I'm a human.

Mooly · 2026-07-01T14:50:41-0400

Patsy1011 said:
Not EVERYONE has one...me for one or two or more.

Same.

I have a Nokia 2230 which is around 14 years old, PAYG and £20 credit lasts me all year. If someone wants me they know where I am. When I go out of the door I want to leave all that behind.

Patsy1011 said:
Just a little gripe. Thanks.

Not at all. We'll change all this come the revolution.

OAT · 2026-07-01T15:00:26-0400

Mooly said:
We'll change all this come the revolution.

OK, you lead.

TraderGary · 2026-07-01T15:04:29-0400

My smartphone is a powerful pocket computer that I know how to use, and I wouldn't want to be without.

Patsy1011 · 2026-07-01T15:06:15-0400

Mooly said:
Same.

I have a Nokia 2230 which is around 14 years old, PAYG and £20 credit lasts me all year. If someone wants me they know where I am. When I go out of the door I want to leave all that behind.

Not at all. We'll change all this come the revolution.

Well, I'll do without a revolution -- Tis just a little gripe - but giant PIA. Thanks to all for your thoughts.

FrancoDT · 2026-07-01T15:15:44-0400

This conversation got me curious so looked up some history. I got my first cell in mid 2001 since I had to work unaccompanied on the street all day and phone booths were pretty much a thing of the past.

The Evolution of the Pocket Phone
While true "smartphone" mass adoption (like the Apple iPhone) didn't happen until later, pocket cell phones became an everyday staple during the early 2000s flip phone boom:

1989 (The Beginning of Pocket-Sized): Motorola released the MicroTAC. It was one of the very first devices small enough to fit into a pocket, but it remained a highly expensive luxury status symbol.
Late 1990s: Companies introduced smaller, more stylish devices (like the early Nokia candy-bar phones and the original StarTAC). They started gaining traction with everyday adults.
2002–2005 (Widespread Adoption): Cell phones shifted from luxury items to widespread necessities. The release of fashion-forward, truly pocketable phones like the Motorola RAZR (2004) cemented their status as an everyday staple. By 2005, a significant majority of adults and teenagers carried one.
2007+ (The Smartphone Era): The launch of the Apple iPhone (2007) and subsequent Android devices shifted the market toward pocket-sized internet and camera computers.

pseymour · 2026-07-01T15:20:53-0400

Beyond the smartphone/QR code thing, which is a legitimate gripe, there shouldn't be just a single method to log onto anything. That's just, well,

.

OAT · 2026-07-01T15:22:35-0400

I had this, a full 3 watts of power at $2 a minute ( + $40 a-month-charge) with real two way communication.
Charger mount in the car took a bit of space but sound quality was superior than that of today.
Plus I was young... Circa 1993.

MisterEd · 2026-07-01T16:09:17-0400

A lot of sites send verification codes in text messages or notifications. I read that Microsoft is phasing that out and will at some point require using the Microsoft Authenticator App.

BTW, I have a cell phone but mainly use my landline phone. It is really annoying when some place insists on sending a text message to my landline phone. Some places give the option of sending a code via voice message or text message but that is rare nowadays.

Marie SWE · 2026-07-01T16:17:45-0400

MisterEd said:
and will at some point require using the Microsoft Authenticator App.

I'm guessing they have to develop the app for Linux too then.

*lol*

Patsy1011 · 2026-07-01T16:27:25-0400

Microsoft Authenticator App. What is that?

Ghot · 2026-07-01T16:36:26-0400

I only use homing pigeons.

Marie SWE · 2026-07-01T16:36:54-0400

Patsy1011 said:
Microsoft Authenticator App. What is that?

That is something you eat.. like pancakes.

Patsy1011 · 2026-07-01T16:46:06-0400

Everybody's a comedienne!!!

antspants · 2026-07-01T17:01:51-0400

OAT said:
OK, you lead.

Can I be the mascot?

antspants · 2026-07-01T17:03:04-0400

Patsy1011 said:
Everybody's a comedienne!!!

Most of them unwittingly.

Solved An annoyance about smart phones

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