Nextel mobile locater

[TheAxeman]

I just subscribed to Nextel's mobile locater for my business phones and I must say, so far this thing works pretty good. It gives real time location of the phone so I always know where my guys are. It makes it easier to dispatch them and also to see if they are ******* off when they should be working. You can also pull up locations of ATM's, gas stations, banks, etc.... and I can send mapped out routes directly to their phones. I figure with gas prices the way they are, it won't take many redirected service calls to pay the $15.00 a month upcharge on the phone plans. For you small business owners it might be something you want to check into.

 

[twowheelnut]

Axeman Orwell, izzat you?

 

[tcfjr]

This sounds like it could be a good alternative to the satellite-based tracking systems used for the IBR and other long distance rallies.

 

[Mike-H]

So big brother is watching.... :blink: ....

 

[TheAxeman]

The way I figure it is if someone is on my time, driving my vehicle and is doing the job that they were hired for, they don't care that the track is being displayed back at the office. Its only the marginal slackers who mumbled and grumbled "Big Brother". Just the THOUGHT of them possibly being tracked is enough of a deterrent. I'm an employer who gives a ton of latitude to my guys and don't bitch and moan when the first 45 minutes of their day is spent at the 7-11 eating a Krispy Kreme and reading the morning paper but I do have a problem with them driving 15 miles home because they forgot to put out the trash or making unnecessary runs to the shop to pick up **** that was supposed to be on the truck in the first place. Its getting harder and harder for a small business to remain competitive. This is just another tool to help me run the business so it makes more money so I can pay their ever increasing salaries, medical insurance, retirement, workmans comp., etc....So if its too much like Big Brother, Oh Well. K-Mart and McDonalds are always looking for help.

 

[GalaxyBlue]

Great answer Axe!

The big brother is always watching though.

 

[bramfrank]

At the price it's a great concept, but be aware that the location service has two modes (high and low accuracy) and the 'high accuracy' is +/- 150 feet - low accuracy is . . . whatever.

Obviously it only works when you are in range of a Nextel tower. And if you are not using a GPS-equipped phone or the phone doesn't have a sky view, the phone is considered to be 'somewhere' in the reporting cell's coverage area, which can be a huge range of space.

If it is out of direct sky view (in a building or otherwise obstructed sky view) the unit will be in it's regular accuracy mode.

So if you were planning to use one to document an IBR ride, you'd better stick to major roadways.

A dedicated navigator is likely a better choice for this type of activity - and don't forget to get your time stamped receipts and to get them initialled.

 

[GalaxyBlue]

This sounds like it could be a good alternative to the satellite-based tracking systems used for the IBR and other long distance rallies.

Not really, Because it's only good if you have a Nextel signal, Unlike GPS where it can be tracked anywhere.

EDIT. You beat me by 1 whole minute Bram! LOL

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

You got dots? Don't let anyone mess with them.

 

[tcfjr]

So if you were planning to use one to document an IBR ride, you'd better stick to major roadways.
A dedicated navigator is likely a better choice for this type of activity - and don't forget to get your time stamped receipts and to get them initialled.

I wasn't thinking about it being used for official documentation, just as a way to keep general track of an IBR (or other long-distance) rider. In past IBR's, participants have mounted satellite relay tracking devices so people could view their general location over the course of the 11-day ride - just for fun, more or less.

 

[Randy]

I just subscribed to Nextel's mobile locater for my business phones and I must say, so far this thing works pretty good. It gives real time location of the phone so I always know where my guys are. It makes it easier to dispatch them and also to see if they are ******* off when they should be working. You can also pull up locations of ATM's, gas stations, banks, etc.... and I can send mapped out routes directly to their phones. I figure with gas prices the way they are, it won't take many redirected service calls to pay the $15.00 a month upcharge on the phone plans. For you small business owners it might be something you want to check into.

Are you the guy standing in the doorway eating the cake saying 'who's messing with my dots?!?' (loses the whole meaning if you haven't seen the commercial)

 

[twowheelnut]

The way I figure it is if someone is on my time, driving my vehicle and is doing the job that they were hired for, they don't care that the track is being displayed back at the office. Its only the marginal slackers who mumbled and grumbled "Big Brother". Just the THOUGHT of them possibly being tracked is enough of a deterrent. I'm an employer who gives a ton of latitude to my guys and don't bitch and moan when the first 45 minutes of their day is spent at the 7-11 eating a Krispy Kreme and reading the morning paper but I do have a problem with them driving 15 miles home because they forgot to put out the trash or making unnecessary runs to the shop to pick up **** that was supposed to be on the truck in the first place. Its getting harder and harder for a small business to remain competitive. This is just another tool to help me run the business so it makes more money so I can pay their ever increasing salaries, medical insurance, retirement, workmans comp., etc....So if its too much like Big Brother, Oh Well. K-Mart and McDonalds are always looking for help.

FWIW, I don't blame you one bit. I was just being me - a wise ass. As for the dudes stuffing down Ho-Ho's on your time, I'd dock 'em, but then, I'm a mean *******.

 

[Groo]

Are you the guy standing in the doorway eating the cake saying 'who's messing with my dots?!?'

Love that commercial... :rofl:

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Are you the guy standing in the doorway eating the cake saying 'who's messing with my dots?!?'

Love that commercial... :rofl:

Me too. WHY? Why is he wearing the eye protection? Those really add to the whole scene...just funny.