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1.  

   Telegrams

   

   I, for one, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 4:56pm

   
   

   Just for our younger readers it might be useful to point out that a telegram is a message sent electronically, which is then printed out onto paper and delivered the last mile by hand like a letter.
   Obviously this overlaps with the fax, which is far from being a dead format.
   
   One major advantage, when printed out on the old post office watermarked paper you have a legally binding (can be used as evidence) document in your possession. It is an effective way of serving written notice in accordance with many old legal requirements, which is probably why debt collection agents prefer this method.
   
   What I want to know is do you still get a guy in a blue peaked cap come running up shouting "Important telegram mister! It's from your office Sir!" Because that is so much cooler than just having your crappy mobile phone ringing.

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2.  

   Telegrams

   

   Albert M. Menduni, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 5:08pm

   
   

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3.  

   Telegrams

   

   Albert M. Menduni, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 5:11pm

   
   

   They were also great for geeting messages to patients, who had no phone or electronic prowess. When I was a practicing physician, I can think off two times a telegram helped save a patient's life.
   
   Without them I called the police to deliver urgent messages, and they did. THANK GOD.
   
   Those were the good old days.

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4.  

   

   randolei 4.678, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 6:09pm

   
   

   you know it was nicer to have a personally delivered message.

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5.  

   Really? Wow...

   

   qyiet, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 6:50pm

   
   

   I live in New Zealand, and have *never* seen a telegram, ever. Personally I think fax is a dead tech too, let alone telegram. ((shudder))

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6.  

   Re: Really? Wow...

   

   I, for one, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 7:00pm

   
   

   Yeah I thought that too, for a long while between about 1995 and last year, but in London where I do a lot of my work the fax has enjoyed a big revival. It seems many people still use fax as the core communication of their business, not email.

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7.  

   

   Chris, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 7:38pm

   
   

   The title reminds me of a bit from Steve Martin:
   
   Period shortage mustn't continue stop
   
   Stop-stoppage must come to a full stop stop
   
   We must resolve it and stop the stoppage stop
   
   Yours truly,
   
   Tom Stoppard
   
   The full piece is here:
   http://www.compleatsteve.com/essays/periods.htm

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8.  

   

   JL, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 7:58pm

   
   

   The Fax Machine is far from being dead as it is still widely used today for business to business communications.

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9.  

   

   Josh, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 8:05pm

   
   

   Telegram for Mongo!

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10.  

    Telegram spam?

    

    Myself, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 9:15pm

    
    

    Me I funk, but I don't care. I ain't no square with my corkscrew hair!
    
    (I sincerely hope this is what Mike was going for..)

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11.  

    Still one great use for fax (and maybe telegrams)?

    

    Joe, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 10:10pm

    
    

    Cancelling your AOL account without the hassle.

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12.  

    Re:

    

    Mark Kitchen, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 11:08pm

    
    

    I was so going to reply with that.
    
    Anyhow - It is interesting to see that the technology is still being used and useful.

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13.  

    Telegram for Mongo I mean

    

    Mark Kitchen, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 11:09pm

    
    

    Read previous post.

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14.  

    Steve Martin's line sounds like something from "RK

    

    Anonymous Coward, Jul 13th, 2006 @ 11:22pm

    
    

    Sound line the telegram Orson Welles send to his alcoholic-prone co-writer, John Houseman in "RKO 281"...
    
    Schaefer loves the idea. Stop.
    Start writing. Stop.
    Stop drinking. Stop.
    Did you work in the jigsaw puzzles. Question mark.
    Don't stop. Stop.
    Love you madly, Orson.

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15.  

    Telegram spam?

    

    Sanguine Dream, Jul 14th, 2006 @ 7:58am

    
    

    That would so suck. Cuz then you wouldn't know if it was legit or spam. At least with email and caller id for the phone you can see some info about a call/email before opening. it. With telegram spam you literally don't know what it is til you get it in your hand. And to make matters worse as the delivery guy/girl imagine going all the way out to deliver something just to find out you are carrying spam.

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16.  

    

    anony mouse, Jul 14th, 2006 @ 10:06am

    
    

    if i got telegram spam, i would send my response, "No, Stop" collect...

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17.  

    Telegram Spam...

    

    HubCity, Jul 14th, 2006 @ 10:30am

    
    

    ...you're my main man.
    
    (Oh, come on, I can't be the *first* person to think of that...)

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18.  

    

    Myself, Jul 14th, 2006 @ 3:06pm

    
    

    HubCity, read comment #10. :)

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