How to survive losing a cellphone.
By. Rodney Hamm

The cellular phone, that hertzian umbilical cord to civilization, has become an absolutely indispensable piece of technology. For the average user the cell phone takes the place of:
--o Camera (Some are able to take pictures at 2 megapixals)
--o Clock
--o MP3 Player
--o Pager
--o Camcorder
--o Telephone

For some brave souls, their cell phone is their only phone. What so many things tied to one single device, the question is begged, "what happens if you lose it?" Listed below is short list of ideas to have handy BEFORE you lose your phone:

#4. Plan alternative communication:
What are some alternative ways you can use to communicate with your contacts? For emergencies and times of need, make sure that your family, friends, and associates have your office/work number. To prevent distracting time-waster calls, ingrain in them the solemn importance of NOT calling you at work. ...save for emergencies. Also, know which of your friends and family will let you borrow their phones for short stints (with advance notice of course). For safety's sake, it's not a bad idea to have a few dollars in quarters/phone card in pocket along with a mental map of a dozen or so pay phones in mind in preparation for the unknown. (...and if you should so happen to find your self lacking in sufficient funds to place a pay phone call, just remember the time honored trick of starting a collect call, saying "call me back, it's me" and hanging up to get your friends/family to call you back.) Last but certainly not least, EMAIL!!! can't say enough about it. Some if not most cellphones are capable of receiving email as text messages. Just think of email as a modern day telegraph.

#3. Keep important numbers handy:
What happens AFTER you've secured an alternative means of communication and no one to call??? ...you're sunk. Solution: Keep an index card in your wallet/purse and coat pocket with a list of important contact numbers. If available, have a few "connection numbers" written down/memorized as well. [NOTE: A connection number is a phone number of a friend/family member that wouldn't mind placing a 3-way phone call to a mutual acquaintance.] Lastly, know your cell phones external voicemail access keys and codes (if your phone has this feature). This way if your phone is gone, you can still listen to your mailbox.

#2. Have a second phone available:
What did you do with your previous-previous phone? If you happen to still have your old phone, as a stop gap solution, have it reactivated. Don't forget, many gas stations/connivance stores sell refillable prepaid phones.

#1. Periodically backup your phone's data:
What about all of my lost data? Simple solution; SAVE EARLY AND SAVE OFTEN!!! Susteen Inc, makes a GREAT array of software/hardware cellphone sync products that specialize in uploading/downloading your phones data. They are VERY easy to use and have saved me a great deal of stress. For those of you looking for a free software solution, I would recommend a piece of software called BitPim. No matter what you use, USE SOMETHING!!! Don't let your important music, pictures, video, contact information become lost forever.

Remember, the inevitable always happens and those who fail to prepare also prepare to fail!