2torial #0639:
Learn2 Choose a Pager (continued)

Consider what you'll use it for

Ask yourself these questions about your probable pager usage to help clarify what features and services you'll want:

Who needs to reach you? Will you be using the pager primarily for business or personal reasons? Think about how your spouse, kids (or parents), friends, clients, or coworkers will reach your pager. Will they be phoning, emailing, faxing, paging, or using the Internet or paging software? If everyone in your work group will have a pager that's connected through shared software, your needs will be different than if you simply need to locate your daughter after school.

What sort of information do you need? Do your clients or friends need you to call them back so you can have a conversation? Numeric paging should serve you adequately. Does your boss need to send you detailed messages? Do you need to reply to them? An alphanumeric or two-way pager may be more appropriate.

What's your communication style? You may just want to get the information you need without having to actually talk to people. Or you may not want to read long messages on a little screen (or peck out replies on a tiny keyboard) when you can just pick up the phone and settle matters.