Exterior of a computer skills classes, which are obviously important in their own right, all this tech does is increase student distraction. I'm a bit surprised they aren't tracking a DECLINE in test scores in all other areas of learning, really.

If they're monitoring Windows systems via Safari, what about people with iTunes installed? Surely, by far, that's the most prevalent piece of Apple software on non-Apple platforms. Consequently, it would be the best means by which to gather data on customers. To be honest, I'd always thought I was being a little bit paranoid to so studiously avoid installing Apple products. I guess I was wrong.

I work in academia. Fortunately the whole "cell phone servitude" routine hasn't penetrated to my particular university, at least not among the faculty. I'm well aware that many businesses use Blackberries and the like as leaches for their employees, it's not something I think I could live with.

What Turn-X said. There's no reason to leave the thing on in general, mine's off 95% of the time. Keep it around to make calls in emergencies, or simply when you need to, and leave it off the rest of the time to avoid this kind of nonsense.

For me, the point of a cell phone is to be able to make outgoing calls whenever you need to. Being reachable at any time is an unpleasant side-effect easily countered by turning the unit off.

to leave your cellphone turned off when you aren't using it.