Eckroate: Even with smartphones, TeleFact still useful service at Pitt

Yea, you have Google. But TeleFact might still be better.

Not pictured: mainframe computer or frozen iPhone screen

Like many of my college-aged friends, I have a horrible dependency problem. This has spiraled to dangerous depths, and during about three weeks this summer without my stimulant, I was susceptible to random outbursts of rage and an inexplicable need to search the Internet for the answers to random odd questions that would come up in conversation.

I’m talking about my emotional, and practically physical, attachment to my iPhone. I love my iPhone; we were meant to be. But like any relationship, we have our problems. Sometimes, when I use it to Google businesses’ hours or find my way somewhere, it’s just not good enough.

The 3G is too slow, the 4G isn’t much better, the data plan conflicts with the amount of information I’m downloading, and I can’t get Wi-Fi everywhere. The information I find is only as accurate as the websites that provide it. “Clicking” through any website that involves information input is practically impossible on such a small screen.

Problem: identified. Solution: simple — TeleFact.

Instead of simply relying on your smartphone for answers to day-to-day first world problems, think about giving TeleFact a call. For nearly 22 years, the service has been available to answer all of your questions, except those medical or legal in nature or related to your calculus homework. With operators working from noon until 9 p.m. every day, it’s easy and convenient to be in contact with someone ready to help. The only tool needed is a functioning phone: no Internet or fancy data plan required.

When you call 412-624-FACT (3228), a fellow Pitt student, well-equipped to find any solution, fact or piece of information that you need, will answer the phone. They have local businesses’ hours, bus routes and times, professor contact information and can tell you the number of blades of grass on the Cathedral lawn (4,165,032,960).

This is better than what Siri — the Apple-developed computerized equivalent of the service — can do. Firstly, TeleFact provides a conversation with a real person, not a robot. The likelihood of the operator understanding what was said the first time is verbalized infinitely better than an iPhone’s. There are none of the frustrations you experience with automated systems:

“Say ‘tech support’ for tech support.”

“Tech support.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. Say ‘tech support’ for tech support.”

Better yet, automated phone systems and Google don’t provide entertainment. Laugh as you force TeleFact operators to answer any ridiculous questions you fathom. Whether you’re asking a question about the number of dots on an official NFL-sized football or how many marbles would fit into the Cathedral Commons Room, they’ll figure out the answer. Can Siri do that? Didn’t think so.

Hands down, the best and most useful function of TeleFact is the quick response to bus route questions. Of course, I’m aware that there is an app for that. But I have found that the app is far from perfect. More importantly, the Port Authority website is miserable to navigate. Just to make it even more difficult, the bus routes seem to change more frequently than I’d like them to, or they are eliminated the day after the general public figures out how often the 75 bus arrives.

Luckily for both Pitt students and the population at large, TeleFact is always in the know. They might not be able to get the exact arrival time of the bus, but they’ll know when it’s supposed to be there. After all, nobody can control the traffic on Fifth Avenue.

This year, TeleFact has a text message number in addition to their regular line, making it easier than ever to get in touch with the operators. Send texts to 412-294-TEXT (8398) with any questions, or contact their Twitter account, @Telefact.

Smartphones are great. They are convenient and significantly cooler than old Nokias with black-and-white screens and no Internet capabilities. But TeleFact’s services will always have the upper hand for me when it comes to life’s inane inquiries.

Try this Google search: How many Barack Obamas fit into the sun?

You won’t find an answer there. But you can try TeleFact instead. I bet they’d know.

Calling 412-624-FACT won’t get you in touch with Claire, but emailing cve3@pitt.edu will.