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Just came across Does mobile phones use TCP/IP?. It was closed for being "off-topic", but I don't get it.

Any idea, why this would qualify as off-topic?

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Good ask though – Luke Jan 18 at 18:02

2 Answers

up vote 4 down vote

From the FAQ: http://superuser.com/faq

Super User is for computer enthusiasts and power users. If you have a question about …

  • computer hardware computer
  • software personal and home
  • computer networking

and it is not about …

  • videogames or consoles
  • websites or web services like Facebook, Twitter, and WordPress
  • electronic devices, media players, cell phones or smart phones, except insofar as they interface with your computer
  • issues specific to corporate IT support and networks
  • a shopping or buying recommendation

The exception for cell phones and smart phones, "except insofar as they interface with your computer", does not apply here, as TCP/IP communication (and VoIP) on these phones happen without the interaction of a computer.

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up vote 2 down vote

This could have been either off topic or not a real question. It's as much about the question and the topic, but also that mobiles on their own are off topic unless they're connected to the computer.

The meat is just an encyclopaedia lookup.

Do mobiles use TCP/IP? Okay, but then what is the problem at hand?

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Maybe the FAQ should be changed then. I wonder how 21st century mobile phones are not computers? What about tablet computers? Are these computers? What about the Galaxy Note? Tablet or mobile phone? And with the encyclopaedia lookup you could as well end up here – artistoex Jan 19 at 12:58
Btw. I routinely connect a mouse, display and keyboard to my mobile phone, connect to wireless networks and with emacs installed develop software on it. In fact, I bought it in order to replace my notebook. – artistoex Jan 19 at 13:02
@artistoex: Computers, but not smart phones is pretty clear to me, the question was off-topic according to the current FAQ. If you want the FAQ to be changed to "smart phones may or may not be computers depending on what hardware you may or may not add while you are using them", then why not suggest it? – TFM Jan 19 at 18:16

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