Okay [deep breath]

Firstly. It has been determined that there is no third place to stand between being tethered and being unavailable when I need to be available. There was much weeping and gnashing of teeth at this discovery, but I've quit kicking and screaming now, honest. [perks] Unless someone's come up with one miraculously overnight...

Secondly. The accurate conclusion has been reached that I am about thirty years behind the times when it comes to the ins and outs of cell phones, ranging from how to keep one charged and on my person when necessary (although I think I can figure out the logistics now, much as I hates them, Precious) through the etiquette of using one effectively both personally and for business, on to what I should be looking for when I purchase one and the prepaid plan/minutes to go with it.

So. Is this the next step, or should you guys keep trying to teach me etiquette first? When I walk into Radio Shack, which, so far as I can tell, is the store most likely to have staff willing to handhold to a sufficient degree (unless someone's got a better suggestion), what specific questions should I be asking? What specific aspects of things should I be looking for? How do I narrow down which phone to buy? Or what questions should I be asking myself before I walk in, in order to narrow those answers down?

Please remember that I need this in English, not cellphonese, pretty please? Assume that I know less than nothing, as I'm sure you all realize by now.

Thank you all so much for your help. I should have said that some time ago.

because I was asked to post this [g]

trixtah found the name of the book I was looking for!

Fog Magic not Fog Island [g]. By Julia Sauer. And my library had it.

Yay!

a whole new set of questions and clarifications

Wow. That's a lot of information, and I'm feeling overwhelmed.

More questions? In order of the comments on the last round.

1) Voice vs. data. I'm not sure I understand what "data" is in this context. It's obviously not texting. Should I even be worrying about it?

2) if you put $90 on it at one time, it keeps the phone number for an entire year without you adding any more money- big up front investment, but $120 would get you a year of service. I don't understand this, norabombay. Is it $90 a year or $120 a year? Is the difference how many minutes I'd get?

No, I really don't have anyone to take with me. Let me rephrase. The one local friend I'd feel comfortable having along I doubt would go with me again after she tried to get me to buy one a while back and the experience turned out -- badly.

3) I apparently don't know enough to make reading the websites useful. At the same price points, the descriptions all read the same. Not really a question, unless it's a plea for help in differentiating the descriptions. Or reinforcing the "choose what's pretty and feels right in your hand" rec, sraun?

4) harimad, Consumer Reports (through my library's website, bless my taxpayer dollars) did help some. At least some of the terms are clearer now (though still not 'data'). BTW, you guys are the closest I come to having "techy friends."

5) ysabetwordsmith, perhaps I should ask which is the best phone at my price point for someone who's never had one before?

6) There do seem to be a couple of independent stores in the area. I'll check them out before I hit Radio Shack.

Wish me luck...