Don't get me wrong... I would definitely kill it in a financial crisis, but as long as they're available and I can afford one, I will have one for several reasons:

1. You have a number you can give out to anyone!

I have NO PROBLEM giving out my home phone number. I don't actually pick up my home phone (It took forever for me to break my mother of the habit of calling it. "But I don't want to use your minutes!" "Ma, I have 2500 day minutes and my nights start at 7. I really don't think you have to worry."

However, I do like having a number I can give out when required - credit cards, websites, etc. I don't want these people calling my cell with those "special offers" or selling my cell number to someone else. Once a month, I check the voicemails. I don't even bother with the Do Not Call list for that phone. I find the voicemails kinda interesting.

2. I have a fax that I use

True - fax machines are also obsolete (I believe the new thing is to scan and upload.) I do have an all-in-one with a scanner, but I still fax or receive faxes about once a month. You have to have a landline for that.

3. You can always find the landline (if it's corded.)

Obviously, like most everyone else, I most of my home phones are cordless. But I always have at least one corded phone. That way I always can find one when it rings.

In addition, I really don't even understand how a "home" cell phone would work? Or does everyone just have their own cell phone? If so, that means that one person has to handle all of the business calls (see #1) since there's no central phone for all.

4. They work when the power is out.

If you live by yourself, when the power goes out, there's not much you can do except talk or read (provided you have a book light and working batteries.) With a cell phone, you can talk for as long as your battery works. And it's probably not a good idea to kill your cell phone when there's no way to recharge it - in case of a true emergency. A landline is generally OK.

And if you live in NYC or DC and remember 9/11... I don't want my cell phone to be the only way to communicate. True, all the lines were full (land and cell) but I'd rather have the landline option.

5. They don't die or lose the signal

On the rare occaision that I have to actually call an 800-number for some service (instead of getting the answer from the website.) I ALWAYS use my corded speaker phone. It's in my "office."

Say I have to call my bank. I call the number, set up the speaker phone to listen to the MUZAK and surf the web. I don't even mind the fact that it takes 15 minutes to get a real person.

In addition, if you've ever made that type of call, with that type of wait, from a cell phone and the call is DROPPED... You feel a little murderous.

6. They are really not that expensive if the service is in a bundle.

Since my landline is tied to my internet (Verizon) it's not that expensive. And the benefits are worth the extra $30 per month. If I lost my job, it would probably go, but for now it's OK.

7. There the best for businesses.

I like the fact that when I leave work, I also leave work-related calls (unless there is an emergency.) Sure, if I worked in sales, I'd have a cell phone. I'd probably even want one so I don't miss out on a potential sale.

But I work at a college. I wish a student would call me after business hours to ask me some CRAZY S*&T. Leave a message, and the answer is probably on your syllabus.

I personally like the landline option. I hope is not headed out. I don't want to ever not have one.