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Text Messaging

Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson

Supporting Member
Jan 12, 2005
13,006
556
39
Toronto, Ontario
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist: Elixir® Strings
#1
Do a lot of people use text messaging quite a lot?
I pay 10.00 a month and get unlimited. And i text message quite a lot. Being an hour and a half away from home, it comes in handy. No long distance charges, and it's one way i can talk to my girlfriend every day.

So, do you guys use the text message service a lot? or do you not find a use for it?

-Mark
 
#2
I text quite frequently. I have a similar service where I pay $10.00 for some ridiculous amount of texts. It's an excellent way of communicating sneakily during those 3 hour lecture classes . I have also that texting works well with international communication. I can say something to my friend in Australia without worrying about the charges of a regular phone call. Big thumbs up to texting.
 
#3
I could use some help on this.

I have an ancient cell phone that I almost never use. We have a really low cost ($14/month) plan that lets us have very few minutes, which we never use up. However, I was planning on getting a new cell phone with text messaging. I don't want to pay a whole lot for a bunch of "talking" minutes I'll never use, but I would like to be able to text-message my wife, since that's about the only way I can communicate with her quickly at work while she's in meetings.

Any suggestions as to where I should look for a low-cost, low minutes plan that allows me to do lots of text messaging?
 
#4
Hate it. Call and leave a message, or email me. Don't make me sit there scrolling through letters using the number keys trying to write back. On top of that, I have to pay for unsolicited text messages. Kind of like a collect call that you accept charges for just by picking up the phone. I give two strikes to those who text me for non-emergencies, third time I block text messaging for them. My brother, for instance would constantly text me, out of the blue, a message that said nothing except "10 cents." He is now banned.

If I were a sniper deep behind enemy lines and the slightest sound would result in my capture so I couldn't make a phone call, then MAYBE I'd find a use to text messaging. But I'm not, so I don't need it.
 
#5
It comes in handy sometimes. Occasionally I odn't want to make a call so I'll send a text out, "Hey be there shortly" or "you on your way?"

That'd be about it for me. I find my text messages increase about 10 fold if I'm texting a girlfriend. :rolleyes:
 
#6
This is actually something we've been doing in the UK quite a while before it took off in the US / Canada. I remember an American lady being interviewed on the radio and she had no idea what a text message was. I think mass ownership of mobile phones coupled with cheap contracts / top ups took off here about 2 years before it picked up there.

And yes, I text all the time, I find it incredibly convenient when I know someone is unavailable to take a call and I need to ask them to pick up some milk on their way home! It's fantastic for asynchronous communication.
 
#7
I think it's more like 5 years ahead. Pretty much EVERYONE has had a mobile here since about 2001. Even two years ago when I was in america, even well paid techies weren't using them to any signifigant degree where as every school kid in the UK has had a phone for years.

I'm quite happy to receive texts - quick and usefull. My wife sends dozens every day. I find them a pain to send, and as my wife is on the same operator as I am, I can call her for two minutes for the cost of a text (I don't get free texts, but then again I probably spend about $40 a year in calls, and dont pay line rental!).

Texts are actually the most expensive way to send a message when you consider how much message you get to send for what it costs you.

Ian
 
#11
Kronos said:
I feel it's inefficient to spend 3 minutes typing out something that would take 15 seconds to leave on an answering machine.
Click to expand...

not with a good phone designed for texting

I text my wife all the time, usually when short messages will do or if im at work, or a gig, or church :eek:

My LG VX-9800 MP3 player, video player, internet access, up to 2Gig mem card accepted
 

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#13
Komakino said:
The one text thing I DO hate is bloody TXT TLK.

TNAGRS WHO TPE W/O VWLS & IN CPTLS....!

I'm sure text messaging is wholly responsible for the decline in literacy in Britain's schools. I think phones should only send a message if every word has been spelled out IN FULL and correctly :D
Click to expand...

I agree, thats why my phone has a QWERTY keyboard on it. no crap txt speak here!!!!
 
#15
My cell phone voice mail says hang up and either text me or email me. I hate all the red tape on voicemail, inputting passwords, going thru menus.

Texts are easier. I also use Samsungs so they have the T9 word on them. Uses the most common words with that combination of keys so I can out type most girls I know.

On that note, I can't stand the people who sit in class and text constantly. For me a text is a low priority form of communication. I'll read it almost right away, but don't guaruntee I'll reply to it unless it says call me 911.
 
#17
Text messages are the reason why I got a cell phone 4 years ago. Until then, I was one of those guys who hated cell phones for no good reason. I still don't like people who irresponsibly use them, but I got one anyway. I'm still on the same plan I started with and don't plan on changing any time in the future! Text messaging is a good way to keep in touch with certain people. I know who I have to call on the phone or who I can send a message. However, I despise the use of "text" as a verb. Just say you're sending/receiving a message, for cryin' out loud!
 
#18
canopener said:
Text messages are the reason why I got a cell phone 4 years ago. Until then, I was one of those guys who hated cell phones for no good reason. I still don't like people who irresponsibly use them, but I got one anyway. I'm still on the same plan I started with and don't plan on changing any time in the future! Text messaging is a good way to keep in touch with certain people. I know who I have to call on the phone or who I can send a message. However, I despise the use of "text" as a verb. Just say you're sending/receiving a message, for cryin' out loud!
Click to expand...
I do believe that may be a verb in the next rendition of the dictionary.
 

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