Text Messaging, Why?

I just got a new phone and was hit with a bill for text messaging and direct
bill because of my son and Cingular not telling me I signed up for this
garbage. This brings me to my question.

Do you use Text messaging and if you do for what and Why? This seems like
the most pointless and expensive feature ever added to a Cell Phone to me.
It is a PHONE!, if the person can get your text message they can get your
phone call. Why not just call the person? You could say more in a two minute
phone conversation than you could spending thirty minutes sending 4 or 5
text messages back and forth and the phone call would cost less.

So I ask Why Text Message?

Joe

---

› See More: Text Messaging, Why?

Joe wrote:
> I just got a new phone and was hit with a bill for text messaging and direct
> bill because of my son and Cingular not telling me I signed up for this
> garbage. This brings me to my question.
>
> Do you use Text messaging and if you do for what and Why? This seems like
> the most pointless and expensive feature ever added to a Cell Phone to me.
> It is a PHONE!, if the person can get your text message they can get your
> phone call. Why not just call the person? You could say more in a two minute
> phone conversation than you could spending thirty minutes sending 4 or 5
> text messages back and forth and the phone call would cost less.
>
> So I ask Why Text Message?
>
> Joe
>
>


I dunno, Joe... SMS is a service that I use for automated message
notifications when warranted. As to why people use this over-blown
hodgepodge network for person-to-person communication is beyond my
comprehension. Of course, considering the additional billing thay get
to do, Cingular pushes it like a weekend sale at the corner cocaine
store, and a good number of their addicted customers are in a line that
wraps around the block. I've had one or two people text me, and I
simply ignored the events like I always do when something occurs that
doesn't interest me in the slightest. If their intent to communicate
with me is so damned important, they need to call me so we can pretend
to be real humans. Of course, they'll likely get voice mail anyway
because I'm usually occupied with some other critically important task
at hand - like finishing my beer. Once the burping has concluded, I
might call them back.

--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> I just got a new phone and was hit with a bill for text messaging and direct
> bill because of my son and Cingular not telling me I signed up for this
> garbage. This brings me to my question.
>
> Do you use Text messaging and if you do for what and Why? This seems like
> the most pointless and expensive feature ever added to a Cell Phone to me.
> It is a PHONE!, if the person can get your text message they can get your
> phone call. Why not just call the person? You could say more in a two minute
> phone conversation than you could spending thirty minutes sending 4 or 5
> text messages back and forth and the phone call would cost less.
>
> So I ask Why Text Message?
>
> Joe
>
>
>
There are times when a text message is better than a voice call. For
example if you're in a meeting it's much less disruptive to read a text
message than to take a phone call (and the phone can be set to a quiet
beep or none at all or vibrate). I've a friend who teaches and can't
take voice calls until break--but a quiet beep will let him know a
message arrived and he can always fit in time to read a message--even
respond if needed--without disrupting the class. Also text messaging
can be used like a pager--I've got two email systems set to send me the
from and subject line of every email I receive--very useful. Over the
years I've had several hardware devices (servers etc) and answering
machines set to send me a status "page" via text messaging.

Those are just "my" reasons. Apparently most late teens wouldn't agree
with you anyway. According to a TV news report the other day the US has
moved to #1 worldwide in text messaging driven mainly by teenagers. I
haven't verified that--the last time I saw a comparision Europe and
Japan was WAY out ahead but...

By the way, you can get one of several packages that include hundreds of
text messages so cost can be kept down to a reasonable level. I agree
though ad hoc text messaging for 10 cents coming and going should NOT be
active by default.
--
Jud
Dallas TX USA

I like to send the same message to several people at once, text message is
the best way.
Just like voice mail you can send a message when it is convenient for you
and get a reply when it is convenient for the other party, this is very good
for people on the other side of the world. Several text messages is cheaper
than a short international call to a cellphone. If I want to send a url or
phone number it is better to text it than hope the other party has pen and
paper. Text messaging is a tool just like email or snail mail works good for
some uses.

"Joe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I just got a new phone and was hit with a bill for text messaging and
>direct bill because of my son and Cingular not telling me I signed up for
>this garbage. This brings me to my question.
>
> Do you use Text messaging and if you do for what

Ummm.... To send a text message

> and Why?

Ummm ... cause I needed to pass a quick message to someone like 'be a few
minutes late' , that did not neccesitate a voice call.



> This seems like the most pointless and expensive feature ever added to a
> Cell Phone to me. It is a PHONE!, if the person can get your text message
> they can get your phone call. Why not just call the person?

Ummmm... maybe they are in class or in a meeting or some other place that
you do not want to interupt them, but need to get a message to them.

>You could say more in a two minute phone conversation than you could
>spending thirty minutes sending 4 or 5 text messages back and forth and the
>phone call would cost less.
>
> So I ask Why Text Message?
>

Cause I can

> Ummm ... cause I needed to pass a quick message to someone like 'be a few
> minutes late' , that did not neccesitate a voice call.

You could not punch 7 digits and call the person and say "Hey not going to
be there on time" faster that all the punching you would have to do to send
the same text message?

>> This seems like the most pointless and expensive feature ever added to a
>> Cell Phone to me. It is a PHONE!, if the person can get your text message
>> they can get your phone call. Why not just call the person?
>
> Ummmm... maybe they are in class or in a meeting or some other place that
> you do not want to interupt them, but need to get a message to them.

Don't these phones have voice mail and caller ID? Leave a message and they
will know how to call back.
>
>>You could say more in a two minute phone conversation than you could
>>spending thirty minutes sending 4 or 5 text messages back and forth and
>>the phone call would cost less.
>>
>> So I ask Why Text Message?
>>
>
> Cause I can

Now we have got to the root of things it is a toy for people that want
something different.


Joe

>
>
>

"Joe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:%[email protected]...
>
>> Ummm ... cause I needed to pass a quick message to someone like 'be a few
>> minutes late' , that did not neccesitate a voice call.
>
> You could not punch 7 digits and call the person and say "Hey not going to
> be there on time" faster that all the punching you would have to do to
> send the same text message?
>

Sure I could and I could even disrupt there meeting, class or what ever at
the same time, but why it is more polite and convenient for both parties to
text them.


>>> This seems like the most pointless and expensive feature ever added to a
>>> Cell Phone to me. It is a PHONE!, if the person can get your text
>>> message they can get your phone call. Why not just call the person?
>>
>> Ummmm... maybe they are in class or in a meeting or some other place that
>> you do not want to interupt them, but need to get a message to them.
>
> Don't these phones have voice mail and caller ID? Leave a message and they
> will know how to call back.

Why, I left a text message. Now they do not need to take time to call their
voice mail to see a simple 'running about 15minutes late' message.


>>
>>>You could say more in a two minute phone conversation than you could
>>>spending thirty minutes sending 4 or 5 text messages back and forth and
>>>the phone call would cost less.
>>>
>>> So I ask Why Text Message?
>>>
>>
>> Cause I can
>
> Now we have got to the root of things it is a toy for people that want
> something different.
>

No it (text messaging) is a tool for many business people and others that
did not get a phone/plan thinking it was a toy with an 'all features
included for one price'
Perhaps you do not need or find text messaging useful, millions of others
do.

"Joe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:%[email protected]...
>
>> Ummm ... cause I needed to pass a quick message to someone like 'be a few
>> minutes late' , that did not neccesitate a voice call.
>
> You could not punch 7 digits and call the person and say "Hey not going to
> be there on time" faster that all the punching you would have to do to
> send the same text message?
>

This depends on who you call. Some people you can't get off the phone once
you've gotten them on.

I use it mainly as a replacement for the pager I used to wear for work to
receive automated alerts. I rarely send but have on occasion when I'm in a
meeting or a class and want to send a question of someone or need to forward
an alert to someone else without having to dusrupt the meeting by getting up
and leaving.

In general I think texting someone for a quick message is much less
disruptive in a public place than calling. I supposed you'd rather I called
the person while at dinner and yelled into my phone because they can't hear
me?

It's just a natural progression of communicating that you haven't embraced
yet. I know people who would argue over why you would want a cell phone in
the first place. At least you've made it past that phase.

"Joe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>..snipped>
> So I ask Why Text Message?
>
> Joe
>
>

Remember in high school...when the teacher turned around to face the
board...and all the little notes and wads of paper would fly around the
room? Now it's much easier...with less chance of getting caught! I imagine
that's why texting is #1, as someone else mentioned. It's easy, covert and
safe...in that the chances of a teacher or another student intercepting the
note flying across the room are much less, and chances of being embarrassed
by that note are practically nil (not counting losing your phone, a thief,
and/or hacker activity).

I rarely text anyone...but it is useful to forward your home/office email to
buzz your phone when you receive important communication.

Technology is great, but it sure makes it more difficult to keep up with
what your kids are doing, who they are talking to, and what they are
planning.
Good Luck!
Shell

Michelle wrote:
> "Joe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>..snipped>
>>So I ask Why Text Message?
>>
>>Joe
>>
>>
>
>
> Remember in high school...when the teacher turned around to face the
> board...and all the little notes and wads of paper would fly around the
> room? Now it's much easier...with less chance of getting caught! I imagine
> that's why texting is #1, as someone else mentioned. It's easy, covert and
> safe...in that the chances of a teacher or another student intercepting the
> note flying across the room are much less, and chances of being embarrassed
> by that note are practically nil (not counting losing your phone, a thief,
> and/or hacker activity).

If I was a teacher, those cell phones would remain put away during
class, and for the students that can't handle that, they'd be depositing
theirs in a box just inside the door during class, and retrieved on the
way out after class. No way I'm putting up with any of that nonsense in
my classroom.

>
> I rarely text anyone...but it is useful to forward your home/office email to
> buzz your phone when you receive important communication.

For my business, important messages don't travel by email because
they're too important to be trusted to an automated transport system.
When I'm expected to know something, I get called so receipt is
confirmed and an opportunity for a response is provided in real time.

>
> Technology is great, but it sure makes it more difficult to keep up with
> what your kids are doing, who they are talking to, and what they are
> planning.

Actually, with detailed usage records, it's next to impossible to not
know something. To repeat a phrase by R. Reagan, "trust but verify".
My brother gave his teen-age daughter a phone for her use, but she
doesn't know about detailed billing records. Yet.

> Good Luck!
> Shell
>
>


--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

I use my phone as a pager for work and get automated alerts for system
outages and important notifications. Beats having to carry a phone and a
pager.

MG

"Joe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I just got a new phone and was hit with a bill for text messaging and
>direct bill because of my son and Cingular not telling me I signed up for
>this garbage. This brings me to my question.
>
> Do you use Text messaging and if you do for what and Why? This seems like
> the most pointless and expensive feature ever added to a Cell Phone to me.
> It is a PHONE!, if the person can get your text message they can get your
> phone call. Why not just call the person? You could say more in a two
> minute phone conversation than you could spending thirty minutes sending 4
> or 5 text messages back and forth and the phone call would cost less.
>
> So I ask Why Text Message?
>
> Joe
>

> So I ask Why Text Message?

Why MSN/AOL/Yahoo Instant Message?
Why eMail?
Why Post-it notes?

You could just call instead...

Barry - NY

I'm a heavy text message user. My office sends me service calls
throughout the day. After I finish the calls, I send them a message
back to tell them which ones are done. It beats calling into the
office, being put on hold etc. I can text message my dispatcher and
she can keep in contact with me throughout the day.



..
>>I just got a new phone and was hit with a bill for text messaging and
>>direct bill because of my son and Cingular not telling me I signed up for
>>this garbage. This brings me to my question.
>>
>> Do you use Text messaging and if you do for what and Why? This seems like
>> the most pointless and expensive feature ever added to a Cell Phone to me.
>> It is a PHONE!, if the person can get your text message they can get your
>> phone call. Why not just call the person? You could say more in a two
>> minute phone conversation than you could spending thirty minutes sending 4
>> or 5 text messages back and forth and the phone call would cost less.
>>
>> So I ask Why Text Message?
>>
>> Joe
>>
>

Per Joe:
>Do you use Text messaging and if you do for what and Why?

I don' use it - but if I did, there would be two scenarios:

1) Automated Alerts. Set up some software to monitor some condition and send
me a text message if the condition is met.

2) eMail Light: I don't know or care of a certain person is available on their
cell phone at the moment and have no need for a two-way conversation. I just
want to send them a quick notification/fact and be done with it.
--
PeteCresswell

I agree. No one is forcing me to text anyone. I guess that is why I
never do. I'm not sure what I would do if I started getting text
messages, other than call them to tell them to stop. If they don't want
to talk to me, then they can send e-mail or drop me a card. However, I
would be somewhat insulted by them not wanting to talk to me.