Do You Text?

Talking in 160 characters or less? No thanks.

Published on December 29, 2005 By singrdave In Misc

I do not text message on a regular basis. In fact, I think I have written about two. Two in my life, not two in the last five minutes. I want to know how people like this here new-fangled availability of text messaging. Because it eludes me. I don't see the point of it, since it costs 10 cents every time I want to send one. I don't see the need for it, since if I want to talk to someone on my cell phone, I just call them. I only see the novelty of it!

From today's Washington Post:
About 7.3 billion text messages are sent within the United States every month, up from 2.9 billion a month a year ago, according to CTIA, the wireless industry's trade group.
So I guess it's popular... but is it really necessary?

The relative inconvenience of typing out words using a numeric keypad -- the letter "c," for example, requires three presses of the "2" button -- and the brevity of the message may seem a hostile environment for heartfelt discussion. But the discipline of having to distill thoughts into short bulletins, then waiting to receive the response, allows users to pour more meaning into the writing, some text-message users say.

How do JUsers send text messages, if at all? Do you feel like it's a worthwhile method of communicating? Or just a waste of money and some sore thumbs?

Comments (Page 1)

Locamama

on Dec 29, 2005

My husband and I text. Usually when he is traveling and the time difference and his work hours make it hard. We can just send a quick text message that says we are thinking about each other but don't have to worry about waking someone up in the middle of the night. I like to wake up and find a sweet little message on my phone.

Dr Guy

on Dec 29, 2005

I dont think I have ever sent one. I can see how it helps with people like Locamama, but as I dont travel much, my wife and I just call. Since we have free calls to each other, it is easier and cheaper.

Leauki

on Dec 29, 2005

Texts are cheap. Here we text a lot. It's one of the most common methods to contact someone.

Ringing a mobile phone is not always possible, as the owner might be roaming in Europe or somewhere else. But a text message will get through. And it won't cost the world.

SSG Geezer

on Dec 29, 2005

Other than the situations locamama and Leauki mentioned, i can't see any reason to suffer through the small keyboard. entering peoples names and numbers is enough of a pain in the butt.
Never sen't one here. Got a few in Korea, but If you want my attention, call!

sushiK

on Dec 29, 2005

I've never sent one and feel the same as you.
Just pick up the phone and call someone.

MasonM

on Dec 29, 2005

When I was trucking, my girlfriend and I used text messages quite a bit. I would often be out of cellular range, but she could stil send me a text message and I would get it when I entered a cell system again.

AvantiTexan

on Dec 29, 2005

My wife and I text a ton! Not just each other, but all our friends and they text us back. At least here it Italy, it is ALOT cheaper than calling. There are also two bonuses, one being that the newer cell phones have a dictionary that you set to your language and it puts the words you want for you. For example, to spell CAT all you have to do is press 2 twice and 8 once. If it does not put the word you want, you use the star button to scroll through the options, super easy. Two is that many service providers have a website where you can send X amount of text messages every day FREE from the internet - a great deal!

singrdave

on Dec 29, 2005

Locamama:

We can just send a quick text message that says we are thinking about each other but don't have to worry about waking someone up in the middle of the night. I like to wake up and find a sweet little message on my phone.

Awww, you guys... that's sweet. And a very good idea for romantic spouses who like to text.

AvantiTexan:

There are also two bonuses, one being that the newer cell phones have a dictionary that you set to your language and it puts the words you want for you. For example, to spell CAT all you have to do is press 2 twice and 8 once.

Huh? That would be waaaaay too confusing.

Silver_and_Jade_Tears

on Dec 29, 2005

Actually it is pretty easy. It's just like calling a phone number (you know 1-800 Call-Now) because the phone has the words programmed into it, and on my phone, it is "trained" to "learn," so if I use the word "good" more than "home" (they both have the same key sequence) then good will come up before home does.

I, like most younger adults, text message all the time. It's easier than leaving a voicemail because you don't have to sit and wait for the "beeeep" to come, you just send. It's also easier if you are in a place that you can't talk, like work, school, or church, but you need to get a message to someone. IT's conveniant, at least for me.

singrdave

on Dec 29, 2005

I, like most younger adults, text message all the time. It's easier than leaving a voicemail because you don't have to sit and wait for the "beeeep" to come, you just send.

And that's why I want to know if this form of communication is for me.
I see lots of people doing it, and I see its advantages, so I wonder if it's worth the effort to get good at texting.

It's also easier if you are in a place that you can't talk, like work, school, or church, but you need to get a message to someone. IT's conveniant, at least for me.

That's great, except can we please tell people to stop texting from the movie theater?!?! They may be silent, but those screens are so bright!

Tova7

on Dec 29, 2005

Have never texted...is that a word? Just looks funny.

Wouldn't even know how to do it. Can you use ink or must it just be done in pencil?

MasonM

on Dec 29, 2005

Wouldn't even know how to do it. Can you use ink or must it just be done in pencil?

Crayon is fine

Texas Wahine

on Dec 29, 2005

When Adrian was in AIT he had his cell phone and would text me sweet and salacious messages. I loved it.

That's really been the only time when I've sent or received a text message. It's just too much trouble.

Spc Nobody Special

on Dec 29, 2005

Never. Don't mess with it at all.

singrdave

on Dec 30, 2005

Crayon is fine

...but the wax keeps getting lodged in the keys of my phone. :

:

2 txt r nt 2 txt dats da ??

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