Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on March 23, 2011 at 10:49am

I use an app for my Iphone called Textie.  When people respond, it sometimes shows up as Serge mentions below.  You can also use Google Talk to send texts I think by putting + in front of the number.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 23, 2011 at 11:30am

Get the google voice plugin for your browser and start a gmail account if you haven't already with the google voice sign-up.  You get a free phone number you can use on your computer even for long-distance, can actually use it to forward to other phones (like your cell or home phone -all simultaneously).  And you get free unlimited no-hassle texting at your computer from that  number.  You don't have to worry about compromising the anonymity of your friends to spammers like many of the "free" texting services that are out there online.  

 

If you are using chrome it really integrates nicely into that browser, naturally... 

Permalink Reply by igz on March 23, 2011 at 3:11pm

what others described was for real phone numbers.  that 5 digit shit...dunno if thatll work.  typically, in the way serge describes, you need to know the carrier of the receiving number...  att.net, tmomail.com, etc

 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 23, 2011 at 3:15pm

Permalink Reply by Vondo on March 23, 2011 at 4:46pm

Don't most of those radio numbers start with 591 prefix? Maybe 591 -9393?

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 24, 2011 at 12:43am

From what I've found out those short numbers only work within a particular network.  So if you are not on the exact same wireless carrier that the radio station (or whatever promotion)  is using then you can't participate.

Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on March 24, 2011 at 10:47am

I've not heard of a free service that can send text messages to shortcodes. Most free SMS services online require that you know the cellphone provider of the recipient, or they have a background service that can determine the provider based on the cellphone number.

Shortcodes operate very differently. Anyone can buy one and there are different providers of shortcodes. Each shortcode provider must have its own agreement and relationship with each of the cellphone network providers. 

By "premium messaging," do you mean that they try to send you an MMS (allows pictures, video, and audio attachments) and your phone/account is set up to block these? Most cellphone providers now charge the same amount for an MMS as an SMS (text only message) - you should look into this. 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 24, 2011 at 11:25am

By "premium" they mean as a special service to their own customers and their customers ONLY.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 24, 2011 at 11:36am

Everything I say is a joke you don't understand ;)