SMS Text Messaging … 21st Century Vice or Virtue?

SMS Text Messaging … 21st Century Vice or Virtue?

by: Jo Wintour

The Short Message Service (SMS), more commonly known as text messaging, is currently the most used mobile phone service. Frantic wrist action is enjoyed everywhere, even to the point of etiquette, as consumers are spotted texting in restaurants and bars, at weddings and in meetings. The semianonymity of ‘text’ seems key to its popularity, as it provides a comfortable amount of distance, but allows almost instant communication. The world of SMS is expanding so rapidly that many people are of the opinion that text will overtake talk as the preferred form of communication. It could be argued that a great percentage of people find ขtextข easier and perhaps less embarrassing to articulate their thoughts. Many intimate confessions have been communicated by text, including the recent escapades of Paris Hilton and Charlotte Church.

Research suggests that introverts prefer texting as they have the opportunity to think about what to say, removing the pressure of articulating an instance response. Some people also find text a useful timesaving medium by removing the opportunity for smalltalk. With text, mobile users can get straight to the point, much appreciated by people who simply do not enjoy talking on the phone.

Text opportunities are endless. The Live 8 ticket lottery was a very high profile use of text. Over 26 million people took part in the text messaging campaign this month to support the work of Live 8. Throughout the concerts, viewers were urged to send a text message consisting of their names in order to strengthen the message sent to the world leaders. As text is such a convenient option, many believe that this campaign was more successful than a ขphone inข campaign would have been. The appeal posed little challenge for the public viewers, who sitting in the comfort of their own homes, could easily reach for their mobile phone and interact with the Live 8 campaign. Furthermore, the lucky concert attendees were encouraged to send a quick text in between dancing to the live acts. As this took very little effort the response rate to the text appeal was phenomenal.

There are many companies keen to exploit entertainment products and packages through mobile phones. The media industry, particularly radio and reality TV shows, is continuing to cash in on this popular method of communication by engaging viewers to text in and express their opinion. Hit TV shows, such as Big Brother, Pop Idol and Celebrity Love Island, are inundated with texts from the public wishing to save their favourite person. Other media companies promote text as a convenient way to enter competitions. Text messages ease the tedious routine of entering a competition via a phone call, where engaged lines and automated instructions are inevitable, they are also faster and less hassle than snail mail and often more costeffective.

Entertainment isn’t the only industry to exploit SMS. According to textually.org, the top 10 uses for SMS in the US include:

1) Alerting mobile technicians to system errors

2) Alerting mobile execs to urgent voice messages

3) Confirming with mobile sales personnel that a faxed order was received

4) Informing travellers of delays and changes

5) Enabling contract workers to receive and accept project offers

6) Keeping stock traders up to date on urgent stock activity

7) Reminding data services subscribers about daily updates

8) Alerting doctors to urgent patient situations

9) Letting mobile sales teams input daily sales figures into corporate database

10) Sending mobile sales reps reminders of appointments and other schedule details

A more advanced form of text messaging, dubbed the XHIBIT, involves witnesses in criminal court cases automatically receiving a text when they are due to appear in court. Many have favoured this easy method, claiming it effectively reduces the time witnesses of crime have to spend waiting around in court. This is also in place to support the police force, who claim that less time is wasted in the court through this technology. Research suggests that XHIBIT text could save 80,000 police days every year.

Additionally, text provides an additional medium for support services. Examples include encouraging messages for those trying to give up smoking and messages of advice for those suffering from anxiety problems. Furthermore, some people rely on receiving texts with the latest news, such as stock quotes and weather updates.

With the digital and communications market expanding so rapidly, research suggests that text will continue to see many improvements and will consequently become a more fundamental part of our everyday lives.

For more information about text opportunities and the latest developments see:

http://www.sonyericsson.com

http://www.newindpress.com/

http://www.ngfl.gov.uk/news

http://www.textually.org

About The Author

Jo Wintour

Loves travelling, good music and eating out

[email protected]

This article was posted on August 19

by Jo Wintour

Apply the Top 8 Secrets to Successfully Work at Ho

Apply the Top 8 Secrets to Successfully Work at Home

by: Ryan Terry

What Iกm about to reveal to you are 8 proven secret strategies, that will help you accomplish positive results with the time you spend on your home business.

Ready?

1. Imagine yourself as the CEO of a major corporation.

This technique will put you in the proper frame of mind, to envision yourself as your own boss, and that you are in complete control of your business.

As the CEO of your corporation, it is very crucial that you project where your business will spiral towards in the next 5 years.

Remember A DREAM written down with a date becomes a GOAL. A goal broken down becomes a PLAN.. A plan backed by ACTION makes your dream come true.. From The Millionaire Mentor by Greg S. Reid

Therefore, you need to…

2. Set Specific Goals

กGoals are like train tracks.ก They keep you moving forward in the direction you want to go. Vicky Smith

When setting proper goals you need to exercise 2 simple strategies:

First and foremost, *Set Your Long Term Goals* (a.k.a. Dreams)

The bottom line is this, if you want to head in the right direction, than you must know where you want to be in 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, even 5 years from now.

This technique is amazingly effective when you type your goals down, and print them out. (Be sure you do it, Iกll tell you why later.)

Secondly, you must always set and accomplish daily goals, so that you will achieve your long term dreams (goals). When you know where you want to be and where you are headed, than you will know exactly what you need to do to get there.

This will definitely get the ball rolling for you to set your daily goals.

3. Set up a *daily* ToDo Lists

Now that you have distinguished your daily goals, the easiest way to accomplish them is by working on a priority basis always working on the most important task first.

Design your daily todo list at the end of your work day, so you know exactly what you need to do when you wake up in the morning. Make your daily tasks realistic, and be sure that they are accomplished. Think of each task you accomplish as a stepping stone towards your dreams.

The key here is for you to go to bed at night without having any regrets, and knowing that you have achieved everything you could that day.

Hereกs a neat trick: Use Microsoft Outlookกs task manager to prioritize your daily ToDo list. Outlook will let you manage your tasks on a per hour basis. It is very crucial to avoid procrastination if you plan on getting where you want to be in 5 years.

Hereกs the best part: Outlook will keep reminding you, if your tasks have not been accomplished. This gives you absolutely no excuses not to work. Which brings me to my next point…

4. Devote a *specific amount* of hours each and every day…

..to work on your business. To avoid getting side tracked, DO NOT surf the net, close your instant messenger conversations during this period of time.

The more side tracked you become, the further away you will be from your dreams.

5. Develop a positive routine

Research proves that eating breakfast every morning, will help you to think better, and even work more efficiently on your business.

Always take 15 30 minute breaks during the day to avoid straining your eyes. Have a good nightกs sleep, (6 to 8 hours is recommended.) Most importantly, try exercising daily because this will help fuel energy through out your body.

6. Stay organized, and focused

Tape your goals list on the wall by your work area, so that you will be reminded of what you are striving towards, each and everyday.

This important step alone will help guide you towards your ultimate goal, and keep you focused on what you should be doing.

If you ever feel that you don’t have the energy to work on your business, simply take a look at your long term goals list, and let it remind you of your dreams.

Use this power to help you move forward in the direction you want to go.

7. Check your email ONCE every hour

Some of us love the idea of receiving email daily, and in most cases would likely check it every few minutes. This can be a very devastating routine that you will become accustomed to, be sure you eliminate it before it becomes routine.

The real secret to running a successful home based business, is to spend your time wisely and efficiently, by developing a positive daily routine.

8. Have fun

This may be the most important step of all. Make sure that you enjoy every minute you spend working on your business. If you can’t stand the idea of getting up in the morning to work, than you might as well look forward to going back to that J.O.B. (Just Over Broke) you dread.

You must enjoy what you do, in order to fully succeed and accomplish your long term goals.

I have given you these 8 powerful strategies, the only way that they will work for you is if you apply them right now.

I wish you the best of luck with your home business, and I hope that you have a prosperous year.

Copyright 2004 Ryan Terry

About The Author

Ryan Terry is the owner & CEO of www.realwealthsecrets.com & several internet marketing websites. Claim your FR.EE report now that reveals the *answer* to money, time and traffic & get $125 worth of FR.EE gifts instantly once you click here: http://www.realwealthsecrets.com

Ryan Terry enjoys meeting & helping new clients, traveling, and spending time with his wife Jessica and baby girl Eden. His mission is simple: ขThe more value you freely give, the more you get in returnข. His goal is to give the best service.

This article was posted on April 03, 2004

by Ryan Terry