My nephew and I were talking about the new Blackberry.  Kids text all the time, my nephews, nieces and cousins children seem to text constantly:  In the shower, in the bed, washing dishes, doing chores or even standing right next to one another.

 

It often appears that whatever device they have, it's attached to their hands.

 

So do you text often and what type of PDA/Cell phone do you have?

Even though I'm a youngster, I don't like texting. I prefer face-to-face contact way before anything else, then phone calls/email/facebook, and THEN texting. Texting is probably my least favorite way to communicate, but it certainly has its place, like when it's too loud to talk and you need a quick response.

 

Interestingly though, I get the impression that texting is now the dominant form of communication in my generation.

 

LOL.  I too am far from being a texter.  I rarely use my blackberry - I know this is going to sound stupid - but I'm a afraid of losing mine and I have a bazillion contacts and I'm so paranoid the phone will be lost. I only use it around the office.

 

Once I thought I lost it and I left it in my house in LA and I was on pins and needles.

 

I think youngsters are texting more and the text shorthands have found their way into business correspondence.

I'm glad text messages were invented.  It's cut down on the number people who talk loud on their phones at bus stops, office environments, when waiting in line, or even in public restrooms.  Furthermore, if you are in a car with a bunch of people, it's a silent way of communication where you don't have to turn down the music, or deal with everyone on their phone at once.

 

I do get annoyed when someone sends me a ton of text messages, expecting me to respond after every one.  This girl once told me "It's just like sending instant messages, it's no different."  Sure... at least when I IM, I'm at at computer at all times whereas if you reach by texting, I'm probably in the middle of something else like picking up groceries, watching a movie, or driving.

Even though I'm a youngster, I don't like texting. I prefer face-to-face contact way before anything else, then phone calls/email/facebook, and THEN texting. Texting is probably my least favorite way to communicate, but it certainly has its place, like when it's too loud to talk and you need a quick response.

 

Interestingly though, I get the impression that texting is now the dominant form of communication in my generation.

 

LOL.  I too am far from being a texter.  I rarely use my blackberry - I know this is going to sound stupid - but I'm a afraid of losing mine and I have a bazillion contacts and I'm so paranoid the phone will be lost. I only use it around the office.

 

Once I thought I lost it and I left it in my house in LA and I was on pins and needles.

 

I think youngsters are texting more and the text shorthands have found their way into business correspondence.

 

 

You can get your service provider to back-up all of your contacts and text messages. It's only a few bucks extra per month.

I hate IM and I hate text messages. Both are time wasters, they distract me from work or fun, and usually the text or instant message wasn't that important to begin with.

 

When someone sends me a text message worth responding to, I respond by telling them to call me. It also saves me money because my cell phone plan always has minutes I don't use, and I get charged for each text message.

 

I've never understood the benefit of texting.

People txt becuase:

 

a. You can get right to the point without going "hey, how are you, blah blah blah".

b. Its less confrontational. People have said things to me over txt that they would never say to me on the phone.

c. You don't have to worry about bothering somebody during an inconvenient time. You wouldn't want to call someone while they're in class or a meeting. If you send them a txt, it's not going to cause noise and they can just get back to you whenever they're able to.

...seem to text constantly:  In the shower, in the bed, washing dishes, doing chores or even standing right next to one another.

 

Haha, guilty  :oops:. In my defense, sometimes you need to say something to someone and you don't want anyone else in the room to hear what you have to say. However, I don't really text all the time. I call people just as much as I text people. And to answer your last question, I have an Env2.

 

 

You can get your service provider to back-up all of your contacts and text messages. It's only a few bucks extra per month.

 

This is a business device.  I'll never lose the contacts as the company has everything backed up.    I know its set to self delete after 3 or 5 incorrect logins, but It's the idea that I will lose the device itself.

 

I have about 10 older model PDA's, but I just don't like them.  When I have meeting I institued a rule that nobody is to bring their PDA.  I don't want any distractions and if someone is giving a presentation, I want my staff to give that person their full attention.

 

In my bosses management meeting, when it's my turn to chair I demand all the attendees to put their PDA's in the middle of the table and turn them off. 

 

When I just had a cellphone, I left it at the airport, on top of the car and run over it. Once I left it on the train and I'm running up Shaker Blvd.  Due to the light I was able to catch the train at the cross over signal.  It was so embarrasing, the train operator was like why are you in the middle of the parkway, move you'll get run over - you shouldn't be here.  Luckily the lady did wait for me to get to Drexmore and allowed me to get on the train to look for it.  :-[

 

Last week I left my blackberry in my bosses office.  It was on his desk for three hours.  I'm turning the office upside down.  Earlier in the day I went to three stores downstairs and had security looking all over.

 

Toward the end of the day, my boss calls me on my office phone to ask me why i'm not picking up my mobile.  All I could say was, "obviously it's because I'm inside."  Then he asks me to come over and calls me on my cell phone and its right there.  I just rolled my eyes and left.  He thought it was funny as hell.

 

I have a ton of contacts and if someone got their hands on my PDA it wouldn't be cute.

 

I would probably use it more if the key pad was larger. 

 

Ironically, I love my iTouch due to the application games.  I use that more than anything.

I had it on my phone briefly but had it taken off my plan. I'd rather people call me or talk to me face to face.

Maybe I am a textaholic.  I just looked up the number of text messages I sent between 9/1 and 11/21.  I sent a total of 1105 during this time period!  I'm not sure how many I received, but my guess is that it's probably close to this number. 

 

I think text messaging is good for quick messages if you don't necessarily want to disturb anyone or think they may be sleeping.  For example, my mom has been sick.  If I call her in the morning, I first send her a text first such as "Hi!" or "Good morning!"  I don't want to wake her up if she is still sleeping, and the sound of a text message arriving will not do that like the ringing of a phone will.  When I get her reply, I know she's awake, and then I call.  She does the same thing to me on weekends if she's afraid she will wake me up. 

 

Some people I know will share more information with me over texting than actually talking on the phone or in person.  I agree that it's also great in noisy places or if you're trying to find someone in a crowd.  It also worked out well when my husband graduated with his masters.  I was able to text him to let him know where his parents and I were sitting. 

 

I agree that there are many situations when a phone call is appropriate instead of a text or IM.  While I don't mind abbreviations used for texts or IM, I do get pretty annoyed when I see them in emails.

I'm surprised that there are three people that responded NO.

I used to text a lot on my cell phone, but when I got my blackberry, I am texting all the time.  Blackberry Messenger is just like instant messanger on your phone, and it doesn't count towards a text total, so that is what I do most of the time.

I don't text, unless texted.  And even then, I usually respond with a call.

I text quite a bit, usually for quick messages/queries -- "I'm running 10 mins late..." or "where are we meeting?" etc. Seems really convenient to me, especially when in a busy location, event or with a group of people.

 

I'm much more annoyed sitting in the airport listening to people blab on their cell phones vs. texting. I'm the kind of person who will confront somebody talking on their cell when there's a no cell phone sign (for instance at the NW airlines club) and ask them very loudly if they are able to read.

 

I have an unlimited data plan on my phone (Samsung Blackjack/Windows mobile) so I don't pay a fee per text, maybe if I did I would use it less.

 

 

Not at all.

 

 

 

(sent from musky's iTouch/mobile)

Another benefit of texting I noticed is that txt messages seem to reach somebody in an area of poor coverage since calling doesn't work at all.  When I'm working an all day shift buried deep within a building of concrete and steel, I get alot of complaints from people who say I don't answer my phone. I don't get good service, but I have just enough to receive and send text messages.

I text WAY too much!  I probably text more than I talk!

 

OMG haha LOLz & LMAO

 

:)

Not at all.

 

 

 

(sent from musky's iTouch/mobile)

 

 

Actually, I do text regularly. I like to think I text like I drink alcohol. Controlled... even paced... no filler... occasionally impulsive

I don't text. (Actually I think I've sent 2 or 3 ever) I'm too cheap to get a nicer phone than the one I've got, and what I've got has buttons that are way to small. Oddly I instant message and email all the time, I just don't like texting. Its easier to just call someone for me.

My phone is five years old, and I'm on a $29.99 a month legacy plan - so I'm only able to receive texts, not send them which is fine by me. The only times I've found texting to be more convenient than calling is if you're in a loud, crowded place and you need to regroup with friends and can't hear them on the phone. 

 

Oh, just a recommendation for the heavy-ADD-texters out there - if you're new to a city and you're at a social event where you're hoping to meet new people, put the f#cking blackberry down - especially when someone is introducing you to the single and available person you were admiring five minutes prior. :roll:

I HATE texting.  The only time I use it is to let a friend know that I'm outside their apartment because most people I know don't use buzzers anymore. 

I'll do it, but only on a limited basis. I also only text people I know personally (primarily family). Texting on a professional level seems a little amateurish. I have a Verizon branded smartphone. The term 'smartphone' is an overqualification for the piece of garbage. It should really be called a "belowaverageintellect phone". That's what I get for going with Windows Mobile.

I have been texting significantly more recently, and find it useful for many of the above situations, but also for when I need to make sure somebody has fairly accurate information (a phone number or address or somesuch).  It's also great for coordinating groups of folks instead of making lots of phone calls.

I text way more than I talk mostly cuz my hearing sux when there's background noise or poor reception.  It's also way better when it's not urgent.  An interrupted conversation can be picked right back up much later.

 

I use a Treo 650.  Not that great as a phone, tremendous for everything else.

People txt becuase:

 

a. You can get right to the point without going "hey, how are you, blah blah blah".

 

You know, you can do that on a phone, too.

 

b. Its less confrontational. People have said things to me over txt that they would never say to me on the phone.

 

They can do that on the phone too. It's the same two people in the conversation, regardless of whether it's by text or phone.

 

c. You don't have to worry about bothering somebody during an inconvenient time. You wouldn't want to call someone while they're in class or a meeting. If you send them a txt, it's not going to cause noise and they can just get back to you whenever they're able to.

 

Now there's a legitimate reason. But if I realize while in a meeting that I need to contact someone, I write a note (yes, with an actual pen and piece of paper) to call or e-mail them when I get back in front of a phone/computer. My life isn't that busy that I can't wait a little bit. And if it does start to get that busy, then I refuse the additional tasks. It helps keep the stress in my life at tolerable levels and allows me to maintain free/peaceful time for myself. I will not let technology invade my life so much that it starts to erode the quality of life.

 

And MTS, your leaving of cell phones behind all over the place is the involuntary side of your brain telling you something, I believe. It's telling you to revolt against technology to maintain your sanity sometimes, like in the TV commercial where the woman takes the PDA from the text-happy guy sitting next to her and throws the PDA away. She is my hero.

I <3 my crackberry.

Don't look at me; I'm ready to get rid of my cell phone altogether. The only useful thing I've found with text messages is when chicks drag you to an obviously lame party you can text them "This party sucks. Let's leave." without anyone noticing.

I don't text. (Actually I think I've sent 2 or 3 ever) I'm too cheap to get a nicer phone than the one I've got, and what I've got has buttons that are way to small.

 

I would whip this childs @ss like nobody's business!  This is what the parents get for not having rules or a child with common f*ckin' sense!

 

How can you not know what your mobile service plan is?  A family of idiots!

---

 

 

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2009/04/08/dnt.wy.teen.text.bill.KUSA

20% of Americans are effectively illiterate, meaning they cannot read a simple contract or long text. So that's 20% - just imagine what percentage can actually read and actually does read their contract. It's no wonder people are foreclosing left and right.

 

Btw, if you can type "C U 2morrow" you don't necessarily count as literate.

I would whip this childs @ss like nobody's business!  This is what the parents get for not having rules or a child with common f*ckin' sense!

 

How can you not know what your mobile service plan is?  A family of idiots!

 

That is crazy!  How does one send 10,000 texts in one month?  I average about 550 a month myself.  No wonder the girl had 5 F's in school.  At least the parents destroyed the phone.  I was surprised that the girl was laughing.  If I had done something like that and got into that much trouble, I definitely would not have been laughing.

I find texting to be a nice form of asynchronous communication.  It is a good intermediary between a call and email.  The message is pushed to a device which you most likely have in your possession most of the day, but it doesn't require you to immediately interrupt what you are doing to receive the message and you can respond when you are free.  I basically find it a nice replacement for voicemail, which just seems to take too much time (going through voice prompts, etc).  Plus people tend to be more to the point when they have to type something out, rather than rambling on and on in a voicemail.  Of course, asynchronous communication also means that a reply isn't urgent, and usually you just have something short to say or ask.  For anything longer, or something you want to be synchronous (a conversation), then you should use a voice call.

 

I really can't stand the people that use texting as a replacement for a conversation, though.  THose people are usually doing that because it isn't an appropriate time to be talking (and thus usually isn't appropriate to be texting either, it's just easier to get away with) or they're carrying on multiple conversations at once.  The problem is that it is too slow of a form of communication for something like this, and ends up eating away their time in a wasteful manner.  Add that to the fact that many teens spend way too much time in pontless conversations anyways, and you have a text-addicted teenager.

 

So in short, I don't think it is right to condmen texting like KJP, but I also think that many, many people do misuse it, which annoys the crap out of me.

Verizon unlimited family sexting plan successful in Kentucky

 

KENTUCKY - Verizon announced this week the highly successful launch of its family sexting plan throughout Kentucky.  According to Verizon, the rate of sign-ups among brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles for the new plan throughout the state has eclipsed any previous wireless promotion in the United States. 

 

Verizon credits the marketing victory with a sound understanding of local cultural norms. Verizon CEO Phillip Landers said, "Our team tailored a wireless product perfectly suited for the high rate of inbreeding in this specific region of the country.  We did our homework and developed a product valued by Kentucky families."

 

Throughout Kentucky, as brothers and sisters and cousins continue to sign up in record numbers for the unlimited family sexting plan, Verizon executives have already begun developing concepts for additional wireless promotions with possible tie-ins to the production of moonshine, home dentistry, Oxycontin use, and the unhealthy obsession with the University of Kentucky basketball program. 

 

Telecommunications business analyst Tyler Selfridge said, "Although this insight has allowed Verizon to beat all of its competitors in Kentucky, initial market tests indicate the state of West Virginia is still open territory for a similar style of competitive wireless promotions."

 

http://www.derfmagazine.com/news/business/548.html

I really can't stand the people that use texting as a replacement for a conversation, though.  THose people are usually doing that because it isn't an appropriate time to be talking (and thus usually isn't appropriate to be texting either, it's just easier to get away with) or they're carrying on multiple conversations at once.  The problem is that it is too slow of a form of communication for something like this, and ends up eating away their time in a wasteful manner.  Add that to the fact that many teens spend way too much time in pointless conversations anyways, and you have a text-addicted teenager.

 

I have a friend who texts other people while talking to me on the phone, lol. She doesn't do it all the time though, only once in awhile. I am sometimes guilty of texting when I really shouldn't be on the phone at all.  :oops:

 

I use it very, very sparingly.  Mostly to send a quick message to someone that cannot receive personal calls wherever they are, such as mr. rockandroller when he is at either of his jobs, or my sister when she is at her job. 

Although capital punishment is no longer viewed as a deterrent to crime, there are some practices that practically cry out for the death penalty :whip: :shoot:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVrM3mX3aFo&hl=en&fs=1

I dislike all these new portable communication devices, because of what they've done to social norms.  Used to be, if you were dealing with someone face to face, phone calls could wait.  Other people could wait.  Now, your companion must wait.  That's garbage.

 

There are a handful of instances where texting is useful.  Some have been brought up here already.  I would add concerts and other noisy crowd situations.  But it should never replace actual conversation, and talking on the phone should never replace actual hanging out.  I see this happening and I don't like it.  Like Yoda says, people need to focus on where they are and what they are doing.

Thats why I don't text or carry a blackberry.

 

My nephews and niece are IM & text-a-holics.

 

If I don't answer a text or IM, one of them will call to say "long on and answer my message"  :?

 

When they were here visiting last week, the had the video chat (on three computers) xbox, playstaion, wii all going.  I never use that crap.  Well I never learned.  Sad part about this is my parents and grand parents video chat on the regular.

 

It's a generational thing.

I don't know if this counts as texting, but is anyone here a steady user of Twitter? Maybe I'm starting to get old, but I don't get it. What's the point of it?

I don't really get it either.

I read an article recently that posited maybe Twitter is paying people, lots of people, to constantly mention them in the media.  It's one decent explanation for why the word Twitter is suddenly everywhere.  Twitter.

 

My understanding of Twitter is it's basically a forum of one.  It's like this here, except you're the only person posting.

I don't know if this counts as texting, but is anyone here a steady user of Twitter? Maybe I'm starting to get old, but I don't get it. What's the point of it?

 

 

need I say more??

I know how Twitter works (posting 160 character or less messages and having people subscribed).  I just don't understand it.  Why would I want to "subscribe" to other people's status updates (which is all they pretty much amount to, it's like updating your status on Facebook)?  I guess I also don't understand the updating status on Facebook thing either, which is probably why I don't understand Twitter.  It just seems like a big freaking "who cares" to me.

I know how Twitter works (posting 160 character or less messages and having people subscribed).  I just don't understand it.  Why would I want to "subscribe" to other people's status updates (which is all they pretty much amount to, it's like updating your status on Facebook)?  I guess I also don't understand the updating status on Facebook thing either, which is probably why I don't understand Twitter.  It just seems like a big freaking "who cares" to me.

 

I think you mean....

Haha, yeah that Not Appropriate For Work image is pretty much exactly what I mean. :)

I would much rather text than call someone. Usually I just need to ask someone a short question so its much more convenient than to call and carry on a conversation. My social life and people skills have taken a beating but i'll live.

What I've noticed about the cell phone, especially amongst heavy users, is that people aren't concise with their speech any more. Everything's a ramble.

I've texted maybe 6 times in my life, and currently I don't even have the option on my phone.

Record attempt reaps 217K texts, $26K phone bill   

Friends relied on unlimited text messaging plans to get through escapade 

 

By Bill Bergstrom 

The Associated Press updated 9:10 a.m. ET, Wed., April 22, 2009 

 

PHILADELPHIA - Their thumbs sure must be sore. Two central Pennsylvania friends spent most of March in a text-messaging record attempt, exchanging a thumbs-flying total of 217,000. For one of the two, that meant an inches-thick itemized bill for $26,000. 

 

Nick Andes, 29, and Doug Klinger, 30, were relying on their unlimited text messaging plans to get them through the escapade, so Andes didn't expect such a big bill. 

 

"It came in a box that cost $27.55 to send to me," he said Tuesday. He said he "panicked" and called T-Mobile, which told The Associated Press it had credited his account and was investigating the charges. 

 

The two Lancaster-area residents have been practically nonstop texters for about a decade since they attended Berks Technical Institute together. 

 

That led Andes to search for the largest monthly text message total he could find posted online: 182,000 sent in 2005 by Deepak Sharma in India. 

 

Andes and Klinger were able to set up their phones to send multiple messages. During a February test run they found they could send 6,000 or 7,000 messages on some days, prompting the March messaging marathon. 

 

"Most were either short phrases or one word, 'LOL' or 'Hello,' things like that, with tons and tons of repeats," said Andes, reached by phone. Andes sent more than 140,000 messages, and Klinger sent more than 70,000 to end the month with a total of just over 217,000, he said. 

 

A spokesman for Guinness World Records didn't immediately return messages asking whether it would be certified as a record.  April came as a relief to Andes' wife, Julie, who had found his phone tied up with texting when she tried to call him on lunch breaks. "She was tired of it the first few days into it," Andes said.   

 

More on  cell phones |  texting 

 

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30345146/wid/11915829?GT1=40000

Some people have way too much time on their hands.