Archive for April, 2008

April 6th 2008

Unlimited Texting … A Great Value for Money

Mobile phones or cell phones are fast becoming the most popular communication tool nowadays. Quite a big percentage of users of this wireless gadget favor text messaging. Cell phones are used for sending text messages more than making calls. This is due to the fact that a text message would cost less than a call. Information dissemination can be can be easily done by texting several people at once. Another advantage of text messaging is the privacy factor. A message can be sent without allowing other people to know.

This communication tool though has a drawback. Because of the ease of texting, cost can mount up. A large percentage of mobile phone users are teenagers. We know for a fact that teenagers are the sender of most texts. They depend on text messaging to get in touch with peers and even to send inane messages. These kids can send even a hundred messages a day. A parent who foots the bill would be shocked with the staggering amount of the charges.

Because text messaging has emerged from being a cell phone feature to a basic and essential communication tool, customers had been clamoring and demanding for more messaging options where they can get more value for their money.

Sprint has answered the demands of the customers with their unlimited texting. Subscribers with Power Pack Individual plan would have to give a $10 additional monthly fee to avail of the unlimited texting. With an additional $20 monthly fee, the Power Pack Family Plan can have unlimited texting for all family lines.

Text messaging has grown to be the most popular means of communication. Unlimited texting had given the people the power to send or to receive messages, to stay in touch and get connected without the fear of mounting costs.

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April 6th 2008

Spotting a Text Scam

The number of mobile phone owners has passed the 1 billion mark and still counting. Texting is now the favored and most popular means of communication. The fame of on line communication was over-shadowed by the popularity of texting.

But just like any other innovative technology, the use of cell phones comes with both benefits and risks. Endless text scams has become the dilemma of texters. An alert mobile phone owner would know at once that he is being scammed if he receives a text message informing him of winning a contest (one he never actually joined). Usually a time period to claim the prize is given.

A text scam would either ask the recipient to purchase a product or to call a number that usually starts with 090 or to reply to a 19 number. These numbers would charge a higher rate. Some text scam would even reverse the charges so that the recipient of the message will be billed for both the message received and for the reply.

Text scam takes the form of unwanted messages that are sent without the subscriber’s approval; messages that come from unknown or unidentified source, unstoppable downloading of ringtones and pictures messages that can not be “unsubscribed”. The cell phone owner/user will be billed for these unwanted and unauthorized so called services.

As a protection against text scams, a mobile phone owner can ask the company to screen certain calls. Be wary of SMS selling products or services. The sender or the company should be identified and make sure that you have a way by which you can “unsubscribe” in case you want to opt out.

In signing up with any organization, be careful in giving out your phone number. You can even ask what they need your number for. The ID caller blocking can be used if you want to hide your number when calling.

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April 6th 2008

Overcoming Text Craze Injuries

SMS (short message service) or texting between mobile phones is undeniably the most popular and favored tool of communication nowadays. The texting craze has surpassed the popularity of internet communication technology. Presently, there are more than a billion cell phone owners as compared to 600 million on line communication users. However effective this communication tool is, excessive use is detrimental to the health of the users.

A survey conducted disclosed that a considerable number of people suffer from texting injuries. Repetitive strain injury (RSI) and text messaging injury (TMI) afflicts a huge number of texters. TMI and RSI are upper limb disorders caused by the swelling of tendons of the wrist and fingers. People afflicted by this injury suffer soreness and pain of the wrist, fingers and forearms. Excessive and repetitive use of thumbs to type messages causes the swelling that hinders blood circulation. Maintaining good blood circulation is vital to avoid injuries.

An excessive texter could avoid text injuries by practicing these safe texting habits. Stop texting when you feel soreness and pain. You can use the other hand to hold the phone or use other fingers to type instead of the thumb. Always remember to put down the phone while waiting for a reply to your message. Take several minutes break between texting and do keep texting sessions to a maximum of 15 minutes.

At the onset of pain, stretch your fingers and move your wrist in a circular motion. Massaging the hands, fingers and forearms would help blood circulation. Use a chair or table as a support to your hand. Although the cell phone may weigh next to nothing, the load on the hand is increased if the arm is stretched out for a long time.

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April 6th 2008

Texting Overdose

I was on a bus on my way to work and was seated beside a youngster with head bent, both hands holding a cell phone and with thumbs flying over the key pad. It was an hour ride to the office. The lad never once lifted his head from his cell phone. Although the incessant rhythmic clicking of the key pad is not unpleasant to the ear it still got on my nerves because I was mentally organizing my thoughts for a presentation that I was going to make.

Texting seems to be the most popular communication tool nowadays. It is the in thing for the young generation. It is a great way to keep in touch, to disseminate information, to get weather forecasts, news alerts, and even for entertainment where a person can join contests. Through texting a parent can be notified by school administrators regarding school closings due to emergencies such as bomb threats.

Texting for over an hour though is quite a feat. But some text addicts admitted to have sent over 100 text messages in one day. Aside from eye strain that could result from the prolonged viewing of the small screen of a cell phone, upper limb disorders could also occur. This is commonly known as the text message injury (TMI). Too much texting could result to painful wrist and fingers. This is due to the enlargement or swelling of tendons in the thumb and wrists.

Since total abstinence from texting is out of the question especially for teenagers, safe texting measures should be undertaken to avoid the occurrence of TMI. First and foremost is to text in moderation. A 15 minutes texting session should be observed so as not to cause muscle fatigue. Using both hands to hold the phone and both thumbs to text would ease the muscle strain. Try to use a chair or a table to support the hands. The cell phone’s weight may be insignificant but holding it for a considerable time would cause the hand and the fore arm to feel sore. Massaging and flexing the wrist and fingers would ease the soreness and the pain.

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April 6th 2008

Text Messaging Etiquette

Text messaging is a communication tool favored by most people nowadays. Short messages of up to 160 characters can be sent with the use of a cell phone. SMS (short messaging service) is an excellent way to keep in touch, to disseminate information, to receive news alerts and even to join contests for entertainment.

Some people though are less enthusiastic about texting despite the fact that it has emerged to be the most popular and favored means of communication today. This could be caused by inappropriate texting manners.

The person you are talking to will be annoyed if you keep on texting in front of him. It is but proper to excuse yourself if you have to read or respond to a message. The incessant clicking of the keypad could get on the nerves of the person next to you. Be sensitive to the feelings of people around you.

Always consider the time when texting. Even if you are awake remember that the person you are sending the message to might be resting or sleeping. Ensure that your message is sent to the correct person. A misdirected message could cause confusion and misunderstanding and could result to disputes.

Don’t be offended if your message is not answered. Bear in mind that other people might be on a limited text plan. If the person you are texting gets to pay for incoming messages, it is wise to know if they are on unlimited plan because if they are charged, be considerate to text only important information.

Make sure that the abbreviations used will be understood by the recipient. Youngsters have different slang abbreviations. Using them to text older folks could be confusing and incomprehensible.

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April 6th 2008

Getting the Most Out of Text Messaging

Texting is prevalent among people from all walks of life these days. People with cell phones are a common sight anywhere. Rarely would you be in a place where a cell phone is not in sight. Even in churches and in other places of worship one would still see cell phones. Though out of respect for the place, most cell phones are usually turned off. But once in a while you would still hear a message alert tone.

Why are people so obsessed with this device? It’s as if there is a fixation for its use. Cell phone and texting has become a way of life of the modern man. Texting has made communication a breeze. Text messaging or SMS (short messaging service) is considered to be the most effective (and cheapest?) form of communication these days. You only have to type the message using the key pad of your cell phone, enter the email address or the number of the other phone or search for the phone number of the message recipient from the contact list or address book and then send.

Text messaging is very popular with the younger generation. A cell phone is one of the things a teenager can’t do without. Inane text messages are the norm for these kids. But what benefits would older folks get from text messaging? Because of its send to many feature, school heads can easily notify parents of school closings due to emergencies such as typhoons or bomb threats.

Information dissemination is easily done through texting. For an additional fee weather forecast, news and current events, flight schedules and even horoscope are made available to the subscriber via text messaging. A busy person does not have to go to the bank for their bank balances. One text message will do the trick.

Remember the American Idol? Text messaging is very important to support the contestant you are rooting for. Texting is great for entertainment where you get to join contests and competitions.

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April 6th 2008

Should We Talk or Should We Text?

Two decades or so ago, cell phones are owned by people in the A and B class. Cell phones are mostly used by businessmen, professionals and other wealthy people. But nowadays, it is not uncommon to see people with their heads bent and busily typing on the keypad of their cell phones. Owning a cell phone today is no longer a status symbol and a luxury but rather a basic and essential necessity to everyday living.

Mobile or cell phone is a communication technology preferred by most people because it gives you the options of calling or texting. Short messaging service (SMS) is more popularly known as text messaging or texting. With the use of a cell phone you can send a message of up to 160 characters. Text messages can be sent simply by entering the number of the recipient phone or by searching in the contact list or address book.

If the message is not too urgent, many people would rather text than call because first off texting is cheaper. If a subscriber is on an unlimited text message plan, a message would usually cost from $0.01 to $0.25. Another reason is they would not want to be the cause of disruption. Conscientious people would not ignore a ringing phone. Imagine calling a surgeon in the middle of an operation just to confirm a golf game.

A cell phone is an essential communication device for a teenager. And texting is integral to their existence. Texting among teenagers are done even if they are in the same room, in a car or in a classroom. In a classroom, a cell phone on its silent mode is a secret way to pass answers and notes.

If the message is not too urgent and if the question asked does not need an immediate answer, cell phone users would send text messages rather than call. A recent research reported that there is a remarkable increase in text messaging and that cell phone subscribers preferred SMS rather than voice services.

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