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<p>Kluge, I share a family plan with my younger sister. Not only does she uses most of our shared minutes, but would love shared text messages. Her 2500 text allowance has never been enough, even after the free IN messages. The last 3-4 days of the billing cycles are major withdrawals days for her as she has to let all the incoming text messages remain unanswered. Or scramble to find the money to pay the substantial overcharges, which she seems to prefer to do. :)</p>
<p>wow
I thought I was indulgent because I allowed D to have 250 messages a month!
LOL</p>
<p>I guess I better get with the program!
<a href=“http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/22/MNGMTLANK71.DTL[/url]”>http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/22/MNGMTLANK71.DTL</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14576541/[/url]”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14576541/</a></p>
<p>Actually, I think text messages are soon to be a thing of the past.</p>
<p>When my daughter lost her cell phone and went to replace it last month, she was encouraged to upgrade to a high-speed internet capable phone. She can no longer get the 1000 pre-paid text message plan – instead, she had to opt for the 400 text message + unlimited email plan - so now she sends & receives email from the phone. So I figure within a couple of years, the email-capable phones will pretty much have replaced texting.</p>
<p>Enter the ignorant :rolleyes:…</p>
<p>But isn’t texting instantaneous and email a bit slower? And shows up in your inbox amidst all the other stuff and nonsense?</p>
<p>The kids text because they can pick it up even when they’re in class…or sleeping…or studying…or in a place where it’s supposed to be quiet (ie the library)…</p>
<p>I don’t like it! (The fact that I can’t figure out how to Send a text message has Nothing to do with it.)</p>
<p>I don’t use text messaging much at all, maybe about 20 a month at the most. I think it is pointless, unless you really need to talk to someone during class or something. If you really want to have conversations then call the person or go on AIM.</p>
<p>This Luddite got with it about 6 months ago and became text proficient. Weenie, I can talk you through it. Not too hard. Or ask any 12 year old for assistance.</p>
<p>I teach at a middle school, and yesterday at a parent-teacher conference the mom told us that she took daughter’s cell phone away because there were a little over 5,000 text messages in 1 billing cycle last summer while she was away at camp. It was like a $600 bill! I don’t know if she was exaggerating, but when I questioned the student later she said it was true. Said, “I don’t know why my mom keeps telling everyone about that!”</p>
<p>OMG^^^. I just called my D. and fussed because she went over limit–$26–told her that I would expect the amount back from her.</p>
<p>jmmom – sending & receiving email from an internet enabled phone would be as fast as texting – either way it’s a message transmitted electronically. The issue is whether the other cell phones are similarly equipped.</p>
<p>Since my d. upgraded to the internet-phone, the reception and quality of her calls to me has increased radically. My d. explained that the new phones primarily use the internet connection for voice calls, and only revert to the cellular network if an internet connection is not available. So basically, she’s happy with the new service. </p>
<p>The advantage of using email is that it can also be retrieved/saved via any internet connection. Maybe high school kids who are using it to chat in the classroom might still prefer the texting, but I think my d’s texting has more substance these days. Anyway, I just checked the bill, and she definitely is making use of that email function. (Since the email/internet is unlimited use, she also knows she doesn’t need to worry about any nasty calls from me after the bill arrives).</p>
<p>Since I pay the bill; I get to dictate what options. W likes to hear his voice. Did you know that Toronto (60 miles by road to USA, and across the Lake to Buffalo, is not within the United States calling plan. It’s International. However you can get an America Calling Plan. … We went Skype to his cell phone for which incoming calls are not charged.</p>
<p>We’ve come to like being able to text our kids. We send our daughter reminders when she’s in school about things she needs to get signed, pick up, or whatever; when she’s out with her friends it’s useful to tell her to COME HOME NOW! even if she doesn’t answer her phone. And in circumstances where she’d be mortified to be caught talking to her mother on the phone, she can still surreptitiously get our messages and respond to them without anyone knowing.</p>
<p>I’m more likely to IM my boys at college. They’re on their computers a lot so I can just drop them a line about whatever and we’ll have a typical, “guy conversation” of 1 or 2 Q & A’s.</p>
<p>I too have been dragged into the age of text messaging. It is nice to be able to send a quick note to S. while he is in library studying with no need for him to leave bld. to give me a answer. Also, with other children I feel I can send a text with less disruption to their day and they can get back whenever. It’s also nice for those “Don’t forget…reminders”.</p>
<p>So far, we’ve resisted buying unlimited texting for $10. The kids have been pretty good about keeping to hardly any photos or text messages–fewer than 5 apiece since August. S only makes 1-2 minute voice calls & D hardly uses her phone at all. Hubby has been trying to use up the minutes on his pre-paid phones but it’s tough because he can’t bring them into his office building–company rules.
My S mainly uses his cell phone to coordinate with his buddies about where they’re meeting & if they’ve arrived, etc., I think. I asked the kids about buying the text package & they said, “Why?”</p>
<p>I’ve had 50 year olds say I’m “obsolete” because I refuse to text.</p>
<p>Here’s my school of thought. It’s a PHONE. You use it to TALK.
If I want to use text, I’ll use the computer or a piece of paper.</p>
<p>I rarely even use my cell phone. Mostly just for tech support, and even then I typically don’t answer it unless I’m in private somewhere (at home, in a PARKED car, in an elevator, etc.)</p>