text messaging - the pastime of morons: A QUESTION

[eupher61]

It varies from company to company. Sprint has a spot on line to self-block, but that means nothing for other companies. Call 'em.

[windshieldbug]

I took his phone and threw it in the pond.

Good thing the bass don't have thumbs.

"we nEd mOr flIs"

[The Jackson]

I honestly don't know any way to completely restrict texting, on-device or not. I'd suggest you call the phone company. They might have something to say.

I am also sick of seeing all the people at my school texting non-stop looking like morons. What's more is when kids text during a band class that they auditioned for. They had to audition just to get into the school! It burns me so badly. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and all of my school's bands are pretty damn weak.

And don't get on with chatspeak, geez...

[/rant]

[finnbogi]

Dang! I sure hope there's a way to block it. I'm tired of getting sale promotions from AT & T on mine.

Do you really get sale promotions in text messages? I would have thought that was illegal - it is in my country anyway.

I also share your feelings on text messaging. It's totally useless IMO.

I must disagree on that one. My choir uses these to book singers for church services, especially funerals (up to 10 a week), and it is very convenient. You just have to punch the text in once and can then send it to a number of people. After that it is just a question of managing the responses. I think of it as instant e-mail.

I do, however, lack the patience to use text messaging as a way of chatting. Ringing people up is faster, cheaper and prevents misunderstanding.

[Rick F]

I don't think you can block text messaging from the phone itself, but you should be able to by logging into your account with your service provider. I know that I can turn off text messaging with a click of the mouse.

Here's quote from my cell phone provider Virgin Mobile:

Can I disable text messaging on my phone so I don't have to pay for incoming messages?

Yes, you can disable text messaging on your phone. Click here to do it now. Keep in mind... if you disable text messaging, you will not be able to receive text messages on your phone. You will still receive Virgin Alert service messages from Virgin Mobile.

If you disable incoming text messages and then sign up for any text service from Virgin Mobile (like Joke of the Day) or from a third party other than Virgin Mobile, text messaging will not be automatically turned back on. That means you won't receive messages from Virgin Mobile or from that third party service until you switch text messaging back on by yourself.

I don't use text messaging myself... except to send myself important addresses, list of medications I'm taking (never can remember every single one with strength), and alergies. Text messages with Virgin Mobile are 5 cents apiece.

[justinbarleben]

Just call the company.
Some of my friends started texting me, and my parents have the same views as you. It took a 10-minute phone call to AT&T to completely block the reception and transmission of text messages. The phone will still say "Message Sent" if he tries to send one anyway, but the message won't actually get anywhere, nor will you be charged for it.

[Tubaing]

I think of it as instant e-mail.

Are you saying E-Mail is not instant.

[The Jackson]

I think of it as instant e-mail.

Are you saying E-Mail is not instant.

I lol'd.

[windshieldbug]

I don't have time for that kind of silliness.

How will the bass communicate with you in case of emergency!?

[finnbogi]

I think of it as instant e-mail.

Are you saying E-Mail is not instant.

Well, you can send e-mail instantly, but you won't get a reply until the recipient gets to a computer to check his e-mail, and some people only check once a day. Most people carry their mobile phones all day and answer promptly. Using text messages thus reduces the response time from hours (or days) to minutes.

[Wyvern]

I use texting with music friends of mine quite a lot to arrange pick-ups, rehearsals and gigs. It is useful to send to people who do not have regular access to email and do not want to be interrupted by a phone call (don't we all hate one of those in a rehearsal when we have forgotten to switch off our phone?).

Texting will no doubt eventually disappear when mobiles with email become the norm, but for the present are a useful alternative.

[Kevin Hendrick]

I think of it as instant e-mail.

Are you saying E-Mail is not instant.

Well, you can send e-mail instantly, but you won't get a reply until the recipient gets to a computer to check his e-mail, and some people only check once a day. Most people carry their mobile phones all day and answer promptly. Using text messages thus reduces the response time from hours (or days) to minutes.

There's another factor to consider -- the amount of time your email takes to make its way through the system, which can vary a lot -- I've had emails take anywhere from a few seconds to four days (!) to get to their destination (I'm guessing somebody was having server trouble somewhere along the chain on the four-day one ).

[Dan Schultz]

Joe, I may have figured it out. I went to the ATT website and logged in with my cell number to pull up my account. I then found the hotlink to manage my account. Text messaging for my account was set at pay per use. I removed it completely along with the multi media pay per use. Hopefully this stops all the text messaging.

I'll betcha it won't stop those annoying messages from your cellphone provider! Just wait until they sell your number to the tele-marketers... or those random dial thingies figure it out!

[Carroll]

Just wait until they sell your number to the tele-marketers...

https://www.donotcall.gov/

Works for land-line and mobile phones!

[Naptown Tuba]

I took his phone and threw it in the pond.

Good thing the bass don't have thumbs.

Great! Besides fishing at BLOKESTOCK 2008, we can also DIVE FOR SUNKEN TREASURE As far as texting, never done it and don't ever plan to. However, my college graduate (out on her own) daughter has never liked talking live on the phone with her friends and always prefers either e-mail, on-line chat, or texting. So, as long as it doesn't cost ME, she can do what she wants.

[Casey Tucker]

i use my texting quite often but i've found ways around annoying my peers and my parents (re: the bill). my personal plan through verizon allows free texting to anyone for an extra $5. keeps my bill low which is nice and i pay the extra $5 a month to keep my parents happy.
when i use texting i ask myself a couple questions: am i personally talking face-to-face with someone? am i in a rehearsal? am i in a crowded area? i try to give whoever i'm talking to my full attention so i don't text while engaged in conversation. i turn my phone off in rehearsal. period. it also upsets me when people do it during an ensemble rehearsal. and if i'm in a crowded area i prefer not to be on the phone. i tend to be a little "robust" in terms of volume while talking on the phone and it can bother people. also, i don't like people hearing my conversations and texting when i'm around a large group of people helps keep those eavesdroppers off my back. yes, texting isn't necessary but it's terribly convenient when used in the right situations and with good judgement.

-Casey

[Carroll]

Alright, I will admit it, I text. When my wife is in a meeting and I need to get her a message, but do not wish to disrupt her meeting, I will send a text message. Her silent alarm will signal her that she has a text and when it is convenient, she will read it. Then, if further action needs to be taken, she can take it. I have sent her messages that I have already picked up the kids when she was going to have to rearrange schedules to do so. I have sent her messages that one of the kids is sick and I cannot get away immediately, can she? I have sent her messages from the bus that was so noisy, conversation would have been difficult. I have sent her driving directions that would have been cumbersome to dictate and understand over the telephone. I do not have email access in my car..

All of these things could have been done with a telephone, but not as easily. All of these things could have been done with a letter... or even a telegraph or pony express rider. I choose to use the technology at hand, not to abuse it. I do not believe the problem lies with text messaging, but rather with those who choose to use it foolishly.

[Casey Tucker]

Bloke,
saying that it's worthless is you're opinion. just because you see no need for it doesn't mean no one else does. to your son, i'm sure, it's worth something. if he feels like he really needs it, make him pay for it. that way you don't have to throw his phone in the pond again. my parents did that and it works fine. on att.com they have unlimited text for $20/mo. or $240/yr extra. have him shell out $20/mo. and be done with it.

-Casey

[windshieldbug]

throw his phone in the pond again... my parents did that and it works fine

!?

[Casey Tucker]

windshield,
lol they made me pay for it. we don't have a pond.

Casey "who wishes he could TEXT while he fishes" Tucker