Text Message Service...?

[kenoloor]

For all of us that don't have internet on our phones and limited access to computers throughout the day, setting up something that sends a text alert to your phone would be really useful. I was thinking something along the lines of facebook texts if anyone gets those where it could notify you of responses to subscribed threads, or new PM's, etc

I don't have any idea how hard/easy this would be to add, but just thought I'd throw one more idea into the pool...

[Giles]

A text alert for what?
I'm going to get this is early... This site isn't facebook. It's a Help and advice site, not social networking.

[2D]

Jesus man, this is good idea, don't shoot everything down right away.


I would like that, I used it a lot when I had myspace.

I believe that getting a text message when you receive a PM would be useful.

[BlackBetty]

I think it would be useful but don't know if it would be possible.

Don't bash every suggestion that people have on here. Some are good and some are bad.

[woody92]

Its an OK-ish idea but I think that it would be realy hard to set up, and keep running, etc.. And it could slow the site down slower... But they could try it whats the harm in that? Nothing IMO

[Aηdy]

It would cost a lot of money to set up and run, not enough people would use it or need it to warrant the cost. If it's that hard then set-up emails on your phone.

[Kaius]

Depending on what email service you have, some have this set up. every time you get an email it texts you. Why not set vt to email when a threads updated, or your pmed etc. and the email alert will automatically be texted to your phone. This is just an alternative in case its not possible for it to happen via vt itself

[nick]

If I did that my phone would never stop bleeping ! Can see that it would be nice option to have though.

[Giles]

Ok, for Pm's.
I suppose it could work. But I don't see why it would matter. The thing is for posting, not Pming. So I don't see why you can't just wait to get onto Vt.
If it's possible though it's quite an idea.

[The Batman]

VT emails you whenever someone posts in a thread you're subscribed to or when someone pm's you. It could be possible if your cellphone can get emails so if you could probably change your vt email to your cell phone number then maybe it'll work. All cell phones are set up with an email address so this is like very possible. Let me know your cellphone provider and I'll tell you what your cell phone email would probably be.

[Gumleaf]

the idea isn't flawed and has merit to it. however setting up such a system is something i would think is beyond our means right now on a financial and practical basis.

[Ryhanna]

WOW!
It seems he automatic response to any suggestions on here is "this site isn't facebook!" (who called the obvious police?!)

Now, it's a SUGGESTION. It's not being FORCED upon you or anything, so maybe you could just chill and let the guy explain his idea.

Personally, I don't understand what it would be for... I mean, on facebook you get alerts when someone posts on your status. We don't have status' here so it wouldn't really be too helpful...

Plus it would be frustrating getting a lot of texts, or having to send a lot of texts (imagine your bill, especially if your a very social user.)

[The Joker]

I like the idea, but I figure it would cost a lot of money.

[Zero Beat]

^_- I could see this going ahead, and oh! Its only in the US :P (Or somewhere like that :P) It might be a good idea. ^_^ But I dont think it will ever happen.

[Antares]

I agree.
This isn't necessary at all.
This isn't facebook or myspace or twitter.
Its VT, forums for teen to teen advice.
You don't need text message alerts. Just log in when you get a chance.
But if the feature was instituted, I wouldn't have a problem with it

[unidanman]

Fantastic Idea... But wouldnt it be expensive? Possibly government funding?
Then again this site would already be government funded is it?

[Giles]

WOW!
It seems he automatic response to any suggestions on here is "this site isn't facebook!" (who called the obvious police?!)

Now, it's a SUGGESTION. It's not being FORCED upon you or anything, so maybe you could just chill and let the guy explain his idea.

Personally, I don't understand what it would be for... I mean, on facebook you get alerts when someone posts on your status. We don't have status' here so it wouldn't really be too helpful...

Plus it would be frustrating getting a lot of texts, or having to send a lot of texts (imagine your bill, especially if your a very social user.)

Not automatic, just most common.
The reason I said that was because placing this upon the site would create it even more live social networking sites, which it isn't.

[The Batman]

I don't think having txt notifications would make this like a social networking site. And like I said earlier it is possible but it would mean having EVERYTHING sent to your phone so it might be more of a hassle than anything.

[kenoloor]

I don't think having txt notifications would make this like a social networking site. And like I said earlier it is possible but it would mean having EVERYTHING sent to your phone so it might be more of a hassle than anything.

I did try that, and it worked, so that's pretty much satisfied me. Haha, I totally forgot/overlooked that as a possibility...

I still think that have a separate service specifically for text messages would be good, but if the idea gets shot down, I can imagine why. I wasn't sure how much extra it would cost, and I did overlook different obstacles. I was merely presenting this as a possibility, because, last time I checked, that's what this forum was for.

I apologize for any misunderstanding...

[SomeRandomDude]

It's a good suggestion but, the owners of this site didn't write the forum code, they just downloaded it so it would be hard to change it. One more thing is that, judging by them taking down the flash chat, their servers seem to be working pretty hard as it is. This service would increase the load even more, theatening to take the site write down off the internet. Lastly, it would be expensive. You would have to pay all the carriers to get the custom numbers and etc.

It's a good suggestion but probably won't work :/

[redcar]

Its a good suggestion. All suggestions are good.

But the question is is it a good idea for VT and its members? The answer I think is no. Now I am putting the logistics of it aside for a moment and looking at the idea itself. There are a lot of people who use VT an awful lot, who use the internet an awful and I think bringing VT further into the "real" world isnt a great idea. I think its very important to be able to step away from the computer and be able to enjoy the world around us. Keep VT on the computer and not on your phone.

[Giles]

Looking back on this suggestion and the posts afterwards, I've changed my opinion slightly.
If it could be changed for people to decide what was sent to your phone then I'd probably use it, if it was a fixed amount then I wouldn't bother... Even so, it's really unlikely it's going to happen; because of price, practicality etc..

[Maverick]

Its not really easily possible. Also, I don't think its a good idea to keep a database of a bunch of teenagers phone numbers. It would not be as secure as in the same scope of facebook or myspace.