We all know how to make a phone call on a mobile phone. It is always the same, enter the 10 digits; hit send. How many of us know how to send a short message? It's a standard on all phones and has been since the digital network was launched. People use it overseas all the time, everywhere around the world they are txting to the tune of billions of messages a day.
Have you learned? It's not hard, but there are a few things you should know or you'll end up getting frustrated with it.
These are the concepts no-one ever told you.
KEYPAD MODES
There are always 2 letter entry modes for your phone. You only have the 12 buttons on the keypad to enter a message so they've made it easier to enter a message.
- Tap-Mode - This is when you tap the letter the number of times that it corresponds to the letter on the button. So if you wanted the letter "C" you would tap -2- three times.
- Predictive - This is when you press the buttons in order of the letter in the word. The phone will predict the word you need and provide you options. So you would tap 7-2-7-3-7-5-3-7-7 to spell the word PAPERLESS.
You will see a little icon usually on the top left hand corner of your screen with abc, Abc, ABC, 123 with lines above and below and other symbols. This signifies the mode you are in.
Here's a quick idea of what they mean.
- abc - Means you can enter the letters as lowercase
- Abc - Means you can enter the letters and it will start each sentence with a capital.
- ABC - Means you can type in all capital letters (Like Caps-Lock on your computer)
- 123 - Means you can enter numbers corresponding to your keypad
SPECIAL KEYS
There are three buttons on the keypad that don't have letters associated with them. These are special buttons that provide you with special characters and modes. Think of them like the "CTRL" or "Shift" buttons on your keyboard
- The " 1 " button will give you special characters like periods, commas and "@" symbols. You just have to tap through them. If you miss it will always come around again. Be patient, it gets much easier with practice.
- The " 0 " Button usually provides you with a space like the spacebar on your keyboard
- The " * " and the "#" Buttons provide you with a way to switch between Tap and Predictive entry modes and usually a symbol gallery, an alternative to using the "1" Button.
Here is a step-by-step Demo on
how to Request Paperless Paper
by sending a text message from your mobile phone |
- Create a new Text Message
- In the body enter the word "GO" a space and your email address
- When it asks for a phone number enter 51051
- HIT SEND (Surprisingly, most people forget this step)
- Your phone should confirm that the text message was sent.
- You will receive a Paperless Receipt that your request was received and the email has been sent.
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For PDA owners, you should read your manual. And for RIM users, a text message is not the same as a PIN message. It is completely different. Look for Compose SMS.
Each phone is different and we recommend that you read the manual for your phone. The only way we can maximize the technology around us is if we are educated about what these tools can do for us. Technologists have been huddled for years designing innovative technology that can do more than one thing we just need to learn how to take advantage.
It's time we leverage our technology for a better world, we all need to spend time to gain more knowledge for the betterment of humanity.
Learn how to text message and you will be one step closer to living a completely paperless lifestyle. And if you share the knowledge forward, you will be helping someone else get one step closer.