The first text message (Short Message Service/ SMS) was sent on the 3rd December 1992 by the boss of VodafoneUK, Neil Papworth, which was sent to all his employees wishing a Merry Christmas. This single message changed the way the world communicates in the modern world today. Every mobile phone can now send texts to other mobile phones and sometimes even home phones (which are read by a A.I. robot over an answer phone message). Each SMS message is limited to 140 characters, so the user may have to use acronymns if they wish to insert a long message, this language is known as "textese" and has caused much debate that it may be harming young children's ability to learn standard english. An example of a common acronym would be: LOL- laughing out loud, or gr8 - great. SMS eventually developed the idea of MMS (MultiMedia Messages) where users can send images as if they were a text. This is an easy way to share photos with friends and family, however it cost considerably more than a standard SMS message (around 5 times more).
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| The screen showed on a mobile phone when a message is recieved. |
- SMS messages are more discreet than a phone conversation as the voice cannot be overheard by someone else, therefore it is better to send private or secret information.
- It is less time consuming as a phone conversation, in the time it takes to call someone and for them to answer their phone, a text message could be sent.
- It is a better method of communication for people who are deaf or unable to speak.
- If a message is sent and the user's phone is off, the message will be stored in a network database and sent as soon as a signal is recieved for that phone.
- Several contacts can be sent the same message, saving time and effort and increasing efficiency.
- Some companies, can send reminders or notifications to their customers. This includes: banks (e.g. Lloyds TSB - send notifications to users if they are running low on money, or wish to know their bank balance), medical centres (e.g. Bupa - remind patients when their appointments are) and phone networks (send reminders on credit balance).
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| Lloyds TSB - Sending a text when your card is used abroad. |
Disadvantages
- You have to pay to send an SMS message, either by contract (a set amount of money for a set amount of texts, calls and internet usage a month) or on "Pay As You Go" where you top-up when your credit runs out, each text costs roughly 10 pence.
- You cannot send any video/music attatchment.
- It is difficult for visually impared people to use.
- Some people become victims of spam text - this is where companies can send advertisement texts straight to your mobile phone.
- The time it takes to send the message can vary due to "traffic". This is particularly common during a busy time (like christmas or new years eve) where it can take 10 to 20 minutes to recieve a text, this can be a danger when an emergency text needs to be sent.
- It can cause a distraction when driving. In the US, from 2001-to2007, text messaging alone caused 16,000 deaths. Some mobile phones are now being developed so that the user cannot send texts when driving a car, this works through a GPS signal that works out if you are travelling at a high/dangerous speed to text.
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| A fatal car crash caused by the distraction of text messaging at the wheel. |
Bibliography
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_was_the_first_sms_sent
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS
http://communication.howstuffworks.com/sms1.htm
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