Talk, Text or Twitter? What's Your Preference?
It was 20 years ago Monday that the first text or "SMS" was sent. It has come a long way since then and is the preferred method of telephone communication for many.
On Dec. 3, 1992, a 22-year-old British engineer, Neil Papworth, sent the first-ever SMS -- Short Messaging Service -- according to ABC News Radio. Little did he know that his invention would change the world of communication - and the written English language - OMG Who'd hv thought, LOL.
Papworth's message, sent from his computer to a friend’s Orbitel 901 mobile phone read, “Merry Christmas.” That one little SMS became known as a text and to date billions of them have been sent aound the world. On its 20th anniversary, however, ABC News Radio reports that texting, or SMS, usage is declining worldwide and is likely to continue to do as more people buy smartphones and Twitter continues to grow in popularity, even for one on one conversations.
The strength of text, however, was witnessed recently in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy when a series of Public Service Announcements focused on preparedness, urging "Text first, Talk Second." Text safety shorthand developed by Safe America suggested that parents can initiate the drill by sending all their children the message ‘R U OK’ (7865). The person receiving the text message replies with the short ‘I M OK’(4665). The short texts can sometimes get through when phone lines can't because of busy circuits.
So what is your preferred method of communication, talk or text? Or, as ABC News Radio suggests, is text too on its way out for you?
David Binder
8:53 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Personally I prefer texting for short messages. It's a fast & easy way to communicate when an actual phone conversation isn't possible. It doesn't have to be as impersonal as some may think. With smart phones getting smarter, more new apps coming about, communication has never been easier. I have a Twitter account but rarely log on. I guess I've just never really caught on to it. Now Facebook, that's a different story. LOL ! I enjoy being able to keep in touch with family & friends, share pics & stories, & even chat online. Technology has come so far in the last 20 years. I can't imagine what we'll see in the next 20.
Crystal Huskey
9:36 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I use Twitter but don't like it for personal use. I text all the time.
Arthur
11:21 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
E-mail is the way to go. Who needs to be in constant communication with family and friends? Drop them a line on e-mail now and then. Text is worthless for business purposes. Twitter is more than worthless since it is limited in length. Been using e-mail for 25 years. It is light years better than these three modalities.
Deanna Allen
11:37 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I'm very much a texter. But I've been trying to make an effort to actually talk to people over the phone. Texting is easier but so impersonal. And no one I'm close to uses Twitter. Facebook is my preferred social media platform, but I've just taken a break from it. It's a challenge I've created for myself — instead of posting multiple times a day to Facebook I have to do something else with my time. Working from home, Facebook was my means of communicating with the outside world, albeit limitedly. Now I have to find other ways. Like phone conversations. Yay.
Sherry burton
1:54 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
I text or talk. Depends on the importance or length of the conversation piece.
linda
5:02 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012
I am a texter. I love facebook also
linda
5:03 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012
I am a texter