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An independent newsletter for mobile phone users
Editors Note...
In this (the second) issue of Edz, we turn our attention to sending SMS messages using the 'net. If you missed our first issue (ringtone site review), click here to read
an online version.
Editor
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I seek you on your Mobile
Using ICQ to send SMS messages
You can send SMS's to mobile phones from several internet sites, such as mtnsms.com. Another option is to use ICQ:
ICQ ( "I seek you") is the world leading "instant messaging" software with over 100 million users. Instant messaging (chat) software allows you to communicate online to any other connected user.
It's the same idea as using a telephone, but instead of talking, you write messages.
What you may not know is that it is also possible to send SMS messages to mobile phones using ICQ. This offers some advantages over the online SMS sites:
You are notified that the SMS was successfully sent.
Having an address book that is on your computer (rather than out there on 'net) speeds up the whole process of sending.
If you're already an ICQ user (and 100 million people are!), then you can use a familiar program interface
You can remove the "meaningless extra text" that often gets added into your SMS's by the service provider.
To send an SMS using ICQ, proceed as follows:
From the site, look under "Free ICQ Software" down the left side, and download the free software (currently on version ICQ2000b) if you don't already have it. The download is a large 5Mb, but there are many mirror sites, so look for a download site in your own country if possible)
After installing the software, and depending on the options you chose, you run ICQ by clicking on the flower icon at the bottom right, or using the Start menu of Windows.
When the main ICQ Panel opens (the small screen with your ICQ number at the top), you need to select "Enhanced SMS " at the top, choose "Click here to Send SMS now" and enter your intended recipient's details. After you've sent the SMS, you will be prompted to add the recipient to your address book.
I found ICQ's handling of the address book, and all the pop-up windows somewhat confusing. I expected to find an "Add Entry to Address Book" option, but there isn't one.
An alternative method is to add a "non-ICQ" contact before you attempt to send an SMS:
Click on the ICQ button at the bottom left of the ICQ panel.
From the menu that appears, click on "Add / Invite User" , "Add Non ICQ contact" window and follow the prompts.
A useful trick:
If you receive an SMS sent from ICQ to your phone, you can save the reply phone number in your addressbook. When you send an SMS to this number it will appear on the recipient's ICQ. Neat!
The Editor.
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