Texting: A Question

[Donger]

Why do people text? You've got a cellular phone. It's capable of full-duplex voice communication. Why go through the arduous task of typing in characters?

[DaFace]

Why do people e-mail?

[Donger]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Why do people e-mail?

That's a good point. However, most people don't realize (or don't know) that you can use a PC to make a phone/voice call.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Donger

That's a good point. However, most people don't realize (or don't know) that you can use a PC to make a phone/voice call.

True. I guess that my point is that texting is halfway between a phone call and an e-mail.

Phone call:
Efficient communication
Somewhat intrusive

E-mail:
Moderately efficient communication
Very unobtrusive

Texting:
Very inefficient communication
Somewhat unintrusive

[Donger]

Originally Posted by DaFace

True. I guess that my point is that texting is halfway between a phone call and an e-mail.

Phone call:
Efficient communication
Somewhat intrusive

E-mail:
Moderately efficient communication
Very unobtrusive

Texting:
Very inefficient communication
Somewhat unintrusive

I see your point, to a point, but verbal communication is far more efficient than typed, at least for me. However, considering how loquacious my wife is, perhaps texting would be more efficient.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Donger

I see your point, to a point, but verbal communication is far more efficient than typed, at least for me. However, considering how loquacious my wife is, perhaps texting would be more efficient.

Oh, no argument there. I think people like the fact that it's a semi-instant form of communication, but won't bug people if they're busy.

That, or perhaps we've gotten to a point in society that we'd rather communicate in text than have to deal with someone in real-time.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by Donger

I see your point, to a point, but verbal communication is far more efficient than typed, at least for me. However, considering how loquacious my wife is, perhaps texting would be more efficient.

Texting is useful if you're in a loud place (ie. restaurant, bar, concert, etc.) where it's difficult to hear/speak on a phone. As others said, it's good when you want to exchange info without having a conversation. For example, "are you on the way?" Also, it's useful if you want to get info from multiple people all at once. You can send a text out to a group of people asking "anything going on tonight?" if you're looking to go out.

[EyePod]

Originally Posted by DaFace

True. I guess that my point is that texting is halfway between a phone call and an e-mail.

Phone call:
Efficient communication
Somewhat intrusive

E-mail:
Moderately efficient communication
Very unobtrusive

Texting:
Very inefficient communication
Somewhat unintrusive

I also don't have texting, but there's been times I wish I did. Like while in class or somewhere where I shouldn't be answering a phone...a text could let me know where I'm supposed to meet my GF after class instead of having to call her after and realize I'm walking in the complete opposite direction from where I need to be.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Why do people e-mail?

Email is for when you don't need immediate communication.

[beavis]

I used to be really annoyed by texting, before I figured out it had a serious advantage over placing calls: the ability to tell someone something without having to engage in a full conversation.

[wutamess]

Originally Posted by beavis

the ability to tell someone something without having to engage in a full conversation.

This.

My sisters and I constantly talk about the people that call you right after you text them. The point is, I didn't want to talk to your ass so why are you calling? Texting'll do.

[lazepoo]

Originally Posted by beavis

I used to be really annoyed by texting, before I figured out it had a serious advantage over placing calls: the ability to tell someone something without having to engage in a full conversation.

This.

It sucks trying to call someone and say something quickly and getting roped into a conversation. Also, people can respond at their leisure, especially if they're working, etc. It's good for sending out mass messages without having to call someone to announce news, ie baby announcements, engagements, parties and whatnot. I would still rather call someone in most situations, but texting has its place.

What is ludicrous is that the phone company acts like transmitting a few words of text is a huge draw on their resources. It's not 1986 on my 286 computer with 2800 baud modem... it makes me mad that they charge, but since most of my friends and family text, I had to give them more money for a texting package.

[ArrowheadHawk]

Texting = free. Call's not so much.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by ArrowheadHawk

Texting = free. Call's not so much.

What? Texting isn't free.

[Otter]

You're married Donger. When you're single things like these still work:

sry gonna be late
have to cancel tonight - call u tomm
is ur friend hot?
im already drunk

Trying doing that with a phone call with such a clean break.