Texting

Texing refers to using your mobile phone to send brief messages (up to 160 characters) to another mobile phone. All mobile phones today can send and receive text messages, although you may find it easier to send a text message on a smartphone or other phone with a full keyboard.

How to Text With Your Mobile Phone

For specific information regarding texting with your mobile device, please refer to the device’s manual.

Texting and Driving

Texting while driving is distracting and extremely dangerous. As of December 1, 2010, it is illegal to text while driving in the state of Wisconsin, and doing so could result in a fine of $20 to $400.

If you feel the need to carry on a text message conversation while driving, either hand your phone to a passenger, or pull over to a safe place and continue texting.

General Texting Etiquette

Follow these simple guidelines to ensure you get the most of your texting experiences:

• Keep text messages brief. If your message requires a lengthy text (or worse yet, multiple texts) consider placing a phone call instead.
• Turn the ringer off. If you’re planning on receiving a large number of texts in a public place, put your phone on vibrate.
• Be careful with tone and sarcasm. Say what you mean in your text message; with a short form of communication like texting there is no place for loose meaning that could be easily misinterpreted.
• Don’t use all caps. As with the Internet and email, use of all caps is viewed as shouting.

Common Texting Acronyms

Because text messages have a limited length, the use of acronyms in text messages is very common. Below are some of the more common acronyms you may see in text messages.

• LOL - Laughing Out Loud
• ROFL - Rolling On Floor Laughing
• JK - Just Kidding
• BRB - Be Right Back
• IMO - In My Opinion
• FWIW - For What It's Worth
• L8R - Later
• CU - See You (often combined with "L8R," as in "CU L8R")

Instant Messaging

Many mobile devices support the use of instant messaging on the device. Instant messaging is similar to text messaging, but instead of charging you for text messages out of your plan, instant messaging is charged as data from your plan.

There are many instant messaging platforms for your computer, such as AIM, ICQ and Yahoo!, which are also available on your mobile device through applications. While most instant messaging applications require you to be using the same service (such as AIM) as the people you are messaging with, some applications support multiple services.

How to Use Your Phone for Instant Messaging

Instant messaging is available for most smartphone devices through third party application downloads. On your BlackBerry®, try the Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger or AOL Instant Messenger applications. On your Android device, try Meebo (free) or IM+ (paid).

Benefits of Instant Messaging on Your Phone

If you already use an instant messaging service on your computer, using the same service on your phone allows you to stay in touch with your friends without creating and maintaining a separate contact list on your phone.

Instant Messaging vs. Texting

Instant messaging on your phone works a lot like text messaging with a couple of key differences:

• Instant messaging requires an application. Usually provided by third parties (see “How to Use Your Phone for Instant Messaging” above), these applications allow you to access the instant messaging service.
• Instant messaging usage does not count as text messages. Most mobile phone plans have a limited number of text messages per month. Instant messaging uses your data service to send and receive messages, and does not count against your text message quota.