SMS, yes! Do we have a problem?

I use sms all the time. Actually, most of the time, I would rather send a text message than call someone.

Some people say it's an ineffective way to communicate and depending on the circumstance, it would be more expensive than actually calling. Well... Yes; maybe. As I said, ‘depending’ on the circumstances.

You see, SMSs are discreet (unless of course you have Wagner's ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ set as a ring tone!); in a meeting it would not be appropriate to answer a call and disrupt the work being done but one single beep can be forgiven and it won't take the recipient much time to check what's going on. They are also unintrusive, giving the recipient the choice to reply immediately or at his/her own convenience.

Its limited size somewhat forces you to organize your thoughts before you hit the send button; you usually strive to convey as much information as needed while remaining concise. Fine, you could argue that can also be achieved with a phone call but it's still not the same. Here's an example:

- Hello, mate. How are ya?
- Yo, my man! I'm cool. Howdy?
- Chilling, man... Just chilling. Listen up. The boys and I are going to watch the game at Fred's house next Monday. Why don't you show up?
- Next Monday... Hmmm... I am not sure, dude. It will depend on my girl being in town. You know she's been traveling and stuff.
- Not an issue, brotha! Bring the girl along if you want. Fred's wife will be there.
- Ok. That could work, then. But I will check and let you know.
- Sure, dude. No probs. Talk to you on Sunday. See ya.
- See ya, bro.
- Hey, wait, wait, wait... I forgot to mention. Bring some beers, eh? We're all bringing some stuff to munch and drink.
- Sure thing. Will do. Bye.
- Bye.

Now, that is not a very long call, right? Maybe it would take a minute? A minute and a half? But if the fellow is on a meeting or doing whatever-it-is-the-fellow-does-when-he-cannot-answer such call, it would be like this:

- Hello, mate. How are ya?
- Bro, sorry but I can't talk right now.
- No, it's ok. It's pretty quick. The boys and I are going to watch...
- Mate, let me call you back. I'm in a meeting right now.
- Ok. It's about the game on Monday.
- I'll call you back.
- Ok. Bye.
- Bye.

Faster, sure. But you just put the guy in an uncomfortable situation. Maybe his boss is looking funny at him right now. Maybe his customer is upset his attention is not on what's being discussed even if there is nothing much going on other than Jill babbling about next years plans for refurnishing the office or whatever.

Let's try with an SMS, shall we?

‘The gang & I will watch the game at Fred's. Monday, 7pm. Bring beer. It's OK to bring your girl. Cheers.’

Fast, easy, succinct. Provides all the information needed and give him the choice to reply with a simple "OK" or call later for details. I guess you get the point.

And now, with Twitter, a whole bunch of nice cool web apps is using SMS in a very professional and creative way. Myself, I found Xpenser and started being able to reimburse all those small expenses I never remember to submit because a receipt is not provided and I can't remember the amount. It's a beautiful solution and it's free! I get out of the taxi, I SMS Xpenser. I pay lunch to my team. I get the receipt and SMS Xpenser. Sent money to my kid? SMS his mom and Xpenser. It works! End of the month, I just login to the site, export my expenses and submit!

I have been working like a horse. Do people notice? Perhaps yes, maybe no. Do I remember? Gee, I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday, do you really think I will remember how many hours I worked lat month? In comes Keeptempo. One sms when I get to the office. One when I leave. And... That's it! I know exactly what I have been doing.

Meeting tomorrow? Hold on, I will SMS 30 Boxes. Or my Google Calendar!

I like SMS. I would rather SMS than call. And you can SMS me any time. I do not have Wagner's ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ set as a ring tone!