Power Kite Forum

Mass Text program/website?

flyboy15 - 23-8-2010 at 12:06 PM

Hey guys, we're kicking off the new year and trying to implement a new way to short-notice text people of impromptu sessions, etc.

I was hoping for something that can send about 50 texts to a saved group. Ideally it could be accessed by anyone in the club so they can tell people when they go, but its not a requirement.

Let me know what you guys think of, doing all of them on my old phone right now is becoming a pita pretty quick.

Thanks!!!!

Matt

indigo_wolf - 23-8-2010 at 12:29 PM

Tweet, Tweet, Twitter ? ;)



ATB,
Sam

Midgaar - 26-8-2010 at 08:16 AM

On my phone I can send group text messages, iPhone. My mother can do the same from her phone, not sure what model phone but it's not a smart phone.

There's always e-mail, I know outlook lets you create groups and most webmail will let you have multiple recipients.

Maven454 - 26-8-2010 at 08:36 AM

I've got to agree with Wolf. Use twitter. Have everyone get an account, use a tag (say #UNDMEET or #UNDKITE) when tweeting about a meet. Then people who want to know about the meet ups just have to track that tag.

arkay - 26-8-2010 at 08:38 AM

Typically cell providers give you and email address that txts your phone, like 6669997878@mobile.ATT.com so just have a listserv at google or yahoo groups.

oldtdevil - 26-8-2010 at 11:34 AM

Consider different regional lists - maybe by timezone.

Maven454 - 26-8-2010 at 11:51 AM

Given that the messages would be for "impromptu sessions", I don't think they're worried about people in different time zones. I suspect they're after something easy that doesn't require management.

stetson05 - 26-8-2010 at 02:39 PM

I signed up for twitter today to try the idea. I think it will work if people dont mind signing up. I only have about 10 people to message but rarely does anyone show

Maven454 - 26-8-2010 at 02:56 PM

As stated above, I'd recommend using a tag to get the info around. That way everyone doesn't have to follow everyone else and anyone who actually uses twitter for other purposes isn't broadcasting needless tweets to all the other members.

kingsofa - 26-8-2010 at 09:57 PM

I pretty much just made an account to be witty about this post =) http://yourworldoftext.com/PowerKiteForum problem super solved

lives2fly - 27-8-2010 at 03:55 AM

My local Kayak club uses facebook very succesfully to publicise tirps, training sessions etc

Obviously you can invites to members for more organised stuff but members can also sign up for text alerts so they get notified when people post new stuff.

It kinda got ruined when the club comittee got worried about them being held responsible for any accidents etc that happened on trips organised through the facebook group and we have to put a disclaimer on now which is a bit gay but it works for a low impact low cost way to let people know what you are doing

flyboy15 - 10-9-2010 at 12:29 PM

Hey guys thanks for all the advice. The conversion is on its way to.........

TWITTER!

We use facebook for our major event messages and wind forecast alerts, but we now use twitter as a simple outgoing-only text service. I made some simple directions to get everyone an account and to subscribe to only UND Snowkite for text alerts of updates. Now I can simply text the page, and the text gets relayed to all following.

Its perfect for my needs, Instant short notice alerts of GO-TIME session announcements. Everyone seems pretty happy. Most were skeptical that this would be a huge bog down but we made sure to keep it simple and annoyance free.

Week two and working great

indigo_wolf - 10-9-2010 at 12:41 PM

Better kiting through geekiness. :thumbup: :thumbup:

;)

Glad it's working well for you.


ATB,
Sam