Hey guys. Been off pkf for a while, but I'm back!

I just set up a text message group called txkite on http://swaggle.mobi. txkite is for central Texas kiters to share local spot conditions and meetup requests.

Basically, I'm tired of the unreliable data I'm getting from wind forecasts and weather stations!

I'd really like to have everyone who's flying a power kite in central Texas send out a quick txt from their cell phone describing where they're at, the wind speed (measured or guestimated) the wind direction, and maybe what kite they're putting up. All you need to do is join my group txkite on swaggle. The service is cost-free and spam-free. Its basically a txt message chat room for kiting conditions and meetup requests.

If we can get enough people using this, we will always know where our fellow kiters are and what the conditions are like at that spot!

To join txkite, just follow this link

For more information on the service and how to use text groups, go to http://www.swaggle.mobi.

THANKS!

If you have any questions or concerns, just reply to this thread. I'll try to respond as soon as I can.

Please also report back in this thread once you've signed up. It would be good to know your real name, your group user name, and where you're from.

BTW, This is Gem from Austin. For those of you who don't know me, I'm the guy with no skills who is constantly having problems with his kite!

ps: if this idea sounds familiar, its because I adapted the Twitter for Kiters idea to use pure text instead of going through a social network.

Count me in. I will be primarily be trying to ride at canyon lake...I will be the other guy cussing his gear!!

I'm in as well. I'll tell the other locals about this. Thanks for setting this up, Gem

Good to have you guys! I'm really excited about this! I'll be posting about txkite on centexkiteboarding as soon as I get my account details straightened out there.

For the benefit of the group, I'd like to introduce just a few ground rules:

1. Limit your group-wide texts to brief meet-up requests or kiting condition reports.
   
2. Don't post specific wind speeds that you did not directly observe.
   
3. Don't send group texts after 9pm.
   
4. Do mention which kite (and size) you're putting up. That way you'll be easier to find.
   
5. Feel free to invite other local kiters. You can do it right from your phone!
   

Here are some useful text commands for managing the service.

count me in and i havent even finished reading yet