Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
This group always has great suggestions for my odd requirements, so here I go again;-) My two club softball teams are going to out of town for nationals at the end of June (~26 families). (We might even make ESPN...) We need a way to send messages to each other, and as a group. Up to this point, I have been running a private group email list that everyone can use to send and receive emails for the group. But not everyone has Internet or email on their phone, so the group email list is not the best option for everyone. My android phone can send a text message to a group, so I can handle the issue of schedule changes. But, not everyone's phone on the two teams can send a group text, which makes those impromptu 'team lunch' difficult for someone in the group to schedule, unless I become the group sms operator, which is **not** something I want to do! I am wondering if there is some open source technology that can help us My requirements 1. Send sms to a whole group, part of a group, or individually 2. Work on low end cell phones - ie no Internet plan or email 3. Does not require a lot of setup, either for me or for each person going. The people on the trip are not techies, but parents of 11-15 year old softball players (and the players as well). 4. Free, or really low cost as I only need it for ~10 days. I have a Debian server on Linode for our web site, so I could add some more software I thought of these ideas: 1. pass out a cell phone list to everyone. That solves individual sms messages, but not group/sub group messaging for those who don't have that on their phone 2. twitter - maybe a private group? I have not used twitter before, but I will have challenges getting everyone to sign up for an account. 3. some other sms micro-blog app on my own server? 4. Face to face communication.how old fashion! 5. Phone trees..from my experience, only works in an emergency. I am focused on sms only because it seems to be available to every player and parent on the trip. I am open to any other suggestions y'all may have! Thanks, Mark --- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
http://belugapods.com/ While they showcase the iOS and Android apps, works fine with just a text messaging phone too. Alan On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 12:32 PM, Mark Phillips wrote: > This group always has great suggestions for my odd requirements, so here I > go again;-) > > My two club softball teams are going to out of town for nationals at the end > of June (~26 families). (We might even make ESPN...) We need a way to send > messages to each other, and as a group. Up to this point, I have been > running a private group email list that everyone can use to send and receive > emails for the group. But not everyone has Internet or email on their phone, > so the group email list is not the best option for everyone. My android > phone can send a text message to a group, so I can handle the issue of > schedule changes. But, not everyone's phone on the two teams can send a > group text, which makes those impromptu 'team lunch' difficult for someone > in the group to schedule, unless I become the group sms operator, which is > **not** something I want to do! I am wondering if there is some open source > technology that can help us > > My requirements > 1. Send sms to a whole group, part of a group, or individually > 2. Work on low end cell phones - ie no Internet plan or email > 3. Does not require a lot of setup, either for me or for each person going. > The people on the trip are not techies, but parents of 11-15 year old > softball players (and the players as well). > 4. Free, or really low cost as I only need it for ~10 days. > > I have a Debian server on Linode for our web site, so I could add some more > software > > I thought of these ideas: > 1. pass out a cell phone list to everyone. That solves individual sms > messages, but not group/sub group messaging for those who don't have that on > their phone > 2. twitter - maybe a private group? I have not used twitter before, but I > will have challenges getting everyone to sign up for an account. > 3. some other sms micro-blog app on my own server? > 4. Face to face communication.how old fashion! > 5. Phone trees..from my experience, only works in an emergency. > > I am focused on sms only because it seems to be available to every player > and parent on the trip. I am open to any other suggestions y'all may have! > > Thanks, > > Mark > > --- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > --- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
Most (all?) have email to sms gateways. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/email-to-sms/ http://sms411.net/how-to-send-email-to-a-phone/ You should be able to use any sort of email list software to send a message to list members' SMS addresses. I'm not sure about sending from SMS to email though. -- -Eric 'shubes' On 06/05/2011 12:32 PM, Mark Phillips wrote: This group always has great suggestions for my odd requirements, so here I go again;-) My two club softball teams are going to out of town for nationals at the end of June (~26 families). (We might even make ESPN...) We need a way to send messages to each other, and as a group. Up to this point, I have been running a private group email list that everyone can use to send and receive emails for the group. But not everyone has Internet or email on their phone, so the group email list is not the best option for everyone. My android phone can send a text message to a group, so I can handle the issue of schedule changes. But, not everyone's phone on the two teams can send a group text, which makes those impromptu 'team lunch' difficult for someone in the group to schedule, unless I become the group sms operator, which is **not** something I want to do! I am wondering if there is some open source technology that can help us My requirements 1. Send sms to a whole group, part of a group, or individually 2. Work on low end cell phones - ie no Internet plan or email 3. Does not require a lot of setup, either for me or for each person going. The people on the trip are not techies, but parents of 11-15 year old softball players (and the players as well). 4. Free, or really low cost as I only need it for ~10 days. I have a Debian server on Linode for our web site, so I could add some more software I thought of these ideas: 1. pass out a cell phone list to everyone. That solves individual sms messages, but not group/sub group messaging for those who don't have that on their phone 2. twitter - maybe a private group? I have not used twitter before, but I will have challenges getting everyone to sign up for an account. 3. some other sms micro-blog app on my own server? 4. Face to face communication.how old fashion! 5. Phone trees..from my experience, only works in an emergency. I am focused on sms only because it seems to be available to every player and parent on the trip. I am open to any other suggestions y'all may have! Thanks, Mark --- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
Eric, You are correct, I can send am email to sms. The problem is enabling everyone in the group, with only SMS on the phone, to send messages to everyone else, or a sub group, using just sms. Mark On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 1:02 PM, Eric Shubert wrote: > Most (all?) have email to sms gateways. > http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/email-to-sms/ > http://sms411.net/how-to-send-email-to-a-phone/ > You should be able to use any sort of email list software to send a message > to list members' SMS addresses. > > I'm not sure about sending from SMS to email though. > > -- > -Eric 'shubes' > > > On 06/05/2011 12:32 PM, Mark Phillips wrote: > >> This group always has great suggestions for my odd requirements, so here >> I go again;-) >> >> My two club softball teams are going to out of town for nationals at the >> end of June (~26 families). (We might even make ESPN...) We need a way >> to send messages to each other, and as a group. Up to this point, I have >> been running a private group email list that everyone can use to send >> and receive emails for the group. But not everyone has Internet or email >> on their phone, so the group email list is not the best option for >> everyone. My android phone can send a text message to a group, so I can >> handle the issue of schedule changes. But, not everyone's phone on the >> two teams can send a group text, which makes those impromptu 'team >> lunch' difficult for someone in the group to schedule, unless I become >> the group sms operator, which is **not** something I want to do! I am >> wondering if there is some open source technology that can help us >> >> My requirements >> 1. Send sms to a whole group, part of a group, or individually >> 2. Work on low end cell phones - ie no Internet plan or email >> 3. Does not require a lot of setup, either for me or for each person >> going. The people on the trip are not techies, but parents of 11-15 year >> old softball players (and the players as well). >> 4. Free, or really low cost as I only need it for ~10 days. >> >> I have a Debian server on Linode for our web site, so I could add some >> more software >> >> I thought of these ideas: >> 1. pass out a cell phone list to everyone. That solves individual sms >> messages, but not group/sub group messaging for those who don't have >> that on their phone >> 2. twitter - maybe a private group? I have not used twitter before, but >> I will have challenges getting everyone to sign up for an account. >> 3. some other sms micro-blog app on my own server? >> 4. Face to face communication.how old fashion! >> 5. Phone trees..from my experience, only works in an emergency. >> >> I am focused on sms only because it seems to be available to every >> player and parent on the trip. I am open to any other suggestions y'all >> may have! >> >> Thanks, >> >> Mark >> >> > > --- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > --- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
Alan, I signed up for an account on belugapods - I used one email address and then added two others as members of a pod. I get messages to these email addresses. I don't see how to invite a cell # as opposed to an email address, and when I just type in my cell # instead of the email address, I don't get an error message, nor an invite, nor a message via sms. The help screens are not very...helpful..;-) Do you use this service? Any ideas on what I am missing? Thanks, Mark On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 12:39 PM, Alan Dayley wrote: > http://belugapods.com/ > > While they showcase the iOS and Android apps, works fine with just a > text messaging phone too. > > Alan > > On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 12:32 PM, Mark Phillips > wrote: > > This group always has great suggestions for my odd requirements, so here > I > > go again;-) > > > > My two club softball teams are going to out of town for nationals at the > end > > of June (~26 families). (We might even make ESPN...) We need a way to > send > > messages to each other, and as a group. Up to this point, I have been > > running a private group email list that everyone can use to send and > receive > > emails for the group. But not everyone has Internet or email on their > phone, > > so the group email list is not the best option for everyone. My android > > phone can send a text message to a group, so I can handle the issue of > > schedule changes. But, not everyone's phone on the two teams can send a > > group text, which makes those impromptu 'team lunch' difficult for > someone > > in the group to schedule, unless I become the group sms operator, which > is > > **not** something I want to do! I am wondering if there is some open > source > > technology that can help us > > > > My requirements > > 1. Send sms to a whole group, part of a group, or individually > > 2. Work on low end cell phones - ie no Internet plan or email > > 3. Does not require a lot of setup, either for me or for each person > going. > > The people on the trip are not techies, but parents of 11-15 year old > > softball players (and the players as well). > > 4. Free, or really low cost as I only need it for ~10 days. > > > > I have a Debian server on Linode for our web site, so I could add some > more > > software > > > > I thought of these ideas: > > 1. pass out a cell phone list to everyone. That solves individual sms > > messages, but not group/sub group messaging for those who don't have that > on > > their phone > > 2. twitter - maybe a private group? I have not used twitter before, but I > > will have challenges getting everyone to sign up for an account. > > 3. some other sms micro-blog app on my own server? > > 4. Face to face communication.how old fashion! > > 5. Phone trees..from my experience, only works in an emergency. > > > > I am focused on sms only because it seems to be available to every player > > and parent on the trip. I am open to any other suggestions y'all may > have! > > > > Thanks, > > > > Mark > > > > --- > > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > > --- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > --- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
My experience consists of someone on a team I work with signing me up and me getting text messages. So I don't know the details you are asking, just that our team has used the service very successfully. Alan On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 3:04 PM, Mark Phillips wrote: > Alan, > > I signed up for an account on belugapods - I used one email address and then > added two others as members of a pod. I get messages to these email > addresses. I don't see how to invite a cell # as opposed to an email > address, and when I just type in my cell # instead of the email address, I > don't get an error message, nor an invite, nor a message via sms. The help > screens are not very...helpful..;-) > > Do you use this service? Any ideas on what I am missing? > > Thanks, > > Mark > > On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 12:39 PM, Alan Dayley wrote: >> >> http://belugapods.com/ >> >> While they showcase the iOS and Android apps, works fine with just a >> text messaging phone too. >> >> Alan >> >> On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 12:32 PM, Mark Phillips >> wrote: >> > This group always has great suggestions for my odd requirements, so here >> > I >> > go again;-) >> > >> > My two club softball teams are going to out of town for nationals at the >> > end >> > of June (~26 families). (We might even make ESPN...) We need a way to >> > send >> > messages to each other, and as a group. Up to this point, I have been >> > running a private group email list that everyone can use to send and >> > receive >> > emails for the group. But not everyone has Internet or email on their >> > phone, >> > so the group email list is not the best option for everyone. My android >> > phone can send a text message to a group, so I can handle the issue of >> > schedule changes. But, not everyone's phone on the two teams can send a >> > group text, which makes those impromptu 'team lunch' difficult for >> > someone >> > in the group to schedule, unless I become the group sms operator, which >> > is >> > **not** something I want to do! I am wondering if there is some open >> > source >> > technology that can help us >> > >> > My requirements >> > 1. Send sms to a whole group, part of a group, or individually >> > 2. Work on low end cell phones - ie no Internet plan or email >> > 3. Does not require a lot of setup, either for me or for each person >> > going. >> > The people on the trip are not techies, but parents of 11-15 year old >> > softball players (and the players as well). >> > 4. Free, or really low cost as I only need it for ~10 days. >> > >> > I have a Debian server on Linode for our web site, so I could add some >> > more >> > software >> > >> > I thought of these ideas: >> > 1. pass out a cell phone list to everyone. That solves individual sms >> > messages, but not group/sub group messaging for those who don't have >> > that on >> > their phone >> > 2. twitter - maybe a private group? I have not used twitter before, but >> > I >> > will have challenges getting everyone to sign up for an account. >> > 3. some other sms micro-blog app on my own server? >> > 4. Face to face communication.how old fashion! >> > 5. Phone trees..from my experience, only works in an emergency. >> > >> > I am focused on sms only because it seems to be available to every >> > player >> > and parent on the trip. I am open to any other suggestions y'all may >> > have! >> > >> > Thanks, >> > >> > Mark >> > >> > --- >> > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> > >> --- >> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > > --- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > --- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
it isn't difficult to send email that gets converted to sms you just need to know how to format the TO address (#@address.com); this should cover it (will require some imput from the people you want to send sms/email to ( quick google search...): http://www.sensiblesoftware.com/weblog/2011/02/28/cell-phone-email-addresses/ On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 16:13, Alan Dayley wrote: > My experience consists of someone on a team I work with signing me up > and me getting text messages. So I don't know the details you are > asking, just that our team has used the service very successfully. > > Alan > > On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 3:04 PM, Mark Phillips > wrote: > > Alan, > > > > I signed up for an account on belugapods - I used one email address and > then > > added two others as members of a pod. I get messages to these email > > addresses. I don't see how to invite a cell # as opposed to an email > > address, and when I just type in my cell # instead of the email address, > I > > don't get an error message, nor an invite, nor a message via sms. The > help > > screens are not very...helpful..;-) > > > > Do you use this service? Any ideas on what I am missing? > > > > Thanks, > > > > Mark > > > > On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 12:39 PM, Alan Dayley wrote: > >> > >> http://belugapods.com/ > >> > >> While they showcase the iOS and Android apps, works fine with just a > >> text messaging phone too. > >> > >> Alan > >> > >> On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 12:32 PM, Mark Phillips > >> wrote: > >> > This group always has great suggestions for my odd requirements, so > here > >> > I > >> > go again;-) > >> > > >> > My two club softball teams are going to out of town for nationals at > the > >> > end > >> > of June (~26 families). (We might even make ESPN...) We need a way to > >> > send > >> > messages to each other, and as a group. Up to this point, I have been > >> > running a private group email list that everyone can use to send and > >> > receive > >> > emails for the group. But not everyone has Internet or email on their > >> > phone, > >> > so the group email list is not the best option for everyone. My > android > >> > phone can send a text message to a group, so I can handle the issue of > >> > schedule changes. But, not everyone's phone on the two teams can send > a > >> > group text, which makes those impromptu 'team lunch' difficult for > >> > someone > >> > in the group to schedule, unless I become the group sms operator, > which > >> > is > >> > **not** something I want to do! I am wondering if there is some open > >> > source > >> > technology that can help us > >> > > >> > My requirements > >> > 1. Send sms to a whole group, part of a group, or individually > >> > 2. Work on low end cell phones - ie no Internet plan or email > >> > 3. Does not require a lot of setup, either for me or for each person > >> > going. > >> > The people on the trip are not techies, but parents of 11-15 year old > >> > softball players (and the players as well). > >> > 4. Free, or really low cost as I only need it for ~10 days. > >> > > >> > I have a Debian server on Linode for our web site, so I could add some > >> > more > >> > software > >> > > >> > I thought of these ideas: > >> > 1. pass out a cell phone list to everyone. That solves individual sms > >> > messages, but not group/sub group messaging for those who don't have > >> > that on > >> > their phone > >> > 2. twitter - maybe a private group? I have not used twitter before, > but > >> > I > >> > will have challenges getting everyone to sign up for an account. > >> > 3. some other sms micro-blog app on my own server? > >> > 4. Face to face communication.how old fashion! > >> > 5. Phone trees..from my experience, only works in an emergency. > >> > > >> > I am focused on sms only because it seems to be available to every > >> > player > >> > and parent on the trip. I am open to any other suggestions y'all may > >> > have! > >> > > >> > Thanks, > >> > > >> > Mark > >> > > >> > --- > >> > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > >> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > >> > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > >> > > >> --- > >> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > >> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > > > > > --- > > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > > --- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
JD, I am not trying to convert an email to sms. I am looking for an sms group list, where anyone on the list can send an sms to everyone else on the list. Something like a google groups email list, but just for sms. Email is not an option, only sms. Mark On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 8:43 PM, JD Austin wrote: > it isn't difficult to send email that gets converted to sms you just need > to know how to format the TO address (#@address.com); this should cover it > (will require some imput from the people you want to send sms/email to ( > quick google search...): > > http://www.sensiblesoftware.com/weblog/2011/02/28/cell-phone-email-addresses/ > > > On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 16:13, Alan Dayley wrote: > >> My experience consists of someone on a team I work with signing me up >> and me getting text messages. So I don't know the details you are >> asking, just that our team has used the service very successfully. >> >> Alan >> >> On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 3:04 PM, Mark Phillips >> wrote: >> > Alan, >> > >> > I signed up for an account on belugapods - I used one email address and >> then >> > added two others as members of a pod. I get messages to these email >> > addresses. I don't see how to invite a cell # as opposed to an email >> > address, and when I just type in my cell # instead of the email address, >> I >> > don't get an error message, nor an invite, nor a message via sms. The >> help >> > screens are not very...helpful..;-) >> > >> > Do you use this service? Any ideas on what I am missing? >> > >> > Thanks, >> > >> > Mark >> > >> > On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 12:39 PM, Alan Dayley wrote: >> >> >> >> http://belugapods.com/ >> >> >> >> While they showcase the iOS and Android apps, works fine with just a >> >> text messaging phone too. >> >> >> >> Alan >> >> >> >> On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 12:32 PM, Mark Phillips >> >> wrote: >> >> > This group always has great suggestions for my odd requirements, so >> here >> >> > I >> >> > go again;-) >> >> > >> >> > My two club softball teams are going to out of town for nationals at >> the >> >> > end >> >> > of June (~26 families). (We might even make ESPN...) We need a way to >> >> > send >> >> > messages to each other, and as a group. Up to this point, I have been >> >> > running a private group email list that everyone can use to send and >> >> > receive >> >> > emails for the group. But not everyone has Internet or email on their >> >> > phone, >> >> > so the group email list is not the best option for everyone. My >> android >> >> > phone can send a text message to a group, so I can handle the issue >> of >> >> > schedule changes. But, not everyone's phone on the two teams can send >> a >> >> > group text, which makes those impromptu 'team lunch' difficult for >> >> > someone >> >> > in the group to schedule, unless I become the group sms operator, >> which >> >> > is >> >> > **not** something I want to do! I am wondering if there is some open >> >> > source >> >> > technology that can help us >> >> > >> >> > My requirements >> >> > 1. Send sms to a whole group, part of a group, or individually >> >> > 2. Work on low end cell phones - ie no Internet plan or email >> >> > 3. Does not require a lot of setup, either for me or for each person >> >> > going. >> >> > The people on the trip are not techies, but parents of 11-15 year old >> >> > softball players (and the players as well). >> >> > 4. Free, or really low cost as I only need it for ~10 days. >> >> > >> >> > I have a Debian server on Linode for our web site, so I could add >> some >> >> > more >> >> > software >> >> > >> >> > I thought of these ideas: >> >> > 1. pass out a cell phone list to everyone. That solves individual sms >> >> > messages, but not group/sub group messaging for those who don't have >> >> > that on >> >> > their phone >> >> > 2. twitter - maybe a private group? I have not used twitter before, >> but >> >> > I >> >> > will have challenges getting everyone to sign up for an account. >> >> > 3. some other sms micro-blog app on my own server? >> >> > 4. Face to face communication.how old fashion! >> >> > 5. Phone trees..from my experience, only works in an emergency. >> >> > >> >> > I am focused on sms only because it seems to be available to every >> >> > player >> >> > and parent on the trip. I am open to any other suggestions y'all may >> >> > have! >> >> > >> >> > Thanks, >> >> > >> >> > Mark >> >> > >> >> > --- >> >> > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> >> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> >> > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> >> > >> >> --- >> >> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> >> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> > >> > >> >
RE: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
Have you thought of getting a google voice number, and adding everyone's cell phone number to it, but just use the number for texting that way one text would go to all phones. There may be some issues to work out, but it might work _ From: plug-discuss-boun...@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us [mailto:plug-discuss-boun...@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us] On Behalf Of Mark Phillips Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2011 12:32 PM To: Phoenix Linux Users Subject: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road This group always has great suggestions for my odd requirements, so here I go again;-) My two club softball teams are going to out of town for nationals at the end of June (~26 families). (We might even make ESPN...) We need a way to send messages to each other, and as a group. Up to this point, I have been running a private group email list that everyone can use to send and receive emails for the group. But not everyone has Internet or email on their phone, so the group email list is not the best option for everyone. My android phone can send a text message to a group, so I can handle the issue of schedule changes. But, not everyone's phone on the two teams can send a group text, which makes those impromptu 'team lunch' difficult for someone in the group to schedule, unless I become the group sms operator, which is **not** something I want to do! I am wondering if there is some open source technology that can help us My requirements 1. Send sms to a whole group, part of a group, or individually 2. Work on low end cell phones - ie no Internet plan or email 3. Does not require a lot of setup, either for me or for each person going. The people on the trip are not techies, but parents of 11-15 year old softball players (and the players as well). 4. Free, or really low cost as I only need it for ~10 days. I have a Debian server on Linode for our web site, so I could add some more software I thought of these ideas: 1. pass out a cell phone list to everyone. That solves individual sms messages, but not group/sub group messaging for those who don't have that on their phone 2. twitter - maybe a private group? I have not used twitter before, but I will have challenges getting everyone to sign up for an account. 3. some other sms micro-blog app on my own server? 4. Face to face communication.how old fashion! 5. Phone trees..from my experience, only works in an emergency. I am focused on sms only because it seems to be available to every player and parent on the trip. I am open to any other suggestions y'all may have! Thanks, Mark --- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
Bob, Interesting ideaI will give it a try. Thanks! Mark On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 8:30 AM, Bob Elzer wrote: > Have you thought of getting a google voice number, and adding everyone's > cell phone number to it, but just use the number for texting > > that way one text would go to all phones. > > There may be some issues to work out, but it might work > > > > -- > *From:* plug-discuss-boun...@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us [mailto: > plug-discuss-boun...@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us] *On Behalf Of *Mark > Phillips > *Sent:* Sunday, June 05, 2011 12:32 PM > *To:* Phoenix Linux Users > *Subject:* Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road > > This group always has great suggestions for my odd requirements, so here I > go again;-) > > My two club softball teams are going to out of town for nationals at the > end of June (~26 families). (We might even make ESPN...) We need a way to > send messages to each other, and as a group. Up to this point, I have been > running a private group email list that everyone can use to send and receive > emails for the group. But not everyone has Internet or email on their phone, > so the group email list is not the best option for everyone. My android > phone can send a text message to a group, so I can handle the issue of > schedule changes. But, not everyone's phone on the two teams can send a > group text, which makes those impromptu 'team lunch' difficult for someone > in the group to schedule, unless I become the group sms operator, which is > **not** something I want to do! I am wondering if there is some open source > technology that can help us > > My requirements > 1. Send sms to a whole group, part of a group, or individually > 2. Work on low end cell phones - ie no Internet plan or email > 3. Does not require a lot of setup, either for me or for each person going. > The people on the trip are not techies, but parents of 11-15 year old > softball players (and the players as well). > 4. Free, or really low cost as I only need it for ~10 days. > > I have a Debian server on Linode for our web site, so I could add some more > software > > I thought of these ideas: > 1. pass out a cell phone list to everyone. That solves individual sms > messages, but not group/sub group messaging for those who don't have that on > their phone > 2. twitter - maybe a private group? I have not used twitter before, but I > will have challenges getting everyone to sign up for an account. > 3. some other sms micro-blog app on my own server? > 4. Face to face communication.how old fashion! > 5. Phone trees..from my experience, only works in an emergency. > > I am focused on sms only because it seems to be available to every player > and parent on the trip. I am open to any other suggestions y'all may have! > > Thanks, > > Mark > > --- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > --- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
Some feedback on the google voice idea A. I set up a new phone number and tried to add other phone numbers for forwarded texting. The only hitch is that the new phone number requires a verification code be sent from an sms on that phone. It makes sense, or someone would use google voice to spam everyone. It looks like I get a different verification code every time I add a new phone number. It does not seem practical to have all the club members get a verification code and respond to a text message from google voice. B. I don't see a way for someone to send a text to a smaller group than everyone on the list. I have two teams, so the 12U folks don't want to see the 14U texts, and vice versa. But the google voice number is a great idea. I can give out that number and say - "use this to send sms to everyone". I was thinking of google voice forwarding the sms to an email account, and then have a script of some kind parse the email and send the message back to everyone's cell phone using the email to sms gateways that the carriers provide. I could then have a tag in the sms "to:x" where could be one person, and the email parser could find it and send the messages appropriately. Adds a delay, but I don't see another solution. To restate the problem: How do I provide a group of people a way to send/reply to sms messages to anyone in the group, or a subset of the group, or one person without relying on any special cell phone capability (such as group sms or email)? Thanks for any other suggestions you may have! Mark On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 8:48 AM, Mark Phillips wrote: > Bob, > > Interesting ideaI will give it a try. Thanks! > > Mark > > On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 8:30 AM, Bob Elzer wrote: > >> Have you thought of getting a google voice number, and adding everyone's >> cell phone number to it, but just use the number for texting >> >> that way one text would go to all phones. >> >> There may be some issues to work out, but it might work >> >> >> >> -- >> *From:* plug-discuss-boun...@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us [mailto: >> plug-discuss-boun...@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us] *On Behalf Of *Mark >> Phillips >> *Sent:* Sunday, June 05, 2011 12:32 PM >> *To:* Phoenix Linux Users >> *Subject:* Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the >> road >> >> This group always has great suggestions for my odd requirements, so here I >> go again;-) >> >> My two club softball teams are going to out of town for nationals at the >> end of June (~26 families). (We might even make ESPN...) We need a way to >> send messages to each other, and as a group. Up to this point, I have been >> running a private group email list that everyone can use to send and receive >> emails for the group. But not everyone has Internet or email on their phone, >> so the group email list is not the best option for everyone. My android >> phone can send a text message to a group, so I can handle the issue of >> schedule changes. But, not everyone's phone on the two teams can send a >> group text, which makes those impromptu 'team lunch' difficult for someone >> in the group to schedule, unless I become the group sms operator, which is >> **not** something I want to do! I am wondering if there is some open source >> technology that can help us >> >> My requirements >> 1. Send sms to a whole group, part of a group, or individually >> 2. Work on low end cell phones - ie no Internet plan or email >> 3. Does not require a lot of setup, either for me or for each person >> going. The people on the trip are not techies, but parents of 11-15 year old >> softball players (and the players as well). >> 4. Free, or really low cost as I only need it for ~10 days. >> >> I have a Debian server on Linode for our web site, so I could add some >> more software >> >> I thought of these ideas: >> 1. pass out a cell phone list to everyone. That solves individual sms >> messages, but not group/sub group messaging for those who don't have that on >> their phone >> 2. twitter - maybe a private group? I have not used twitter before, but I >> will have challenges getting everyone to sign up for an account. >> 3. some other sms micro-blog app on my own server? >> 4. Face to face communication.how old fashion! >> 5. Phone trees..from my experience, only works in an emergency. >> >> I am focused on sms only because it seems to be available to every player >> and parent on the trip. I am open to any other suggestions y'all may have! >> >> Thanks, >>
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
There are other issues with GV too; the biggest being that a number cannot be assigned as a "mobile" number on more than one account; so if anyone in the group uses GV, they won't want to have their number disconnected from their GV just to use your setup. Also, you cannot have GV forward to another GV number. I think you've hit upon the closest solution without paying for a business-oriented spam/marketing bulk SMS system. Have GV forward to an email account; parse that out to pull a tag (containing 0ga0/0gb0 usually works and it's fast(ish) to type on A9 keypads) and forward to a list of SMS email endpoints based on the tag. It might be good to also have unrecognized SMS forwarded to you so you can "reroute" when people goof up. There is an alternative if you don't mind locking an older phone to a computer back home for the duration of your trip (http://smslink.sourceforge.net/). That system allows you to have an sms received on the attached phone forwarded to a customized email output, and you could, relatively easily, add support for sending back out via sms. It's a bit rough and not the most reliable, but it seems to work. On 06/06/2011 05:02 PM, Mark Phillips wrote: > Some feedback on the google voice idea > > A. I set up a new phone number and tried to add other phone numbers for > forwarded texting. The only hitch is that the new phone number requires a > verification code be sent from an sms on that phone. It makes sense, or > someone would use google voice to spam everyone. It looks like I get a > different verification code every time I add a new phone number. > > It does not seem practical to have all the club members get a verification > code and respond to a text message from google voice. > > B. I don't see a way for someone to send a text to a smaller group than > everyone on the list. I have two teams, so the 12U folks don't want to see > the 14U texts, and vice versa. > > But the google voice number is a great idea. I can give out that number and > say - "use this to send sms to everyone". > > I was thinking of google voice forwarding the sms to an email account, and > then have a script of some kind parse the email and send the message back to > everyone's cell phone using the email to sms gateways that the carriers > provide. I could then have a tag in the sms "to:x" where could be > one person, and the email parser could find it and send the messages > appropriately. Adds a delay, but I don't see another solution. > > To restate the problem: How do I provide a group of people a way to > send/reply to sms messages to anyone in the group, or a subset of the group, > or one person without relying on any special cell phone capability (such as > group sms or email)? > > Thanks for any other suggestions you may have! > > Mark > > On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 8:48 AM, Mark Phillips > wrote: > >> Bob, >> >> Interesting ideaI will give it a try. Thanks! >> >> Mark >> >> On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 8:30 AM, Bob Elzer wrote: >> >>> Have you thought of getting a google voice number, and adding everyone's >>> cell phone number to it, but just use the number for texting >>> >>> that way one text would go to all phones. >>> >>> There may be some issues to work out, but it might work >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> *From:* plug-discuss-boun...@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us [mailto: >>> plug-discuss-boun...@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us] *On Behalf Of *Mark >>> Phillips >>> *Sent:* Sunday, June 05, 2011 12:32 PM >>> *To:* Phoenix Linux Users >>> *Subject:* Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the >>> road >>> >>> This group always has great suggestions for my odd requirements, so here I >>> go again;-) >>> >>> My two club softball teams are going to out of town for nationals at the >>> end of June (~26 families). (We might even make ESPN...) We need a way to >>> send messages to each other, and as a group. Up to this point, I have been >>> running a private group email list that everyone can use to send and receive >>> emails for the group. But not everyone has Internet or email on their phone, >>> so the group email list is not the best option for everyone. My android >>> phone can send a text message to a group, so I can handle the issue of >>> schedule changes. But, not everyone's phone on the two teams can send a >>> group text, which makes those impromptu 'team lunch' difficult for someone >>>
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
Just saw this website and thought of your request. It might be a simple solution. http://www.textmob.co/ On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 7:41 PM, Joseph Sinclair wrote: > There are other issues with GV too; the biggest being that a number cannot > be assigned as a "mobile" number on more than one account; so if anyone in > the group uses GV, they won't want to have their number disconnected from > their GV just to use your setup. Also, you cannot have GV forward to > another GV number. > > I think you've hit upon the closest solution without paying for a > business-oriented spam/marketing bulk SMS system. > Have GV forward to an email account; parse that out to pull a tag > (containing 0ga0/0gb0 usually works and it's fast(ish) to type on A9 > keypads) and forward to a list of SMS email endpoints based on the tag. It > might be good to also have unrecognized SMS forwarded to you so you can > "reroute" when people goof up. > > There is an alternative if you don't mind locking an older phone to a > computer back home for the duration of your trip ( > http://smslink.sourceforge.net/). That system allows you to have an sms > received on the attached phone forwarded to a customized email output, and > you could, relatively easily, add support for sending back out via sms. > It's a bit rough and not the most reliable, but it seems to work. > > On 06/06/2011 05:02 PM, Mark Phillips wrote: > > Some feedback on the google voice idea > > > -- Donn There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." -- Dave Barry --- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
Haven't used it, but http://betwext.com/ is a local startup based out of gangplank On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 8:06 PM, Donn wrote: > Just saw this website and thought of your request. It might be a simple > solution. > http://www.textmob.co/ > > > On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 7:41 PM, Joseph Sinclair > wrote: > >> There are other issues with GV too; the biggest being that a number cannot >> be assigned as a "mobile" number on more than one account; so if anyone in >> the group uses GV, they won't want to have their number disconnected from >> their GV just to use your setup. Also, you cannot have GV forward to >> another GV number. >> >> I think you've hit upon the closest solution without paying for a >> business-oriented spam/marketing bulk SMS system. >> Have GV forward to an email account; parse that out to pull a tag >> (containing 0ga0/0gb0 usually works and it's fast(ish) to type on A9 >> keypads) and forward to a list of SMS email endpoints based on the tag. It >> might be good to also have unrecognized SMS forwarded to you so you can >> "reroute" when people goof up. >> >> There is an alternative if you don't mind locking an older phone to a >> computer back home for the duration of your trip ( >> http://smslink.sourceforge.net/). That system allows you to have an sms >> received on the attached phone forwarded to a customized email output, and >> you could, relatively easily, add support for sending back out via sms. >> It's a bit rough and not the most reliable, but it seems to work. >> >> On 06/06/2011 05:02 PM, Mark Phillips wrote: >> > Some feedback on the google voice idea >> > >> > > > > -- > Donn > There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." > -- Dave Barry > > --- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > --- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
Re: Looking for Ideas to facilitate group communication on the road
Their Talk product looks exactly like what I needhowever, it is under development now, so it is not available.darn! Thanks for the suggestion! Mark On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 8:10 PM, Ariel Gold wrote: > Haven't used it, but http://betwext.com/ is a local startup based out of > gangplank > > On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 8:06 PM, Donn wrote: > >> Just saw this website and thought of your request. It might be a simple >> solution. >> http://www.textmob.co/ >> >> >> On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 7:41 PM, Joseph Sinclair < >> plug-discuss...@stcaz.net> wrote: >> >>> There are other issues with GV too; the biggest being that a number >>> cannot be assigned as a "mobile" number on more than one account; so if >>> anyone in the group uses GV, they won't want to have their number >>> disconnected from their GV just to use your setup. Also, you cannot have GV >>> forward to another GV number. >>> >>> I think you've hit upon the closest solution without paying for a >>> business-oriented spam/marketing bulk SMS system. >>> Have GV forward to an email account; parse that out to pull a tag >>> (containing 0ga0/0gb0 usually works and it's fast(ish) to type on A9 >>> keypads) and forward to a list of SMS email endpoints based on the tag. It >>> might be good to also have unrecognized SMS forwarded to you so you can >>> "reroute" when people goof up. >>> >>> There is an alternative if you don't mind locking an older phone to a >>> computer back home for the duration of your trip ( >>> http://smslink.sourceforge.net/). That system allows you to have an sms >>> received on the attached phone forwarded to a customized email output, and >>> you could, relatively easily, add support for sending back out via sms. >>> It's a bit rough and not the most reliable, but it seems to work. >>> >>> On 06/06/2011 05:02 PM, Mark Phillips wrote: >>> > Some feedback on the google voice idea >>> > >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Donn >> There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." >> -- Dave Barry >> >> --- >> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> > > > --- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > --- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
