Everyday UseTips and Tricks

Even though most high-end cell phones now come with QWERTY keyboards, I'd rather use a full-size computer keyboard to send text messages (SMS) if I can help it. My wife feels the same way. She uses SMS to inform me of last minute additions to the grocery list when I'm out shopping. But instead of tapping out the message on her cell phone, she uses her laptop.

There are several different ways to SMS by computer. Here are three:

1. If you use AOL Instant Messenger, click "Setup," then click "Add Mobile" and enter the cell phone number you want to send the text message to. In iChat chose "Send SMS" from the File menu.
2. If you use the Firefox Web browser, you can install an add-on that lets you send snippets of Web pages as text messages, which comes in handy for sending directions or movie times to a friend. Visit www.google.com/tools/firefox/sendtophone/ to learn how to use the service.
3. Teleflip* lets you send text messages by emailing a message to a cell phone number in the following format:  [yourfriendsmobile#]@teleflip.com. You must register at Teleflip.com before you can use the service (it's free).