How to Send SMS With Software

Skype
1. Download and install Skype.
2. Launch Skype from your Start menu or desktop. If you don't yet have a Skype account, click the 'Don't have a Skype Name?' link in the first window that appears, then follow the steps to create an account. Log in using your Skype name. The main Skype interface appears.
3. Choose 'Buy Skype Credit ...' from the Skype menu, then follow the instructions to purchase credit to send SMS messages with. As of 2010, the typical cost of sending an SMS message with Skype is 9 cents.
4. Click the 'Call phones' button near the bottom of the window in Skype's main interface. A new window appears.
5. Select the country you'd like to send an SMS message to from the drop-down menu with the flag icon, then enter the area code and number into the field at the top of the window. Click the 'SMS' button in the bottom right of the window. A new window appears.
6. Type your SMS message into the prompt at the bottom of the window. A single SMS message can have 160 regular English characters, but if your message exceeds this limit, Skype will automatically split your text across two messages. Click the dark blue 'SMS' button next to the prompt to send the message. Your Skype credit will be debited as the message is sent.
TxtDrop
7. Navigate to the TxtDrop website.
8. Enter an email address into the first text field near the top of the page. Responses to your messages will be forwarded to this email address.
9. Enter the area code and number of the cell phone you want to send an SMS message to in the 'Recipient's Mobile Phone Number' field.
10. Type your SMS message into the final field, then click the 'Send' button to send the message. A message will appear beneath the button to confirm that the message has been sent.
SendAFreeSMS
11. Navigate to the SendAFreeSMS website.
12. Input your email address to the 'Your Email:' field if you want to be able to receive a reply to your message. Otherwise, input some bogus address like 'a@a.com.'
13. Enter the area code and number of the cell phone you want to message in the 'Phone Number to SMS:' field. This tool sends messages only to the United States and Canada.
14. Select the recipient's cellular carrier from the 'Carrier(US & Canada):' drop-down menu. If you don't know the recipient's carrier, click the 'Carrier' link to access a tool that looks up the carrier of a number you input.
15. Enter a subject into the 'Subject:' field. The subject must have between three and 20 characters.
16. Type your SMS message into the 'Message:' field. SMS messages sent with this service are limited to 100 English characters.
17. Enter the four-digit 'Free Call PIN' listed just above the input fields into the 'PIN:' field, then click the 'Send Free Text Message' button to send the message. A confirmation message will appear when your message is sent.