How to Send Receive Text Messages on Your Computer

AOL Instant Messenger
1. Download and install the AOL Instant Messenger software from the link in References. Open the program and sign into your account. If you do not have an account, you can register for one from the log-in window by clicking on the option to create an account and then following the account creation instructions. Alternatively, you can log in using your Facebook log-in information.
2. Click “IM” in the “Buddy List” window to open a new instant message.
3. Enter “+1” followed by receiver's telephone number, including area code, in the “To:” field. For example, if you would like to send a text to the number “555-444-3333,” you would enter “+15554443333,” omitting any extra characters from the phone number, such as hyphens.
4. Enter your message in the body of the instant message and then click “Send.” When the recipient responds, her message will be displayed in the same instant messaging window that was used to send the message. You can continue to reply to and receive messages using the instant messaging window.
Google Talk
5. Log in to your Gmail account with your Google account credentials. If you do not have an account, click the 'Create an Account' below the log-in box to create one for free.
6. Click 'Settings' in the top-right corner and then click on the 'Labs' tab.
7. Scroll down to the item marked 'Text Messaging (SMS) in Chat' and select 'Enable.' Click 'Save Changes' at the bottom of the window to return to Gmail.
8. Enter the telephone number, including area code, into the chat search box on the left side of the window. Click 'Send SMS.' Enter the name of the contact and click 'Save.' A chat box will appear at the bottom right of the screen.
9. Enter your message in the chat box and press the 'Enter' or 'Return' key. The text message will be delivered to the cell phone. The recipient can reply to the message, and replies will be displayed in the chat box.
Text via Email
10. Log in to your email program and compose a new message.
11. Locate the recipient's text message email address by using the carrier email extension list provided on Topbits.com using the link in References. The email address will always be the person's 10-digit phone number followed by the email extension. For example, the phone number 555-111-2222 on the AT&T network would have an email address of '5551112222@txt.att.net.'
12. Fill in the Subject field and enter your message in the body of the email window.
13. Click 'Send.' The user can reply directly to the text message, and his reply will be delivered to your email account.

How Can I Get a Free T

1. Check at T-Mobile authorized retailers like The Mobile Solution, which operates kiosks inside of shopping malls, for free phone promotions. Ask the kiosk salesperson to waive the $35 activation fee as a term of purchasing the line of service is often effective. Ask to have the fee waived before you agree to purchase the new T-Mobile line of service. Most salespeople have the ability to waive the activation fee to entice you and close the sale. You can pay for any other charges at the time you purchase the phone with cash.
2. Visit t-mobile.com and click 'Store Locator' in the top right corner. Enter your address and ZIP code and the website will display the phone number and address of the store closest to you. Call the local T-Mobile corporate store to ask about current free phone sales. Negotiate with the T-Mobile sales representative to waive the activation fee as a condition of your purchase of the new line of service for the phone. Mail in a check or money order or pay with cash at the T-Mobile automated payment kiosk, which is located in every T-Mobile corporate store.
3. Buy a T-Mobile prepaid plan if you would rather not sign a two-year service contract with T-Mobile. Prepaid T-Mobile cellphones aren't free of charge, but you may be able to get one from a friend or family member who previously had a T-Mobile account. You may also purchase a used T-Mobile handset on eBay or Craigslist. T-Mobile's prepaid service plans are free to activate and you can reload the account any time by purchasing a reload card with cash. Find reload cards at most gas stations, convenience stores, department stores and check cashing facilities.

How to Install US Cellular Ringtones for Free

1. Select and access an online ring-tone maker such as Ventones or Fun For Mobile.
2. Register for an account. Most websites require you to register for an account before creating a free ring tone. During registration, you may be required to provide your mobile carrier and phone number.
3. Click 'Create a Ringtone' or 'Make Ringtone' in the top menu. The option may also be listed as 'Create Tone.'
4. Click 'Browse' or 'Upload' and select a music file to upload to the site. You will receive confirmation when the file is uploaded.
5. Use the editing tools to select the part of the song to be used for the ring tone. Depending on the site, you may need to enter the start and end time of the ring tone. You may also be provided with a bar to drag over the time line of the music file.
6. Enter additional information about the ring tone such as the artist name and song title. Click 'Create Tone' or 'Create Ringtone.'
7. Click 'Save to Computer.' The ring tone will be saved in the location you select on your computer. Connect your U.S. Cellular phone to the computer using a USB cable. Click 'Start' to access the computer's menu.
8. Click 'Computer' and double-click the U.S. Cellular phone's icon to open its folder. Drag the saved ring tone to the phone's open folder and release it in the folder. The ring tone will be saved on the phone.

How to Send SMS With Kyivstar

1. Go to the Kyivstar website SMS page (see Resources).
2. Select the recipient's mobile number prefix code as well as his mobile number in the respective fields.
3. Select the characters set you want to use for sending the SMS.
4. Type the SMS message in the field labeled 'Message.' You can enter 120 characters at most.
5. Click the 'Send' button to send the SMS.

How to Deactivate Optus Mobile SMS

1. Go to the 'Optus Zoo' option on your mobile's menu screen and select the 'SocialView' icon. To access your SocialView account, you can also SMS 'SocialView' (without quotations) to '966' and proceed to click on the link displayed on the reply message.
2. Select the 'Settings' option on your SocialView home page.
3. Select the 'Manage Alerts' option and uncheck the the alert boxes. Press 'OK' to exit the 'Manage Alerts' menu and your Optus SMS alerts will deactivate. You can also deactivate the Optus SMS alerts by replying 'STOP' (without quotations) to '19970022.'

How to Get Free Apps on a Cricket Wireless

1. Press the 'Menu' button on your Cricket Wireless phone.
2. Highlight and select 'Games and Apps.'
3. Select an application that is listed as 'Free.' then press the 'Download' button. Allow for the download to complete to receive your free application.

How to Use a Modem to Send an SMS

1. Download and install an instant messaging utility. These are programs like AIM or Windows Messenger (see References below) that many people have installed on their computers already. Any IM client will do. These programs send messages from computer to computer, but are also capable of sending messages from computer to phone.
2. Open your instant messaging utility.
3. Start a new message. This involves clicking a 'New Message' button or selecting 'New Message' from the 'File' menu in most programs of this type.
4. Type the telephone number (including the area code) you want to send an SMS message to, proceeded by a +1, in the 'Recipient' box. In the end, your phone number should look something like this:+11234567890
5. Type your message into the 'Message' box and hit 'Send.' This will send your text-based message to the cell phone attached to the phone number you entered.