December 16, 2006 by Steve.

I have begun using my cell phone for more than just voice calls. Virtually every cell phone sold today has the capability to send and receive text messages. I know what you are thinking; text messaging on cell phones is for kids, not me. Yet I have discovered there is useful information available via text message.

4INFO (44636) is an example. That number is not a zip code, it is the number you text to tap into for info, a killer SMS (Short Message Service) service that provides quick access to movie times, sports scores, flight times, business directories, and other handy info-for your area. To find the nearest pizza joint, for example, just text “pizza Franklin, TN.” For movies, punch in the name of the flick or just enter “movies” in the name of the city or theater. Looking for Starbucks? You can text “Starbucks” and your zip. Within 30 seconds or so, you’ll receive an SMS containing the requested info.

While the service is great it can’t do everything. Missing from the query pool are white page listings and driving directions. On the other hand, it can deliver jokes, drink recipes, pickup lines, and WiFi hotspots — everything you need for getting around town.

Google SMS – If you can’t get the info you need from 4INFO, try Google SMS. It works the same way (you send your queries via SMS to 46645, aka “GOOGL”) and retrieves even more kinds of handy data, including driving directions, word definitions, residential listings, and reverse phone lookups. It’s short on fun stuff, long on practical information. Go to Google.com and you can print the wallet-sized tip sheet if you have trouble remembering query syntax.

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December 16, 2006 by Steve.

I have a couple of friends, who while not that computer savvy, have become involved with writing their own Weblogs. What you ask is a Weblog? It is a web site that is updated often with the random musings of the author. The site is known as a “Blog” and the author a “Blogger.”

These blogs, often updated several times a day, are a record of the blogger’s thoughts: something noticed on the way to work, notes about the weekend, a quick reflection on some subject or another. I have become intrigued with Blogs. It may help solve one of my problems, getting timely information to my subscribers and clients that need it in a timely manner. You see, I often get email with questions about specific technology problems an individual agent is having. Sometimes it takes me quite a bit of time to do some research and then answer the question. And I don’t mind that. The problem is that there are probably a number of other agents who could use the information. Agency Confidential is my answer to distributing this information.

So, I am going to begin experimenting with writing my own Blog. I have stopped writing for one of the national publications so I can spend that time writing here. On a regular I will answer e-mail questions I receive, let you know what I am reading, provide my thoughts on industry issues, let you know about web sites and other tips, give you a heads up on what we are working on for the next issue of TAAR, and anything else I think you might be interested in.

A Blog by its very nature is a personal journal, therefore it might not always use the best English, and I may talk about something I am thinking about, yet change my mind later.  By its very nature a Blog is interactive so let me know what you think. It will be an interesting journey.

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