Sending SMS / Text message?

[Dorian (MJT support)]

Is it possible to send an SMS or text message to a cellphone from within Macro Scheduler 7.4.009?

If not, can it be done from within version 8?

[Bob Hansen]

Macro Scheduler can automate most activities that you can do at your workstation. So, if you can connect to cellphone using your computer now, you have a good chance that Macro Scheduler can do that also.

Outline of functions to be done with Macro Scheduler commands:

Code: Select all

Open the connection program*
Dial the number
Wait until response is OK
Select option to send text message
Send text......
Confirm send was done properly
Disconnect from cellphone
Close program

*You might find that the program to do this might be your browser connected to a page for the cellphone carrier of the end connection.

[Dorian (MJT support)]

Thanks Bob, I'll go and investigate the Cingular website.

[Dorian (MJT support)]

I found it's possible from this webpage
http://www.cingularme.com/do/public

I looked at the html for the form and was wondering if that's the way to go. I know online forms can be submitted using MS.

Although the post action looks a little strange so i am wondering if this method would work :

action="/do/public/send

so i suppose i would use http://www.cingularme.com/do/public/send as the action and then complete the form using MS as per normal?

Or am I way off with this and should just somehow be using MS to fill in the existing form instead of "simulating" it?

[Me_again]

I think that would be the hard way to do it. According to the Cingular website (and my past experience) you can just send a text message to a text capable cellphone as you would any email. Check out SMTPSendMail> in the MS Help.

Here's a quote from the cingular website:

"E-Mail Messagingâ€â€

[Dorian (MJT support)]

Thanks Bob, somehow it had completely escaped my attention I could do that! I used to do that with my old t-mobile but didn't know cingular had that capability too.

sometimes having only one worthwhile eye makes it really hard to find info on websites with lots of small details. everything kind of blurs into one.

thank you for your help, i really appreciate it. i just tested it out and it worked perfectly.

i wonder if all carriers have an email address that can be used? might help me add a broadcast system to a project i am working on.

[Me_again]

I wonder if all carriers have an email address that can be used? might help me add a broadcast system to a project i am working on.

Yes they do, text pagers too. You can find some lists on the web but for up-to-date info it's probably best to go the individual websites.

[Dorian (MJT support)]

Fantastic! Many thanks.

[Bob Hansen]

One problem is that you usually know the number, but not the carrier.
Two possible solutions, I think second one is better of the two.

1. Send to same number to all carriers, bad ones will just bounce as number is unknown, good one will go through.
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2. Use teleflip.com free service as carrier. This will automatically forward to correct carrier. See http://www.teleflip.com/

Format is phone [email protected], example: [email protected]

Here is an excerpt from their support page.

Be sure the recipient is a valid 10-digit North American phone number (including area code). Also check to make sure the phone is capable of receiving text messages, and that any required service to do so is activated with the provider. If you're still unable to receive text messages, send us a support message, and include any applicable error message.

It's best to use the 10-digit number, including area code, without extra characters. However, using characters such as hyphens will still work. For example, any of the following are acceptable formats: [email protected], (310)[email protected], [email protected].

Teleflip currently only supports valid North American numbers, but is working towards International support in the future. Check back periodically with us for updates.

Taking advantage of number portability (moving your number to a new provider) should not affect receiving text messages through Teleflip. Note that it may take up to a week before the change is active in our system. If you're still not receiving messages, send us a support message, and include any applicable error message.