Very cool! Just joined and sent a test txt. It works nice! Only concern is it says standart txt charges apply. I hope there is not a bait and switch going on - especially when it is a windy day and a ton of txts are going out. Only way to know would be when I get my iPhone bill. Regardless, works like a charm. Thanks Scott. Lets get the word out on this. Very easy to use.

Tony

It does seem to work. You got me on the charges thing, but I hear you..

In terms of the tons of texts on a windy day. The way I see it -
If someone sends one, maybe one more for confirmation. Beyond that is overkill. Then maybe one per 1.5 hours to say "still blowing".
No need to send 20 msgs. all saying same thing.

I just transferred that acc't over to someone else to be admin because I was using a friend's phone number to activate it and don't even have a text mssging service on my phone. So I am not even on the list anymore.
I have zero clue on charges and stuff. I talk with my voice on my phone. :D
Hopefully it's not a scam.
My first feeling with Skype was "too good to be true" and I have talked to people from all over on it for free. So.... some stuff is actually free (?) or normal charge.
Makes no sense, I know.

I was thinking the same thing about updates, etc. Thanks again for setting it up. Hopefully it will catch on.

Tony

instead of "still blowing" maybe a text update about conditions i.e. E 15-17 Gust 22 small chop? as this would give more indication to ppl having to make the drive, some conditions may suit some and not others? just putting it out there.... anyone for EB tonight?

No doubt, HK. More specific (and concise) the better.
I got lazy there expressing myself.

No problem whatsoever, Tony. My primary goal was to stop "false positives".
It's a bummer to see people drive all the way from Sarasota to get skunked at EB. Let's not forget to post "wind died" updates too. Those might prove more valuable to people. :cool:
Obviously the setup only took an hour. This thing's success is going to take cooperation over a longer period of time. Thing is, it should be pretty eazy-peazy.

One last thought. If this indeed catches on, we might decide to have a WindyS, and WindyN mark, for those of us up N v. down south. Maybe not.....

Scott-

Completely agree about the driving, false postives, etc. HK - where do you see wind for tonight? Also - doesnt EB close at Sunset?

Seems like a winner. Lot's of potential.

I assume you can you use that unsubscribe button like an ON/OFF button?

For those with web enabled phones, you could easily bypass the zing ($) of a text, by using the website to send the text. Helpful to those that might have a text fee or limited amount of texts from their carrier.

Just wanted to reflect and remind....

How cool that we are all working together to solve a problem and help bring us closer together. Usually in times of no wind, especially on the forum, is the time for tempers to flare and topics come to drive us apart.

I for one, have had some tech questions regarding this very same topic, and it seems that they are getting anwered. Couldn't be more excited.

On a funny note, it seems that we just want to find that little ounce of wind to go out and ride and we will do whatever it takes to find it.

It is blowing out of the north at IRB right now. 15+

Wish I could go. Seems fun.

Jetpack,

That's a good question about the on/off. Bob asked me that earlier. I don't know the answer.
It's obvious if you know you can't go a particular day, you don't want to be texted that it's blowing. It'll just be annoying and cost you, too. The next day, maybe you would want to "switch it on", like you said.
I don't have an acc't or text service. Can someone else figure out some more of the specifics in that regard and post about it.

Also, as you said, texts can be read as well as made - online - without the need for texting via a phone. This app seems like a winner at first glance.
We will know before too long.

Steve-O; Scott and JetPack-

Agreed! It is very cool we are working through it. WE NEED WIND! Scott - thanks for the post about the Skyway - works great. It was too late but the concept was perfect. I got a few of the North County boys to sign up to the service today. They are going to give it a shot.

Jetpack and Scott - when you go to the webpage of the service - you can go into your profile (log in) and I think you can just unsubscribe to the Windy mail list. I am assuming you can just go back in and subscribe when you want to be back in the fold.

Tony

Tony,

You are right. On the windy homepage, there are subscribe and unsubscribe buttons. Easy as clicking one or the other (once logged in to TextMark).


http://www.textmarks.com/WINDY

http://www.fksa.org/attachment.php?a...0&d=1253754272

awsome thread!

Thanks for setting this up Scott.

No problem at all, it was pretty easy. Tx.
I just told my teacher about this at school (Anatomy class) and she was pretty excited about it. Not sure many schools really know this exists, or if they do, put it to use. It could prove exceptionally useful to them to spread the word very quickly about possible threats on campus.

I see tons of possible uses for this technology in the near future.
Sort of amazing none of us knew about it earlier.
I don't use texting, so I had an excuse. ;)

If anyone is curious at all, this is what many campuses currently use for Emergency Response/Notification. I just asked SPC about it - http://www.sybase.com/detail?id=1063531

Schweet!
 

Very nice teamwork getting this together! This will be really nice for people with regular phones and seems to be pretty easy to use. I am REALLY looking forward to hearing more about Chase's effort for an EB cam, that would be sweet!

I sent out a TBKA "newsletter" to the registered users asking for a little more of this teamwork going around. If anyone wants a copy and an invitation to test, hit me up with your email address and I'll send it right out.
If you have time to surf a website and give some honest feedback/ input, I could sure use the help.

Steve S. (813) 389-3683
email to: info@kite4life.org

Opting out then back in
 

To stop getting messages when you know you can't ride, text Leave windy to 414-11 to restart messages. When you get the itch, text Join Windy to the same. This way you don't have to have web access to opt back in. Thanks to all! Looking forward to see everyone again soon!!

The real Slim "Unimog Bob" Shady

The real "Slim Shady" is back?!?!

Dawn patrol iz comin' soon buddy......

Thanks Scott for your effort as well.

Will be a very powerful tool for us all.

There are 2 ways to stop getting texts from WINDY. You can subscribe and unsubscribe on the web, or by your phone.

1. If you no longer wish to receive alerts and updates, you may unsubscribe from it by sending a text to 41411 with the keyword UNSUBSCRIBE followed by the keyword. (e.g. "unsubscribe windy"). Useful when you are not at home in front of a computer.

To "Turn back ON", send a text message to 41411 with the keyword "SUBSCRIBE" followed by the TextMark keyword (e.g. "subscribe windy").

2. Via computer. Log into the website and choose UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE.

Other useful tips found here. http://www.textmarks.com/info/help/

------------

One things I noticed by accident. You can see all the updates to windy on the website without being logged in. Nice to look at without getting a zillion texts.

However, the timestamp of the post when you are not logged in is a 3 hour difference. Must be a california thing. :)

I.E. A post made at 5pm eastern will display 2pm if you are NOT logged in. Log in, then the correct timestamp is displayed. Wanted to share that in case some people noticed and go, "That report was 3 hours ago, that's no good to me now!"

Try it.