| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Why does nobody seem to use SMS? Thread poster: Heinrich Pesch
|
|---|
Phil Hand 
China
Local time: 15:40
Chinese to English
| Just convention | Aug 9, 2014 |
Here in China, my clients use text messages all the time. And online chat software like ICQ. It irritates the hell out of me, because I wasn't brought up that way, but I think it's just a matter of convention. In Europe, text messages are seen as being for play, not for work. Plus, for a long time they were a pain to type into your phone. You wouldn't want to be doing business that way. Now, of course, it's much easier, but the habit lingers.
| | | | Vanda Nissen
Australia
Local time: 17:40
Member (2008)
English to Russian
+ ...
I think, with today's advanced technologies there is no need to use text messages for business purposes. With smartphones every freelancer can check their emails on a regular basis. Texting is quite informal, I only use for confirming interpreting assignments.
| | | | Lincoln Hui
Hong Kong
Local time: 15:40
Member
Chinese to English
+ ...
| Computers and phones | Aug 10, 2014 |
Phil Hand wrote:
Here in China, my clients use text messages all the time. And online chat software like ICQ. It irritates the hell out of me, because I wasn't brought up that way, but I think it's just a matter of convention. In Europe, text messages are seen as being for play, not for work. Plus, for a long time they were a pain to type into your phone. You wouldn't want to be doing business that way. Now, of course, it's much easier, but the habit lingers.
I can live with IM like Skype, but not SMS. I could write a thesis in the time that it takes me to type ten words on my phone.
| | | | Diana Obermeyer
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:40
Member (2013)
German to English
+ ...
| Some do, but... | Aug 12, 2014 |
On my island, you need 3 networks to have mobile reception in about 80% of the island. I have 2 mobile phones - the only one that works in my village and the one that works best in the island capital. With these 2, I have a combined coverage for about 60% of the island. The one that works at my house is the mobile number I give out - that's were I spend most of my time. I have reception in a radius of about 1/2 mile around my house. Thus, if I go for a walk with my dogs, to the shop, the doctors... See more On my island, you need 3 networks to have mobile reception in about 80% of the island. I have 2 mobile phones - the only one that works in my village and the one that works best in the island capital. With these 2, I have a combined coverage for about 60% of the island. The one that works at my house is the mobile number I give out - that's were I spend most of my time. I have reception in a radius of about 1/2 mile around my house. Thus, if I go for a walk with my dogs, to the shop, the doctors, etc. I have no reception.
I am not always able to respond to emails immediately, as I have high concentration requirements and it can take me a while to get back into a text. I check several times a day - whenever I complete a section - and usually that's fine. If there really is something urgent, I don't mind receiving a phone call or text message. As long as I'm not expected to reply by text, it's all the same to me. Usually, it will be something along the lines of "can you please check your email and get back to me within xxx time".
However, if I'm out of the house, I will only receive such a text when I get back in - and then I immediately check my emails anyway. ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
PAS
Local time: 09:40
Polish to English
+ ...
Sheila Wilson wrote:
Does that have a professional ring about it? ... should be capable of receiving/sending emails wherever they are, and that means a smartphone.
1. A single message is limited to 160 characters, but if you write more than that, you are simply charged for sending multiple messages. If correctly set up, the receiving phone will get just one long text message (I'm not sure how that works - sometimes I get a single SMS that certainly contains more than 160 charcters and sometimes they are split into several separate messages).
2. It is absolutely possible to send and receive emails through a non-smartphone (stupidphone???) My venerable Nokia E51 is quite capable of sending and receiving emails.
[Edited at 2014-08-12 13:07 GMT]
| | | |
I mostly get my emails to my smartphone, too. However, I have some long-term clients who sometimes use sms if they're in a hurry and haven't been able to reach me via mail (for additions to jobs, new ones, etc.).
For me, it works out well. I also find it better than a phone call, as someone else pointed out, too, that it's so easy to miss information over the phone. E.g. noisy surroundings, being on the move (in a car or bus), or not being able to pick up right then.
... See more I mostly get my emails to my smartphone, too. However, I have some long-term clients who sometimes use sms if they're in a hurry and haven't been able to reach me via mail (for additions to jobs, new ones, etc.).
For me, it works out well. I also find it better than a phone call, as someone else pointed out, too, that it's so easy to miss information over the phone. E.g. noisy surroundings, being on the move (in a car or bus), or not being able to pick up right then.
I guess smartphones and direct emails are more common now, and that may stop some clients from using sms, even though those don't usually have small character limits anymore. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Pages in topic: < [1 2] | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Why does nobody seem to use SMS? | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
| | CafeTran Espresso | You've never met a CAT tool this clever!
Translate faster & easier, using a sophisticated CAT tool built by a translator / developer.
Accept jobs from clients who use Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast & major CAT tools.
Download and start using CafeTran Espresso -- for free
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
