The latest protest tool: 'texting'

[Nambe]

NEW YORK (AP)

"Multiple reports of provocateurs setting trash fires in midtown," read one text message sent to 400-plus mobile phones this week through a service called Ruckus RNC 2004 Text Alerts.

For protesters navigating Manhattan during the Republican National Convention, text- message broadcasting services like this, sent to their cell phones, provided an up-to- the-minute guide to the action on the streets.

Texting "tells you where the hot zones are, where people are getting arrested," said Greg Altman, 31, of New York City. "It tells you which stuff to avoid." When he got a message Tuesday that protesters were being beaten near Manhattan's Union Square, he stayed away. ..

Text messages have called activists to spontaneous protests, including a Wednesday rally by the downtown pier where arrested protesters were being held and a rally against oil interests in Central Park. "Teleflip your friends," the message on the latter protest urged.

[genius]

1. How much extra does the text messaging cost

I try to cut costs on my cell phone but I can see where It might be important - especially if America winds up in a revolution.

[beyurslf]

2. Most service providers offer a certain for a set amount.

I pay 4.99 for 1000 text messages. Any above that are $.05 each.

[NYC Liberal]

3. I have Verizon, and

I got a deal where for $4.95 a month, I got unlimited text messaging.

Dunno if that was just a special promo or not.

[mahina]

4. from indymedia.org on text sources:

"Listen to PDX IMC, live from Portland. Call in to talk to PDX IMC at 800-939-7973. Get text messages from a variety of sources by signing up at www.txtmob.com. Email camera-phone photos directly to the web at [e-mail] or [e-mail]."

I remember that people in the Phillipines used texting for sudden massing and protest. Exciting possibilities for text broadcasting but you need a lot of ph #'s...