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Text Messaging could save your life

Reason number 9 for tapping out those letters

The other eight top things to do with Text Messaging have followed our wild and wacky Register vein, but this reason why SMS is a touch more serious. To save you scrolling down to the end we've posted the story right here, as well... 9: To make sure the rapist in your house is caught A 27-year-old woman managed to send her friend the message "Get the police" after she had been attacked, raped and tied up in her own house. Neil Griffiths, 31, leapt on the woman outside her house in February and dragged her inside. After a lengthy ordeal, she feigned illness and managed to send the message at 4am after Griffiths had fallen asleep. The friend contacted the police and Griffiths was arrested shortly after. He pleaded guilty to all charges in court and was sentenced to eight years.


The true sign that a technology has been taken to the people's bosom is when its use has nothing to do with the original intention. Mobile text messaging is a pain in the proverbial, so why are a billion messages sent every month?

1: Because the drugs have taken hold and the music's too loud Peak time for messaging in Scandinavia is midnight. That's exactly the same time when most clubbers decide to send messages to their mates across the dance floor because mouth-to-ear communication is impossible.

2: Because you're thick Schools are having trouble with students sending the answers to tests around the classroom. On the other hand, such initiative will put them in good stead for the future.

3: To overthrow the government The Phillipines' government is getting increasingly panicky about covert mobile messages. One said the president was about to be overthrown by a military coup. Another said communists had kidnapped the president. "They are demanding a large ransom and, if it is not paid, they are threatening to release their hostage," it joked.

4: To kill the Pope An April Fool's Day message said that the Pope had passed away. Many were not amused. They were all Catholic.

5: To dump your unwanted lover It's quick, efficient, concise and removed enough from normal communication to almost guarantee a clean break. Cowardice has never been easier. You thought it only for bringing down governments, but no, text messaging has no end of uses. Here's three more:

6: Mock/cheer/keep up-to-date your football fanatic friends At every football ground in the country every Saturday at half-time, drinks are precariously balanced to get at pocketed mobiles. Sharp, concise messages give the general flavour of the game. The following comes courtesy of Eddie Truman:

Hampden on Sunday as Hibernian were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Aberdeen. Final Score 2:1 Half Time (to mate in Rome): Looking good. Made it to half time 0:0 Hibs score first goal (to mate in Rome): Yeeeeesssss. Latapy scores. 1 nil to Hibs Hibs score first goal (to mate in other part of the ground): Yesssssss Aberdeen equalise (to mate in Rome): Bastard sheep have equalised. Defense is crap Aberdeen score winner (to mate in Rome): We're f***ed. 2:1 to the sheep

7: Annoy strangers with your advertising spam Just when you thought you had sorted out the email spammers, they're onto mobile phones. Look out for messages featuring URLs for mobile accessories and the like. If you think about it, this method is almost certain to get people reading - whether that will cause a positive reaction is a different matter.

8: Tell people when they've run out of money First Direct has just launched a new service which will text message you when you go into the red. The bank says it will also be able to send mini-statements and credit/debit receipts. Quite useful, but unlikely to be welcome just before a big Friday night (or ever, come to that).

9: To make sure the rapist in your house is caught A 27-year-old woman managed to send her friend the message "Get the police" after she had been attacked, raped and tied up in her own house. Neil Griffiths, 31, leapt on the woman outside her house in February and dragged her inside. After a lengthy ordeal, she feigned illness and managed to send the message at 4am after Griffiths had fallen asleep. The friend contacted the police and Griffiths was arrested shortly after. He pleaded guilty to all charges in court and was sentenced to eight years. ®

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