Da Booga

Well apparently you now can.

Following on from the recent thread re. song titles i've found this:




A new service developed in the UK allows drivers to send SMS (short message service) text messages to other drivers without knowing their mobile phone number. Car number plates are about to become a driver's new contact number.

Have you ever pulled up at a set of traffic lights, noticed the driver next to you and wished you could contact them somehow? Or how about driving behind someone whose rear lights don't work, you want to inform him or her, but how? Well, simple courtesy messages will become the norm when you see any potential hazardous defects on another motorist's vehicle.

The service developed by UK Technology Consultants, MOCOSO - and branded TEXTJAM - is readily available in the UK and is launching worldwide and is a dynamic opt-in directory for motorists wanting to simplify their communication options whilst on (and off the road). It allows vehicle owners to contact one another via their mobile phones, using their vehicles'; number plate as the contact number. Drivers can choose the method of communications: either SMS text for instant impact or e-mail for less urgent messages. Either way, the vehicles'; number plate is the unique identifying address.


Mike Andrews of MOCOSO said: It's the first time a service like this has been available worldwide. We offer a free registration service that is simple and very user-friendly. Motorists who don't have access to the Internet need not fear, as the service is fully available to everyone who has a mobile phone. We link the cars'; number plate to a driver's mobile phone and e-mail address and we do not disclose any personal details.

MOCOSO offer an informative website to handle registrations and any customer enquiries.

To register for free, log on to www.textjam.com and join the on-line registration form. Alternatively send an SMS text message with the word JOIN, followed by a space and then your vehicle number plate to the TEXTJAM message centre on +44 7796 22 77 99. You will then receive instructions on how to use the service.





I can see Road Rage moving on to the next level also though

Gareth

[Edited by Da Booga - 9/27/2002 3:50:58 PM]

[Edited by Da Booga - 9/27/2002 3:51:33 PM]

ScoobyK

As long as it's not my missus !! Already got some git that keeps flashing her

MarkO

Hmmm, so they've invented a service encouraging people to send text messages whilst driving.

Smart move, just as the use of mobile phones whilst driving is about to be made illegal.

Duh.

InvisibleMan

why text her? if shes next to you just talk to her, unless shes got her mouth full ofcourse

Tommy 2000

so all of the thugs out there will know your contact details just by looking at your car...no thanks!

TopBanana

Hmm, this is the sort of thing that will need a critical mass of subscribers to survive - and won't get it.

MarkO

It doesn't work like that. When you want to send somebody a message, you send it to a particular number (run by textjam) and start the message with the reg number, e.g.:

"X456 NMY Nice ****, love, fancy giving me a bj?"

TextJam then forward the message on to the driver, using the registration number to look up the phone number. You'd never see it directly though.

One problem I can see is if two people share the car, and one person registers, all hell could break loose.

MarkO

More to the point, it assumes that there would be a majority of car users out there who've not only seen the site, but have also registered on it. Which is extremely unlikely.

I'm still amazed at how few people have access to email these days, let alone the number of people would not have had access to the web to find a site like this.

Da Booga

I would think that schemes like this would get introduced to most people by word of mouth and posts like this on bulletin boards.

Have to agree with MarkO though

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I can usually think of loads of things I'd like to do to the blonde in the car /on the bike/walking along the road next to me! Texting them comes well down on my list! :

jbryant

I've heard that in Switzerland the Car reg's are listed in directories. Similar and far simpler.

Probably stops a lot of bad driving as everyone knows who you are.

Then again it may be bolox!
Joolz

King RA

Any good looking bird (the only reason to use this IMHO ) wouldn't register due to the constant bombarding of text messages from sad old men in fast cars going through MLC! :

STi-Frenchie

This is correct. When you change your car in Switzerland, your plates travel with you, not with the car. I reckon it's a great system even though I ride on French plates but I do love the Swiss!

jbryant

A friend who lived out there has said that quite a few people get hooked up that way.

So when you fancy chatting up a good-looking girl, make sure she is not driving a shed. Perhaps a Merc 500SL or similar

Joolz

ScoobyDoo555

how can they get your mobile number from your reg????

As far as I can recollect, I didn't give anybody my number when I bought the car, apart from my home number (insurance and ID etc - they don't accept mobiles, do they?)...........

Sounds like a load of Ballcocks to me...

Dan

ScoobyDoo555

Forgot to add, SURELY if this is possible, there is a SERIOUS breach of privacy....

They wouldn't last 5 mins without being sued!!!!

Dan

ScoobyDoo555

Forgot to add, SURELY if this is possible, there is a SERIOUS breach of privacy....

They wouldn't last 5 mins without being sued!!!!

Dan

JackClark

You'd have to register. They keep a record of your reg and your phone #. Cue 1000's of blokes sending text messages to a premium service number... kerrchink!!

Claudius

LOL What a lot of crap!

Ian Griffiths

"when you see any potential hazardous defects on another motorist's vehicle"

Like the driver reading a text message?? Hahaha!

Mice_Elf

Bit of a bad plan....I can imagine Road Rage being taken to new heights....not to mention accidents caused by people trying to read or text back to the message and not paying attention to the road...

Esoteric Beast

quote:
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"X456 NMY Nice ****, love, fancy giving me a bj?"
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MARKO, Thanks for the Text message, but we've only just met and I dont do bj's on the first date, Thanks for the comment about my ****