Challenge Text Message Option - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

12/30/2005 02:01:23 PM · #1

I would very much love to have new "Challenges" text messaged to my cell phone. I know not everyone would be keen on this idea but it would awesome to have the option in our profile. (Many cell phone companies provide an email address for text messages, for example with Verizon it's the phone@vtext.com)

Then, when a new challenge is announced we'd receive a text message emailed to our phone. Sure, TXT have to be short but I think in most cases it wouldn't be to hard to have something akin to:

DPC Challenge(A/B) [where A = Advanced, B = Basic]
1/12/06-1/16/06
Title - description blah blah blah...

I would love such a feature! My phone is with me more than I am online. Plus I could quickly glance at my phone while out shooting and be like "was that challenge advanced or basic"

- Saj

sher

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

12/30/2005 02:03:31 PM · #2

i like that idea a lot!

srdanz

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

12/30/2005 02:15:26 PM · #3

One thing that could be implemented is to support additional email addresses for notifications. I can do what Jason wants by temporarily changing my email on file with my mobile phone email - like he explained - but it would be nice to have an alternative/additional email on file for challenge notifications (new challenges, DQ requests etc.) PMs could optionally be delivered to this address, or continue to be delivered to the primary email only.

Nice idea, Jason!

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

12/30/2005 02:18:22 PM · #4

Hey, I'm likin' the sound of this too!

12/30/2005 02:27:55 PM · #5

Originally posted by srdanz:

The problem there srdanz, is that the emails that are sent our are very large. Much more so than a cell phone's txt message container can handle.

Rather, allowing for a simple "Email Alert", which would be a simple text only email. Geared particularly for mobile users, etc. but usable with any email would be great IMHO.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/02/2006 11:46:58 AM · #6

Bump...so as to build more support as I think this is a great idea and one that truly appeals to many of us.

:)

notonline

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

01/02/2006 11:48:40 AM · #7

you know your addicted to dpc when...

Rgarcia

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II M.Zuiko ED

01/02/2006 11:49:07 AM · #8

How about a "wap" version of the site? That would be cool!

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

01/02/2006 11:52:01 AM · #9

I like this idea too (the text-message emails). I'm not sure what the additional server load would be of all those extra emails going out, so this might have to be a members-only feature.

I'll toss it in the suggestions queue.

Patrol

Nikon D40

01/02/2006 11:57:12 AM · #10

Originally posted by rgarciah55:

How about a "wap" version of the site? That would be cool!

This idea sounds better, i've tried to access DP via WAP, and sometimes managed to get the text up, enabling me to find out the latest challenges. A permanent WAP site would be perfect.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

01/02/2006 11:58:44 AM · #11

I think making it a member only feature would be justifiable.

As for server load. I believe it would be fairly minimal. I routinely send out thousands of emails. And even though DPC has thousands upon thousands of members. I think only a few thousand very active members would sign up for such a feature.

Furthermore, unlike the email "weekly updates" that are currently sent out. These would be extremely short and simple text only messages. So I imagine that it would be a very minimal overhead.

- Saj

PS - Thanks CJ for adding it to the queue. :)

Message edited by author 2006-01-02 11:59:04.

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

01/02/2006 12:03:42 PM · #12

The WAP-enabled site idea has been suggestion previously and is in the list of possible enhancements. To be honest, it's probably pretty low on the priority list, but it is there nonetheless.

My concern about the server load stems from the fact that it takes several hours for speed-challenge notifications to go out. I think the send rate is throttled so it doesn't impact the site too much.

~Terry

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

01/02/2006 12:04:00 PM · #13

Originally posted by Patrol:

This idea sounds better, i've tried to access DP via WAP.

a) way too much work

b) the number of people with WAP capable devices and accounts is substantially smaller than those with text message ability.

So essentially, going the WAP route would equal "greater work" & "smaller yield". It would mean new site dev, two places to update with changes. More "web delivery". And slow browsing. All this, and it would still do nothing to alert you. WAP still requires you go the web site and see what the current challenges are. Also requires you to be in a strong network area.

Where as text messages can easily be received even when signal strength is low. They'd be "alerts" notifying. And they'd be stored in the phone for further review. (This way you could easily look back and see if that challenge was an advanced or basic challenge.) As for implementation. It is fairly simple to do a simple database look up; grab title, desc, dates, and send it to an email list.

- Saj

Originally posted by ClubJuggle:

My concern about the server load stems from the fact that it takes several hours for speed-challenge notifications to go out. I think the send rate is throttled so it doesn't impact the site too much.

~Terry

But those go out to ALL members - that's a lot of emails. And are full HTML emails with graphics, etc. And tons of formatting codes. A mere 100 of those emails will likely equate to the entire bytes sent out by text message list.

Message edited by author 2006-01-02 12:06:49.

UNCLEBRO

Canon EOS-30D

08/30/2006 12:53:48 PM · #14

I was then about to post a website suggestion when I thought I had better search first.
And then I discovered this thread.
So, I'll just stick my suggestion on the end of it......

How about being able to receive new challenge descriptions by text message?
Iâ��ve often been on vacation â��up in the mountainsâ�� with no internet access and have wanted to know the latest challenge, just in case it was â��Up in the mountainsâ�� or something similar!!
I have no idea if it would cost anything to implement?
Or, maybe we could do it on a â��buddy systemâ��, whereby we can ask a fellow DPCer to text the latest challenge to us?
Iâ��ve occasionally called work colleagues, but they sometimes had a hard time finding the information etc.