Using SMS

Shizzow currently supports a limited number of SMS commands, but will be adding more commands and functionality in the near future.

Step 1: Register your mobile device to use SMS

Before you can use Shizzow SMS, you need to update your contact information with your mobile device. Registering your mobile device will allow you to submit Shizzow commands via SMS.

Step 2: Add Nicknames for your Favorite Places

For the moment, Shizzow only allows you to Shout from your favorite places, and specifically only the favorite places that you've already added nicknames for. A nickname is a 1-8 character name that you may designate for a place, to make it easier to shout from that place using SMS. For example, if you frequent Urban Grind Coffeehouse, you can add the nickname UG in your favorite places list.

We plan to add additional commands that don't require the use of nicknames, but we thought that this would be a good place to start.

Step 3: Send an SMS Command

Send all commands to the SMS short code 88147 in the "to:" field where you normally enter a phone number.

Available Commands and Abbreviations

#message (#m) - Add a message to a shout.

#shout (#s) - Shout from a favorite place.

Shout from a Place

Format:
shzow #s {place nickname}

Example:
shzow #s happyplace

Shout from a Place with a Message

Format:
shzow #s {place nickname} {message}

Example:
shzow #s happyplace #m here til noon

Send (re-shout) a new Message from your Current Location

Format:
shzow #m {message}

Example:
shzow #m here til noon

Optional Step 4: Use SMS for Notifications

You can also use SMS to receive notifications from Shizzow about where your friends are going. We urge you to consider your number of listeners and your cell phone text messaging costs before enabling this feature! If you still want to receive notifications via SMS, you can update your notification preferences.

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