Sending text messages from a wireless carrier’s Web site is also an option to get your message out to a mobile phone user. When you don’t have a mobile phone or you’re on your computer already and just want to get a quick note out, the Web site is the way to go. Here’s how to do it from the Web:

1. Go to your friend’s wireless carrier’s Web site from your home, school, or office computer.

To use most Web-to-mobile text messaging services, you need to know which wireless carrier your friend uses.

2. Look for the Messaging (or Text Messaging or Send a Text) page on the wireless carrier’s Web site.

3. Enter the person’s mobile phone number, enter your 160 alphanumeric character message, enter your name and contact details as requested, and then click Send.

You need to know the exact mobile phone number of the person you want to send your text message to. (You usually need all ten phone number digits; for example, 222-333-1234.)

If you did everything correctly, you see a confirmation screen showing that your text message was sent to the mobile phone number you entered. It usually takes less than 30 seconds, on a good day, to reach your friend’s mobile phone.

Service fees for the text messages you send through the Web may be charged to the recipient based on their wireless carrier subscription plan. Check with your friends and associates to find out whether they have to pay for messages before sending them messages.