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Mobile Blogging By SMS with Glimt

2008-01-18_1106
Recently a topic of discussion has been mobile blogging. How do you do it, is it important that you be able to set it up from your mobile, etc. I myself have been toying with a few different methods, but was also recently notified of Glimt.com, which allows you to quickly and easily setup a blog from your mobile, and update it via SMS.

Currently they only have a setup SMS number for the UK, which means if you live somewhere else, you may be looking at some high rates, but if you’re in the UK, you’re good to go. Just send your first post to the Glimt.com SMS number and it’s automatically setup. Your blog’s web address is www.glimt.com/YourCountryCodeYourPhoneNumber, and you can share that with your friends and family and whoever else you want to share it with.

For users outside the UK not interested in sending massive amounts of International SMS, you could likely setup (on your PC first) a Twitter account and just not subscribe to anyone. Your ‘sms blog’ address would be www.twitter.com/username and it would likely accomplish the same feat, albeit with a bit extra setup.

8 COMMENTS

  1. ok, guys? This is Bad News! You do not, DO NOT, deliver peoples mobile numbers in the clear, ESPECIALLY as part of their unique URL. This certainly contravenes not only OFCOM and ICSTIS rules, but also violates the privacy and electronic communications act. Not only this, but there is NO WAY (afaict) to delete an account once created. I know, because I just created one and can’t delete it.

    Certainly a cool effort, but without changing the way this service works in the most central way you’re going to run into serious problems. Please also let me know how to delete the test account I just set up.

    Alfie.

  2. I agree that mobile numbers in the clear is not necessarily the way ahead — but for me, and for quite a lot of people I know, it isn’t a problem. For example, my digits are public on the site. 415 305 4926, for example, gets you directly to me. +1 if you’re abroad at the moment. Quite a lot of other people do the same on their sites too.

  3. Hi Alfie,
    Thanks for comments, valuable input, just what we need in the Beta phase.
    We have been recommended to set up anonymous URL’s as an option, that might be a solution for some.
    For most people our URL system should be fine.

    We are still in Beta, so not all features like account deletion is set up quite yet. Please send me an email info at glimt.com and I will manually delete your account. 🙂

    Thanks for feedback and help spreading the word in the beta phase, these comments are very valuable. 🙂

    Hans

  4. It’s a great idea – but why does the mobile number need to be in the URL?

    It is clear that they are trying to get more signups by doing this – which is fine – but why not simply reply back to the posters handset with a unique coded url. It would be just as effective, but would keep the mobile number private. The URL would also be much shorter!

  5. Hi guys

    You can try SMS blogging from http://webmastersms.cardboardfish.com

    It keeps your number private, supports local time zones, and also password protects your blog using a keyword. Without the password, anyone who can send SMS over the internet (using anonymous services or a bulk sms account) could spoof your mobile number and post to your blog.

    You can change the colours and sizes so it fits into any site.

  6. For you it’s fine, for some, but not for most. As I said, it not only contravenes ICSTIS and OFCOM guidelines, it violates the electronic communications act. Simple as that really.

  7. It probably does contrevene OFCOM rules, but its made clear at the outset and it does point out that it is only a beta.

    For me its perfect. Im doing a long distance charity walk and want to blog friends where I am, using a low tech mobile where there may not be a decent signal. It will be helpful for safety/geographic reasons.

    Whats wrong with a little patience while they get it sorted out. Imagine being able to mms as well and to set up some decent kind of personilsed blog.

    I for one would be happy to have a quick clean service that work well, and would be willing to pay a reasonable amount for the service (annual, not per sms please. along the lines of flickr).

    How about being able to blog a specific page on web page for premium users?

    The things you can do with it are endless. Blogger is fine but not everyone has access to mobile internet or can afford to pay for it.

    Come on Glimt, its good so far.

  8. Just want to let you know that we have updated the Glimt.com service to a version 2.0 that is database supported.

    You can now change the url of your blog at will, that should take care of the OFCOM rules.

    We are going to add lot’s of new cool stuff. Keep an eye on us!

    http://www.glimt.com

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