I use Trillian for instant messaging. I've had an ICQ account for many years, along with a Yahoo account. Most recently, I've been using an AIM screen name with Trillian. On this page, I just want to share some nifty things I've setup that allow me to do some text messaging to my phone using Trillian and AIM.

If you don't have an AIM screen name, you can get one by visiting the AIM's web site and click on "Get a Screen Name". Just follow through the process, but once you get to the point where they want you to download their software, stop. You don't need to download their software. You can then get the free Trillian Basic and set it up to use your AIM account.

The rest of this information assumes you've got Trillian and AIM.

To send a text message to a cell phone using Trillian

You can add a contact to your list, but this contact will have a cell phone number instead of a screen name. Then, every time you send a message there, it goes to the cell phone. This should work for most any cell phone that can receive text messages. The easiest way to get this going is to set up your own phone and play with it.

1. from the Trillian menu, select "Add Contact or Group"
2. follow the normal steps to add a new contact
3. when you get to the screen where you enter the contact name, enter the cell phone number like this: +1xxxnnnnnnn, then click "Add"

So, you have to enter a plus sign (+), then a '1' followed by the area code and phone number. Then treat it like any other contact. Rename it, put it in a group, send a message.

To have incoming instant messages sent to your cell phone when you're away from your computer

Visit the AOL Mobile web site and login. Register your cell phone number with them. Then turn on the "IM Forwarding" option right there on the web site. Now, when someone sends you an IM and you're away, it will arrive as a text message on your cell phone.

(You'll also see that they have additional features that allow you to get news alerts, sports scores, etc.)