[SGVLUG] [OT] high tech solution for a low tech problem...

[Emerson, Tom (*IC)]

So, there you are - trapped in a conversation or situation where you need "a way out" - perhaps some of you have considered or built systems like these yourself, others will do a classic "V-8 slap-to-the-head" and wonder why you didn't think of this before:

[sorry about the URL length, and too lazy to learn tinyurl or bit.ly]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/technology/personaltech/01smart.html?src=un&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjson8.nytimes.com%2Fpages%2Ftechnology%2Fpersonaltech%2Findex.jsonp

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For those that don't like reading the NYT, here is the short version: various services and apps for smart phones will make a "fake" call (or send a fake text) giving you some (potentially) substatitive (?) "proof" that you've "got to go..."

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Hovwer [and this is my personal addition to the mess] if you have a e-mail client that lets you schedule delivery at a later date or time, you can usually send an e-mail to a special address that, in turn, will result in a text message sent to the phone (and no need to spend $1 or more on the app)  Furthermore, (as in the case with verizon) there is even a special web-page you can use to send a text message AND SPOOF THE FROM ADDRESS [i.e., you can supply an arbitrary call-back or "reply to" address on the webpage]