I am looking to write a small application that receives an SMS text message and records the results in an online database. I am most comfortable with php/mysql, but can use any suggestions you might have.
+2
A:
I wrote something cute and small like this last summer, but I cheated using an actual SMS server and used Twitter to receive my text messages in a specific format, then had a daemon service running through my RSS feed every n time units to pull in the data and store it in a flat file. It was a fun exercise, and free, and as far as I know no free SMS receivers are available. You can use MySQL if you want, but I feel like you'll need a language that's more designed for writing a service than a web application (i.e. PHP)
zaczap
2009-03-03 18:49:26
interesting, creative approach to the SMS thing. it surprises me how difficult it is to hook into the whole SMS system
jonstjohn
2009-03-03 19:02:54
Nice, it is simple. i like it.
superUntitled
2009-03-03 19:11:22
Thanks!..(ten character filler)
zaczap
2009-03-03 19:12:40
I do something similar (well!! not exaclty) for my ubuntu server http://www.crankup.net/i-am-tweeting-with-luv-my-ubuntu-server
Shoban
2009-03-04 07:56:02
A:
I've used clickatell for setting up SMS notification for Nagios. Never used them to receive text message though. My guess is you probably give them some magic URL and they hit it up with with a POST containing all the data in the message.
You'll ever find anything that is free though. In fact, you might find that SMS is rather expensive if you do a lot of volume. Even $0.01/message is a lot when you are sending 10k messages a week.
Cory R. King
2009-03-04 03:10:59
A:
If you are looking to setup your own server, then you can make use of gnokii. You will have to physically connect a Nokia mobile phone and once you receive the messages, you can add them to a database.
Alec Smart
2009-03-04 04:49:28
+1
A:
Check out publisher section on udefn.com. udefn provides free sms api, which you can easily integrate into your application. It allows for polling for messages (so you don't have host the application), or you can setup postback to receive incoming messages. There are code samples available to get you started.
You code your applications as bots and share it with set of users or with everyone. And its free to create and publish bots. For mobile users, there is no cost either (other than their standard rates with their service provider). Users simply add your application/bot to their profile, define a keyword and start using it.
The idea behind udefn is that users define their keyword (increasing the probability of them remembering it and using it). And for bot publishers, its a zero cost way to sms'ise their application. udefn has a dedicated shortcode 51406 (in US for now and international support will be added soon)