FWIW

WSJ -- The consequences of misunderstanding the texting lingo can be mortifying. Cassandra McSparin, 23, of Jim Thorpe, Pa., knew a woman whose friend’s mother had died. The woman texted her friend: “I’m so sorry to hear about your mother passing away. LOL. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” It turns out she thought LOL meant “Lots of love.”

UG2BK!

Associated Press -- An emergency call center in the basement of the county jail in Waterloo, Iowa, became the first in the country to accept text messages sent to "911," starting Wednesday. Call centers around the country are looking at following in its footsteps, as phone calls are now just one of many things phones can do.

Black Hawk County police chief Thomas Jennings said 911 texting should be of particular help to the county's deaf and hard-of-hearing residents, who have had to rely on more cumbersome methods to reach 911. There have also been several cases around the country of kidnap victims summoning help by surreptitiously texting friends or relatives, who then called 911. With direct texting to 911, they should be able to get help faster.

KUTGW!

Originally posted at Carpe Diem.