# Re: Text messaging with Ruby on Rails **URL:** \ **Category:** Rails\ **Created:** [September 21, 2007, 5:06pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115198 "2007-09-21T17:06:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mslagell](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@mslagell](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/mslagell)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2007, 5:06pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115198/1 "2007-09-21T17:06:13Z")
I’m not sure how reliable it is but I think you can also send/receive SMS messages via email. ----- Original Message ---- From: Luke R. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) To: Ruby on Rails: Talk [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 10:58:39 AM Subject: [Rails] Re: Text messaging with Ruby on Rails Hi there, I’m the author of the Ruby Clickatell gem. There are plenty of SMS gateways out there; I chose Clickatell because they are one of the bigger gateways who provide services for plenty of big names (BBC, CNN etc.). There rates aren’t too bad. You might be able to find one thats a bit cheaper I guess, but not that much. Remember that if you buy credits in bulk you’ll get a better rate. Cheers Luke ---
**Author:** ![mslagell](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@mslagell](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/mslagell)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115198/2 "2007-09-21T18:46:27Z")
Like most things, nothing is ever 100% guaranteed but in my experience the Clickatell service is fast and deliveries are generally quick (some times less than a second). Naturally you have to allow for congestion at their end during peak times and of course network congestion which is probably the most likely cause for delays. I believe you can send important messages with a higher priority although my gem doesn’t currently suppor this (email me if this is vital and I can roll it into the next release). But if its good enough for Auntie (thats the BBC for non-Brits), its good enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![mslagell](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@mslagell](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/mslagell)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2007, 6:04pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115198/3 "2007-09-21T18:04:19Z")
On 9/21/07, removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote: > Hi there, I’m the author of the Ruby Clickatell gem. There are plenty > > > I want to create a text messaging system with my RoR web site. Anybody > > > I’m currently using the email SMS system for each carrier. It’s very reliable, just at times quite slow. I’ve seen SMSs show up within 5 seconds to 2 hours later. The ClickATell service, is it guarenteed to be instant (less than 10 seconds) for everyone, always? The rates look good, might bring this service up to my boss. Jason ---
**Author:** ![mslagell](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@mslagell](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/mslagell)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 2:42am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115198/4 "2007-09-22T02:42:10Z")
Luke, Thanks for the replies! Jason claims up to 2 hours of delay with e- mail SMS. What is the worst cases that you’ve experienced? I’m deploying a time-sensitive healthcare application Thanks Chirag ---
**Author:** ![mslagell](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@mslagell](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/mslagell)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2007, 4:35am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115198/5 "2007-09-23T04:35:36Z")
Hi chirag, I haven’t used it in any high volume I’m afraid, at least not enough to give you an accurate representation. Perhaps it would be worth contacting clickatell to discuss your needs and see if they offer any kind of guarantees. The only anecdotal evidence I can give you is that in my experience its fast. Cheers Luke