Txt-it Notes: Paper Based Text Messaging

Text messaging or SMS (Short Message Service) has be-come a ubiquitous form of communication, particularly amongst the younger generations. However, older members of society (and technophobes in general) are often excluded from communicating in this way. In an attempt to overcome this problem, and to try and help foster social relationships among family members, we have designed and imple-mented a paper based system for sending and receiving text messages. We describe the underlying technologies used, along with the design of the paper user interface, the sim-plicity of which allows the system to be used by young and old alike.