When text messaging hit the United States in 2002, it was primarily used to send friends and family a quick 'C U SOON' before boarding an airplane or 'B LATE' while stuck in traffic. Then there were skeptical cell phone users who avoided text messaging, rather than dishing out 10 cents, only to get lost navigating the keypad. But today, not only are more users than ever taking advantage of cheap monthly text messaging packages, but a short text message could help you locate the closest pizza place, get the latest traffic report, or even find a date for the weekend.

Now, nearly everyone is exercising their fingers. "We're seeing more people use text messages for business purposes and to contact colleagues," says Linda Barrabee, senior analyst at the Yankee Group, which reported that 19 percent of cell phone users send and receive messages with coworkers, a three percent rise from last year. That's not surprising considering five billion text messages are sent each month in the U.S., up from 2.8 billion a year ago and just over 800,000 in 2002.