Give the "Gift of Text" by sending an SMS with VB.NET and Skype

Never underestimate the value (to some) of sending someone a note. In my case, a note to my beloved is an excellent way of ensuring a happier homecoming.

Each note has to have an appropriately original sentiment, and be sent in a timely fashion. Sometimes circumstances do not permit time for the creative effort required. (Although I’ve heard that Generation Y can shoot of a text message faster than I just wrote the word faster…)

So why not queue up some appropriate messages and let my computer send one a day at the appropriate time? Yes I’m sure you can think of plenty, but this is just an intro to a code sample….

So to send an SMS, all you need to do is install Skype and get a reference to the COM type library:

After this, the following code sample should be enough to get you in trouble:

Public Sub SendSMS(ByVal strNumber As String, ByVal strBody As String) Dim loSkype As New SKYPE4COMLib.Skype Dim loSmsMessage As SKYPE4COMLib.SmsMessage

loSmsMessage = loSkype.CreateSms(SKYPE4COMLib.TSmsMessageType.smsMessageTypeOutgoing, strNumber) loSmsMessage.Body = strBody loSmsMessage.Send() Trace.WriteLine(loSmsMessage.Status.ToString)

loSmsMessage = Nothing loSkype = Nothing

End Sub

Have fun!