Last week, the New York Times reported that New York City has subpoenaed the creator of TxtMob, a web- and SMS-based service that helped facilitate protestor communications during the 2004 Republican National Convention. From the story:

The subpoena, which was issued Feb. 4, instructed Mr. Hirsch, who is completing his dissertation at M.I.T., to produce a wide range of material, including all text messages sent via TXTmob during the convention, the date and time of the messages, information about people who sent and received messages, and lists of people who used the service.

The good news is that Tad Hirsch, TxtMob’s creator, is refusing to turn over any records, at least for now. The bad news is that this subpoena happened at all, adding SMS logs to the list of electronic communications that governments want to get their hands on, next to emails, web browsing histories and telephone calls.

Another unrelated yet awesome thing that Hirsch has done is to make the source code open and free. Maybe I could use this to power a future project…

Source: City Subpoenas Creator of Text Messaging Code

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that yesterday’s 5-years-in-Iraq protest was well-orchestrated, in part thanks to frequent updates delivered to participants via text messages. C.W. Nevius reports:

I was told to simply text message the “DASW [Direct Action to Stop the War] text mob” to get up-to-the-minute messages describing the latest action sent to my cell phone. At 3:08:29 p.m., for example, I received a message that said, “DASW current estimate - 150 arrests - thanks for taking to the streets and joining in.”

This is the first time I’ve heard of a small, local activist group (Bay Area DASW) employing SMS to help keep their participants in the loop. It’s a great idea, and could shift the dynamic of other direct actions in the future. Protests can be intense and a little scary when you see hordes of activists running up against walls of police — “What’s going on down there?” “Is everyone okay?” Panic breaks out when individuals can’t see over the crowd to get the bigger picture. “Are we safe here?” “Should we keep marching, or turn back?” A centralized organizing committee, armed with binoculars and mobiles, can now monitor the protest status among themselves, sending only pertinent information about the big picture to participants, such as number of arrests, or “look out, tear gas deployed, head SW on Market.”

I noticed this graphic during my first visit to Obama’s website. In case the candidate needed another means of inspiring potential supporters, he now has the techno-teen and dynamic media crowd. Howard Dean may have pioneered the use of the Internet for campaign fundraising, but Obama is the first I’ve seen to enlist SMS. (I was unable to find any SMS features advertised on Clinton’s site.)

With the Wyoming primaries coming up on Saturday, I visited Obama’s site again today, just to see if he had any special messages for supporters in that state. Notice that a different code is presented on the Wyoming page:

I thought I’d test this out and try to figure out how the system works.

Scott: MA

66262: Thanks for joining Massachusetts for Obama, For additional Obama updates Reply JOIN to this msg. Text HELP for help. STOP to quit. Std charges may apply.

Scott: Join

66262: Welcome to Obama Mobile NEWS & UPDATES. Reply with your zipcode to get local Obama info. Text HELP for help, STOP to quit. Std charges may apply.

Looks like the system is using all best practice recommendations, including double opt-in, support for required SMS commands (e.g. HELP and STOP), and reminding us that charges may apply.

Scott: 02139 [A Massachusetts zip]

66262: Thank you for updating your zip code with Obama Mobile. We will contact you shortly about upcoming events and local news. Send HELP for help & Stop to quit.

I suddenly realize that the campaign will not care about Massachusetts again for months, and I likely will not receive any updates. Help!

Scott: Help

66262: Obama for America! More info on http://barackobama.com/ To stop, text STOP to 62262 or call 877-822-5093

Okay, the “help” wasn’t that helpful, and the attempt to communicate excitement using an exclamation mark falls flat. (It’s trying to a evoke a different kind of excitement than “Ok C U L8r!”) Let’s try sending the main signup code of HOPE.

Scott: hope

66262: You are already subscribed to Obama Mobile. Text HELP for help, STOP to quit. Std charges may apply. More info at www.barackobama.com/mobile

At this point we can infer that you can sign up for “Obama Mobile” by sending essentially any text message to 66262. Your message could say “hope” or could contain a state abbreviation — it doesn’t really matter. Let’s tell it we’re in Wyoming, since that’s where all the action is this weekend.

Scott: Wy

66262: Welcome to WY for Obama Mobile. Text HELP for help, STOP to quit. Std charges may apply. More info at www.barackobama.com/mobile

Scott: 82601 [A zip in Casper, Wyoming, where the candidate is campaigning today]

66262: Thank you for updating your zip code with Obama Mobile. We will contact you shortly about upcoming events and local news. Send HELP for help & Stop to quit.

Okay, I guess that’s it. Now, we wait. In the meantime, we can think about how Obama Mobile appears to be a stateless server, which means that it’s not smart enough to remember what I said a minute ago when I say something else now. Each exchange is an independent conversation, which I think is typical for SMS systems today. I want to research this further, though, since I ultimately want to develop an SMS application of my own.

One other thing to note is that Obama Mobile also offers ringtones for your phone. Yes, Obama ringtones. My favorite is #12: “Hi, this is Barack Obama asking you to answer the phone.” Yes, it really is his voice, and yes, you bet he felt silly recording that, but hey, whatever it takes to win, right, Hillary?

Political commentary aside, it’s fascinating to see how everyone today becomes a media producer at some point. Candidates used to make sound bites in front of cameras — now they’re doing it in recording studios, and they’ll beam the audio straight to your phone. We’re still consumers, but now we’re producers, too, whether we want to be or not.

I’ll update this post if and when any TXTs from OBMA come in. It’ll be interesting to see what he has to say.

Updates: Received this message at 4:17 pm MST today:

Ready to caucus for Barack tomorrow? Fwd this msg & make sure everyone knows their caucus time and location. Info: 866-675-2008 ext 4 or WY.BarackObama.com

Received this message at 7:39 pm MST:

Our moment is now! Fwd this msg & tell all your friends to caucus for Barack tomorrow. For caucus info call: 866-675-2008 ext 4 or http://WY.BarackObama.com.

Received on caucus day, Saturday, March 8, at 11:01 am MST:

Make sure everyone goes to their caucus today for Barack! Times change across WY. For caucus times call 1-866-675-2008 or visit http://WY.BarackObama.com.

Received at the end of the day, Saturday, March 8, at 6:24 pm MST:

Barack wins Wyoming & the campaign moves on to Mississippi for Tuesday’s primary. Help us grow this movement for change, ask friends to text HOPE to 62262.

The choice between the two Democratic presidential candidates is clear, at least if we’re deciding based on their website and collateral material designs. Finally, the people we really want to hear from are commenting on the Obama campaign’s use of Gotham. First, an analysis by Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones, the designers of the typeface. And second, a response from Gary Hustwit, director of Helvetica, including a brief interview with H&FJ about Gotham’s origins. (Note to Hillary: Have your design team adjust your keming.)

Update: I just checked hillaryclinton.com. Is it me, or are they using Gotham all over the place now, too?