About five years ago, getting a personalized beeper was all the rage at chain restaurants that tend to have long waits. You'd sit around waiting and then a little disc in your lap would start to pulsate and flash red LEDs, then you'd go to your table.

Instead of that, we should be using text messaging. When you give your name and the number of people in your party, you should also give your cell phone number and your provider. Then, when your table is ready, the reservation system will send you a text message telling you so. This little feature would let people run a quick errand or head across the street for drinks and when their table is ready they can make their way back. It's terribly simple and would be quite helpful.

I'm sure there are tons of applications to manage reservations and waiting lists at restaurants and I couldn't imagine this would be tough to implent. The only requirement is that the computer have an internet connection.

If you know anyone who makes reservation software, let me know. I'll sell them the idea for six figures. And sure, I'll cut you in.