protected function preChecks($message, $senderID)
    {
        //TODO a better method for this
        //Pre-checks act1
        if ($senderID == null || !strlen(trim($senderID))) {
            $this->senderID = $this->config['default_sender'];
        } else {
            $this->senderID = $senderID;
        }

        //Pre-checks act2
        if ($message == null || !strlen(trim($message))) {
            $this->message = '&'; //Error character for sms
        } else {
            $this->message = $message;
        }
    }