Does anyone have any personal experience with a 'Blackberry'?

[In_The_Wind]

I was out of touch with my on-line friends, my personal support group.

I took my lap-top traveling with me. I did everything that I could to be 'on-line'.

Now - I'm ready to try something new. One or two DUers suggested a 'Blackberry'.

Will that help me to stay connected?

[Zomby Woof]

1. I think WilliamPitt has one

He once posted that he did, and seemed very pleased with it.

Couldn't hurt to PM him if he doesn't see this thread.

[In_The_Wind]

4. I don't believe that Will is in the Lounge often enough to see this thread

It is good to hear that someone we know has one and likes it ... before I plunk down a chunk of change.

My cell phone lights up to let me know if I i have an incoming call and I do text message quite a bit.

I think the Blackberry may be a bit more user friendly.

I'll be taking several train trips this winter and I'm trying to downsize the weight I'll need to carry with me.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. If having email constantly at your fingertips doesn't keep you connected

nothing will. :-)

[In_The_Wind]

5. I have my own .com so I can restrict my emails.

It shouldn't become unmanageable.

[WCGreen]

7. My BIL has one to stay connected to his work....

He uses it all the time.....

Says it is pretty easy....

I don't know though.....

[In_The_Wind]

10. It's sounding better all the time.

I'm sure I'll feel like going shopping for a Blackberry soon. That should take 20 pounds off of my travel load!

Thanks Chris

[WCGreen]

11. You should look on line....

Or in Ohio where the sales tax is lower than in NY

[merh]

3. Yes, blackberry's are little computers that will help you stay

connected. But you have to be sure to keep your reading glasses with you at all times and your fingers must be nimble!



:hug: :loveya:

[In_The_Wind]

8. I always have my reading glasses and a spare pair ...

I hate asking people to read menus to me.

I wear bifocals which are giving me fits when I try to look down and walk at the same time. But - I don't expect to be walking and using my computer at the same time. Are they all pretty much the same or do they have a variety of bells and whistles. I often wind up with technology that is beyond what I really need.

[merh]

12. Like anything else, they load 'em up with stuff you might not ever

use. This one is the photo blackberry, I guess it takes photos. They also are cell phones - all in one gadgets (don't know about mp3s, but probably!).

[In_The_Wind]

13. I'm learning new things all of the time...

who say's you can't teach an old dog new tricks ... the cell phone size is going to put me back with the same problem that I'm having with my cell phone which can access the web for an extra $7.00 per month. I think the small screen would drive me nuts if I was checking my PMs.

[merh]

16. You don't need the small screen -

The first one I sent you might be better for you.
It's the cost that I resent. Their charges don't seem fair to me.
:freak:

[In_The_Wind]

17. supply and demand

:shrug: If you build something that corners the market then you can get top dollar until the competition catches up.


Now my house mate is looking to get her hands on my lap-top if I'm not going to be needing it ... and it cost 3 times what the Blackberry will cost me.

[merh]

29. When pricing, be sure you find out the costs for sending and

receiving messages (including any extra charges for attachments - images, etc.).

They make it all seem so wonderful, but the monthly costs are often more than a monthly internet bill.

I personally would prefer a lap top over the blackberry. I like the regular size key boards (actually, I prefer natural keyboards and track balls) and the screen.

:hi:

[no name no slogan]

6. They don't call them "Crackberries" for nothing

We have them at work. They are very addictive, and once you have one it's pretty hard to put it down.

I refused to carry one just because I don't want to be that available after hours. I already have a cellphone that's on 24/7 and that's available enough.

[In_The_Wind]

9. I am hearing impaired = damn near deaf in crowds.

so my cell phone isn't good enough ...Several times this past weekend I didn't know it was ringing until someone else pointed it out.

I won't be bothered by anyone without a dictated email address. It shouldn't become a problem.

Crackberrie :rofl:

[China_cat]

14. The company my husband works for

issued Blackberrys to all their drivers. They can use them as a phone, a walkie/talkie, as a pda, they can get email, dispatch can dump maps to them, send them invoices, pick up instructions, etc. They've really helped make the drivers more efficient with an unexpected savings in fuel to top it off.

[In_The_Wind]

22. This thread was my first information gathering attempt on new equipment.

I believe that anyone with personal experience can offer both good and bad points that I won't hear about from a salesperson. I'll be doing my shopping next week with a better idea about what to look for.

Thanks, China_cat

[crispini]

15. I would go to an office supply store or some other store

where you can try it out. Anything that has that small of a form factor, you need to make sure you can use it before you buy it.

[In_The_Wind]

20. I believe I'll do that sometime next week.

When I'm fully recovered and my brain is back to working for more than 15 minutes at time.

Thanks, crispini

[KatyaR]

18. I'll put my two cents in, for what it's worth.

If you want to synch to Microsoft Outlook, you may have problems. My boss has one, and the last software update has screwed up both his calendar and contact lists. He is not the only one on campus having this problem (we are in a university setting). According to my IT guys, Blackberry's calendar operation cannot be trusted.

However, if you want it mainly for email, it would probably be just fine.

Me, if I were getting something like this, I would go with a Palm Treo, mainly because you have the capability to use other programs, music, etc., where you can't with the Blackberry.

Connectivity's a great thing--I say go for it!

[In_The_Wind]

19. Wait a minute - the Blackberry has competition that's better?

I joined the cyber world 3 years ago, most of all of this is new to me. I've never heard of a Palm Treo.

I'm looking for something - slightly larger than a cell phone to send and receive emails or instant messages. I hadn't thought about using it for other purposes.

There is an Office Max about 15 miles from my home so now I know there are other options for me to look into.

Thanks for your two cents, fifthgendem.

[sbj405]

31. I have a Treo for work

Email, web, phone, camera, etc. I like it. It's little bigger than a cell phone, but does so much more. Get one before they switch the Microsoft OS.

[KatyaR]

33. I'm slightly prejudiced, I guess.

I've been using a Palm for six years and am NEVER without it. Seriously, I carry it around the house--it's really kinda obsessive. I have everything on it from recipes to music to ebooks and audiobooks, spreadsheets, work info, shopping lists, phone numbers and addresses, everything. It's like having my whole life in my hands at all times.

I'm not really sold on the idea of having a cell phone/PDA combo because I don't use a cell phone much, but for many people, they absolutely love having them combined in one unit.

Here are some links for you to look at:

http://www.palm.com/us/products/smartphones/treo650/
http://web.palm.com/
http://mytreo.net/
http://discussion.brighthand.com/palmhandhelds/

You might also explore PalmGear to see the types of program available for Palms--there are hundreds of thousands (and the best part is, you can buy them on the internet and usually have immediate access):

http://palmgear.com/

If I can answer any questions for you, just PM me.

[JanMichael]

21. IT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO COMMUNICATE AFTER HURRICANE CHARLIE!!!

Ok, maybe there were some others, but every mobile that I dialed to Punta Gorda was down, the land lines were down too, email to ComCast down as well, but my mother communicated with a friend via a Blackberry and the friend told her it was the only outside communications that he had!

[In_The_Wind]

23. Well hell! That is a recommendation that I haven't heard before!

My travels will be far less stressful for everyone if I am able to stay in-touch with home. I know that I'm okay - I just have to reassure my house mates of that fact on a regular basis.

[JanMichael]

24. They should have that story on their ads. Period.

I don't know why they haven't yet either.

[In_The_Wind]

25. I can understand why they may hold off on publicizing that.

[JanMichael]

26. Why?

Seriously?

Disaster strikes and the only way to tell your loved ones that you're safe is <insert device here>.

[In_The_Wind]

27. What if it doesn't work and some one's life is lost?

People might feel like Blackberry would be cashing-in on the fear factor and they could lose good public relations.

[JanMichael]

28. Disclaimer like ever product has.

It's like when ads talk about quick responses by insurance companies I guess. Always a disclaimer though.

[alarcojon]

30. I like mine

Though it IS expensive. My favorite feature is e-mail, though I also like the calendar (don't know about synching issues - I use it stand alone).

Last night my home computer was down, so I got my DU fix on the BlackBerry. Much slower, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

BTW I have the one in post # 12 and mine does not take photos.

[In_The_Wind]

34. I know what you mean about needing an alternative way to log-on.

The computer that I use the most is on a cable connection. The service will go out at times and that is when I turn on my lap-top which I bought with a dial-up modem. Now - the BlackBerry will be my next generation computer advancement. I rarely check my calender so that won't become an issue.

Thanks for sharing your BlackBerry experiences with me.:thumbsup:

[NewJeffCT]

32. Be careful, they can be addictive

My wife had one for work, and she ended up taking it EVERYWHERE. I even called it her little tail because it followed her where ever she went.

Her company did business all over the world, so with the time zone differences between Europe, the US, China & India, she was getting mail 24/7 for business purposes and she ended up feeling almost obligated to respond. But, even then, when she left the company in August, she still had over 2,000 unread emails.

[In_The_Wind]

35. I'm sure that it will be addictive!

Luckily for me - I won't need to answer business emails for anyone else's company.

Only my closest friends will have the email address that I'll use for my BlackBerry and I'll block everything else.

Thanks Jeff - I hope your wife has found an enjoyable replacement for her 24/7 BlackBerry addiction.

[DelawareValleyDem]

37. Hence the term 'Crackberry'

The big shots where I work all have them, and yes, they swear by them.

[LynneSin]

36. Talk to Liberalnurse - she had one in DC

And in fact we looked at DU at breakfast from it.

Not sure if it was a blackberry or something with amazing internet capabilities. But she can give you the scoop!