Links to BlackBerry FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions About BlackBerry

[imported_Mark Rejhon]

This sticky is a hyperlink list to "Big Helpful Threads" that I (or others) have posted:

• Why BlackBerry?
  A good thread that covers some of the real reasons many people prefer to use a BlackBerry over multimedia handhelds running PalmOS/PocketPC such as Treo/iPaq handhelds.
  
  
• BlackBerry Glossary
  Are you dizzy? Lost in alphabet soup? What the heck is BES? MDS? APN? Push Email? GSM? CDMA? PIN? This article is a lifesaver!
  
  
• BlackBerry Myths Busted: The Modern 2005-era BlackBerry
  This document busts many old myths of BlackBerries, by showcasing BlackBerry technology advancements, including bright color screen, purposes other than email, wide software selection, ability to do Internet applications, instant messaging, and more. Screenshots included!
  
  
• What Are The Methods of Receiving Email On BlackBerry?
  This describes the several possible methods of getting email onto a BlackBerry, for both push email and non-push email, including BWC email, POP email, forwarded email, BlackBerry Redirector, and BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
  
  
• BlackBerry Killer Software Thread
  A good listing of favourite BlackBerry software is in this thread. If you are getting started on BlackBerry, and want to know some software to try, see this thread!
  
  
• Blackberry Tips and Tricks, Keyboard Shortcuts
  Useful information about the many key shortcuts available on BlackBerry. Including the keypress shortcut that allows you to multitask multiple applications on a BlackBerry.
  
  
• Blackberry Calendar Tricks
  Useful information about how to efficiently use the BlackBerry Calendar very quickly, and out-schedule a Palm/PocketPC user in speed and efficiency.
  
  
• Blackberry Internet Browser FAQ - HTML Web With Images
  Information about web browsing on the BlackBerry. Find out how to get the best web browsing experience on a BlackBerry, including HTML, images, JavaScript, online banking, etc.
  
  
• Blackberry Instant Messaging FAQ
  Information about how to set up instant messaging on a BlackBerry, for chatting on the MSN/ICQ/AIM/Yahoo networks. Gai the added convenience of always-on instant messaging, on top of always-on email!
  
  
• SMS Between BlackBerry & Other Cell Phones
  This thread talks about various methods of how to send SMS messages between a BlackBerry and other cell phones, as well how to send an SMS using email from any computer. This can provide free unlimited outgoing SMS messages if using an unlimited GPRS plan.
  
  
• Configuring Internet On BlackBerry - WAP/APN/Gateway Settings
  You can now run Internet (TCP/IP) software on BlackBerry nowadays! No BES/MDS needed anymore! You can now do chat software, AIM, ICQ, MSN, IRC, telnet/ssh, web browsing, etc, on many carriers now.
  
  
• HOWTO: Use BlackBerry As Modem For Laptop
  Instructions on how to use a BlackBerry as a modem for a laptop. Works on 7100 and 7290 BlackBerries. May also work with other models of BlackBerries.
  
  
• Change Themes On a BlackBerry
  Bored of your Rogers theme? Find T-Mobile's theme too slow? Prefer the Vodafone theme on your Rogers? You can replace themes on your existing 7100 series! (Also works with other models such as 72XX series).
  
  
• BlackBerry Thumb Touch Typist Guide (Type Without Looking!)
  It is possible to learn how to thumb touch type on BlackBerries without even looking at the keyboard. Some people have exceeded 60-70 WPM on BlackBerries with no AutoText. This guide tells you how to practice thumb touch typing, and how to benchmark your thumb typing speed!
  
  
• Faxes to/from BlackBerry or any email
  Thread that describes how fax-to-email services work, even including faxing hardcopy documents.
  
  
• Voicemail Service With Voice-To-Text Automatic Transcription
  Thread that describes third party voice mailbox services that automatically transcribes all voicemails into text emails, allowing you to read your voicemails instead of listen to them. Can also be used as a substitute to alphanumeric pager service, even if your carrier doesn't support paging.
  
  
• Hosted BES FAQ: Wireless Outlook Synchronization!
  Thread for BES hosting in order to get Wireless Outlook Synchronization and to get MDS which acts like a TCP/IP Internet stack for Blackberries. This can be very useful if your carrier cannot use the new WAP/APN feature that is available in newer BlackBerryOS 3.8 and later.
  
  
• International BlackBerry Compatibility Guide
  Travelling? Wondering if BlackBerry will work in a certain country? Or need to purchase a BlackBerry for use in another country? This article answers these questions.
  
  
• Midlets: You can use Nokia/Motorola Java apps on BlackBerry!
  Thread that explains how to install midlets on your BlackBerry. BlackBerry actually has almost 1000 applications nowadays; if you include midlets. You can run midlets originally written for Nokia, Motorola, SonyEricsson cellphones!
  
  
• BlackBerryOS Upgrade Downloads
  This article tells you where to download the BlackBerryOS upgrade for your particular BlackBerry handheld. Also where to download the latest BlackBerry Desktop as well. Includes Version 4.0!
  
  
• Max The Battery Life Of Your New BlackBerry
  If you just recently purchased a BlackBerry, or you are having battery life issues, read this thread to find tips on how to maximize the battery life of your BlackBerry!
  
  
• BlackBerry Advantages For The Deaf & Hard Of Hearing
  Increasingly, deaf and hard-of-hearing people are purchasing wireless data devices such as Hiptop/Sidekicks. This thread lists the advantages of BlackBerry over other devices, for use by the deaf, including chatting services and relay services!
  
  
• Develop Software For BlackBerry
  If you are a Java programmer, this thread will give you a big jumpstart on writing your first BlackBerry application or BlackBerry-compatible midlet!
  
  

More threads will be added on popular demand and as I make other FAQ's over time, so keep tuned! And please feel free to go to those threads and post questions or comments if you need further help;

This is a "Mark Rejhon BlackBerry FAQ" article.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
Copyright (C) 2005 by Mark Rejhon, All Rights Reserved. Some portions may be Copyright (C) by respective forum members.
Mark Rejhon grants permission to use this article only for private use. For all other uses, please ask Mark Rejhon at www.marky.com to ask for permission to use this article. If any content of this article also contains content by other forum members, please ask them for permission too as well. This includes commercial use, public use, reposting in full/part anywhere on the Internet, publication in magazine/book or any other media, or any other use than private use. This copyright notice may not be edited or removed in any manner. Mark Rejhon reserves exclusive right to edit, remove, or restore this article, and this article may not be edited, removed, or restored by any other individual or organizations.

[imported_Mark Rejhon]

Edited to add new Blackberry Thumb Touch Typist Guide link.

[Willa]

Mark, thanks for all these links. My 7100t will ship next week, and these resources will give me something to do while I'm waiting.

[imported_Mark Rejhon]

New additions:

• Blackberry Calendar Tricks
  Useful information about how to efficiently use the BlackBerry Calendar very quickly, and out-schedule a Palm/PocketPC user in speed and efficiency.
  
• Configuring Internet On BlackBerry - WAP/APN/Gateway Settings
  You can now run Internet (TCP/IP) software on BlackBerry nowadays if you are using BlackBerryOS 3.8 or later! No need for BES/MDS anymore. You can now do chat software, AIM, ICQ, MSN, IRC, telnet/ssh, web browsing, etc, on many carriers now.
  
• HOWTO: Use BlackBerry As Modem For Laptop
  Instructions on how to use a BlackBerry as a modem for a laptop. Works on 7100 and 7290 BlackBerries. May also work with other models of BlackBerries.

[imported_Mark Rejhon]

Another one:

• Change Themes On a BlackBerry
  Bored of your Rogers theme? Find T-Mobile's theme too slow? Prefer the Vodafone theme on your Rogers? You can replace themes on your existing 7100 series! (Also works with other models such as 72XX series).

[imported_Mark Rejhon]

Added several more popular FAQ items!
Also made updates to almost all the existing threads, such as more software in the BlackBerry Killer Software link.

• BlackBerry Glossary
  Are you dizzy? Lost in alphabet soup? What the heck is BES? MDS? APN? Push Email? GSM? CDMA? PIN? This article is a lifesaver!
  
  
• Blackberry Instant Messaging FAQ
  Information about how to set up instant messaging on a BlackBerry, for chatting on the MSN/ICQ/AIM/Yahoo networks. Gai the added convenience of always-on instant messaging, on top of always-on email!
  
  
• BlackBerryOS Upgrade Downloads
  This article tells you where to download the BlackBerryOS upgrade for your particular BlackBerry handheld. Also where to download the latest BlackBerry Desktop as well. Includes Version 4.0!
  
  
• Max The Battery Life Of Your New BlackBerry
  If you just recently purchased a BlackBerry, or you are having battery life issues, read this thread to find tips on how to maximize the battery life of your BlackBerry!