Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

[12Footer]

I'm may be switching careers again, back to the field-inspection realm. In order to make my reports legible enough for fire marshall records, I would like to type as opposed to hand-print them. Not that my handwriting is that bad, but to elliminate "translation" and writer's cramp problems.<br />I thought about getting a notebook PC, but even the cheapos are up there in costs, and a large target for thieves, when inside a truck cab.<br />I considered PDA's, but to type on those things would take me all day to say "passed".<br />Anyhow, I heard Neal Booortz talking about something called a "blackberry". Is this something I could use to compile a decent, time-efficiant report on?<br />Any sugestions on an alternative to the laptop?

 

[crab bait]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

i don't know .. but hackers hacked their way into paris hilton's blackberry,, if you know what i mean.. ..

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

First computers were mainframes. Then they were workstations. Then they were desktops. Then laptops. Now, palm computers. Blackberry is a version of a palm computer, PDA/communication device on steroids. As you have noticed, computers can shrink but shrinking keyboards have a limit to their usability. I suggest revisiting the idea of a laptop for your application.<br /><br />Edit: Crab Bait - a lot of communication devices use Bluetooth technology. A couple years ago some students took a small box into the London subway and just sat there. As people walked passed with a Bluetooth enabled cell phone, the box collected data stored in the cell phone, including address books, codes, etc.

 

[fixin]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

I'm no computer guy,but I think this is what your talking about.<br /> http://www.nextel.com/support/user_guides/phones/bb7520.shtml

 

[12Footer]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

Yeeesh! I was afraid you'd say something like that. Thanks for the info. I guess it's the laptop...Maybee Ill check out some local pawn shops for an old operating 250Mhz with win2K on it. The one I'm looking at is 1200bucks cheapest on Overstock dot-com.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

I was in sams club last week and seen some laptops in the $8-900 range.

 

[jimchere]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

12F check out TigerDirect.com. If'n you get ya one, employ the inherent and configurable encryption technology. The only folks who really get suckered with wireless devices are those who choose to remain with the "default" settings...A matter of laziness and not wanting to understand how the device really works and what it does. IOW, read the friggin manual. Any moron who wants to hack knows the factory "default" settings and that's what they prey on. Use encryption wiht strong passwords (that include upper and lower case, consanants, and shift-number symbols) and you're fine.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

Hey 12Footer,<br /><br />No, I would not reccomend a blackberry for typing a report. <br /><br />Bassicaly, it's a handheld email device that also holds your calendar and contact information. It's good for quick email messages and will send and receive in real time but it does have a tiny keyboard that you have to punch away at with your thumbs so typing is very slow and the screen is small. Also, there is a monthly fee to use it. Unlimited monthly usage from Cingluar/AT&T is $50/month - without voice service - which you don't need - unless you want to use it as a cell phone too.<br /><br />All said and done, you COULD write a report with it, but it would take a LONG time, be uncomfortable, and there is no spell check.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

What about a lightly used laptop from Ebay? If you're going to be hauling it around a lot, look for a light weight one that is thin. I'd spend more money for more memory than a faster processor - I bet you'd be able to find something decent for $500-$700 ... I think a Blackberry is $500.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

Brand new laptops from Dell, $549.<br /><br /> http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

Hey 12Footer,<br /><br />I have a Blackberry. My comments.<br /><br />They operate fully as a mobile phone but do not have a nice feel in the hand at first.<br /><br />The have an extensive address book which includes many lines for addresses and numbers. The screen is very nice and you can choose from a couple of fonts and sizes.<br /><br />The e-mail facility I have yet to use but could be very good as you could type a much longer message. The keypad is QWERTY which corresponds with you PC keyboard and makes life easier. Over here it costs more to switch on the e-mail service (check if this is true for you).<br /><br />You can browse the internet with it and the high resolution colour screen would work well.<br /><br />It has a very useful diary / planner which works very well.<br /><br />With a bluetooth kit in your truck you could send reports immediately. When back in the office the Blackberry will sunchronise with your desktop and update the latest changes.<br /><br />I find it difficult to find peoples numbers fast but I think that this is due to me not having set up the address book correctly.<br /><br />Cheers<br />Andrew<br /><br />PS: Check me on this one. I think you can upload pictures from a digital camera into the Blackberry to send as an e-mail attachment.

 

[Link]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

Andrew.. neat avatar!<br />If you dont need a up to date one a older (than dirt) notebook just to transfer files or print with would work. Ive got a 93 25mhz that I use just for that.. cost 500 in 96 and sell for about 25 bucks now LOL<br />But we still use it on the road.<br />Office 97 is all we use it for.<br /><br />my .02

 

[rolmops]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

12footer,you may want to look into a Texas Instruments "TI92" or a "TI92+".It is still a handheld machine,but it is bigger than a blackberry.It has no e-mail capacity,but you can download it into your computer.It is also the best calculating and graphing machine that you can dream of.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

Hiya 12'!<br /><br />

<br />About BlackBerry <br /><br />BlackBerry® is a leading wireless connectivity solution, providing access to a wide range of applications on a variety of wireless devices around the world. It combines award winning devices, software and services to keep mobile professionals connected to the people, data and resources that drive their day.<br /><br />BlackBerry keeps you ‘in-the-loop’ while you’re on the go with push-based technology that automatically delivers email and other data to your BlackBerry device. And with the integrated phone*, SMS*, browser and organizer applications, you can easily manage all your information and communications from a single, integrated device. <br /><br />Collaborate and communicate more effectively and enhance your competitive advantage by responding quicker and making decisions faster. BlackBerry is the tool you need to stay connected and take care of business while you’re on the go.

The rest of the info can be found <br /> HERE <br /><br />Bottom line... it's a standard... any units that incorporate it are called "Blackberries"<br /><br />Don't waste your $$ on a PDA... they are soon to be a thing of the past. Get a laptop... most likely the best for what you need to do.

 

[BRG25]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

e-bay has about a billion laptops...

 

[beezee28]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

When buying on ebay...Take this to heart...<br />"Let the buyer beware". You pay for what you get. No affiliation to Dell but you can get Dell laptop and be on a purchase plan. Do it the American way, charge it to the credit card.

 

[ED21]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

I might be deductable if used for work.<br />Every little bit helps.

 

[SimonC]

Re: Compuer guys...What is a "Blackberry"?

I've used Blackberries for the past couple of years, and they're great if you're out of the office a lot as you get your e mail in real time and can respond as you like. If you need to type long replies it can be a bit of a pain, but most e mail only requires brief answers. The ability to be able to delete messages remotely from the desktop also saves a ton of time when you get back to the office.<br />The diary updates constantly with my office desktop and allows others at work to check my calender to see when I'm free, but the address book does not auto update and requires you to connect the unit to the PC when you've made changes. <br />Make sure you get one with the colour screen, the mono one is much harder to read.<br />The biggest problem that I, and my colleagues, have is that the darn thing is so addictive! In fact in the UK they're more often known as 'Crackberries'