I searched through the tips and tricks and didn't see this tip so I thought I would post to share it with everyone. If it has already been mentioned and I missed the post then my appologies!
When you open up a new message if your keyboard doesn't automatically show up, instead of clicking the BB button and then clicking "show keyboard" you can actually just touch the bar at the bottom of the screen swipe your finger up!
Done typing your message/email and wanna proof read it before you send? Simply touch either the top two rows of keys on the keypad and swipe down and the keyboard hides itself.
yeah old - but the threads for this go way back - thanks for posting your findings again though! its still usefull to newer users just checking out latest threads!