Anyone else hate OTA installs?

[slinky]

If there is one thing that I positively hate about the Blackberry more than anything I've ever encountered on the Palm or Windows Mobile, it's the dreaded "simple OTA install" with the Blackberry. OTA = Over The Air for those of you who are new, meaning that the application downloads directly to your phone and, in many instances, cannot be downloaded to your PC hard drive for backup. Numerous vendors have this method which ensures that I'm screwed because I can't adequately backup the files and reinstall, especially if I do an OS upgrade.

I'm considering writing an article on the "Blackberry Download Insurance Scam" because that's what it seems to be. I'd like to have a little more information from others with perhaps a different perspective and a little more experience with the OTA and backup - which is not a simple process with the Blackberry.

Let's start with "Software Updates": Webmessenger, a great piece of software. I bought it from Handango, cannot be downloaded from Handango because doing so after 30 days requires "download insurance." For the life of me I don't understand why I need to buy insurance to get reasonable updates that I pay for. If there is a bug found, what do I do after 30 days? The nice people at Webmessenger gave me a download link for an OTA download. Unfortunately this is not my original install file and, should the link ever fail to work, I'm screwed with no backup. If I'm in another country with my BB and have no Internet service (although I may have a phone connection), any app that requires reinstall is hosed.

Let's move onto the example of Dataviz - you pay $50-80 for your Documents to Go software. You get 5 "downloads" of the software before you too have to buy "download insurance." The downloads are not like those for the Palm and Windows Mobile - these too are OTA. I recently upgraded my system software twice with my Blackberry. Guess what? I've lost 2 "downloads" -- or should I call them "installs?" Dataviz seems to want to push the "insurance" to the tune of $3 per every 5 installs. Now I'm trying to figure out why I'm paying for "insurance" for something I can't backup myself. The developer made it impossible for me to practically back up the software so now I'm getting hit in the teeth with insurance?

I'd love to get your opinions. Unfortunately this practice which occurs regularly in the Blackberry world is sufficient to question the viability of the platform outside the corporate environment, which it was designed for and still shows painful growth strain.

[pltaylor]

here ya go...http://forums.crackberry.com/f3/how-...cations-53201/

[sunkast]

Originally Posted by slinky

If there is one thing that I positively hate about the Blackberry more than anything I've ever encountered on the Palm or Windows Mobile, it's the dreaded "simple OTA install" with the Blackberry. OTA = Over The Air for those of you who are new, meaning that the application downloads directly to your phone and, in many instances, cannot be downloaded to your PC hard drive for backup. Numerous vendors have this method which ensures that I'm screwed because I can't adequately backup the files and reinstall, especially if I do an OS upgrade.

If you do an OS upgrade, it will ask if you want to back up and restore third party apps. Also, there is a method to back up your third party apps on your own.

How do I backup my Third Party Applications on my BB? - BlackBerryFAQ
Q&A How to Backup your 3rd party applications to your PC | BerryReview.com »

[Grafixx01]

Oh I DO! I'm going to try the links though cause I HATE doing OS upgrades then having to go back and try to find where I got the OTAs from.

That'll make my IE and FireFox bookmarks go WAY WAY DOWN!

[bmcclure937]

Honestly, I stopped reading after the paragraph... because this thread is a useless rant

You actuall can backup all of your applications, OTA or not. Follow the thread by Crucial (posted aboved).

That will create a backup of all the application .alx and .cod files on your PC.

Alternatively, you could save the .jad file to a microSD card and use that to install yo your device as well.

But, the fact of the matter is that OTA is easy and able to be backed up easily as well

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[fonebrkr]

Originally Posted by pltaylor

here ya go...http://forums.crackberry.com/f3/how-...cations-53201/

You're fast...precongrats to the new "master"..

I used to do all my installs OTA, then I got more into having them on my pc for upgrades.
The link above covers everything though

[slinky]

Originally Posted by pltaylor

here ya go...http://forums.crackberry.com/f3/how-...cations-53201/

Didn't work for me. I couldn't find the folder in Vista and believe me, I tried.

That said, why in heck should any person who purchases a phone have to join a forum and do searches to find WORKAROUNDS to backing up your files properly and then HOPE they reinstall?

More importantly, why aren't Blackberry software developers providing the users with the ENTIRE install packages ourselves? This occurs even with software that has serial numbers that must be entered AND requires a connection to the company online to activate. That second step is another terrible experience on the Blackberry. If you've ever switched phones or upgraded, you'll know exactly what I mean. You might as well take an entire day off to contact EVERY manufacturer to issue you a new serial number after providing your PIN. Only a select few allow you to generate a new code (and you must be connected online to register.)

[asylvia]

Just do backups through DM and your **** will be backed up

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[John Yester]

Originally Posted by sunkast

If you do an OS upgrade, it will ask if you want to back up and restore third party apps. Also, there is a method to back up your third party apps on your own.

How do I backup my Third Party Applications on my BB? - BlackBerryFAQ
Q&A How to Backup your 3rd party applications to your PC | BerryReview.com »

Originally Posted by bmcclure937

Honestly, I stopped reading after the paragraph... because this thread is a useless rant

You actuall can backup all of your applications, OTA or not. Follow the thread by Crucial (posted aboved).

That will create a backup of all the application .alx and .cod files on your PC.

Alternatively, you could save the .jad file to a microSD card and use that to install yo your device as well.

But, the fact of the matter is that OTA is easy and able to be backed up easily as well

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Both very well said.....


Hopefully the OP will find a answer to his problems...

[CSI Guy]

I really like OTA installs, it just works for me.

[MaggieMcCoy87]

My pearl actually for some reason only lets me do OTA. I can't transfer to it from my Mac or my PC. =(

Its really annoying and idk why it does it!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Pete6]

OTA is a central pillar of how the BlackBerry works under BES. That is why it is there.

For BIS users it is a way of getting apps an themes onto your phone quickly and without the need for a PC connection.

I try to avoid OTA because I prefer to keep my installed app in a folder, on my PC

[bmcclure937]

Thank you Sunkast. Honestly, if Slinky would follow the threads we posted, all would be fine! It works, Vista and XP

And we cannot solve these "problems" that RIM have caused for you... we can only supply work-arounds that all work 100% fine! That process is absolutely flawless.

And the complaint about getting a new device or upgrading is mute as well, because the Switch Device Wizard covers all of that stuff. And, when upgrading the OS... follow my Proper Upgrade/Downgrade Procedure thread and all apps and settings will be backed up and restored.

And, please do not personally attack me and throw insults when members jump to help you. That attitude is poor and unprofessional for such a "professional" business man, or whatever you call yourself!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Javaddict]

Originally Posted by bmcclure937

Honestly, I stopped reading after the paragraph... because this thread is a useless rant

You actually can backup all of your applications, OTA or not. Follow the thread by Crucial (posted aboved).
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

I agree I was thinking "rant time" one of the things I love about OTA is that it's so easy.

[sunkast]

Originally Posted by slinky

Didn't work for me. I couldn't find the folder in Vista and believe me, I tried.

I had a hard time finding the folder at first too. One of the other posts I read suggested to try this on the computer: Go to Start > Run. Type in %temp% and hit enter. This brought up the folder which had my PIN and the backed up files.