I just got my first blackberry device after using standard flip phones for the last 6 years.
So far, I love it, but one thing I do miss that every cell phone seems to have, is a little favorites menu...where you can store shortcuts to contacts and other things...
There are two convience keys on both sides of the device. Go to Options>Screen/Keyboard and scroll down. You can set them to open up sms, or browser, application switcher, camera, etc. Hope this helps.
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com