[JJJMan]

Verizon customer for a few years now, finally taking the leap into the blackberry world from an LG voyager.

i ordered the phone online, once it comes in (hopefully tomorrow) and i get my number setup on the phone, does anyone have advice for the first things i should do with the phone, obviously learn it, but should i update the OS before i really get into it? or anything else?

thanks in advance,

-J

[bbcruiser]

I would suggest reading this thread http://forums.crackberry.com/f135/ul...s-only-100612/. There are many shortcuts that improve the use of all Blackberrys that people don't know at first.

Welcome to Blackberry, you'll never go back....

[apetit]

Play with the phone as is for while before updating the software. The .75 version of the firmware is quite useful, although others will be waving firebrands about now.

After you spend time with it, there are quite a number of posts here that will help you fine tune it to your liking. I would not recommend jumping into the tuning fray until you know what you don't like and have explored the device (semi-)thoroughly.

[Hophead]

Diffently just take the time to learn the phone. There is so much to this phone that can't be learned in just a few days. I have had my Storm since the 1st of Dec. and still find cool things about it.
Be Patient!!

[nneptune#CB]

start with *228 to keep the tower info up to date.
Make sure you read the tips link given above.
ENJOY and play a lot with it.
I was easily frustrated by teaching things to myself when I got mine 2 weeks ago. But, now I've got a lot of it down.

I wish I knew this forum was here! It would have saved me some time!

[nneptune#CB]

Also, it won't come with a huge User's Manual. It's on the disc included.
I refer to it often! I just downloaded it as a pdf file, and open as needed.
good luck.

[ajh0914]

don't open it until after work/school/any previous engagements... i know it'll be hard, but i made the mistake of opening it in the middle of the day before two classes and work... lets just say i didnt get a whole lot accomplished that day hahaha... welcome and yeah play with it a ton, i've had it for over two months now -basically since it came out- and i'm still learning a ton of stuff about the phone every day... and i'd recommend moving up to the latest leaked operating system .99 its been the best one hands down for me so far!

[paulanthonyc]

Be PATIENT! Alot of people got easily and quickly frustrated with the Storm. In addition, RIM/VZW are slow to offer an official OS update. Read posts on these forums, and you will learn how to avoid alot of little buggy issues. Most of all, enjoy your BB. Download a few apps, get comfortable with Storm, and SHOW IT OFF!!!!!

[JJJMan]

wow, thanks everyone!!! i am pretty excited for it, i'm having it shipped to work which is probably a bad idea haha. i'm through a couple of pages of the tips/tricks link (thank you bbcruiser!) and i see its really helpful. i am totally the type of user that learns by doing so it'll be a fun experience nonetheless.

[fecurtis]

If this is your first Blackberry, then the learning curve can be quite steep. Be patient with it and you'll get the hang of it. Blackberries are very flexible allowing for a lot of customization.

[mdude85]

I've had the Storm since Dec. 15 and I've been through 3 operating systems with it (currently I am using .90). I have some friends who recently bought Storms and they are all using the official .75 release with no problems.

If I were you, I'd stick with the official software release until another official release is pushed to your phone since I think that is the best way to avoid a lot of the problems users have been reporting from the leaked OSs.

[weathering_the_storm]

For your own sanity just update to .75 official. I have been using .75 since December and haven't had any issues with my phone. I believe once you start screwing around with the leaks you will begin to have problems.

I also have an Otterbox on it and have to say the protection is second to none. I haven't had any of the problems other users are having with it. Types perfectly.

Just my thoughts...

[JJJMan]

If this is your first Blackberry, then the learning curve can be quite steep. Be patient with it and you'll get the hang of it. Blackberries are very flexible allowing for a lot of customization.

yes, it is my first blackberry, and i absolutely understand the learning curve. it should come rather quickly to me, i like to think of myself as kind of a "power user" that is tired of the limited capabilities of LG's phones. the customization and patience that comes with it is certainly nothing i can't handle. i agree with you guys about sticking with the official OS's until i am ready to jump into less stable waters.

[Bigmck4u]

I made the exact same change Voyager-------->Storm I gotta say WOW! I am an Addict. There said it. I concur with the majority concensus here, play with it, get to know it, learn it before you start tweaking your OS or anything else.

[gettat2d]

Verizon customer for a few years now, finally taking the leap into the blackberry world from an LG voyager.

i ordered the phone online, once it comes in (hopefully tomorrow) and i get my number setup on the phone, does anyone have advice for the first things i should do with the phone, obviously learn it, but should i update the OS before i really get into it? or anything else?

thanks in advance,

-J

dont do it man ! stay with the LG man ! its like a drug man ! you dont want no part of the dewie !

[pkcable]

For the love of GOD! Do not read the Rants & Raves Forum, at least not till you have used the phone for a bit first.

Also there is a GREAT wiki Storm site out there well worth checking out...

BlackBerry Storm Wiki: The BlackBerry Storm Wiki with all the information you want to know!

[SoCalSpecialist]

i was an avid blackberry user for about 2 years (had a pearl and a curve)..then i jumped onto the HTC ship since, it implemented the blackberry messenger...but now that im in SouthernCali..i went back to Blackberry..and i dont regret it for nada..

the storm is a dope device..has a few bugs, that can be annoying at times..but once those kinks are worked out..its golden!

Late,
Specialist

[Laren]

The first thing you should do is unbox the phone, install the battery, and dial *228 to activate and update the phone.

In my opinion, the very next thing you should do is LET THE BATTERY CHARGE. COMPLETELY. I know it's hard to resist tinkering with the phone, but allowing the battery to get a full initial charge is the best thing you can do for your battery.

Once you have a full charge (the bolt symbol over the battery indicator will disappear), you can set up your phone- e-mail, instant messenger accounts, ring tones, wallpapers, and any other option you want to tinker with. I'm new to BlackBerry too, and you will be AMAZED at how much the phone can do and the sheer number of variables you can set and tweak to your liking.

The official tips/tricks thread is a good place to start, as is the wiki. Reading the manual (on the CD) is never a bad idea, either.

I have had my phone for almost a week now and still haven't set up and adjusted everything. Do it gradually, spend a LOT of time practicing on the keyboard, and be patient with the software, because it DOES suck. If I were you I wouldn't update to a leaked OS right away, though. I'm tempted to upgrade to .99, but .75 is working pretty well for me for the most part, so I think I'll stick with it until the next official release.

[kasolberg]

I would have to say not to get frustrated with it. There is so much that can be done with it and this quickly gets to many people. Have patience and have fun. Welcome to Crackberry. You'll soon know why it's called that.

[JJJMan]

hahaha thanks everyone, i'm quickly learning why its called crackberry and i don't even posess mine yet. believe me when i say i understand patience when learning new things. i'm a volkswagen owner, i was an early adopter of vista and still think its a decent OS, was an early adopter of the LG voyager, and have been a techy-geek for oh about 15 or so years now. this little machine is right up my alley.