More n00b questions you've answered before
- Dieter BohnEx Editor in Chief, Smartphone ExpertsHiya everybody!
Dieter here from WMExperts, and I'm going to break the cardinal rule of forum posting by asking some questions without doing a search for the answers first. It'll getcha a chance to enter to win with relatively little effort, I suppose.
So I have the 8310 and let me start by saying the hardware on this device is *sweet*. Great formfactor and weight - it's very quality.
Questions:
- I'm currently on hold with AT&T so I can set up BIS - I'll take another look at Kevin's excellent BB101 article on the subject - but I'm wondering if somebody can help me out a bit by explaining exactly what's different between accessing the internet-at-large via a BIS plan as opposed to a straight data plan. I'm asking because it seems like WMExperts.com rendered differently when I used BIS (from another SIM) than it does now when I haven't set up BIS yet on my own SIM. Basically, the difference between MEdia Net and "Browser."
- It seems like the basic way to interact with the device is to hit the scrollball for a default "Open" action and to hit the Menu for "do other stuff" actions. Is that right?
- So I guess there's this "Blackberry-only" "SMS/IM-Mishmash" called blackberry messenger. I'd love to use it with folks - PM me and I'll give you my pin. Is there any way to get BlackBerry messenger to talk to other IM services (specifically AIM)? If not - what's a good AIM client?
- I set up gmail on this BIS just now - but it looks like it's gmail POP. Is there a way i can switch that to IMAP?
- chime in on your favorite themes. I'm sticking with the default ATT one now.
- There's a bunch of stuff i feel like I should be able to do quickly via hardware buttons. I'm assuming I can reassign the side buttons to "email" or "browser" or whatnot. I'll do that, I suppose. But is there a quick, button-based to switch profiles?
- So, uh, can somebody give me a basic primer on how this BlackBerry manages memory / open programs? Is it a true multitasker like Windows Mobile? A hackjob like PalmOS. A mysterious "multitasks but you don't really get access to managing it" like the iPhone? I'm asking because I've had a couple of looong delays (with the browser) and I'm wondering if it's RAM-related.
More to come, I'm sure!
Official contest thread, of course11-13-07 09:26 AMLike 0 - Dieter BohnEx Editor in Chief, Smartphone Experts...and by the way, AT&T customer service has been 15 kinds of good to me lately, it's almost surreal. They were *great* at helping me set up BIS!11-13-07 09:27 AMLike 0
- Questions:
- I'm currently on hold with AT&T so I can set up BIS - I'll take another look at Kevin's excellent BB101 article on the subject - but I'm wondering if somebody can help me out a bit by explaining exactly what's different between accessing the internet-at-large via a BIS plan as opposed to a straight data plan. I'm asking because it seems like WMExperts.com rendered differently when I used BIS (from another SIM) than it does now when I haven't set up BIS yet on my own SIM. Basically, the difference between MEdia Net and "Browser."
- It seems like the basic way to interact with the device is to hit the scrollball for a default "Open" action and to hit the Menu for "do other stuff" actions. Is that right?
- So I guess there's this "Blackberry-only" "SMS/IM-Mishmash" called blackberry messenger. I'd love to use it with folks - PM me and I'll give you my pin. Is there any way to get BlackBerry messenger to talk to other IM services (specifically AIM)? If not - what's a good AIM client?
- I set up gmail on this BIS just now - but it looks like it's gmail POP. Is there a way i can switch that to IMAP?
- chime in on your favorite themes. I'm sticking with the default ATT one now.
- There's a bunch of stuff i feel like I should be able to do quickly via hardware buttons. I'm assuming I can reassign the side buttons to "email" or "browser" or whatnot. I'll do that, I suppose. But is there a quick, button-based to switch profiles?
- So, uh, can somebody give me a basic primer on how this BlackBerry manages memory / open programs? Is it a true multitasker like Windows Mobile? A hackjob like PalmOS. A mysterious "multitasks but you don't really get access to managing it" like the iPhone? I'm asking because I've had a couple of looong delays (with the browser) and I'm wondering if it's RAM-related.
More to come, I'm sure!11-13-07 09:50 AMLike 0 - First off, you MUST dump that nastay AT&T theme! It's awful! I use the Dimension Zen theme, which leaves a nice neat row of 6 icons on the left side of your screen.
Second, click the Menu key on your home screen and create a new folder. Name it "Rubbish." Move all the yucko AT&T bric-a-brac (Shop MEdia, Shop Games, etc...) into this new Rubbish folder, then move it way down to the bottom row of your home screen. To move things, simply hilight the icon, hit the Menu key, and choose Move.
- So I guess there's this "Blackberry-only" "SMS/IM-Mishmash" called blackberry messenger. I'd love to use it with folks - PM me and I'll give you my pin. Is there any way to get BlackBerry messenger to talk to other IM services (specifically AIM)? If not - what's a good AIM client?
BBM:
- does NOT use SMS or MMS
- does NOT incur any extra charges.
- does NOT subtract from your SMS/MMS quota.
- ONLY works from BlackBerry to BlackBerry. It cannot communicate with any other IM applications.
My wife and I chat on BBM all day every day. It's an easily-accessible community of BlackBerry users to get to know, too, since everyone who uses BBM has a love of the BlackBerry in common.
Hands-down, the best IM client for the BlackBerry is Beejive's JiveTalk. It supports AIM, Yahoo!, ICQ, Jabber, GoogleTalk, and MySpace IM (which itself is still in beta). , It also sends your messages over data, not SMS, has a very clean interface, supports Buddy Lists, and is well worth the $29.99 single-user, multi-device license cost. It was the first piece of software I purchased for my Curve, and I am really stingy when it comes to paying for apps. Trust me, download the 30-day trial. You won't regret it.
MEdiaNet is AT&T's crappy browser, full of fun links to spend even more $$$ on their bland mobile product offerings. Just hide it away in the Rubbish folder. Use the BlackBerry browser AND download Opera Mini. I use both, as each has it's strengths. I like the BBB for WAP pages, and Opera Mini for standard ones.
Gotta run, hope that helps for now. Welcome to The Crack!11-13-07 11:22 AMLike 0 - Dieter BohnEx Editor in Chief, Smartphone Expertsawesome, guys, thanks for the tips so far!
So: I'm looking at an email. I want to look at the next one. Do I really have to go back, scroll up, then select the next one?11-13-07 11:27 AMLike 0 - Search the forums for threads on keyboard shortcuts. There's a bunch. I think "N" for Next and "P" for Previous? I don't use those much in messages, but I use them to move through my pics a lot.
Ah, from the Home Screen, go to Help>Shortcuts>Message Shortcuts. There's a sample.
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com11-13-07 11:34 AMLike 0 - Bla1zeCB OGI'm currently on hold with AT&T so I can set up BIS - I'll take another look at Kevin's excellent BB101 article on the subject - but I'm wondering if somebody can help me out a bit by explaining exactly what's different between accessing the internet-at-large via a BIS plan as opposed to a straight data plan. I'm asking because it seems like WMExperts.com rendered differently when I used BIS (from another SIM) than it does now when I haven't set up BIS yet on my own SIM. Basically, the difference between MEdia Net and "Browser."
It seems like the basic way to interact with the device is to hit the scrollball for a default "Open" action and to hit the Menu for "do other stuff" actions. Is that right?
So I guess there's this "Blackberry-only" "SMS/IM-Mishmash" called blackberry messenger. I'd love to use it with folks - PM me and I'll give you my pin. Is there any way to get BlackBerry messenger to talk to other IM services (specifically AIM)? If not - what's a good AIM client?
I set up gmail on this BIS just now - but it looks like it's gmail POP. Is there a way i can switch that to IMAP?
1. Enable IMAP in your Gmail account settings.
2. Select the 'PersonalEMailSetUp' icon.
3. Enter your Gmail username (including '@gmail.com') but leave the password field blank.
4. Select 'Next.'
5. Select 'I will provide the settings to add this email account' and then 'Next.'
6. Select 'Internet Service Provider Email (POP/IMAP)' and then 'Next.'
7. Select 'I will provide the settings to add this email account' and then 'Next.'
8. Enter your Gmail username (including '@gmail.com') as the user name and your password.
9. Enter 'imap.gmail.com' as the email server and select 'Next.'
10. Select 'OK.'
11. Below your newly added email address, select 'Edit.'
12. Select 'Advanced Settings' at the bottom.
13. Make sure that the port is set to '993' and 'Use SSL' is set to 'Yes.'
14. Select 'Save.'
chime in on your favorite themes. I'm sticking with the default ATT one now
There's a bunch of stuff i feel like I should be able to do quickly via hardware buttons. I'm assuming I can reassign the side buttons to "email" or "browser" or whatnot. I'll do that, I suppose. But is there a quick, button-based to switch profiles?
So, uh, can somebody give me a basic primer on how this BlackBerry manages memory / open programs? Is it a true multitasker like Windows Mobile? A hackjob like PalmOS. A mysterious "multitasks but you don't really get access to managing it" like the iPhone? I'm asking because I've had a couple of looong delays (with the browser) and I'm wondering if it's RAM-related.
PS: I work for AT&T data support, so i'm glad your experience with them was great....I appreciate the fact more that, you made it public to share that they were great.Last edited by Bla1ze; 11-13-07 at 12:33 PM.
11-13-07 11:45 AMLike 0 - Hey Dieter,
I have to concur with my fellow Crackberryians that JiveTalk is the best. I don't know how I functioned without it now that I loaded it.
For GMail I just downloaded Gmail Mobile and it works great.
Just remember once you go crack you never go back.
Peace11-13-07 12:01 PMLike 0 - Hi!
- So I guess there's this "Blackberry-only" "SMS/IM-Mishmash" called blackberry messenger. I'd love to use it with folks - PM me and I'll give you my pin. Is there any way to get BlackBerry messenger to talk to other IM services (specifically AIM)? If not - what's a good AIM client?
About Gmail IMAP
Click on "Learn how to set up IMAP on other devices". Should help you out.
- So, uh, can somebody give me a basic primer on how this BlackBerry manages memory / open programs? Is it a true multitasker like Windows Mobile? A hackjob like PalmOS. A mysterious "multitasks but you don't really get access to managing it" like the iPhone? I'm asking because I've had a couple of looong delays (with the browser) and I'm wondering if it's RAM-related.
There's an Application Switcher, that'll let you switch between all currently open programs, but for the most part when you exit an application, it quits, unless you specifically minimize it with the intent of coming back to the window later (usually you have to do this by using the Application Switcher to take you to the Home Screen as many programs don't have this option in the Menu).
You'll find that some programs appear to be always open, such as PTT, the phone, the Messages folder, Home Screen, etc. I think this is normal (at least it is on my device) and no matter how many times you select "close" for those programs, they always show up in the Application Switcher. I've also heard that some third-party apps are always running, and you should be careful with those as they eat up the processing power.
Hope my rambling could clarify things a bit.Last edited by chhyeeaa; 11-13-07 at 01:01 PM.
11-13-07 12:50 PMLike 0 -
pressing 3 will reload the page.
pressing D will minimize the browser.
pressing 0 will scroll down.
pressing 8 will brings up a nifty page overview that allows you to scroll.
etc.
You can also assign any letter key as a speed-dial key. I'm not sure if there's a way to assign programs to specific letter keys.11-13-07 12:55 PMLike 0 - Like someone said, "N" and "P" work as next(forward)/previous(backward) keys for messages, pictures, music, etc.11-13-07 12:57 PMLike 0
- Dieter BohnEx Editor in Chief, Smartphone ExpertsWap forums ftw!
...Is everything supposed to be centered or have I not figured out which browser I should be using for which situation yet?
So far, believe it or not, I think I am happiest with the att default theme - I moved everything onto the base level and hid the junk I didn't want.
I will say I wish I had just one more shortcut buttonm 1 for profiles, 1 for camera, and one to toggle between my different inboxes.
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com11-13-07 01:03 PMLike 0 - Dieter BohnEx Editor in Chief, Smartphone ExpertsWhen I load the browser, it just seems to sit with a BlackBerry logo there for an eternity. If I hit the meni button, it seems to snap it back to normal life.
Happens if I open the browser directly or if I use the cb "app"
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com11-13-07 01:18 PMLike 0 - Dieter BohnEx Editor in Chief, Smartphone Expertsthanks for the advice on switching to IMAP on gmail. will definitely do that...
....as soon as I figure out how to kill the pop account...11-13-07 01:39 PMLike 0 - I will say I wish I had just one more shortcut buttonm 1 for profiles, 1 for camera, and one to toggle between my different inboxes.
If you go into Options and turn Dial from Home Screen off, there's a host of other keyboard shortcuts. You can use "F" for Notification profiles, and each Inbox should have its own icon on the home screen. Move them to the top of the list.
"M" for Messages
"U" for Calculator
"L" for Calendar
"A" for Address Book
"B" for Browser
and so on.11-13-07 01:43 PMLike 0 - Bla1zeCB OGlogin to AT&T BIS, then click on the little trashcan with your email assoc. to it, and your POP account will be gone, then just follow the IMAP gmail process to set it up under IMAP...your browser issue may be due to a cache problem as well..go inside of browser press menu key then go to Cache Operations and dump all cache items that may be in there.11-13-07 02:04 PMLike 0
- CrackBerry KevinCrackBerry FounderDieter, Your Berry is sounding a bit glitchy...what oh what did Mike and Jennifer do to it?! I say sabotage. Run to the store and pick yourself up a shiny new one.11-13-07 03:37 PMLike 0
- Dieter BohnEx Editor in Chief, Smartphone Expertslogin to AT&T BIS, then click on the little trashcan with your email assoc. to it, and your POP account will be gone, then just follow the IMAP gmail process to set it up under IMAP...your browser issue may be due to a cache problem as well..go inside of browser press menu key then go to Cache Operations and dump all cache items that may be in there.
Oh, and Opera Mini RAWKSRelletti likes this.11-13-07 04:05 PMLike 1 -
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