Foo - Crackberry. Do you have one?

Man as I see my boss struggling to get used to his new Blackberry it makes me think how if I didn't have mine I'd feel a bit out of touch. I've had mine less than a year but I seldom go anywhere without it with me. How many of you have the addiction. Whether it be a Blackberry, Treo, Sidekick or one of the newer ones?

Yup....got my Blackberry 8700 about a year ago. I love having email and everything right here in one shot. :)

I refuse to be that connected to everything. It aint natural and we need time away from all this crap.
Just my 2 cents.

I refuse to be that connected to everything. It aint natural and we need time away from all this crap.
Just my 2 cents.
+1 I have a cell phone. I use it to make & receive phone calls.

+1 I have a cell phone. I use it to make & receive phone calls.

Yeah me to. As soon as I get it to only make and not receive, I will be perfectly happy. :) Screw the rest of the bells and whistles.

Blackberry? I'm in produce what do you think?

http://www.hiltonpond.org/images/Blackberry01.jpg

I refuse to be that connected to everything. It aint natural and we need time away from all this crap.
Just my 2 cents.
I agree....but view it from another perspective.

We need time away from our "digital life", but often have emails and things that are very important we know are coming in and NEED our immediate attention. So having something like a blackberry allows me to answer an email while at the dog park with my dogs rather than KNOWING I need to get home because that email is coming in. It allows me to go for that bike ride and still take care of the issue that's coming in just by a quick check at my half-way point, etc.....

It's the blackberry that gives me that freedom to get away more and do "non-computery" things.

I work with a woman who got fed up of her bf talking and emailing constantly. She told him to stop one night. He said he would and then got a call followed by an email. While he was typing, she pulled it from his hands and dropped it in the toilet!

He grabbed it out and used her blowdryer to dry up the water. I asked her if it still works and she said she doesn't care or know.

Being connected doesn't mean I don't get a break. I have the choice to respond to what I deem necessary. But I like at least knowing the information is close at hand. My .02 cents anyways. I know it's not for everyone but I like it. Me and my wife even have matching ones. :D

Me and my wife even have matching ones. :D
Do you use it to talk with each other when you're in the same room? :D

Being connected doesn't mean I don't get a break. I have the choice to respond to what I deem necessary. But I like at least knowing the information is close at hand. My .02 cents anyways. I know it's not for everyone but I like it. Me and my wife even have matching ones. :D
Exactly....I'll keep it with me, but on silence. Only check it when I'm somewhere I can sit for a minute and if (and only if) I am expecting something important.

Don't have one, I might need one but I don't want it.

Do you use it to talk with each other when you're in the same room? :D

No way. Well maybe jokingly, but not on a regular basis. But sometimes I'll send her a naughty message so she has to hide it from the kids. Watching her reaction is priceless.

Work provides and 8703e. It is a lot lighter than carrying a laptop with a broadband card on my rides. I'm on call for two weeks every four weeks so not having it with me isn't acceptable during that time. On long rides I still bring the laptop if I'm on call. Fortunately I have a small laptop anyhow. But yea, I do enjoy the Blackberry. I've used my computer less at home since I got it.

Man as I see my boss struggling to get used to his new Blackberry it makes me think how if I didn't have mine I'd feel a bit out of touch. I've had mine less than a year but I seldom go anywhere without it with me. How many of you have the addiction. Whether it be a Blackberry, Treo, Sidekick or one of the newer ones?

I have a Treo 650, have had it for 2 yrs. after resisting anything more complicated than a phone to make & receive calls. Now I can't imagine life without it. I take pictures, open lockboxes with the infrared port (I'm a Realtor), check the MLS for new listings and properties for sale when I'm out showing properties, make & receive phone calls, stay organized with the calendar & contacts, and even play a game -- Bejeweled -- every now and then. What a handy little toy it is!

I don't have it set up for email, though, because then it'll take over my life and I'll never ride my bike again.

Do not have one and do not plan on getting one, spend enough time online without it being atatched at the hip.

+1 I have a cell phone. I use it to make & receive phone calls.

That's fine, but I receive 45-60 emails a day from all over the world, in different time zones, and phone conversations would be a tremendous waste of time.

I can correspond in meetings and public places without being another a-hole with "La Cucaracha" on his ring tone.

Depends on your job, but if you decide to take time off from communication, you are on the B list with your colleagues whether you realize it or not.

No way. Well maybe jokingly, but not on a regular basis. But sometimes I'll send her a naughty message so she has to hide it from the kids. Watching her reaction is priceless.

Yeah, one of the best outcomes of wireless communications. Nothing like typing and receiving dirty messages during some idiotic business meeting.

I agree....but view it from another perspective.

We need time away from our "digital life", but often have emails and things that are very important we know are coming in and NEED our immediate attention. So having something like a blackberry allows me to answer an email while at the dog park with my dogs rather than KNOWING I need to get home because that email is coming in. It allows me to go for that bike ride and still take care of the issue that's coming in just by a quick check at my half-way point, etc.....

It's the blackberry that gives me that freedom to get away more and do "non-computery" things.


I completely understand....I just refuse to be that available to my employer...they already get enough of me as it is. As for personal stuff....I do that on my own time and in my own way....that's why its personal. I tried the whole "always available" thing once...the employer took advantage of it, and I swore I would never give my life over to a company like that again.

The bonus for me is that while I'm at my day job, I can conduct some of my own private business matters. Of course I limit it so that it won't affect my job performance. But it helps immensely.

The bonus for me is that while I'm at my day job, I can conduct some of my own private business matters. Of course I limit it so that it won't affect my job performance. But it helps immensely.

Hrm...I wonder if the time spent on BF affects my job performance...

I completely understand....I just refuse to be that available to my employer...they already get enough of me as it is. As for personal stuff....I do that on my own time and in my own way....that's why its personal. I tried the whole "always available" thing once...the employer took advantage of it, and I swore I would never give my life over to a company like that again.
I wasn't talking about employer either. I don't use it for "work" work. I meant for personal things...like girlfriend is going to be calling for an important matter, expecting a call about something from your bank/online order/credit card/etc....

To each their own....I'd rather have it available all the time to handle emails often in small doses than to save it up and have to sit at email for 45 minutes to answer them all that came in.

To each their own....I'd rather have it available all the time to handle emails often in small doses than to save it up and have to sit at email for 45 minutes to answer them all that came in.

To me that's the best part of it. Handle the situation at the moment and it will get done.

I refuse to be that connected to everything. It aint natural and we need time away from all this crap.
Just my 2 cents.

Yep. As a Commanding Officer, I'm issued one. I use it to keep tabs, but generally I do not answer any emails unless they're exceptionally urgent. I also don't publish the number except to my Command Duty Officer who will call me if there's something I need to deal with right away.

Crackberry? Sure... if you have one by choice. If not, Electronic Leash is a more accurate description.

That's fine, but I receive 45-60 emails a day from all over the world, in different time zones, and phone conversations would be a tremendous waste of time.

I can correspond in meetings and public places without being another a-hole with "La Cucaracha" on his ring tone.

Depends on your job, but if you decide to take time off from communication, you are on the B list with your colleagues whether you realize it or not.

+1

So true, especially in IT. If someone is working and are not able to be contacted somehow, they will always be relegated to the back of the line for promotions and raises, behind the guys who are barely competent, but are always reachable. Having a cellphone is par for the course and is 100% assumed for all but entry level work these days.

Appearance counts. If you have a Blackberry and keep a Bluetooth earpiece in your ear while at work, you WILL get promoted in this day and age, assuming you do your job decently.

Personally, I prefer Windows Mobile 5 or 6 over RIM products, but that's just me. I've been very happy so far with my PocketPC phone.

I agree....but view it from another perspective.

We need time away from our "digital life", but often have emails and things that are very important we know are coming in and NEED our immediate attention. So having something like a blackberry allows me to answer an email while at the dog park with my dogs rather than KNOWING I need to get home because that email is coming in. It allows me to go for that bike ride and still take care of the issue that's coming in just by a quick check at my half-way point, etc.....

It's the blackberry that gives me that freedom to get away more and do "non-computery" things.


Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. I don't get paid to work 24/7 365, so I refuse to be at anyone's beck and call 24/7 365. You have to have boundries. Somehow magically we had an industrial revolution without needing to be at work 24/7.

To me that's the best part of it. Handle the situation at the moment and it will get done.
Same here....but some people prefer to be totally free from it, but then spend longer at email when they get around to it. I understand that philosophy too, just don't subscribe to it.

Same here....but some people prefer to be totally free from it, but then spend longer at email when they get around to it. I understand that philosophy too, just don't subscribe to it.

That's ok. To each his own. That's why we have the choice. This is what I've chosen.

Personally, I prefer Windows Mobile 5 or 6 over RIM products, but that's just me. I've been very happy so far with my PocketPC phone.From what I've seen, I do too. However, I work somewhere that doesn't allow camera phones and there were no non-RIM smart phones that didn't have a camera (at least when I switched a year ago). Given my true choice, I think I would have preferred a Treo.

+1
Personally, I prefer Windows Mobile 5 or 6 over RIM products, but that's just me. I've been very happy so far with my PocketPC phone.

Agreed. Email is important but it doesn't replace a laptop. PocketPC does which is makes a better viable alternative for me. Being able to respond to emails is pretty much useless if thats all I can do.

i <3 my crackberry.

i text on my bike rides.

I can't stand those things. My friend has one that goes off every 30 seconds at least. Literally. I would never let myself get leashed to work or anything like that. The last thing I want to become is one of these dip****s that has to be on the blackberry while driving. Talking, sending e-mails, checking the calendar. Oh god. I should attach my graphing calculator to my belt so I can look like a tool, too.

i <3 my crackberry.

i text on my bike rides.

They are sturdy too. I've dropped mine twice while putting it back in my jersey pocket. Hit the raod at 15-18 mph, cover and battery comes out, and gets some sratches on the cover. It all goes back together and still works. :)

I can't stand those things. My friend has one that goes off every 30 seconds at least. Literally. I would never let myself get leashed to work or anything like that. The last thing I want to become is one of these dip****s that has to be on the blackberry while driving. Talking, sending e-mails, checking the calendar. Oh god. I should attach my graphing calculator to my belt so I can look like a tool, too.

Well as far as with me, most of the emails I get are personal. Believe me I am not one to be enslaved to a job. But since my boss sits right behind me, this helps me go alot of things I may not be able to at the moment. I mean I know I can live without it. When I was on vacation last week I had it off for the most part. And I only checked it once a day to see if there was anything urgent. But I just like having all that information available to me and readily accessible. Besides I put it in my pocket so perhaps that helps a little with the dork factor. It's hidden all the time.

I use my cell phone to make about one call a month, why would I want something even dumber and more expensive? The computer stays on the desk, and I don't want to be available electronically every minute of the day. Nothing is that important it can't wait. Good lord, it makes you wonder how did people ever get along before cell phones and computers??? Just fine, thank you very much!

I use my cell phone to make about one call a month, why would I want something even dumber and more expensive? The computer stays on the desk, and I don't want to be available electronically every minute of the day. Nothing is that important it can't wait. Good lord, it makes you wonder how did people ever get along before cell phones and computers??? Just fine, thank you very much!



Hey, we agree!!!

Mmhmmmm. I wonder if they make crackberry pie.

I'm still mentally living in the paleolithic. I don't even have a cell phone.

Hey, we agree!!!
:D

:beer:

btw my comment about the BB being 'dumber' was entirely cynical, I know they package better and better electronics into smaller and smaller packages these days, but miniturization has its limits too, and if it's too complicated to easily understand and use, what's the point?

btw my comment about the BB being 'dumber' was entirely cynical, I know they package better and better electronics into smaller and smaller packages these days, but miniturization has its limits too, and if it's too complicated to easily understand and use, what's the point?


Me=anti blackberry ...
AND me=anti-text****ingmessaging but...

why is it the devices fault we can't keep up to miniturization....I remember when short hand was king (if you didn't know short hand you didn't know anything)...with text speak coming to the forefront (god shoot me now)...shorter. smaller and smarter keyboards will be possible.

Mmhmmmm. I wonder if they make crackberry pie.

If they did, I'm sure it would be extremely addictive.

Me=anti blackberry ...
AND me=anti-text****ingmessaging but...

why is it the devices fault we can't keep up to miniturization....I remember when short hand was king (if you didn't know short hand you didn't know anything)...with text speak coming to the forefront (god shoot me now)...shorter. smaller and smarter keyboards will be possible.

I refuse to send messages in that shortened, "texting" speak. I will actually punctuate text messages. Why? Well, I'm not ********, so I'm not going to type as if I were.

Seriously, if someone sent me a text message that looked like "where r u @" I would disregard it completely.

Oh and the one I hate the most, people that bring these stupid devices on camping trips and the like. It drives me nuts.

Yes, I have one.


http://one.revver.com/watch/27670

I refuse to send messages in that shortened, "texting" speak. I will actually punctuate text messages. Why? Well, I'm not ********, so I'm not going to type as if I were.

Seriously, if someone sent me a text message that looked like "where r u @" I would disregard it completely.

Oh and the one I hate the most, people that bring these stupid devices on camping trips and the like. It drives me nuts.

I don't disagree, I hate it to. But the devices can get smaller as this new "shorthand" comes into its own. With those kids growing up and becomes the new US, in 10 years, its a very large possibility that text speak will become somewhat of a standard.

be afraid, be very afraid.

i do find it very annoying when i'm out with someone who keeps glancing at it. or when i get up to go to the bathroom or something and find that they've started up a new email while i was gone. then they put it away really quick like they've been caught. actually, no, i'm not annoyed by it - i just think it's very silly behavor for adult humans.

I don't disagree, I hate it to. But the devices can get smaller as this new "shorthand" comes into its own. With those kids growing up and becomes the new US, in 10 years, its a very large possibility that text speak will become somewhat of a standard.

be afraid, be very afraid.

I detest that shorthand. It reminds me of WoW kiddies, or even before WoW, the goobs on IRC whose idea of being a top hacker is having five Eggdrop bots on a channel, and who had some type of nervous condition forcing them to confuse letters and numbers when writing.

I don't have one but definitely understand those who have them.

Just like a cell phone, if you don't want to be bothered, turn it or the ringer off. The convenience factor of just having it in your possession is pretty high.

...smaller and smarter keyboards will be possible.
I'll believe it when I see it, we're still using the stupid 1868 QWERTY (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QWERTY) keyboard for cryin' out loud!

I refuse to send messages in that shortened, "texting" speak. I will actually punctuate text messages. Why? Well, I'm not ********, so I'm not going to type as if I were.

Seriously, if someone sent me a text message that looked like "where r u @" I would disregard it completely. ...

Yeah, 'cause "where are you at" is redundant, I mean... srsly. How ignorant.

I understand your impulse to ignore bad writing, but on the other hand I think it's pretty freaking clever that people have come up with a new way to communicate information that's easily understood (for the most part) and less time consuming. It doesn't have to be taught, it's picked up by grandmas and 9 year olds without any sweat, and it enables people to shorten 100-letter sentences into just a few clicks. It's working with the new technology to make things easier.

My only problem with it is that I use the T9 mode most of the time, and to say "ur" instead of you're means I have to get out of T9 mode. :D