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["jeremy snyder" <halffinn AT hotmail.com>]

ok, i'm a blackberry user (and a windows user - although i'll probably be 
stoned on this list for admitting that)

my answers are below.


> Ok, Blackberry users.. now that the lawsuit is behind RIM I'm considering a 
> blackberry.  I like the bluetooth models and I consider the

> 1. Can a bluethooth wireless keyboard be used to enter data (and bluetooth
> mouse as well)?
>     (think folding bluetook keyboard like
> http://www.thinkoutside.com/stowawaybt_product.html)

i can't answer that one. in theory, it's probably possible to connect them, 
because i know when i paired my 7290 with my headset, it was a generic 
pairing, meaning that any bluetooth device that could be paired should have 
been discovered.

> 2. what are the real costs of using a blackberry?  Does "minutes" rack up
> for sending e-mails, web browsing?  If so what kind of plan does one need 
> to
> avoid costly "extra" minutes taken up by things other then phone
> conversations?

basically all carriers offer an "unlimited" blackberry plan, which gives you 
unlimited email & web browsing. web browsing isn't great, but it's workable. 
it works much, much better on sites that have a mobile interface that is 
auto detected. it could be much better on the new one that cingular is 
offering that supports edge networks.

if you don't get the unlimited plan, then i think it's like 1 min/email. 
that adds up quick. the unlimited plan is definitely the better option.

> 3. I see that the blackberrys can be controlled and synched on the Mac, but
> what about Linux?  XP is a no-brainer I'm sure

can't speak to this one.

> 4. Has anyone synched a berry with *gasp*, *cough* Lotus Notes?

i haven't done it personally, but i know plenty of companies that do. it 
works. if you want the true blackberry push email & full integration into 
the lotus notes server (wireless sync of calendar, contacts from the 
corporate address list, etc), some carriers call this a "corporate" email 
service.  i have t-mobile, and they charge $10/more per month for this.

as it is, i pay about $20/mo for the unlimited pop3 email & web plan.

jeremy