BlackBerry – A Personal View

The basic rule for any successful design in my opinion is “form follows function.” If a device has to perform a certain function, its design must support that function to the fullest extent possible. In the case of the BlackBerry its primary function is to deliver email on the move, which it does simply, efficiently and securely, in the smallest practical footprint. Of course it can do a lot more, but for me that is the key function and BlackBerry passes my test with flying colours!

I have been an enthusiastic BlackBerry user for over two years, quickly reaching the point where I wondered how on earth I managed without it. In our organisation there are severe restrictions on devices which can connect to the network and especially on access to corporate email. This made extended absences from the office particularly difficult, with a resulting tsunami of email to cope with when you returned. That has changed radically and I spend much more time than previously out of the office, in the knowledge I’m always on top of my email. I use the BlackBerry Enterprise Server version, which works with either Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes mail server systems, but versions are available using web-mail clients for individuals or small businesses. As a bonus, you can use your BlackBerry as a phone, although this is not to everyone’s taste.

There is a danger, like any technology, of becoming a slave to the machine; it does require self-discipline. It also requires management buy-in to the concept of empowering the user to work where and when they wish. It shouldn’t be seen as a tool for ensuring 24/7 staff availability.

So, how do I use my BlackBerry? On a typical weekday I’ll check my BlackBerry around 6:30 in the morning as I have breakfast, both to check what email I have to deal with during the day and also to remind myself of my schedule. Any urgent messages I’ll answer whilst travelling on the train, which will be repeated during “dead” time in the day. Even if I’m nominally working at my desk, my BlackBerry is in its holster, ready for action. Similarly on my journey home, I usually find time to respond to a any emails which I haven’t had time to answer during the day. When I arrive home, the BlackBerry goes on its travel charger and might be consulted before I go to bed, particularly if I’m expecting a response from someone in Canada, although I try to discipline myself not to respond until the following working day, unless it is really urgent.

Aside from email, I use the wireless synchronisation with my desktop Outlook calendar, which is very useful and synchronise my Outlook Contacts. If there is a weak part of the BlackBerry PIM package, I would nominate the address book, which doesn’t allow you to do free text search. I'm not a touch typist and find the BlackBerry keyboard great, but some touch typists might have problems. I also make extensive use of BlackBerry's Autotext function (converts abbreviated words and phrases into full versions as you type), which I really miss when I'm typing elsewhere. I used to have a Palm, but could never master Graffiti and my text entry was very slow.

BlackBerry’s beauty for me is the small footprint, light weight and extended battery life, which means I can take it anywhere. For me email is the key function I need when mobile; I don't want to create or edit spreadsheets, PowerPoints or Word documents, although I might want to view them occasionally and this is possible. The latest colour BlackBerries have very good screens without sacrificing too much on battery life - they'll easily work several days, if you use the sensible of option of carrying them in their holster when not in use, which switches the screen off (also switch off the radio when out of signal coverage, e.g. below ground, to conserve battery life...).

I’ve also roamed with my Blackberry in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal and Canada with few problems. My most exotic roaming location was on top of Sulphur Mountain, Banff, in the Canadian Rockies (www.banffgondola.com/ )!

George Edwards

blackberry@gedwards.me.uk

George Edwards has almost thirty years experience in the IT industry. He has been regularly consulted by colleagues responsible for the development of new IT systems and one of the first in Europe to trial RIM’s BlackBerry email solution and is an enthusiastic user.

George is married and lives in Tring, a small market town about 60 kilometres north-west of London. He relaxes by walking his dog in the Chiltern Hills and taking photographs.