General BlackBerry® Functions and Features

[jkbank]

Hi there - newbie here, loving my new Curve. Few questions though:

1) What is the difference between sending a PIN message and going through BB Messenger? Are they both outside the email service? Are they both free IMs?

2) Sometimes, when addind a contact to BB Messenger, it adds the contact with their PIN and sometimes with their email address. I request in the same way. Why does this happen? And does it matter/

Thanks

[metroberry]

1) Well if you want a continuous flow of conversation you use BB Messenger.  Sending a PIN message through the e-mail application on your blackberry is usually only done for testing purposes like doing a PING on the command prompt of a computer, because you get a receipt that your message has been delivered. 

Yes, they are both outside of the e-mail service, both ways go directly to the Blackberry user's PIN as opposed to their e-mail address, you are just using two different applications to do the same thing essentially.   It usually is not free though, IMs count towards your memory for your data plan. 

Keep in mind, PIN to PIN is just like MSN messenger in that is is NOT encrypted.  So never send sensitive imformation like your credit card number or your bank card access code over PIN to PIN.

The advantage of PIN to PIN is it goes directly to the blackberry device instead of an e-mail box.

2)  Because you have to add the PIN to the contact first in the address book.  It sounds like you are adding contacts that only have e-mail addresses.  Yes it does matter, you have to have their PIN to PIN them, an e-mail address will not work. 

Message Edited by metroberry on 05-13-2008 02:01 PM

Message Edited by metroberry on 05-13-2008 02:32 PM

[jkbank]

Thanks for the replies.

The thing is, when I started adding people to my messenger contact list, i didn't have anyone's PIN in my address book. When they accepted, some just automatically have the PIN as the info. I know it matters in that I can't PIN them, but does it matter if, when using Messenger, it uses the email rather than the PIN?

Whew, does that make sense?!?

Someone told me that using the messenger was free between BB users - true or not true?

[Rick]

PIN to PIN messages are free. They do not count towards your text/SMS count. Pin messages do not go through your carrier, they go directly to the RIM servers and to the person you are PINning.

[jkbank]

Thanks, that's what I thought. So does the same apply for BB Messenger? Or only if it lists the contact info with the PIN?

[Rick]

I believe it is free only if the BB Messenger contact is listed with PIN. You can delete them from your list and re-add them with PIN to guarantee the free messages.

[jkbank]

So Stupid question, but how do I get the PIN from others specifically? I am sending out requests to "add contacts", none of whom I know their PIN. Some, when they accept, do so with the PIN as contact info and some with email address. Why the discrepancy? How is it determined? I am requesting the same way for all.

[Rick]

Not a stupid question. We all were newbies at one time.  You have to ask them for their PIN. Once you have them in your address book with both PIN and email address - you will be given the option to request by PIN or email like this:

 

[jkbank]

The part that you show the screen shot for I get.....once I have their PIN I can choose whether to send message by PIN or email. I am not getting how to get the PIN during the initial request to add them to my contact list. Some contacts automatically were added to the list with the info as PIN and some with email address. These are people that are already in my address book, with email addresses. Am I making sense at all!?!  

[Rick]

There is no way to get the PIN by Messenger. You have to ASK them for the PIN, either by calling them, asking them to email you their PIN or taking a look at the Status under Options of their Blackberry.