Rich's Tongfamily (Richtong.net add-on)

I’ve been recommending the Blackberry 7230 to a host of folks. Here’s the latest and some FAQs:
_Hello Rich,
Finally I see someone who has a Blackberry 7230. I have been seriously considering one.
I live in Upstate NY but I travel every year to Germany for a month. While there I would like to send/receive e-mail and the Blackberry seems a good solution.
BUT–my computer at home would be turned off. And I have an e-mail account as you see it right now. Would it be possible to access e-mail while in Germany?
Oh yes, I also do not use Outlook/Outlook express, but rather the e-mail program with Netscape. (People tell me I am working with a dinosaur, but it still works for me).
I do also have a T-Mobile data only account for my laptop with using a PCMCIA card acting as a modem connecting to T-Mobile’s network.
Thanks for any information/suggestions you may have.
Cordially,
Mahl
Mahlon Wagner_
Great questions, Mahlon. Here are your answers:
I’ve been to Germany and the UK myself and this has turned out to be a good solution. Your mileage may vary of course, but the fact that it supports GPRS international roaming makes it easy to get email anywhere where there is GSM coverage.
On your connection to email, this Blackberry sports a new feature called “Web client”.
The Blackberry servers themselves will look for mail and deliver them to you so you don’t need to have your PC on. The only thing you need is to have POP3 or IMAP access to your mail server. If you don’t know what these are, let me know. Unfortunately, AOL and hotmail won’t work and yahoo requires an extra charge for POP3 access. If you are using a cable modem like Roadrunner then things are great since they provide this POP3 access.
Also since you have T-mobile already, you can decide to make the Blackberry just a data device for $40/month or you can use it as a phone as well for whatever plan you pick plus $30/month. I’ve been using it as a phone and while it is big, it does let me get rid of one device.
Thanks,
Rich
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Wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success. If interested, see ignitionpartners.com . (With apologies to Sir Ernest Shackleton)
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