CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse

by Martin Trautschold, Kevin Michaluk, Gary Mazo, MSL Made Simple Learning

Overview

A delayed train, a dip in the conversation, an early morning hour with no sleep—during these moments, do you feel an overwhelming urge to grab your BlackBerry? Do you know someone else who does? If the answer is yes, then look no further than this one-of-a-kind book…

CrackBerry: True Tales of Blackberry Use and Abuse covers the phenomenon of “BlackBerry Addiction,” offering true-life accounts of BlackBerry dependence and mishaps. You'll find comfort and humor in the unbelievable tales of BlackBerry abuse and also learn some valuable tips along the way.

• The definitive guide to responsible BlackBerry use.
• How to tame and get the most out of your BlackBerry device
• BlackBerry etiquette guidelines

This book offers a comprehensive "12 Step Plan" for BlackBerry users and abusers. It's a must have if you own a BlackBerry, and maybe it's the perfect gift for a friend who is showing signs of a BlackBerry addiction.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781430231806
Publisher:	Apress
Publication date:	10/21/2010
Series:	Books for Professionals by Professionals
Edition description:	1st ed.
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Martin Trautschold is the founder and chief executive officer of Made Simple Learning, a leading provider of Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, BlackBerry and Palm webOS books and video tutorials. He has been a successful entrepreneur in the mobile device training and software business since 2001. With Made Simple Learning, he has been helping to train thousands of BlackBerry users with short, to-the-point video tutorials. He has now co-authored 15 Made Simple guide books. Martin also co-founded, ran for three years, then sold a mobile device software company. Prior to this, Martin spent 15 years in technology and business consulting in the U.S. and Japan. He holds an engineering degree from Princeton University and a master's in business administration from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University. Martin and his wife, Julia, have three daughters. Martin enjoys rowing and cycling. He can be reached at [e-mail].

Table of Contents

Contents at a Glance iv

Acknowledgments ix

The Authors' Stories x

Gary's Story x

Kevin's Story xiv

Martin's Story xviii

Introduction xxi

The Responsible BlackBerry User xxiii

Phantom Vibrations xxiv

Early Days of the CrackBerry xxv

Benefits of BlackBerry Wireless Email xxvi

CrackBerry Terms Defined xxvii

Presidential BlackBerry Addiction xxviii

BlackBerry Addiction Avoidance Tips xxviii

The Path to a BlackBerry 12 Step Program xxix

Our 12-Step CrackBerry Addiction Program xxx

Chapter 1 "I Can't Be Without It!" 1

Must...Check...Messages Now! 3

An International Problem 3

The Roots of the Problem 4

We're Always Connected 4

Communication Feels Good 5

Can't Leave Home Without It 6

Checking Messages Makes Us Feel Important 7

He Couldn't Be Without It 7

Why the BlackBerry is So Addictive 8

BlackBerry On Bike 9

Eat, Sleep, and Dream BlackBerry 10

Cannot Resist-Busted! 11

It's a One-Handed Device 11

Instant Communication 12

It Calls to You 12

Jet Ski and Fender Benders 13

The Clikety-Clack of the Keyboard 13

The Addiction 14

Vanessa's Story 14

BlackBerry During a Funeral 18

BlackBerry Caused Mercedes Crash 19

We Hit a Stopped Truck at 60 mph 20

Chapter 2 "Do I Worship My BlackBerry"" 23

Almost Hit by Bus for BlackBerry 25

Chapter 3 "Step Away from the BlackBerry" 33

Cannot Turn It Off 35

BlackBerry in Shower 37

The World Stops Without My BlackBerry 38

Fear of Losing My BlackBerry 39

Chapter 4 "BlackBerry Boo-Boos" 41

The BlackBerry Alphabetic Acrostic 42

BlackBerry Football Instead of Dancing with the Wife 44

Embarrassing Ringtone! 46

Taking a Moral Inventory of BlackBerry Abuses 48

Chapter 5 "Am I a BlackBerry Abuser"" 49

The BlackBerry Addiction Quiz 51

Assessing Your Addiction Quiz Results 53

Sneaking Away from Groups 54

Cash Penalties for Use in a Meeting 55

Kevin's Comments on the Addiction Quiz 56

Martin's Comments on the Quiz 56

Musings of a BlackBerry Abuser 57

Dual Addiction 58

Chapter 6 "OK, I Am a BlackBerry Abuser" 59

The Work-Life Balance 61

Seeing the Light at the End of the Tunnel 61

Lakefront Cookout 62

Addiction by the Numbers 63

The Sheraton Hotel Study 63

Chapter 7 "Ask Others for Help" 65

An Exercise: What Should You Do" 67

Electronics Rehab Getaway 70

CrackBerry Massage and Spa 71

Massage for BlackBerry Thumb 71

Chapter 8 "BlackBerry Bystanders" 73

My 5-Year-Old Son 74

BlackBerry at Funeral 75

Concerned Bystanders 77

Quotes from Concerned Bystanders 77

Missed a Big Hit at Baseball 79

Berry vs. Boyfriend: Who Wins" 80

Frequent Flyer's Fiasco/Stand-by Hell 82

Kevin's Missing Curve 84

Exercise: List Your Own BlackBerry Bystanders 85

Chapter 9 "Scooping BlackBerry Poop" 87

Jam on My BlackBerry while at a Red Light 91

Use BlackBerry AutoText to Reply in Car 91

BlackBerry on Wheel, Typing Next to A Police Officer 92

He Stopped in mid-Story to Use His BlackBerry 93

Exercise: Create a Checklist for Apologizing to Your BlackBerry Bystanders 94

Chapter 10 "BlackBerry Etiquette" 95

BlackBerry Abuse Interventions and Etiquette Rules 96

Achieve Balance with Interventions 97

Addiction Avoidance Tips 97

Top Ten BlackBerry Rules to Live By 99

Top 10 BlackBerry Productivity Myths Busted 100

Rationalizing Our BlackBerry Use 101

The Table Analogy 102

Chapter 11 "Conscious Contact or Constant Contact"" 103

Helping You Reflect on Your BlackBerry Addiction 108

Chapter 12 "Typing the Talk and Walking the Walk" 111

BlackBerry Addiction Avoidance Tips 113

Advice for Employers 113

Advice for Parents 113

Advice for All BlackBerry Users 113

Chapter 13 Our Final Thoughts 115

Gary's Final Thoughts 115

Kevin's Final Thoughts 116

Martin's Final Thoughts 117

Constant Effort 118

Appendix: CrackBerry Terms and Definitions 121

Index 127