CrackBerry : True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse

by Michaluk, Kevin

• ISBN13: 9781430231806
• ISBN10: 1430231807
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-10-31
• Publisher: Apress

Summary

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 bookhellip;Crackberry: True Tales of Blackberry Use and Abuse covers the phenomenon of "BlackBerry Addiction," offering true-life accounts of BlackBerry dependence and mishaps. Yours"ll find comfort and humor in the unbelievable tales of BlackBerry abuse and also learn some valuable information along the way. The definitive guide to responsible BlackBerry use. How to tame and get the most out of your BlackBerry device BlackBerry etiquette guidelinesThis book offers a comprehensive 12 Step Plan for BlackBerry users and abusers. Itrs"s a must have if you own a BlackBerry, and maybe itrs"s the perfect gift for a friend who is showing signs of a BlackBerry addiction. Dozens of user stories that are just too funny or too sad to believe A unique 12 Step approach to curb your BlackBerry dependence Use effective strategies for balancing life and your BlackBerry Work BlackBerry etiquette tips to live by "BlackBerry Confessions" from the authors and users from CrackBerry.com The "BlackBerry Quiz" to test your level of addictionFor everyone who has used a BlackBerry smartphone!

Author Biography

Gary Mazo and Martin Trautschold are the authors of more than a dozen blackberry guidebooks and founders of the made simple series. Kevin Michaluk is the founder of crackberry.com, the world's largest blackberry community website with over 2.5 million members.

Table of Contents

Contents at a Glance	p. iv
Acknowledgments	p. ix
The Authors' Stories	p. x
Gary's Story	p. x
Kevin's Story	p. xiv
Martin's Story	p. xviii
Introduction	p. xxi
The Responsible BlackBerry User	p. xxiii
Phantom Vibrations	p. xxiv
Early Days of the CrackBerry	p. xxv
Benefits of BlackBerry Wireless Email	p. xxvi
CrackBerry Terms Defined	p. xxvii
Presidential BlackBerry Addiction	p. xxviii
BlackBerry Addiction Avoidance Tips	p. xxviii
The Path to a BlackBerry 12 Step Program	p. xxix
Our 12-Step CrackBerry Addiction Program	p. xxx
"I Can't Be Without It!"	p. 1
Must...Check...Messages Now!	p. 3
An International Problem	p. 3
The Roots of the Problem	p. 4
We're Always Connected	p. 4
Communication Feels Good	p. 5
Can't Leave Home Without It	p. 6
Checking Messages Makes Us Feel Important	p. 7
He Couldn't Be Without It	p. 7
Why the BlackBerry is So Addictive	p. 8
BlackBerry On Bike	p. 9
Eat, Sleep, and Dream BlackBerry	p. 10
Cannot Resist-Busted!	p. 11
It's a One-Handed Device	p. 11
Instant Communication	p. 12
It Calls to You	p. 12
Jet Ski and Fender Benders	p. 13
The Clikety-Clack of the Keyboard	p. 13
The Addiction	p. 14
Vanessa's Story	p. 14
BlackBerry During a Funeral	p. 18
BlackBerry Caused Mercedes Crash	p. 19
We Hit a Stopped Truck at 60 mph	p. 20
"Do I Worship My BlackBerry?"	p. 23
Almost Hit by Bus for BlackBerry	p. 25
"Step Away from the BlackBerry"	p. 33
Cannot Turn It Off	p. 35
BlackBerry in Shower	p. 37
The World Stops Without My BlackBerry	p. 38
Fear of Losing My BlackBerry	p. 39
"BlackBerry Boo-Boos"	p. 41
The BlackBerry Alphabetic Acrostic	p. 42
BlackBerry Football Instead of Dancing with the Wife	p. 44
Embarrassing Ringtone!	p. 46
Taking a Moral Inventory of BlackBerry Abuses	p. 48
"Am I a BlackBerry Abuser?"	p. 49
The BlackBerry Addiction Quiz	p. 51
Assessing Your Addiction Quiz Results	p. 53
Sneaking Away from Groups	p. 54
Cash Penalties for Use in a Meeting	p. 55
Kevin's Comments on the Addiction Quiz	p. 56
Martin's Comments on the Quiz	p. 56
Musings of a BlackBerry Abuser	p. 57
Dual Addiction	p. 58
"OK, I Am a BlackBerry Abuser"	p. 59
The Work-Life Balance	p. 61
Seeing the Light at the End of the Tunnel	p. 61
Lakefront Cookout	p. 62
Addiction by the Numbers	p. 63
The Sheraton Hotel Study	p. 63
"Ask Others for Help"	p. 65
An Exercise: What Should You Do?	p. 67
Electronics Rehab Getaway	p. 70
CrackBerry Massage and Spa	p. 71
Massage for BlackBerry Thumb	p. 71
"BlackBerry Bystanders"	p. 73
My 5-Year-Old Son	p. 74
BlackBerry at Funeral	p. 75
Concerned Bystanders	p. 77
Quotes from Concerned Bystanders	p. 77
Missed a Big Hit at Baseball	p. 79
Berry vs. Boyfriend: Who Wins?	p. 80
Frequent Flyer's Fiasco/Stand-by Hell	p. 82
Kevin's Missing Curve	p. 84
Exercise: List Your Own BlackBerry Bystanders	p. 85
"Scooping BlackBerry Poop"	p. 87
Jam on My BlackBerry while at a Red Light	p. 91
Use BlackBerry AutoText to Reply in Car	p. 91
BlackBerry on Wheel, Typing Next to A Police Officer	p. 92
He Stopped in mid-Story to Use His BlackBerry	p. 93
Exercise: Create a Checklist for Apologizing to Your BlackBerry Bystanders	p. 94
"BlackBerry Etiquette"	p. 95
BlackBerry Abuse Interventions and Etiquette Rules	p. 96
Achieve Balance with Interventions	p. 97
Addiction Avoidance Tips	p. 97
Top Ten BlackBerry Rules to Live By	p. 99
Top 10 BlackBerry Productivity Myths Busted	p. 100
Rationalizing Our BlackBerry Use	p. 101
The Table Analogy	p. 102
"Conscious Contact or Constant Contact?"	p. 103
Helping You Reflect on Your BlackBerry Addiction	p. 108
"Typing the Talk and Walking the Walk"	p. 111
BlackBerry Addiction Avoidance Tips	p. 113
Advice for Employers	p. 113
Advice for Parents	p. 113
Advice for All BlackBerry Users	p. 113
Our Final Thoughts	p. 115
Gary's Final Thoughts	p. 115
Kevin's Final Thoughts	p. 116
Martin's Final Thoughts	p. 117
Constant Effort	p. 118
Appendix: CrackBerry Terms and Definitions	p. 121
Index	p. 127
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