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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2006 > March > 02 > Entry
Help! My BlackBerry controls me!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Soon after I joined the Sandy Springs Police Department I met the I.T. people. I like them. They’re very efficient, as most corporate people are. They’re also very astute in the technology field, as they should be. After the first week they gave me a BlackBerry. It has my phone number and a lot of other things that I don’t know how to use.
10 a.m. phone call to the BlackBerry Technical Support Center
BlackBerry guy: “Can I help you?”
Me: “Yes”
BlackBerry guy: “Do you need help with the service overview, phone service, or e-mail service?”
Me: “No”
BlackBerry guy: “Personal information management, multimedia management or GPS functions?”
Me: “No”
BlackBerry guy: “What can I do for you?”
Me: “How do you turn it on?”
Technology meets the Flintstones. I have 4,500 saved voice mails because I don’t know how to set up a password. According to my calculations, if I don’t do something in the next week my BlackBerry will explode because I can’t get anything out of it.
I can receive e-mail on it. On several occasions I have returned e-mail on the small keyboard, but I’m having trouble adjusting. For those of you who sent me e-mail and I replied on my BlackBerry, the phrase “Tpeokf buyeg pwelje opwejlre lr ioewl rjoewm” means “Thank you for your e-mail.”
The I.T. guy said just play with it and you’ll be able to figure it all out.
10 p.m. phone call to the BlackBerry Technical Support Center
BlackBerry guy: “Can I help you?”
Me: “Yes”
BlackBerry guy: “Do you need help with vertical, horizontal or Java applications?”
Me: “No”
BlackBerry guy: “Nextel Web services or NWS Web sites?”
Me: “No”
Blackberry guy: “What seems to be the problem?”
Me: “My BlackBerry exploded.”
BlackBerry guy: “Oh. Hi, Steve.”
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Ralph
March 2, 2006 7:29 AM | Link to this
Steve,
Seeing how Sandy Springs will have close to 80,000 citizens or more, and the fact the area is quite affluent, how much will SSPD officers earn? For such an affluent area, with strong corporate centers, I’d say anything less than $40,000 would be underpaid for that area. Any idea? as several of my fellow police buddies are looking to move. As far me, I got 14 years with an agency and I will be staying put. Good luck with the new SSPD.
By IT GUY
March 2, 2006 8:08 AM | Link to this
Hey Steve,
Have you tried reading the book that came with it? If that doesn’t work, the next time you are in the office, just ask someone else that has a blackberry to show you. It is so simple my grandmother could figure it out.
By rocke
March 2, 2006 8:49 AM | Link to this
welcome to the wonderful world of being a prisoner of techno gadgets (or in your case the head of public information for sandy springs pd). you will now never be able to escape. i wish i could go back to just a beeper/pager. life was so much easier.
By Missandie
March 2, 2006 9:44 AM | Link to this
Det. Steve,
Just say the word and I’ll come give you a hand. It’s not as difficult as it sounds and is pretty neat when you get used to it.
By Chris
March 2, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this
I have had my Blackberry 7520 for 5-6 months and now I love it. At first it was like taking a college final exam. Downloading the manual on-line takes forever. You will need a beer once your finish. Technical support was a joke, don’t even try going into the Sprint/Nextel store. Finally I found a helpful Blackberry website that was extremely good. I’ve been with Sprint/Nextel for 5 years and I would hate to change service if Blackberry doesn’t win the case.
By Missandie
March 2, 2006 9:58 PM | Link to this
Oops, I forgot. It’s Lt. Steve now!!!
By IT Guy
March 3, 2006 8:19 AM | Link to this
Hey Steve, Is typing with your thumbs getting easier?
By ManNMotion
March 3, 2006 9:49 AM | Link to this
LOL @ the Flintstones and the exploding BBerry!
By valary
March 3, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this
Hi, Steve,
Your columns are hilarious and wonderful to read. My husband and I are enjoying them very much. We are proud SS residents and worked with you on a case years ago…Glad to know you’re doing well…
Thanks and take care!
By That Griffin Girl
March 5, 2006 8:59 PM | Link to this
LT. Steve,
I KNOW how you feel—I’m still trying to figure out certain functions on my I530 phone! My hubby is the same way—he’s about figured out how to check his voicemail!
Keep your chin up—by the time you figure your BB out—something new will come along
By Bob Larkin
March 6, 2006 9:41 AM | Link to this
Hey Steve:
Can I still write handicap parking tickets?
Who is my contact at FCPD or am I working for SSPD?
Congratulations on becoming a LT.
Call me or e-mail me when you get a chance.
Regards,
Bob
By Adam
March 6, 2006 8:25 PM | Link to this
Oh yes, the crackberry, they’re tons of fun to train people on. I’m in IT, and I’m supporting several different models.
Hope you figure it out - if you need help, let me know, I can stop over some evening.
By Matt
March 7, 2006 9:48 AM | Link to this
I guess your years of fighting criminal drug offenders has made you resistant against the Crackberry. This might be for the better.