shoe

I've got a problem. I am a highly unorganized person. I need help.

I've been thinking of getting a blackberry or equivalent to help me straighten up. Those of you who have a Blackberry, what do you think about it? Waste of cash or god's gift to the unorganized? I don't really care for the phone part though the internet and email access on the go is always interesting. Also, I've heard of another device such as a Treo who apparently is a pretty similar product. How do they compare to a Blackberry?

Cheers !

Crack

Not sure how they compare, but the BB is quite possibly the bane of my existence. I wasn't aware of the amount of e-mail I was missing while I was away from my PC at work. Oh, I get them now...

The internet is somewhat useful, it's quite slow at times, but effective. I don't use the organizer because I have no real need to, and I rarely sync it up to my work PC, but it does pull some appointments from the BB enterprise server that my company set up for us to handle all the e-mails. Seriously, I have 5... 5, different e-mail addresses coming into this one small hand held place. It won't replace anything, but it will let you know when to check the actual e-mail and organizer.

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genuinegirly

I recommend the Dell Axim for my uses: recording notes in class, keeping up with a schedule, extra card or two with music to listen to on the go. Able to view adobe acrobat files, free bluetooth (others have wireless) internet accessibility so able to receive your e-mails, it's a Windows system so everything I can use in Windows works here. Also has great programming that recognizes your writing so you can just write things in rather than using a micro-sized keypad.

I view this as an ultimate study tool. It was around $300 (equivalent of 2 textbooks). A worthwhile investment - much more practical than an ipod or blackberry.

Why it's better than a blackberry:
- Not connected to a phone and the charges that come from using cell phone companies for using the internet
- More memory
- Familiar user interface (you can use windows? you can use this)
- Less expensive for more features
- No added expense of a monthly plan

Why it's better than an ipod:
- It's a Dell, not a mac (personal preference)
- More features
- An entire system rather than just music.

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MikeSty

I've got an old Dell AXIM X5 that I should really brush off. It's pretty cool... but.... it's never really helped me do a damn thing. I suggest carrying around a teeny notepad with a golf pencil.

It won't help you get organized one bit though.

pig

I've got a Palm LifeDrive that I use regularly. I am not a natural scheduler; therefore, the only way I can keep on task and be able to remember what I did is to use my Palm. I sync it to my personal laptop daily. its got a pretty good bit of storage on it, large amount of applications, etc. i don't use half of them. i use the contacts, the task lists, the calendar, and sometime the ms apps (word, excel, etc)

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ggadgit

Blackberry really only do one thing great and that's email. the organizer/pda part is really an afterthought on the device. You really need to answer a few questions. One do you want a all in one device (phone/pda/organizer)?
if not droping the phone part will save some money. If your main thing is an organizer look at either a palm or Windows-ce device like the dell axim of palm TX, I have used both and it comes down to personal likes ( kind of like apple vs pc) I personally like the palm interface and I use a tapwave zodiac as my organizer, but the windows ce would be just as good. If you must have a phone device again both palm (treo) and windows-ce (too many to list) are out there. The main thing really is not the device but to start useing outlook religiousty to keep track of your infomation, as both devices (win/palm) will sync up to it.

hope this helps

shoe

Thanks for them replies !

I don't think i really need the phone part. I have never had a cellphone and don't intend on getting one anytime soon. The organizer is the main focus here and i'm starting to think a good email access device would be tons useful. So if i understand correctly, i am going to have to start using outlook to check my email ? Can i still use hotmail? It would be a pain for me if i had to stop using hotmail as i have 2 accounts and lots of people on my lists.

cheers!

Charlatan

I don't know that any of these gadgets will help you if you are truly a disorganized person.

You should be looking at simpler ways of organizing your life first. These gadgets really only help if you are organized to begin with...

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dirtyrascal7

I totally agree... I think that it would be a waste of money at this point to buy an expensive electronice device, expecting it to somehow change your bad organizational habits. It's actually more work entering appointments and stuff into a Palm or Blackberry device than it is just making a list on paper or carrying around a daily planner.

I'd suggest visiting a library or bookstore instead of an electronic store if you're seriously looking to organize your life.

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pig

well, agreed that a palm or equivalent won't magically organize your life, but neither will any system. frankly, as my brother-in-law puts it, pretty much any system will work - you've just got to use it. i can't imagine carrying all that paper around anymore.

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dirtyrascal7

While I agree with the idea that any system will work if you use it, there are choices that are better for some individuals than others... my point was that it doesn't make much sense to go from being a completely unorganized person to using a palm/blackberry... that's too much of a jump to make the investment worthwhile.

Assuming shoe is, in fact, "highly unorganized"... it makes sense to start with the simple habit of making notes or checklists, which adds some sense of recognition to the tasks and demands on his time. After that comes the calendars/appointement books, which takes takes it to the next level by allowing him to plan ahead and map out his future. This is where the palm/blackberry might come in handy, but i am still skeptical that it would be a wise investment for someone who doesn't use a cell phone. I'm not saying that not owning a cell phone is a bad thing, but if he's not used to using a handheld device, it could be very difficult to integrate into his lifestyle effectively.

Whatever system you choose, it's going to take some serious lifestyle adjustments and self-discipline in order to make it effective. Organizing your life with any type of time-management system is more of a mindset adjustment than anything else, and spending a few hundred dollars on a handheld organizer won't change your habits, but reading a book or two on time management just might... so that's where I'd start my journey if I were you, shoe.

__________________
"Tie yourself to your limitless potential, rather than your limiting past."

"Every man I meet is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him."

oiekeooiyw

I just picked up a Treo 700wx. All the features of a PDA and it's my phone too. Plus I have internet and email. Kicks ass.

shoe

I know that if i am to pick up one of these objects it would make my life alot easier. I am committed to getting organized and i think this would just simplify things. I know things aren't going to magically organize themselves for me. As for inserting it into my lifestyle, im rather young(21) and have no trouble using most kinds of technology. I own an ipod, granted it is not the same thing, but it does testify that i am used to carrying some hand held devices.

Im pretty much already sold on the idea of buying an organizer. Something functional and resourceful that i can always consult on the go. Its not going to be any easier with other organizing tolls, this is just my preference.