CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse

CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse

by Kevin Michaluk, Martin Trautschold, Gary Mazo
Released October 2010
Publisher(s): Apress
ISBN: 9781430231806

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Book description

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 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 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.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. Acknowledgments
  3. The Authors' Stories
    1. Gary's Story
    2. Kevin's Story
    3. Martin's Story
  4. Introduction
    1. The Responsible BlackBerry User
      1. Phantom Vibrations
    2. Early Days of the CrackBerry
      1. Earliest Citation of the term "CrackBerry"
      2. Benefits of BlackBerry Wireless Email
    3. CrackBerry Terms Defined
    4. Presidential BlackBerry Addiction
    5. BlackBerry Addiction Avoidance Tips
    6. The Path to a BlackBerry 12 Step Program
    7. Our 12-Step CrackBerry Addiction Program
  5. 1. "I Can't Be Without It!"
    1. 1.1. Must...Check...Messages Now!
      1. 1.1.1. Must...Check...Messages Now!
    2. 1.2. An International Problem
      1. 1.2.1. Reaction to Proposed BlackBerry Ban
    3. 1.3. The Roots of the Problem
      1. 1.3.1. We're Always Connected
      2. 1.3.2. Communication Feels Good
      3. 1.3.3. Can't Leave Home Without It
      4. 1.3.4. Checking Messages Makes Us Feel Important
      5. 1.3.5. He Couldn't Be Without It
    4. 1.4. Why the BlackBerry is So Addictive
      1. 1.4.1. BlackBerry On Bike
      2. 1.4.2. Eat, Sleep, and Dream BlackBerry
      3. 1.4.3. Cannot Resist—Busted!
      4. 1.4.4. It's a One-Handed Device
      5. 1.4.5. Instant Communication
      6. 1.4.6. It Calls to You
      7. 1.4.7. Jet Ski and Fender Benders
      8. 1.4.8. The Clikety-Clack of the Keyboard
    5. 1.5. The Addiction
      1. 1.5.1. Vanessa's Story
      2. 1.5.2. BlackBerry During a Funeral
      3. 1.5.3. BlackBerry Caused Mercedes Crash
      4. 1.5.4. We Hit a Stopped Truck at 60 mph
  6. 2. "Do I Worship My BlackBerry?"
    1. 2.1. Almost Hit by Bus for BlackBerry
      1. 2.1.1. Almost Hit by Bus for BlackBerry
      2. 2.1.2. Driving 30 Minutes to Retrieve My BlackBerry
      3. 2.1.3. Worshiping My BlackBerry Is Caused by My Obsession with People
  7. 3. "Step Away from the BlackBerry"
    1. 3.1. Cannot Turn It Off
      1. 3.1.1. Cannot Turn It Off
      2. 3.1.2. BlackBerry in Shower
      3. 3.1.3. The World Stops Without My BlackBerry
      4. 3.1.4. Fear of Losing My BlackBerry
  8. 4. "BlackBerry Boo-Boos"
    1. 4.1. The BlackBerry Alphabetic Acrostic
      1. 4.1.1. BlackBerry Football Instead of Dancing with the Wife
      2. 4.1.2. Embarrassing Ringtone!
    2. 4.2. Taking a Moral Inventory of BlackBerry Abuses
  9. 5. "Am I a BlackBerry Abuser?"
    1. 5.1. The BlackBerry Addiction Quiz
    2. 5.2. Assessing Your Addiction Quiz Results
      1. 5.2.1. Sneaking Away from Groups
      2. 5.2.2. Cash Penalties for Use in a Meeting
      3. 5.2.3. Kevin's Comments on the Addiction Quiz
      4. 5.2.4. Martin's Comments on the Quiz
      5. 5.2.5. Musings of a BlackBerry Abuser
      6. 5.2.6. Dual Addiction
  10. 6. "OK, I Am a BlackBerry Abuser"
    1. 6.1. The Work-Life Balance
    2. 6.2. Seeing the Light at the End of the Tunnel
      1. 6.2.1. Lakefront Cookout
    3. 6.3. Addiction by the Numbers
    4. 6.4. The Sheraton Hotel Study
  11. 7. "Ask Others for Help"
    1. 7.1. An Exercise: What Should You Do?
    2. 7.2. Electronics Rehab Getaway
      1. 7.2.1. CrackBerry Massage and Spa
      2. 7.2.2. Massage for BlackBerry Thumb
  12. 8. "BlackBerry Bystanders"
    1. 8.1. My 5-Year-Old Son
      1. 8.1.1. My 5-Year-Old Son
      2. 8.1.2. BlackBerry at Funeral
    2. 8.2. Concerned Bystanders
      1. 8.2.1. Quotes from Concerned Bystanders
      2. 8.2.2. Missed a Big Hit at Baseball
      3. 8.2.3. Berry vs. Boyfriend: Who Wins?
      4. 8.2.4. Frequent Flyer's Fiasco/Stand-by Hell
      5. 8.2.5. Kevin's Missing Curve
    3. 8.3. Exercise: List Your Own BlackBerry Bystanders
  13. 9. "Scooping BlackBerry Poop"
    1. 9.1. Jam on My BlackBerry while at a Red Light
      1. 9.1.1. Jam on My BlackBerry while at a Red Light
      2. 9.1.2. Use BlackBerry AutoText to Reply in Car
      3. 9.1.3. BlackBerry on Wheel, Typing Next to A Police Officer
      4. 9.1.4. He Stopped in mid-Story to Use His BlackBerry
    2. 9.2. Exercise: Create a Checklist for Apologizing to Your BlackBerry Bystanders
  14. 10. "BlackBerry Etiquette"
    1. 10.1. BlackBerry Abuse Interventions and Etiquette Rules
      1. 10.1.1. Achieve Balance with Interventions
    2. 10.2. Addiction Avoidance Tips
      1. 10.2.1. Top Ten BlackBerry Rules to Live By
    3. 10.3. Top 10 BlackBerry Productivity Myths Busted
    4. 10.4. Rationalizing Our BlackBerry Use
    5. 10.5. The Table Analogy
  15. 11. "Conscious Contact or Constant Contact?"
    1. 11.1. Helping You Reflect on Your BlackBerry Addiction
      1. 11.1.1. Staying Better In Touch with My Dad
  16. 12. "Typing the Talk and Walking the Walk"
    1. 12.1. BlackBerry Addiction Avoidance Tips
      1. 12.1.1. Advice for Employers
      2. 12.1.2. Advice for Parents
      3. 12.1.3. Advice for All BlackBerry Users
  17. 13. Our Final Thoughts
    1. 13.1. Gary's Final Thoughts
    2. 13.2. Kevin's Final Thoughts
    3. 13.3. Martin's Final Thoughts
    4. 13.4. Constant Effort
  18. A. CrackBerry Terms and Definitions

Product information

  • Title: CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse
  • Author(s): Kevin Michaluk, Martin Trautschold, Gary Mazo
  • Release date: October 2010
  • Publisher(s): Apress
  • ISBN: 9781430231806