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How To Use Blackberry Messenger

BlackBerry Messenger gives BlackBerry users a quick, easy way to send instant messages to each other using their PIN codes. It's free and, unlike with e-mail, users can carry on several conversations at the same time. They also can chat with a group, see contacts' availability, send files and track message status.

What are the features of BlackBerry Messenger? How does instant messaging with your BlackBerry work? And, what are the advantages of BlackBerry Messenger?

• Carry on a real-time conversation with friends and colleagues in several different locations -- or carry on several conversations simultaneously.
• Chat with a group.
• Send and receive an unlimited number of messages worldwide for free with no per-message charge.
• Get messages without filling up your inbox.
• Know whether a buddy is online, available or busy.
• Let your contacts know your own availability for instant messaging.
• Manage log-in and contacts as you would if you were using an IM program from your PC.
• Continue using other programs and send and receive e-mails while BlackBerry Messenger is running.
• Invite someone to join your buddy list and start communicating without setting up a separate IM account.

Adding Contacts
BlackBerry Messenger's contact list shows your individual contacts and contact groups. Before you can IM with someone, you have to invite him to join your contact list and request permission to exchange messages. You can do this with existing contacts in your BlackBerry address book by following these steps:

• Bring up the menu for BlackBerry Messenger.
• Select "Add a Contact," which'll take you to your address book.
• Click on the contact name you want to add, and select "Request."

Contacts who aren't in your BlackBerry address book also need to be added there. Here's how to send those contacts invitations:

• Open BlackBerry Messenger and use the trackball to go to the Contact List screen.
• Click "Add a Contact," which takes you to your address book.
• Scroll to the top of the list, and highlight "Use Once."
• Click "Request by E-mail or PIN."
• Type an e-mail address or PIN code, and press "Enter."
• Add a message, and click "OK" twice.

Once the contact accepts your invitation, he'll be added automatically to your contact list. Invitations that contacts send to you will appear on the Contact List screen. To accept a request, select it, click the trackwheel, and then click "Open" and "Accept." To deny the request, use the same process but click "Decline" instead of "Accept."

Sending and Receiving Messages
To send an IM, click a contact's name on the Contact List. Then click "Start Conversation" and type your message. Finish by clicking the Enter key.

To join an existing conversation, go to the Contact List and click on a contact in the Existing Conversations list. Then click "Open Conversation."

To add contacts to a conversation or start a conference, click on the trackwheel during a conversation. Then click on "Invite" to invite more contacts to participate.

To end a conversation, click on the trackwheel during the conversation and then click "End Conversation."

Once you've mastered the basics, you're ready to explore more advanced functions of BlackBerry Messenger like managing contacts and groups or setting your availability status and alerts.

Availability Status
Your availability status shows your contacts whether you want to exchange IMs (Available) or not (Unavailable) at any given time. BlackBerry Messenger will automatically change your status in some cases. It'll, for example, show a Busy icon if you're doing something else on your BlackBerry or if you have not responded to a message received in the past two minutes. An Unreachable icon will be shown if you're using the phone or in an area without enough wireless coverage.

But you can also change your own status and leave a message for contacts. To change your status, go to the Contact List screen, and click "Available" or "Unavailable." Type the message you want contacts to see when they IM you, and click "OK." If you choose "Unavailable," you'll still receive messages but you won't be notified when they arrive.

More Functions
Here are a few more functions to try:

• Press the SYM key twice to see a selection of emoticons that you can use in your instant messages.
• Select "View Calendar" to access your BlackBerry calendar without leaving BlackBerry Messenger.
• Try "Copy History" to save a copy of your conversation. Once you hit "End Conversation," your chance to save the conversation is gone.

BlackBerry Messenger can keep you in touch with other BlackBerry users. But what if you want to exchange instant messages with other contacts? We'll look next at what your options are.