// post · 676

Why blackberries suck

·

So I've had the pleasure of looking after some Blackberries and I just don't understand why anyone would purchase one over say a Windows Mobile device or an iPhone.


So here is my list of why Blackberries suck:


  • The user interface on the phone feels like a palm from the 90s. The screen on the newer phones is better, but the interface is still really nasty, I hate that crappy ball thing they use.

  • It doesn't sync correctly/at all. Do a quick google search to see for yourself. They just don't work correctly. Half the time the contacts don't sync wirelessly, the email reconciliation doesn't work (you know, when you delete an email off the phone it should also delete from exchange) and they don't activate quickly.

  • Blackberry Enterprise Server is shit. There are so many hooks it requires into Exchange that it just isn't funny. Do an update on Exchange and you'll be spending the rest of the day trying to fix the BES user permissions.

  • With an ActiveSync device (WinMo, iPhone etc) you don't need any extra server software as long as you're running Outlook Web Access, unlike Blackberry that requires the BES server.

  • Security. If you're using a Blackberry your data must flow through the RIM Server Relay Protocol (SRP) system. Where as Exchange can talk directly to the Phone via SSL. So there are less security issues and you don't need to worry if the SRP goes offline (which has happened before).

  • BES puts a lot of extra load on the Exchange Information Store as it polls for incoming messages.

I can't really think of much else. But yeah I really don't like looking after Blackberries and have no problems recommending the iPhone over it for business users.


If you think the only way of getting push email on your phone is via a Blackberry you are very wrong.

// post · 674

Bluetrait Board Dev Update

·

I've had a chance to work on Bluetrait Board today. I'm hoping to have the next version out in a few weeks.


Version 0.6 should include the following updates:


  • All new interface (thanks to Matthew)

  • Full login system

  • Pie chart break down for money spent

  • Full Installer (I hope)

Yah should be cool. The program has been really useful in tracking what we spend. Maybe I should setup a full hosted version that people can sign up and use...I do have some spare web hosting.

// post · 673

Cleaning the Spam

·

Well I finally got around to removing all the spam off my old websites, and I've disabled all the commenting. Awesome.


I also had some old contact forms that I was getting spam from too. These now have links to my main contact form.


My contact form also got a bit of an update, it now has akismet support.

// post · 672

Spring 2008 Timetable

·



































































Spring 2008 Timetable
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8am BlueArc Bluearc
9am SBX SBX
10am
11am
12pm
1pm
2pm
3pm
4pm
5pm
6pm UTS: Extreme Programming
CB10.02.340
UTS: Innovations for Global Relationship Management

CB04.02.38 then CB10.02.240
7pm
8pm
9pm

// post · 670

New Dev Box

·

Got myself a new dev box today:


AMD Phenom x3 8450 (3x2.1GHz)
2gb Ram 6gb Ram


Currently running Windows 2008 (for some Hyper-V testing). Seems to run pretty quick, just needs more ram ;)

// post · 669

New Server

·

We're just in the process of replacing our server. Specs:


  • Windows 2008 64bit (with Hyper-V for Web and VoIP)

  • Intel Q6600 (Quad 2.4GHz)

  • 4gb Ram (soon to be upgraded to 8gb)

  • 2x300gb Raid 1 Boot drive

  • 4x750gb Raid 5 Data drive

So email is currently down but will be back up tonight.

// post · 667

Bluetrait Event Viewer 1.8.1

·

Bluetrait Event Viewer 1.8.1 is now out. This version fixes a few bugs found in 1.8.


I've got a few ideas for BTEV 2. I'm hoping to start on it soonish, although we'll have to see about time.


I just installed WordPress 2.0.11 to test BTEV (yes it still supports 2.0) and wow, it is so much cleaner and quicker than WordPress 2.5.


The next version of WordPress is going to have Google Gears support, which is cool but shows how bloated WordPress has become.