[gibbs0828]

Hello fellow BlackBerry users,
Since I got my Pearl (8100 T-Mobile) I have demo-ed two pieces of software that seem to be very widespread among users. One is JiveTalk and the other BlackBery Alerts. I need your opions on a few things:

JIVE TALK:
1) This program costs 20/30 dollars (depending on the liscense). Is it worth it? If so, which liscense?
2) What benefits does it have over OZ Messenging (free) and in general?
3) If I buy a liscense can I have it on 2 BlackBerrys at once?
4) Rate this product. If you dont love it are there any other alternatives you would reccommend?


BLACKBERRY ALERT:
1) This program costs 10 dollars. Is it worth it?
2) What is the point of this program that makes it so popular?
3) Rate this product. If you dont love it are there any other alternatives you would reccommend?

Also, if someone could explain the purpose of BB Light, that would be awesome... Any other software reccomendations are greatly appreciated (already have an assortment of games, internet launchers, and a few novelty programs).

Thanks
Matt

[plchan]

Originally Posted by gibbs0828

JIVE TALK:
1) This program costs 20/30 dollars (depending on the liscense). Is it worth it? If so, which liscense?

I personally believe it worths the money. I would go with the user license. It is because I could transfer it to a new BB in the future.

Originally Posted by gibbs0828

2) What benefits does it have over OZ Messenging (free) and in general?

OZ Messenging uses Text; and Jive Talk uses data.

Originally Posted by gibbs0828

3) If I buy a liscense can I have it on 2 BlackBerrys at once?

I don't think so. It is based on the PIN.

Originally Posted by gibbs0828

4) Rate this product. If you dont love it are there any other alternatives you would reccommend?

I would use RIM Yahoo and Google Talk. But I use MSN and AIM the most; so, I might just not chat using BB at all.

[jeremyckitching]

Originally Posted by gibbs0828

If I buy a liscense can I have it on 2 BlackBerrys at once?

I believe they now have a multi-user license, which costs the same as the user license. I believe this will allow you to use one license (you would have to pay for two users) for multiple machines.

[gibbs0828]

Any other thoughts? Are there any AIM clients that use data besides IM+ (no way I'm paying 50 bucks) or Jive Talk that are less expensive/free?

Any opinions on BlackBerryAlert??

[plchan]

Originally Posted by gibbs0828

Any other thoughts? Are there any AIM clients that use data besides IM+ (no way I'm paying 50 bucks) or Jive Talk that are less expensive/free?

Any opinions on BlackBerryAlert??

You can use Gtalk with transporter. I tried it but I did not like it. It was pretty unstable to me.

Ramble is an AIM client and it is free.

[zkyevolved]

I would give JiveTalk 2 thumbs up! Three if I had'm. But i'm still testing the battery life. I have the extended battery and I'd (without Jivetalk, and using GoogleTalk messenger) get about 4-5 days. But with Jivetalk I get about 2.5 days, but I'm not sure if it's because I love jive's new interface, or because it really eats up the battery power! But I'm still testing it. But for FUNCTIONALITY I'd TOTALLY get it. And the User license, so I can move it to my next BB when I buy it.

Kent.

[gibber9583]

People should not even be allowed to mention Ramble as a viable option....

The only REAL options are:

Jivetalk, IM+, RIM's clients, and there is one other.....i forget the name...

It doesnt matter...jivetalk is worth it...download the trial, you will pretty much be forced to pay the cash afterward cause its vastly superior to anything out there.

[JSanders]

ditto above, and BBAlerts is worth it to me, to get the nagging reminder of some alerts that is not allowed in the native BB applications.

[Dawg]

Originally Posted by gibber9583

People should not even be allowed to mention Ramble as a viable option....

The only REAL options are:

Jivetalk, IM+, RIM's clients, and there is one other.....i forget the name...

It doesnt matter...jivetalk is worth it...download the trial, you will pretty much be forced to pay the cash afterward cause its vastly superior to anything out there.

Agree with every word..

[Helmdawg]

I have both and apps and WELL worth the money!!

[PaulQ]

Blackberry Alerts is hands down the most useful program I have ever added to my device.

For some reason, RIM thinks it's enough to just notify one time on events. So, if you get an SMS and don't hear or see it when it comes in, you have to wake your screen to see that you got it. There is no indication that you should attend to your phone. Every other phone I have used keeps bugging you until you acknowledge it.

Blackberry Alerts fills the gap. At $10, more than worth it. I had it on my Pearl and now my Curve. As far as I know, you can transfer the license too (see below).

--------------------------------

JiveTalk... Probably the best IM client.

I am a little irked by their two tier pricing structure. I think when you buy a piece of software, you should be able to use it on any single device forever - similar to how you buy software on a PC. By paying $20, you are gambling that your device won't break. It isn't that much money but it's annoying.

Imagine if you bought Quicken or WOW for your PC, upgraded to a newer PC as many of us do, and had to buy the software again... unless you paid an extra "insurance" payment.

Oops... sorry... lost myself. Both programs are excellent.

[Danabw]

BB Alerts is worth twice the price they are asking...until you use it, you won't know what you're missing.

JiveTalk is very nice, feels expensive, bu t it does everything very well.

Empower Pro HTML Email viewer is the other must or very, very nice to have (depending on how much HTML email you get). Links and info on it here in this aftermarket sw forum.