Awuku Dela

Kokrokoo is a site designed for everyone looking for a bit of something.  It is geared towards to geek, traveller, events in Ghana, Photography and advice in general; to mention a few.

Capital One and Natwest Credit Cards

Sometime back I blogged about my getting rid of all my debts. I went on to say that i had cleared my Alliance and Leciester loan. Well, I am pleased to say that I am on the way to clearing my Capital One and Natwest Credit cards. To be precise, I have £128.00 , £60.00 left on my Natwest and £700.00 on my Capital One card. I believe if I make [more than] sizable regular payments spread over the next 6 weeks, I should be able to clear them completely.

My main concern is the huge loan I took out some years back. My debt management agency called me some months back and informed me that I possible have a case in terms of this loan being mis sold to me. Now this means that if this gets taken further i.e to court, to which I have been to told it will because I have a solid case, then I get the loan scratched off my slate and possibly get some money back.

Now that will leaves me with my Halifax loan to repay.

Prince2 Course - The Results Are In!!!!

Saturday morning I got up early ready to make tracks into town and pay some bill. Just as I was about to open the front door, a couple of letters popped through the letter box. I picked them up and was about to toss them on the dinning room  table, when SPOCE suddenly on the envelope caught my eye. I quickly tore open the envelope, dropped it in the process, picked it and finally got the letter out. Guys a Gurls...guess what? I passed. What a sweet joy of success.

Thanks to y'all who  prayed for me.

Three Days Work At Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire.

Its been a very blissful three days at Brocket Hall. I have been support a Directors Board Meeting and took the few hours at my disposal to wonder the grounds of this huge Estate.

Brocket Hall is a country house in Hertfordshire, England, 22 miles from central London by road. It was built for Sir Matthew Lamb, 1st Baronet, in around 1760 to designs by the architect James Paine. It stands on the site of two predecessors, the first of which was built in 1239. It is a tall red brick neoclassical house in a fine landscape setting with a Palladian bridge. The main staircase is probably the finest of the interiors. A ceiling was painted by Francis Wheatley.

Sir Matthew's son became the first Lord Melbourne and he was often visited at Brocket Hall by the Prince Regent, who had a liaison with Lady Melbourne. The next owner was William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1835-1841. On his death, the house passed to his sister, who was to marry Lord Palmerston who also became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and who died at Brocket while still in office. Queen Victoria was another visitor to Brocket.

In 1923 the estate was purchased by Sir Charles Nall-Cain; he was created Baron Brocket in 1933. It was a maternity hospital during World War II.

In the late 20th century Charles Nall-Cain, 3rd Baron Brocket, also a convicted fraudster and reality television personality, converted Brocket Hall into a hotel and conference centre. It has two golf courses, a Faldo Golf Institute, and a restaurant called Auberge du Lac which was formerly associated with celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

 

Will PRINCE2™ Help Me Get a Job?

Project Management as a specialised skill-set and career path is becoming increasingly prominent. Ever more new graduates are considering trainee project management roles, for the clear career progression that they offer, the satisfaction of practical application of learned skills to specific projects, and the opportunity for a varied and rewarding career across a wide variety of organisations. Project Management specialisation is also being recognised as an asset within companies. While subject-matter experts are important for providing specialist skills and understanding of the specific project environment, Project Managers enable these experts to be utilised efficiently within the project structure.

Many organisations specify a professional project management qualification as a necessary or desirable part of the project management job specification. Where a qualification is not required, demonstration of interest and application at a formal level will boost the C.V. of anybody seeking even an entry-level position into a project management environment. Demonstrable project management training enables you to develop a career path independent of industry specialisation, thereby broadening the scope of your professional development.

As well as C.V. points, project management qualifications provide knowledge of established and popular methodologies, confidence in working within a project management environment, and transferable project management skills. Project Managers move from corporate banks to marketing, to hospitals, to engineering. Professional project management training allows you to develop skills that are valuable to organisations across all sectors.

In the UK, and increasingly on a global level, PRINCE2 is the preferred methodology and qualification. Developed by the OGC in 1996, PRINCE2 is the project management method used in all UK government-run projects, as well as in many high-ranking commercial businesses. Founded on the earlier PROMPT and PRINCE project management methods, and shaped by the combined experiences of over 150 European organisations, PRINCE2 offers a set of shared expectations, structures and techniques – in short, a common language – for project management.

Adaptable to the project environment, PRINCE2 is designed to foster an organisation capable of tackling any project that arises. Correspondingly, PRINCE2 training cultivates transferable skills, and therefore enables practitioners to work in a wide range of project environments.

The PRINCE2 qualification consists of two levels, Foundation and Practitioner. At Foundation level, you can expect to gain a thorough knowledge of PRINCE2 principles and terminology, and an understanding of how these concepts interrelate. This qualification is essential for anybody working within a PRINCE2 project management environment.

The success of the PRINCE2 method is built upon the shared language that it creates. A PRINCE2 Project Manager requires a team who are aware of the project strategies that are involved within the method. A Foundation-level qualification demonstrates knowledge of the PRINCE2 method, boosting your suitability for, and your confidence within, a role on a PRINCE2 team.

The PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification takes you beyond knowledge-based competency to challenge your practical analytical and evaluative abilities. By testing practical ability as well as understanding, this qualification demonstrates project management skills outside of a PRINCE2 environment, and is a valuable addition to any C.V. This qualification is a vital accompaniment to project experience when seeking a role at the level of Project Manager or above.

Continuous training and qualification is essential in particular for contract Project Managers. Self-employment means that you are constantly being required to market your skills, and that you are expected to deliver the required goods to a high standard with minimum on-site training. Gaining the Practitioner qualification formalises the project management capabilities that you already have, and enables you to slide smoothly into a PRINCE2 environment.

Project Management is a recognised and well-rewarded professional specialisation. Practical experience is necessary for gaining senior positions, but professional courses boost awareness of established methodologies, confidence in working within project management environments, and the C.V.’s of those interested in a project management career. The PRINCE2 Foundation qualification demonstrates interest and ability in those working within companies that use alternative project management methods, and is essential for anybody seeking work within a PRINCE2 project environment. The PRINCE2 Practitioner Qualification is a rigorous test of practical skills, and is therefore a recognised mark of project management ability.

PRINCE2™ is a trademark of the Office of Government Commerce Article Source

Prince2 Course - Finally Done And Dusted

Friday morning saw all 16 participants of this course sat in the exam room ready to take the Practitioner exam. The exam lasted 3 hours and was an open book one. The funny thing was that at the beginning of the course, the tutor mentioned that we shouldn't worry because the exam was an open book one, and that we could refer to the PRINCE2 text book whenever we wanted. On the exam day, I didn't even have the time to open the book.

Its been one week 3 days since I took the exam. Greg [the tutor] adviced us that it will take between 2 to 3 weeks to get the papers marked.

Reflections on the course: I totally enjoyed it 100%. What I noticed immediately was that 14 out of the 16 candidates were involved in project management one way or the other. I think, for me, this put me at a disadvantage as all the others who were familiar with the various terminology and processes were asking questions related to some stage ahead in the course.

Also, I thought, and still do, think that one week for the course is far to short a period to study for the Foundation and Practioner. Its absolutely too much information to get in.

prince2 course - day 3

Well, it has been a gruelling 3 days so far into my PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioners course. I have never had so much information crammed into me within a space of 72 hours like this before. And I cannot remember the last time I spent so much time on my bum sitting down!But its all good. I took the Foundation exam this afternoon and passed. You should have seen the relief on my face. It has been a grueling 3 days of intensive lectures and studying. I will surely be over the moon with joy when I do the Practitioner exam on friday afternoon to wrap up the course. OK, I have got to dash now. I am staying over at the Swissotel tonight, up at 3 AM the next day for some more studying and back to Monument in the morning for more lectures. By the way, my stay at the Swissotel is to do with work.

PRINCE2

OK, I have been doing some research for about PRINCE2 now, as in which training center is best [London based] and comparing prices. My initial and present research has all been from other Project Managers in BAT who have gone through the PRINCE2 course. So I finally decided to go with SPOCE, because 8/10 Project Managers recommended them. So far I have paid for the Foundation and Practitioners 5 day course which includes exams for both of them.

Carols By Candle Light @ Reachout Community Church

Carols By Candle Light is a yearly event we do this time of the year. It involve members of the Reachout Community Church organising a series of plays and singing. The kids also get involved in this event. It is a time when people are invited to take part in this unique event. And oh, the after party? Wow...such a thrill, people just mingle and talk to each other..there is such a unique sense of togetherness. Below are some pictures Paul took, and kindly emailed me copies - yes I need to get a decent digital camera!

Yes, It Has Been A while.

So, what have been doing since my last post? Only God knows. Ah yes, I have been to another conference at Chewton Glen. This was for 3 days, and I must say, I enjoyed it. LOL, what a thing to say. I always enjoy my conference support trips.And after Chewton Glen, what have I been doing? Well its been just work, work and more work; oh and lots of studying as well. Yes studying. Dont ask, its a very long story.

So, I was at M3's crib the weekend gone to visit her. I sent her a text asking where she was and to let her know that I was on my way to see her. I got a reply back telling me that she was in the US. Well I wasnt surprised. She sort of has the habit of flying over to the US whenever she feels like it. Oh well, I said to myself, I might as well pop over anyway and chill out for a while [ I have a spare set of her crib keys].

I made myself some coffee, then took out some sausages from her freezer and grilled them for a light lunch. After taking a short nap, I decided to take back with me some of my clothes I had hanging around. Just before leaving the flat, my eyes set themselves on the picture that was sat on her dining table. Gosh, I just could not make out how long ago it was taken. I fliped it over, and M3 had written on the back "June 1980, Tamale"

WOW!

Making Tracks Back In Time

Alliance And Leicester Loan Paid Off - My Road To Recovery

Five weeks ago I got the usual untimely call from the Alliance and Leicester bank asking why I had missed a recent payment and when was I going to make my next payment. I asked the chap how much I was owing. From his response, I quickly calculated that if I made two equal payments on the balance I could get rid of the loan I took out with them two years ago. So I asked him if I could send two cheques to cover the balance. The first cheque could be presented immediately for payment, but the other would have to be presented a week later. He said that was fine and that they would send me a letter confirming that the loan had been paid off. I posted the cheques the next day.Now bearing in mind that this was five weeks ago, at the beginning of this week , suddenly realised that I hadn't received this letter the bank had promised to send me. A quick glance at my business bank statements showed that they had presented both cheques for payment and had received the money. So why hadn't they sent the letter. I suddenly became very cross. I called the bank the next day and asked why I hadn't received the letter they promised me. As usual, I was given some stupid excuse. two days after, I got the letter I should have received three weeks ago.

New Pair Of Reading Glasses - I went To SpecSavers

As with things like reading glasses, mine gave up on me three weeks ago. I think I have had them for about four years. Anyway, the frame gave up on me and when I took them back to see if the lenses could be place in a similar type of frame, they said that they had stopped stocking those types of frames. So, I went into my local SpecSavers store and booked a routine eye test after which, with the assistance of a lady working there, picked out the type of glasses I wanted. Fortunately for me, the store had an offer going. If you bought a pair of designer glasses costing £165.00 and over, you got a second pair free.

I Am Off To Dublin Next Week…….. Day Three - Tuesday

I woke up around 5AM with a splitting headache. I was kind of expecting this invasion of my brain cell with this sort of pain, so I quickly rushed to the bathroom where I had a packet of pain-killers. I went back to sleep immediately and woke up at 6.30AM from my wake up call.Breakfast was in "The Cellar". My appetite was huge, as you probably know, from all that alcohol I had been drinking from the night before into the early hours of Tuesday. I quickly finish breakfast and went over to the conference rooms to setup my kit. Tuesday was a short day. The Directors had fishing and golf lined up for them from 3AM onwards, so the Directors Secretary bought me a days pass for a bus tour of Dublin city centre. I caught the bus from just outside The Merrion and proceeded to take pictures. The bus tour was fabulous. I totally enjoyed it. It was windy as it was an open top bus, and at one point I lost my baseball cap I bought in Bangalore. I was gutted, but found solace in the fact that I became friends with an American Lady called Ebony.

I Am Off To Dublin Next Week…….. Day Two - Monday

Monday fond me up bright and early. I had a great night on Sunday. The conference organizer and the Directors Secretary I was supporting took me out to a restaurant about 5 minutes walk from the hotel we were staying in. I think it is called Pebles. The food was absolutely lovely. One thing I learnt about Irish cooking is that they never use frozen fish to cook. Everything is fresh from the sea. I was hoping to have my first pint of genuine Irish Guinness beer, but unfortunately, the restaurant did not serve beer.Anyway after setting up the conference room with the laptops and projectors needed to the Directors presentation, I took the free time that I had to take pictures around the Hotel. I would just like to mention that the pictures have been taken with a Nokia N95-8G, which is quite impressive.

This building is just across the street from The Merrion Hotel.

The Merrion Hotel - A View From Outside. You wouldnt believe that this building has such beautiful rooms in it.

The Coffee Lounge At The Merrion.

The conference was setup up in two parts. One room catered for a teleconference meeting, and the other room was for the conference "proper"

BAT Dublin Conference

BAT Dublin Conference Room Two

Now I shall show you some pictures of my Hotel room. The one thing that caught my eye as soon as I entered the room was the height of the bed. Not that I am complaining. It was a great bed, absolutely perfect.

My Comfort Zone In My Hotel Room

My Entertainment Centre

The white cabinet on which the flat screen TV is resting on has a fuly loaded drinks bar tucked away in it!

My Bed

Also check out the BOSE CD player sitting on the right side of this picture, if I had known, I would have brought some "serious" Smooth Jazz CD's. The aquality of sound that bashes out of those devices is wicked.

The Bathroom

OK, so things finally finished off at 7PM and I gathred my IT Kit and made tracks to my room, I was quite tired and was looking forward to an early night. Just as I got to my room, I got a call asking me to be at reception by 9PM. We were all going out for a meal at Johnnies. Now for those of you who are toourist in Dublin and have not been over to Johnnie's...well, you guys are missing out "big time". The drive in a BMW 740 series] took about 35 minutes. I actually went on ahead of everyone else with the conference organizer from Number 20 just to make sure that everything was in place for the Directors when they got there. The joint totally blew me away. It was here I had my first genuine pint of Guinness. Wow, now this is what I call Guinness. I am now sure that the pubs in london dilute their Guinness one way or the other. from now onwards, if I ever have the urge to drink Guinness, I will either fly over to Dublin or have it sent to me by some special means. Check out the pictures taken at Johnnies below.

The Bar

I Am Off To Dublin Next Week........ Day One - Sunday

My flight from Heathrow was uneventful. The flight was delayed by 25 minutes, but hey, in the end we were up in the air and before i noticed the captain was annoucing our arrival into Dublin airport. I was not expecting the airport to be that small. Mind you I was expecting Dublin to be a big city, but as my driver was telling me on the way to the Hotel, Dublin is a fairly small city. Since joining the EU, there has been a huge influx of workers from Europe currently working here. Everything here looks so different [obviously!].

The driver was kind enough to take me through a quick tour of the city.

I am staying at The Merrion Hotel, which, according to the driver, is located in a very strategic part of town. He adviced me to check out The Temple Bar. My next question to him was "how about the Guiness". He just laughed and said I should not leave Dublin without sampling the beer. He said if I did leave without sampling the beer I would be doing myself serious harm.

My hotel room is just amazing. As usual, i have taken some pictures of the room and hotel for those interested. Watch out for Day Two log enteries which will have some pictures.

I Am Off To Dublin Next Week.

I have never been to Ireland, you will please pardon my excitement.

There is a conference being held there for a period of 4 days. Its a practice that when the top guys in BAT are having a conference in any part of the world there is the presence of an IT person there to assistance with any IT related things. This can range from Blackberry support, through VPN connection issues down to anything.

Yesterday, the PA to one of the top guys at work asked me to kindly step into her office so that we could book our tickets to Dublin. I will be going via Terminal One at Heathrow and will be flying with Air Lingus.

I wonder what the Irish people are like? And what is all this fascination about Guinness Beer? Well I hope I get some time to do some sightseeing whilst I am up there. Hey if any of you out there is Irish and has some tips for me, then please jot something here for me. Thanks

That reminds me, I need to ask the PA tomorrow what hotel we will be staying in.

How Do I Get Out Of £11,000.00 Of Debt, And More?

Its a long story. To cut a long story short, I took out a loan years ago for £10,000.00. I managed to pay off £4,000.00 back, but due to financial difficulties stopped payments. I was taken to court by the company handling the debt and was asked to pay back £11,000.00. I have sort the help of a debt management agency to help me repay the money back. I have 3 other creditors, no strick that, i have 4 other creditors to pay money back to.

One is for overdraft owing to the bank. Thants about £1,200.00, then there are 3 credit cards totalling about £6,000.00

MindManager Pro 7 or MindMapper..?

I seem to be slowly losing grip of things. I dont seem to get things done when they should be done. Basically I am not in control any more, and I hate not being in control. Being not in control makes your day look very unproductive. You feel as if you have achieved absolutely NOTHING.So, to get myself back on track, Hopefully, I am going to employ the use of MindManager Pro 7. I have heard some good things about it in the past, I quite remember employees at Morley Fund Management using a lot. And I am hoping it will be able to transform the way I approach thing on a day-to-day basis as well as regarding plans made in the future. I am currently reviewing two products that I have come across. I have used MindManager Pro 6 in the past, and that was just on the surface. Recently I came across and similar product called MindMapper If anyone out there has used both products before is is able to recommend which one to use, then please feel free to post a comment here

The Power User's BlackBerry Guide: 121 CrackBerry Tips, Hacks and Resources

Yanked from INSIDECRM CrackBerry addicts, are you ready to take your BlackBerry to the next level? In this list, you'll find some of the most awesome tips, hacks, how-tos and guides for the BlackBerry, making it easy for just about anyone to become a power user.

These BlackBerry tips will help you work easier, better and faster.

  • Delete Multiple Messages: Search for messages, then press Delete Prior to delete all of the messages in the results.
  • Read "A Wired-In Guy Getting Set for a Big Date": Stick your wet BlackBerry, or any other doomed device, (turned off) in a bowl of uncooked rice overnight, and it will suck out the moisture.
  • Navigate Your Calendar Quickly: First, enable Quick Entry, then press "D" for day, "W" for week, "M" for month and "A" for agenda.
  • Separate SMS (Short Message Service) Messages and Emails: Select Separate in the SMS and Email Inboxes field under General Options.
  • Select Text on a Page: To highlight text, press Shift, then move the wheel up or down.
  • Delete by Date: Click a date and press Delete Prior to restore order to your mailbox while still retaining your most recent messages.
  • Get BlackBerry Tips, Tricks and Key-Press Shortcuts: Learn important keys, message tips and more.
  • Permanently Delete Emails: To ensure that you're permanently deleting emails, delete them from your email client rather than using the Delete Prior feature.
  • Capitalize Letters: Press and hold letters down to make them capitals.
  • Turn Off Messages: You can choose to turn off messages by going through your security options and modifying your firewall settings.
  • Get Better Coverage with Your Radio: If your coverage is not doing well, try turning your radio off and on to force a network scan.
  • Scroll Down: Use your spacebar to scroll down a page, then press Shift and the spacebar simultaneously to move back up.
  • Get BlackBerry Calendar Tricks: This post covers popular tricks for the BlackBerry's calendar.
  • Sync Specific Folders: Set up Folder Redirection to sync only selected email folders to your BlackBerry.
  • Dial Letter Numbers: Call lettered numbers like 1-800-GOOG-411 by pressing Alt, hen typing the letters.
  • Empty Your Phone-Call Log: Enable Call Logging, then delete items in your Phone Call Logs folder.
  • Insert the "@" Symbol in an Email Message. Press the spacebar to enter an "@" symbol in a message or press it twice to insert a period.
  • Dry Your Device with Silica Gel: If you've dropped your BlackBerry in water, dry it out with silica-gel packets, which often come in shoeboxes. This also works with silica cat litter, which is generally labeled as crystal.
  • Select Special Characters: Press and hold a letter key, then move the thumb wheel up or down to get the appropriate character.
  • Enable Content Protection: Store data on your device securely by enabling content protection.
  • Stop a Page from Loading. Press the Escape button to keep Web pages from loading.
  • Reboot Your BlackBerry: You can reboot your BlackBerry without pulling out your battery by pressing Alt, Caps and Delete simultaneously.
  • Dry Your BlackBerry with Alcohol: Another drying option that also disinfects is 100 percent alcohol. Turn your BlackBerry off, soak it in alcohol and take it apart as much as possible. The alcohol should evaporate with exposure to air.
  • Read the Top 10 Phone Tips from BlackBerry: This list includes simple tips for changing volume, speed-dialing and more.
  • Use Your BlackBerry as a Flashlight: The BlackBerry makes a great flashlight for middle-of-the-night runs to the fridge or the bathroom.
  • Delete Mail-Client Emails from Your BlackBerry: Select Purge Deleted Items under Email Reconciliation to delete emails on your mail client.
  • Guides

    Learn how to turn your BlackBerry into a supertool with these guides.

    1. BlackBerry on Crack: 25 Tools to Supercharge Your Lifeline: This guide offers useful tools for BlackBerry business users and more.
    2. BlackBerry Software and Utilities: If you're looking for any aftermarket BlackBerry tweaks, this is the place to start.
    3. Mac OS X Tethered Modem Solution for BlackBerry: Find out how to use a BlackBerry as a modem in OS X.
    4. Voice-to-Text Voice Mail Services and Third-Party Alpha Pager Dispatch Services: Check out these services that will transcribe your BlackBerry voice mails.
    5. What Are the Methods of Receiving Email on BlackBerry?: Read this article to figure out your email options.
    6. BlackBerry for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: This article explains why BlackBerry devices are great for those who are hearing impaired.
    7. The Agony of "BlackBerry Thumb": Learn about BlackBerry-related thumb pain and what you can do about it.
    8. Why BlackBerry?: Find out why the BlackBerry is a superior choice for some people.
    9. BlackBerry HTML Web-Browsing FAQ: Get the lowdown on HTML browsing here.
    10. Basic BlackBerry Etiquette: Here, you'll find a basic list of dos and don'ts for being a polite BlackBerry user.
    11. Buying a BlackBerry on eBay: Check out this guide to learn how to avoid getting scammed when purchasing a BlackBerry from a seller on eBay.
    12. Implementing GTD with Your BlackBerry: This guide recommends applications and more items for helping you get things done on the BlackBerry.
    13. Transfer a File Using Bluetooth Technology Between Two BlackBerry Smart Phones: This guide will show you how to transfer files easily.
    14. Gmail Receiving "Sent Items" You Send On Your BlackBerry: Learn how to turn off this syncing feature for Gmail and more.
    15. BlackBerry Chat Apps/FAQ: Learn about awesome IM (instant messaging) applications and more in this guide.
    16. Remove an IT Policy from a BlackBerry: Here, you'll find out how to rid yourself of a pesky IT policy.
    17. Easy BlackBerry Backup: Use this guide to back up your BlackBerry in just a minute.
    18. The First 10 Things You Should Do With Your New BlackBerry: Before you do anything else with your BlackBerry, do these 10 things.
    19. Appear to Be in the Office While Actually Working from Home: Fool everyone by making these tweaks using your BlackBerry and more.
    20. BlackBerry Messenger: What Is It and How Does It Work?: Get the lowdown on this BlackBerry-to-BlackBerry messaging service.
    21. Maximize the Battery Life of Your New BlackBerry: Follow this tutorial to learn how to get the most out of your battery.

    How-Tos

    These how-tos will guide you through step-by-step hacks and tricks for the BlackBerry.

    1. How to Use Your BlackBerry to Transfer Between Windows and Mac OS X: In this guide, you'll learn how to port tasks, notes, appointments and contacts from Mac OS X to Windows, and vice versa.
    2. How to Turn on Standby Mode Using the Mute Key: Use this method to avoid pressing keys by accident.
    3. How to Edit a Profile and Set Notifications: Here, you'll find out how to change your BlackBerry's message and email notifications.
    4. How to Restore Your BlackBerry to Default Settings: Perform a security wipe on your device with this quick tutorial.
    5. How to Free Up Memory on Your BlackBerry: Keep your BlackBerry from enabling the low-memory management feature with this tutorial.
    6. How to Get Images onto Your BlackBerry: This quick tutorial offers a few easy ways to get images on your device.
    7. How to Remove "Sent from my BlackBerry": This tutorial will walk you through the steps to changing your signature.
    8. How to Use BlackBerry as Modem For Laptop: Give your laptop full Internet access using a BlackBerry.
    9. How to Increase the Speed of the BlackBerry Browser: Speed things up with these simple tips.
    10. How to Configure Full Internet Access on BlackBerry: Learn how to get full Internet access on your BlackBerry with this tutorial.
    11. How to Install Third-Party Applications (Mac OS X): This guide will walk you through installing apps on your BlackBerry through Mac OS X.
    12. BlackBerry 101: The How-To Lecture Series: This series covers purchasing a BlackBerry, checking out the controls, third-party apps andmuch more.
    13. How to Disassemble a BlackBerry Pearl: Whether you're taking your Pearl apart for fun, hacking or just to air it out, here's how to do the job.
    14. How to Secure Your BlackBerry: Keep your data safe by following the tips in this guide.
    15. How to Clean Your BlackBerry's Trackball: Get your trackball cleaned up with this how-to.
    16. How to Stop the Blinking: Here you'll find out what various blinking lights mean and what you can do about them.
    17. Installing Third-Party Applications: This guide for Windows users walks you through the process of installing of apps.
    18. How to Get BlackBerry Internet Access without a Data Plan: Avoid data plans with this hack.
    19. How to Set up Gmail as a Free Spam Filter for Your CrackBerry: Use Gmail to keep spam out of your BlackBerry.
    20. How to Pair a Bluetooth GPS Receiver with Your BlackBerry: Check out this Bluetooth hack to pair your BlackBerry with a GPS receiver.
    21. How to Transfer Files to Your BlackBerry: This guide will teach you a few different methods of file transfers.
    22. How to Use BerryDialer to Save a Lot of Money on Voice Calls: Use this dialing hack to save some cash.
    23. Turn a Full Length DVD Movie into a Pearl Movie File: This guide shows you how to turn a DVD into an .avi file.
    24. How to Use Your BlackBerry as an Emergency Flashlight: Learn what you need to do to turn your BlackBerry into a flashlight.
    25. How to Remove and Clean the Trackball: Get your trackball squeaky clean with this guide.
    26. How to Put a Full-Blown Windows Desktop Environment on Your BlackBerry: Use your microSD card slot to get Windows on your BlackBerry.

    Cheat Sheets

    Make shortcuts and formats with these BlackBerry cheat sheets.

    1. Hot Keys: BlackBerry Browser: Use these hot keys when viewing Web pages.
    2. BlackBerry Cheat Sheet: This sheet is full of useful shortcuts.
    3. Compare Cellular: Compare Cellular offers guides to getting started as well as quick reference guides for a number of BlackBerry models.
    4. Supported Document Types: This list offers a glimpse at the file formats that a BlackBerry can handle.
    5. BlackBerry Shortcut Collection: This handy guide has lots of shortcuts for the BlackBerry.
    6. Tip: Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts: This cheat sheet offers lots of shortcuts for phoning, messaging and more.
    7. RIM BlackBerry Quick Reference Guide: Get this handy printable sheet for an easy, quick reference for your BlackBerry.
    8. Cheat Sheet to Share: Here, you'll find loads of shortcuts.
    9. Hot Keys: Calendar: Create appointments and view dates more quickly with these hot keys.
    10. SMS Quick Reference: Get this quick-reference guide to learn about SMS shortcuts for the BlackBerry.
    11. Free SMS Messages: Avoid messaging fees by sending carrier-specific emails.
    12. What Is My Carrier's BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service) Web Site URL?: Here, you'll find BIS URLs for providers worldwide.
    13. The BlackBerry Glossary: Find out what various acronyms stand for in this BlackBerry Glossary.
    14. BlackBerry PIN Quick-Reference Guide: Have everything you need to know about BlackBerry PINs handy with this guide.
    15. Hot Keys: View Word Document: Use these hot keys when working in Word.

    Tools

    Put these tools to work on your BlackBerry for loads of increased functionality.

  • BlackBerry Operating System Downloads: Find places to download a new OS here.
  • Berry Bloglines: Access Bloglines from your BlackBerry device using this RSS reader.
  • Google Maps Mobile: Get traffic, listings, maps and more with Google Maps for your BlackBerry.
  • Mobile Desktop: With this software, you can access your desktop PC from anywhere using your BlackBerry.
  • Mobylo! MultiAlarm: Get ultramanageable alarms with this neat tool.
  • Black & Whitelist: Keep harassing phone calls at bay using this blacklist application for the BlackBerry.
  • TryPhone: If you're shopping for a BlackBerry, use TryPhone to find out exactly how your model will function.
  • Naggie: This reminder application works with your BlackBerry's GPS to nag you about tasks when you get close to a location.
  • Google Mobile: Sync up your Google Calendar and more with this service.
  • RepliGo Professional: Using RepliGo Professional, you can view documents as if they were on your desktop computer.
  • Empower HTML Mail Viewer: See your emails in HTML with graphics, links and more with this tool.
  • Digby: Shop a number of online stores from your BlackBerry using Digby.
  • Spot: Get GPS on your BlackBerry with this software.
  • Necho Expense BlackBerry Edition: This tool makes expense reports a breeze.
  • Secure Password Manager: With this manager, you can safely store all of your important passwords and numbers on your BlackBerry.
  • BBTetris: Entertain yourself with this classic game for the BlackBerry (link opens download folder).
  • ABC Amber BlackBerry Convertor: Transfer contacts, emails, logs and lots more onto your desktop computer with this convertor.
  • iSkoot: Use this Skype client to get cheap calls on your BlackBerry.
  • IM+ All-in-One Mobile Messenger: IM on several different accounts and applications with this neat tool.
  • MicroStrategy Mobile: MicroStrategy Mobile automatically reformats documents so that they can be easily viewed on your BlackBerry.
  • Mobile SSH: Get access to your server from your BlackBerry using this cool tool.
  • Windows Live Search Mobile: Get local information, maps and searching capabilities with Windows Live Search Mobile.
  • StockView: Track stock prices with this free viewer (link opens download folder).
  • Translator+: Use this tool to get easy foreign translations on the go.
  • BeamBerry: Make your BlackBerry compatible with PDFs, Word documents, text files and more with this software (link opens download folder).
  • Beyond411: Get supercharged 411 listings using Beyond411, a service that gives you local prices, listings and GPS searches.
  • BlackBerry Unite!: Collaborate with up to five users by sharing remote access, calendars, documents and more with BlackBerry Unite!.
  • Backpack Mobile: Get organized on the go with Backback for the BlackBerry.
  • BlackBerry Tools: In this suite of BlackBerry tools, you'll find a number of useful applications.
  • Books

    Find out even more in-depth tips and hacks in these BlackBerry reference books.

  • "BlackBerry Hacks": You'll learn how to supercharge your BlackBerry with this book.
  • "Professional BlackBerry": Learn how to extend your BlackBerry's functionality, get maximum uptime and more in this book.
  • "Hacking BlackBerry: Extreme Tech": This book discusses some of the many ways that you can hack your BlackBerry.
  • "How to Do Everything with Your BlackBerry": Take your BlackBerry way beyond email with this book.
  • At Work - Weekending 17th May

    This week I was based at Danesfield House Hotel, based in Marlow, supporting the LACAR conference. The Hotel grounds are absolutely great. I didn't actually spend any nights in the hotel, but with these old country houses, you notice that they tend to need a complete overhauling due to their age. Standing outside the hotel at the back you have a superb view of the grounds and also part of the Thames River.

    I was originally booked to set-up the IT kit and return back to Globe House on Tuesday. However thinking to myself, told the PA that since this was her first conference it would be a bad idea for me to leave her all alone for the rest of the week. Out of the 17 delegates at the conference, at least 12 were popping into the office I was using every day asking for assistance on IT related issues.

    Danesfield House Hotel is a perfect place to: 1....chill out for the weekend with your partner, wife/husband or friend 2....have a wedding reception 3....have breakfast, lunch or dinner