Is it possible to turn off sounds for buttons and the trackball but keep my ringer on loud? Some basic things that you can do on typical cell phones I'm finding myself unable to do on the pearl. I appreciate it

Yes. Options - Screen/Keyboard.

You can change the key tones off as well as setting the trackball to mute here.

Ah, thanks a ton, you saved me a lot of grief. I wish this thing had come with a user manual