New user trying to understand why someone would PIN someone rather than just e-mailing them????

Don't want the message stored in an e-mail system.
E-Mail system is down (power failure).
Disaster Recovery tool.

Lots of reasons....

As a Blackberry admin, I use PIN to PIN when I am troubleshooting issues.

If I am not able to send a PIN message to a user, or if they are not able to send a PIN message, then I know there is an issue with the data service on the device. Very much like the issue I'm troubleshooting right now....the user tries to send me a PIN message, it fails with the status of 'Service Blocked'.

Isn't PIN usage like a way to instant message someone? I just installed it, but have not used the BB messenger...

Or am I way off?

Yes, but only to another BlackBerry.

It's another mode of communication.

On and after 9/11, I was able to connect with folks in NYC that were otherwise unreachable through pin-to-pin.

Because paperclip just doesnt sound right.

Why Not, the answer is the same as Why Text someone, except it's BB to BB and only uses Data. .

Another $0.02
Rcbjr

We use PIN to communicate between our techs on the road. One nice thing is that it is usually VERY fast and secondly, the sender can confirm that the receiver has received the messege. Since it does not use email servers, there is once less thing to go wrong.

Disaster Recovery Tool indeed. After Katrina, PIN messaging was about the only communication method that worked. Phones sketchy, email a gamble, 800 MHz radios a mess, thank goodness for PIN messaging

FUNNY

What is the advantage of using PIN over SMS and during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Rita when networks were flood with traffic, I know that SMS and PIN messages still got through, but is there an advantage of using PIN over SMS. Are they not the same, with the exception that the PIN message does not cost you .10 cents.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but PIN messages go through RIM servers and SMS messages go through your carrier's servers. That said, if your carrier is experiencing high traffic which is causing service issues, PIN messages likely won't be affected because the traffic on the RIM servers will be much less.

This is what I've been told by our T-Mobile rep and why I recommend it to our top execs: 1) It is very secure and leaves no paper trail - it does not go through an Exchange server. In other words, if you do not want anyone at work to ever know about it you should send it via PIN. I'm sure there's a way one could hack in and see your PIN messages if they really wanted to, but it's better than SMS and email in these instances. 2) If we have a network outage at work, which we've had two in as many weeks, then no email. Everyone gets on their cells, traffic spikes, and you're lucky if you can make a call. PIN goes through without any hiccups.

PIN enables you to send more characters per message over SMS. But keep in mind that PIN is strictly BB to BB. SMS messages can be sent to other mobile phones that are capable of receiving SMS.

So if i dont want my BB address known (spam) and i want to communicate with another BB user PIN is the way to go.

Well, I guess that's a reason. But you would need to know their PINs. As opposed to their e-mail addresses....

There are 8 of us in our office with BB just planning on getting theirs. In case of another Hurricane this season.

Can someone help out a new BB user?
is there some program I need to Down load to use pin to pin?
I do not see anything on my 8700 to allow this.
Thanks

You can download BB Messenger. Every BB has a unique PIN. BB messenger uses PIN to PIN communication. It's Free.

Sending a PIN message is just like sending an email. Click a contact's name in the address book and select "PIN Contact Name."

This only works if that address book entry has a PIN number associated with it, of course, so ask a nice person for their PIN and try it out

That's my main choice with the wifey.....Why? Because it doesn't have to go to the inbox and the content is usually simple stuff I don't need to keep around.

Thanks for yhour help. I do have a couple of questions
1 When I downloaded the BB messenger, it said that Cingular does not support this program.

2 I thought that using pin to pin did not require going thru the carrier
Can anyone help me clear this up?
Thanks
Daz

1)What model BB do u have? I'm with cingular as well. I installed it from the Cingular homepage on my BB browser(globe with cingular logo). At the bottom is a section called Blackberry Smart....log in and there should be a BB Messenger link.

Not sure why you got that message.....u do have a data plan setup correct?

2)Correct from what I know(and have been told) PIN to PIN messages is sent through as RIM data so does not count as a txt message(cingular txt message). Last year during Katrina and during 9/11 when the phone lines(cingular) were down PIN messages still worked.

So with that said...you probably need Cingular's service to download it but after that you should be good to go....

I'll keep checking this thread today....try it again from the Blackberry Smart link and let me know how it goes.