I apologize if this has been posted before! How do I set the alert sounds so that I can tell the difference between each email and also from emails and sms messages?

I have the 8830 WE with Verizon

Profiles > Advanced > then select the profile to change (active). Then edit each entry in the list to differentiate between alerts.

You'll need a 3rd party application if you want a different tone for each e-mail. I use AlertMatrix from RexWireless, and it allows me to set different tones for my clients, my wife, regular old email traffic, etc.

This is what exceptions are for. You can setup a profile for a contact, then create an exception that uses the new profile.

Well well. I never knew that - or at least I never toyed around with profiles enough to devise such a system.

It's certainly a great idea for those 4 or 5 "can't miss" contacts. I still dig AlertMatrix for its flexibility, prioritizing, LED handling, etc. Or maybe I'm just trying to rationalize spending $25 for something I could have done for free.

I find myself doing that all the time.

The exception method works well as long as you aren't trying to setup exceptions for large amounts of contacts, and do it quickly.

AlertMatrix can make exception for a class of domain, but it seems cannot do the same for "category" for address book.

I like Message Alerts for this. I have only two profiles - one completely silent (for shows and meetings), and one that sounds calendar and task alarms. All the rest of my alerts are my default Message Alerts vibe/sounds or customized by sender and time of day. I mute Message Alerts (with an expiration timer so I don't forget to un-mute) as needed.

-jk