I need help with the AT&T Blackberry Curve 8900?

Kristy, I am going to try and be as thorough as possible, and answer your questions in order.

1. Your phone comes preloaded with various IMing software. From your main screen press the menu key (to the left of the trackball) this will bring up all the icons, look for one that has a folder, and a green speech bubble with the letters "IM" in it. Select that folder, and when it opens you will find BB Messenger, AIM, Google Talk, ICQ, Y! Messenger, and Windows Live Messenger. As for MSN, I don't know if you can download it from Blackberry app world.

2. Bad news here. There is no way that I have found to turn off the shutter sound on the camera. sorry.

3. The easiest way that I found to have custom ring tones on all aspects of messaging, and calls, is to create a new sound profile. To do this, press the menu key, go to the Profiles icon, and select it. scroll down in the pop up window to "advanced", and select it. This will bring up the Profiles window. press the menu button again, and select "New Profile". Name your profile (I used my first name) and then you can edit the profile. once it's on the profile list all you do is highlight it, and select it. and it will open up the list of alerts, you can click, and have an individual ring tone for each of the actions listed. Now, if you want to have a particular ring tone for a certain person calling you, then you would have to edit that persons phone book entry, and press the menu key while you are in edit mode, and select "Add Custom Ring Tone"

4. If you are able to download the ring tone to your computer, it would probably be easier to transfer to your BB. Just open the Blackberry in your computer, and open the folder that says Blackberry, then open the folder that says "Ring tones". Your should be able to drag and drop your ring tones on there. This also works for Music, and Pictures. Just make sure you have the appropriate folder open at the time.

5. This one is kinda complex, but the best way to get them on your phone is to have their pin. Just open BB messenger, and scroll to the top where your display name is. press the menu key, and select "Invite Contact." From there you can enter your friends' pin, and from that point it will send them a message asking if they accept you as a contact. there is another way, but you need to be next to your friend. From the main screen of your BB messenger, press the menu key, and press invite contact. then select "Scan a person's bar code". While you are doing this, have your friend open their BB Messenger on their phone, have them press the menu button, but on your friend's phone have then go to "My Profile", then scroll down and select "Display My Barcode", this will bring up a square image, and your phone should have the "camera" open, Now just pretend you're taking a pic of your friend's screen. Your phone will beep, and show their name. This sounds complex, but I assure you it's the easiest way I have found.

6. For your e-mail you need to run the setup wizard, and make sure you type the user name, and password in correctly, remember that Passwords are case sensitive, and if you are typing in numbers you have to press the "Alt" key for each number.

It's ok that you asked all those questions, I have a 8900, with Tmo, and it took me a while to get used to it. But I wouldn't trade my phone for anything. except... well maybe the new 9700. But that's just me.

You can PIN me if you have any further questions. . . If you like. My PIN is 24AE521C.

Hope this helps. Good Luck, and Happy Holidays.

-Mark

About the Email Issue: This is a worldwide RIM BlackBerry server issue. They say it could be up to a day to fix. Do not call your service, they are well aware of the problem, and can not do any thing about it.