Review: Blackberry 8530

Are you ready for a new Blackberry? The Curve 8530 may be a good choice for you. The biggest change is the introduction of a track pad rather than the trackball that has caused so much headache for so many people. You simply glide your finger over the track pad and you are able to navigate the screen smoothly and easily. This is a huge improvement over previous efforts.

Another improvement is the out of the box Mac compatibility. For years, anyone with a Mac had to search for compatible software and then download it before they were able to sync their Blackberry to their computer. This labor intensive step is no longer required. Not only can you backup your calendar, contacts and apps, but you can also sync with iTunes using Blackberry Media Sync. Mac users will be much happier with this Blackberry than any previous model.

For those who are using PCs, don't worry. You have not been forgotten. It is as easy as ever to backup your files, sync your information or download media. The team at RIM has done a great job of keeping in mind that not everyone is a computer genius. The software included with the Blackberry 8530 allows you to do all of this by simply plugging your phone in and clicking a button.

The Curve 8530 comes with a full QWERTY keyboard and the size of the phone is very comfortable in your hand. It is slightly smaller than the 8300 series and much slimmer but does not feel cheap or flimsy in any way. The 320x240 pixel screen displays over 65,000 colors making browsing the internet or viewing documents, emails or pictures easy and enjoyable. The dedicated media keys are a definite improvement. Located at the top of the device, these keys make it much easier to control music and multimedia playback. You no longer have to fumble with the awkward on screen displays.

The 8530 uses 3G technology, so you can be sure to have the fastest connection available. It is used with CDMA and GSM service providers making it easier for you to find the phone with your current cellular provider. Of course price and quality of service depends on which carrier you choose.

If you are in an area where your service provider has poor signal strength, you can use the Wi-Fi capability to connect to the internet. This comes in very handy for those who frequently travel and never know for sure when they will have 3G service or any service at all. The Wi-Fi not only allows you to access the internet but also give you access to Blackberry Enterprise Server and Blackberry Internet Server so you will continue to receive important emails and respond to them just as quickly.

The built in Blackberry Maps and GPS feature make it simple to locate your current location or get directions to any address. This feature is far beyond what has been offered on even recent models like the original Curve. You can click on an existing address from your contacts and get step by step directions or do a local search by typing in any term like “movies” to find local theaters. You can even send maps via email. The Blackberry App World offers a number of GPS capable applications that can help you find any business, restaurant or other location.

Using the 2 mega pixel camera you can take photos, record videos and send them to friends via email, Instant Messaging apps or Blackberry Messenger. You can also download social networking apps so you can update your status instantly right from your smartphone. Every major social networking site has an app available and they are simple to download and install instantly.

As with any Blackberry, sending and receiving email is still the best of any smartphone available. Every email is instantly sent directly to your messaging folder or email folder. From there you can read, reply, file, or delete from your handheld or both handheld and mailbox. With the continuing improvements made by RIM, they will dominate the business world with this easy yet effective tool.

If you have never owned a Blackberry before, you will be amazed at how user friendly this new device is. If you are a veteran Blackberry user, then you will be able to move into the 8530 with no problems.

Raindrops Keep Falling

Has it ever occurred to you that we view rainy days differently as adults than when we were children? Why do we have a different outlook on rain? When did our view change?

When we were kids, rain was almost magical. We looked at it as if it was coming down just so we could go an play in it. Big puddles made to jump in and splash about. Mud that was just the right consistency to slide through like a Slip and Slide, only more fun. Or just to stick our arms out, open our mouths wide and spin around like a helicopter. These were the things that made rain fun.

Now that we are adults, we think of all of the negative things about rainfall. We can't mow the lawn now because it is too wet. We just washed our car and now it is ruined. If we get wet, we'll catch a cold. My shoes are soaked and now I have to wear a different pair. If it doesn't let up, someone is going to get flooded. We believe that rain is a nuisance that makes our days longer and less productive.

I am not saying that we need to drop our maturity and run out in the rain every time it comes down, or that we should be a bunch of sour pusses that think the worst of everything. Maybe we can land somewhere in between. If you get stuck in the rain, accept it and try to laugh about it. You are going to get wet whether you are mad or happy, so you might as well enjoy it. Make the most of a "bad" situation and jump in that rain puddle like you used to do. We all might just might live longer if we laugh a little more about the bad stuff instead of letting it get the best of us.

Ground Turkey vs. Ground Beef

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Ground turkey used to sound to me  like it was the most disgusting thing on the planet. I didn’t want to even hear the phrase “ground turkey” After all, what is wrong with ground beef? It is delicious and can be used in so many different ways. Well, as it turns out, ground turkey isn’t that bad after all. In fact it is just as good in most dishes as ground beef.

I have made burgers, tacos, lasagna, spaghetti, meat loaf and many other dishes with turkey and I have been just as pleased , if not more so, than with beef. It is less fatty which means less greasy. It also means that you won’t fell as though you have a rock sitting in your gut after you are finished. Some dishes need a little creative assistance to get them up to snuff, but overall, ground turkey is just as good to use as ground beef.

The next time you decide you want spaghetti for dinner, try substituting the beef with turkey and see for yourself. In fact, go one step further and replace the spaghetti with wheat or multi grain thin spaghetti. You will probably find that you like it even more than the old recipe. The ground turkey gives the dish the meatiness that you want. The multi grain pasta gives it a more full bodied flavor. It has a deeper, nutty flavor that is simply delicious.

If you are in the mood for tacos; cook up some ground turkey. Add in your favorite taco seasoning packet or create your own mixture. Put it all on a corn or wheat flour tortilla. Top it all off with some fresh lettuce, tomatoes and cheese. Add some salsa and you are in business.

Anything you use ground beef for can easily be substituted with ground turkey. It is healthier for you and the flavors are not hurt by the switch at all. Do yourself a favor and buy a pack the next time you are at the grocery store and try it for yourself. You won’t regret it.

The Boston Terrirer is a Breed Apart

Boston Terriers are a great breed of dog for anyone who is looking for a fun, friendly, active and loyal companion. They are great with kids. Their fun loving attitude mixes great with the energy level of kids. They can run and play all day long and then snuggle up at the end of the day.

Their short coats make them easy to maintain. They rarely have that "dog" smell and don't need baths very often. In fact, it is best to bath them only once a month. More than that and you can wash away the natural oils that protect them. Due to the short coats of the Boston Terrier, they are more susceptible to sun burn, so it is not advised to leave them outdoors for long periods of time.

The Boston also has a short snout which can cause them to overheat because they can't breathe in enough for the amount of activity they want to do. You may see them reverse sneezing, but you just have to hold them and calm them down and it will go away fairly quickly. If you run around the back yard or park with them and give them plenty of water, they will be just fine.

The Boston comes in mainly a black coat with white markings or brindle. Occasionally, you can find them in seal, or brown/red. Even rarer is the reverse colors where the white is the predominant color and they have black markings. The ideal length of the body should be no more than length of the legs. However, if you are looking for a fun and loving dog, then don't concern yourself with what the "perfect" Boston looks like. Just pick the one that you like. Just make sure you go through a reputable breeder and not a puppy mill. You also want to try to get a one year health guarantee. This will allow you to get a refund if there is a serious health defect.

If you treat your Boston with love and friendship, they will return it to you ten fold. The Boston Terrier is a great companion and you will never know a better friend.

September's Baby