02.02.2010
, Research In Motion's (RIM) mobile IM application that uses unique "PIN" codes associated with every BlackBerry to connect RIM smartphone users, isn't new. But due to the BlackBerry platform's rising popularity, BBM--which you can think of as a mobile version of AIM or Google Talk that only works with BlackBerrys -- is suddenly getting a lot of attention. And . In fact, Web-security-software-maker McAfee recently about BBM spam and hoaxes on its TrustedSource blog.
To me, BBM is a valuable tool that I use every day for immediate contact with important colleagues, associates and family members. But the app can subject BlackBerry users to unnecessary risk if used improperly or without a certain degree of caution.
Here are half a dozen BBM best practices to help ensure that you get the most of your BBM experience while avoiding any potential trouble.
Add New Contacts Sparingly
This is the most important point in my post, so I'll say it again: Add new contacts sparingly.
I know I'll catch some flak from some of you loyal BlackBerry users out there who seem to be playing a game in which the goal is to gain as many BBM contacts as quickly as possible. But the value in BBM, for me at least, is that it's not just another IM service--I have BeeJive for that.