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Well, gang, this is the last post to appear on BBHub. We’re closing shop at Midnight tonight, ET.

That’s the not-so-cool news.

But are you ready for some cool news?

As a result of the corporate strategies that have led to the closing of this, as well as several of our other “niche” blogs, I am pleased to tell you that our BlackBerry coverage will continue, and I will be a big part of it.

Over the last several months, I’ve noticed from our server logs that our posts about third-party BlackBerry software — productivity utilities, downloadable games, even stuff you never would have dreamed of — has garnered (Yes, I just mind-associated Jennifer, too) significant amount of page views. In my new role handling BlackBerry, Palm and Symbian OS for Download Squad, my mantra will be, if its downloadable, and is compatible with any of the OS’ I just named, it is a candidate for coverage.

And coverage it will be. I’ll be blogging for Download Squad on a daily basis.

But that’s not all.

I’ll also be covering the mobile scene-and especially BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion- for our exciting Blogging Stocks site. And no, these posts won’t be a dry recitation of how RIM and its mobile competitors did on the NASDAQ or New York Stock Exchange that day. If RIM (actually RIMM on the Nasdaq) inks a pact with a major carrier, or we hear of an official (or even unofficial) release date for the BlackBerry 88xx series most everyone in the know is coming soon, I’ll write a post about that. Why? Because while one Ms. Lohan’s BlackBerry use won’t really impact RIM financially, a new contract or even whispers of a new device most certainly will. I know it did with the Pearl.

I’d also be remiss if I failed to mention that our sister sites, Engadget and Engadget Mobile also have great BlackBerry-device centered coverage. You’ll find Engadget Mobile’s coverage here. And I happen to know there have been those folks who have kept up with my own writings by using AOL Search. I can’t quarrel with that.

Readers, I remember the factory that my Mom worked, and how she described what it was like when they turned the lock for the last time. Now — more years hence than you want to know — I am the one turning the lock.

But on second thought, maybe not exactly.

BBHub and our nearly 5,000 posts will live as an accessible archive of our last two years of coverage. That’d be coverage over one of a device that has found its name into our culture. Just as “to Google” as become a verb, “I Blackberry-ed (him, or her)” surely is too.

So follow me along as I cover BlackBerry, and lots of aspects of the beats I started and now close, on BBHub.

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Original post by Russell Shaw

Filed under: Support, Tips, BlackBerry OS 4.x

That’s the title of a new document the BlackBerry Technical Knowledge Center posted today.

Linked via the Read prompt below this post, this involves several steps. Each of these has their own steps-with-steps.

I’ll tell you the major steps for Windows XP. Follow the link I just mentioned for Windows ME or 98 machines.

1. Close BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
2. Open the Control Panel and double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. Select BlackBerry Desktop Software and click Change/Remove.
4. On the InstallShield Wizard window, click the Remove option, followed by Next.
5. On the Confirm Uninstall window, click OK.
6. On the InstallShield Wizard window, click Finish.

Follow along, now:

Task 2 - Delete the Research In Motion folders from the registry

To delete the Research In Motion folders, complete the following steps:
Click Start>Run.
Type Regedit, then click OK.
In the Registry Editor, delete the Research In Motion folder located in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\
Delete the Research In Motion folder located in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\
Note: This key will not be present if you are removing BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.0.

Remove the BlackBerry Desktop Software folder under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall’

Leave the Registry Editor open to complete the next task.

Task 3 - Delete the Pumatech or Pumatech Technology key from the registry (if present)

Pumatech shared folders only exist in the registry for BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.0.1 and earlier.

To delete the Pumatech and or Puma Technology key folders, complete the following steps:
In the Registry Editor, delete the Puma Technology folder located in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\
Delete the Pumatech key folder located in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\
Close the Registry Editor.

Task 4 - Delete the Research In Motion folders from your hard drive

To delete the Research In Motion folder, complete the procedure that corresponds with the Windows operating system you have installed on your computer.
For Windows 2000 or XP
Open Windows Explorer.
Delete the Research In Motion folder in C:\Program Files\

Delete the Research In Motion folder in C:\Program Files\Common Files (if present).
Delete the Research In Motion folder in C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Application Data\

Note: If you are unable to see the Application Data folder, it might be a hidden system folder. See the Additional Information section of this article for instructions on how to display hidden files and folders.

If you were running BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.0 Service Pack 1, delete the BlackBerry Desktop folder in C:\Documents and Settings\<user names>\Application Data\.

Task 5 - Delete the Pumatech folder from your hard drive (if present)

To delete the Pumatech folder, complete the procedure that corresponds with the desktop software version you have installed on your computer.
If you are running BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.0 Service Pack 1 or later, delete the Pumatech Desktop Setup folder located in C:\Program Files\Research In Motion\
If you are running a version of BlackBerry Desktop Software earlier than 4.0.1, delete the Pumatech Shared folder located in C:\Program Files\Common Files\

The desktop software should now be fully uninstalled. Restart the computer to make sure that all background processes are cleared from system memory.

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Original post by Russell Shaw

Talented and brainy performer John Mayer and his girlfriend, non-talented and apparently non-brainy performer Jessica Simpson have two things in common.

One? We won’t go there.

Two, they both have BlackBerrys, and like to check their messages.

Even when they are on dates together.

Have you ever been on dates when she or he checks their cell phone regularly?

Strikes me as a bit discourteous. How do you feel about it?

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Original post by Russell Shaw

Filed under: Software

On Tuesday, wireless enterprise solutions developer Flowfinity Wireless Inc., announced the availability of French support in its wireless smart client (the Flowfinity Client) for BlackBerry/.

Now, all menus and on-screen user prompts are also available in French.

Given that French is one of the two national laguages in BlackBerry-maker Reearch In Motion’s home country of Canada, this is not an insignificant development.

Flofinity terms the significance in two ways:

1. In Canada, companies or government organizations can now access and use Flowfinity Applications in the official language of their choice.

2. Companies in France, whether headquartered there or with branch offices of multi-national companies doing business there, can now use Flowfinity Applications in French.

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Original post by Russell Shaw

Filed under: Fun, Pearl 8100, Blackberry Multimedia

The warm temperatures in Chicago earlier this month belied the truism that the earth is getting warmer.

A BlackBerry Pearl-using BBHub reader took advantage of that relatively calm day to take a photo of the Chicago skyline from the vantage point of a nearby park.

You’re looking at the photo now.

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Original post by Russell Shaw

Filed under: RIM, Tips, Security

I’ve just received my monthly copy of BlackBerry Connection.

This issue’s lead article is about Smart Card security, as practiced by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Inside, there are pieces about ensuring your BlackBerry changes its time settings to Daylight Savings Time, BlackBerry solutions for various industries, and even how to play Tetris on your BlackBerry.

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Original post by Russell Shaw