I  heard on NPR this morning that the secret service is considering whether or not President Obama is going to be able to use his blackberry.  We have all heard how obsessed Obama is with his blackberry; how he checks it all the time; how he gives and receives important messages with its help.  I don't think he has much of a chance to continue to use it when he is president, but who knows.  NPR concluded this news story with a question, "Are the laws governing the president's use of communications outdated? Do we need new laws that pertain to today's technology?"  Good questions, I thought.  Hard to answer - is the internet safe for the president to use at all - a little? If so, is the blackberry more open to hackers than the computer?  I don't really think we are ready for our president to email, talk on his cell phone, text. But, I think NPR is asking good questions - do we need to update our laws so we can let the president use whatever technology he is comfortable with.

I am particularly interested in the president's blackberry because I am about to jump into the blackberry patch myself.  In my business, as in most, the blackberry is the pda of choice.  It is no longer enough to be cell phone ready at all times;  now you need to be hooked up to your email  24/7 as well.  I have put off this leap in technology for a number of reasons - price of the equipment, another d____d monthly fee; loss of even more privacy - plus I check my email a lot during the day on computers and didn't feel it was necessary to have it available in my pocket at all times.

But, I have done the research - iphone vs. blackberry, pearl vs curve, red vs titantium, insurance vs no insurance, 2 keys vs 1 key for letters, wifi vs non-wifi, store vs internet.  I think my research is complete.  I have settled on the Blackberry Curve in Titanium (although this may change to the red on impulse).  I will buy it from a nice fellow in the Acton AT&T store, Luis, who promises that he will not charge me the $18 start-up fee and, if he buys a house, he will call me.  So, here I go - I am about to become one of those people who constantly checks their little machines for messages and types replies that say, "from my blackberry"

So, Mr. Obama, It's not too late. if the secret service takes away your blackberry, you can send it my way.  I'll be careful with it, I won't tell anyone who has been texting you, and when Michelle sends a message, "Bring home a gallon of milk." I'll gently remind her that you are no longer available online.  But I am!!!!



Real Estate Hint #26 - Looking at houses in bad weather can provide a wealth of information.  Often buyers only look at houses on bright, sunny, dry days. But, good weather can cover up a multitude of sins.  If you preview a house in pouring rain and the basement is stone dry, then you can be assured it probably never gets water.  If you look at houses in the middle of winter and the heat seems adequate, you know that the furnace is working just fine.  If you go out to see houses after a storm, you can see if there is ice buildup on the driveway or the porch.  Don't let bad weather stop you from looking at houses to purchase -  bad weather can provide helpful information!