[hayden]

PIN [. pin] noun

Each BlackBerry device is assigned a unique eight-digit number called a personal identification number (PIN). You can find your BlackBerry's PIN by selecting the Options icon, then clicking Status. Your PIN will appear in the Status screen.

Sending a PIN message
There are two ways to send messages directly to a BlackBerry user's PIN rather than to the user's email address, depending on whether you have the PIN stored in a contact in your address book or not. If you have a contact in your address book with the PIN entered, you can select the PIN using the Compose application. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Select the Compose icon (the open envelope and pencil).
2. In the "To:" list, scroll to the correct contact. Click the trackwheel to display a drop-down menu for the contact.
3. If you have stored a PIN for this contact, PIN will appear in the menu. Select it.
4. Compose your message and send it as usual.

When the message is sent, it will be routed using the PIN rather than the email address.

Note: The next time you select that contact with the Enter key, the PIN will be used rather than the email address. To reset the contact to use an email address, simply follow the directions listed above and select Email rather than PIN from the menu.

If you want to enter a PIN not associated with a contact, you can type the PIN directly into the "To:" field. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Select the Compose icon (the open envelope and pencil).
2. Scroll up to [Use Once] at the top of the "To:" list. Click the trackwheel to display a drop-down menu.
3. From the menu, select PIN. Enter the PIN and press Enter.
4. Compose your message and send it as usual.

Stack [. stak] verb
1.a pile ofthings in large number more or less neatly arranged one on top of another; to put things one on top of another forming a pile, or to be arranged in that way.

Note: PIN to PIN messages are not encrypted and transmit in plaintext, allowing anyone who intercepts them to read them. While this is a remote possibility, you should keep it in mind and not send sensitive information in a PIN to PIN message.

[Dhudgins]

can a bes track a pin2pin?

[hayden]

Originally Posted by Dhudgins

can a bes track a pin2pin?

Yes, you can send PIN's via the BES server also.

[rush88]

I hear things about PIN messaging being able to work when SMS and phone circuits are full.....can anybody explain why? I'm just curious.

[dtx]

Originally Posted by rush88

I hear things about PIN messaging being able to work when SMS and phone circuits are full.....can anybody explain why? I'm just curious.

SMS and phone calls are made on the GSM network. PIN and emails are sent with GPRS. Also, PINs aren't sent through your carrier's servers, they go straight to Blackberry's.
During 9\11 the only phones working in the area were Blackberries, and that's why everyone in Washington and people in Emergency Services are required to have Blackberries now. They work. Always.
If anyone has a more complete answer, I'd be interested to hear the technical explanation.

[webbrr]

Now THAT* is useful information! Thanks from a total Blackberry newbie.

* "During 9\11 the only phones working in the area were Blackberries..."

[Rcbjr]

webbrr, Welcome to PinStack.

Let us know if there is anything we can do to help with your BB.

Rcbjr

[StaceyRVC]

Originally Posted by dtx

During 9\11 the only phones working in the area were Blackberries

Not true, Nextel and believe it or not "Voicestream" worked that day in NY.

[budrfly9]

Do pin messages count towards total text messages?

[Rcbjr]

budrfly9, Welcome to PinStack.

No, they are data and do not deduct from your Text/SMS count.

Let us know if there is anything else we can do to help with this problem or your BB.

Rcbjr

[manofdestiny]

I'm a converted Treo 650 user and am LOVIN' my Pearl! I don't have a data plan and understand one is needed in order to send PIN messages. Cingular offers a $9.99 email data plan and I'm wondering if I signed up for that, it would allow me to send PIN messages?

My son now lives in Calgary and we used to .txt msg all the time. Each send/reply now costs me 40 cents because it is international!

Thanks for any replies!

[Rcbjr]

Cingular offers a $9.99 email data plan and I'm wondering if I signed up for that, it would allow me to send PIN messages?

No, this plan will not work for BlackBerry Devices, the minimum data plan that will work for Cingular BBs is one of the limited BB Data plans, but that plan is not that much cheaper than the personal BB internet Data plan.

hope this helps
Rcbjr.

[jon01]

my cousin used pin2pin with me right after 9/11. he was working in the building across the street from the wtc. he got in touch with me and i sent my parents to pick him up. thank you bb!!!

he actually used it again on the day of the big NY blackout, no electric, but pin2pin still worked!!

- Jon

[manofdestiny]

Originally Posted by Rcbjr

No, this plan will not work for BlackBerry Devices, the minimum data plan that will work for Cingular BBs is one of the limited BB Data plans, but that plan is not that much cheaper than the personal BB internet Data plan.

hope this helps
Rcbjr.

Disappointing, but thanks for the help!

[cherrichiodo]

Originally Posted by manofdestiny

Disappointing, but thanks for the help!

manofdestiny, your son would also need a BB to PIN message with you.