apeman.org

Here is a quick tip on how to get “poor mans” push email with your BlackBerry using BlackBerry Internet Service. This of course assumes that you are on an email system that runs procmail, and you have access to update your .procmailrc file in your home directory. If you run MS Exchange, then you are better off using BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server), where you will get more features.

Open your .procmailrc file and add the following to the bottom of the file:

:0c
* < 50000
* ^TO_you@yourdomain.com
!yourblackberry@rogers.blackberry.net

You will have to replace the TO line email address with your own primary email address, and also replace the “yourblackberry” line with the email address that your wireless provider assigned to you. Its usually something like name@rogers.blackberry.net I use Rogers, but that name could be Cingular or Telus or something completly different.

The above example only forwards the message if it is less than 50KB in size. Adjust to suit your needs.

I also placed the example above at the bottom of my .procmailrc file as I subscribe to a lot of email lists and I do not want to get all of those messages on my BlackBerry.

Here is a complete basic .procmailrc file for you to use:

#My Procmail filter, logs messages that it takes action on for
#diagnostics
PATH=/bin:/usr/bin
MAILDIR=$HOME/.maildir
LOGFILE=/home/username/.maillog
UMASK=177
#forward email addressed specificly to me to my blackberry. :0c
* < 50000
* ^TO_you@yourdomain.com
!yourblackberry@rogers.blackberry.net

#forward email from this friend to my blackberry.
:0c
* < 50000
* ^From.friend@isp.com
!yourblackberry@rogers.blackberry.net

If you need help writing a filter, please post a comment below and I will be glad to help.

apeman 8700r, blackberry, DIY, linux, projects, tech