Is BES server 5.0.0 mature enough?

Blackberry is quite new in Norway actually, the home market has always been dominated by Symbian and Windows Mobile based phones. We downloaded the BES server 5.0 last week and installed - uh - tried to install it - on a Windows 2003 server. That was not easy. We met peculiar problems, like:

1. Do not specify Norway as your country in Windows Regional Settings, otherwise the installation will fail :-D (Yes it's true) (SQL server 2005 runtime error)

2. Do not use Firefox to open the web based administration panel - it does not work! (Yes - this is 2009)

We still haven't managed to get the system up & running, but it may look like we're nearly there now. Otherwise we will have to install the ver. 4.x BES server while we wait for a more mature 5.x.x version.


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Oh - and a few device tips as well:




1. Scandinavian characters: Æ, Ä and Å - press and hold the "a" key, then use the mouse roller to scroll to the correct letter. Ø, Ö - same procedure, but this time with the "o" key.
It isn't as easy as on Nokia phones, but you'll manage.


2. Be careful with the Blackberry device password and the NumLock function (Alt+LeftShift). This function locks the numeric keys and makes it easier to dial numbers with one finger. On the other hand, when this kicks in without you knowing it, and you're giving the wrong password, you might end up with a locked phone. (Yes - been there)
Three failed attempts, and your SIM card gets locked. (Yes - done that)
You need a PUK code to reopen it, and I really hope you still have that funny little letter from your phone company, the one containing your PUK codes ? (Yes - uh - oh ..).
Otherwise you're in for a long period without your mobile phone, which possibly will make you break down and cry a bit. (I didn't, but close :)


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Blackberry Bold - first impressions:


Very smart and intuitive user interface. Very easy to learn

PC/Mac support software isn't really good, especially the Windows version seems crappy. (it hangs my laptop). On the other hand - most users actually don't need it either.

ON THE OTHER HAND:
I connected the Blackberry to an existing 4.x BES server, located in another of our offices abroad, and this time the shiny little device was really impressing. Mail, Sametime, policies, everything works like a charm. Once we get this up&running, we might have what we originally were looking for.

UPDATE june 15th:
We finally managed to get the ver 5.0.0 server up&running, but we never got it stable. The Lotus Domino 8.5 HF4 server crashed regulary, never leaving a reason in the log files. We're now downgrading to ver 4.x again. What a pain.