Dubai: Two days amount to 48 hours. To some people, that may not mean much but to many Blackberry users it means a blackout.
Larissa Koshkina, a student at the American University of Dubai (AUD), didn't realise just how dependent she was on her Blackberry: "I'm going crazy. I'm not used to the silence. The failure of Blackberry Messenger (BBM) has decreased socialising to a minimum, as people with it don't bother buying credit, as just about everyone they know has BBM. I'm not getting my emails.
"I've missed a couple of appointments, both at university and at work. In short, being without the BBM service is like living without your right hand."
Looking at her problem with a philosophical perspective, the 21-year-old felt that the issue is reflective of the times.
Koshkina said: "Not so long ago, people lived without phones altogether, and they seemed to survive just fine. But nowadays, looking at me and all the people I know, take away our phones and laptops and we're lost, literally and metaphorically."
Feel isolated
Najawan Al Nuaimi, a legal coordinator, agreed with Larissa, "It's bad, it's very bad, when you get used to communicating on the spot, through BBM, and email, suddenly you feel like you're isolated, out in the middle of nowhere," Najawan said.
"I'm too angry, I got too used it, I keep checking for the messenger to see if it's back up. I wouldn't [change my brand of phone], because there are no competitors for the Blackberry service at the moment. If such competition exists, I'd consider it," he added. Azza Sobhy, an accountant, felt the same. She said: "I don't like it, I'm in touch with people around the clock, I use it to check my Facebook, and Twitter, but now I have to resort to using a computer for everything, which is inconvenient. If the blackout continues I'd buy another brand, for sure."
On the other hand Mahmoud Gaith another Blackberry user argues that it is not such a crisis.
He said: "Depending on how serious or difficult the requirement is, people will adjust, so instead of using BBM, they'll call or text, it's not a major problem, it's merely an inconvenience."
Adel Hasiba, a senior financial accountant, felt people need to remember the options. He said: "It's important, but there are other means to communicate with people."
