HOWTO

Fortunately there is GoogleTalk for BlackBerry. Chances are that if you read this, you are on your desktop, searching for ways to get your GoogleTalk up and running on your BlackBerry. There is a convenient way to do just that in several easy steps:

1. Go to this URL: http://us.blackberry.com/smartphones/features/im/google_talk_download.jsp
2. Enter your BlackBerry-linked e-mail address. Shortly you will receive an e-mail on your BlackBerry.
   
3. Open the received e-mail and click on the provided link. A cute page with "Download Now" will appear.
4. Click it. You should see a page with "Next".
5. Click "Next". A more informative page will open.
6. Tick "Set Application Permissions" and click "Download".
7. Enter your password. A menu with permissions will open.
8. Hit the BB button and select "Save". If it asks whether to replace the existing  version - select "Replace".
9. Another dance for your success!

HOWTO

The first thing you will notice about your Messages box is that it grows rapidly with stuff not pertaining to you. Probably most of those messages are not for you anyway but part of a mailing list you were forcibly added to. The thing you want to do is just - Mark All Read. But it is not there. Actually it is there but it isn't called exactly that and it isn't visible at all times. In order to mark all messages as read - follow these steps:

1. Open Messages.
2. Hit "T". This brings you to the top of the list. Notice this is the _date_ field rather than the first message.
   
3. Now open the BB menu. That is hit the BB button.
4. Select "Mark Prior Read". This is the magic option you were looking for. It is only visible while the _date_ is highlighted.
5. Dance, upon your triumph!