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If the batteries have behaved when new and slowly degraded that really had nothing to do with initial preparation.

Lithium ION has a finite amount of charges. But a partial charge does not count as a full charge. Draining Lith batteries real low is not good for them.

Top it off as often as you can to extend it's life. For example when you get home if you don't need the phone put it on the charger rather than wait. At work, if you are at a desk keep it hooked to computer.

Set time outs short, lower screen brightness, all the standard stuff.

Run as few things that will drain the battery as possible (even if you have enough to last the day cut down battery drain as much as you can).

Background internet apps (weather, polling email etc.) will drain the battery and therefore shorten the life and length of holding a charge.

My touch is 10 months old and battery still behaves like new.