The 411 for Macs in Alaska

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The 411 for Macs in Alaska

iPad desires, part deux

Written by IT Doc |

I have some more wants to add to my list for the iPad - still a great device, even after a week's worth of use, including attempting to connect to the Enterprise wireless network.

I wish my iPad had:

the ability to add fonts - the iPad comes with a nice selection of fonts, but who doesn't want more fonts to use. Also, if you use Pages, the iPad word processor from Apple, and you import a document, there is a good chance that one or more fonts used in your imported document will not exist on the iPad and a substitution will be made. The system is nice and tells you, but that's it.
the ability to print files using bluetooth versus wireless.
folders for application placement and containment - but I understand that this feature is in the next release of the OS.
the ability to play nicely with Cisco Web Authentication - some site use Cisco Web Authentication to allow people to use their wireless network - well - apparently the engineers at Apple never tried to connect the iPad to such a network - for it does not work reliably. Funny thing is - the iPhone does work well in this environment! Most strange.

The next report will either be on some sweet utilities or on Pages -

Keep reading & happy computing.

I wish my iPad had...

Written by IT Doc |

I have been using my iPad for a while now, or at least since 11:58 a.m. on Saturday. It is a great device, however...

It would really be nice if:

the iPad could accept a USB memory stick - easy way to add storage and move files - I do understand that Apple is coming out, by the end of April, with an interface that is designed to move digital images from your camera to the iPad and it will read SD cards - the question remains what else can one do with the SD card.
there was a way to "raise" the keyboard - the system is usually smart enough to know when it is pointed to a text field and will bring up the virtual keyboard - however it did not know that it was on a text field for a web site that I was wanting to edit.
the iPad could be tethered to the iPhone when one is in a location without WiFi access.
the iPad could use its bluetooth technology to transfer files to another iPad or iPhone - sorta like bump but on steroids

The iPad is great - it works well, its fast and light. We simply need a little time for Apple and some creative developers to make it even mo better.

Showtime: my iPad gets top marks!

Written by IT Doc |

Well, sports fans the time has come for all of you to drool over Apple's latest tool.

Yes, the iPad is here - in Alaska, for all to use. That presumes that you either pre-ordered one, bought one and then waited impatiently for UPS to arrive on Saturday, or, heavens forbid, waited in line at Best Buy or one of the local Mac stores Saturday morning to be the first in line to buy one of the limited editions available.

Mine arrived at 11:58 a.m. - and not a minute too soon, I might add. It is a great device - and yes, I wrote this article using the iPad - really!

The iPad is a light, bright, versatile device - it is designed for consuming information, entertainment, and communications (email, social networking, etc). It fits nicely between the iPhone and the MacBook in the toolbox of computing.

To answer some burning questions for Doctor W - yes it can Citrix into your work environment, connect to Exchange, and be a very lightweight tool for computing while traveling. I have not yet purchased the word processing tool, nor the spreadsheet tool, however, I am impressed with how this device easily opens word processing and spreadsheet documents, and pdf files, without any add-ons.

And the iPad-specific software (apps) look good. Viewing several of the free publications (Wall Street Journal, The Times Editors' Choice, and USA Today) this is a winning device for the consumption of written and beautiful visual information. Yes, I have seen and used the Kindle and the Nook and they are very good devices to replace paper books - but now imagine a book, in vivid color, with hyperlinks, that brings the world to you. Yes, I know that computers, laptops, and netbooks can do the same, but I would add - those devices have been around for a long time and publishers barely paid these devices any attention - until the iPad was announced. Now we are beginning to see just what can be done with technology.

This is a device that, in my opinion, will be comfortable in the home, on the road, and in a business environment. Watch this space for more updates as we truly learn what can be accomplished with the paradigm-changing tool.

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