Category: Tech

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Word processing on the iPad

I find the actual typing ok, and it can be even better with the bluetooth keyboard. The problems lie elswhere.

Pages

Apple’s word processor

Pro:

It works.
I can use styles that convert to Word.

Cons

No Dropbox or other way to use the file in two places. The ones offered are not ones I want to use, like iWork etc. get terrible reviews. iTunes is clumsy. Maybe it will be the #1 way access the file from any device when iCloud arrives. Just a few hours before we hear!

Documents to Go

Pro

I can see the files I have stored in there on Dropbox. Sharing works well.

Con

Looses style formatting in Word format. Makes it unworkable for the work I do.

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Mnemologististics

https://psyberspace.walterlogeman.com/2006/mnemologististics/

Now using TextExpander on the MacBook Pro. I prefer it to ActiveWords on the PC, though ActiveWords is more versatile, TextExpander is simpler and does the job with elegance. I just wish the export of the list to the iPad was more complete. It works but there is a problem with the capitlisation.

Interestingly TextExpander advises the use of double letters at the start for abbreviations. tthu for Thursday etc. I prefer thuu that way I can start each word as I would normally, and not need to think as fast.

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When to use a pdf.

PDFs should be used and only used when the following apply:

IF

1. The document will be printed.
For example the document will be used for several people to sign at a meeting or this document is created to go into a paper system.

OR

2. The document is likely to be saved for reference on a computer.
For example, in addition to being accessed on the web or by email and the user will be likely to store the document. A signed contract.

AND

3. The document’s integrity is important.
For example that it has been designed for its look and feel and this needs to be consistent throughout its use. Or if it is important the document can’t easily be changed. A Journal article.

NEVER
Use a pdf on other occasions.

Forms are better in a Word file so people can edit them and return them or the form can be online in html. Information that is primarily on the web should be in html. In cases where use is mixed provide both a pdf and other formats. For ebooks consider providing epub, mobi, Kindle, Nook or plain text versions.

Later Consider Apple Author versions

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Google (custom domain) Calendar on iPad

It has always worked so well on the iPhone I’ve forgotten how I did it.

For some reason my Gmail (custom domain) works instantly in the iPad, I’ve forgotten how I did that already!

But I am now setting up the Google (Custom Domain, apps docs, whatever they call it!! – How about Google Live? Google Cloud? Google Everywhere? To hard to name: Gapps?)

Short answer, worked instantly:

How to Add Google Calendar to Your iPad

Maybe this that I had already tried

http://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/psybernet.co.nz/iphoneselect

had a part to play.

Anyway it works

The MS Exchange way did not, however I had to get my Contacts working using MS exchange.

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GroupWise on iPad

Apparently there is this app for mail and they make another one for docs.

GW Mail for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store:

Description GW Mail is a GroupWise email client for the iPhone. With this app you get a much better interface than Novell delivers by default through GroupWise WebAccess. This app gives you some of the enterprise features that you wouldn’t get with simple POP/IMAP – like access to your Frequent Contacts and GroupWise address book.

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Tools, iPad anticipation

I wrote a bit on my Psyberspace blog after I did the last three sketches. Here is a quote:

Tools evolve, and the best use of any given tool is of value. I have done a lot of sketching on my Palm PDAs – tool I’ll never use again – but therein lies something of value. The lead pencil has no colour. But look what has been done over the centuries with the humble pencil, and it lives. The current – no pressure iPad will die and be gone, but I look forward to making use of it, while it is in its first iteration. What can the finger do on that thing?

Here are some examples, some good stuff there.

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Simple & minimal

My car was stolen yesterday (Subaru Legacy wagon PM7910 in case you are in Christchurch, if you see it call the police). For all the pain there is a sense of freedom too. I might not get another car! Walk, bike and borrow (I don’t intend complete abstinence!).

Strangely, the feeling is similar to having just installed Readability in Firefox. What beautiful clean pages. I love reading on my PC. Maybe I don’t need an iPad after all. I put my laptop on my chest in bed today and read using the Readability, Kindle and Comical. There is something in my astrology pulling towards the simple & minimal.

I have been impressed by Roger Ebert’s item on “frisson”, a delightful and sensible contribution to the trollish “Google makes you stupid” discussions. Google makes us smart! Individually and as a species. What if Gregor Mendel talked to Charles Darwin? Ebert discusses his own experience of finding it hard to sit and read a whole book as in the old days. I know that experience! He has a plan to read again. Re-train the mind. Makes sense to me.

The planets continue to conspire. I read: Alain de Botton, On Distraction, Our minds need to go on a diet. I like it.

I’ve never been impressed by the idea of “Internet free days” or “email free days” as I am strong on using filters and readers to manage information, there is no overload. It takes a bit of work but the Net comes to me quite intelligently. It knows what I want. Not just email filters, search, an RSS reader but socially mediated information via mailing lists and twitter create a stream that tunes into me, like a very good friend.

The Alain de Botton item puts it in perspective. Fasting. A meditative approach. I could do that with food and with information! Far from being anti-food or anti-Internet I can see how fasting can enhance experience, sharpen my senses & taste.

I won’t make any resolutions though. Lets see what the planets have in store.

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More about Readability – an item by Rich Ziade

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