David's Blog

I am testing IA Writer. First thing I do is put it into Full View. My screen is blank, except the words I am typing. I could get used to this. Then, my mind goes blank… what was that shortkey again I think it’s cmd+f lets try it… Nope. That brought up a search function lets try cmd+shift+f… Nothing. I’m going to have to exit full window. cmd+ctrl+f

Normally I avoid programs that demand the slightest bit of learning. That is, the ones that deviate from the norms of user interface or control or are completely intuitive. I picked up IA Writer, paying $9 for the app because I need something to keep me writing. I am too easily distracted from my work by twitter, carousel (instagram) and email. Once I get off the writing track it is hard to get back on, and my sidetracks can sometimes end up lasting hours. I may check twitter, then decide to post an update to one of my two blogs, six facebook pages, email, edit one of the dozen websites I administer, or worse: open up a new application.

This is peaceful, it is sereen. There are nothing but letters on my screen. The mouse courser has disappeared.
Testing *italics* nope that’s underline.
Testing **bold** now
“# Title 1″
# Title 1
## Title 2

This is rudamentary, but, it gets the writing done. The formats are not there. They are suggestions to be completed in a rich text editor. This is a basic text editor. Then again that is the point of the app, to get the text down. To complete the assignment. I’m thinking there is no such thing as spell check in this app, which is not entirely a bad thing. My spelling and grammatical errors can be fixed later. IA Writer is minimalist, to the core. I doubt I will use any of its features. All I really need is sentences and Paragraphs. The rest can wait for editing.

> Testing an indented Paragraph, apparently once I get to the end of the paragraph the indent of the paragraph will remain at this indent. So it does.

So, While it may take a few times to get the basics of this application down (that is using the features by memory, the basic principle of the application is to leave nothing between you and typing. It does that well. There is a word count at the bottom of the screen, as well as a character count and an estimation of the time it will take to read this entire entry. They appear five seconds after I have stopped typing.

440 Words, 2,300 characters not a third-grade equivalent but not quite where it should be. I am going to try and save this using what I would think to be the save short key: cmd+s… It saves the file as a .md, or text only document. Well, now I only need to turn off my phone, which is buzzing right now, and I will be distraction free.

My iPhone died agian tonight. For the third time… this YEAR! what am I doing wrong?

Its completely bricked, wont even take a charge. Ive set another appointment with the Apple store, where they will generously give me a new phone. I hope I get lucky this time and get a phone that lasts more than a month.

As a student I am often caught between the crossfire of multiple platforms. At home I use OSX and have Lynux (eeebuntu) netbook. Most of the schools computers run windows, but there are a couple of labs that have Apple machines.

In this hostile environment most word processing or spreadsheet documents are worthless. Trying to move files from one computer lab to home, or the next lab is inconvenient at best.

In order to survive the greed of these corporations, I have turned to two opensource (sorta) resources. The first is Google Docs, I cannot stress how useful Gdocs has been, I take all my leture notes directly to google docs on my netbook. I share and collaborate with other students and my professors. Do I trust Google? to an extent, yes, but especially with recent security problems, I limit the access of my most precious intellectual material to my own Disk space.

Ive solved the problem of dealing with incompatible office suites (I could just buy them all… If I weren’t a student and had money.) by putting a copy of each platforms OpenOffice.org application on a thumbdrive. And save all my files on that drive. Don’t Forget backups!

I am seriously considering the iPad to replace my netbook. I am a college student, and use my netbook in class (on one of those really small chair/desks) to take notes.

When I am taking notes, in class, It is imperative that I can feel each keystroke as I feverishly type as much of the lecture as possible. Im not worried about formating, that comes later as I review. Using a physical keyboard is essential for me in this situation, I cannot afford the moments hesitation of looking at the screen to see if my hands are still on the home-row!

So, will the bluetooth Apple Wireless Keyboard be compatible with the iPad? I think if it is I will take the iPad from my backpack to set up my notes before class, then return it to my backpack durring a lecture. Leaving only the keyboard on the desk, limiting my distractions (like the ever-present temptation to check facebook in class) This is very exciting to me, I hope it will be possible.

I’m very torn on the iPad. I would really like to have one, but the Pros and Cons are close. Ultimately I am looking to replace my Netbook (Asus Eee-PC 900A) with something that is more compatible with my at home Mac and my iPhone.

Pros:

• Compact/light weight

Its size and shape are perfect for the desks in class, and for my backpack!

• inexpensive (compared to a laptop)
• Mac Compatible

I like the fact that my iPhone and Mac-Mini work so well together, and would like to see the same with my portable note taker.

• Apple Coolness Factor
• improved email response

The iPhone is great for getting (almost) realtime emails but that email contains an attachment that needs your input you’ve got to get yourself to a computer. The iPad is the answer, all you need is wifi.

Cons:

• Expensive (compared to a netbook)
• No physical keyboard

I dont usually look at the keyboard when Im typing in class, i type while im watching the presentation, or the prof write stuff on a board, eye contact is important in class. I wish Apple would put out a compact bluetooth keyboard.

• Planned Obsolescence

Apple seems to be good at planned obsolescence. They are the top luxury name for electronics, and there is no technical reason for them not to have a video camera on the iPad at release, or a more powerful processor. Its easy to predict there will be a camera available next year.

• The Overly geeky effect

Im in college, and while having this device for class notes makes a lot of sense, it also makes me very geeky. I should point out, this isn’t really a con, because of the Apple coolness effect, and because it will replace my lynux netbook.

Taking all this into consideration, I still think the iPad will be perfect for my needs… IF… I can find a compatible, and compact bluetooth keyboard…

My little sister would love to get her hands on my netbook!