Fanboi's lament - falling out of love with the iPad
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From: Your Name on 12 Jun 2010 17:39 "Michelle Steiner" <michelle(a)michelle.org> wrote in message news:michelle-013459.06014512062010(a)reserved-multicast-range-not-delegated.e xample.com... > In article <120620100126043812%nospam(a)nospam.invalid>, > nospam <nospam(a)nospam.invalid> wrote: > > > > > system 7 added popupmenuselect but it was possible to do it before > > > > that, but with a little more work. > > > > > > Yeah, but popup menus aren't the same thing as contextual menus. > > > > they are from a programming point of view. it took a menu, an x/y > > position and which item to highlight in the menu. that could be in a > > window where there was a popup menu, or wherever the cursor happened to > > be, window or not (i.e., right-click functionality). > > As I recall, popupmenu select did not require a right click. A left click > at the location would pop the menu up, and it would be static, not context > dependent. You're wasting your time. Let nospam believe whatever incorrect nonsense they want to. :-\
From: Jolly Roger on 13 Jun 2010 08:50 In article <hv0umq$2ed$1(a)lust.ihug.co.nz>, "Your Name" <your.name(a)isp.com> wrote: > "Michelle Steiner" <michelle(a)michelle.org> wrote in message > news:michelle-013459.06014512062010(a)reserved-multicast-range-not-delegated.e > xample.com... > > In article <120620100126043812%nospam(a)nospam.invalid>, > > nospam <nospam(a)nospam.invalid> wrote: > > > > > > > system 7 added popupmenuselect but it was possible to do it before > > > > > that, but with a little more work. > > > > > > > > Yeah, but popup menus aren't the same thing as contextual menus. > > > > > > they are from a programming point of view. it took a menu, an x/y > > > position and which item to highlight in the menu. that could be in a > > > window where there was a popup menu, or wherever the cursor happened to > > > be, window or not (i.e., right-click functionality). > > > > As I recall, popupmenu select did not require a right click. A left click > > at the location would pop the menu up, and it would be static, not context > > dependent. > > You're wasting your time. Let nospam believe whatever incorrect nonsense > they want to. :-\ I've learned nospam will never admit he/she is wrong, against all odds. -- Send responses to the relevant news group rather than email to me. E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my very hungry SPAM filter. Due to Google's refusal to prevent spammers from posting messages through their servers, I often ignore posts from Google Groups. Use a real news client if you want me to see your posts. JR
From: nospam on 13 Jun 2010 13:32 In article <jollyroger-5293A3.07504213062010(a)news.individual.net>, Jolly Roger <jollyroger(a)pobox.com> wrote: > > > > they are from a programming point of view. it took a menu, an x/y > > > > position and which item to highlight in the menu. that could be in a > > > > window where there was a popup menu, or wherever the cursor happened to > > > > be, window or not (i.e., right-click functionality). > > > > > > As I recall, popupmenu select did not require a right click. A left click > > > at the location would pop the menu up, and it would be static, not context > > > dependent. > > > > You're wasting your time. Let nospam believe whatever incorrect nonsense > > they want to. :-\ > > I've learned nospam will never admit he/she is wrong, against all odds. i do when someone presents credible evidence, not insults which is all you ever do. cite apple developer documentation that says i'm wrong.
From: John Navas on 16 Jun 2010 13:10 On Sun, 30 May 2010 21:35:00 -0700, in <jhb60618si8psis3eg6doa60rbs4i5cniu(a)4ax.com>, Jeff Liebermann <jeffl(a)cruzio.com> wrote: >On Sun, 30 May 2010 10:45:39 -0700, John Navas ><jnspam1(a)navasgroup.com> wrote: >>1. The excellent 10" LED-backed screen on the Acer Aspire One I'm using >>to type this is clear and sharp (ClearType enabled and properly >>configured). > >There were 3 different models of the Aspire One. I've owned all three >in various screen configurations (8.9", 10.1" and 11.6"). As I >vaguely recall, the 8.9 and 10.1" models were 1024x600 pixels, while >the 11.6" model is 1366x768. The 8.9" model was difficult to see. I >was constantly scrolling vertically in order to see documents and >applications. Google Earth would complain every time I started it >that the screen was too small. It was. Google Earth does complain, but the complaint can easily be turned off, and it otherwise runs fine on this Acer Aspire One. ( Will you take my word for that, or must I post screen shots to persuade you? ;) >The 11.6" model is much >better and more visible. The vertical real estate difference is only about 13%. I personally don't find that significant enough to carry around the larger size. >The 16:9 aspect ratio is worthless, except >that it fixes the shrunken keyboard problem. I find the extra width quite handy for running multiple windows, and for applications like Photoshop that benefit from the extra width. In fact it proved handy enough that when I bought my ThinkPad T61p, I broke with past practice and went for the 15.4" widescreen model, and I've been quite happy with that choice. >I could barely type on >the 8.9" model and had to resort to 2 finger typing. The 10.1" and >11.6" models are better, but still a challenge. Although not as good as the exceptional keyboard in my ThinkPad T61p, the Acer Aspire One keyboard is otherwise very good, on par with most notebooks. My only real complaint is the key assignments for Home and End, but that's easily fixed with a keyboard remapper. >The only one I have >left runs some strange version of Linux. It's good enough for email >and web browsing which is also how I would mostly use an iPad. When I >compared screens, this laptop was one of those I compared. I thought >it stunk when I tried to play a video. This one does an excellent job of playing MPEG4 video with VLC media player for Windows. ( Will you take my word for that, or must I post screen shots to persuade you? ;) Your problem may be Linux or the media player. >>2. I personally need a decent keyboard for email, documents, >>presentations, annotations, etc. The iPad "keyboard" just doesn't cut >>it. > >My friend has no plans to use her iPad for document preparation >(formerly called desktop publishing), Power Point, annotation(?), and >assorted productivity applications. She might view documents that >others have emailed to her, but she has no intention of replacing her >desktop machines primary function with the iPad. No do I, but I still find the ability to do that quite useful, and the advantage for email alone is decisive for me. >More crudely, the >iPad is best used in conjunction with a desktop (running iTunes). I consider that a big limitation. (Likewise for the iPhone.) >Others have mentioned that the iPad is not really intended to be used >as a general purpose computah. I'm undecided on this and want to >actually try doing some productivity work on the iPad first. I don't >expect to run Photoshop, Final Cut, or some monster database manager, >but perhaps the lesser applications might actually be useful. Photoshop and a good video tool can be quite useful when used in conjunction with a digital camera in the field or when traveling. The iPad suffers there too, of course, since unlike a good netbook it can't connect directly to the camera. >>3. I find a netbook (like this Acer Aspire One) works great in bed (and >>other odd places), probably because I don't like lying on my tummy, >>preferring to sit up with a machine on my lap, typing on a real >>keyboard. > >I don't. The display makes it top heavy where it tends to topple. I >find myself constantly adjusting the position of the display so that I >can see it. When I do that, the keyboard to display angle changes, so >I have to also play with the hinge. The original 2200ma-hr battery >lasted about 2 hours when new and about an hour after about 6 months >of use. I now have a bulging 4400ma-hr battery which started at about >3.5 hrs, and is now down to perhaps 3 hrs. Acer claims that the >2200ma-hr battery will last 3 hours, but I've never seen it. This Acer Aspire One gets 7+ hours of normal computing on the extended battery, which I think is quite remarkable. You may not have power management configured correctly. I find that to be the cause of many (most?) complaints about battery life. My ThinkPad T61p, for example, gets roughly double the battery life using a proper power profile as compared to the default power profile. >The iPad data sheet claims 10 hrs of battery life. We haven't tested >that yet, but so far, my friend has been able to go for about 3 days >of moderate use without a charge. I usually charge my portable machines at night, and whenever else power is available, making battery life not an issue. >>4. I took this Acer Aspire One across the street to the Apple store, put >>it side by side with an iPad, and the screen compares pretty well, >>especially given the huge price difference. > >I beg to differ. Try playing a movie or video. Works great. See above. >>5. I much prefer Windows, because Windows runs the software I need, >>including Flash, multitasking, etc. > >I prefer Unix/Linux because it's easy to do the things I get paid to >do, but that's another discussion. Again, I'm not really sure that >the iPad is usable as a productivity tool. In my never humble >opinion, it's more an entertainment device or oversized PDA and not a >general purpose desktop or laptop replacement. That makes it too limited for my needs, and my Android mobile already nicely handles my entertainment needs. >Yeah, not having Flash is a mistake. ... A *very* big issue in my opinion. >>6. I typically use my Android mobile in the car, with the audio plugged >>into the car stereo aux input, playing Internet Radio or Pandora, with >>Google Maps running at the same time giving me audio turn by turn >>directions while automatically pausing other audio. When a call comes >>in, I can take it by Bluetooth, or by speakerphone, with audio likewise >>automatically paused while the caller comes through the car stereo. And >>it works on the T-Mobile 3G network. Works a treat. iPad would be a >>huge step backwards for me. > >Impressive, but all those are audio based applications. The iPad >could (with multitasking) do all of that but adds the a display >suitable for control and output. All the stuff you describe would >need to be setup in advance on your Android as playing with the >buttons and tiny screen while driving is probably dangerous. With a >screen that's 4 times larger, you can do all the setup and controlling >without risking your life. ... I couldn't disagree more. Playing with *any* screen while driving is dangerous. When I need to check a screen, I pull over. >Incidentally, the iPad seems to have voice control: ><http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/ipad-apps-car/141812-voice-control-ipad.html> Likewise my Android mobile. >>7. If I should want more computing in my car, a netbook would sit nicely >>on the seat next to me with no bracket needed. > >I do that when doing site surveys, coverage checks, and transmitter >hunting. It's dangerous to take your eyes off the road and look at >the screen when on the passenger seat. Even worse is trying to type. >Something embedded in the dash or on a pedestal mount (like the police >favor) is safer. ><http://www.gamberjohnson.com> ><http://www.ram-mount.com> ><http://www.ram-mount.com/NewProducts/AppleiPadMounts/tabid/2614/Default.aspx> Again, playing with *any* screen while driving is dangerous. When I need to check a screen, I pull over. >>I think it's actually almost entirely a matter of cachet, like buying >>pricey bottled water (more on that below). > >Well yes. Perception is everything. ... To some people, but only to some people. Much of the world is driven by real value. >>8. This Acer Aspire One has a built-in multi-format card reader. >>9. This Acer Aspire One has wired Fast Ethernet. >>10. This Acer Aspire One has 160 GB hard drive. >>11. This Acer Aspire One has a faster processor. >>12. This Acer Aspire One has 3 USB ports. >>13. This Acer Aspire One has printing capability. >>14. This Acer Aspire One has a webcam. >>15. This Acer Aspire One has video output. > >Yep. Now how much of the basic function of the iPad is lost by not >having those? Your question presupposes the answer, but even there I think it's a pretty big loss. >If it really were a productivity machine, I see >problems. However, if the applications are limited to entertainment >and personal data (PDA) apps, none of that is really useful. I disagree -- several of those things would be quite useful for even for just entertainment, like being able to insert a memory card or USB flash drive with media content. >When >coupled with a desktop with iTunes, most of those features can be >remotely accessed via Wi-Fi. Not by average folks. >It would be nice for us nerds to have >all the technology plus the kitchen sink, but whether it is actually >useful is debatable. Anything can be debated, but I don't think there's any real question that at least some of those things (e.g., memory card reader, USB ports) would actually be quite useful to average folks. >>16. Gmail on my Android mobile is tightly integrated with everything >>else, better than any other device or email service I know of (including >>Blackberry). iPad (and iPhone) doesn't come close. > >True, but it's coming closer. Still not even close. >The new OS 4.0 is suppose to have an >improved email client. As I mentioned, the existing client is >seriously lacking. I'll reserve my opinions on email usability until >after I see the new client. What's still missing is tight integration with Google services that are essential parts of Android mobile (as I think you would know if you had much experience with Android devices and Google services). >>As I wrote earlier, why would anyone rationally buy an iPad when (say) >>the Acer Aspire One can be had for only $200 (Newegg Memorial Day sale)? > >See my comments on perception is everything. The usual price is about >$350 for the current model netbooks. More like $300 in the past, and the $200 price point is rapidly becoming the norm -- Newegg repeated its $199 sale on the Acer Aspire One. >Apple is able to sell their >products for twice that. They can do that because the general >perception of the Apple products is that they're somehow superior, >while the general perception of PC products is that they're mostly >commodity junk (which is often true). And (more) often not true. >>Or bottled water in San Francisco, when we arguably have the finest >>municipal water in the world? Probably for much the same reason. ;) > >Because tap water is PERCEIVED to be inferior. You can throw all the >water quality resources board reports at the customer, and all the >Consumer Reports horror stories on bottled water at the buyers, and >still not convince them that municipal water is even safe, much less >better. Changing that is not a job for a chemist or biologist. It's >a public relations problem that SF and other cities haven't bothered >to address (because they don't consider it important). The most common factor is actually convenience, not quality (real or perceived). >For the >curious, I use a PURE water filter dispenser and don't buy bottled >water. For the curious, I used a more effective reverse osmosis system when raising my daughter, which was more a matter of cheap insurance than any real water quality concern, and I now mostly use municipal water, except when I buy bottles of water for convenience. ;) -- Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://wireless.navas.us> John FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
From: nospam on 16 Jun 2010 14:45
In article <e4vh16lre6lvs0ngbobrpadqa0b0fb011a(a)4ax.com>, John Navas <jncl1(a)navasgroup.com> wrote: > >More crudely, the > >iPad is best used in conjunction with a desktop (running iTunes). > > I consider that a big limitation. (Likewise for the iPhone.) neither one requires a computer, other than for initial activation and for the occasional firmware update. > >Others have mentioned that the iPad is not really intended to be used > >as a general purpose computah. I'm undecided on this and want to > >actually try doing some productivity work on the iPad first. I don't > >expect to run Photoshop, Final Cut, or some monster database manager, > >but perhaps the lesser applications might actually be useful. > > Photoshop and a good video tool can be quite useful when used in > conjunction with a digital camera in the field or when traveling. frequently that's overkill and using photoshop on a laptop screen is not ideal. > The iPad suffers there too, of course, since unlike a good netbook it > can't connect directly to the camera. yes it can. > >I don't. The display makes it top heavy where it tends to topple. I > >find myself constantly adjusting the position of the display so that I > >can see it. When I do that, the keyboard to display angle changes, so > >I have to also play with the hinge. The original 2200ma-hr battery > >lasted about 2 hours when new and about an hour after about 6 months > >of use. I now have a bulging 4400ma-hr battery which started at about > >3.5 hrs, and is now down to perhaps 3 hrs. Acer claims that the > >2200ma-hr battery will last 3 hours, but I've never seen it. > > This Acer Aspire One gets 7+ hours of normal computing on the extended > battery, which I think is quite remarkable. the ipad gets 11+ on a standard slim battery, which is even more remarkable, not to mention that the 11 hours is non-stop video, not 'normal computing.' > You may not have power management configured correctly. I find that to > be the cause of many (most?) complaints about battery life. My ThinkPad > T61p, for example, gets roughly double the battery life using a proper > power profile as compared to the default power profile. i see you blame it on the user. that's a flaw in the product if it is misconfigured out of the factory. > >The iPad data sheet claims 10 hrs of battery life. We haven't tested > >that yet, but so far, my friend has been able to go for about 3 days > >of moderate use without a charge. > > I usually charge my portable machines at night, and whenever else power > is available, making battery life not an issue. valid point, but sometimes people aren't near an outlet, such as on a camping trip. > >Yeah, not having Flash is a mistake. ... > > A *very* big issue in my opinion. it's actually minor. flash games exist as native apps and video streams in industry standard (i.e., not proprietary flash) protocols. about the only thing that doesn't work are flash based ads, which i think is a *good* thing, at least from a user point of view. the web sites who host the ads might disagree on that one. :) > >It would be nice for us nerds to have > >all the technology plus the kitchen sink, but whether it is actually > >useful is debatable. > > Anything can be debated, but I don't think there's any real question > that at least some of those things (e.g., memory card reader, USB ports) > would actually be quite useful to average folks. strangely enough, average folks aren't complaining very much about the absence of those ports and devices with those ports are not selling as well. > >The new OS 4.0 is suppose to have an > >improved email client. As I mentioned, the existing client is > >seriously lacking. I'll reserve my opinions on email usability until > >after I see the new client. > > What's still missing is tight integration with Google services that are > essential parts of Android mobile (as I think you would know if you had > much experience with Android devices and Google services). that's great if you use gmail and google apps, but if you don't it is not well integrated at all. furthermore, a lot of people don't want their data in the cloud, or are required to not have it anywhere outside of their control, making it a non-starter. |