iPad owners - first impressions?
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From: T i m on 29 May 2010 09:32 On Sat, 29 May 2010 14:10:13 +0100, djmaizels(a)mac.com (Debbie Wilson) wrote: >T i m <news(a)spaced.me.uk> wrote: > >> Out of interest, any idea what it is about her laptop that is causing >> her such stress? I mean is it 'Windows' that is the problem in which >> case she could try Ubuntu quite easily? If it's computers in general >> then as you say an iPad may be better. > >Yes, the key word here is 'technophobic' :-) And that is different to just someone who isn't particularly good with technology isn't it. > She used to have an >original iMac which got too old and slow to be useful. I convinced her >that a Dell laptop would not only be more compatible with her friends >and family, but easier on the pocket too. Bad me.... Doh. >She hates it with a >passion because unlike her Mac, it doesn't just let you get on with >things, but is always asking you if you want to do this or that, update >so-and-so, fix a problem with something else. She neither knows nor >cares what these things are and it just frustrates her. Understood. In such a situation I would set said machine up to not do all that (or do it automatically and silently), to shield such users from all that stuff. And of course, it doesn't really matter what kit you have these days, it all seems to need updating regularly. [1] > >An iPad would be perfect - simple icons to tap and access basic stuff >like email, web and photos is really all she wants. Ability to connect >up camera, and to print out said photos and some emails. I may be wrong but even if you don't want to get into the technicalities (and why would you) 'simple things' can, by definition also sometimes be limited ... those ah, shame but-if moments. Like buying the 'lite' version of some software because you think you only want to do X and Y then finding out you need but can't do Z. >But pointless >if she has to connect it to a computer (e.g. her hated Dell) in order to >have it. True, and if that is the case could be a stumbling block for many. Still a thought though. It sounds like most of what she needs to do, could be done on the Dell but via the Ubuntu 'LiveCD'. That way she wouldn't have to worry about Antivirus or updates or even loading drivers as it generally works or it doesn't. It's also 'familiar' enough for mist people already familiar with OSX or Windows to be able to get going. Assuming you aren't already familiar with it all and still feel some obligation for the fine mess you got her into ..<g> go here and download the .iso file. http://www.ubuntu.com/ Burn that to a CD and the next time you see her, pop that in the Dell and boot from the CD (you might have to hold F12 and select the CD during boot etc). See how much does work and if you can get on the net etc. If you can then it's already got most of what people need (Web, IM, WP, Photo editing, printing, music player etc) built in and there is nothing to corrupt etc. If she likes it you can (optionally) install it alongside or instead of Windows (and it will import her windows account / photos etc), all with a couple of clicks. [2] Cheers, T i m [1] My mate bought a Blu-ray player and that has an Internet connection. Apparently, when you plug a new disk in it often has to go online and download stuff, sometimes taking up to 15 mins? ;-( [2] You could also run it, even if only in a VM and remote-help her with the use of TeamViewer etc. ;-)
From: Woody on 29 May 2010 09:53 T i m <news(a)spaced.me.uk> wrote: > On Sat, 29 May 2010 12:41:12 +0100, jim(a)magrathea.plus.com (Jim) > wrote: > >> Peter Ceresole <peter(a)cara.demon.co.uk> wrote: >> >>> jim <address_is(a)invalid.invalid> wrote: >>> >>>> I need to get a stand for it. Nothing fancy, just a simple > > > > dock-and-prop >>>> affair. Recommendations sought. I got the apple case and I like it. I was a bit worried as the reviews didn't seem good, but it tilts enough >>> A book under the top edge? >> >> Might just work :-) >> > It will be interesting to see how this compromise (as it can only be > as judged by the ergonomics gurus) lasts, before people prefer to > actually use it as per a std pc / laptop with the screen propped up at > 90 deg to the viewer and a real keyboard? I am sitting at Bournemouth tattoo convention at a stand with the iPad balancing on my leg and it is really comfortable. If I had my laptop, it wouldn't be at all. In a tight space it works well
From: T i m on 29 May 2010 10:08 On 29 May 2010 13:53:42 GMT, Woody <usenet(a)alienrat.co.uk> wrote: > >I am sitting at Bournemouth tattoo convention at a stand with the iPad >balancing on my leg and it is really comfortable. If I had my laptop, it >wouldn't be at all. And if you were wearing a skirt ... > In a tight space it works well ;-) T i m
From: Debbie Wilson on 29 May 2010 10:30 T i m <news(a)spaced.me.uk> wrote: > And that is different to just someone who isn't particularly good > with technology isn't it. Yes - she actively dislikes having to use it, but sees it as a necessary evil. > Assuming you aren't already familiar with it all and still feel some > obligation for the fine mess you got her into ..<g> go here and > download the .iso file. > > http://www.ubuntu.com/ Thanks for the suggestion. I had a look at the site and while it does appear easy to set up and use (to me) I feel it may just open another can of worms, and I will be providing support for yet another OS which I understand even less than Windows. I would have to set it up here as well so when she rings to ask how to do or access something, I can look it up here and tell her. Easier all round if she does what she says she wants to do, and reverts to using a Mac - either iPad or MacBook. Thanks anyway - Deb. -- http://www.scientific-art.com "He looked a fierce and quarrelsome cat, but claw he never would; He only bit the ones he loved, because they tasted good." S. Greenfield
From: jim on 29 May 2010 10:33
Debbie Wilson <djmaizels(a)mac.com> wrote: > T i m <news(a)spaced.me.uk> wrote: > >> And that is different to just someone who isn't particularly good >> with technology isn't it. > > Yes - she actively dislikes having to use it, but sees it as a > necessary > evil. > >> Assuming you aren't already familiar with it all and still feel some >> obligation for the fine mess you got her into ..<g> go here and >> download the .iso file. >> >> http://www.ubuntu.com/ > > Thanks for the suggestion. I had a look at the site and while it does > appear easy to set up and use (to me) I feel it may just open another > can of worms, and I will be providing support for yet another OS which > I > understand even less than Windows. I would have to set it up here as > well so when she rings to ask how to do or access something, I can > look > it up here and tell her. Easier all round if she does what she says > she > wants to do, and reverts to using a Mac - either iPad or MacBook. FWIW I'd say that giving ANY current Linux to someone who is scared of computers would be a bit like giving a mountain lion to someone who's scared of cats. Jim -- Sent from my iPad |