Kurt,
Yeah, I'm totally with you that the iPad isn't right for many people or applications. And I'm also with you about the fanboy effect. But there are fanboys on all sides. I've been reading reviews of this thing on respectable tech websites that are basically, "It won't do <blank>, so it's a complete POS." And they literally used the term "POS". Please. It's designed to do certain things well at the expense of other things. If it doesn't do what you need, then by all means don't buy it. The App Store and approved apps business is a double-edged sword. It is limiting, but assures to some extent that things work seamlessly. I have an iPod Touch and a BlackBerry Storm, both very similar in terms of hardware (actually, I think the BB is better in terms of hardware, but that's for another discussion). I download a LOT of apps on both of them. The Touch always works totally flawlessly. Apps never crash, things switch quickly and smoothly, videos and music play flawlessly, etc. Not the case on the BB. Constantly finding apps that don't work properly, it crashes frequently (requiring me to pull the battery out to reset it), and when using it as an internet tether, it's constantly disconnecting for no reason. Also, the user interface is clumsy, slow and jerky compared to the Touch. Videos and music don't play as well. Etc. HOWEVER, I don't have to go through the BB App World to install stuff. So, it's a matter of what's important to you: freedom to put whatever damn app you want on the thing, or the assurance that the ones you do won't screw up (too badly). There are legitimate complaints about the closed architecture of the Touch/iPhone, but there is a reason for it, too. A smooth, seamless experience is something that Apple is going for, and that Apple users appreciate. Your mileage may vary. I don't give a crap what anybody chooses to buy and use. Getting into a flame war over platforms is like watching teenagers going "Ford RULEZ - Chevy SUXXX!!!!!111!!!!one~!!". Waste of time. Believe me, I see a bit of the fanboy thing when I go to an Apple seminar and open up my HP/Win7 laptop. Like I have to apologize for not needing more than what a $600 laptop can do for me. But I also resent it when people imply that Apple users are so dumb they'll happily pay too much money for crap that doesn't work. There are people like that in all camps. Believe me, I would LOVE to be able to say, "From now on, it's all Linux," and screw the corporations altogether. :-D --- Timothy A. Limbert Technology Coordinator Newell-Fonda CSD 712.272.3324 --- <http://newell-fondatech.blogspot.com> http://newell-fondatech.blogspot.com iChat/AIM: tlimbert65 Twitter: limbert65 Skype: limbert_65 From: info-tech-ow...@aea8.k12.ia.us [mailto:info-tech-ow...@aea8.k12.ia.us] On Behalf Of McKenney, Kurt Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 2:19 PM To: info-tech@aea8.k12.ia.us Subject: RE: [info-tech] iPad pro/con Ok Tim, I will agree that you ar not a mindless fanboi of Apple's. Actually all of the techs in the AEA are top notch, we couldn't survive under these conditions if we weren't. But there is something about the mindless masses and their obsession with Apple. It's disturbing. Last april, I met a guy who had bought an Iphone because he wanted to run an app that allowed him to zero in a sniper rifle more quickly. Those of you that know me know that I consider this a useful app for a portable computer. The problem was this guy did not own a gun, but he went on and on about how great this phone was for snipers. I know, you're thinking this was not a healthy person, and you are right. But you see a lot of this sort of thing (if you ride a bike you know it's not limited to computers), and the hype turns me off. Ok, I haven't done all that much research into the ipad, but here's where I see the problems being for education and pretty much anyone else. As I understand it, there really isn't any practical way to place content on the ipad except through Apple approved vendors. Let's leave out what that means for porn consumption, and consider that you will have be regimented into approved software, and possibly content. While you may like the software, I like the choice, it's none of their damn business how I use my computer. Also, I understand this thing will not multi-task. What's up with that? Does that mean I can't run my browser while doing a batch convert of pics while watching a movie and monitoring my email? If so, did I just step into a time warp to 1993? What's the deal with no SD slot? SD is kinda the default medium of the modern age. I have SD in my camera, my phone, my TV, and my next car will probably have it. Apple is not looking all that cutting edge. Honestly the new MSI tablet is looking way better, and that doesn't hold a candle to the Levono offering. _____ From: info-tech-ow...@aea8.k12.ia.us on behalf of Timothy A. Limbert Sent: Thu 1/28/2010 9:57 AM To: info-tech@aea8.k12.ia.us Subject: [info-tech] iPad pro/con I agree with Kurt and Tony that people shouldn't just lap up anything Apple throws out there. I'm a big fan of Apple's stuff, but it's not perfect, and I use a lot of non-Apple stuff (to the frequent irritation of my Apple reps). However, I also agree with Lance that Apple provides some great hardware and software tools that fit well into our educational goals, and the price issue is not as clear as it seems at first glance. Contrary to popular belief, Apple users are not generally stupid, and we do look at the pros and cons of stuff before investing good money. --- Timothy A. Limbert Technology Coordinator Newell-Fonda CSD 712.272.3324 --- http://newell-fondatech.blogspot.com <http://newell-fondatech.blogspot.com/> iChat/AIM: tlimbert65 Twitter: limbert65 Skype: limbert_65
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