This post is going to be a little bit of an experiment. I bought a new iPad the other day, and am attempting to learn how to use it (along with the WordPress plugin) to write blog entries. I’m sitting at a table in Starbucks today, a mug of “Calm” tea at the ready and a husband with a book sharing my space, and am all ready to start moving into the next technological frontier!
Using this “keyboard” is proving to be interesting. It’s actually a perfectly decent size for typing – that’s not a problem at all – but it is SO sensitive! I keep accidentally resting my fingers on the screen as I think of what I want to type, and end up entering a bunch of random characters that immediately get autocorrected into gibberish. But the more I use it, the better I get at avoiding the pitfalls, so I think this is going to work out fine once I get a bit more practice.
Interestingly enough, I find that everything works a whole lot better when I just go for it without thinking too much and distracting myself. (A metaphor for life, perhaps?!) And I am also discovering that occasionally autocorrect is actually one’s best friend. 🙂
I’m really excited to be able to have this to take to BlogHer ’12 this August! It’s going to be so much more convenient than lugging a laptop, or even my netbook. I just need to practice with it a bit more so that things work smoothly for me.
Yay for technology!
I bought a little case that has a bluetooth keyboard in it which I find much easier to type with. If I’m just mucking about with my iPad I use the on-screen keyboard but if I’m doing a significant amount of typing then I use the external keyboard. Even with the keyboard case the iPad folds up into a neat little package. Many different types of bluetooth keyboards are available but this one I got at The Source (used to be Radio Shack). BTW, have you tried WELDER yet??
I second this. I don’t own one, but when I get an iPad, this is the case I will get. I am using one that my work has given me to use, but it doesn’t have an external keyboard and I don’t use it for much besides games and browsing.
a.eye recently posted… I love people, sometimes
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 7, 2012
I’ll see how it goes – maybe I’ll pick one up eventually as well.
Laurel Regan recently posted… iPad Practice
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 7, 2012
I’ve tried WELDER once so far, and I am a little baffled by it – but I can see how it could become an addiction once I’m able to figure it all out!
I saw the bluetooth keyboard/cases, but didn’t really consider buying one at the time as I was already dropping so much money in the iPad itself! I’ll see how it goes – maybe I’ll pick one up in the future if I find I really can’t get used to the iPad’s own keyboard.
Actually, what I tend to miss more than an actual keyboard is my mouse! Even when I use my laptop or netbook, I always use a regular mouse instead of the trackpad.
Laurel Regan recently posted… iPad Practice
Twitter: susandusterhoft
May 6, 2012
Wish I could get on the bandwagon, but my husband would divorce me if I bought an Ipad. We’re a PC family all the way! He’s my personal computer guru and fixer of everything that I screw up so for now, I live by the rules! Have fun with your new toy!
Susan recently posted… Announcement & Thank You
Excellent idea: testing one’s iPad skills BEFORE the conference… on it.
Megan recently posted… follow friday: nuclear, spitting, crying, and millionaires
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 7, 2012
I always like to know what I’m getting into before I REALLY need to know!
Laurel Regan recently posted… iPad Practice
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 7, 2012
I’m PC too, Susan – with my laptop and netbook and even my work laptop – but I got hooked into Apple with my iPod waaaaaay back when it had a click wheel, and several generations later I’m still in love! I’ve never felt the desire to go the Apple route with my computer, though – I’m pretty comfortable in PC-land.
Laurel Regan recently posted… iPad Practice
I do the strangest things with touch screens and track pads. I think I require a device that checks to see if I REALLY mean the action implied by that motion. I am too dorky for anything that responsive.
Tara Adams recently posted… Caught on Video: When Insurance Ducks Attack
I totally get that! I have to plug in an external keyboard when I want to do any significant amount of typing on my laptop. The area around the built-in mouse is so sensitive that I’m always sending my cursor all over the place and don’t realize it.
Becky recently posted… Legacy Writing 365:119
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 7, 2012
I’ve managed to successfully work with my laptop and netbook keyboards, but I’ve never got the hang of the trackpad. I am FAR more comfortable using a mouse, even though it means an extra item to carry with me!
Laurel Regan recently posted… iPad Practice
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 7, 2012
Ooooh… you’d provide a lot of fodder for Damn You Auto Correct!
Laurel Regan recently posted… iPad Practice
You’re a blogger on the run! Great work!!!
Lou Lou Loves recently posted… Running away to Provence
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 7, 2012
Yes, indeed!
Laurel Regan recently posted… iPad Practice
I love using my iPad for so many things, but Wordpress has just not clicked for me on it. I still use my laptop for most of my “writing”, although I did buy the Apple keyboard and it’s helped out a lot. Please share any secrets for navigating the WordPress plug-in that you might have one day! And thanks for stopping by MamaDish too!
Heather recently posted… {Take Time for Mama} Curling Up With A Good Book
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 9, 2012
I will do that! I may end up needing a keyboard myself. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Learning to laugh at yourself
I know exactly what,you mean. I have an android tablet and I feel just the same way about it… Except that I had to turn off autocorrect. It kept correcting “in” to “on” and vice versa.
Classic NYer recently posted… On being famous
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 9, 2012
Autocorrect cracks me up sometimes. When it’s not annoying me!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Learning to laugh at yourself
Trackbacks: