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!
Cindy May 6, 2012 at 7:06 pm
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??
a.eye May 6, 2012 at 10:31 pm
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.
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Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 7, 2012 at 11:17 am
I’ll see how it goes – maybe I’ll pick one up eventually as well.
Dawn Storey recently posted… iPad Practice
Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 7, 2012 at 11:16 am
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.
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Susan
Twitter: susandusterhoft
May 6, 2012 at 8:21 pm
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!
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Megan May 6, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Excellent idea: testing one’s iPad skills BEFORE the conference… on it.
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Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 7, 2012 at 11:25 am
I always like to know what I’m getting into before I REALLY need to know!
Dawn Storey recently posted… iPad Practice
Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 7, 2012 at 11:20 am
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.
Dawn Storey recently posted… iPad Practice
Tara Adams May 6, 2012 at 10:02 pm
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.
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Becky May 7, 2012 at 2:36 am
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.
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Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 7, 2012 at 11:23 am
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!
Dawn Storey recently posted… iPad Practice
Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 7, 2012 at 11:22 am
Ooooh… you’d provide a lot of fodder for Damn You Auto Correct!
Dawn Storey recently posted… iPad Practice
Lou Lou Loves May 7, 2012 at 11:21 am
You’re a blogger on the run! Great work!!!
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Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 7, 2012 at 11:24 am
Yes, indeed!
Dawn Storey recently posted… iPad Practice
Heather May 7, 2012 at 6:40 pm
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!
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Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 9, 2012 at 12:48 pm
I will do that! I may end up needing a keyboard myself.
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Classic NYer May 8, 2012 at 6:04 am
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.
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Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 9, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Autocorrect cracks me up sometimes. When it’s not annoying me!
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