lrdesignsquilting

Does anyone use an IPad for blogging? Just wondering if it'd be a faster and easier tool for blogging, facebook, using it to plan quilting designs, etc.

plainpat

DD does all her surfing,FB & keeping in touch with other ppl on her I Pad. Don't think she ever used her computer again in this last yr..Don't have a clue about designing tho.

Digitizingqueen

go to Itunes and search apps I am not sure whats out there but there are thousands of apps that do all kinds of things I don't have one yet but will in the next 6 months....we have one in the house but its not mine so I cant add apps :-)

Melinda in Tulsa

I want an IPad!!! Doesn't fit into the budget tho. Hopefully next year. It is my understand that for websurfing, email, etc they are great. You can download Apps for some programs but you can't put software like EQ on it or download embroidery designs. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me. They do not take the place of your laptop or desktop.

DogHouseMom

I *personally* don't like typing "long" things on the Ipad.

The keyboard is small when active - only 8" long and just under 3" high. I have very small hands and while I can get my fingers to "fit" on the keyboard - the bend in my arms to get my hands that close is uncomfortable.

If you need to use numbers or special characters you have to hit a button on the keyboard to swap out a different character set keyboard, then hit it again to swap back to the alpha set. Pain in the butt.

The "shift" key is not "convenient" to touch typing quickly.

The keyboard is compeltely flat when you lay it on a desk to type. Putting in my lap or even on my legs with my legs propped is impossible to get my arms/hands in the right position to type. It's just not comfortable.

I touch type which means my fingers rest on the keyboard all the time. You can't do that with the Ipad. If your not using a finger to type - you have to lift it - or it will type!

Editing is not quick or easy - you cant just move your mouse the position and type over. If the window your typing in is small you first have to "zoom" in - then tap the place you want to insert - but you can't "tap into" the middle of a word - only between two words! To fix a word, you tap into the space behind it, backspace through the word (or hit select then cut/copy/replace), then retype. It just takes a lot more time and effort to edit stuff.

So I'll use it for quickie replies, especially when I'm on vacation - but I wouldn't want to type a whole lot on it.

I'd stick to a desktop, laptop, or notebook for any serious typing.

Despite all of that ... I LOVE my Ipad for everything else and wouldn't trade it in for anything. I'm just not going to write any tomes on it.

DogHouseMom

You are correct on all accounts.

Tablets (like Ipad and others) run on different operating systems than PC's, Laptops, or even Mac's. Ipad (and Iphone) have it's own operating system, and other tablets (Motorola Xoom, HP Slate etc) run on Android operating system. These systems use "apps" instead of "programs" and they don't have the memory or the hard drive to store large programs like EQ7 or even MS Word. So no, they don't replace PC's or the like. They're for "quickie" stuff and "anywhere" stuff. But more and more apps are being added everyday so ... who knows!!

There are a few quilting apps out there though. I've got one (it was free I think) that lets you arrange quilt blocks (it has a set number of traditional blocks - perhaps 50), and will give you cutting directions and yardage requirements. Options for different colors. I like it. There is another that will show you where quilt shops are around the country but it's highly user dependent and I don't have that one cause when I looked it (some months ago) there were very few shops listed.

Crqltr

I pads are really great to carry along . Like now at work when we have down time.

LLWinston44

I hate typing long things on the iPad. Mine was a hand me down, and I enjoy it, but imglad I didn't pay for it or Id have been disappointed. I have seen real keyboards that attach, and one of those might enhance the experience.