iPad notes and comparisons (part 1)

I've been playing with my new toy, our 32g iPad. We have the one that's Wi-Fi only, because at home we have a wireless router.

Some notes - if you're like me and want to sync your Google contacts and calendar to it, don't set it up with the Gmail option, go to Google's site first and read up on how to set it up so it pulls all that information:

http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=138740

Here's another article about it:

http://www.gilsmethod.com/how-to-sync-your-gmail-google-contacts-and-calendar-with-the-ipad

You have to use the Microsoft Exchange option for email and plug your Gmail account in that way. It's kind of a pain in the butt, but it's doable.

Yes, you can (if you're like me) add several Gmail accounts to your iPad at once. The interface is a little bulky for my tastes, but usable.

If you're like me and you're a PC and not a Mac person, some things like the Safari (web browser) interface might feel a little funky. Personally, I'm not fond of iTunes as a vehicle for file syncing and transferring, because it always seems to want to re-sync stuff I don't want touched, etc. I wish Apple had allowed users to interface with the iPad quickly, easily, and painlessly with the same file management you have in Windows. (Which I've seen older versions of Mac and you can move files/folders that way too, not sure if newer versions of the OS took that away, but whatever.) There are some ways to transfer files via Wi-Fi, but if you're not a geek, chances are you might find yourself a little frustrated.

Ebooks, if formatted properly, look nice. Backlit, so those who want that can read in the dark, but to me it's hard on the eyes for long-term reading. I like the finger touching to turn a page. However, the screen gets marked up like crazy as a result and must be wiped down.

Battery life isn't as long as the Kindle or nook, and even my little Toshiba Satellite if I have the screen brightness turned down and I'm only running one program like Word is fairly comparable. The nook battery is replaceable, Kindle and iPad isn't. (Don't think my Sony is, but don't know about the newer Sony readers.)

Now, I play very few games on a computer, I don't do a lot of video watching or music listening (I have an iPod and use that). I can see where someone who does a lot of that would benefit from an iPad over another reader. You can download the Kindle app for the iPad (free) and read Kindle books on it, ditto the B&N app for your nook books. So if you have your computer, a Kindle (and/or nook), and the iPad hooked up to the same account, your family isn't fighting over the ereader. LOL

I don't like the layout of the iPad bookstore. It doesn't feel very user-friendly, then again like many people, I'm spoiled by the Kindle store layout.

Also, I'm a touch typist. I have to say that typing without a "real" keyboard takes a lot of getting used to and it's annoying being reduced to a two-fingered hunt and peck system. I'm going to have to look at the keyboard charger/dock they've got for the iPad.

Unlike nook or Kindle, you can load apps for various things including social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. So if that's important to you, you'll like that. But if you already have an iPhone, you're basically loading the same apps you use for that device. Since you can also get apps for things like Netflix (Did you know you can max out a Netflix queue? We did that. LOL) you can use it for things like home entertainment. Since we have a wireless router, that means hubby can be watching something through Netflix on the Wii in the living room and I can be sitting in the bedroom watching something else.

Unfortunately, when I tried to compose this blog post on the Safari browser, it wouldn't let me type in the text box, so there's some sort of conflict there. This means your functionality, while greater than on a Kindle or nook (which both have rudimentary browsers) is still reduced compared to a laptop or even some smart phones. (I've done some research, and apparently it's a known issue. You can set up your Blogger account to do the posting from email, but that means you can't go back and easily edit on the fly. So if you're planning on using the iPad as an on-the-go Blogger tool, think again. I don't know yet if there are workarounds because I tried one suggested one, using the Edit Html post mode, and it didn't work for me. Maybe if there was a Firefox or Chrome iPad app (hint to developers, please, thank you). I thought I might have a workaround with the browser built into the Readdle Docs app, but apparently it's Safari-based too.

I bought the Pages app and will test that as a back-up word processor. Supposedly you can export into .doc format, so it might be an option for me as a back-up, but if I seriously anticipated being on the go, I'd have my laptop with me.

I still have to say I prefer reading on my nook or Kindle or even the Sony because the e-ink screen is easier on my eyes. (I use a booklight like I would for a regular book.) The backlighting for reading isn't easy on my eyes.

If you want a dedicated e-reader, stick with Kindle, nook, or Sony, IMO. If you want a gadget, sure, the iPad is cool for that. And yes, you have the added bonus of being able to add the Kindle and B&N apps onto it so it's like three in one. (Sony doesn't apparently have a reader app for the iPad yet.) But if you have a laptop, or even a smart phone, and you're looking for an e-reader, you can save a lot of money and not need to plop extra money down for a 3G connection like you do with an iPad. If I go off somewhere and want an e-book, unless I'm near a Wi-Fi connection, I can't get squat on the iPad. But the nook and Kindle, usually you can (unless you're not in a service area). And there's no additional subscription for the wireless for the nook and Kindle like for the iPad.

On the iPad, you can't multi-task and there's no tabs for browsing which, I must say, I'm used to. If I want a computer for browsing, I want a laptop computer so I can really browse.

As I use it more, I'll post another review.

New toy!!

Happy anniversary to us, we are now the proud owners of a 32g iPad. I'm working on a comparison to it versus my small Toshiba laptop, Kindle, nook, and Sony reader.

Shiny New Cover!

I meant to share this a while ago, but this is the cover for my soon-to-be-released "Acquainted With the Night" (Siren-BookStrand, writing as Tymber Dalton).

New Release! "Cardinal's Rule!

Sorry I didn't get this up sooner, but my latest Tymber Dalton release, "Cardinal's Rule," is available from Captiva Press!

http://captivapress.com

Blurb:

In her world, there’s only one rule: Cardinal’s Rule.

Tilly Cardinal’s world ended when her Master, Cristo, abandoned her, disappearing with no explanation other than a short, cryptic note releasing her as his slave. Five years later she’s Mistress Cardinal, a vicious and successful pro Domme charging big bucks to dish out whatever abuse men will pay to take. Materially she has all she wants, but she’s never felt more alone.

In walks Landry LaCroux, a handsome, rich man with a proposition: he wants Tilly to train his slave. Landry holds the key to Tilly’s past, and her future. She’s shocked to discover Landry’s slave is her very own former Master, Cris.

Unfortunately, Landry has a secret—he has cancer and wants to make Tilly a deal. Marry him and nurse him through his recovery, and he’ll pay her handsomely. As a bonus, she can abuse his slave in whatever way she sees fit to make up for the pain she’s suffered. Love wasn’t supposed to be part of the bargain, but as the three of them move in together, can they all find healing and a lasting happiness under Cardinal’s Rule?

Contains whips, floggers, laughter, tears, a snarky French Dom, paint-peeling hot sex, and fun through forgiveness.

Content Warning: Contains subject matter that might offend some readers—graphic language, explicit sex, mf sex, mmf ménage, mm sex, anal sex/play, sex toys, Femdom and Maledom BDSM practices, bondage, Domination/submission, Master/slave, spanking, impact play, humiliation, cuckolding, public exhibition, public sex, and piercing sarcasm.

Writer Beware - Contests

Well, making the rounds are advertisements for a new e-book "contest." They claim to be the "only awards program in the world" for digital publishing.

Let's start off by blowing that claim out of the water. The EPIC contest (for electronic publishing) has been around for a dozen years or so. And off the top of my head I don't remember if they are the oldest, but they are certainly one of the oldest ones around. (And yes, while EPIC members have sent them notices that they are NOT the only one around, they have yet to change their website to reflect the correction. To me, that's blatant misrepresentation.)

Secondly, this "contest" claims to be "unaffiliated," yet it's being run by a book promotions and marketing company.

Hmm. Conflict of interest much?

That's not to mention the outrageous entry fee for said contest.

Before you start willy-nilly entering contests, do your research. Find out about said "contest" because like the old poetry and short story "contests" of old, chances are it's just a front for a money-making scheme. I remember in high school entering a poetry "contest" and *gasp* lucky me, I was able to purchase a copy of the anthology my poem was published in even though I didn't win the grand prize! So they made money off me with the entry fee and with buying a copy of the book.

I mean, yeah, I know better now, of course.

This is why it's vitally important for writers to join professional groups. RWA, EPIC, or even non-official groups like the Internet Writing Workshop or Absolute Write forum where you can network with other writers and find out more information before plunking down money you might or might not be able to afford. Surf the Preditors & Editors site. http://pred-ed.com/pubctst.htm Now, I don't go so far as saying don't enter a contest with an entry fee. I'm saying do your research first. Make sure the contest is affiliated with a reputable organization.

And make sure it's more than just a money-making scheme.