iPad Exerience - Week 3

The iPad (not sure about ownership anymore!) is slowly finding its niche in our home. Don't read into that comment that I love the device yet, but I am thawing! And maybe it is because I knew that a tablet would fit into our computing gaps.

I love using it for email. My Gmail renders a bit different than in Chrome, but I find it easier to use than my Android phone for anything more than a quick check. Sure, using the smallish screen on my Hero is fine if I am checking to see who is bringing the cupcakes to the class party, but it is not easy to write more than three or four sentences of response. The other thing the tablet does is to make my email reading a more "casual" and I feel less pressured to respond to the big ones. I keep that for my morning email ritual. I also use it for perusing through my articles on Google Reader. I have a lot of sites I loke to take a look at occassionally and I find the ability to take the iPad out to the porch (with a glass of wine!) is a favorite thing to do now. Only complaint is the inability to read the iPad with any sunlight. Even our table umbrella doesn't always do the job!

The other thing we use if for is playing games and watching the occasional YouTube video. Plus guests who visit like to pick it up and play with it too. Still working on the NetFlix connection!

So, I guess we'll keep it...

Vermont Farm Takes On Border Fight With U.S. : NPR

I am not sure why I even jumped to read this article. The headline intrigued me as I was checking my geography facts to see if Vermont was actually on the border with Canada (I know, ignorant Midwesterner!). The government wants to spend $355 million to improve border stations with Canada. I know that border stations serve a purpose. But I am having trouble seeing the payback of this type of "investment". And this is Canada, I can't imagine what we spend protecting ourselves from Mexico. This isn't about Democrats versus Republicans, this did not just happen in the last few years.

As I read this, I couldn't help feeling that as Americans, we are missing the big picture. What are we protecting ourselves from? Another 9/11? Because I don't believe that there is enough money in the world to 100% ensure that. Drugs? Illegals? What does that even mean? Since I have a 7-year old, I like to think of ways to explain such complex issues, like protecting our borders. It sounds so... Silly. And the idea of building a wall? Hilarious.

So, this is just my view, it is not simple to get around these issues. I know they are complex and mired in politics. But I guess I just wonder what an average American might REALLY think of our borders. But you can't ask the ones who have been "informed" by our politicians or our media. I am afraid they are in fact no more "informed" than before they listened. Now they just have an position or opinion.

Vermont Farm Takes On Border Fight With U.S. : NPR

iPad Experience - Week 2

So, the inability to attach the network basically rendered the iPad into an expensive toy. At least at this point as we had few offline applications downloaded or content available. But all three of us were able to complete the Mahjong Quest! I was able to trick the iPad into a bit of internet connectivity this week, but that lasted < 5 minutes. I was trying to use the Kindle for iPad application, which is supposed to use Whispernet, and I was able to use the Safari browser. But connectivity stopped after about 4 minutes. Was not able to duplicate that afterwards.

To address the connectivity problem, we ended up purchasing an a Apple AirPort Express for about $115 (yes, even more money thrown at Apple!).The other option was to upgrade our existing router, but we currently have a NetGear RangeMax, which was pretty good it's in day. Our main internet access is ADSL via a DSL modem which is downstairs in the basement, which is then connected to an Ethernet network. So our existing router is connected to one of the ports in the office. I was still not 100% convinced that replacing our router would resolve the issue that iPad requires wireless support of the latest wireless standard, 802.11n. So, instead, I simply plugged it in to the power outlet and then connected to our existing network via Ethernet cable. 


[Oh, and a quick digression. The router, showed in the picture here to the left, has the plug directly on the device, no cord. As a Windows user, it is hard for me to get used to the design aspects associated with the Apple products. I have several derogatory remarks about this product design, but as I am no Apple expert, I will ignore that for now. Let's just summarize it by my feeling that it seems both under- and over-engineered! ] 


After connecting, the modem went through its start up cycle (solid amber) and then began blinking. Then, we turned on the iPad, and VOILA! It connected. That simple. It found the network, and since I had not yet installed the Airport Base Station Agent software, there was not security, so it simply connected as a preferred network. I was able to access Goggle Mail from it, and feel like that might be a good use for the device in the future. Tom immediately downloaded some more games and I didn't see he or Natalie without the iPad in hand until much later in the day! 


As of this morning, 16 hours later, the connection is still active an no problems. I have some complaints (the software for the router is a pain, the strength of the connection varied widely even when it is sitting in a location one meter from the router, why is Whispernet not working). But the sun is out this morning and I am going to putter around with my flowers!  More later this week!

iPad Experience - Day 4

Read a magazine on Zino format on iPad. Note that Tom downloaded application and magazines while still in the US. Overall, a good expereince. I chose National Geographic, an iPad interactive issue from April 10. The pictures looked as fabulous as they do when you read the magazine. And since they are about the same size, that part of the experience was basically the same. Really enjoyed the integrated video that was available in this magazine. However, since our wireless access is not working (see previous post), the integration to the internet content was not yet there. It took me about an hour to read thorugh the whole magazine. 


One observation regarding my reading process though. I spent a lot of time with the visual aspects of the stories, but found myself uninterested in the actual text that went along with it. I tended to focus on the text that was integrated into the pictures or visuals. Not sure why that was, maybe content, though the same thing happened with Spin. 


A note about SPIN. This magazine has a lot less interactive content and required the iPad to be in a vertical mode versus the horizontal mode. When horizontal, there were two pages formated for the screen. I would have needed much stronger reading glasses to read any of the small text. The feeling when looking at this way, was like reading a pdf file or some type of scanned page. But vertically, it paged OK until you hit a page which was actually a two page spread. Anyway, the point is that some magazines (i.e. magazine publishers) have invested more than others on the future of e-reading magazine content on these types of devices. I am not yet convinces yet to give up my Wired paper magazine! But I can see this device allowing for more casual browsing of magazines that today I buy occasionally for specific content.


READING/BROWSING INTERACTIVE MAGAZINES: 4/5


I also feel that as a reader, the iPad is REALLY heavy. So I tried reading the Kindle for Mac that Tom has also installed on the iPad. Not a good experience. The thing is heavy. The light in a room reflects off the screen making it hard to read. Forget reading outside. For me at least, this would never replace my Kindle as an e-book reader. If you don't have an e-reader already, than maybe this will work for you. I read ever night in bed, and the thought of holding this vertical for more than 2 minutes makes me queasy. I am an avid reader (except apparently when it comes to interactive magazines!) so I have specific rituals (not like voodoo) that come into play: reading with one hand in bed, cheating on an airplane and leaving my "device" on during take off, and reading at the beach. So, this usage for the iPad is not going to get a high score.


e-Reader (current Kindle user): 1/5

Now off to find a new router... 

Newest Member of the Bramer Family: iPad

Well, it finally happened. An Apple product was introduced into my home this past weekend! Apparently Tom had too much time and too much cash available during his most recent trip to the US. He felt compelled (maybe he was drunk?) to purchase an iPad. Being an IT Professional (no jokes), I have had a long time relationship with Microsoft and, eh, it's productivity tools. Hence the blog entry. Now I am not ignorant of Apple technology, I have simply chosen to ignore it up to this point. So, now this Microsoft Family is being forced to learn how to also hate and despise Apple (as if I have any frustration left after my Windows 7 upgrade!).


Enough lamenting. Thought I would use the blog to share my thoughts and learning. There are a lot of people out there considering such a purchase, so thought I might help by exposing, I mean sharing, our journey to integrate and use this technology in our MS home.


Day 1/2/3
Determined that the iPad will not connect to our current wireless routers that we are using in the house. Simply stated, the iPad requires wireless support of the latest wireless standard, 802.11n. (Check out the wiki for a  quick overview of what that means). Sounds reasonable, right? Well, our NetGear router does not support that version, nor did a router firmware upgrade help. Nor does the newer NetGear router upstairs, which I just purchased two years ago.  So at this point, we cannot access wireless inside our home.  


But we have determined it is a great to play Mahjong on! Natalie and I are competing to see who can finish the round the world game first! (I am winning)


More later...

Group Video Calling on Skype

Just updating to the new version of Skype. In this major upgrade, Skype now has ability to support video calls with more than two people. Once you’re all set up, it’s easy to start a group call – just use the Add button to invite people into the conversation, and click the Video Call button. If you want to use this feature, the person you want to add has to have upgraded to the newest version as well. Note that this is a beta feature, soe there may be a few hiccups, but I think it is great!


You have to use this link to access the Beta 5.0 upgrade, it is not the 4.2 release that just came out!

Avocado Salad with Carrot-Ginger Dressing

It's summer. And that means salads. Ran across this one looking at an old Goop newsletter. I love avocados and this carrot ginger dressing sounded fabulous. Of course, I am the only one in the house which will like this, but I am rarely deterred by that small issue! I did make the Ayi try a small plate of this salad. She said the dressing was good, but she can usually barely choke down any raw lettuce! Also, it was the first time she had eaten avocado. Her description was that it was "not sweet, not sour, buttery". I think that is a marvelous description of an avocado!

The major changes I made to the recipe were to decrease the miso and used olive oil (not EVO) instead of grapeseed. Plus I upped the amount of avocado (the original called for a single one). Note that different miso varieties will give a slightly different taste. The original called for white or sweet miso, but I had only some red that I had purchased in Tokyo. I reduced the amount accordingly as the red is really salty. This recipe has a real bite to it from the fresh ginger and the shallot. If you don’t want quite the same level of ginger taste, use one tablespoon instead of two. 

This recipe makes more than enough dressing for these four salads, but you can use the extra as a dip for vegetables. I even got Natalie to eat some with celery. Tonight I am going to try some on top of fried potatoes. I think the pairing of dressing with the starchiness and bit of crunch will be fantastic!

Foreign Accent Syndrome

I believe I will start writing a book, Steven King-style, which involves humans who awaken from a long sleep and realize they are now speaking their mother tongue but with a foreign accent. I'll have to work in some type of time-travel or something. Not sure.

Damn, started the research and realized this is a known "syndrome" Who knew.... (I apologize in advance to any of the known 60 cases of this syndrome read this blog. I do not mean to belittle your... illness... in any way. It's just that anyone who can actually inflect a Chinese accent without ever studying FOR MILLIONS OF HOURS has definitely had some sort of fantasia experience that needs to be studied.)

Official Google Blog: Imagery for Qinghai, China earthquake

Anyone who has Google Earth installed should take a look at this link. It shoes some up to date pictures of the area of the earthquake. It is unbelievably sobering. Download the KML file, and then open in Google Earth. Wow. Zoom out and look at the just how remote this place is. There has been some criticism about the level of help that arrived. These pictures helped me have a bit more perspective on that!

Official Google Blog: Imagery for Qinghai, China earthquake

Souptoys - New News and Featured Playsets�

Man, this is a really fun thing to play with! Not just for your kids, though that is what is geared towards! I installed and played for 15 minutes before I realized I had found yet another TIME WASTER! So, maybe not good for me, but great for the kids when they are bored! And considering how bad the weather has been in Shanghai, you might need something to keep them busy! I would have taken a picture of my screen to show you how much fun, but am embarrassed at the pile of cast of toys I left laying on the right bottom of my screen...

Souptoys - New News and Featured Playsets�

Interesting Packaging

So, this happens a lot, Chinglish on items you get or purchase here in China. I have determined that the fascination must be with the Latin characters, as more often than not, the actual usage of those letters in a word or phrase does not make sense. However, this one is especially hilarious!
After Easter, I grabbed a bag from our stock of recycled bags and put all of Natalie’s Easter Candy into it.

And more than a week later, we still have some candy left. Last night, I was sitting at the table just staring at the bag (wishing I could eat a chocolate egg, but that should be another post) and finally read the stuff that was written on the outside of it. Imagine my surprise when I took a good look and read a VERY inappropriate phrase on it! [Note to keep the blog a bit cleaner, I will not type it, but check out the top left corner of the picture below!

So of course I emptied the bag and placed the bag into our “We love China” box. Oh, and to explain how this happens, we can blame myspace, facebook, etc. When I googled that specific phrase, I received 20,800,00 hits primarily due to social networking entries. Oh, and don’t forget Big telling Carrie he loves her on Sex and the City Season 02, episode 10! Someone in China watches that, sees that the phrase takes off and decides it would be perfect on a bag printed cheaply and used for fake market purchases.

Shanghai Aquarium Visit

Last week, the Concordia elementary school kids only had to go to school two days. So by Friday, they really needed to get out and let off some steam. There is only so much DS you can play! Suzanne Crew’s original plan was to head to the zoo. Unfortunately the Shanghai weather was not good that day and we decided having the kids tramp around in the rain and maybe ending up sick was not not worth it. (There are baby pandas there so we want to get to see them sometime!). So off to the Shanghai Aquarium!

 

This was a cute picture of Aerin and Natalie. I have three other from this set with Natalie making goofy faces.

  

Three penguin-huggers…

Walking/running through the tunnel.

It seemed like the kids ran and yelled through the whole tour. Or maybe it was just Natalie. Seemed to catch her every time with her mouth open telling someone to “look at this” or “this is so cool”. Needless to say they had fun. And the Coldstone Ice Cream afterwards helped seal it as a great day. The best part was that they were tired!!!

   

This trip also turned out to be great way to get totally frustrated with how to manage the lighting when taking photos. I already was getting a bit testy trying to figure out how and when to flash, but this trip sealed it. I have included the few pictures that I took that seemed like I got it almost right. Even then, there is too much light on three of them.

Oh, well. I guess that is the cost of improving a hobby or skill. Expectations just keep going up!

 

Funny, but this turtle covered his eyes with his flipper after I flashed the camera right in his face!  Made me feel bad!