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The Last Several Week in Browsing

by Brian on 22. Feb, 2010 in Apple & Mac, Learning, TWiB, Technology

I’m getting sloppy with my “This Week in Browsing” posts. I’ll try to do better, because this is info I want to catalog, and it’s info that I think needs to be shared.

The 3rd and the 7th, a short film by Alex Roman – Absolutely amazing. (via Gruber)

Computers are Dumb – Make Smarter Learning – Good article. I am increasingly frustrated with lame interactions in e-Learning. You’d think that we’d have something better by now.

This quote is the key:

“Don’t just have your learners interact with the computer — have them interact with other people.”

Validation, collaboration, accountability, etc. are better defined, delivered and received by humans. Use the computer to deliver some content – use humans to deliver the rest.

Dreaming of an Apple Tablet – I’m in the same boat. 95% of the time, my Macbook Pro is a desktop. But I need it to be portable that other 5%, and I want all my music, files, photos, etc. when I’m on the go. Not sure where I’m headed with my setup.

An Amalgamation of Predictions and Questions Regarding the Apple Tablet – Amalgamation, indeed. Thorough and thoughtful.

Viewing PDFs in a Browser on a Mac – Good stuff from Philip – I’m tired of Adobe.

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Spanning Sync Update, Discount Coupon and Easy Money

by Brian on 17. Feb, 2010 in Apple & Mac, Technology

Spanning Sync, which I’ve been using for over a year now to sync my Mac and iPhone with Google Calendar and Contacts, has some really great updates over the last couple of months. I’m just getting around to posting about it.

First off, their Save $5, Make $5 program is still going strong. It’s easy money folks. Use code D8BYCM when you sign up for the subscription, and you get your own discount code. Find four people who need this sync functionality, and you’ve made your money back. Find more and you’re making money for using a tool that you’ll use anyway. Pretty sweet.

In addition, Spanning Tools are available, and they’ve recently announced a Spanning Backup service that is looking for beta testers. They also helped Postbox develop their referral program. Pretty sweet. It’s a Save $10, Make $5 program. For $10 off Postbox, use coupon code R7AJZ. Postbox is a mailbox manager for Windows and Mac.

If you’re on a Mac, and you use Google tools, or if you just want to make some easy money, you need Spanning Sync.

**These links are affiliate links. As always, 50% goes to charity.**

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iPad vs. Stone

iPad Thoughts

by Brian on 28. Jan, 2010 in Apple & Mac, Technology

It’s new. It’s gorgeous. It’s cool. It’s not revolutionary. It’s nice. It’s got limitations. It will succeed.

It’s the iPad.

While I don’t need one, I think it would be cool to have around the house. Not sure $500 (for the bare bones edition) is worth it for a 3rd or 4th computer, though.

I hear lots of people talking about getting one for the family, including kids. Not so sure about that. My five-year old girl with grubby syrup hands does not need to mess with the $500 piece of glass.

The iPad versus the Stone TabletNo SD slot? No multi-tasking? No thank you.

What it is, is an awesome gadget for those who will use it for specific things. Like to read e-books? Perfect. Kindle-killer. Like to sketch/draw? Go for it. (Philip is an example).

I won’t use this thing a lot. If I traveled more, maybe. But then I’d have to have my Macbook Pro and my iPad. Two devices. Why not just use the MBP?

Around the house, sure, it’d be awesome, but $500 for an additional machine that gets used occasionally is not in my budget.

My uses would include: reading mags/books/RSS on the pot and on the couch, occasionally writing blog posts and updating Twitter. I can do these now with my iPhone, and I prefer real books.

I think doctors, students and older kids could use these quite a bit. However, in most cases, they also need a full computer for some activities the iPad cannot perform. So, again, this becomes an extra device.

It’s a very cool product. And, of course, Apple did it right, and waited until they could do it right, to launch.

There is a market for these. I’m just not in it.

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