iPad vs. Everything Else - PCWorld

iPad vs. Everything Else - PCWorld

Written from my iPad.....

We rec'd our iPad last week and have been busy setting it up, trying new apps, seeing what iPhone apps are useable with it etc. A few quick observations: it is an. Excellent e-reader, a great web browser and an outstanding video (you-tube) viewer. Will it serve as a replacement for anything. NO. (with the exception of one kindle that got crunched in the workings of a recliner) :(.

The case should arrive by the weekend. The hard keyboard is OK but I don't think I need it. When left on and unattended she sometimes drops the wi-fi but it takes 2 seconds to re-acquire....a non issue IMHO.

Bottom line : best thing since sliced bread :). Note: can't load a graphic to this post using iPad:(.

Why I've opted out of Facebook....

This could be a long-winded post but I'm going to try to get to the nub of why I've deactivated my Facebook account. Control issues. There you go, I felt that I'd lost control of what I wanted to do with my disappearing time. There are only so many hours in the day, and being on Facebook was like waking up everyday to a gigantic "to do" list that someone else thought you should do....very tiring! People you haven't even thought about for 20 years all of a sudden are former best buddies and want to re-kindle the past. There are all those games, and gifts, and wonderful good causes....all of which are requiring time and attention. I tried it, honest....didn't work for me. I do like talking and emailing with real friends and associates on a one to one basis, but not through this artificial social medium. Of course that is strictly my humble opinion.

Our 2010 Seaport Sams camping season has begun.....

Click on the collage for an enlargement

We just came back from Deer Haven Campground in Lisbon CT, our first 2010 Seaport Sams Camping Club campout. Our next jaunt we'll be heading out to Mohegan Sun for some dry camping with our state Good Sam group, and then we'll be off to Mineral Springs in Stafford Springs for our May outing with Seaport Sams.

Another bite of the Apple......

I've been an early adopter of the Kindle E-reader, having purchased my first Kindle in November of 2007. Shortly thereafter we purchased another one for Alice, as we're both avid readers. We currently have a LOT of books in our Kindle library. Generally, when I purchase or download a book, we have it sent to both Kindles, two i-phones, and two computers. The syncing works wonderful between platforms, so (as an example) I can pick up with my i-phone where I left off with the Kindle when I'm reading in bed...the i-phone is back lit so I don't need a reading light. Anyway, to make a long story shorter, I just killed my Kindle accidentally. A few nights ago I fell asleep in the chair and when I got up I pushed the foot rest in...somehow the Kindle had fallen in the mechanism and it got executed:(. No life at all in her, and a permanent crease across the screen. Bummer.

So, the choices are three: Get a new Kindle, get the larger tablet size Kindle DX, or get an i-pad. We decided on the i-pad for several reasons. The i-pad is usable for a lot more then e-reading, and since we've had i-phones forever I'm used to (and love) the touch interface. Another big reason for me is that I like to read history books (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Civil War etc) and these books do not cut it on the Kindle. The Kindle is only a single page, pure black and white, and it doesn't do justice to charts and maps. The i-pad should handle that nicely, especially since it has a two page open mode in landscape. I'll also now have the option of not only downloading Kindle books, but also e-books in pub format...my choices of content should increase dramatically. That having been said (and not having tried Apple's book store yet) Amazon does a remarkable job with its Kindle store, and I fully expect to continue utilizing them for my i-pad, as well as Alice's Kindle and the PC and i-phone readers.

Saint Catherine of Siena 50th Anniversary Celebration

Saint Catherine of Siena,Preston CT is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. We had a large group of 35mm slides converted to digital and we're setting up a slide show for the upcoming reception. Click the title link to view many of these old photos of the Parish of Saint Catherine of Siena, Preston.

Note:This album was updated on Sunday, April 11th 2010, with an additional 44 snapshots and video clips from Saturday's Saint Catherine of Siena First Communion Mass and ceremony.