Hi everyone,

So I'm all caught up on the whole Ipad fiasco--here we go!
First of all, Nelson, you're first argument about the Ipad being so amazing because you can do all these things without even having to get up from the couch--well, that wasn't the best argument to win me over. If I had the power, I'd banish all remote controls so that we'd actually have to get up to change the channel/turn off the lights etc.!! Yay for exercise!

Secondly, as you can probably tell from the title of my post, I'm not crazy about reading off of a screen. And Nelson, you just crack me up. I love the way you talk with such confidence about it being a myth, just like carrots being good for yours eyes. Carrots ARE good for your eyes--they have beta carotene and Vitamin A, and you need these to keep your corneas healthy. So there is definitely truth in it. Just like I'm sure there must be some truth in the idea that reading from a screen is bad for your eyes, or at the very least, simply uncomfortable. And I don't need a study to prove that--I can feel the discomfort in my own eyeballs at this very moment as I read from the screen!

I won't argue that the Ipad isn't awesome though. It is. Technology just isn't my bag baby. So that's that.

'Twas fun!
Sheree

I used to check on this blog everyday to see what people were writing and nothing. Now enter some techy device and all the geeks come out. Glad to see you guys are alive and well. Love reading the long winded technical posts but I have to admit, it was some great debate. Actually it was quite boring but I know you guys are passionate about it and I won't take that away from you.

I will end this debate once and for all. I agree with Nelson. Not for the sake of agreeing with him but for the following reason:

1) From what I am reading, expert geeks I know (Nelson, Ed and Jason) seem to believe that this device has it's pros and cons. Regardless of the multitasking this and kindle killer that (which for me means putting out a fire), the fact of the matter remains is that the majority of the population could care less. What they want is a cool device that looks nice and that is convenient.

2) The iPad is from what I see, a new technology that will allow us to have a screen that we can bring with us to a couch or in front of a nice gas fireplace and read, send emails, surf the web etc. Personally, I hate surfing on my phone and reading text cause it is way too small. A larger screen that I don't have to balance on my lap is very convenient.

3) In this day and age where everyone is very concerned with environmental waste, the iPad is in line with what the future brings, ebooks,emagazines, etc...

4) They will work on perfecting the technology and if this is what we are getting now, 5 years from now we will be living in a Star Trek world.

For all those reasons, I believe that the iPad and technology alike, will result in a revolution in the way we read, send emails, surf the web and see each other over the videophone. (Too late Nels, ACN is already in talks with Apple)

As for Sheree, Laurie, Liz, Tarra, and Tanya, we all know they could make their own decisions but when it comes to technology they do seek out our opinions and although they claim the final decision is theirs, most of the time it is based on what we say... I'm kidding! I could just picture their looks as they read this.

I hope everyone is happy now and they can finally get some rest!

D

Just a stupid video, there have been tons of these made but this one somehow seems funnier.

I think with all this talk, maybe we never made clear what we were discussing. So here is the best looking video (quality wise) of the iPad. This guy seems to go through every App so its worth watching all 11mins, especially full screen too.
Lower your speakers cause there is really no talking just lots of commotion in the background.

It has nothing to do with Sheree being Afriad to go against you, it has to do with these people (Girlfriends, Family etc...) come to us for tech advice, so they probably won't go out and buy something techy without consulting us, am I wrong? Its not a jab at Sheree's independence, its that she, like Laurie and probably Liz have overheard something we have said and it will stick because we "know" about this stuff. Just like I have heard thatThe Blue Menu crap at the grocery store is better for you... why I have no idea, but its implanted in my head, so that MAY manipulate my purchase choices.

And Since Jason took the Questions so seriously...

Nancy: I think the iPad is better. We got her the iPod so she could web surf, listen to music, watch movies and email while working. Well that back fired cause she never used it. So I think with a bigger screen but the same interface would help cause its easier to do all those thing and she doesn't have to learn to use a computer since she seems so against it.

Mommy: She does love to type, but I know she sits at a desk so many hours a day, that even with a laptop (which she has) she won't be writing this Novel she dreams of. She would much rather spend her time off, laying on the couch with a book. Now if that book was the iPad then I think she would actually use the web stuff, because she could stay on the couch and pick away at stuff. Then when she got the urge to type she could go wit at a desk with a keyboard. But we all know sitting back on a couch with a laptop is not easy to do.

Daddy: Yes Desktop all the way. He would like the COOL aspect of the iPad, but in the end my dad is someone that needs a million things going on, be it audio/video from a soccer game while doing income taxes, or clicking back forth between web sites. And a laptop is still to cumbersome to use for the inexperienced.

Dean Wrap this up since these guys can't take some debating in their lives. This is where I wish we had a comment system cause we're getting many guest viewers.

Last post from me on this subject:

I unbiasedly asked sheree about which she would prefer before this whole discussion and she said she wasn't interested. She can make up her own mind, and she's definately not afraid to go against me.

As for your rhetorical questions, this iPad definately has uses.

Nancy - Neither cause she'd lose them either way

Mommy - Laptop, cause she likes to type and no matter how big the KB is, it's a touch screen and therefore not as good as a real KB

Daddy - Toss up. probably a desktop, cause he'd want to listen to his portuguese radio while surfing the web, but wouldn't be able to

So Eddie Posted as I was Posting and I'm not going to keep beating the dead horse for each person. I too could post reviews saying the opposite but fine, if Engadget and Gizmodo (2 sites the everyman go visit) says so then I'll take their word for it, especially since they are reviewing something that isn't even out yet, but if that's how we roll then fine. Ed I'm not pissed I don't own stock or have input in its creation, I never said this this was fast, heavy, or any good actually... cause I haven't used it... I'll I've been talking about is the tech and its possibilities... Oh and Dino.... ya hear that? Sounds like the world really is ready for a video phone!!! I don't think so but Jason, Ed and all the other Geeks seem to think that function is a MUST have in a device these day! Run to Head Office MAN!!! This is your time to shine!!!

Original Post

Yes, lets stop these long winded posts, because Nelson is crazy... Lets go back to Jason paying a yearly fee to keep this site up and only have a monthly post. And lets keep those posts short.... hmm lets say to about 140 characters or less. As Soon as Nelson gets like this... you know Passionate about something, lets pat him on the fucking head, tell him its alright and move on. <-this means its funny

Fine since debating seems to only be something Dino and I enjoy (I know you live for it too ED) I'll save my energy.

But I must admit I'm kinda disappointed that you guys have such blinders on. All this talk about "10 years in development and they came up with this" or "Its only a giant iPOD"
Am I the only one that see's maybe iPod touch was the stepping stone for this? You know... TV's start small, get bigger as they're perfected... or what if back in the day it went like this...

Steve: "I want to make a Touchscreen computer that will be in every home"
Tech Guy: "Well we did just sell millions of those MP3 players with the click wheel"
Steve: "So what you're saying is we are already in peoples home, now we just need to stay there and get into some more"
Tech: "um, yup, sure"
Steve: "Build a Touch screen iPod.... even better a PHONE since everyone has one of those, and if it works, we'll roll out my Hollands Opus"

Technology is a progression, you guys are stuck on the iPad and what it can't do. Its not a revolution you say, ok so what do you call it now that every pc maker out there will be scrambling to beat this thing? And here's the thing for you non techy people... if anyone tell you no one will try to beat this thing.... they have no idea what they're talking about. I'm sorry, but Apple REVOLUTIONIZED the cell phone and its going to happen again, this isn't me making this shit up... There are plenty of Touchscreen computers out there... especially in the passed few years... why? Hmmm maybe because of the iPhone??? PC makers saw that people enjoyed touching things so they started implementing it in their PC's. So does that not show that maybe Apple was planning this thing all along and the iPhone was maybe a warning shot, to see how the market would handle it.

I'm not going to argue this stupid Eye strain thing because its so insane how anyone can keep stating made up facts over and over. I asked for proof and I get bullshit again. Its like arguing with someone that carrots are good for your eyes.... They aren't people just THINK they are cause that's what they were told as a kid.

And Jase... how about you let Sheree make up her own mind. What you've done is leaned her towards your Opinion. So if she did read this then she would say "Well Jason says I don't need it, then I don't Need it, cause he's my tech guy" And that goes back to what I said earlier.... You find out what a person needs, then you give them the options.... You don't take away an option because YOU PERSONALLY DON'T NEED IT!

How does Apple have people brain washed? I don't get this mentality? Force Feeding, Brain Washed... do you guys have Dictionaries at home? They rent a conference hall and boom the whole world shows up to see whats going to happen... why is that?
Is it because every time they do rent a hall, they end up showing off some sexy new tech?
So people want to see more so they clammier for a first peak...
And how is that a fault?
People like SEXY new things... Apple makes Sexy new things....
If I could afford a machine... I would buy one, if I liked the OS I would use it. That's me. I don't spit on someone that uses OSX, I respect that its probably easier to use, and all that stuff. So how Can I hate a machine that just got easier to use? Like I said, I want everyone to have a computer, there is so much free information out there that its a crime that not everyone is able to access it. So If Apple just opened up the Market to people with arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome and they are the only ones to use this thing.... Good job, we just got a few more. A few years ago a company started the OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) project, and people complained about having to wind up the computer to use it.... ITS A F****KING COMPUTER FOR THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES!!! Where do you plug in a laptop in the Jungle?!?! Look passed what this things lack and think of the possibility! Its getting people interested in what I LOVE...

I give up, its so clear as day to me that honestly I can't think up anything else. I ramble incoherently but at least I try to back my shit up, "ITS BAD FOR YOUR EYES CAUSE MY EYES HURT" or "IT HAS NO USB PORTS... I DON'T KNOW WHY I WANT THEM BUT IT HAS NONE" are just as Jason said, Arguments for arguments sake.... So little boy, don't come on here with your "I JUST BOUGHT A KINDLE SO I KNOW IT HAS TO BE GOODER THAN THE TOY I REALLY WANT IN 60 DAYS" BS. Cause I know you, and when this thing come out you'll be at futureshop and you'll pick it up, and you'll think.... "Shit, this thing really is nice and easy to read... But I'll still send Nelson a Text saying.... mhhhh its cool I guess"

For once I wish Dino would post, cause he's the Target Audience for this thing, Sheree too but to me she's been tainted. I say that because So is Liz and so is Laurie, because we are the goto tech guys so they will lean towards what we say. But Dino... He's our wild card...

Dean, from what you've heard around the water cooler, whats your thoughts on all this?

And Jase....

We just Built a Time Machine.... We go back 2 years and DO NOT buy Nancy an iPod.
Now Present day... April comes along.... Do we buy her an Ipod or iPad? Have to buy one and back up your decision.

We dust off the Time Machine.... We go back 5 Years and DO NOT buy mommy a laptop.
Present Day.... Do we buy mommy a Laptop or iPad? Have to buy one and back it up.

Sometime this Summer... Daddy is going to Portugal, and he is getting worse about wanting a computer there.
Do we build him a Desktop, buy A laptop or an iPad? Have to do one, back it up.

There is no right answer I'm looking for as hard as you guys find it to believe I really do want imput on how this thing is going to be accepted. I just don't like your original reasons I want real life people reasons, not Hater Pants reasons.

Title says it all man...lol. Okay listen, I'm not gonna sit here and try to defend my opinion with a long drawn out post because really, I just don't have the time to do that...lol. Let me just clear up a few things that you seem to be a little upset about... To start, Nels, your first post about it was just as one sided about the good as mine was about the bad. Don't take it personally man cause that's not how I meant for it to be. I only meant to give the other side of the story. I'll also say that I think that in the case of anyone that is choosing between this or nothing at all then ya, go get this cause bad technology is still better than no technology. To the rest of us I would say don't buy a computer that is running a phone OS. Phone OS's were made to run on phones and iPods, not on "couch" computers. Talking about couches, our new one was delivered today and it's wonderful! Had to hoist it up the balcony but that's a story for another day

I think you have also misunderstood what I meant about Steve trying to force feed us. Maybe I was not clear enough but when I said that I was referring mainly to Apples locked down software model. I HATE the fact that you can only install something the the cult leader says you can install. Again, I know exactly what your gonna say next, the "basic" user doesn't want anything more than what Steve says they should have. Not true, the "basic" user just doesn't know he wants more, again, that's why we are here to tell them Honestly, we should have the option and then we would all be happy. Take the Android platform as an example, out of the box the only way to install apps on it is through the Android Market and while not quite as strict as the app store there is still an approval process. If you want to install 3rd party apps and are willing to risk performance a little then there is an option buried deep in the settings that enables the installation of "unsigned" apps. Boom, they have made the "basic" user happy while also satisfying the more advanced users need to tinker. Apple doesn't do that because Steve knows whats best for you. Honestly, I'm quite surprised that your okay with that???

So ya, lets wrap this up with the following conclusion. We have established that this thing may be a good device for older people that have resisted technology up to now but would like to start emailing the grand kids. But only email and not see them cause Steve didn't put a camera on it, I think that would have been cool. For anyone else, Way too lacking to make it a good choice for anything but an iPod replacement. How's that for a conclusion, you gonna let me off that easy? Any hey, they also make those phones with the huge numbers for old people, you gonna go get one of those next cause it's "easier" to push the HUGE icons? I know, now I'm just being an ass...lol.

I had to say it like I see it but I still love ya buddy, even if you hate me now...lol.

P.S. Just cause you got lucky with your battery does not say that thousands of others haven't cursed the horrible design. If everyone else can put a door on the back of there devices then why cant Apple?

I leave you with a few links and some insight into what the rest of the world thinks of the new iTampon, em I mean the new iPad.

8 reasons why the iPad sucks...
http://gizmodo.com/5458382/8-things-that-suck-about-the-ipad?skyline=true&s=i

Engadget's Review...
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-ipad-first-hands-on/

This one is good, just people giving there opinion's, some good and some bad but none as convinced as you are that this is revolutionary...
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/editorial-engadget-on-the-ipad/

And this is just poking fun but still funny enough to watch...

Laterz all!
Ed.

Alright,

Enough with these looooong winded posts. It's obvious my brother is CRAAZY and there's no point in arguing with him when he's like this

I'll wrap it up real quick, I'm with Ed on this one. This device is cool, and the "basic" user will love this thing. Great. But I don't think this is the revolution that my brother thinks it is. What does this thing do that any other notebook, netbook, iphone or even tablet can't do. It's cool, but lets call a spade a spade, it's a big ipod touch. Name one thing that this thing does that the ipod touch doesn't. All the apps that run on this (maybe not iWorks) will run on an ipod touch. It's like saying a 20" inch monitor is the revolution of Pc's compared to a 12" monitor.

Problems I see with it: Why make it square so all your videos are distorted, why make it have no camera for video chat, why make it not have multitasking (this is a big deal, I don't care what you say Nels). Apple has people brain washed that this thing is awesome. Sure it's cool, and I'm absolutely sure version 2 or 3 will be amazing because they'll add copy and paste and everyone will go CRAZY. I love my iPhone, its the best tech I've ever owned but I really dislike Apple as a company. I think the way they do things is ridiculous.

The whole E-ink vs LCD issue is just stupid. I think you're arguing just to argue. I don't need a freaking study to tell me that there's a difference between reading a book vs reading a computer screen. Fine your eyes may hurt after reading a magazine for too long but that's because you need glasses. Maybe this screen is different, but in GENERAL, LCD is more straining on the eyes. This isn't true for everyone, us Geeks use PC's so much that we are used to it, but to the "basic user" this is not always true.

One more thing. I would think Sheree is an example of a basic user. Now I doubt she will read any of these posts, but I can garuntee that she has no interest in the iPad. And if she had the option to go kindle or iPad to read books, she would go kindle.

You may be 100% right that this thing will revolution the WORLD, but I for one am dissapointed, and if you search around the internet, so are a lot of other people. 10 years in development and they came up with this:

Lets post about something fun and exciting.

Bottom line: Should've/could've been better, but I'll probably get one once I see it in the store. And that's what Apples does, they make it just pretty enough that you want one. Apple definitely did succeed in sparking up a debate between geeks. Too bad nobody else gives a shit.

You would think I'm drinking the Kool Aid, and yes from 1 pm to midnight I was reading and watching stuff on this machine. I may be an asshole buddy but I don't just read or watch shit that go with my own views, wouldn I post on this Blog if that were the case? I love hearing the good and bad. That's what makes a great debate, but when someone points out flaws that in my opinion aren't validated then... then you get something like this here blog post. Anything I wrote was not me copying what I heard throughout the day, Minority Report and the Wii Comparison were mine So was Couch PC (which I should get trademarked), I come to my own conclusions, so I have no one to blame but myself, its just how I have always rolled.

So when the iPhone came out, there was a big ruckus about the internal Battery, and I was one of the bitchers... now 3,4 years later how many complaints do we hear about that same internal battery? I've had an iPod (almost 2), and now 2 iPhones (one that survived a Beer Swim) and never has Battery been an issue. So the battery argument is again proof that people are nit picking on shit that's not validated. Yes it sucks if you have a faulty battery that you need to send it in... I agree... but the chances of it effecting me, slim... if it does effect me... just my luck.

The ONLY thing so far that has merit in the complaints is the Multitasking thing. For some reason people cling to that. I personally, don't miss it and I do a alot of shit with my iPod/iPhone. I can honestly say its not something I care about. As long as I get info PUSHED to me and my music plays in the BG while doing something else, then what else do I need it to do in the background. Seriously, I'm not being facetious what am I missing? You mention the radio and reading a book and I hope it does do that (even though reading and listening to the radio may be tough but it is the most basic of tasks I would hope it could do) So what else would be Multitasking on a regular basis?

The Kindle killer... that one we'll have to wait and see. But This argument (Jason thinks the same way you do ED) about eye strain... where is this written? Where does it say its proven that its the computer screen (back light) that strains the eyes? Why is it not the text size that strains your eyes? I'm not a big book reader I admit this, but I do plow throw Magazines quite a bit, and I can't say my Computer is no more straining on my eyes than a Mag. I know if ever I feel too tired to read on the computer, I may do a Ctrl + to increase the font size and that may help a bit. But to say that one new technology is better than the other for your eyes just cause it was a bullet point on the brochure does not make it medically proven. So until someone goes blind from reading on an iPad, how can we give it a red mark for that reason?

So let me get this straight "the basic user doesn't know what he wants and thats why people like us are here to tell them." Do you see the problem with your quote? Eh APPLE? Man I thought I was sounding like a Commie! How is Apple force feeding anything? They force Fed people AT&T and Rogers yes cause you HAD to go with them to use the iPhone, but you know what, you and many other people lined up to get that thing no matter what. HELL pay hundreds of dollars to break your current contract just to get a device with an internal Battery, no multitasking, and no Flash!!! But now they come out with a "Bigger model" that like you said is exactly the same.... but.... wait... Where is the force feeding? I can go buy this thing, open the box, punch in my wifi password... and.... what... it works? I was forced to... rip the scotch tape holding the box closed... Yes there is a 3g model that needs a data plan but whoever gets that knows exactly what they are using it for.

No USB no SD... who cares? Seriously do you miss your ISA slot on your motherboard? Like seriously are we moving ahead or are we moving backwards. I put all my pictures on one computer, and then the 6 other computers in the house access that computer over wifi. And I can do so from Montreal too If I wanted or Japan... Why do I need an SD?

USB... ok so what do I need thats USB? A printer... again.. its on the network, who caries a printer with them? um a keyboard... ok there is a Dock for that, and who knows maybe you can add a Bluetooth keyboard later.... um ok the Cam... yes for those wanting the Cam, they would need usb for that... ok whatelse?

If you're telling me that we need to inform the public of what they can and can not do on this thing, then lets make our own list... Seriously, I deal with computer illiterate people all the time and I need to have answers. I'm not a know it all, but I refuse to let a machine stump me, and this one will not be the first to do so.

Flash... I don't know about you but I watch plenty of porn on my iPhone. Rick too. Yes it would be awesome to have flash, but deal breaker?

The Interface... This is a machine for the Basic User... Take everything you know about computers (yes Computers) and toss it out... then pick this thing up and use it.... not hard right? I want that, touch it, Next Page, Swipe it.
Now do the same with a Laptop.... Whats a Start Bar? What are all these boxes/windows on my screen, where did my email window go? why is that Compass picture at the bottom jumping up and down? What is that Trash can looking thing? How do I zoom in on a picture? How do I Rotate that picture?

I have no problem people not wanting one of these things, but I do have a problem with people misinforming other people on why not to get it. I have never been one to talk in Computer Jargon with someone not in the know. I would NEVER tell someone, don't get it cause it doesn't do MULTITASKING... WTF is MULTITASKING?!?!
I would say, "Some times it can't do more than 2 things at once"
They would ask, "oh really like what would I want to do at the same time as something else?"
Then I would reply, "If you want to listen to a radio station online, then you wouldn't be able to read a book at the same time"
Then they would decide if that's something that's important to them.
And that goes for any computer. I ask what they want to do, then tell them their options. In 60 days this thing will become one of the options for many many people, and any Good Geek would give it as an option WITH the pros and cons. But to Not give it as an option because you think an SD slot is important is Irresponsible. So That's OUR JOB.

This is a Couch PC... its not supposed to make you think OH COOL its a 9" Ipod... no its OH COOL We're this much closer to everyone being Connected. We're this much closer to Star Trek! That's it. That's all I ever expected. People saying "Man people are acting like this thing can cure cancer!" NOOOOOO!!! No one is saying that at all... it seems like more people were EXPECTING IT TO CURE CANCER! IT'S A FRIGGIN PEICE OF METAL WITH SILICON CHIPS INSIDE COVERED WITH GLASS!!! That's it!

Seriously don't buy one, I won't (at least not for awhile) but use some imagination... would you have your HTC if it weren't for the iPhone? Think about whats next, not the 1st gen hardware coming out in 2 months. Its called INNOVATION, and it started before the iPhone now lets see where it goes.

I am serious about that list, I would love to compile, a can and can not do list. I have many people that will be coming to me to ask so I prefer to be in the know.

And as a side note.
Laurie's father is die hard anti Computer. He's old school Italian, "I don't need a computer, I have my Italian TV that tells me everything I need to know, I'm too old to learn how to use a computer, I don't even know how to use the rat thing... etc etc etc"
I told Laurie a while ago I think he should learn to use the computer cause he's retired and bored doing nothing at home. With the computer he could read multiple newspapers from italy, send emails to family back home, and even check his stocks and stuff... So I get this MSN message tonight... (I never spoke to him about the ipad or getting him on the computer)

28/01/2010 2:29:43 AM Laurie: im almost done editing but i realized i forgot to tell you that my dad actually wants the iPad

28/01/2010 2:31:19 AM Laurie: my uncle tried to convince everyone for an hour that windows 7 is just as user friendly

So??? What Do I do?

(PS: Sorry Ed I was trying to copy your Kool Aid Image and lost it somehow and had to replace it again)

Whats up all!

Sigh, oh Nels, I don’t even know where to start with that last post...lol. Here's the thing, your points are all valid and It's quite clear that you spent the day listening to a lot of people talk about how great this thing is. I've heard all sorts of things like "one step closer to Minority Report" or "It's like the Wii of computers" (well you said the last one but you get the point). All that is fine but are you really gonna sit there and tell me that there are no flaws in the implementation of the device?

Kindle killer? I think not. What is the kindle good for, the very reason for its existence? The display. The kindle was made for READING because people did not like staring at a screen for hours on end. Have we forgotten that simply because apple made something with pretty animations when you turn the pages? I will give the iPad one thing in this category, the demo showed a page of the New York Times and there was an image in an article that when touched would play a video right in that view, that was slick but still not enough to make it a Kindle killer. Also interesting that the only thing I found cool about it's e-reader capabilities is the fact that it can embed video, that’s the problem with it as a kindle killer, I think the main market for this thing are younger people that probably won’t be buying it for its e-reader functionality. I don't have an e-reader and if I was gonna buy one I would get a Sony because according to my research it is compatible with more file formats then the rest. You say that people want pretty but I don't think they do, I think people want content, the e-book shopper that’s done his homework and wants an E-BOOK READER should not select an iPad in my opinion.

So, you’re wondering what my idea of a computer is... A computer can be a lot of things, it may or may not even have a screen attached, there may not even me any direct UI as in the case of a car's on board computer and yes, all these things are "computers". Let me try and explain myself here. What I mean when I say that this is not a computer is that it is not what I was excited at the prospect of using as a possible computer replacement. It is based on an OS that was designed for a phone and I too once owned an iPhone and yes, the OS is slick, it works well and it's pretty. Why would I never buy another one, well you see, that’s because there are some major flaws in its design from a software perspective. Don't give me all this crap about the "basic user", the basic user doesn't know what he wants and thats why people like us are here to tell them. We are also the ones that are supposed to call companies like Apple out on the crap when they try to force feed the public! Seriously Nels, how can you forgive them for a second for attempting to fool us with a tablet type PC that can’t multi task? Oh but the "basic user" you’re gonna say, they don't care about that, wrong again, they just don't know that they should care about that and we are supposed to tell them they do! What are you gonna tell your mom when she tries to stream her favourite classical radio station with the neat radio app she got on the app store and read a book at the same time? I can hear the phone call now, "but Nelson, as soon as I press the home button to open the iBook app the music stops, what’s happening" See, you should have told her about multitasking and why it's important. So is this a computer, meh, I guess you can call it that, is it a PC that can replace anything you already have, absolutely not! If an "almost PC" is what you’re looking for then this is the device for you...lol.

Where I will agree with you is when you start talking about easy. Yup, totally 100% agree that this would have been a great device if only a few issues were addressed. Why not have multitasking, I don't want to sound like a broken record about this one but seriously, in 2010? Come on Apple, inexcusable! What they should have done is had a nice easy interface something like the one they have now running on top of OS X. Even let it boot up right into the easy big icons by defaults and make a button to bring you into OS X and some real computing? I understand that may be easier said than done but it's something along the lines of what needs to be done to make me happy

Let me close buy saying that I don't hate this thing even though it sounds like I do. I'm just disappointed that it doesn't deliver anything that would make me say "cool". It's a great iPod type device, it can do all the good things that you described but it's just not a tablet computer is all I'm trying to say. Once its hacked and you can install OS X on it then sign me up (maybe), till then I'll pass.

One more thing, Patrick Norton re-tweeted something that hits the nail on the head and explains why this device falls short. The tweet was "RT @loydcase: iPad: no camera, no USB ports, no SD card slot, no Flash support, no multitasking, big FAIL." And he even forgot to mention in his tweet that the battery is internal. Apple, STOP DOING THAT!!! lol.

Laterz all,
Ed.

My other post is on its way but I had to Mark this day in History

Ok so I've been up today sitting at the computer with multiple windows open on my 24" screen all with live video feeds and web sites talking about Apples Latest and Greatest... The iPad

I'm not going to get into specs and all that, cause the few of you that actually care can find that yourselves. But I do want to mention that I think this little machine is going to push computers to whole new level.
The funny thing is how resistant my two fellow geeks are about this thing.

Jason does not think this thing is a Kindle Killer (the kindle being an eBook reader) (eBooks being digital Electronic Books)
I think the Kindle is done. It doesn't matter how nice the eInk the Kindle uses is, and how long the battery life is, people want pretty. Apple makes Pretty. I'm not a MAC user, but I know that Apple knows how to get people with looks. So the way a book looks on the Kindle in plain Black and White, will never compare to the bright colorful screen of the iPad. The fact that someone can read in the dark without disturbing someone next to them is already a bonus, and then there are pictures, so that opens up all kinds of options for books you couldn't have on a kindle. Yes people like the Kindle, but give that same person the ability to do more with their Kindle and they won't complain.

Sheree for instance,Jason says she would not use the iPad. Well does she have a Laptop? What does she use that Laptop for? Surfing the web, checking Email, looking at pictures, maybe organizing lesson plans, and that's about it I'm sure, cause believe it or not that's what the majority of people do on computer these days with the addition of Multimedia. So if Sheree could do all that on a slim screen (yes typing is a bitch but the Keyboard Dock solves that) and then take that screen to the couch, lay down while Jason plays NHL 2010, and read a book, then she has the urge to look up a recipe, or decides she wants to go see a movie so she looks up showtimes, or a pop up comes up saying I sent her one of my amazing emails, or she wants to play some tetris, or Jason says something she disagrees on so she pops up google to prove herself right, maybe she wants to record something via Sage so she needs to use the Webserver to schedule the recording etc... All of this can be done while never moving from the comfortable position you're in on the couch.

Now Eddie says its not a computer, its a Big Ipod.... Yes it is, and you know what, the ipod is an amazing machine for ease of use. And to be in that same position on the couch and to just swipe my fingers on a screen is super easy to do. And because its bigger than an iPod, it makes touching the screen that much more comfortable because you don't need to be as precise, you don't need to use one hand to hold it (it can rest on your lap), and you don't need to strain to read the small text.
I don't know what Eddie's idea of a computer is, but walk into any computer store and you see all these prebuilt computers some with Touchscreens some without, but everything now has that "Apple" look with Big bright Icons, with flashy reflective interfaces, that just to switch apps you have this "cool" coverflow kind of thing happening, And no I'm not just talking Win7, this is with any Netbook linux OS right down to the newest version of Ubuntu.

When you get in a new car what has GPS and Media built in... what does the interface look like? Big Icons, and menus... You can by a refrigerator that keeps track of your expiry dates and grocery lists... Big Icons, Menus... None of this stuff is powered by computers? So because the interface changed that changes the category? So that would mean that the last time I had a computer was back in the DOS days, because once Windows came out and the interface changed that was the end of computers, and the first Apple was never a computer cause it went straight to Icons and Menus.

Obviously I'm exaggerating here, but as someone who regularly has computers dropped off on my stairs to be repaired, I see more and more that the crazy computers of yesterday are no longer needed. People want something EASY to use. How much easier can point your fingers at a tiny picture be? You want something enlarged... Make the motion with your hand... that's it. Tech has changed. Its all about online now. You really only need a computer with an internet connection and thats it.
I'm not saying this thing will replace your home computer, but it can easily replace many laptops but for more advanced stuff like Photoshop, gaming, video editing, you still need a home computer.

People like Ed, Jason and myself will always need Real computers, but for people like Dino, Sheree, and the other regular people out there, this thing is going to change computing forever. I can already see my mom sitting in Portugal in the backyard with this thing on her lap while reading an email, maybe watching a movie, or reading up on how to ruin a jokes punchline. While my dad sits inside flipping through soccer scores. I really think this thing is the Wii of computers. Ed you don't have a Wii, neither do I or Jason.... and guess what.. Nintendo Doesn't Give a F*** about us. They care about the millions of others that bought it cause its EASY to use. Apple doesn't give a F*** either. They know that the Geeks get their hands on their shit and they complain about stuff like Multitasking, and Flash support. Well the Basic user doesn't know what the hell that is and doesn't miss it.
The App store is locked down??? Again, Basic user see's thousands off Apps and is overwhelmed, you... you miss the one app to decrypt wifi, or manage MySql Databases.

Seriously, I've never been a fanboy or a Hater, I respect the tech. When Minority Report came out, was I the only one saying "Oh thats so Cool I want that" well for christs sakes its almost here, and you're complaining it doesn't have a friggin web cam? Seriously You can't selectively be a GEEK. A geek isn't someone that owns an external Hard Drive. Its the Person that carried around a Box of 25 Floppies around just to play Castle Wallenstein, and was happy as long as they could do it.

Yes the iPad has potential, and yes the next few years you'll see a web cam, and all kinds of shit you wanted and never use, but this is the in for them. Steve Jobs just went out with a BANG. There is nothing left for him to do. He will go down as a revolutionary Tech GOD, and I thank god I was around to see this stuff happen. This is not me drinking the Kool Aid, and maybe I'm wrong on all of it, but done right, this is a huge deal for the world. This is the shit we grew up watching on Star Trek back when we were kids, and in 60 days we have the ability to walk around like Spock, with a computer resting on our forearm, and watch PORN!
And my friends... If I can watch Porn with one hand free.... well lets just call that a good day...

And a Good Day to Youz
Nelson

PS: And the PRICE!!! I bought a 64Gig SDD for 300 bucks 3 months ago.. now I get a touch screen PC to go with!!! Thank Youz Very Much

Hi guys,

I'm know, I know... I'm the guy that bitches the most about the lack of activity on our blog and now I'm the biggest let down of us all. I'm sorry, I really want to post more but I haven't had the energy to post in ages. So lets see if I can get the ball rolling again...

First let me say a big thanks to Ed and Liz for showing up for New Years. Ed... honestly man, from the bottom of my heart... Thanks. You are truly an awesome guy. No wonder all the woman think your the best Sticky Finger. You come through for me every time. You and Liz have plenty going on these days, and for you both to drive all the way here for a visit less than 24hrs in length.... Seriously man, you rock! Liz hold on tight to this guy cause there aren't too many out there like him. And Liz once again, thanks for the Bday Treats, I had to hide them for the little party I held for myself... yes alone... me and the chocolate! Don't you judge me!

I think/hope everyone had a good time at the party. It was a bit more tame than the usual, due to having some new faces, as well as the abundance of pregnant woman. Yes Jase and I are to be uncles once again. I have to say it got me by surprise, but I couldn't be happier. Tony and Nancy have 2 of the coolest kids around, and I'm looking forward to having a third brat around to bring balance to the world. I don't care if its a boy or a girl, and I don't even want to know, but growing up as the dysfunctional middle child is the best thing in the world. I get an older sister to lean on, and a little brother to have lean on me, so what could be better? This means now my God Son/Nephew (Christian) becomes cette middle child, and one day I hope he looks at it all the same way I do, and not as a burden like some think of it as. So congrats to the Ropers, I'm super happy for them all. Its going to be a busy summer filled with filled diapers and sleepless nights. (maybe its time to open up this blog to the Moms, so they have an outlet overnight)

24... Oh my sweet sweet 24... Ok I'll be the first to admit that this season premiere was lacking compared to the premieres of yesteryear, but you know what it did do for me? It really put all the previous years into perspective. As I sat there watching with my sister and Laurie (more to come on that one) I started to think back. Its no spoiler that Jack is now a Grand Dad, and its a well known tidbit that this year marks the first time we see Jack really smile. Then the shit hits the fan.... but as I watched and as Laurie asked questions (she's never seen the show) I started to think back to the passed 8 years. Take away all the crazy of the top shit in the show, and really you watch a mans life progress over 8 years. Its crazy when you really think about it. 8 years... what have we done in 8 years? Sure nothing compares to JB but man, time has flown by, fast and slow. But the funny thing about watching the show with someone that has never seen it was filling her in on the back story (without spoiling it cause I hope to one day catch her up) but in this episode they mention Jack taking a plane... so I lean over to her and say... "You know, the last time Jack took a plane, he landed it on a highway" then she looks at me like I'm crazy. Then they mention Mexico, so I lean over and say, "Jack was in Mexico once.... He was under cover and became a Heroin Addict" so she looks at me and asks "Are you joking???" "Nope" I say smiling. And then the last scene of the premiere comes around and.... I couldn't say a dam thing! Cause that would spoil too much, but any of us that watched this years premiere was thinking the same thing I was.... "BEEN THERE, JACKS DONE THAT!!!"
So I have hope for 24 this year. I agree the OMPH is gone but I owe it to this guy to follow through with this all. I love this show, its been my baby for the passed 8 years. You guys have dedicated time to it but its not the same I think when you watch the DVDs. There is something about that clock ticking at the end and then having to wait a week that really makes you feel like you're living it with JB, and I look forward to the aggravation again this year. We all get old, our lives all slow down, but we still make the best of it, so I'm with JB till the end, I hope he's a crippled old man saving the world for years to come.

And now the grand Finale....

The Reason behind this Posts Title.....

This Blog started back when I was doing my own blog about the rare excitement in my life. Well one of my posts was about a girl named Lori. Then a a few years after that was destroyed by phone call by my brother, I met LAURI, who later on remembered she was still dating her boyfriend all while still dating me. Ahh the Memories.....

So now the secret is out. What all started as a Secret Code in a Blog Post, which only Sheree and Liz decoded way back in June, is still going strong. By now everyone except Sheree has met the mystery woman in my life, who thankfully only shares the same name as my passed crazies and as of yet has shown no signs of the same mental illnesses. So for the sake of making future Blog Post searches easier, I would like to formally announce my current GIRLFIREND (since the last chick had a problem using that term) LAURIE (please take note of the multiple spellings of the same freakin NAME!)

Now some of you may be thinking "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS MORON DOING? Comparing or adding this girl into the mix with previous girls he's dated?!?!!"
And I say to those people.... HAVE YOU READ THIS BLOG??? Its kinda hard to hide something that is so out in the open!!! I am merely pointing out the humor in all of this because not many people can say they have been involved with 3 woman with the same name! Honestly I think its kind of fitting that it would happen to me, n'est pas?

So yes Laurie and I have been dating for 8 or 9 months now (she does the accounting in the relationship) and so far so good. We met of all places.... the internet.. weird right? But the Official story is we met at the Bowling Alley... don't ask.
She actually sought me out, which was a pleasant change from the norm, and it wasn't even on my fav site POF, it was some shitty site I was having an affair with when POF wouldn't put out. I liked going on this site to mostly do fun quizzes and puruse the thousands of pictures of woman. Well one day when I was visiting Montreal I got a message telling me to "stop stalking and to say something already". (the chicks can see when their pics are viewed and I tended to look at the good looking ones more than once) So I responded and from there it started.

The first time we met, I was in her hood, and she was at a friends house. I was parked in the friends parking lot, so they could see me out the window, but she refused to come down. So me being impatient when it comes to meeting, I decided to pull all stops and seduce her from afar. I got out of my Jeep, and began to do the most seductive dance I could muster up in the parking lot. Well my friends, let me tell you... once she saw my moves.... it took about another 30mins on the phone of me begging before she considered coming down!!!

But she was nice and finally she did come down, dressed in nothing but her night gown (dirty right? ya I know how to pick em)
So we sat in the Jeep talking for a while, and then my mind started going... should I make the move? Should I wait? Will the PKOD make its triumphant return? Will she go crazy like so many before her????

SCREW IT!!! I'm going for it!!!

I lean in for the kill and.......

You know whats next right???

Nah I won't do it again but I have to tell you this year I miss some of the old characters from previous seasons. I won't give away who returns and who doesn't but I wasn't overly impressed with the first four episodes.

Jase, I don't hear "Your Right" that often especially after being married. I feel like the guy in the Scotiabank commercial who rips off his shirt and pounds his fists in the air when the rep tells him he's right! I can't believe Tony and Nancy are having another baby! I guess the snip snip didn't work...kidding! How come you are travelling so much these days? At least you get to go outside of Canada. All my trips are within Canada and they are really short. Take advantage of it because when you start having kids it will be hard to commit to those trips.

That's it for now, talk to you homos later...

D

Good morning everyone,

I'm just checking in from the Lovely Double Tree hotel in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately the weather is crappy and rainy so I haven't been seeing too much, but so far Puerto Rico looks like a pretty nice place.

What's going on with everybody else. I never heard anything about the New Years party in Toronto. Did everyone have fun? Any funny or embarrassing pictures?

Come on people, what's been going on?

I'll start, I've been traveling a lot for work, and it's starting to have a negative effect on wedding planning. It's getting pretty difficult to go out and get stuff done when I constantly have to be somewhere else. Hopefully it will quiet down for the next few months but for now Sheree has to take the majority of the work (and she's been great with it, she even her whole Saturday with my mom driving around aimlessly looking for stuff). I guess I can't complain too much as I get to go to these cool places but at the same time I rarely have any downtime when I'm traveling, and second of all i'm alone so it's pretty boring and lonely. Hmmm... What else. I really love the TV Sheree got me, it's just awesome. The whole living alone thing has been nice, it gets a little lonely sometimes when you work late and then come home to an empty house. Contrary to what you may think, Sheree is rarely there. I mean on the weekends she's pretty much always there but rarely during the week. I think I'm going to get a fish to keep me company. Speaking of pets, Sheree was dog-sitting her brother's boxer after Christmas and he pretty much lived at the condo for a few days. It was nice having a companion, although a somewhat mentally challenged companion for those days. It was funny to see this 80 pound boxer pulling Sheree down the street, people would be terrified as they plowed towards them, the best part is he's completely harmless, just a monster who likes to smell people. I guess that's it on my end.

So lets get a status update from everyone. There should be all kinds of stories considering one of you just got married not too long ago, the other is a soon to be papa, the other has a pretty recent girlfriend, one has a new car with heated seats, and the other is getting married to a really awesome guy (you really are lucky rick ).

BTW Dino, you're right.... (I bet you don't hear that often), my sister is having a baby!!!! She just had to steal the thunder from the wedding this summer. Sarah was pretty much shell shocked, but Christian doesn't really get it just yet. Looks like we'll have to set up play dates between Liz/Eddie and Nancy/Tony. Kingston is a good middle ground.

Have a happy Sunday everyone.

-Jason