The iPad has a built-in keyboard; amazing, huh? No need for a $150 add-on keyboard or a $900 laptop. You can even record sound whilst taking notes in case you miss anything. You can also draw diagrams in your notes with your finger and ease, something you'd find difficult on a laptop.
If I had to take notes of any significant length on an iPad software keyboard then I'd be cursing Apple to the end of days. Hardware keyboards for any prolonged typing all the way.
I have a [URL=http://www.logitech.com/en-us/tablet-accessories]logitech solar keyboard folio[/URL]. I originally got it because out of all the keyboards I tried, it had the best feel to me. I considered the solar a gimmick - and it turns out it's my favorite feature. As long as I lay the case down with the solar panels up, I never have to worry about the battery being dead or the keyboard not working. That is huge! With the iPad 1 I had a Zagg keyboard I liked, but half the time I went to use it, the batteries were dead because I forgot to plug it in and charge it. I wish more keyboards like this would add solar charging (low light in a room is more than enough to charge it, you don't have to park it in the sun) as it really reduces the hassle factor of one more thing to charge...
As for taking notes in class... Personally I found computers/tablets WAY too distracting for taking notes. There are just way too many things available on the device that are MUCH more exciting than the class. I'm no longer in school now, but when I'm in an important meeting, I often close my laptop and take out a pencil and pad of paper.
Meh - I love Omnioutliner. It makes taking notes very easy. A good BT keyboard with an iPad makes it a very powerful note taking tool. I use it in meetings all the time as I can type much faster than write and I can always read what I type later whereas with my handwriting....
There are pro's and cons, but the small size and low weight make an iPad a perfect digital assistant where the bulk of a laptop (even a MacBook Air) would be more distracting.
…as an ipad is mostly a toy, and not geared for any real work.
Posted 17 hours ago… Sure this wasn’t posted 4 years ago?
As for taking notes in class... Personally I found computers/tablets WAY too distracting for taking notes. There are just way too many things available on the device that are MUCH more exciting than the class.
Then learn how to have willpower. That’s your problem.
How come none of these keyboards has an ESC key? I (very) often use Parallels Access to connect to a Windows VM from which I VPN in to the office where I then SSH in to the various Unix machines I support. ESC is critical for using the vi editor and I have yet to see any of these iPad keyboards that can transmit the ESC key.
Ctrl+C returns to normal mode as well. Once you get accustomed to it, it's way less effort than reaching for ESC.
Ctrl+C returns to normal mode as well. Once you get accustomed to it, it's way less effort than reaching for ESC.
Erm... I've been using vi for over 25 years now. How come I didn't think of that
This won't work when using vi mode on the command-line to edit history ('cause ^C will cancel and bring up an empty shell prompt), but this will be very helpful when editing files. Thank's a bunch. Time for me to turn in my neck beard ;-)
You should try out Server Auditor. I use it for ssh almost every day, and it gives you an on-screen button for esc. Note that a lot of vim users map
Code:
jj
to escape, since you rarely type it for anything else.
Thanks for the suggestion - unfortunately I have this very specific need, however, where I need to remote in to my Parallels session using Parallels Access where I will then run a SSH session. My Parallels VM will be running my VPN session - I can't connect directly with my iPad. I could, I suppose, use the VPN on the iPad itself and SSH but the thing is here that I run Parallels all day long for my work connection and it would be nice to simply remote-control that when I'm out at lunch or downstairs. I know, it's a weird need.
Also, jj is a very commonly-used sequence within vi which is where you use the ESC key to toggle back to command mode from insert mode. In vi the j key is used to advance to the next line, so I'd frequently use multiple repetitions of the j key to move down multiple lines. Yes, modern (i.e. since about 1980) versions of vi and the curses library will generally allow you to use the arrow keys instead, which these keyboards do have, but the terminals I was using in college 25 years ago didn't have arrow keys and I've just become so accustomed to using the jklm keys for moving the cursor around...
Erm... I've been using vi for over 25 years now. How come I didn't think of that
This won't work when using vi mode on the command-line to edit history ('cause ^C will cancel and bring up an empty shell prompt), but this will be very helpful when editing files. Thank's a bunch. Time for me to turn in my neck beard ;-)
That's a voluptuous, sleek neck beard you got here, 25 years in the making, wow . You're welcome, glad I could help. Indeed, didn't think of prompt vi-modes!
Rather than toggling, escape moves you in one direction from insert to command mode. [hjkl] only moves the cursor while in command mode.
Though it will inconvenience you when trying to type the many words with double-j, or perhaps when entering vigesimal numbers, mapping jj to esc won't interfere with document navigation.
That said, while using a lot of moving parts can be fun, it is easy to create vulnerabilities. For instance while it may be a necessity to allow remote ssh access to the server, the tunnel to your workstation is an unnecessary target that would be nice to hide behind a firewall. Furthermore, this method elevates the privileges for an unattended workstation that probably has little physical security, and furthermore it is running a VM that can easily have it's state saved, and since it is running Windows it's worth noting that Putty once had a tendency to leave private keys in memory.
I'm starting to think this is a failed project or even a scam. I ordered one, they took my money, they sent me one email in August and I haven't heard anything since. I see their little updates but I don't see evidence of real product development. Losing confidence in this product.
What evidence of real product development would you expect? What further emails would you expect for a preorder?
Brydge have shipped products in the past, they aren't a scam, and their stated release date in their updates has always been October, and recently was clarified to 24th October. They've also seen high demand that has pushed shipping estimates for new orders to 4-6 weeks, so don't be too surprised to see your order backed up, unless you were one of the very first to preorder.
You should have known/expected this when you preordered, so have a little patience.
I retract my previous perception which I now believe is wrong. I received an email from their support team with a satisfactory update. From other kickstart projects I was accustomed to regular updates and evidence of others receiving product, etc... It seems I somehow was missing all the update emails and information that had been sent to me after I placed my order back in August. Although the shipment is delayed some, I am happy to wait for a more refined product. I expect this product will add to the capabilities of the iPad especially for someone that desires to write more with their iPad.
Comments
You mean the top right - eject!?
He's talking about the home button in the top left corner of this keyboard. Clearly.
There is not one in the mainly-mac apple wireless keyboard, correct.
Although the parallels-windows-VPN-ssh-unix blah guy could probably do with an esc.
The original iPad keyboard dock (the only one released with an iPad-specific keyset) had a home button instead of esc also.
The iPad has a built-in keyboard; amazing, huh? No need for a $150 add-on keyboard or a $900 laptop. You can even record sound whilst taking notes in case you miss anything. You can also draw diagrams in your notes with your finger and ease, something you'd find difficult on a laptop.
If I had to take notes of any significant length on an iPad software keyboard then I'd be cursing Apple to the end of days. Hardware keyboards for any prolonged typing all the way.
Meh - I love Omnioutliner. It makes taking notes very easy. A good BT keyboard with an iPad makes it a very powerful note taking tool. I use it in meetings all the time as I can type much faster than write and I can always read what I type later whereas with my handwriting....
There are pro's and cons, but the small size and low weight make an iPad a perfect digital assistant where the bulk of a laptop (even a MacBook Air) would be more distracting.
...as an ipad is mostly a toy, and not geared for any real work...
Phil
Hey thanks! Haven't heard the "iPad is mostly a toy" troll for a while, needed the laugh!
Posted 17 hours ago… Sure this wasn’t posted 4 years ago?
As for taking notes in class... Personally I found computers/tablets WAY too distracting for taking notes. There are just way too many things available on the device that are MUCH more exciting than the class.
Then learn how to have willpower. That’s your problem.
How come none of these keyboards has an ESC key? I (very) often use Parallels Access to connect to a Windows VM from which I VPN in to the office where I then SSH in to the various Unix machines I support. ESC is critical for using the vi editor and I have yet to see any of these iPad keyboards that can transmit the ESC key.
Ctrl+C returns to normal mode as well. Once you get accustomed to it, it's way less effort than reaching for ESC.
Ctrl+C returns to normal mode as well. Once you get accustomed to it, it's way less effort than reaching for ESC.
Erm... I've been using vi for over 25 years now. How come I didn't think of that
This won't work when using vi mode on the command-line to edit history ('cause ^C will cancel and bring up an empty shell prompt), but this will be very helpful when editing files. Thank's a bunch. Time for me to turn in my neck beard ;-)
You should try out Server Auditor. I use it for ssh almost every day, and it gives you an on-screen button for esc. Note that a lot of vim users map
to escape, since you rarely type it for anything else.
Thanks for the suggestion - unfortunately I have this very specific need, however, where I need to remote in to my Parallels session using Parallels Access where I will then run a SSH session. My Parallels VM will be running my VPN session - I can't connect directly with my iPad. I could, I suppose, use the VPN on the iPad itself and SSH but the thing is here that I run Parallels all day long for my work connection and it would be nice to simply remote-control that when I'm out at lunch or downstairs. I know, it's a weird need.
Also, jj is a very commonly-used sequence within vi which is where you use the ESC key to toggle back to command mode from insert mode. In vi the j key is used to advance to the next line, so I'd frequently use multiple repetitions of the j key to move down multiple lines. Yes, modern (i.e. since about 1980) versions of vi and the curses library will generally allow you to use the arrow keys instead, which these keyboards do have, but the terminals I was using in college 25 years ago didn't have arrow keys and I've just become so accustomed to using the jklm keys for moving the cursor around...
Erm... I've been using vi for over 25 years now. How come I didn't think of that
This won't work when using vi mode on the command-line to edit history ('cause ^C will cancel and bring up an empty shell prompt), but this will be very helpful when editing files. Thank's a bunch. Time for me to turn in my neck beard ;-)
That's a voluptuous, sleek neck beard you got here, 25 years in the making, wow
. You're welcome, glad I could help. Indeed, didn't think of prompt vi-modes!
Though it will inconvenience you when trying to type the many words with double-j, or perhaps when entering vigesimal numbers, mapping jj to esc won't interfere with document navigation.
That said, while using a lot of moving parts can be fun, it is easy to create vulnerabilities. For instance while it may be a necessity to allow remote ssh access to the server, the tunnel to your workstation is an unnecessary target that would be nice to hide behind a firewall. Furthermore, this method elevates the privileges for an unattended workstation that probably has little physical security, and furthermore it is running a VM that can easily have it's state saved, and since it is running Windows it's worth noting that Putty once had a tendency to leave private keys in memory.
I'm starting to think this is a failed project or even a scam. I ordered one, they took my money, they sent me one email in August and I haven't heard anything since. I see their little updates but I don't see evidence of real product development. Losing confidence in this product.
What evidence of real product development would you expect? What further emails would you expect for a preorder?
Brydge have shipped products in the past, they aren't a scam, and their stated release date in their updates has always been October, and recently was clarified to 24th October. They've also seen high demand that has pushed shipping estimates for new orders to 4-6 weeks, so don't be too surprised to see your order backed up, unless you were one of the very first to preorder.
You should have known/expected this when you preordered, so have a little patience.
I retract my previous perception which I now believe is wrong. I received an email from their support team with a satisfactory update. From other kickstart projects I was accustomed to regular updates and evidence of others receiving product, etc... It seems I somehow was missing all the update emails and information that had been sent to me after I placed my order back in August. Although the shipment is delayed some, I am happy to wait for a more refined product. I expect this product will add to the capabilities of the iPad especially for someone that desires to write more with their iPad.