I didn’t buy an iPad when they first came out. I am usually an early adopter of technology, but I found it disturbing that Steve Jobs wouldn’t support Flash on the iPad. Jobs’ assertion that Adobe Flash was not supported on the iPad was almost a deal-breaker. He said it was because Flash video is not efficient and would use up CPU time and consume battery life faster. Incredibly, the iPad power lasts about 11 hours and 28 minutes. That seems pretty efficient to me. Steve Jobs proclamation seems like a bullying tactic to drive people to buy and download media from the iTunes and iBooks store, rather that use Flash media on the iPad. Why not let the market decide? Because the media business is bigger than the hardware business. Apple wants to sell us razor blades, and the razors too (figuratively speaking).
The iPad is not a laptop, but you can fill it up with media from your Mac or PC. The iPad is more convenient for consuming media like books, music, video, photos, web browsing and e-mail . Manipulating media directly by touching the screen interface is a satisfying user experience. While it has compromises and drawbacks, an iPad that has been synchronized with your main computer can replace a laptop for most data communications on a short trip or in another room.
So far, so good. I got the 64 GB iPad version, Xentris Wireless clear snap on cover, and Belkin case. I chose the WiFi model, rather than the 3G version, partly because I have been more depressed, than impressed by AT&T’s network. I have used it with all the various models of the iPhone, including the 3G version. Also, because I am looking at Sprint’s 4G network, which is reported to be a hundred times faster than 3G speeds.
I like that all the iPhone applications synced over to the iPad, and that there is a 2X button that fills the screen from the smaller format. I am writing this article on the included Notes application, on the virtual pop-up keyboard. It is quite usable, but is more suited for a hunt-and-peck style, rather than two handed typing. Working with my Notes worked better after syncing with the MacBook Pro, allowing editing with a real keyboard. External Blu-tooth products are available though, like the Apple Blu-tooth keyboard.
The USB cable will not charge the iPad. The included power adapter is required for the higher wattage requirements. The USB cable is only used for syncing with iTunes on your main computer.
The Safari browser on the iPad works with some of the websites that I work with, but does not display or play movies that are encapsulated with a Flash player. Some password screens are not supported, and I have had other quirky experiences that make me shift back to my MacBook Pro when I have to do real work to do. Apple has separated the movie function from the iPod application, and provided a separate Videos application. Custom iPad applications for Netflix and ABC Player to view the videos I like to watch helped win me over. Also, WordPress, PayPal, Facebook, Google Earth, Mobile Files, SplashID, Speed Test and other apps allow a quick update while on the iPad without having to go back to the Mac. There are also several photo editing apps and games from the iPhone that work fine on the iPad.
Overall, I am happy with my iPad purchase, and would recommend it for others.
Firefighters, Architects & Engineers Expose 9/11 – May 7, 7:30 pm at the Marin Civic Center, San Rafael, CA and May 8, 7:30 pm at the Bal Theatre, San Leandro, CA. Over 100 firefighters and 1,000 architects and engineers are calling for a new investigation of 9/11.
The Earth Peoples Council Fire featured Mayan Elders speaking at a Fire Circle Ceremony at the Marin Headlands, CA on April 25, 2010. – Earth Peoples United
April 16, 2010: NYC, Boston, London and San Jose, California.
The Climate Summit event was broadcast from the studios of Cisco, in San Jose, California Friday April 16 (9am – 12pm PST). Stuart Scott called The Climate Summit event via Telepresence connections to come together. Michael Bailey was the moderator of the show. Cisco supported The Climate Summit event with technology, their studio and staff. Here is the video of the event, which I edited.
The V. Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche along with his monks, nuns and lay students performed Monlam puja at the Boudha stupa on 16th April, 2010 at 5:30pm. The puja is dedicated to all those people who were killed in Qinghai earthquake on April 14, 2010. Many of Thrangu Rinpoche’s monks were killed.
Official reports now indicate that over 1500 people have died in the disaster the figure may grow higher as more collasped buildings are excavated. Over 12,000 – are injured. The freezing temperatures and high altitude have hampered search and rescue teams. Many hundreds of monks who arrived in the worst-affected areas from all over the region have been helping to dig out survivors by hand and cremate the dead. Monks, and rescue workers are also helping people by handing out food, money and clothes. Many people are still missing.
The Thrangu Tashi Choling monastery has been destroyed: the main temple managed to withstand the earthquake although the damage is extensive and it will have to be rebuilt. Survivors are in urgent need of assistance and Thrangu Rinpoche’s Lamas from centers all over the world are traveling to the area to help.
“May I become at all times, both now and forever
A protector for those without protection
A guide for those who have lost their way
A ship for those with oceans to cross
A bridge for those with rivers to cross
A sanctuary for those in danger
A lamp for those without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need.”
~ Prayer of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Jeanne Krafft recently spent several weeks in Haiti, where she assisted in opening a Maternal/Child and Neonatal Unit at St. Damien Hospital outside Port Au Prince. She shared the highlights of her trip with a presentation at Sunrise Center, on March 19. Her event featured two wonderful Haitian musicians, Sophis and Will.
The Hospital is run Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (Our Little Brothers and Sisters), which has orphanages, schools and medical centers in nine different Latin American and Caribbean countries. Jeanne Krafft has worked as a Registered Nurse for the past thirty years, and currently works in Marin County. She serves on the board of Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos.
Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth held a Press Conference at Marine’s Memorial Hotel in San Francisco, to announce that over 1,000 Architects and Engineers now support the evidence regarding the explosive demolition of the Twin Towers and Building 7, in 2001. This Press Conference, which I broadcast to the internet is available for view here.
I enjoyed the Tibetan New Year while at the Conscious Life Expo in Los Angeles. It was also a convergence of holidays, with the celebration of Valentine’s Day, followed by President’s Day. Whew!
The Conscious Life Expo was fun for me. I was going there for the 2012: Ascension Guide panel and booth. While there, I saw an old friend, Debra Giusti, who asked me if I could fill in for Sean Ahearn, who was supposed to be there producing the Dance of the Tiger, but he was too sick to travel. So, I got to step in and produce the Dance of the Tiger, featuring Damian on Tibetan Bowls, Constance Demby with her Space Bass, Caroline Casey with her cosmic perspective, and DJ Alex Theory spinning tunes.
Everyone connected with the show was great. It was enjoyable to hear more from Caroline Casey and many other conscious people there. The topics ranged from health and raw foods, to 2012, to extra-terrestrials and more.
Coming into the new year sometimes means letting go of the old, to allow room for letting in the new. Let’s hope we are letting go of the old collapsing systems, and attracting and creating a new kind of abundance and prosperity. This new year also brings us into a new decade, which includes the ending of the current epoch (Gregorian date December 21, 2012, which is the end of Mayan Calendar).
