I've got some specific ideas about getting work done on the iPad. I don't have one yet. Who else has thought about the iPad for their work?
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Who's doing real work on the iPad?
- Thread starter darwinian
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For the most part, the iPad is really only a media consumption tool, not a production platform. If you're thinking of doing lots of work with documents and spreadsheets, just keep it on the desktop.
Unless you like the idea of managing your documents on iTunes.
I have thought about it for sure.
Note taking for college. Essay writing too (with physical keyboard for extended use).
Keynote presentations.
Spreadsheets for tracking my work time.
Sketchbook for drawing graphs, etc in class.
Possibilities are endless.
It's not really a device for producing work, if that is your main interest you will be disappointed. If you simply want something to browse net check email and play some games you will be alot happier.
Read some of the threads on the lack of a file system and you will start to understand why producing work on the machine is not really viable for most people.
How is that going so far?
On my current setup, I use Pages in conjunction with Dropbox for notes...I hope the Dropbox team comes up with a functional app for the iPad.
I'm a property manager and I've been getting tons of work done on this thing over the last few days. Numbers is, for the most part, a real treat to work with. Other areas of my job that include browsing, emails, etc. have all been handled beautifully so far. I was not expecting to be able to get this much work done with this little gadget. That said, I was a victim of the iTunes sync destroying all my apps and data. If you're thinking about getting work done on this thing, read that thread first.
I've been doing some serious work. Writing. I'm a lawyer, and the bulk of my work involves producing written briefs. I am a big fan of Pages on the Mac. Pages on the iPad could be better -- they have left out some features that reduce its functionality (footnotes, for example -- not only can you not create them, but those that already exist are deleted when you bring a document in). But it is pretty good in terms of what it does do. On Sunday, a day after getting it, I wrote over 2,500 words on it. I was mostly using an external bluetooth keyboard, but even the on-screen one was fine (especially in landscape mode).
So I think that the iPad is good for certain types of content creation as well as content consumption. Could it be better? Definitely. But that will come with software upgrades, I suspect.
Also, getting docs on and off the iPad isn't that big a deal.
So I think that the iPad is good for certain types of content creation as well as content consumption. Could it be better? Definitely. But that will come with software upgrades, I suspect.
Also, getting docs on and off the iPad isn't that big a deal.
I disagree. I see the iPad as a potential extension of your productive workflow. People need to stop looking at it as a laptop replacement. As of right now the iPad is a piece of blank computing canvas.
It's...not hugely intuitive but I have a feeling it might be the kind of thing that has a steep-ish learning curve, and then with some use I may figure out some cooler things to do with it. The ability to add/sync info from so many places seems like it could be cool (for example, iPhone app where you can add voice memos and photos/locations).
But I don't have much experience with this kind of app, so perhaps not the best judge
it also seems like my free usage quota is running out fast.I had a site meeting on Tuesday where I used my iPad to take down the site minutes (which got quite a positive reaction at the table), then used it summon the building's construction manual that no one else brought to the meeting. Today I wrote a purchase order in Pages (Having imported my Purchase Order template previously) and sent it as a PDF to a trade to have them proceed with the work immediately, rather than wait for me to return to the office.
The note taking app is very handy. I have used it a lot actually over the past few days. I have not yet tried pages, as I don't have a real use for it at the moment.
Yeah I've actually typed about 4 essays in pages the past couple days in school. I've gotten very used to the on screen keyboard, and I'm now typing with relatively good speed. Also, I love the ability to upload to iwork.com and then download where ever I am.
I am attempting it. Dragon dictate for framework. Into word press for review and correction. Posted. I'm not sold on pages as the desktop version was lackluster for anyone who had to send docs to windows machines. In which case i am connecting via rdc to my windows server and using word, which isn't that graceful using winadmin. Not that it would be with any other remote software. I'll know more in a week. 3-4 days is hasty for any substantial review on workability which is why my blog post about the iPad is on hold for a bit longer. I am seriously skeptical, as an IT pro of 18 years brought up with a background in then written word, about most of the reviews we are seeing. Seasoned journalists cannot possibly have had the device long enough to write in depth reviews, yet they try. Instead I'd rather just say, you know what..lemme get back to you. I can say my mbp has been opened twice since I recieved the iPad. And thAt was just to double check some site failures, which also faked on the mbp.
What do you do professionally? Perhaps knowing that we could better answer.
The keyboard definitely requires one to proof what has been typed and while that's a break in workflow for many, it may be a good thing.
What do you do professionally? Perhaps knowing that we could better answer.
The keyboard definitely requires one to proof what has been typed and while that's a break in workflow for many, it may be a good thing.
I've used mine to take notes in a staff meeting via Pages, and setup to do's via Things. I love using it.
I just switched to Things from OmniFocus. OmniFocus is a great app, but much more than I needed, plus I have Things on my MBP, iPhone and iPad. It's a great app. You can see 3 free videos of it on ScreenCastsOnline.
I am trying to integrate it Now by running a project through it. I am waiting for that one application that will synergize the email, todo, note taking, recording and project management.
So far I am only doing simple things on the iPad
So far I am only doing simple things on the iPad
I bought one just to explore this. (Alternative to replacing the aging G4 mini in my lab.)
I'm trying to replace about a dozen paper forms on which we record lab data with Bento (or hopefully soon, FileMaker.) Direct server access would sure work better than the manual "sync" feature that's available now. It's not actually running yet, but this should replace a whole shelf full of notebooks and a desktop computer in the lab. Once I figure out a graceful way to scan and file images of customer's documents, we can finally ditch the paper files and file cabinets completely.
(Yes, we could have done all this with a laptop, but I would have had to buy a new one anyway, since the G4s have slipped beyond the compatibility horizon. I was hoping that the iPad would be handier to use and much cheaper.)
It's been almost two years since I ditched MS Office in favor of iWork. Gotta love those $99 site licenses. Numbers is still "almost but not quite" a serious tool. The "forms" feature on the iPad version is very handy though. Would like to see that on the desktop. It's MUCH easier to create great-looking reports in numbers than in excel. Since these are the product that I sell to my customers, that's important. There was a small learning curve in switching to Pages, but now it seems far superior to Word.
The iPad just Really Really Really Really needs easier access to files on the server, however. All of these kludgy little docking and synchronizing and emailing fixes are a pain.
I'm trying to replace about a dozen paper forms on which we record lab data with Bento (or hopefully soon, FileMaker.) Direct server access would sure work better than the manual "sync" feature that's available now. It's not actually running yet, but this should replace a whole shelf full of notebooks and a desktop computer in the lab. Once I figure out a graceful way to scan and file images of customer's documents, we can finally ditch the paper files and file cabinets completely.
(Yes, we could have done all this with a laptop, but I would have had to buy a new one anyway, since the G4s have slipped beyond the compatibility horizon. I was hoping that the iPad would be handier to use and much cheaper.)
It's been almost two years since I ditched MS Office in favor of iWork. Gotta love those $99 site licenses. Numbers is still "almost but not quite" a serious tool. The "forms" feature on the iPad version is very handy though. Would like to see that on the desktop. It's MUCH easier to create great-looking reports in numbers than in excel. Since these are the product that I sell to my customers, that's important. There was a small learning curve in switching to Pages, but now it seems far superior to Word.
The iPad just Really Really Really Really needs easier access to files on the server, however. All of these kludgy little docking and synchronizing and emailing fixes are a pain.
I love Things. I have it on my iPhone, iPad, and Mac Pro. The price is steep for all 3 ($80), but when I think about all the tasks I am completing now, it's a steal. I always have Things available to me, no matter which device I am using. It's awesome.
The problem is that you cannot work on the file on the iPad and then send it from Pages etc back to iwork. This makes it hard to keep documents in sync