This started happening around Thursday. The touch screen do not response anymore. Hardware button works. Rotational sensor works. A hard reset (home+power for 10 seconds) sometimes work. Being a tech person, I systematically deleted apps that I installed to that date, but that was not the problem.
I wonder if it is related to network -- i.e. if it is access the wireless network (checking mail, push notification etc) and gets locked up.
Any one else starting to having this problem?
[flickr size=small float=right]http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkshiu/5672596240/[/flickr]I bought a new bluetooth wireless keyboard for my MacBook Pro to reduce clutter at my home office. Immediately I run into a few "problems" that can easily be solved.
The top of the bluetooth keyboard has all the special keys to control volumne, play/pause etc. I was so disapponted that they do not work! They invoke the normal function key functions instead, running spaces etc. Then I remembered. I most likely have to install the latest keyboard driver. Click on the Apple menu, software update, downloaded the new driver, and all is well. This happened when I added the magic mouse as well. So, remember to run software update after adding new hardware.
[flickr size=small float=right]http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkshiu/5672036643/[/flickr]
This is for the hardcore programming using emacs. We live by the control key. Almost all modern keyboard move the control key to somewhere horrible. Well, OS X (bless Apple) actually have a system wide setting that let you change the pretty much useless Caps Lock key into Control .Just go to System Preferences, Keyboard, Keyboard Tab, modifier keys and change the mapping for the "Caps Lock" key to "Control". Your hands will thank you.
I decided on Dan Bricklin's Note Taker HD as my note taking app. It is an amazing app with a lot of features, including:
It is by, I would say a software artist, Mr. Dan Bricklin of VisiCalc fame. What's not to like? However, I was having a tough time writing on it with my finger. I was at Office Depot and I decided to pick up the only type of stylus they have, the Targus stylus. This is the rubber tip type, not the foam tip type. I actually like this better, and now I can really make hand writing notes on the iPad.
I used the iPad in a meeting today. We usually bring up documents and websites on the projector to review. Since I have the iPad with me, I decided to give the iPad try. I click open an email containing a powerpoint, click on the powerpoint, and it shows up immediately. My co-working came over and sat next to me. We look at the iPad screen on the table and work through the powerpoint presentation. We also needed to check a few competitor's website. Quick launch Safari, type in the site, and we are off. Observation: The iPad invites collaboration. We sit side by side instead of across a conference room table. This calls for a friendlier and more informal meeting. It is almost like back-to-paper. We can point and click on the iPad screen together, instead of passing the mouse back and forth with the traditional laptop and projector setup.
The iPad is a good meeting facilitator, for a two person meeting.
Sunday is DIY day. I attached a magnet to the Incase cover to make my own smart cover. I am a big fan of Instructables. So I wrote up the instructions there. Go check it out! The video is a part of the instruction:
http://www.vimeo.com/22200902
There are too many apps for NPR and PBS, for iPhone and iPad. I spend half an hour cleaning up all the apps. There are two pair of apps that are useful:
The NPR (radio) apps both let you do live streaming or catch up on old shows. The Video program has selected content for viewing, but obviously no life streaming. These apps are confusing because they use the same icon for both iPhone and iPad, but the apps are different. On first sync I have both versions on the iPad and I need to launch them to figure out what is what.
There are other apps out there, the Public Radio Tuner will stream radio, and WBUR has their own apps. But I am not sure if they are necessary if you have the official apps.
Lots of iPads at BarCampBoston, just not mine! I wanted to test it out as a note taking device. But I also have to give a talk about teaching 6 years old to program, and Scratch does not work on the iPad. So I had to bring my Macbook Pro instead. People were using the iPad, first and second generations, as note taking devices. At least one speaker was using it as notes for his talk, but at least in sessions that I attended, no one is using video out from it to give a presentation directly. I certainly think that is very doable. In fact I am looking forward to trying it out in small meetings myself.
So I had a fun and productive day learning things from solution marketing, to accelerometer driven music performances, to BBQ. (BBQ is not grilling, just FYI). But not much iPad time today for me.
Yesterday I realized that I do not have a way to carry the iPad home! I ended up finding a part of my backpack that is padded enough for me to carefully put the iPad in. So today's main task is to find something to protect the iPad. In the meantime, I "made" my own iPad case: (yes it is just a towel).
I don't like covering up the iPad with too much "stuff" I believe apple design their devices beautifully and they are meant to be touched and held as is. However this is a touch based device, and I know it is going to be hard to protect the screen. So I broken down and bought a protective skin from Best Skin Ever. Their prices are much lower than ZAGG's. I think that's because theirs do not come with a spray bottle, and "tools" for application. You will have to get your own water sprayer and a credit card to apply the skin. I am going to use a used iTunes gift card as the squeegee tool.
That will protect the iPad while it is in use, but how do I carry it in my bag? I went to the Apple store thinking they will have third party cases, but they do not. They claimed that they are not available yet. But I think they just want to push their smart cover. I went to Best Buy and they have several cases available. I ended up buying the "way over priced" incase convertible magazine cover. I like it because
I would prefer a leather case but the few they have are really cheap feeling.
My iPad finally arrived. I think the FedEx guy knows it is an iPad. Even him sounded happy. First thoughts: Problem that I didn't think I will have -- OMG! How am I going to organize all the apps? It took 20 minutes for the first sync. It brought over ALL my apps. I am still going through cycles of removing apps that are not suitable for the iPad, while are useful for the iPhone. Then reorganizing where apps should go.
Do you notice the little virtual marks on the F and J keys on the virtual keyboard? It will have something to do with their new haptic patents?
Typing on the virtual keyboard is harder than I thought. It is too narrow, and I have small hands. Yes I am typing this on the iPad.
I went to the apple store trying to buy a protective case but they do not have any third party cases in store yet. "we only have the smart cover" conspiracy to get you to buy their cover? You decide.
Final gotcha of the day - the iPad cannot be charged by the USB port on my powered USB hub. I have to separately plug in the included 10watt charger to charge it.
Should you upgrade to Django 1.3? Upgrade any web framework in your application in general? Try this decision chart here http://www.djangopro.com/2011/03/should-i-upgrade-to-django-1-3/:
I did not buy the version 1 iPad because an iPad without a front facing camera just does not seem right. At iPad 2 launch day, I was going to go stand in line (as I did for my iPhone 3GS) for one, as my office is about a mile away from the Boston Apple Store. However real work got in the way.
I did not anticipate the demand for this thing. I guess a lot of people were like me, skipping the iPad 1 and waited for the iPad 2. I did place an order order days after, which is of course too late.
Python to the rescue! Someone posted the links to check for stock on the Target mobile site. I threw together a quick python script, using BeautifulSoup (Don't you love BeautifulSoup ?) to scrape the site. Saturday night, I found a 32G black iPad 2 available in a Target close by ! I drove over almost first thing Sunday morning, only to find that the two that they had in stock was already purchased by someone who got there, waited for the store to open, at 8am.
Lesson here? Programming is easy. Actually getting up in the morning and driving over to wait in line is, well, a bit overkill. I think I will just wait for the online shipment.
Meanwhile, you can try out the python program here. Rename to .py for running.
I have been using Macs for three years now. Yet I did not know you can install additional plugins for QuickLook so that you can quickly view different types of file in the finder just by pressing the spacebar ! I work with CSV files a lot and it has always been a pain having to open them in numbers or openoffice to view them. Now come (free) CSV quicklook plugins.
You can find a lot of different plugins at this site . This CSV plugin is the one that I installed.
qlmanage -rThat is it!
Consumer marketing at it's best? I did not even know there is such a program. They just sent this to me in the mail. Yes it is pure marketing, but shouldn't I be "proud" that I am a Starbucks member since 2003?
With the new iOS4.3 firmware, HomeSharing finally work nicely across all device. This is particularly important if you have an second generation AppleTV in your home network. Will all the new sharing feature you can do two really cool things:
How to enable HomeSharing on your phone? There are actually TWO different settings. Go to "Settings / iPod" and enter your Apple ID for sharing. Then you can stream music from any iTunes library on your home network to the iPhone/iPad.
Secondly you can also enable Home Sharing on the Remote app. (you did download that didn't you?) Enter your Apple ID there, then it will automatically find any iTunes library on your network without you having to manually link the remote app to the library.
Tip: The remote app now also can control the AppleTV user interface!
Oatmeal is great. If you have never saw his comics, you are missing out. Today's comic on "what I want from a restaurant" is another classic. All web designers should show this to their clients. It argues clearly for "functional website". Visually pretty website is nice, but do not trade it for function.
Reserve the Oatmeal book
You can watchMatthew Inman talks about his comic in this Ignite presentation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYyJZOHgpco
Yes. (just less than) four hours. I ordered a Klean Kanteen insulated bottle on Amazon.com at 11:20 am Monday morning. I selected one day shipping because I have Amazon Prime. So for $3.99 I get the bottle tomorrow, I thought. At 3pm, which is 3 hours and 40 minutes later, my door bell rings and it is the delivery guy from their delivery service. Bottle delivered. Less than four hours. How is this possible? It is a combination of inventory management system, and they must have a fulfillment center right here in Massachusetts. But even then, someone has to pick up the bottle, boxed it, call the courier service, pick up the box, and delivery down to my loft, all within four hours.
Amazing, Amazon.
Posted my tutorial on using Django south, the database migration tool, over at DjangoPro. Check it out!
Christmas and last week of the year is traditionally clean-up and catch-up time for me. One project that I have been putting of again and again is to redesign my personal website. Here we are -- I spent the last two days learning blueprint, the grid based CSS framework, throw in a bit of CSS coding, and redesigned my personal site.
I am also going to split up my larger "brands" into separate sites. I find that visitors to this site sometimes get lost in big mashup of information here. I am going to use the personal site for more personal and general writing. The Django, parenting, and CTO related materials will be moved off to other sites.
Love this new look?
Ian Ayres, author of "Carrots and Sticks: Unlock the Power of Incentives to Get Things Done" gave an informative and entertaining talk at the Boston Quantified Self meetup this week. We captured all of in on Video. It's rather long so I broke it into four parts. Enjoy: Part 1
quantified self carrot and stickk part 1 from PK Shiu on Vimeo.
Part 2
quantified self carrot and stickk part 2 from PK Shiu on Vimeo.
Part 3
Quantified Self Carrot and Stickk Part 3 from PK Shiu on Vimeo.
Part 4
quantified self carrot and stickk part 4 from PK Shiu on Vimeo.
And the Book:
[AMAZONPRODUCT=0553807633]
Paul Bissex, author of "Python Web Development with Django", described how he use Django to replace two legacy desktop applications at hallmark.edu at the Boston Django meetup this month. Because of Django's ease of use and robustness, not only he replaced and deploy those apps easily, the apps has been running error free for a very long time!
Paul Bissex Presenting at the Boston Django Meetup 2010 from PK Shiu on Vimeo.