Tag: technology

Using my tablet

Enjoying coffee with a view at the Isle of Barra Hotel whilst learning to use my new tablet.

I’m typing this on my new tablet. After much research I decided to go for an Asus tablet that comes with a detachable keyboard so it can be used as a netbook. It had good reviews, particularly about the aspects that were most important to me. The battery lasts for up to 15 hours; it’s light enough to carry around when used without the keyboard (the keyboard makes it heavier, but I wanted a keyboard to use for when weight isn’t an issue); it has wireless internet access; and it has Polaris installed which is similar to Microsoft Office (and apparently compatible, though I haven’t tried it yet). It also has a camera, bluetooth, and can be used with a USB as well as SD cards.

So, how am I finding it? I’m sitting in the stunning lounge of the Isle of Barra Hotel near to where I’ve been camping. I came in looking for a coffee and a place to sit and type. They weren’t open for coffee but said I could sit in the lounge and then offered to make me a coffee anyway. So I’m sat with a silver pot of strong, delicious coffee, on an orange sofa, in front of a large window overlooking the beach and sand dunes. The lounge itself is airy with big red and orange sofas, a budgie in a cage, a piano, interesting wall hangings and pictures, a shelf of games and three shelves of books, and some very comfy looking leather loungers. I’m getting very distracted looking out of the window and looking around the room.

But, I’m here to test my tablet. I took a few photos of the lounge using the camera but have no idea where they’ve gone or how I save them. I found the Polaris version of Word and I’m trying to get used to the tiny keyboard. I’m making a lot of mistakes. I’ve not found out how to copy and paste or how to drag text around yet. I’ve also not found the delete button and so can only use backspace to clear any mistakes. But I’m learning and when I feel competent this will count towards my 2012 twelve goals.

Much later …

Here are the photos I took. The one where I used the zoom is a bit fuzzy, but otherwise I’m quite pleased with them.

Isle of Barra Hotel Isle of Barra Hotel Isle of Barra Hotel Isle of Barra Hotel Isle of Barra Hotel

Too many new toys

Lots of new things to play with, but no time to learn how to use them.

Sometimes everything seems to go wrong at once. One of those times seems to have been dragging on for me for several months now. I’ve had so many things break and need replacing. I’ve also bought several items that have been on my ‘to buy’ list for some time – as I’m on an enforced spending spree now seems as good a time as any to buy them. It is nice to have an excuse to get lots of lovely new things so I’m not complaining too much, but I am getting very frustrated that I don’t have time to play with them properly and really learn how to get the most out of them.

I’m still trying to learn how to use the camera and video camera I bought for my New Year’s trip to Iceland. Now my little snappy camera, which I think is great, has started to play up. Although I have a much better camera, sometimes I want a small one that easily fits into my pocket. The only reasonably priced one I could find was a waterproof one in Tesco. It was half the price of the other small cameras, but the thing that sold it most to me, was that it uses ordinary batteries. Most cameras now use a rechargeable battery, which is fine if you’re always going to be in a place where you can recharge when the need arises. If I’m living in my tent for weeks at a time and taking lots of photos, then this isn’t possible, so I need to be able to carry a stash of ordinary batteries and use those. It might not be environmentally friendly or cost effective, but at least I know I can still use my camera. I don’t think this camera is going to be as good as the one it is replacing, so I may end up looking for yet another one.

My mobile died whilst I was in Devon and I had to buy a new one. I can’t use my old sim card in it so at the moment I don’t have access to any of my numbers. Also I still have credit on the old sim, so I need to find the time to get the new phone unlocked. I’ve always put my sim card in whichever phone I’ve had before and this is the first time I’ve ever had this problem. Other people I’ve spoken to who have bought Tesco phones have had the same problem, so this isn’t really endearing me to Tesco. I don’t like being forced to use a particular company or brand so it puts me off using them.

My microwave, vacuum cleaner and breadmaker have also died on me. I’ve replaced the vacuum cleaner and microwave but still need to find a breadmaker that will fit in the allocated space in my kitchen. Now this morning my toaster started playing up, so that’s probably going to be next to go.

Whilst in Devon I bought myself a Kindle. I’ve been humming and haaing over getting one for a while. I love books and love having walls lined with books. On the whole books are cheaper too, because I can buy them second-hand, or at much reduced prices in the supermarkets. But I do see the advantages to a Kindle, especially when travelling and trying to keep weight down. So I cashed in my Tesco vouchers and bought one. I’ve had a bit of a play around with it, but still need to use it properly to really get the feel for it.

I’ve recently bought a tablet computer as well. The last couple of summers I’ve taken my laptop away with me, but keeping it charged is a problem and it’s heavy so I don’t carry it around with me. The tablet I’ve bought is much smaller and lighter and holds the charge for up to 15 hours. It comes with a detachable keyboard which makes it easier to use, but can be left behind if I want to really save on weight. I’ve checked that it’s working ok, but other than that haven’t had time to really play with it and see what it can do.

Add to all these things my van and my new tent and it really is a case of too many new toys. I don’t know what to play with first and can’t find the time to learn how to use any of them well!