Apparently I didn't read the messages soon enough that state that the iPad is for consumption only not production. I'm sorry if I'm using it incorrectly.
Uses:
Carry it into the mountains on geologic/mineralogic field trips to pinpoint my location, via the GPS, onto USGS topographic maps at a screen size that makes the maps really useful, not like those puny screens on the Garmin and other handheld GPS units.
Write my field notes on it in the field and at camp at the end of the day.
Take notes at any time anywhere on anything (although I don't carry it with me all the time, but often have it, sometimes I carry an iPod Touch for this because its size is more convenient to have with me "all the time").
Look up information and prior notes at any time when information is needed to answer questions, compare prices, follow a repair procedure, etc.
Write sections of books when I don't feel like sitting at my desktop computer. Maybe I'll invest in a bluetooth keyboard for that, the on screen keyboard works well for me, but I'm not as fast with it as with a physical keyboard.
It is a great e-reader for books, pdf files of manuals and technical journals, etc. Fantastic, it is a small library in my hands. Thank you world for finally making more and more journals, books, manuals, etc. available as pdf files.
It is loaded with photos for work, pleasure and family to show to others.
Use it to do some editing and manipulation of photos and other images for publication and for fun.
As soon as I decide which app and spend the money: use my iPad to write, manipulate and use various databases of technical and personal information that I now keep having to go back to the desktop or laptop (which I hardly take with me anymore) to do.
I do most of my reading of forums on it, although at this moment I'm on the desktop.
Do web searches and inquiries.
eMail uses.
Occasionally play games, although I'm not much for games and only have a few cheap and free word and board games.
Occasionally use it as a highway/traveling GPS to find a location or address I'm unfamiliar with, although I don't use a GPS much for that.
The iPad is simply so much easier to carry and use anywhere than my desktop or laptop, and I absolutely love a good touch interface over a mouse. The iPad is nearly the ideal computer.
Contrary to what a few people continue to state, the iPad is a great computer and a great production tool.
LR
