How I Write

How I Write
Uploaded by Andrew Raimist.

Here is a comment I made on a post on the Inside Higher Ed website:

I have been using an iPad for writing since purchasing it in June 2010. It works seamlessly with my Bluetooth Apple keyboard. Without this additional device, I would say the iPad is a terrible device for writing. With it, I'm finding it to be exceptional especially for quickly writing notes and comments in moments in time when it would be too cumbersome or obtrusive to open up a laptop.

I write quite a lot: a book in progress, blog posts, emails and other communications, etc. I don't use the iPad for image creation in general, except for quick "sketches" using a free app like Doodle Buddy.

My photography and videography generally works best through my laptop or desktop computer. I can then upload images to the web, to online file sharing sites (Dropbox, Evernote, etc.). (By the way, at this point, I still have not paid for a single app on my iPad or iPod Touch.)

I rarely take my laptop with me anymore unless I have to do hardcore serious work involving multiple applications such as Photoshop or if necessary for collaboration in real time and real space with someone with whom I'm working.

I'm getting more writing accomplished using the iPad per week than I was ever able to produce previously when I would jot down notes on paper or make notations on my iPod Touch.

The limitations of the iPad are real, lack of Flash support being the most obvious. Printing will soon be a real possibility. Right now I'd say it's pre-beta. Until the printer companies update their drivers, there are few printers that can take advantage of Apple's AirPrint. However, the ingenuity of app developers is astounding and I regularly find new apps that make my life easier.

Using my iPad is a joy and a boon to my work. Personally, I don't use it for purely consuming media beyond reading and viewing tutorials. I can't see watching a movie on it unless I were stuck in a snow-bound airport.

Photograph copyright © Andrew Raimist 2010.