People who DO have a use for the iPad

So, I want to follow up on the post from yesterday.

Here something I have been thinking about for a bit, who would use the iPad? What use is it beyond just a toy?

There are several things I know I will use it for (when I actually get one) so I thought of some people who might find some use for it. Obviously there are much more than this, but here’s a few:

Real estate agents (and small business owners):

I’m going to start with what I know, and that is selling real estate (though I hope this crosses over to other small businesses and entrepreneurs). What is really different about this device is that it makes the computer more social. I can look something up and easily show it to someone else. The iPad looks hard to use sitting down, but it can’t be any harder than trying to use a laptop standing up.

For real estate you can have your complete database in front of you when you need it. You can look up a listing and show it to the person you’re talking with. You can search listings on the spot or pull up necessary contracts and documents. If you’re showing a house, you have more information at your finger tips. If you’re holding an open house, you can provide a digital slideshow, electronic sign-in sheet, and more information to answer off-the-wall questions (like what is the tax assessment?).

For listing presentations, you can use it for a slideshow or add video to get a point across. If you already use a laptop for this, the iPad will make it much more personal and easy show to the sellers you are talking with.

Other business owners can maintain inventory and accounting software from the iPad. Also use it to check-out customers and gather information. I’m sure positions with a lot of papers such as lawyers could use it to keep organized and then create a file to send to the client afterward.

Musicians:

Live musicians should seriously consider the iPad. There is already a device that displays PDF versions of sheet music for live musicians. This would do that and so much more. Although this other device has a foot pedal to change the page, turning the page on the iPad still wouldn’t be difficult, and probably easier than an actual piece of paper. But band leaders could email needed music before the gig and musicians have everything they need on the day of. Churches especially could use this.

Students:

This is sort of a no brainer. As a Literature major myself, I could have saved hundreds of dollars on free books from Google books. And regardless of cost, carrying a text book in a bag and downloading it to a tablet make a world of difference when classes are spread about around campus. This would make commuting to school much easier. And this is without the teacher actively implementing it into the classroom.

I also took a couple film classes, and with a Netflix account- this could’ve saved me a lot “fudging” when I had to right that paper on a movie I couldn’t find at any movie rental store.

Homemakers:

This is an interesting category and I thought of it to crate something of a challenge. If you spend most of your time raising a family, doesn’t mean this isn’t for you. being able to manage and edit calendars is pretty important, especially if you can instantly update others’ phones, PDAs, and Google cal accounts. Finding information could be pretty important, like when cooking. Or you could maintain a digital cookbooks.

At the grocery store you can maintain a list and organize it to create a route through various isles. And use it to find the best price or sales in town.

Also of course, reading newspapers, listening to internet radio and podcasts, listening to music, controlling media centers, getting directions and reading books. I’m sure there isn’t anybody who enjoys any of that :-)

Really the I think we’ve yet to see the full impact of how this device can be used. I’m not saying its for everybody. But as the user base develops, it will become more and more functional to more people.

April 21st, 2010 - Posted in Great ideas, Techonology | | 1 Comments

Thoughts on the iPad

I love Apple products. They just work. Now I’m not some crazed out Apple fan that has to own every single device they make. I’m more about the ease of use of their hardware and how the software and apps all seem to work together so well.

I’ve been thinking about the iPad. No, I don’t have one. But I’ll get one… eventually. I finally got to play with one last week and I have to say its amazing. There really isn’t any limits to what you can do with it, which is the difference between the iPad and the iPod touch.

The iPod touch/iPhone did a lot more than we could use it for. This is the most under emphasized point when someone claims “It’s just a big iPod touch!”. Yes, that is true- but the iPod touch is amazing. There is so much you can do with it that most people choose not to. Mainly because of its size. You could download “War and Peace” for free and read the entire book on your iPod. Its unlikely that anyone has though.

The iPod touch does more than we humans can use it for. This is what makes the iPad amazing. And I don’t think we’ll see its full potential for another year or so. There will be people finding new uses for it everyday. Just like the iPhone didn’t reach its full potential until much after its launch. Here’s why I think the iPad is a game changer:

1. 99% of all the computing we do is while sitting down. Of course we don’t know how to use an iPad, we’ve never thought about what we would do using a computer (and internet) while standing up.

2. Its the future. I was joking with a friend when they pulled out “iPad” like devices in the movie Avatar. Sci-fi movies are constantly telling us thin, portable, touch screen, color, and extremely responsive devices are the future.

I’m fine if you don’t have one, or want one. I’ll just warn you though, actively hating it will become more and more of an uphill battle- and one day you might look foolish, or be stuck with a less-than-ideal device to keep your pride.

Like those who hate the iPhone (because the Droid/HTC/Nexus etc. is so much better). Well, I have news for you. If it weren’t for the iPhone, there would be no Droid/HTC/Nexus. I wholly expect the knock-offs to come. But fact is, a product developed in secret for years is going to be better than one rushed to market in order to compete. And the difference will be in the details. How fast the screen reacts to your finger vs. a flash.

Apple just does not release crappy products. (They definitely fail sometimes, a la MacBook Air and Apple TV, but they still worked, just didn’t sell). I believe that if Steve Jobs can’t do it right he won’t do it at all, which is why they lack extra features.

Same reason why Five Guys doesn’t sell milkshakes: http://www.inc.com/magazine/20100401/jerry-murrell-five-guys-burgers-and-fries.html

Telling me your whizbang iPhone knockoff is better because it slices and dices and fixes you coffee in the morning is about as impressive as telling me why Burger King is superior than Five Guys because they sell “funnel cake sticks” and “chicken fries”.

April 20th, 2010 - Posted in Great ideas, Techonology | | 0 Comments

College in a paragraph

I have always loved David Crowder’s music. Its intense, personal, hip, and intellectual. I don’t know where he stands on theological issues, as most worship leaders and musicians don’t usually really promote that publicly, I know I like his music. I have the feeling that he might be Calvinist. Although there are many great men and women of God who are Calvinist, I just think the theory is fundamentally flawed and unBiblical.

I also don’t like the hold Calvinists have on the term “Doctrine”. Whenever I hear someone say its “good doctrine” or lacks “sound doctrine” they are usually referring to Calvinism. That is simply not the definition of doctrine. And it is merely an opinion. But I digress, this isn’t the post about Calvinism. For all I know David Crowder has never touched the stuff.


What this is is is a post on college. I wasn’t particularly thinking about college last weekend when I picked up David Crowder’s book, Praise Habit, but it hit me. What I read in that one paragraph in the introduction to that book pretty much summed up all my feelings about faith and college. I re-typed it here:


“College is hard enough without something detonating in the middle of it. It is a pivotal moment. Your values encounter other values in classrooms and textbooks. Your faith is on trial inside libraries and laboratories. In my philosophy classes we read Plato and Aristotle. Aristotle was not a Christian, but he sure sounded like one. This bugged me. Or was it that my Christianity sounded a lot like Aristotle? This possibility was even more troubling. And in literature, thanks to Derrida, deconstuction theory was preventing us from driving any intended meaning from a text, because apparently language itself was now unstable and arbitrary. In my theology classes we studied how the Scriptures had been assembled, and I was concerned that I had not been informed of this arbitral process earlier in my formation of faith. Had it been hidden from me? Why had I always been given such neat answers for messy questions? Or was this the proper time for the hearing of such things? Perhaps by your junior year of college, after you have been a Christian for fourteen years, you are properly equipped to sort out things like this?”
David Crowder, Praise Habit

So well said.

When I saw he read Derrida that was enough, I realized Crowder felt it, I wasn’t the only one. Half the time I try to tell someone about what it is like being a Christian in college and I would have to start with a whole mini-lecture on post-structurelist literature.

I just really liked stories. I thought they were a beautiful and wonderful way to glorify God. However, that was just not on the syllabus when I got to college.

I wish there was a place where incredible amounts of education took place for the sole purpose of glorifying God. Maybe a Christian school or Christian college? For me it was Mr. Witwer’s Earth science class and Mr. Favino’s English class. If you have experienced any, I’m all ears!

April 16th, 2010 - Posted in Culture of contribution, Spirituality | | 6 Comments

Refreshing view on photography, in a great little documentary

I’m fascinated by this photographer’s view on life. It seems that by making photography more accessible to the masses, its actually strips it down to the raw emotion. I.E. instead of worry about the quality and size of the picture, you can concern yourself with what is happening at that moment in time- which will never happen again, and preserve it.



Personally, I’ve been turned off by most photographers (and a lot of fine artists). Through conversations, I’ve heard people try to make it more than it really is, really focus on the fine art side of photography- but there is so much more to it. And now, whether they like it or not, digital photography is part of our everyday lives, and those who embrace it will be the ones who can enjoy it.



Here is a perspective of a photographer who finds joy in the simple things. And it seems because of this joy, he can feel free to share his passion with everyone and anyone looking for it. Photography isn’t limited to those who know how to develop film, or went to art school, or even those who know how to use an Adobe program (I can safely say I am none of these). He has also taking out the final barrier- limiting photography to people who have a camera.






January 11th, 2010 - Posted in Culture of contribution, Living better | | 0 Comments

More efficient travel

Here’s a helpful video to consider when traveling. No, I’m not a frequent traveler, but I’d like to think that I might be someday, and when I do- I’ll want to pack light.

Original Post

I also went to check out the aLOKSAK described in the video. I’ve been looking for a waterproof solution for my iPhone. I’m quite glad this solution is $12 for a pack of four at EMS (unlike anything else for the iPhone).

I also need to pick up some of the soap mentioned.

November 13th, 2009 - Posted in Living better | | 2 Comments

Article on “New Luxury”

As much as I’ve been ripped off in fees by American Express, I can’t help but to stop by their openforum.com site developed for small businesses. Of course, it does feature Seth Godin, my favorite presenter, with some great information. So while I advise against building your business with credit cards, I do condone getting some great advice.

Check out this article on New Luxury trends

Here are links to the companies mentioned in the article, plus one of my favorite brands, Saddleback leather- who fits perfectly with the trend of this “New luxury”
http://www.saddlebackleather.com/
http://www.woodentoy.com/
http://www.welovejam.com/

November 5th, 2009 - Posted in Business building, Culture of contribution | | 0 Comments

Real estate investing

When I read I go in spurts. I have a tendency to read several books at a time, back-to-back, especially if they’re good (or at least half-well written)

I think in the last two weeks I’ve torn through “The Answer” (again), “Made to Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath, “Cashflow Quadrants” by Robert Kiyosaki, “The Four Hour Work Week” by Tim Feriss, and “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor” by Gary Keller and Dave Jenks.

As you can see, they’re primarily business oriented books, which sort of a passion of mine. Business, especially marketing and investing will peak my interest and make a read worthwhile (even if it is on the boring side).

The most important thing is that it has reignited my interest in real estate investing. Though I thoroughly enjoy working with people to find their next home… its the investing side that got me really interested in real estate.

I’m looking forward to working with investors more in the future.

July 16th, 2009 - Posted in Real Estate | | 3 Comments

Be a “needed” church

I was thinking about the issue of “newness” in America.  It seems that Americans (from the USA to be clear) have an obsession with “new.”  I don’t know exactly why that is or if its a good thing or a bad thing, but its been observed.  Of course we also have an obsession with “old” too, especially when it comes to traditions.  So I guess we as a culture put value in how new something is, or how old it is.

*great post Sean, you’ve not only stated the obvious, but you made it confusing, move on*

SOO, the point of this, which is where I was going is that this seems especially relevant when it comes to the christian church.  People seem to jump on board with anything because its new, pour out tons of time and money, and then jump ship if it doesn’t work out.  (shotgun church planting).  And the question has been brought up “Do we really need more new chruches?”

I see the thought behind that.  Terms like “evangelism” and “witnessing” collide with terms like “saturation” and “hype” which I have no problem with, but before we get to an answer, we need to understand the question.

“Do we need more churches?”- ABSOLUTELY YES

“Do we need more church buildings?” ABSOULUTELY NO

Can we have a church without a building?  of course!  and it can meet anywhere and include anyone.  This isn’t webchurch or internetchurch, this is just breaking down paradigms we’ve assumed  over the last 30 years (not that long).  The House Church Movement is bringing ideas from persecuted contries like China to America to develop a little bit of thier fire here.  Esentially they put the Holy Spirit in the center of ‘church’ instead of the pulpit.  But this isn’t really a post about house churches.  (for more info google Larry Krieder).  Its about the broader difference between these two questions.

The difference between the questions (other than about 10 million dollars) is the difference between a culture of consumption and a culture of contribution.  And one problem we are experienceing in the American church is this developing culture of consumption.  Its not really surprising.  This culture is prevelent in all of America, from the government level, big and small business, and individuals, we are a civilization based on consumption and scarceity.  Without going too far into all of societies problems, I’ll move on to what you and I can do about it.

Create a culture of contribution.

Give first, ask questions later.  Contribute something.  If you already contribute- focus on it.  This can mean anything and everything to the person who needs what you’re giving.  Of course, because this can mean anything, than that means not everyone will contribute in the same way (or the way you think is right).  But when people, businesses, churches, governments, are contributing something- instead of just consuming something then the result is huge.

This also means we want them around… we need them around.  Does your community ‘need’ your church? would they miss you if you were gone? At least businesses pay taxes- so even if they aren’t doing anything special their contributing something, what is you church contributing?  I think this sounds harsh.  But its not a new message. And the more we try to draw people in and be ‘relevant’ to society- we loose, unless we are contributing something of value.

But before you think I’m just here to bust on American churches, don’t worry this hits home for me too.  And although I’ve tried to center this post around church planting, its applies in other areas of life too.  How about your household?  Do you donate used clothes? Do you recycle? Do you collect rainwater to feed your plants? Have you figured out the cost benefits of a geo-thermal system? Where is the closest bus spot? and are you taking care of your bicycle?

What about you business?  You can ignore this if you have a job, but if you are like me, and run your own business you can ask yourself are you recycling paper? is your marketing materials utillizing recycled paper? Do you spend marketing dollars talking about yourself or helping others? Is your business plan to sell stuff to get money, or to sell stuff to get that stuff to people who need it?  Unfortunately, it seems like the only businesses who focus on how they help others are the businesses that need to convince their employees they’re not scamming people.

So we can start in the church, or end up in the church- eitherway its a lifestyle, not a criticism

April 15th, 2009 - Posted in Culture of contribution | | 2 Comments

Have you read The Secret?

Have you read The Secret? I’m constantly amazed at different interpretations of the content and ideas of that book. Although slightly (to very) counter to Christian beliefs, I would be interested to hear a couple Christians’ take on it.

I’ve yet to read it. And I don’t condone or recommend it (yet), but I can’t ignore it’s popularity, or it’s close similarities to the Bible.

I will continue on the subject more in the future, but I want you to think about the doors it opened to the public’s awareness of the connections between business and spirituality.

April 11th, 2009 - Posted in Spirituality | | 0 Comments

Starting out again

Getting started on my first post since updating! (and not knowing how to update to wp 2.7 and keep customized content). If you know of any links to those articles- please let me know!

April 3rd, 2009 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 2 Comments