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Thoughts on the iPad as a writing Tool

December 29, 2010

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So, I got an iPad for Christmas. I have been using it like crazy for the past couple of days, but this is is my first time writing a post on the device. I’m not using an external keyboard, so this is the full-blown experience.

The main problem that I run into is actually doing the WordPress tomfoolery needed to make the posts look right. There is an official WordPress app, but the media interaction leaves much to be desired.

Manipulating media on the web interface is fine, but I can’t seem to upload anything to the server. Sadly, that is something that I really need.

I can type really fast on iOS devices, but that might not be true for everyone. I can understand that a physical keyboard is important to a lot of people, but it just doesn’t bother me in the least. I can write first drafts of everything right there on my iPad, and I wouldn’t notice any considerable slowdown.

Now I want to hear from you. Do you type long form content on your iPad? Is it worth it to get the keyboard dock or a Bluetooth keyboard? Let me know by leaving a comment on this post.

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About Grant Brünner

Grant is a writer from Delaware. In his spare time, Grant maintains a personal blog, hosts a weekly podcast, and researches genealogy.

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Pete McKinley

hey....I have played with the my son's iPad (i bought it so there...hehehe) and used both the touch screen keyboard and a bluetooth deal....Bluetooth hands down wins the day for anything longer than a web address or a short email in my mind. I used the iPad at a church meeting and trying to keep up with the touch screen was impossible and I kept losing my place in the screen and with what was being said. I brought along the bluetooth QWERTY the following week and was on track. I essentially forgot I was using the iPad at all for notes. Just works... When the iPad 2 becomes a reality, I will pony up for one again along with the keyboard dock extra and be all set for myself. No more borrowing from a semi reluctant teen lad.

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Sue Bates

Oh, yes, I use the wireless keyboard. It's so much faster for me.

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Paul Banbury

I am looking forward to an iPad 2 for work and blogging. I have been using BlogPress on an iPhone since July, for two blogs. A majority of writing is done on the iPhone, but the formatting limitations keep the blog fairly stark. Check it out. Http://www.exechobo.com

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Mike Anderson

I've had my iPad for about 3 weeks now and am really enjoying it. I understand where you're coming from regarding the file management issues, as well as the word press posting issues. To work with text files, I have to go in through a document manager like Goodreader or using Plaintext. I'm still working out the file management system.
I moved to a bluetooth keyboard, the Zaggmate keyboard. I'm pretty happy with it, and wrote a mini-review on my site, http://mandersol.net/wp. I'm looking forward to reading more of your thoughts on using it.

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Rainymort

I'm an aspiring author, and I purchased an ipad about 2 months ago. I LOVE writing on it. I think a lot of what matters is getting a case for your ipad that makes it comfortable to type and write on.

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Stephen M. Hackett

While some apps make writing really pleasant on the iPad (like Simplenote or PlainText — coupled with N.V. on the Mac), all in all, I don't like writing on it. File management is terrible, and, as you mention, the Wordpress support is just awful. In the long run, I can see an 11.6" Air being my perfect writing machine — not the iPad.

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  1. Tweets that mention Thoughts on the iPad a writing Tool | Macgasm -- Topsy.com says:
    December 29, 2010 at 6:08 PM

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