Check out the design awards that Apple recently bestowed on these apps.  And while you are there, look at those from 2010.  This is a good place to see if you are missing any apps for your Mac, iPad, or iPhone that meet some strict criteria in design, innovation and technical excellence.

Although I gave the iPad a mediocre review at first, I now admit, that I am an iPad fanatic.  You may wonder what made me change my mind.  The first is that I upgraded to a version with 3G.  This makes all the difference in that you aren’t always trying to get on wifi and enter passwords as you move about.  When traveling, it is superb.  Check all email just before the flight attendant closes the cabin door, and stay in touch constantly.

The second thing is setting up the iPad well enough to make it fully functional.  This includes using your calendar, and integrating work and personal email.  Getting the appropriate productivity tools, books and some fun videos and games makes it a total entertainment device.  Many iPad specific apps came out since i first wrote my review and many of them are stunning.  I am a definite “app hog”, but rely on some way more than others.  Have many pages of apps, but the home screen is where I operate most.  If you click on the picture above, you will be able to see the apps I use most.  I also save a few website pages as shortcuts so I don’t have to take the extra steps to go to them via safari.

The most important changed happened a few weeks after I got the iPad.  I finally got a decent case and it made all the differnce in the world.  Without that case, I was always feeling like I would drop the iPad.  The case made it so much friendlier!

So, to make a long story short, I now love my iPad so much I rarely go anywhere without it!

So, when Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 was released, I purchased the Home and Student version which comes with 3 product keys from Amazon.  Only one problem:  there is no Outlook.  If you wanted Outlook, you had to buy the Business version.   When you load the home and student software, they suggest you try the Trial version of Outlook, which I did.  It expired, so I decided to upgrade.  Sounds simple enough, right?

Well you can upgrade for $99 and get only 1 product key.  I was upset that I couldn’t do the upgrade on the 3 products keys, but it took me 45 minutes on the phone with several Microsoft employees and supervisors to decide that I would finally upgrade with 1 key.  I then tried to purchase online for 4 hours.  In between, I called Microsoft and asked for help since their website would just spin and spin and could not complete the transaction.  I got put on hold after being shuffled to 4 people.  Each took my phone number “in case we get disconnected” and I had to reiterate my story each time.  The last person put me on permanent hold, and disconnected me completely, but never called me back.

You may wonder at this point why I wanted Outlook.  I had already imported and customized my email(several issues, but all ultimately resolved).  I finally decided that perhaps the browser was the probelm, so tried Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.  Finally got connected and purchased, but this experience has made me even more of a hater.

After talking to 9 different Microsoft customer service people, I finally had to resolve the problem myself.  In all my years of using Apple customer service, I have never had any issues even remotely resembling this.  So Microsoft, perhaps you need to take a lesson from a company that provides excellent customer service and keeps their customers coming back to buy more.

This is an update to Part I of this topic…

As mentioned, I got the Macbook Air despite my qualms.  Now, after 2 months of using this sexy featherweight, I am even happier with the purchase.  I have been traveling a great deal, and I can stick it inside the carry on bag in a neoprene sleeve.  Pops in and out at security.

I thought I would still continue to bring the MB Pro 15″ to the office so I had a little more juice and the larger screen, but lo and behold, that Air goes everywhere with me.  In fact, the MacBook Pro 15 has essentially become my desktop computer and I never even unplug it from the Dell 24″ Ultrasharp monitor (still waiting for the Apple 27″ LCD).  If I am computing around the house, the featherlight Air is the computer of choice.  It is speedy with the solid state drive (don’t consider not getting that!) and performance is great for such a little dynamo.

Here is how I travel with the air:

• Air in neoprenene sleeve by inCase this is great since super thin and light.  You can get through airport security without removing from the sleeve as mentioned above.  If you do pack cables or accessories with the computer, you will have to remove it from the case.
• Mouse – Apple Magic Mouse – nice bluetooth slim companion.
• USB flash drive, portable SD card reader
• Charging cable for phone, iPad, iPod Touch
• A/C adapter (don’t forget this!)

To summarize, I was infatuated with the Air when I first got it, but now it is True Love!

Yes, we have to be connected at all times.  We must be available when our client has a website issue, or just needs a quick fix, but it really can be a drag to lug around that 15″ MacBook Pro and related accessories when traveling.  Not saying that I don’t love the Beast, but it can weigh you down.

Recently, I finally succumbed to a MacBook Air.  I resisted for a long time because I thought the slower processor and lack of a CD/DVD drive as well as only 2 GB of RAM would cramp my style.  I had no idea how I would cram my files and programs onto such a small hard drive.

Well, I am pleased to report that the experience is beyond my expectations.  My Air has the following specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 1066MHz frontside bus
• 2GB Memory
• 128GB solid-state drive
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics

The Pros

• The solid state drive is so speedy that programs open and close in an instant.
• It is tiny, and can fit into other bags when traveling.
• It is a sexy computer that is fun to use.

The Cons

• The small size of the hard drive was troubling.  No way to fit the iTunes Library.  I had to use VMWare Fusion with Windows so I could use my VPN and exchange email, and the smallest I could get the virtual machine down to was 38GB.
• No way to watch a DVD while traveling.
• No built in ethernet (there is an adapter) or SD card reader, and only one usb port.

I figured out a way to utilize this beauty and be extremely  happy with my purchase.  In my next post, I will tell you how I solved some of the dilemmas mentioned in the Cons, and what accessories and apps I use to stay connected.

I am frequently asked what tools I use for web design.  Many of the add-ons and plugins that I use are free and you might want to investigate for your own use if you don’t already use them.

Hardware, etc.:

• Macbook Pro 3.06  8GB RAM(upgrading the RAM to 8GB makes all the difference in the world!), Dell 24″ LCD, Apple wireless keyboard and magic mouse
• Rain Design M stand – raises the MB Pro to right height to use  as 2nd monitor with the Dell,  cools the Mac, and gives me a little space underneath for stuff
• Harmon Kardon Speakers – you gotta have good sounds when coding!
• Nikon Coolpix P6000 Camera – you can see some photo samples here

Apps, Tools, and Misc.:

• Evernote (use the free version for internet version, desktop app and iPod Touch app)
• Filezilla (free FTP client)
• Skype (I use the $30 annual version so I can make outgoing calls to clients that don’t use Skype)
• Bluehost – my favorite hosting.  Really cheap, but reliable, and you get to talk to someone knowledgeable 24-7 for support.  The more I use other services that my clients have, the more I love Bluehost.

Software:

• WordPress
• Operating System – Snow Leopard
• Adobe Design Premium CS4
• Microsoft Office for Mac

Free Browser Add-ons for Firefox (I use lots of others, but these are more specific to web design):

• Firebug
• Font Finder
• Colorzilla
• MeasureIt
• NoDoFollow
• Window Resizer
• CSS Validator

Premium Themes to modify:

• Woo Themes addict (also a Woo Affiliated Worker and Beta tester)
• Thesis

What do you use?  Pls comment with your setup and any suggestions!

Today appears to be a good day for great savings on some of our favorite things.

• Great deal on Woo Themes. As usual, get 2 wordpress themes for the price of 1.  Now you can also get 25% off using coupon code “ROCKSTAR”
• FREE Shoemoneyx course! The best way to learn about blogging, monetizing, etc.  Only available until 10/30/09, then access is discontinued.  Be sure to sign up now.
• Brand New iMacs at $100 off.  They sure are beautiful and the new specs are awesome!

Enjoy!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

To give you a little bit of history, I had(still have, but selling) a 1 year old loaded (at the time) MacBook Pro.  It had a matte screen, 2.8 MGz, 4 GB RAM, 200GB 7200RPM drive and more.  Although I had been a Mac user since they first came out, I took a job 8 years ago where I needed to use a PC.  It was a big deal to switchback last year, but VMWare Fusion made it easier so that I could connect to VPN and get my exchange email.

Being the geek that I am, I was ready for a new machine several months ago.  I delayed because I wanted to see if there was an improvement announced at WWDC.  Although the rumors didn’t seem to predict a big MBP announcement, I was pleasantly surprised to see the upgrade.

I purchased my new MBP the afternoon it was announced.  A yummy new unibody 15″ MacBook Pro 3.06 Ghz, 8GB RAM, 500GB 7200 speed HD.  Yup, I splurged for the top of the line and the big bucks for the 8GB RAM.  That way when I have a zillion Firefox windows, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Filezilla, Tweedeck, Office, etc. open, I can still glide.

The ordering process was simple from Apple, and I paid for the upgraded shipping, which turned out to be a fiasco with Apple making a mistake and sending it ground.  So, not a great start, but I did get accommodated with a credit for their mixup.

I had called Apple and talked about a clean install and moving the files.  Was told how to move the files using my TimeCapsule.  What a joke that was.  Soooooo sloooow.  Finally wised up and dragged the files to external drive via Firewire and then to new machine.  All software installed fresh.  Another important note, when making your backup the first time on TimeCapsule, use an ethernet cable so you don’t wait a zillion hours for it to finish.

I have it tricked out in the home office with a nifty stand next to a 24″ Dell Ultrasharp matte monitor and Apple bluetooth keyboard with Kensington bluetooth mouse.  So it acts like a desktop, but goes with me each day.  I loaded the following software and apps:

• Microsoft Office 2008
• Adobe CS4 Design Premium
• Firefox
• Skype
• EvernoteVMWare Fusion and XP
• Filezilla
• Tweetdeck
• VZ Access Manager
• Flip4Mac
• Things
• Skitch
• Picturesque
• iSale5
• Bento2

So once I got everything loaded and configured, I was pleased with the performance.  Such elegance.  Speedy, and new.  Keyboard has a nice feel, trackpad is good.  Feels very solid.  Super sexy machine.  Only negative is the screen.  while it is beautiful to look at and the blacks are rich, the glossy environment isn’t great for design.  Pale colors look washed out, and with darks like black, there is reflection in certain light.

Then there is the “chirp”.   I only heard a little when I first got it, but now it is more prolific.  And annoying.  Having read the Apple blogs and apple.com, it appears that there is no fix yet.  Planning to give it a little bit longer, then consider having them replace with 5400.  Ugh.  Way to ruin a perfect purchase.  Sigh.   But I still love it.