earlier article,<\/a> the investment in operating systems and software went away if one opted to take advantage of Linux-based computing. However, Linux-based computing was not for the average computer user who was in the habit of turning on a computer and having it work (until it crashed). To use Linux a basic understanding of hardware, drivers, hard disk partitioning, etc was important, and this scared away many. Windows-based computing dominated. As it has been said before, it is a Microsoft world and we have to live in it. . .until now.<\/p>\nIn early 2011 I was issued my first IPAD. It was a basic device with only 16GB storage and wireless connectivity. My employer did not offer any plan to acquire or to reimburse for any productivity software. But for my benefit, as a sufferer of Macular Degeneration, the IPAD had a suite of accessibility software that changed the world for me. Most important to me was pinch and zoom, full screen zoom, and voice over technologies. In all fairness, I should mention that zoom and text to speech were also available in Windows and Linux operating systems, but ease of use of these technologies were certainly much improved with the IPAD. Text to speech was a horror in Windows XP with a voice called Microsoft Sam, and even worse in Linux. The Linux voice was not only extremely robotic sounding, but it has a British accent as well. In each version of IPAD text to speech (voiceover) got better and more easily understandable, to the point that I often have my IPAD read entire books to me. Almost everything that appears on the screen can be read to me by my IPAD. So, because of these accessibility features that have restored a lot of ability to me, I refer to my IPAD as my Eye-pad.<\/p>\n
But don’t get me wrong, the IPAD is not only for those with low vision issues. The IPAD is a fully functioning computing device. There are several choices of productivity software, and they are available for free. Apple has Pages, Numbers, and Keynote for word processing, spreadsheets, and slide presentations. Originally there was a cost to purchase but now it is free. Additionally, there are several choices to obtain productivity suites that will do all of the above in one application, specifically QuickOffice and Polaris Office. Before you go to the App Store, be sure and explore your IPAD thoroughly for there are many options available out of the box, such as Email, web browsing with Safari, photo software, Itunes music, etc. And your IPAD will work seamlessly with other Apple devices you may own, such as a MAC book or Iphone.<\/p>\n
In closing, I want to say that my desire to share this with you all is brought on by a love for this wonderful technology, not only for the way it has restored certain aspects to my life, but because it is truly a quality product that is modern and up-to-date. If you have been considering a tablet based device for your arsenal of technology, be sure and investigate the IPAD. In my opinion, Windows and Android devices are okay, but the IPAD is the king of the mountain.<\/p>\n
Questions or comments? Please use the form below. Thanks for visiting Townehouse Technologies.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For years I was strictly a PC guy. Beginning with DOS based computers in the late 80’s to Windows-based computers in the early 90’s and then to Linux-based computers in the mid 2000’s. I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":55,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_daextrevo_audio_file_creation_date":"","_daextrevo_text_to_speech":"","_daextrevo_document_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-computers","category-reviews"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/ipad.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":107,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=107","url_meta":{"origin":54,"position":0},"title":"Are You Using Protection?","author":"Tom Lind","date":"December 2, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Computer viruses have been around almost as long as computers. Computer viruses numbered in the one hundreds in the early 1990's are now numbering over one million. So the question is, are you susceptible to a computer virus? Is your tablet susceptible? Is your smart-phone susceptible? The answer to all\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Software"","block_context":{"text":"Software","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"cartoon-images-computer-virussick-cartoon-speckled-computer-with-a-virus--1071-by-ron-leishman-b3ffaxgu","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/cartoon-images-computer-virussick-cartoon-speckled-computer-with-a-virus-1071-by-ron-leishman-b3ffaxgu.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":201,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=201","url_meta":{"origin":54,"position":1},"title":"APPS: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly!","author":"Tom Lind","date":"October 28, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"APP, which is an abbreviation for application are software applications for various devises. Before the technological boom we are currently experiencing the average consumer would require software for their computer, and the majority were using a Microsoft operating system, some an Apple operating system and some others a Linux operating\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Technical"","block_context":{"text":"Technical","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=25"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Good The Bad and the Ugly","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/gbu-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1248,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=1248","url_meta":{"origin":54,"position":2},"title":"My Dependency (Addiction)","author":"Tom Lind","date":"January 3, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"As I sit here this morning I have made a decision to publicly announce my addiction. I have come to the realization that I am addicted to technology. Now for those of you who know me or have known me, this probably comes as no surprise. I have always known\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=13"},"img":{"alt_text":"technology-addict-300x295","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/technology-addict-300x295-150x147.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":99,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=99","url_meta":{"origin":54,"position":3},"title":"Tablets Demystified","author":"Tom Lind","date":"November 12, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"The question on a lot of minds, especially as we enter into the frantic buying season of the year, is what is all the hoopla about tablets? Do I need one? What can I do with one? What can I not do with one? Will it replace my laptop? The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Computers"","block_context":{"text":"Computers","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"tablets-montage","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/tablets-montage.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":78,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=78","url_meta":{"origin":54,"position":4},"title":"Storing in the Cloud","author":"Tom Lind","date":"October 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 In an earlier post I talked about using cloud based software. In this post I will discuss free and paid for cloud based storage Typically, if you have an account with Microsoft or Google to use their cloud based software you will already have some cloud storage available. For\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Cloud-storage-SS-450pxl.jpg?fit=450%2C445&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":36,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=36","url_meta":{"origin":54,"position":5},"title":"Do It In The Cloud","author":"Tom Lind","date":"August 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"We have all been hearing about \"the cloud\". Some have wondered just what in the cloud means? One person\u2019s attempt to describe the cloud was \"A cloud is that fluffy white thing floating in the sky!\". Although this is a nice image to put in your head, it is not\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Internet"","block_context":{"text":"Internet","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/What-is-cloud-computing.png?fit=744%2C555&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/What-is-cloud-computing.png?fit=744%2C555&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/What-is-cloud-computing.png?fit=744%2C555&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/What-is-cloud-computing.png?fit=744%2C555&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p38YRh-S","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=54"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/55"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=54"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=54"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=54"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"ipad\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/ipad.jpg\")
<\/a>For years I was strictly a PC guy. Beginning with DOS based computers in the late 80’s to Windows-based computers in the early 90’s and then to Linux-based computers in the mid 2000’s. I never once considered an Apple based device. In fact I was derisive of anyone who used an Apple based computer. This was, for the most part, due to the availability of software for PC based systems as opposed to software for Apple systems. It was not until the last few years that I came to respect Apple based computing in its own right, and this was probably mostly due to my introduction to my first IPAD.<\/p>\n