Sign up Before October 23-27
Designers, developers, and business and education leaders – sign up for Adobe’s Max 2010 conference to learn best practices for creating next-generation multiscreen applications (over 300 sessions and labs).

Explore the newest software tools in Adobe® Creative Suite® 5 and the latest technologies in the Adobe Flash® Platform.

Network with thousands of the industry’s leading innovators at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE.

Morning sessions focus on Adobe solutions, resources, and best practices. Afternoon breakout sessions will be led by educators spanning tracks in Design, Interactive, Film, and Development.

Educators and students receive discounts.

For more information, link to Adobe Max 2010.

Defender Series Case
When the boat’s healing over on a stiff breeze, you don’t want objects sliding and crashing to the floor. Otterbox’s Defender iPad case has an attractive hard polycarbonate shell that protects the iPad screen, and a tough, neoprene silicon grip cover on the back.  Place the silicone grip cover on any surface, and the iPad won’t slide, even at a 20∘- 25∘ angle. The silicone grip shell fits like a glove and has well engineered portal covers, and the entire case keeps any sand trickling into unwanted openings. A small section slides off that allows the iPad to be docked for recharging. In addition, OtterBox also provides a thin plastic film that self adheres to the screen to further protect against scrapes, marks and dirty fingerprints. We don’t recommend laying an iPad on a log, or rock (sand does blow around in the wind), and the case is not waterproof, but the Defender case provides great protection carrying your iPad in a backpack, bag, or on the boat. The hard polycarbonate shell has a nifty, built-in stand that props up the iPad in two different positions. OtterBox even claims the Defender case can protect your iPad from an occasional bump, drop or scratch. I’ve bumped mine a few times, and yes, this OtterBox protected my iPad.
Cost: $89.95 US

Commuter Series Case
The Commuter iPad case has a similar neoprene, silicon grip cover with silicone plugs to protect portals, and a thin adhering film to protect the screen. An additional polycarbonate shell protects the back. The Commuter case is best suited for carrying your iPad in a brief case, or side pocket in a back pack/bag to take to work, the library, school, etc. Yes, we had it on the boat, and when we flipped the iPad covering the screen, the neoprene sides gripped the counter surface, even tacking upwind with 10 knots of wind. I’m not easy on electronics, but with this sturdy case, I wasn’t concerned about dropping the iPad overboard.
Cost: $64.95 US

If you want a light weight, sleek, yet sturdy iPad cover that delivers, consider the Otterbox iPad Cases.  I’m very happy with these two cases, however, I will probably keep the Defender series on my iPad.  Heck, even my Casio watch has roll bars, so I’m pretty happy I’ve placed a lightweight yet tough, sleek Otterbox case on my iPad.

Contact: www.otterbox.com

Challenging Math Game
If educators are looking for different math games, consider the DimensionU Games. DimensionM math games can be played in the classrooms, improving student math skills and emphasizing team game play.

There are four games, or missions to play (Meltdown, Swarm, TowerStorm, or New! Velocity). Games an be played on either a Windows, or Mac computer.

Students play online, and can compete in Math tournaments.

Numerous school systems are implementing game playing to incorporate math and science concepts. Consider DimensionM as one option.

System Requirements: Windows XP; Mac OS X 10.4.6; 512 MB RAM
Contact: DimensionM Math Games
Cost: Contact the sales department at DimensionU Games.

Pros
1.  Great streaming video.

2.  Good sound for iTunes.

3.  Good screen color and resolution.

4.  Easy to upload content.

5.  Lots of apps to choose from (thousands, really).  Apple vets each app, so be careful if you buy an app elsewhere.

6. Convenience of picking it up to watch a video, use as an e-reader, review email, and play games.

7. Can transfer media from a Windows computer to an Apple iPad.

Cons
Now here are some problems:
1.  Only one free web browser to use:  Safari.

2.  Don’t take it to the beach.  In mottled shade at 73 degrees F while staining my deck, the iPad stopped playing iTunes.  A little bit of sunlight was shining on the black screen. A message posted overheating.

3.  There have been complaints of poor, or faulty WiFi connection by other users.

4.  Overpriced iPad covers at the Apple store.  Luckily, there are other choices.

5.  Once,  at 38% battery power I bumped the iPad, and the volume stopped working.  I could not reset the volume standard.  I had to shut down, insert the charger, and then I was able to reset the volume.   Other users have noted a volume problem.

6.  Right now I cannot recharge my iPad from my MacBook Pro.  Apple reports users need a high powered USB 2.0 port to charge the iPad. I have to use the AC adaptor.

7. No discounts for seniors, military or educators.

8. Parents -take note. Porn is accessible through Safari. I haven’t found a porn app, but I have read they may be available. Sorry, Safari’s parent control can be easily circumvented.

Contact: www.apple.com
Cost: Prices vary so check at the Apple Store.

Handy Apps in One Widget
I’m getting to know my iPad better. And one issue is only one application can be run at a time. This feature may not seem limiting, but it can be a bit redundant having to pop back and forth into the Home page to run a calculator, check a calendar, the weather, write yourself a note (you know, some quick, handy apps).

Enter the DashPad app.  For $9.99, iPad users can download this application that provides a dashboard on one screen. Current apps provided on the Dashboard include a clock, calculator, monthly calendar, Google search button, convert units, Yellow Pages, sticky note, and weather.

Download the Dashpad app, and hit the + button on the iPad to add the Dashpad icon to your home screen.  If you’re tired of having to sign off on one application (Google, or a calculator), and want to check the weather,  than consider getting 8 applications in one. To access the widgets, hit the +- button on the upper lefthand corner, and a widget dock slides up on the screen bottom. Just click on to add, or remove each widget.

Users can also submit app requests. It will be interesting to see how many applications will be added to the Dashpad.

System Requirements: An Apple iPad
Contact: www.pxlcreations.com
Cost: $9.99 US

Latest Smartpen
Last year I reviewed the 1 GB Smartpen. It worked great recording lectures in the pen, and notes written on Livescribe’s special memory paper. My daughter dashed off with it to college. And I bought one for my son to use in high school. He has problems with listening and taking notes. Now he can go back, review lectures and write in key points in his notes. Works great for test reviews, and for taking business meeting notes.

Here’s a link to my article: Livescribe Smartpen

Now, Livescribe has a new pen – Echo.

Here are some highlights:

“Echo features a sleek ergonomic design with a rubberized grip and anti-roll surface. It is available in 4GB and 8GB models, recording approximately 400 and 800 hours respectively. This new smartpen also features industry-standard connectors, micro-USB and 3.5 mm audio jack, to enable customers to use their favorite ear buds for private listening as well as share common USB cables with other mobile devices.

* Launch Line: a new way to access and launch applications in seconds
* Password protection: ensures recorded audio on your smartpen remains private and safe
* Custom smartpen name: display a name or other contact information on the OLED screen, making identifying the owner of a smartpen easy
* Custom notebooks: group and organize notes as easily as creating a playlist in iTunes
* Pencast import/export: save and share pencast files locally to your desktop, a server, or to send to others as an integrated audio/notes document. Anyone with the Livescribe Desktop software (free download online) can now open, view and interact with a native Livescribe file.”

In addition, users can download various apps from the Livescribe website.

Consider the Smartpen a good investment into your education, or business.

Contact: www.livescribe.com
Cost: 2GB – $129.95; 4 GB – $169.95; 8 GB – $199.95

Hardware & Software
Most students and teachers are using digital cameras, however, there’s probably several negatives and slides of old photos just waiting to be uploaded for posterity. At least before the images start to yellow and fade. Scanner prices seem to range signicantly, from $400 and jump to over $1,000. It’s good to shop around, and compare quality.

Image quality starts with the scanner hardware. The scanner software determines the user’s experience and the final output quality. Thus, the image quality is dependent on the quality of the hardware and software, and how well the hardware and software work together.

The Plustek OpticFilm 7600i SE is bundled with either SilverFast SE Plus iSRD & ME, or SilverFast Ai Studio. This review is based on SilverFast SE Plus iSRD & ME running on an iMac (i5 processor).

Resolution
Plustek indicates that the scanner has a resolution of 7200 X7200 dpi. When scanning at 7200 dpi, the scanned files were approximately 6100 dpi (based on image size information from Photoshop, Lightroom or file information). When scanning at 3600 dpi, the scanned files were approximately 3200 dpi (based on image size information from Photoshop, Lightroom or file information).

User Interface
The SilverFast scanning interface was reasonably well laid out. However, the interface is not as intuitive as other software. The learning curve is not too steep, and decent scans can be done using the automatic scan features.

iSRD
iSRD stands for infrared scratch and dust removal. This feature rocks.

iSRD on

iSRD off

Note the scratches above the two masts (right side photo). As shown in the above two images, iSRD did an excellent job of removing the scratches.

Pro: Easy to use, Small footprint

Con: Scanner, when set to 7200 dpi did not output 7200 dpi images

System Requirements:

• CDROM Drive
• Available USB port
• 512 MB RAM
• 500 MF free HDD space
  

Windows:

• CPU: Pentium III or faster CPU
• Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP / Vista/ 7

Macintosh:

• CPU: PPC G4, PPC G5, Intel
• MAC 10.3.9 and higher including Snow Leopard

Please note these are minimum requirements only. Plustek highly recommends using a high performance computer. Overall, the Plustek OpticFilm 7600i SE is a reliable scanner. The Plustek Optic Film 7600i SE is an excellent performer, particularly at its price point. This scanner gives you what you pay for.

Contact: www.plustek.com

Cost: $369.95 US