Uncle Grayhawk's Front Porch

OK, so let me preface this by saying that I haven't held one, seen one in person, played with one, smelled one, or even touched the pallet that they shipped on, ok? All I have is what they showed yesterday at the conference.

I'm also tired of the fucktards masquerading as tech analysts who are crying that because it doesn't have the features/capabilities/widgets/doodads/pink unicorn horns that *they* think it should have, it's a complete and utter failure.

Right. Didn't you jackasses say that about the iPhone too? STFU and DIAF.

Stupidity, in all forms, irritates the ever-livin' crap outta me.

That said, I think the iPad fills an interesting market void, and the possibilities interest me.

I agree with the idea that this is not a netbook replacement, but a netbook alternative. I hate netbooks. Hatehatehate. A lot of that is size related - I have hands, that when balled into fists, are larger than the average grapefruit. My big ol' meathooks do not do well on a netbook keyboard. Neither do I like the average screen size. And it's not...usable to me in a portable sense. I can't just hold it up and use it. It's awkward. And then there's the issue of how long until I break the hinges.

You get the point. For me, they don't work. I know plenty of people who they do work for, and that's awesome. I'm happy for them.

It also so happens that not long ago, mousecat0 & I were discussing the possible merits of getting a Kindle or similar device. For my part, one of the things it has to be able to do is read .pdf, .doc, and .docx documents, because there's *so* much good stuff coming out for RPG's and other games in e-formats (especially .pdf), and I don't like sitting at my desk and reading them there. I read most of my gaming stuff in bed, to help me wind down before sleep. The fact that it will be an e-book reader, and I'm willing to bet there will be some app available for .pdf viewing, is one feature that makes me consider it.

I also see it being useful from a gaming perspective. Not talking about video games, but for tabletop games - board, card, RPG, hell even a LARP. Let me break this down a little:

• Board & Card games: If you play a lot of games, like I (try to) do, keeping track of errata and FAQ's can get...annoying. Yeah, you can print them out and keep them with the games...assuming they don't get lost. And where the hell do you put errata with card games (that aren't Dominion - which I still need to buy). For some games, there have been videos made of how to play - I remember there being one at TCEP 15 that byronczimmer was playing, but I don't remember the name of it. I remember people gathering around bulsi's iPod touch to watch it. Bet it'd would've been easier to see on a larger format. ;-)
  
• RPG's: Man, this could be a GM's dream. Wanna show a picture to help illustrate what the PC's see? A lot easier to do now, and no trees need to die. A lot of recordkeeping and notes can be done on one, and it's lighter than most laptops. Again, this is not an laptop/netbook killer, but an alternative.
  
• LARPS: I'll put this one simply: If you're GM'ing a LARP, which would you rather carry around: a 3-ring binder, a netbook, or something like the iPad. I know what I want.

I think any decision on whether or not I get one will ultimately depend on my actually getting to hold one/play with one. I really want a better feel for what I'm working with. Until then, I may decide to start putting some cash aside for one (and if I do, I'll be getting the 3G enabled version; better to have the capability and not need it than to bemoan it's lack thereof later). If I don't get it, I'll use the cash for something else.

Either way, I'm still gonna mock the pundits mercilessly. That won't change. Mocking stupidity is its own reward.