Tablet Housecleaning

I have a problem with space on my Acer A100 tablet and until Acer gets it together, I have been looking at the apps I loaded. I have been looking at those which require Internet access especially. Since I use WiFi, unless ther is some compelling feature in the app, it really isn't worth using it instead of the browser version. In fact, there are a couple of apps where I actually PREFER the mobile version of the site over the app.

I think I may be finding the purpose for the tablet. As I have said before, it is definitely better at consuming content than at producing it. It is kind of nice as a book reader and for getting the news and accessing social media. I guess I'm still searching for the perfect mix of devices for my style and budget.

The case for responsive web content

Take a look at this page by Christiaan Lustig. It argues for design based on "top tasks" and not particularly on the patform -- mobile vs. desktop vs. tablet. I agree with his conclusions that you should look for your users' top tasks and that these will change based on their location/context rather than on the particular platform they are using.

Sure, I still think you should start with the smallest platform -- i.e. mobile -- to force the team to consider the most basic elements of your responsive design and what is really important to your users, but he raises good points about the "locational" and "situational" elements involved in determining what is important to your customer when they visit your site in different situations.

It's a good read.

Acer A100 More Experience

I have spent more time with the tablet and have been a bit disappointed. It seems that the A100 doesn't store programs on the SD card which causes memory issues. Acer REALLY needs to fix that in their next release. I also have been unable to root the device. I have removed a number of apps (which I really wasn't using all that much) and have gained back the space to some extent. Rather frustrating, however.

Pinterest, Still trying to figure it out

I'm still trying to figure out this site. It appears that images are the thing, but not much else. I browse through things and still don't get it. Maybe I'm just old or not into images all that much.

Automated greed

Here's something advertisers will "Like": Facebook is reportedly testing a "Want" button to be used by brands on product pages. Such a button would tell a user's friends what they're currently lusting over. -- Now there's an improvement, sharing your lust for stuff.

A Tablet on-screen keyboard.

After using my Android tablet for some time I still find that it's much easier to consume than produce. One of the major drawbacks is the on screen keyboard. I'm a touch typist and the on-screen keyboard DEFINITELY doesn't lend itself to touch typing. This makes it slower to input info and causes me to want to avoid the device for input.

I suppose that I could get a separate keyboard but I wonder if this doesn't negate the portability of the device. Plus, they aren't all that cheap. I guess I'll just have to keep trying.

Going Vertical

It's interesting that I have been working with the Acer Tablet for a while now and have run various apps in either landscape or portrait mode, exclusively. Most have been in landscape mode so I'm trying various apps in portrait mode. Some, like Google+, give a completely different experience. It's interesting, that this happens. Some are able to be run in either mode and I switch between them as needed. So, my place doesn't change but the orientation can change making it a completely different experience. It's like being able to rearrange the furniture in your den or even the configuration of the room at the touch of a button. I might have some specific comments later but for now here goes.