From: Mark Gaffney <markgaffney@me.com>

Date: January 31, 2010 4:11:43 PM MST

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] interesting idea..

P.S. Milton, "Syncing" on the iPod is done through iTunes to transfer music, photos & video & to update your apps through the dock to usb cable...Presumably something similar occurs with the iPad. I understand there`s many apps already written for the iPad but don`t know how many relate to astronomy...?

Mark.

On 01/02/2010, at 9:38 AM, Mark Gaffney wrote:

Hi Milton, 

I have my iPod connected to VNC so it will communicate by Wi Fi here with all my computers at least. The app is called Jaadu VNC & has the facility to change the function keys etc. & therefore use "Spaces" on the Macs & with more difficulty the controls on my PC. The iPod Touch has the pinch option which`ll make your screen bigger so somewhat fiddly connection is possible with all my planetarium apps for instance! Such apps as Sky Voyager & Starmap Pro (if you have Intel) can be used remotely anyway...So maybe there are possibilities for the iPad..!?

Mark.

On 01/02/2010, at 9:18 AM, Milton Aupperle wrote:

Hi Mark;

The big question is if the iPad (horrible name) has a real USB 2 port
or not. It's pretty well a closed platform as far as hardware specs
go. So far what I've read indicates they are using the USB adapter
(you have to buy it too) thing you re-charging the batteries and
downloading pictures from USB Cameras. I've read a few rumors that
indicate it only recognizes a few types of USB 2 devices, so things
like high end cameras (SBIG etc.), printers, scanners and other
devices likely will not work, as they need drivers.

Information and real world test of It should become clearer in the
future as to what it actually can do.

Also the iPad / iPod / iPhoneOS still does not allow multiple
applications to run at the same time, which makes it pretty useless
for any realtime interaction. And the lack of a real file system (i.e.
folder, directories etc.) makes it pretty tough to do anything with.

HTH..

Milton J. Aupperle
President
ASC - Aupperle Services and Contracting
Mac Software (Drivers, Components and Application) Specialist
#1106 - 428 Chaparral Ravine View SE.
Calgary Alberta T2X 0N2
1-(403)-453-1624
milton@outcastsoft.com
www.outcastsoft.com

On 31-Jan-10, at 2:56 PM, Mark Gaffney wrote:

> An interesting idea suggested on the Macastronomer group has us
> astronomers using these with "...headless Mac Minis..". I had hoped to
> upgrade to an Intel Mac Mini eventually..!
> http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
>
> Mark.
>