Virtual Scribe: Or More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Digital Script Supervising: For My SoCal friends... We're Headed to The Getty

The First 5 Things You'll Want to Know About Tablet Computers

The First 5 Things You'll Want to Know About Tablet Computers

If you're new here, or to Tablet PC's, there's a few things you should know. A few bits of information we should get out of the way first...

1. The Tablet I use is a PC, Not a Mac
Everything but the iPad is Windows based. Mac's tablet the iPad is more like a giant iPod Touch, it wasn't designed to have a stylus/pen input, but there are several apps for that now, but you can either type (using the virtual keyboard) or use your finger to write. Also, the only way you can get anything on the computer is through email, there are no input ports, but i understand on the iPad 3 that might have changed. But don't dispare, this is only the third version of the Mac tablet, and only the first since Steve Jobs passed, so there's bound to be a bit of a shake down cruise since he's gone, and they'll probably come out with one that has a few more input choices. In the mean time, there is an after market/third party 'upgrade' you can get that will turn a MacBookPro into a tablet computer, but I'm not sure of the cost. (If you're interested in that, leave a message here, or better yet email me at tmoodyca@roadrunner.com and I'll hook you up with people in the know about such things), i will tell you that from what i have seen it partitions the harddrive so that you can run both Mac & Windows. So you'd still be running Windows programs just on a Mac machine.

2. What Kind of Tablet is Right for Me?
There's two different types of Tablet PC's. A slate tablet, and a convertible. The slate does NOT come with a keyboard but is usually lighter in weight, but a bit more expensive. The convertible allows the screen to swivel all the way around and lay flat on top of the keyboard. These are a bit heavier (although not by an enormous amount), but they cost less. Poke about in this blog to find some of the manufactures of both types of computer, or contact me via email at the above address.

3. Using Tablet PC's On-Set
Every Tablet PC comes with the program - Windows Journal, Journal Note Writer, or something like that, in it. The name varies, but it's exactly the same program & Script Supervisor's can use this program to take their notes AND line their pages. It does NOT turn your handwriting into text. You can enter text in this program, it just takes a few more menu scrolls and pen clicks, but it can be done. You'll have to decide if it's worth the effort. Other programs I know Script Supers to use are Excel, Filemaker Pro, Access, Adobe Acrobat, & Bluebeam Revu (more about those last two in section 4.)

4. PDF Readers & Printers
You may not know what it is, but you're going to need it. It's a program (or programs) that will allow you to read and print your pages and forms into PDF. PDF is a universal format that every computer, both PC and Mac, can view. There's a couple of different ways to achieve this, some more expensive than others, but all viable ways to go. The Acrobat Reader is free and easy to download, but that's just about all it does. And there are several programs out there that are just PDF printer drivers and those are either free or at a nominal cost. Or you can go with a couple of different PDF Editors. These allow you to read, print and manipulate PDF files. The two most well known are Adobe Acrobat, and Bluebeam Revu. I believe both have a 30 day free trial that can be downloaded from their websites. (There are other PDF Editors out there, just Google for a list.) These can be used to take your notes and to line your pages as well. However there is a little bit more of a learning curve involved with all of them.

5. eBay - A cheaper way to shop
Ok, you've decided to jump in and do the deed, but you're a little tight on cash. Or you're still a bit skittish about the whole thing because you're a Mac and it's a PC. Here's my recommendation: go eBay. First you're gonna want to do a bit of research. Find the make and model of computer you like (HP, Lenovo, Motion Computing, Dell, Tablet Kiosk, etc.), then I suggest going to Fry's or Best Buy, or Sears, and basically fondling the merchandise. Find something that you like the feel of, the weight of. You like the way the pen writes on the screen. See what software it comes with (Microsoft Word, or Excel, etc.), what hardware (external hard drive, or keyboard, etc.). Find the one that's right for you. Do NOT skip this step, I know the research is often the boring part, but in this case it's important. You are going to have to spend at least 12 1/2 hours a day with this machine, and a fairly large chunk of money, so it should be something you like. After you've researched it and found the machine of your dreams, then head to eBay. First just see what they have to offer in tablets, you might find something you didn't know about. Then get down to business, and look for that one computer that will make your life complete. Now you might have to settle for last years model (so make sure you get the name and numbers correct), but if it comes at a significant discount (on the order of one half the price or so) you'll have a decision to make.

So there you are, the first five things you need to know. Go forth and compute.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

For My SoCal friends... We're Headed to The Getty

if you're not in Local 871, you are still welcome to come (it's a public museum after all), we just can't provide you with a food voucher.

but feel free to visit with your Script Supervisor, Production Coordinator, Art Dept. Coordinator & Production Accountant friends and peers. the setting is fantastic, the music should be fun, and the company will be terrific.

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The Swanky Swig is headed to The Getty!

When: Saturday, October 10, 2009 – 5pm - 9pm

Where: J. Paul Getty Museum – By the Garden Terrace Café
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1687
(310) 440-7300
http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/ - Map, Directions, & Parking Info.

What: “Saturday Off the 405” at The Getty. Live music 6pm – 9pm.
Come join your fellow 871 members at The Getty Museum for an evening of
music and fun. Admission to The Getty is always free and we’re recommending
you come early to take advantage of the museums many fine exhibits before
the festivities begin. We will be gathering by the Garden Terrace Café, so
look for us there.

Parking: Parking on Saturday evenings is FREE after 5pm but it fills up fast. Once
the Getty Center parking structure is full, you will be directed to another
parking facility offsite from which you will be shuttled, by Getty
shuttles, back to the museum. Please allow plenty of time for this if you
plan to arrive later than 5pm. If you plan to arrive before 5pm,
parking costs $15 per vehicle. This event is popular with many Angelinos
and the parking structure might be full as early as 4pm so please consider
carpooling or public transportation to save on time and money. The Metro
Rapid Lines bus route 761 stops at The Getty main gate on Sepulveda Blvd.
http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/ - Map, Directions, & Parking Info.

How: You will need to call the Local to reserve your spot, so RSVP to
818-509-7871 by 5pm, Friday, October 2, 2009 for this event. The
Local will be providing vouchers for free food & snacks and we will need an
accurate head count. As always you must pay for your own beverages. Please
feel free to bring a spouse or friends and family, but be aware food vouchers
will be for members and staff only.

Come and Get The Getty Experience

From the Local 871 Events Committee – email: eventscommittee@ialocal871.org
Tracy Moody - Chairman; Danielle Probst, Lise Lee, Stacy Parker, Jennifer Farmer & Aaron
Albucher