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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Friday, September 25, 2009

Courier: First Details of Microsoft's Secret Tablet - Microsoft courier tablet - Gizmodo

more on this amazing device. it's not a tablet, it's a booklet.

i think even my Mac friends would love this thing...

Courier: First Details of Microsoft's Secret Tablet - Microsoft courier tablet - Gizmodo

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Mimo Monitors - Welcome

this is a mini 7" touchscreen, it runs on your USB port, and they cost less than $250. not sure if anyone would find this useful, but i thought it was pretty cool.

let me know whatcha think.

Mimo Monitors - Welcome

Saturday, September 12, 2009

SavingFace - Makeup Continuity Software

this is interesting software that might be adapted for Script Super use, but at $275-349 price tag, it seems a bit pricey for 'might'. but if someone knows or wants to contact the people that made this software and see if they'd be willing to make more SS friendly, let me know... :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Other Stuff

SavingFace Continuity Software for makeup & hair

Now Available!

SavingFace Version 1.5.0

What's new :

Backup & Restore your database with a few clicks of your mouse.
Networking 101 Allow your team to connect to your copy of SavingFace in the makeup trailer - share current data instantly.
Export Breakdown Reports to Spreadsheets Allows you to take all of your SavingFace data seamlessly from the application to your own familiar spreadsheets.
Photo Albums Allow you to create individual albums for each character. Upload design pics, scanned sketches, etc. for easy reference.

Special Makeup Effects Module for SavingFace 1.5.0

This plug-in for SavingFace Software Version 1.5.0 is our most complete and powerful tool to date!

New additions to the familiar SavingFace user interface allow the special effects makeup artist to track the conception, creation and continuity data for an unlimited number of characters AND fabrications all in one place. New, customisable, flexible fields give the user more control to track the highly detailed notes, multiple artists and steps involved in the creation of special makeup effects. Go beyond out-of-kit effects in the Basic Version: from bullet holes, to prosthetics, to body parts to animatronics- now your imagination is your only limit!

Branding Module for SavingFace 1.5.0

The Branding Module allows you to upload your own logo to customise the reports you share with others.

Stand apart from the rest in the competitive world of the film and television makeup artist/hairstylist. Use the power of SavingFace PDF Reports in your day to day communications with the above-the-line types and be seen as a valuable, contributing part of the crew. Step it up by branding those reports with your own logo. Get noticed and go from Last-Looker to the go-to expert in your field.

SavingFace Continuity Software is the industry standard for makeup and hair continuity record-keeping in film and television.

SavingFace was developed as an alternative to the old school "makeup charts" and "continuity books" compiled in the makeup and hair department. All your continuity photos and data are saved digitally on your computer, eliminating the need to copy details long hand, print photos and save pages in plastic sleeves in heavy, cumbersome binders.

SavingFace Software Standard Version is $349.00 USD. If you are a union member or student please contact us for a coupon code. Union/Student price is $275.00 USD.

SavingFace Special Makeup Effects Module is $99.00 USD.

SavingFace Branding Module is $99.00 USD.

Debut - A Free Video Capture Software

this is free software, and that's all it is. you still need the hardware that allows you to hook up your computer to the monitor(s) at video village. there's a link to another page that gives you specs on what the piece of hardware is and what it does.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Debut Video Capture Software

Record video from webcam, capture device or screen

Capture video files directly on a PC with this completely free, easy to use video recorder program.


Record from your webcam		Record from external device		Record your computer screen

We make Debut free because we hope you will like it so much serious video users will upgrade to Debut Professional. Download the trial of Debut Professional for more advanced video capture features.

Download Free Pro Version Trial Buy Pro Version

Features

Capture video directly to your hard drive.
Record video in many different file formats including .avi, .wmv, .flv, .asf .mpg, .3gp, .mp4, .mov and more.
Record from your webcam, screen or video input device (eg. VHS recorder).
Record almost anything - anything you can see on your monitor can be recorded.
Record video and audio simultaneously.
Create photo snap-shots at any time.
Add your own text captions or time stamp your video.
Change color settings and video effects before recording.
Adjust the video resolution, size and frame rate for capture.
Ability to burn directly to DVD with Express Burn DVD Recorder.
Works with BroadCam Streaming Video Server to stream over the internet.

Add Captions to your Videos Debut lets you add captions to your video recordings.

Flexibility Ouput Settings

Choose the size and frame rate used to capture your video. Debut also lets you create either 4:3 or 16:9 videos. This flexibility makes Debut perfect for people creating videos for many different outputs (eg. YouTube, CD or television).

Handy Color Adjustments

When you adjust the color settings and effects of your incoming video the results can be seen instantly in the main window and captured when you hit record. Adjusting the brightness, contrast and gamma is perfect for lesser quality cameras who's image quality is not quite right.


	Download Debut Free Video Capturing Software here: Download Now

Video Recorder
Features
System Requirements
Download Now
Screenshots
Questions (FAQs)
Technical Support

System Requirements

Works on Windows Vista 2000/XP/2003/2008 and Windows 7
For earlier Windows versions (98, ME) please click here
[Optional] Webcam with Windows Drivers
[Optional] USB Video Capture Device

Download Debut Video Capture Software

More Information...

Thursday, September 10, 2009

All-in-One Office Suite – like Microsoft Office, only FREE

this is a suite of software programs that are compatible with Microsoft’s versions. it will read & write to Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, etc. it’s for Windows & Mac. AND it includes a PDF reader/writer.

check it out

openoffice

Download the Best Office Suite

Designed by the best as a single piece of software, OpenOffice was created to help you. This complete All-in-One Office Suite contains all that is needed for a productive day at the office, from word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. OpenOffice is the best overall solution.

Desktop Publisher
Mathematical
Formulae
Multimedia
presentations
Graphics &
Diagrams
Spreadsheet
software
Database,
Queries & Reports

The leading Office Software Suite for
Word processing, Spreadsheets, Presentations and More!

Available in many languages and works on all major operating systems. Open Office suite saves all your data in the international open standard format witch then can also be read, modified and printed from other common office software packages. Download now and enjoy the best Office Suite available in any language!

Arabic
Bulgarian
Bengali
Bosnian
Czech
Welsh
Danish
German
Greek
Spanish
Persian
Finnish
French
Irish
Hebrew
Hindi
Croatian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Dutch
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Slovenian
Swedish
Ukrainian
Chinese

Why choose OpenOffice

Open Office Suite
MS Office

Reader / Write

Calc / Math

Presentations

Spreadsheets

Designed by the best as a single piece of software, OpenOffice was created to help you. This complete All-in-One Office Suite contains all that is needed for a productive day at the office.

Download Now

The Suite is a multiplatform office productivity suite. It includes desktop applications such as a word processor, a spreadsheet program, a presentation manager, and a drawing program, with a user interface and feature set similar to those of other office suites.

Find out more

The suite works transparently with a variety of file formats, including those of Microsoft Office. The Suite is available in 27 languages, with more being constantly added by the community.

Instant Access

OpenOffice - The Complete Office Solution

Disclaimer: This website has no affiliation whatsoever with the owner of this software program and does not re-sell or license software. All software is freeware and/or shareware with the understanding that the user may need or want to pay for it later. Membership is for unlimited access to our site's resources. We provide an organized website with links to third party freeware and shareware software, technical support, tutorials and step by step guides.

Traveling Cases

saw this site and thought some of the cases looked useable for hauling around all my tech stuff.

see whatcha think.

<a href="http://www.portercase.com/product_info.php?osCsid=9f20ac242e9e63c1920920b97cec49ae&products_id=52">Porter Case® Travel Case Solutions - Product Information</a>

- Script Witch

Saturday, September 5, 2009

AppleInsider | Apple's much-anticipated tablet device coming early next year

AppleInsider | Apple's much-anticipated tablet device coming early next year

my mac friends rejoice. help may be on the way to a tablet near you.

So, as guessed, it's gonna have a smaller screen 10", and "is expected to retail for somewhere between the cost of a high-end iPhone and Apple's most affordable Mac notebook", "is bound to turn up any time between January and March 2010, should there be no last minute setbacks". there's also a possibility that Verizon might be the 3G carrier not AT&T

Shared via AddThis

Virtual Scribe: Or More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Digital Script Supervising

Looking for Something Specific? Search it Here

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

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

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

Friday, September 25, 2009

Courier: First Details of Microsoft's Secret Tablet - Microsoft courier tablet - Gizmodo

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Mimo Monitors - Welcome

Saturday, September 12, 2009

SavingFace - Makeup Continuity Software

SavingFace Continuity Software for makeup & hair

Now Available!

SavingFace Version 1.5.0

What's new :

Special Makeup Effects Module for SavingFace 1.5.0

This plug-in for SavingFace Software Version 1.5.0 is our most complete and powerful tool to date!

Branding Module for SavingFace 1.5.0

The Branding Module allows you to upload your own logo to customise the reports you share with others.

SavingFace Continuity Software is the industry standard for makeup and hair continuity record-keeping in film and television.

Debut - A Free Video Capture Software

Debut Video Capture Software

Record video from webcam, capture device or screen

Features

Add Captions to your Videos

Flexibility Ouput Settings

Handy Color Adjustments

Download Debut Free Video Capturing Software here:

System Requirements

Download Debut Video Capture Software

More Information...

Thursday, September 10, 2009

All-in-One Office Suite – like Microsoft Office, only FREE

Traveling Cases

Saturday, September 5, 2009

AppleInsider | Apple's much-anticipated tablet device coming early next year

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