Washington Apple Pi JournalMarch – April 2010 Volume 32, No. 2 What's your take on the new iPad? See the iPad Survey inside! 1 of 28 President Jay Castillo [email protected] Washington Apple Pi Treasurer (Vacant) [email protected] Secretary Gordon Nord [email protected] Directors Len Adler Journal [email protected] Richard Allen March – April 2010 [email protected] Volume 32, No. 2 Jonathan Bernstein [email protected] Thomas Carlson [email protected] Neil Ferguson [email protected] Ken Goldman [email protected] Bob Jarecke [email protected] Deadlines Larry Kerschberg Writers’ submissions: [email protected] May–June 2010 — March 30, 2010 Brent Malcolm July–August 2010 — May 30, 2010 [email protected] Richard Orlin Copyright Notice [email protected] © COPYRIGHT 2010, by Washington Apple Pi, Ltd. Charles Reintzel Anyone wishing to reprint material from this publication must first obtain permission. Such [email protected] requests may be sent by email to [email protected] or by postal mail to the Pi office Mike Schnieble care of Washington Apple Pi Journal Editor. When reprinting any portion of the contents [email protected] John White herein, proper author, title, and publication credits must be given. A copy of the article as [email protected] printed must be sent to Washington Apple Pi, 12022 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 20852. Managing Editor Bob Jarecke [email protected] Editor Lawrence I. Charters [email protected] Senior Copy Editor Patsy Chick Contacting Washington Apple Pi [email protected] Copy Editors Diana King Washington Apple Pi, Ltd. [email protected] 12022 Parklawn Drive Jay Castillo Rockville, MD 20852 [email protected] Business Office: 301/984-0300 [message] Design & Production Campbell David [email protected] Web address: http://www.wap.org Photo Editor Richard Sanderson Email address: [email protected] [email protected] Washington Apple Pi Comments to: [email protected] Journal March – April 2010 2 of 28 Table of Contents Editor’s Column By Bob Jarecke ...............................................................4 An On-Line Poll............................................................17 From the President: I Now Own December We’re Counting on You! © 2010 Lawrence I. Charters ......................................18 By Jay Castillo .................................................................5 Wickeder Fast Fingerprints: Why you care about the iPad © 2010 Derrick Garbell ...............................................19 © 2010 Lawrence I. Charters ........................................6 Tips & Tricks Twelve Full Monitors By Jonathan Bernstein .................................................20 By David L. Harris ..........................................................9 Help Wanted – Inquire Within ..................................24 What I Learned from Having My Laptop Stolen © 2009 David Blatner ..................................................11 Comic Pi........................................................................26 Rob Pegoraro, Washington Post technology columnist Washington Apple Pi Meetings ..................................27 By Lawrence I. Charters .............................................13 Washington Apple Pi Comments to: [email protected] Journal March – April 2010 3 of 28 Editor’s Page Editor’s Column By Bob Jarecke his issue of the Journal deals, among deal of good content out there that is easy other things, with the new kid on the to find. Third, members who wish they could Tblock, the iPad. While we couldn’t contribute can do so by pointing the editors provide any earth-shattering insider informa- to outside articles that they think the mem- tion or a review of the recently announced bership will enjoy. Some folks may not be iPad (the device is weeks from shipping as able to write, but can recognize good writing; this Journal is being prepared), we are able to here’s their chance to prove it! offer some unique Pi perspectives on this lat- est Apple handheld device. Of course, there Finally, I would like to say a special thanks to is much more in this copy of the Journal, and those who have taken a moment to submit there is a new development. Please, read on. feedback about past issues of the Journal. Vir- tually all of the comments have been positive, In the last issue of the Journal, I wrote in and we editors are delighted and appreciative this column about the need for content. I of the kind pats on the back. It makes the ef- pointed out that our bi-monthly periodical is fort worth it. So, keep them cards and letters a homegrown publication, relying exclusively coming! Just click on the feedback link that is on member submissions, and pleaded for at the bottom of every Journal page and pass wider participation. So where are we now, two along whatever is on your mind. Thanks. months hence? Enough already. Enjoy your Journal! In this Journal, we have a number of articles from members, including some who respond- ed to the call, and we thank each one for their contributions. However, in the end, my plea did not generate any real groundswell of content. So, we continue on with Plan B: use outside content. Blasphemy, you say? Please hear me out. The rationale for introducing outside content into our Journal is threefold. First, the need for substantive content rules. No content, no Journal. If you can’t create it, you need to find it elsewhere. Second, there is a great Washington Apple Pi Comments to: [email protected] Journal March – April 2010 4 of 28 President’s Page From the President: We’re Counting on You! hen the Pi Management Committee was graphic design and one with editing. By Jay Castillo engaged in its strategic planning exercise, Wwe discussed the Pi’s strengths and Now, the less good news: we must fill weaknesses. An interesting item that appeared as both several important Pi operating offices and a strength and a weakness was the Pi’s dependence posts, and time is growing short. We have on volunteers to perform almost all its functions. It is immediate need of a Treasurer. Developing a strength in that we have dedicated individuals who and tracking our budget, managing our contribute time and energy to do challenging and taxes, and reporting to the Board of rewarding work. These are generous people, whom Directors are the basic responsibilities. we value highly. But they are too few in number The most important qualifications are an and can suffer burnout, and in some instances the interest in the task and a willingness to unavailability of a volunteer can stifle a vital activity. learn. We will provide support and software. These are the weaknesses of a volunteer organization. We still need a backup for our bookkeeper. Software is available! But we have some good news to report. Two capable members have volunteered to plan and conduct Last, but still very important, we must fill this year’s Pi Photo Contest. They are just starting five vacancies on the Pi Board of Directors. their effort. Once they have determined the contest The nomination period has begun so topics, rules, and schedules, we will let you know. We please forward names to [email protected]. expect that we will have an exciting contest, and we Nominations close at the end of March. invite as many members as possible to participate. The responsibilities are not onerous. The We also have a new volunteer to be our Social Media time required is not demanding. Most Manager. He will use Twitter, Facebook, and other necessary is an interest in ensuring that the social media to inform our membership of Pi news, Pi management makes decisions that are events, and sources of more detailed information. sound business practices and benefit our This is another outcome of our strategic planning membership. goals to communicate better with our membership, and to incorporate modern Internet technologies Volunteerism in the Pi is a continuing and and tools into our activities. Two other members critical element in our success. Without it, have volunteered to help with the Journal, one with we will have none. Please step forward. Washington Apple Pi Comments to: [email protected] Journal March – April 2010 5 of 28 Cover Story Fingerprints: Why the criticisms are silly: Why you care The iPad doesn’t need to fit in a shirt or jacket pocket; the iPhone and iPod touch do about the iPad this quite nicely. It is hard to say if it is too fragile, since nobody has had one to torment yet. Since digital cameras and video cameras © 2010 Lawrence I. Charters and phone cameras are ubiquitous, does the iPad need a camera of its own? And if it did ithin a day of Apple’s have a camera, what kind of photo could announcement of the iPad, you take with a book-sized slab of aluminum Wthere were dozens of news and glass? stories on why it would fail. The January 27, 2010 announcement was preceded by years of The criticisms: As for supporting external speakers, it does speculation, some of it dating back to the day come with a built-in speaker and a stereo Apple killed the Newton in 1998. In fact, the • The iPad is too big for a shirt or jacket pocket; headphone jack. If you really wanted to speculation had reached such a frenzied pitch • The iPad is too fragile; hook it up to external speakers you could, that Apple was fated to disappoint millions although that does present a somewhat when it showed off the iPad for the first time. • The iPad doesn’t have a camera; awkward picture. You would definitely draw Apple had promised nothing – and it wasn’t • The iPad doesn’t support external speakers; stares sitting on the Metro listening to Lady enough. GaGa with your portable external speakers. • The iPad doesn’t have MIDI/FireWire/USB/a CD or DVD/an SD Wouldn’t headphones or earbuds make more slot/Ethernet; Now, keep in mind that, at this point, no- sense? body had an iPad, except those within Apple • The iPad doesn’t support HD video; working on the project.