Experiment Over

Firstly, pardon my gap in the experiment.

Day 3 and 4 I did nothing except work (so I was using my traditional linux desktop) so there was really nothing to report.  However moving forward, using my tablet and keyboard only served to slow me down by a large degree.  So I had to abandon because it was more of a hindrance   

But lets look at the functionality, speed of typing aside.

The Good:

• I was able to accomplish everything I started out to do.  This included working on spreadsheets, complex Word documents, SSHing to Unix servers, FTPing and making changed to my web site, and standard media consumption.
• Accomplishing what I set out to do was quite easy and only required downloading a few apps, that I otherwise would not have needed under a Linux environment.
• The Nexus 7 is a very fast device!   In many cases typing aside, i was able to accomplish some things faster than using a traditional desktop.
• I can go a long way without interfacing with the grand grid!  AKA Electricity!   Battery in a tablet is WAY better than a traditional laptop.
• I was fine without a mouse and did not miss it (see the bad)

The Bad

• Typing was very very slow!!!!  This was the main thing that made me stop the experiment.  Although I could 'get by'.  My error rate was way way higher than a traditional keyboard.  This was due to the size of the keyboard.
• Bluetooth wow's.  I am not sure if this is just a bad quality keyboard, however after not typing for about 2 min, the keyboard would sleep.  So when I tapped/clicked on a text feild, the on screen keyboard would pop up until the bluetooth connection was re-established (About 10-20 seconds) at which point the on screen keyboard would go away.
• Using a Bluetooth Mouse and Keyboard at the same time caused communication issues.  (stuck and repeated letters, and no letters)  I would love to know if this is just my combination of hardware.  If anyone out there has a Nexus 7 and a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, pair and use them together and let me know if you see this issue!   Thanks!

In Conclusion, I think this could have been a great success if the following factors were to change.  Most importantly, a full size keyboard that was not prone to the above noted issues.  Secondly, if working to permanently replacing a laptop or a desktop, a 10"+ screen would be a serious asset.  I did get tired of using the 7" screen when working for more than half hour.

Questions Comments?  Lets talk!

//Ian\\

Android Saturation, Day 2

Day 2 of Android saturation.  Today I spent some time trying to get my tools that I may need to take support calls.  Since I carry a support phone for work, I may need to connect to client web servers to check out any issues. 

So today i spent some time going through the Google  Play Store offerings on free SSH Clients.  There were a few, but many would not work with special characters in passwords, or would have font sizes that were fixed and one need a micron microscope to see them.

There was one shining star.   Its called VX ConnectBot. It was able to accept my passwords with special characters and increase the font sizes.  So now I am able to connect to my office desktop via VPN and SSH.  From there I can access in-house tools to connect and access client systems,.

Today's App is VX ConnectBot.  Very elegant application.

Until Day 3
//Ian\\

Only Android Day 1

OK, let the experiment begin!!!

Nexus7 issues all solved and my only expected hindrance is that of my small keyboard and my stubby fingers.  So writing these entries may be of use in that I am beginning to use the small keys more. 

So, today I am starting.  I will refrain from using a desktop or a laptop with the following exceptions...  come on people, I am a geek and will require some hefty cpu power at times....
   - when i need cpu power for things such aa
         -music composition and audio processing
   - creating complex diagrams for external clients
   - Day job, I will continue to use my linux station, however my sidekick will no longer be my MBP, but rather this Nexus and its Keyboard.

I will also allow myself to use my Galaxty  Note.  After all, the point of this experiment is to see if one can use an Android device as a primary computer.  So today, I have been watching a movie using the StickIt application, allowing me to have a movie in a moveable window.  I downloaded a file off my web site, and edited it in OfficeSuite.  I have to say that OfficeSuite was a disappointment of a paid app.  For $15, it seemed  like a good deal, however, they fail to mention that the extended fonts are another $6 and then you need to download a third party dictionary, which costs more money.
 
I was then able to download an FTP client and re-upload it to my site :)   So far so so good.    I was also doing normal internet research using Chrome and Google Maps.

This blog was also written, uploaded, and published on the Nexus 7 using OfficeSuite, and the Blogger Apps.

Cheers!!!
//Ian\\

PS, Bullets did not cut and paste into the Blogger App, and the Blogger app does not have bullets.  First known limitation.   :)

Experiment on Hold :( Bad Device.

Sadly friends, I will have to suspend this little experiment of mine until I can get my Nexus 7 replaced.  Mine no longer wants to accept a charge.  Constant plug-in (12 hrs), still shows battery decline.  My nexus has about 16% battery left on it and I needed that to backup my data before she dies.  Also time to perform a factory reset to see if that solves the issue.   So far, its been about 10 min after a factory reset and the battery is still showing decline.

I have tried its charger, USB Port on my PC, USB on my Macbook, Various AC chargers (Samsung Galaxy Tab Charger, Nexus S charger, various cables and nothing seems to give my new love the go juice it so needs. 

So sadly, I will have to return it and wait for a replacement.  Since the place where I bought it is again out of stock, I am sure I will have to wait a few days.

I have scoured the forums looking for reasons for this issue and I have tried them all.  So if anyone has any other suggestions...   (and the nay sayers, hold your comments about iOS devices.  It will never happen!) please do let me know.

Sadly signing off this experiment until I can get a new device.  But rest assured friends, I will restart the experiment in all its glory as soon as I have a replacement Nexus.

Stay Geeky.
//Ian\\

{PS: 
As an aside, if you have tried the factory reset and cant get into the Recovery mode and are stuck at the Google screen, make sure your device is plugged into a PC.  Then it will start recovery mode for you.  Not sure why this is...  Maybe to assure it has power to perform the operations?}

Day 1 No Laptop Aug 7/2012

Day 1

So today my case came with the keyboard.  It goes without saying that this keyboard is a little smaller than what I am used to.  So if I can get used to the smaller size, I think I can make this work.  Yes, I am currently writing this blog on my android using an office package.  Fact is, i am quazy sitting in comfort on the subway.   Although I am making errors, its nothing that I cant fix later and I think I can make this work.

My main challenges at this point are having yet another device to charge (the keyboard) and the idiosyncrasies with using a bluetooth keyboard.   I have found myself having to re-pair the device a couple times today.  But I admit that may be user error.  DOH

The first issue I had was, by default, the Nexus 7 home screen is only in portrait.  But I am not a fan of stock home screens anyway.  So I have already replaced it with Go Launcher which allows either mode and is more feature rich anyway plus it has pretty animations, and hell, I'll admit, I like the pretty stuff.  There I said it!

So the rules I have set out for myself in the next week:

• No using my laptop...  with a few exceptions.  Sometimes I need cpu power for software such as Ableton Live.  Also I use a tool for work called OmniGraffle.  I will use my laptop for those.
• I will remain using my workstation at the office as I cannot sacrifice workplace productivity for a personal experiment.

I think that is about it.  So this has been day 1, and I have written this entry, a few personal emails and that's about it.   I use my laptop more on the weekends, so by then,  i hope to be all set and comfy.

Until tomorrow friends.

Please tell your friends about this, and tweeeeeeeeet  :)   I would love to get a discussion going around this little experiment of mine.

Cheers!!!

PS   I posted this article the following morning on the bus on my way into work.  See picture below.   On to day 2! 

Ditching the Laptop for Android.... Sorta...

Hi All,

Now that I have an Android Device that has a real processor (Ill explain more later), I am going to try a little experiment soon.  I am such geek that my laptop lever leaves my back pack, except when its in use, and I never go anywhere without my back pack.    Basically, I don't go anywhere w/o my laptop... my life.

So I recently scored a Nexus 7 tablet.  This thing is peppy, and quite beautiful.  Sporting the latest Android, Jellybean (4.1), and a Quad Core CPU, battery to kill, and a screen resolution such that I cant see any pixels.

So the experiment.  I want to test to see how functional Android is for production.  So I have ordered a case, that flips up like a  laptop and has a keyboard.  My Bluetooth mouse will pair and work with the device.  So once the case arrives, I am going to ditch the laptop for a week.


Stay Tuned!