How to pick your tablet

As an avid user of all things gadget-y, I have a particular fondness to go to a store and try out all the new toys that arrive at our shores. Every now and then, I get this urge to binge and buy the first gadget I touch. Thank God, or I would be penniless! Albeit I could get my money back from the resale - but that's not quite the point of buying them in the first place, is it?

Anyway, until last month I would constantly visit electronic stores in the city randomly and check out the range of deals and options that tablets had for me. Believe me when I say this - being strong willed was VERY important!! 

What really amazed me were the options available in this class of Consumer Tech! The specifications varied from a Simple single-core processor to a dual-core processor; screen sizes ranging from 7 inches to 10 inches, colour depth and resolution ranging from VGA quality to HD! The operating system options also were pretty amazing within a single class of device - Windows, various versions of Android, RIMs OS for the playbook and the world famous iOS.

So now the question really is: How do you pick the tablet of choice? 

It really is quite simple! Let me just put this into perspective with the way I picked up my Blackberry Playbook:

1. Budget: I had a budget of about AED 1000 - AED 1500. Not too many good options in this price range but thankfully (at the time of buying my tablet) the Playbook 64GB was under offer available at AED 1250. (So that was 1-0 in favor of the playbook)

2. Screen Size: I was not fussy - I needed something larger than my mobile screen and something that was not cumbersome. When I tried out the various 10 inchers I found that the device needed extra long thumbs to use or just one hand. The 7inch screen on the other hand made thumb typing (even in landscape mode) pretty easy. Not to mention that it was not that heavy to lug around and was still bigger than my 3 inch mobile screen. (That is score 2 for the playbook)

3. Processing power: I needed a machine that could manage multiple applications running in the background and still not lag or fail when I am using the device. The only devices powerful enough for this were Apple iPad, and a few Android powered Tabs - Samsung, Moto and even Asus. The playbook featured a Dual Core TI OMAP chipset with 1 GB of RAM dedicated to running applications. That was enough for me. The GPU is no slouch either, making gaming smooth and fun :) - Score 3 for Playbook!

4. Browsing: I needed a full function browser. Now iOS was not a pick here since - let's face it - no flash. Android could have worked but then the devices did not fit into my criteria number 1 - the playbook was perfect with a full function browser with HTML5 and Adobe flash support - I could now play Farmville (if I wanted to, that is) on facebook. My group editor, when I was in PC World showed me that he could! :) Score 4

5. Application support: Now this is a big bone for contention - you buy a table so you have productivity on the move. Which means you need applications running on them. Finding the right application for your use is very tricky but very important. Now iOS and Android have been around for a VERY long time and they both have applications that range from official applications to fan made applications that have been designed to fulfill whatever you need. I went through all the applications stores everywhere. Windows failed right at the outset with not enough applications to do even the basic stuff. Apple had apps but you need a credit card and a little bit of courage to spend from that credit card. Android had the applications too but then getting the right one to actually work on an OS that has bugs in them from the word go - refer to my previous post about why I hate Android - and well that put me off completely. Blackberry, on the other hand, suprised me with application support for all the major things that I needed: Word Processing (this is a business tablet - it came inbuilt); Wordpress (for blogging); camera with editing - and this I must say is pretty nifty for basic stuff - nothing fancy but excellent photo quality and videos too; and even a few applications that were pretty useful like an FTP client and cloud storage access. I was sold - that was score 5 for the Playbook!

6. Connectivity: This is something that you need - it is a tablet and you need to be online! Wi-fi and Bluetooth is standard - 3G is optional. Can you survive with only Wi Fi then you have nothing to fear. With a 3G connection you will constantly worry about usage. How did the Playbook fair? It uses my Blackberry's bridge application to read my emails and even surf the web when I am on the move. I have a virtually unlimited connection on my Blackberry and this was very reassuring that I would not need a separate bill for my tablet. When I am at home or at a friends place, I use Wi Fi and I am sorted. The playbook won me over completely! Score 6 :) if you have an iPhone with a connection, then buy an iPad with only a wifi connection - that should be MORE than sufficient since the new iOS on the iPhone has a wifi broadcast feature to share your connection (called tethering) - all the other problems can be overcome.

This is the way I was able to shortlist the Playbook for myself. But this guide should be able to tell you what you really need to focus on before buying a tablet - after it is more than just good looks, right?

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The Myers-Briggs Personality Test (R) - What is it?

Overview

The Myers-Briggs® Type Indicator (MBTI) has been around for more than sixty years. It is a tried and true indicator of your personality type. That is not to say that the MBTI will explain every single aspect of your personality, but it will certainly explain a lot about who you are.

 

One of the main principles behind the MBTI is that you are born a certain type. Therefore, the more you are put in situations that allow you to be who you are, the better you will feel and the more productive you will be. MBTI is about how you feel most energized, how you perceive information, how you make decisions, and how you deal with the outside world. It is about preferences, preferences you are born with.

 

It's All About Preferences

Let us give you an example that will clarify what is meant by preferences: Write your name with the hand that you normally use to write with. You will notice that it comes easily to you. Now try to write your name with the other hand. You will notice that although you can do it, you cannot do it as well. It also feels uncomfortable to you. That is exactly how it is with your personality preferences; you are more comfortable and more productive in situations where you can be who you naturally are.

 

That is not to say that you cannot learn to act in a different manner; you can and you need to. As you develop and become more aware of yourself, you also become aware of areas that you need to work on and improve upon. The MBTI will tell you what these areas are; by telling you what your blind spots are, it tells you what you need to work on so that you may lead a more fulfilling and productive life.

 

The Results

Your MBTI personality type will be composed of four letters. The combination of these letters will tell you quite a bit about your personality. What is important to know at this point is that you will be told whether you are an Extrovert or Introvert, whether you are Judging or Perceiving, and what your dominant, helping, tertiary and inferior functions are, ranging from your strongest (dominant) to your weakest (inferior), in that order.

 

Simply put, Extroversion (E) and Introversion (I) refer to where you feel most energized. Judging (J) and Perceiving (P) refer to how you prefer to lead your life. As to functions, these refer to how you prefer to take in information, where you either prefer to use Sensing (S) or Intuition (N). Functions also refer to how you prefer to make decisions, where you either prefer to use Thinking (T) or Feeling (F).

 

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E S T P - This is what my MBTI is

Logical Responder: Act & Adapt

"It's easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission"

Strengths

You are an Extrovert with Sensing as your strongest dominant function and Thinking as your second strongest "helping" function. This means that your greatest strength is your ability to take in information by focusing on the facts and the specifics of a situation. You are practical, realistic and detail-oriented, noticing and remembering factual information. You are resourceful and focused on something you can apply now.

Your second greatest strength (helping function) is your ability to make decisions based on logical analysis. You are able to act quickly and make things happen. You are realistic and prefer to take the most efficient route. You typically find a way through difficult situations.

Careers and ideal work environment

ESTPs are likely to do well in occupations that allow them to use their action-oriented focus to attend to the necessary details. Those include, but are not limited to, Marketing; Skilled Trades such as Construction and Maintenance Engineering; Business; Law Enforcement; Applied Technology such as Hardware Engineering and Website Design; Athletic Training; Interpreting; and Pharmacology.

ESTPs like to work with people and value trial and error in determining what works. They can be good team-members as long as the tasks are clearly defined and each member pays attention to what is logical. They enjoy hands-on experience; manage others loosely and prefer minimal supervision themselves.

As an ESTP your ideal work environment is one containing lively, action-oriented people focused on the immediate situation. You like to work in an environment that provides flexibility in doing the job, and rewards a quick response to problems.

General areas for development

As an Extrovert, you may appear demanding, blunt, and insensitive when you take charge during times of crisis. If so, you are strongly encouraged to take the time to explain to others why you have taken a particular course of action. You may also get too caught up in off-work activities such as sports and other hobbies.

Your blind spots include your Feeling and your Intuition; those are referred to as your tertiary and inferior functions, respectively. Because you base your decisions on logic, as opposed to people and values, you are likely to neglect interpersonal niceties and the impact of your behavior on those around you. Furthermore, in taking in the information around you, you may be so focused on the specifics of a situation that you may ignore the larger picture. For example, you may be so focused on the day-to-day realities of a situation that you may ignore the long-term implications.

Being a P, you are likely to overlook important information in your desire for the quick fix. You are likely to value openness and autonomy to such an extent that it creates an environment that is too lacking in structure, direction, and necessary follow-through. You may need to keep work and play in the proper perspective.

Being aware of your blind spots is vital. It sheds light on the areas that you need to develop. For example, it is important that you remind yourself to take long-term implications into consideration. It is also important that you plan for things and put in the effort necessary to achieve desired results. Finally, it is important that you include more interpersonal niceties and express appreciation of others.

Knowing your own, and other people's, type is very helpful. It allows you to appreciate differences instead of being frustrated by them. In knowing what your strengths are, you are able to capitalize on them. In knowing what your blind spots are, you can take steps to compensate for them. One way you can take steps to compensate for your blind spots is to seek the assistance of someone who does not share your type.

Extroverts tend to act first and think later. This is an advantage in cases that need an immediate response. However, it can also be a disadvantage in cases that require some time to think before acting. As a rule, in order to avoid taking hasty action, you are encouraged to take two steps back before responding or making a decision. If you find yourself unable to do so, you are encouraged to seek the assistance of an Introvert who will surely give you invaluable input. Make sure, however, that you allow the Introvert the time he or she needs to reflect.

Sensing people are more comfortable dealing with practical matters. They pay a great deal of attention to detail and love to put their experience to practical use. They are very much about the "here and now". This is an advantage in cases that require a practical response that is appropriate to the day-to-day realities and demands of a situation. However, it can be a disadvantage in cases that require a more long-term, more creative view of the situation. As a rule, you are encouraged to consciously include the long-term in your view of things and to push yourself to be more creative. If you find yourself unable to do so, you are encouraged to seek the assistance of an Intuitive person who will surely provide you with a different way of seeing things. He or she is sure to give you the long-term view as well as more creative, if less practical, ideas.

Thinking people are more comfortable making decisions based on a logical analysis of the facts. They love to come up with solutions that meet the logical demands of a situation. They will see flaws and take action to correct them. This is an advantage in cases that require an impersonal logical response. However, it can be a disadvantage in cases that require a more personal response that takes other people's feelings into account. As a rule, you are encouraged to push yourself to take more personal and subjective matters into account when making your decisions. If you find yourself unable to do so, you are encouraged to seek the assistance of a Feeling person who will surely provide you with the personal input that you need.

Perceiving people are more comfortable dealing with things as they arise. They love to spend their time gathering information without necessarily making decisions. They lead an open, flexible life, and are able to come up with spontaneous solutions. This is an advantage in cases that require an open exploration of the facts. It is also an advantage in times of crisis where a calm and adaptive response is needed. It can, however, be a disadvantage in cases that require planning, organization, and methodical implementation. As a rule, you are encouraged to push yourself to plan, to set goals, and to work to achieve them. If you find yourself unable to do so, you are encouraged to seek the assistance of a Judging person who will surely provide you with the planning and structuring that you need.

Communication strengths and areas for development

When you express yourself, you are straightforward and matter-of-fact. You are active, engaging, and challenging. While initially impersonal, you can be charming, easygoing, tolerant, and casual. You are not likely to enjoy sitting around discussing matters for long periods, and you like to hear practical to-the-point information. You like to hear information that is logical, direct, and objective. You like to hear communication that is engaging and fun. You like to hear clear specific information that lacks ambiguity. You like to question information for its immediate application. You do not like to hear communication that is too verbose, abstract, or future-oriented. In times of crisis, you like to act very quickly and do not want to slow down to explain your actions.

In your focus on the task at hand, you are likely to neglect the needs and the situations of the people involved. If so, you are strongly encouraged to make a conscious effort to develop rapport and connect with others. In your focus on spotting flaws, you may tend to give more corrective than positive feedback; make a conscious effort to create a balance between the two, particularly with F types. Make an effort to use accepted and standardized procedures to accomplish tasks. Before skipping steps or modifying procedures, check to ensure that you are not missing something important. As a rule, you need to include more order and interpersonal niceties in your communication.

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Why I don't like android!

This is a constant cause for concern for most new phone buyers. What applications will my phone support? Will I get the necessary updates to my OS to remove any bugs in my phone?

While the iOS, BlackBerry and Symbian essentially do not need much/any tinkering to get the basic applications you need to stay in touch or get work done, I have found that the Android system is essentially flawed. Or at least it is flawed in the manner executed by handset manufacturers and not in line with the way Google intended it to be.

I remember fondly, not so long ago, when the G1 was launched. Google's own little pet project running a Qualcomm chip set and a full touch interface. The concept was perfect and executed well enough to make others sweat.

There have been 9 updates to that OS since then and each one trying hard to overcome the flaws being highlighted by handset manufacturers around the world. Each company has taken the basic system and mangled it no end making the basic system inherently unusable in its factory state!!

Not one manufacturer has used the basic OS in its desired form thereby making rooting the phone step 2 in any persons "guide to owning an android phone". These rules do not apply to the tablet for some reason!

This is my biggest pet peeve with android os handsets.

When I compare factory settings with an iPhone or a BlackBerry or even a Nokia - I find that I get what I need right out of the box - no surprises! No disappointments!

Now this is why I still use a Nokia or a Blackberry with great regard as compared to an Android.

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Little Johnny in Class

Little Johnny Does Different Maths 
Little Johnny was busy doing his homework. As his mother approached she heard:
"One and one, the son-of-a-bitch is two."
"Two and two, the son-of-a-bitch is four."
"Three and three... " 
His mother interrupted, asking where he had learned this way of doing math. Little Johnny remarked that his teacher Ms. Margo taught him. His mother was rather upset and told him to stop the homework. 
The next day she stormed into Little Johnny's classroom and confronted Ms. Margo. Little Johnny's mother told Ms. Margo about Little Johnny's different way of doing math, and his claims that Ms. Margo taught it that way to the class. The teacher was flabbergasted. She said that she couldn't understand why Little Johnny had said what he did. 
Then suddenly, Ms Margo exclaimed, "Oh, I know, here in school we say, one and one, the sum-of-which is two." 
****

Peeping Johnny 
A new teacher was giving an assignment to her class one day. It was a large assignment so she started writing high up on the chalkboard. Suddenly there was a giggle from one of the male students.
She quickly turned and asked, "What's so funny Pat?"
"Well teacher, I just saw one of your garters."
"Get out of my classroom," she yells, "I don't want to see you for three days." 
The teacher turns back to the chalkboard. Realizing she had forgotten to title the assignment; she reaches to the very top of the chalkboard. Suddenly there is an even louder giggle from another male student.
She quickly turns and asks, "What's so funny, Billy?"
"Well teacher, I just saw both of your garters." 
Again she yells, "Get out of my classroom!" This time the punishment is more severe, "I don't want to see you for three weeks." 
Embarrassed, she drops the eraser when she turns around, so she bends over to pick it up. This time there is an all out belly laugh from another male student. She quickly turns to see Little Johnny leaving the classroom.
"Where do you think you are going?" she asks.
"Well teacher, from what I just saw, my school days are over." 

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Pet Peeves: What Dogs hate about humans

'1' Blaming your farts on me..... not funny... not funny at all !!! 
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'2' Yelling at me for barking.  I'M A FRIGGIN' DOG 
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'3' Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyway? 
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'4' Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose. Stop it! 
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'5 ' The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. You fooled a dog! Whoooo Hoooooooo what a proud moment for the top of the food chain. 
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' 6 ' Taking me to the vet for 'the big snip', then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back! 
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' 7’ Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. Sorry, but I haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet . 
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' 8 ' Dog sweaters. Hello ??? Haven't you noticed the fur? 
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' 9 ' How you act disgusted when I lick myself. Look, we both know the truth. You're just jealous. 
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Now lay off me on some of these things. We both know who's boss here! You don't see me picking up your poop do you? 

EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY. 

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Magnus setting up the small camera on the big tripod for the video podcast!!

Taken at CPI Consumer Tech

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This is a series of jokes that end with the punch line "And that's when the fight started..."... Enjoy!

One year, I decided to buy my mother-in-law a cemetery plot as a New Year gift...

The next year, I didn't buy her a gift.
When she asked me why, I replied,
"Well, you still haven't used the gift I bought you last year!"

And that's how the fight started...
______________________________

My wife and I were watching "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" while we were in bed.
I turned to her and said, "Do you want to have Sex?"
"No," she answered. I then said,
"Is that your final answer?"
She didn't even look at me this time, simply saying, "Yes."
So I said, "Then I'd like to phone a friend."

And that's when the fight started...
______________________________

I took my wife to a restaurant.
The waiter, for some reason, took my order first.
"I'll have the rump steak, rare, please."
He said, "Aren't you worried about the mad cow?"
"Nah, she can order for herself."

And that's when the fight started...
______________________________

My wife and I were sitting at a table at her high school reunion, and she
kept staring at a drunken man swigging his drink as he sat alone at a nearby table.
I asked her, "Do you know him?"
"Yes", she sighed,
"He's my old boyfriend... I understand he took to drinking right after we
split up those many years ago, and I hear he hasn't been sober since."
"My God!" I said, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"

And then the fight started...
______________________________

When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't run, my wife kept hinting to me
that I should get it fixed. But, somehow I always had something else to take
care of first, the shed, the boat, making beer... Always something more
important to me. Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point.
When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily
snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I watched silently for
a short time and then went into the house. I was gone only a minute, and
when I came out again I handed her a toothbrush. I said, "When you finish
cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the driveway."

The doctors say I will walk again, but I will always have a limp.
______________________________

My wife sat down next to me as I was flipping channels.
She asked, "What's on TV?"
I said, "Dust."

And then the fight started...
______________________________

Saturday morning I got up early, quietly dressed, made my lunch, and
slipped quietly into the garage. I hooked up the boat up to the van, and
proceeded to back out into a torrential downpour. The wind was blowing 50 mph, so I
pulled back into the garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the
weather would be bad all day. I went back into the house, quietly
undressed, and slipped back into bed.. I cuddled up to my wife's back, now with a
different anticipation, and whispered, "The weather out there is terrible."
My loving wife of 5 years replied, "And, can you believe my stupid husband
is out fishing in that?"

And that's how the fight started...
______________________________

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary.
She said, "I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds."
I bought her a bathroom scale.

And then the fight started...
______________________________

After retiring, I went to the Social Security office to apply for Social Security.
The woman behind the counter asked me for my driver's License to verify my age.
I looked in my pockets and realized I had left my wallet at home.
I told the woman that I was very sorry, but I would have to go home and come back later.
The woman said, "Unbutton your shirt."
So I opened my shirt revealing my curly silver hair.
She said, "That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me" and she
processed my Social Security application..
When I got home, I excitedly told my wife about my experience at the Social Security office...
She said, "You should have dropped your pants. You might have gotten disability, too."

And then the fight started... 

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Hello people. Allow me to introduce you to my happy family - Theres Partha, Dhanashree, and our son YOJIT !!!!

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