who has one

Going gone · Veteran Member

who has one

Firefly · Guru

I bought my daughter a "tablet" for Xmas, similar to an ipad but bucket loads cheaper. She loves it, does everything, including taking photos, that it ipad does.

I don't have a kindle or the like, only because I love the physical feel and smell of books. I love to write so that all ties in.

This site is like anywhere else you go in life mate. Some people talk a lot, others like to listen, some come in for ages than life takes a different direction and we can't be on here as much. smile

jonathan · Guru

Hi Judy and Ben ..

Once you appreciate the freedom we have on this site, you will also find your own niche that suits you .. Some folks are naturally more inclined to a social interaction on here than others.

Be fully aware though, there are multitudes of viewers .. many who later find that after some time they introduce themselves and are now also active members. If you wish to 'post' something on here, always be aware that you are putting it up for all to see ..

I find it quite enjoyable and have found many friends here .. It's very much a individual thing .. enjoy ! .. and a Happy New year to you both.

Jon

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hi Judy and Ben - welcome to the friendliest site - as Jonathan says, the dynamics of the site change all the time, sometimes people are, for various reasons, staying in one place for a while, but still feel a part of the "community of grey nomads", so they post more frequently, sometimes people are travelling extensively and to places where they don't get good reception, and use their limited internet time to contact families etc.

You will see that there are "get togethers" sometimes, sometimes just for coffee, other time sto camptogether. Can meet some really good people this way.
Anyway, enjoy the site - enjoy travelling - do it "your" way.

Vic · Guru

Hi Judy and Ben,

With a membership of around 3000 plus, it does make you wonder why more do not post on here, why do they join when they can still view the threads without joining if they are not going to post? Is it to get the recent E Newsletter? (although still a reasonable membership before that)?

Or because they want to view members profiles which they can't do without joining? (best to limit or amend your profile with brief info for security reasons as the motives of silent members is never clear and anyone can join). eg; putting full name and suburb/state could be a recipe for break in's etc, especially if you post you are going away for a period around Oz or elsewhere etc.

However make sure you put your state so people know how to respond if you are seeking info on local services etc, it can be frustrating for members to say you are looking for a caravan repairer but don't indicate a general area. Not much good telling you about one in a state when you are in another etc.

A few days ago I bought a Notebook for travelling, smaller than a laptop and has a keyboard and touch pad mouse (can attach regular mouse if needed). I was going to buy an ipad or equilavent, but decided the Notebook would better meet my needs, will use when away with a prepaid wireless dongle when away, at home have wireless so will not need a dongle. Just my choice, a bit bigger than than an ipad and easier to see.

If you can tolerate small screens, some of the new mobile phones are good with visual screens and prepaid or plan for internet, also like ipad's they can take photo's etc. Just have a think about what your needs are and be guided by that after researching the different products.

We had a recent GN Sandgropers lunch recently at Cannington which was very nice, so keep you eye on GN get togethers or organise one yourself if you feel inclined.

Pejay · Guru

Hi Judy & Ben,
A warm welcome from us here @ 'The Woodshack' - we are ones that don't contribute a lot, but we certainly gain a lot from this forum etc.

I bought (or should I say, my niece did - I didn't know what to look for) an ipod for Pete for Christmas so he can listen to all his country music to his hearts content, however he has got to 'learn' how to drive the darn thing, and occasionally put a couple of 'nice' ones on it for me!! Not too much to ask, I believe.

Anyway, hope you enjoy being part of a fabulous group of friends - we have met up with a couple whilst on the road - and thoroughly enjoyed their company, looking forward to meeting up with lots more with each trip we do.

golivers travels · Guru

Hi Judy and Ben
Welcome to the site.
On our recent 12 month trip around Aus, my husband had his laptop and I bought an Ipad. I also purchased a 12 month Telstra prepaid for the ipad around $150. It has been fantastic. This ends late January and still have some money left on it. Great value.We also have a dongle for the laptop but used my ipad for emailing, forums, facebook, surfing the net, etc. I also use the ipad for purchasing and reading e books, internet banking,etc
As we are keen bird watchers and photographers, we have a program on the ipad with bird sounds and information that we can use when out in the bush. The ipad is so versatile and portable. Take to friends places to show photos, use as a recipe book etc
While at home I connect to our wireless.

And no Ido not have shares in Apple lol

Glenda

milo · Guru

hi and welcome to the site, you can get 3g mobile net (pre paid) on the ipad2, so you can surf the net and check emails
etc , my friend has one and she takes it every where..
i would get the 3 g thru telstra, as thats the only isp that has the best coverage for travel around aussie land.

ps you can get keyboards now for ipads, also you can download a kindle app too so you can read all your books on the ipad too..

milo

-- Edited by milo on Friday 30th of December 2011 12:19:18 PM

Dellalan · Veteran Member

Hi Judy

I usually travel with an iPad and laptop. The laptop does a lot more than the iPad, but the iPad is so handy and quick. You just press the button and it's connected. Be aware that if you want to use it on the road, you need the WiFi and 3G model. Also, with regard to the size of the iPad, I have 4000 song, 230 photos and 58 apps on the 64gig iPad and it still has half the memory available. Just to give you an idea of how much it can hold. You may find that the 16 gig one is ideal.

Not sure what the rules are regarding recommending suppliers, but I have just upgraded to the iPad2 and the cheapest place to buy online is www.kogan.com.au . I got mine within a week of ordering.

it is best to use the Telstra sim while traveling as Telstra have the best coverage. I was using the month by month at $30 but it was more economical to buy the 12 months for $150.00.

The iPad2 has Face Time and you can get Skype for free which works well. There are thousands of apps available and a lot of free ones. The ones you pay for are usually fairly inexpensive.

I like the ease of use with iTunes on my laptop, which holds your backup, and you can sync with an iPhone and iPod, really easily.

No, I don't have any shares in the companies above, but I love the apple products for ease of operation.

Alan

AmandaJayne · Guru

My hubbys got himself a small laptop, a normal laptop and a gps thingy that does a multitude of things.... I have a laptop but with several 2 tb drives as I take a lot of photos and do scrapkit graphics as a hobby so need the space... BTW I will use it all!!! hahahahaha we're going to use a dongle for internet.... we are going to take two country phones, one that points you in the direction of satalites but its an older one so wont come with alot of things the new ones have so I'm looking at a motorola defy+ to keep in contact with the kids, it also comes with internet...

It really depends on what you want to do with it..... we, as a couple do alot on computers, kinda nerdy that way in this household, thats why we're taking so many.... in our home we have like LOTS hahahahaha.. my son, who is also a computer nerd will have a field day with them while looking after our home while we're away.

cannylass · Senior Member

Hi Judy i am a newbie my self I do make a small contribution to the forum when I can. I went to a laptop for our trips away from home. and a pre paid telstra as Its the only one I have found that gives us pretty good coverage before I had an optus phone and even under a tower I had no coverage lol

Going gone · Veteran Member

Thank you all for the information, I loved reading them all.

I am becoming very hooked to this forum too, it covers so many areas that are very informative and a good laugh.

Yes I think I will be buying a ipad too. I have priced a lot of other ones, but though the ipad is very expensive, it does seem to be the best and it does more.

I am waiting to talk to my niece about the one called NEXT. She says it does everything too and it is a lot cheaper, I looked it up after xmas to see if it was the price but from a $150 it had gone back to $368, so I will wait untill I can talk to her, they are on holidays in Esperence, where we hope to be in a few weeks. Have any of you been there? it is such a great place as long as it not windy.

Happy New Year to you all, and will talk to you next year .

Judy

cannylass · Senior Member

We were there two yrs ago and had to buy a gas fire to keep warm lol that year it was very wet to.

Pam · Guru

Talking ipads, it does not have usb access point does it?

aussichef · Member

I have an Ipad with keyboard stand.And I wouldnt be without it.I use it as stated in a earlier reply,for surfing the forums,email,internet banking and even for Skype.I also have the 12 month $150 plan and again wouldn't be with ut it.I have e-books on here and find it good inside,but out in the annex etc hard to read .So bought the wife and I Kindles.Can't concentrate for too long after my stroke a couple of years ago but read an hour at a time a couple of times a day.Also living on the road full time and living for the past 4 years in a caravan a ipad & kindle save on so much space.Which is a premium in our situation lol .I do have a notbook computer but only use that when i edit my DSLR photo's in Photoshop, and when making a xcell sheet
Warren