Customer Reviews

iPad at Work

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This is an excellent follow up to the author's book, Mac at Work, which I also own on the Kindle. The author is well known for his podcast, MacPowerUsers, with co-host Katie Floyd.

This book is a very comprehensive guide to getting things done and being productive with your iPad. Although "work" is in the title it is very useful for just being productive in general.

The book is well written in plain English and is very readable. He describes how to use the iPad in general, and then reviews productivity apps, such as document reading, work processing, project management, calendars, note taking, presentations, etc. This is not a comprehensive list, so check the table of contents by downloading a sample to your Kindle.

He has tried all the apps himself and reviews them from his usage and not just by copying their web page like a lot of other reviews. At the end of each chapter he describes his own workflow.

It is up to date and includes IOS5 with it's new features.

I highly recommend this book along with Mac at Work, which also got excellent reviews.

iPad at work, David Sparks' follow up to his well received first book, "Mac At Work", is a significant contribution to the growing field of computer based, workflow management.

The computer tablet, as a mainstream computing device, has only been in existence since the introduction of the original iPad in 2010. Since that time we have seen almost every computer maker jump onto the tablet computing bandwagon, but as of now, late 2011, the Apple iPad still commands a lions' share of the computer tablet market.

For most consumers, who are first time tablet owners, or who are considering purchasing a first tablet, there are few available cultural references with which one can latch onto, in order that they conceptually visualize the role that a tablet computer might play in their everyday business workflows. Most people, for example believe that typing on the onscreen keyboard might be difficult or slow. I, as a typing challenged baby boomer, have found the opposite to be true. David Sparks debunks this widely held assumption, while also discussing the times, that for long documents, a Bluetooth keyboard might be a useful accessory. David Sparks, with a simple, direct style shows readers both a context, and the nuts and bolts application, of a technology which twenty years ago was only imagined in science fiction.

Patrick Stewart's character, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, in the syndicated television series "Star Trek, The Next Generation", walks around with a tablet computer in his hand quite often, on the futuristic "Starship Enterprise", provides a small taste of the possibilities of a tablet computing. With the iPad science fiction has entered the reality of the present day work world. The iPad is not just a laptop replacement or a large iPod Touch. It is a totally separate new category of computing device, with it's own unique strengths and limitations.

David Sparks, in this book, does not simply explore the possibilities of the present day "Titan" of the tablet world, he takes us down into the weeds of our everyday workaday hoeing and thrashing and he shows us both how the iPad can help us open up to new possibilities for the way we handle our work, and he also shows us how,in significant ways, the iPad, is a superior computing tool for simply getting things done.

Maybe the most important lesson to be learned from David Sparks' "iPad At Work" is that the iPad, is not simply an entertainment or information consumption device. It is fast becoming an indispensable tool, for those who find themselves working in today's fast paced and mobile work environment. I spoke with someone, on the day of this writing, who volunteered to me a description of how the iPad is now being used as an indispensable tool in AT&T's customer service call centers.

Mr. Sparks, as he did in "Mac At Work", explores the design of Apple's iPad, and the installed operating system as a piece of one whole garment.

He explains in detail the basic operation of the device in a way that supplements but doesn't replace Apple's device operation documentation.

Perhaps the most significant contribution of this work, as was the case in the first books, is the straight forward way Sparks guides us through the labyrinth of over 100,000 iPad applications, selecting a few examples of the best of the breed, which can be utilized by professionals with simple, moderately complex or very sophisticated needs.

Sparks describes the advantages and drawbacks of each recommended Apple iTunes Store application, in the context of specific, task oriented workflows, whether they be word processing, mind mapping, presentations or working with the handling of files and cloud services such as iCloud, Dropbox or iBox.

He covers the most common tasks from task management to spreadsheet manipulation, in a way that places practicality and cost effectiveness at the forefront of his analysis. In addition the writer stresses the often overlooked importance of the apps user friendliness and visual appearance. One example of this approach occurs when Sparks describes how one PDF and document management software, GoodReeder's appearance and user interface had at first blush turned him off, but how this apps many functional strengths helped him to overcome his initial reservations. My experience with this app mirrors Mr. Sparks' description. This type of advice is invaluable.

In closing this book is readable and will provide expert guidance to both the computer challenged and more advanced user. If you own an iPad, or if you are considering purchasing a tablet computer, read this book. Once again Mr. Spark's workflow advice will help you both save money and increase your productivity. If you want to hear Mr. Sparks describe the workings of Apple devices, in his own voice, go to the Mac Power Users podcast which he co-hosts with fellow attorney Katie Floyd. This podcast introduced me to David Spark's work. Like his podcasts, his books always leave me yearning for more.

REALLY love David's writing style. This book is packed with content (aka long!) but an easy read and great resource. The fact that he used the iPad for months at his own law practice while writing it means he has a real insight into daily workflows and has learned the hard lessons and put them in the book. I am typing this on my iPad with wireless keyboard currently surrounded by both print copies (QR codes) and the Kindle version (don't leave home without it). I give this book out at my "iPad-At-Work" technology coaching sessions for businesses as a invaluable resource to answer questions after I leave. The reader would be remiss to miss out on more of David's wisdom found at his blog (can't link through Amazon grrr)] and 5by5 home of Mac Power Users podcast). Again, thank you David for all your great work. For one-on-one or group technology coaching to make YOUR business more profitable and productive, get in touch at mytechgenius dot com.

*iPad at Work* is a revelation as well as an incredibly useful tool. The author's writing style is so instructive and engaging that I read the book in one sitting. I look forward to returning to it time and again if and when I ever get up and running with the iPad. You see, I don't even own an iPad yet and I still enjoyed the book.

This book is a great place to look if you are thinking about whether or not to purchase an iPad. If you are like me, wondering whether to go with an Android based tablet or an iPad, after reading this book, chances are you will decide to purchase an iPad. This is especially true if you, like me, use a Mac at home or work.

If you do already use a Mac, you should also get this author's book, *Mac at Work*. That book is also mesmerizing and extremely useful. It will change the way I use my Mac for the better. As the author puts it, in regard to the way I've been using my iMac, I've been driving a Ferrari in the parking lot. It's time to take it out on the highway with some of the Omni software programs he describes in *Mac at Work*.

Having read these books on the Kindle, I recommend purchasing them from iTunes in the iBook format. They will look better and the links to the Apple App Store will work making for a seamless experience on your Mac or iPad. However, the Kindle experience is just fine for getting your head around these wonderful tomes.

If you have an iPad, you should read this book. If you are considering buying an iPad, you should read this book. Even if you don't have or want an iPad, this book is an interesting read just to see where we are in 2012 in terms of technological devices and productivity tools. The title of the book promises the iPad is a business tool and by the end of the book you will have no doubt that indeed it is that.

I like the way the author takes care of newbies at the beginning of the book with basics and fundamentals such as how to use gestures to work the iPad. I'm talking about basics such as whether to get a black or white one. The author prefers black because videos look better against a black outlined screen. You'll also learn the difference between WiFi and 3G devices so you can decide which suits you best. All the basics such as how to cut, copy and paste on the iPad are covered. If these topics sound elementary to you, hang on because you are just getting started.

The book then goes into a detailed but not boring overview of all the different ways you may use an iPad for business. This includes everything from printing from you iPad to text messaging and video conferencing. You learn to how remotely control your home and work computer from your iPad whether your computers are Windows based PCs or Macs.

The book goes into great detail on pertinent items without being tedious. For instance, here are a few of my notes from different sections of the book:

*How to sync photos from iPad to Mac & iPhone ... Must have OS X Lion on Mac

*Move PDF files from iPad to Google Docs or Dropbox via the GoodReader app

*iCloud account : How and why to add it on Mac OS X Lion

Throughout the book, each topic covered such as taking notes in meetings or managing contacts gives a nice review of a few of the best apps available and each chapter ends with the author giving a few paragraphs about his workflow stating how he uses the apps he has reviewed in his own work as a trial attorney. I also appreciated the author's dry wit which adds interestingness without being sarcastic.

This is a well written and fascinating book on many levels. I recommend it without reservation. I give it 5 stars.

David Sparks is a Super Geek and has written this book for normal people as well as other geeks. It covers all aspects of getting the most out of the amazing iPad.

I'd give the book a high recommendation.

The book was well written and, unlike many kindle books, is well formatted and very readable. I gave this book two stars because it wasn't quite what I was expecting. While the author gives out a lot of information, most of it wasn't very useful to me.

The book is written more for a person new to iphones/ipads.

The first couple chapters is devoted to navigating the ipad and using gestures. After that, each chapter starts a new topic (e.g. travel, word processing, internet). The author then gives information on the basics of this topic on the ipad. As an example, the chapter on the internet starts with how to navigate around safari.

After this information the author gives his list of preferred applications for this topic.

Unless you've never touched an ipad/iphone, save yourself some money and don't buy this book.

Lists of best apps for a particular purpose can be found online for free with very little work included. As a matter of fact, I've seen many of these apps listed on websites when I first bought my ipad. A simple search for "best ipad apps" brings up many of them.