Mac vs. Windows will be shutting down

I am in the process of shutting down Mac vs. Windows permanently including both the wiki and the forums.

The decision wasn't an easy one. I have a lot of fond memories running this website and the interesting discussions these forums have seen over the years.

But I have realized that between my family and my demanding job, I just don't have the time nor the energy to devote to this website. Personally, I have not been happy with the results of the website since it switched to a "wiki" model. I think the website was more successful when the content was created by specific authors and the forums was used as feedback and discussion.

Now I am left with two decisions...

1. Close Mac vs. Windows permanently and sell off the domain.
2. Pass the torch to someone else who would like to take a shot at making this website a success, again.

Personally, I would like to go with option #2 as I would like to give someone else the chance to breathe life into this website. In order for it to be successful, it deserves someone who is more devoted.

If anyone here would like to take over, please contact me and let me know. We can begin the transition process. Otherwise, in several months, I will be closing the doors on the wiki and the forums for good.

Issue with website -- working on it

There is currently an issue with the website where the wiki pages are not displaying correctly. I am working on it. Please be patient.

iOS 4 vs Android

With the release of iOS (formerly iPhone OS) I have been hearing a lot of comments about how Android is more advanced to develop for, but I never hear a reason why?

I would think iOS being based on OS X and NOT using a Java based VM would give iPhone developers an edge over Android. What am I missing? I am not a developer by any means, but does Android have better APIs or tools?

Or does all of this lead back to the restrictions Apple places on its platform which are subjective based on your own preferences and usage of the device?

Just got an iPad

 After I tried one out at my local Apple store, I was so impressed with it that I had to get one. Let met first say that the experience on this is so much better than I originally thought it would be [link to original post].
 
While there are some carry over from the iPhone UI such as the apps on the home screen and dialogs, the actual apps themselves definitely are a huge step up from their iphone versions. Definitely more than "just a big ipod touch". I now think it was a very smart move to build the iPad on the iPhone OS (according Steve Jobs, the iPad begat the iPhone so I guess you could say that the iPhone is just a small iPad).
 
The experience of different tasks such as browsing the Internet or checking email is so much more enjoyable. Pinching and zooming in on pages is just fluid that it blew me back. It must be A4 processor. I am running into the page refresh issue a lot and it can be annoying. Hopefully it is fixed in software update or I am going to have to look into downloading one of the other web browsers (I hear Atomic browser is pretty slick).
 
Typing is a little awkward as I keep trying to type like I do on my iPhone. I think it will just take some time to adapt to tit as it did for me initially with my iPhone (which I am now pretty fast on).
 
Reading eBooks is also very nice. I don't know why so many people are complaining saying that it makes a horrible eBook reader. They must not actually own one. The screen isn't too hard on the eyes at all and everything from the layout to the text looks beautiful.
 
Complaint time…
 
As you know me by now, I am never satisfied and always looking for greater perfection so while I am amazed by my iPad, I do have a list of complaints…
 
1.     Apple needs to do more tweaking around the UI elements on the iPad. Some of the buttons in dialogs and app toolbars seem smaller than they should be. With the iPad's bigger real estate, there is no reason to keep the buttons at the same size they are on the iPhone. Also, confirmation dialogs and password dialogs should be bigger as well. They feel as if they are the same size as displayed on the iPhone. Additionally, the translucency makes it difficult to easily read the text and buttons. Making them a little more solid would go a long way.
 
2.     Needs to have some system-wide document manager. I am fine for using iTunes to sync up files, but allow them to be accessible from one central location on the iPad so that I can open them in any app I wish. Create a special iPad version of the Finder to handle lite file management. To be able to download documents from the Internet to my iPad and then have them synced over to my computer the next time I sync with iTunes is something that should have been there from day one and would make the iPad more practical for those who wish to use it as their main computer while they are out and about.
 
3.      Should not have to connect to iTunes to activate. The iPad should not require a computer to initially setup unless you plan on syncing it. Again, I think this device would be perfect for those as their only computer. But without an actual computer, you can't use it [shakes head]
 
4.     Have some way of connecting to external storage. Whether it be an SD card, USB keychain, or external hard drive, the lack of being able quickly connect and grab files off of another storage device is a real annoyance. For example, what if you are away from your computer and need to look at a file on your USB keychain drive. Without a computer, you can't. I am fine with Apple not adding an SD card slot or USB port to the case. However, come out with an attachment like the photo kit one (or rebrand it for external device storage connecting). Of course, they would also need to implement item #2 for this to work effectively.
 
5.     The iPod app needs to have the ability to connect to other iTunes libraries on the same network. This way I can stream to my iPad without having to first sync to that user's iTunes library.
 
 
6.     Need to retool running iPhone apps. All my existing apps run great on the iPad. I even enjoy few of my game apps more on the iPad due to the increased screen real estate. However, there are just some things that still feel awkward and not polished. First, when doing any input, a iphone keyboard displays instead of the iPad. Why? I am using the iPad, not the iPhone. Second, when the apps run in their native mode, they just look so awkward with the giant black border surrounding them. I think Apple should overlay them on the user's home screen as it would nicer. Third, when running the app using the pixel double, things are just a little too rough around the edges. I can forgive images being a little jaggy or pixilated, but text and app controls should scale better. I thought Apple UI elements for the iPhone OS were resolution independent.
 
7.     Allow me to connect my printer. I don't want to have to download an app from the app store to do something as simple as printing to my printer. Why not provide a way so that the user is asked by the iPad what printer they have and a driver is then downloaded to their iPad from Apple. This way Apple doesn't have to ship a bunch of printer drivers with the iPad and can supply the functionality on-demand.

Introducing Melanie Moriarty

I know none of you were aware, but my wife was pregnant and our daughter arrived this weekend (Mother's day weekend -- go figure). Anyway, here are some pictures of her.

Her name is Melanie.