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| Studying kanji on the iPhone | |
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2.16.2010
7:10 AM | Link0 comments |
 One of the major areas that I need to improve to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N3 this year is my reading speed and accuracy, which means I need to really be able to look at kanji and just know the meaning fairly instantly. I've started getting serious about using several different study tools, and I think coming at the challenge from different angles is really helping! In the past I've tried Remembering the Kanji (Heisig's classic method), so I'm continuing to learn these helpful meanings with some great study goals available on Smart.fm. These word associations really help, but I've found I still need some solid brute force pattern recognition as well, so I'm also using Read the Kanji (which I can't recommend enough) as well as several iPhone apps to kick my brain into gear! I love it when these different methods seem to synchronize and reinforce each other.My favorite is Japanese Flip, which focuses on kanji compounds. This is fantastic since I get to exercise my vocabulary as well as my kanji recognition! Japanese Flip works on a kind of honor system where you look at the Japanese, think the answer to yourself, and then honestly respond if you were right or wrong when presented with the correct response. It does a great job with advanced spaced repetition, and it's super-fast to launch and whip through a few words during any spare moment. Next is KanjiBox, which uses a more traditional multiple choice interface where you choose the kanji combination based on a presented word definition. This app allows you to study individual kanji as well as vocabulary, and displays cool progress charts to help you decide what to study next. I really like that when you make a mistake, it displays the definition of both the correct and incorrect answers! I've also been playing with iKanji Touch, which has the most elegant and beautiful interface design, but doesn't let me plow through kanji at the speed I like. Everything about this app is top notch, but for me it's just a little too thorough (which is probably by design to facilitate really solid learning). However, it's still a fun app and a really valuable tool to have in my study arsenal! |
| Life with Backpack & Satchel | |
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11.06.2009
12:13 PM | Link0 comments |
 Although there are positive and negative aspects to living my life by lists (can you say control freak?), I've found that I'm simply happier just giving in to my desire to micro-manage my time. I've used several applications in the past for this purpose, but I've never been happier that I am with 37signals' Backback on the web, combined with Satchel on my iPhone! I literally use this website more than any other (even more than Google!), and I'm sure that I tweak my lists and notes (or at least glance at them) several times an hour, every day of the week. Since everything is on the web (rather than trapped on my hard drive), I can mess with it at home, at the office, or anywhere at all via my iPhone. I just love the simple, clean look of Backback, and the brilliant user interface (which allows be to drag around list items) is just my style. Backpack actually has tons of features I don't even use, since I keep my calendar using iCal and MobileMe. The funny thing is that I'm still using the free version after nearly three years of constant use! (I really should pay them something since they are kind of ruling my life.) Here's a quick look at how I use Backpack and Satchel to organize myself, all in five simple pages.To Do: Of course, my first page contains standard things to do, using Backpack's awesome lists, which let me quickly order items or even move them between different lists. I have lists for Today, Weekend, Do Soon, and Goals (which are longer projects that I'm committed to working on daily, like organizing photos). First thing in the morning, I uncheck the usual things from my Today list (like studying Japanese and exercising), just for the joy of checking them again when I get them done. On Friday I uncheck my Weekend items (like laundry) and do the same thing. Projects: I use this page mostly for ideas, so I won't forget when I'm inspired by some concept for a video or anything I'd like to create someday, along with detailed notes when I flesh something out. I also use this page for blog post ideas (like the one you're reading now). Shopping: This is a pretty specific page, which is mostly a list of cool things I want to buy someday that don't really work on my Amazon Wish List (like obscure T-shirts or toys). There are also lists of gifts (ideas for things to buy for friends and family, or for keeping track of Christmas gifts and such), plus specific lists of collections I'm working on (like Planet of the Apes figures!) so I can remember which ones to buy! Remember: This page is a catch-all for all kinds of random notes, but also has some specific stuff like my auto maintenance log (so I can keep the Acura service shop honest!), investment funds to check out, and plans for future vacations and trips. Backpack was especially useful for planning my latest Walt Disney World trip! Thoughts: My last page is filled with personal notes, such as my last few years of New Year's resolutions (so I can see how I did!), affirmations that have helped me out, and other random stuff in the philosophical category. Labels: decluttering, iphone |
| Three Small Things 8.01.09 | |
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8.01.2009
11:33 AM | Link0 comments |
 It's been much too long since my last Three Small Things post, so here we go! I've been doing lots of walking for exercise recently, usually taking two walks a day in the hot sun during work breaks. I've been using RunKeeper on my iPhone to track my progress, and I totally love it (even though I am only using the free version). Unlike a pedometer, RunKeeper actually uses the iPhone's GPS to figure out how far I've walked, and even shows me exactly where (here's the stats for a typical walk). It even sends a tweet for me, so I can tell the world I'm exercising!I'm always looking for different healthy snacks to try (carrots can get pretty boring!), and my latest discovery is frozen grapes! I just buy a bunch of fresh grapes, wash and pick them off the stem, then put them in a Ziplock and pop them in the freezer. No matter how long you leave them in the cold, they don't turn into total ice cubes - they keep the consistency of delicious mini popsicles! I love to snack on them this way, so the hardest part is savoring the flavor and making them last. After a few years of having the most boring About page in blogging history, I've finally done something with it! I always had trouble because so many people list favorites on their About pages, and my favorites are always changing, so I just tried to mention all the cool things I love (with tons of links back into relevant WEBmikey pages). Check it out and maybe you'll discover something (but I doubt it - you know me well enough already)! Labels: iphone, small things |
| Beginning iPhone Development: Exploring the iPhone SDK / Dave Mark & Jeff LaMarche : 3 of 5 | |
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7.31.2009
11:40 AM | Link0 comments |
 Since I stare at code all day at work, usually the last thing I want to do during my free time is look at more code, but since I’m such an iPhone fan, of course I’m interested in how things work beneath the surface. Although I’ve only actually got my hands dirty with iPhone development for a few hours, I’ve been studying via various websites and the excellent Stanford University iPhone Development course via iTunes. I noticed several mentions of this book, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to check it out. Since my office work has been a little light lately, I had some time to really read this book and walk through the code samples in my head, and I feel like I really learned quite a bit (which I will soon forget if I don’t do some development soon!). Each chapter does a nice job of explaining what you are going to learn and what kind of sample application you will be building (with plenty of screenshots), so you never have to go into any concept blind. All of the basic facets of development seem to be covered (at least to a novice like me), including more “exotic” things like using the iPhone’s camera and GPS capabilities. There’s a nice progression as the author begins by detailing every single step of using a tool like Interface Builder, and then later changes to quickly summarizing tasks you already know how to do. I really only have one complaint – in several cases the book takes great pains to walk through a task that in real life is something you will almost never do, thanks to the various Xcode application templates. I realize the importance of learning the foundation of things, but I think they could have found better methods than by demonstrating something that is essentially done for the developer by Xcode itself. Of course, this is the only iPhone book I’ve read (and it's already been revised for iPhone OS 3.0), but I’ve definitely read my share of programming books in general, so I can recommend it as an excellent beginner’s overview, which should provide enough information to help someone build tons of apps (if they aren’t lazy like me!).
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| Puzzle fun with Square Scramble | |
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7.12.2009
10:09 AM | Link0 comments |
 Now that I've finished up my Los Angeles trip posts, it's time to mention some other cool news about my pal Dae. A while back he released his first iPhone application on the App Store called Easy Finance, which does all kinds of cool calculations and what-if scenarios, but now he's breaking into the puzzle game market with Square Scramble! The game actually became available while I was in LA, so I got to be his first sale, and it's a really challenging game to play. Square Scramble is easy to learn, but it takes quite a while to develop a strategy, and there are so many levels that I'll never finish them all. My favorite thing about the game is it's totally original - I love how Dae came up with something so classic, yet totally new! It was fun talking with him about the coding and internal details, and I like how he created his own sound effects and everything. It was also cool giving demos of the game at the 4th of July party - judging from people's reactions, it definitely has that puzzle quality that makes you want to figure it out. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next, so keep an eye on his website and check out these apps!
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| Everyday iPhone apps | |
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4.30.2009
6:41 PM | Link0 comments |
 My iPhone has totally become part of my life, and I love always having it with me and the feeling of staying connected. There are so many fantastic apps available in the iTunes Store, and I enjoy trying out new ones every now and then, but I take a decluttering stance when it comes to keeping them on my phone. If I don't use an app for a few days, I get rid of it (I like only having three pages of apps!). But there are a few apps that I use all the time - several times a day, in fact! (I'm only linking to websites, not the iPhone apps themselves, but you can easily find them if you want.)Tweetie: I enjoy using Twitter, and it's even more fun to tweet from my iPhone. At first I used the Twitter mobile site, then switched to Twittelator, and now I'm hooked on Tweetie, since it has a clean interface that does just what I want. Facebook: I actually use Twitter to update Facebook, but the official Facebook app is so convenient for checking up on my friends. It does a great job of letting me know what's going on, and the photo browsing (with tags) is fantastic. Mint: Since I love being super-organized, I'm a big fan of the Mint website, which has all my financial information at a glance. The Mint app for iPhone is really clean and simple, and I have fun making sure all my money is in the right place, or how much I've spent on toys or fast food this month! Pageonce: This service is another account aggregator (a little like Mint when it comes to finances), but also includes utilities and other bills. The iPhone app doesn't have the coolest interface, but it lets me see my info easily. The best features of Pageonce are the cell phone monitor (which shows me my minutes and estimates if I will use them up or not), and the daily finances update that quickly shows me what my retirement accounts have made (or lost) for the previous day! Amazon: Since I buy almost everything from Amazon, I'm always using this app to browse prices and check order status. I also love being in a store and seeing something cool, then adding it to my wish list right there so I won't forget about it! |
| Three Small Things 3.3.09 | |
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3.03.2009
8:37 PM | Link0 comments |
 I have three Apple-related things to mention, which have nothing to do with Apple's cool new hardware releases today (although I really want to snag a new iMac now!). The first is that I have finally discovered the joy of video playlists on my Apple TV! When I first got my Apple TV, I remembered I wished this feature was possible, but then when it was included in the latest update I forgot about it. The reason it's so great is that now I can make a playlist of a ton of Jpop videos, kick it off, then sit back and enjoy my own personal MTV (with better music and cuter girls). I download and watch at least 5 or 10 new videos every week, then save the best ones that I know I will want to watch again, so now I can watch a whole series of my favorites with one click!Recently I was poking around for some new wallpaper for my iPhone, and I suddenly got the idea to try one of my scanned Intellivision overlays. The result is pretty cool, since you can just about size the images perfectly (with just a little cut off vertically), which makes it look like I have cool retro game buttons on my iPhone all the time. I've been using Space Battle lately, and now whenever I unlock my phone I have the urge to click Return to Base! Although I love getting up early, I've been really bad at making it happen for the past couple months. I think I've decided my alarm clock sound is completely unbearable (I actually dreamed it was a dentist's drill once), so I hate setting it. Last night I suddenly got a clue and realized I should just use my iPhone alarm clock, since I have lots of beautiful soothing ringtones that I bought from iRingPro. Today my new pleasant alarm woke me up on time and I had a great morning! Labels: apple, iphone, small things |
| iPhone scrolling | |
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3.20.2008
6:36 AM | Link0 comments | Here's an awesome tip I heard about while watching Macworld coverage on GeekBrief (I can only take Cali in extremely small doses, but it's so easy to watch on my TiVo that I can't help it). Browsing websites on the iPhone is cool and easy, but if you scroll all the way to the bottom of a long page and need to get back to the top, it's sometimes a pain to flick the screen back up over and over again. But all you have to do is tap the title bar of the iPhone (the bar at the top with your signal strength and battery level), and it will instantly scroll back to the top of the page automatically! |
| Cheek beep | |
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2.05.2008
6:03 PM | Link0 comments | It's no secret that I love my iPhone, but I do far more web surfing, video watching, and music listening than actual talking on the phone. But when I do actually use it to communicate, I've noticed that my face sometimes hits buttons on the phone while I'm talking! Sometimes I'll accidentally activate the speakerphone, or even bring up the keypad and start beeping random numbers, all by mistake. I guess I'm holding it too close to my face - either that, or my cheeks are too chubby! Actually, this is an extremely minor peeve that hasn't ever caused me any real trouble - I'll just work on holding it against my ear and not flat against my head. I'm still a complete iPhone fan, and I'm happy that Apple released a 16GB model today, because eventually I'll upgrade and truly replace my iPod for good. But for now, my 8GB of memory has been plenty to keep me occupied on trips - I couldn't be happier! |
| Single device trip | |
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10.10.2007
9:04 PM | Link0 comments | I'm off to Los Angeles tomorrow, which means visiting my pal Dae and going to Disneyland! I'm really excited about hitting the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage for the first time, and of course I'm been going nuts trying to plan my strategy, which all the fans online seems to be divided about, but I know I'm going to ride it no matter what! I'm also pretty excited that this will be my first "single device" trip! I always used to take my cell phone, my Palm, and my iPod (and sometimes my Nintendo DS) on a trip, but this time I'm only taking my iPhone! I've got plenty of video podcasts loaded up to watch, plus a half and half mix of Disney music and Jpop to keep me going. And of course, if I need to look at my schedule or contacts or make calls, it's all there, too! It's so nice to be going with only one charger as well. Disneyland, here I come! |
| The case hunt begins | |
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9.29.2007
4:06 PM | Link0 comments |
 Part of the "burden" of having the coolest gadget in the world is finding the perfect case. I went through tons of cases for my Palm, and now I'm just beginning the journey for my iPhone. The dilemma is finding something that provides just enough protection so I don't feel like I have to handle it like a museum piece, yet doesn't ruin the beautiful look of the device, or make it too bulky in my pocket. I've always been a fan of iSkin cases for my iPod, but I wasn't too thrilled with the look of their iPhone case, so after reading some reviews on iLounge, I decided to try the Marware Sport Grip first, since it's pretty cheap. The Sport Grip wasn't too bad, but I think it spoiled the sleek look of the iPhone. So next I decided to take a look at few cases in person at the Apple Store, and ended up getting the Incase Protective Cover in black for my second try, and so far I'm enjoying it, since it has a good fit and looks pretty cool, too. Of course, I still have my eye on another one - the Case-Mate Signature Leather Case looks classy, so I hope I can check one out in person someday.Labels: iphone |
| iPhone love | |
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9.14.2007
7:55 AM | Link0 comments |
 It was sheer luck that the iPhone price drop happened just a couple days before my parents came to visit, and it was sheer generosity that prompted Mom & Dad to offer to buy me one as a super-early birthday present! I guess I had to turn a year older almost five months early, but it was completely worth it. I love the iPhone! The first night I got it I spent practically the entire evening trying out every single button and setting (and showing everything joyfully to Dad), and I'm still discovering and trying new stuff today (last night I noticed the Start button on Google Maps that zooms through each step of the route as you go, and giggled with geeky happiness!). I've been having fun looking through iPhone websites, trying out sites specially formatted for the iPhone (Leaflets is awesome!), and collecting iPhone wallpaper (I'm currently using a great Space Invaders shot). In many ways, it's like discovering the iPod itself all over again, because I have a new desire to gather together my favorite photos (such as scans of old family shots) and videos (I've been transferring some Disney shorts and Jpop videos) so I have them with me to enjoy. And of course, it's a great phone, too! I've been talking with my pal Ryan every day for work, and the connection sounds wonderful. Every time I play with the iPhone I smile - it's definitely the most beautiful and fun gadget I've ever owned. Thanks again, Mom & Dad!
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| Trying to wait | |
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7.01.2007
1:32 PM | Link0 comments |
 I guess I have to make a brief mention of the big iPhone launch that happened on Friday. So far the majority of the reviews and buying experiences have been amazingly good - I'm really impressed that so many iPhones were available that people could easily get them at Apple stores on Saturday. I made up my mind a while back to hold off on buying one right away, but I have to confess, the waiting is difficult! Both Austin Apple stores had them in stock yesterday, so I could have just walked right in and got one, and believe me, I thought about it! The more I read, the harder it gets - my past reservations about an all-in-one device are definitely gone now. I know for a fact that I will definitely have an iPhone by Christmas - maybe by then there will be a small drop in price, or more memory available or something. Anyway, I can barely wait. I really hope no one I know gets one, because the moment I see it in person, I'm going to break down!
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