Apps for Newbies with IPads

Here's a quick list of Ipad apps i think should be installed on a brand new Ipad to help a new owner make the most of their shiny new toy.  If the Ipad is to be the replacement for many things in your house i suggest the following so that information can be retrieved almost instantly and also to show off the 'cool' factor for friends and family who haven't seen a tablet yet or just got one.  Make it more than just a Facebook on your computer in the basement replacement.  Make it a minor life altering device.  Everything you need at the touch of button:

• Weather eye  - what's it like out? I don't know give me a second and i'll find out. (no more turning tv on and heading to weather network only to have to see commercials). Just the weather 'maam!
• Global TV - missed your favorite show last night? Want to see what everyone was talking about? This app lets you watch full episodes of tv
• Google earth - so useful.  Want to find that secret beach? Want to re-visit that trip to see where you were? See the house/building up front as well as pics other people have taken? This is a must.
• Kindle books - Yes you can get Itunes books - but Kindle has more access to more books. If reading novels is your thing - get Kindle
• Encylopedia app - yes you can go to Wikipedia via safari - but again - that's too many steps.  And Wikipedia isn't always accurate.
• IMDB app - If you are a movie buff - this is absolutely the app for your.  Can't remember that actor but remember the movie? Want to settle a bet? This is the easiest and most comprehensive movie database out there. Watch trailers, see upcoming movies and movies that are in the works
• Dictionary - still need to be formal or came across a word you don't know? Yes again you can use safari and Google it - but why take all the steps?
• Life - just because you want to show people they can get magazines electronically
• National Geography Photos - just stunning photographs updated daily.

These are just a few recommendations - would love to hear what you think would stun people when they ask 'what can this ipad thing do?"

Stuff That's Going on In Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

I spent a long weekend in one of Canada's finest cities with some very great friends. The big question that was asked a few times was "so why are you back in Thunder Bay?". I did my best to convey the cultural development movement that is occurring in the city i call home.

Without going over board and trying to limit my answer to two minutes or less, i breifly touched on the 2 cores and their new respective roles, i touched on the music scene that is thriving, and the overall evolution from mill town to information based technology community.

Here is a quick set of links to stories over the past year that have really shone a light on the evolution and growth of Thunder Bay.

• Prince Arthur's Landing Phase 1 Completion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT15KsfYhRo 
• Marina Park Grand Opening: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/video/23433/Waterfront-Opens-
• Film and Commercial Production: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVmFaOFMkZI&feature=related
• Skate Park: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/entertainment/151568/Local-skaters-take-to-Marina-Park-for-global-skateboard-event
• Marina Park Concerts: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/entertainment/153642/Blues-to-rock-Marina
• Northwestern Ontario Centre of Innovation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ8XqH8Lg_s
• Tornado Research: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/132391/Tornado,-Regional-Research-Institute-to-stage-recruitment-drive
• LU Law School: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/153242/It's-official----Lakehead-University-getting-its-law-school
• Lakehead University: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/120059/LU-scores-well-in-Maclean's-annual-university-rankings-
• Cinovate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt-yir5-IqQ
• TEDx Thunder Bay: http://www.tedxthunderbay.com/ 
• Thunder Bay Urban Design and Guidlines: http://www.thunderbay.ca/City_Government/Have_Your_Say/Urban_Design_Study.htm 
• Courthouse Construction: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/video/23293/Courthouse-update-

These are just some of the great things happening in this city I call home.  I think the biggest impact on this city is the embracing of the two cores as opposed the last few decades of division.  The North end will be the entertainment district and the South the Government district.

Euro 2012 Groups

Group A
Poland
Greece
Russia
Czech Republic

Group B
Netherlands
Denmark
Germany
Portugal

Group C
Spain
Italy
Republic of Ireland
Croatia

Group D
Ukraine
Sweden
France
England


Italy will advance without breaking a sweat.

Burnz n Hell

Cyberbullying, now Cyberbaiting

There's a new term being thrown around - Cyberbaiting.  This takes cyberbullying to another level.

Instead of students bullying students via the internet, students are now trying to bully teachers.

Students will intentionally provoke teachers and try and catch a possible embarrasing or compromising situation on their phone.

Once the incident is captured the student attempts to 'bait' the teacher by threatening to post the picture/video online.

According to Symantec - 1 in 5 teachers has personally or knows of a fellow teacher caught up in a cyberbaiting scenario.

Its no surprise now that 67% of teachers say being friends via social media networks with students is risky.

Zucchini and Shrimp Pasta

Incidents:
4 Zucchini
1 onion diced
1 handful of  mushrooms
1 handful slivered sun dried tomatoes
12 small shrimp
1 cup of white wine
1 package of fresh pasta
Virgin Olive Oil

One of my favourite staples in the house.

1. This one is very simple and very tasty.  Start with a big pot and heat up some oil.
2. cook down diced  onions and cubed zucchini and constantly stir as to not stick to bottom
3. once onions and zuchinines mush up add everything else and turn down heat and allow to simmer
4. stir often 

Pasta:

1. Prepare as per pasta packaging instructions

Once pasta is strained and the pot of goodness is a nice mushy sauce consistency, mix together and serve with parmigiana cheese.  Drink the white wine you used in the pasta.

Activate Ipad Itunes without a credit card

I set up a new Ipad 2 for a friend who insisted on not using his credit card.  This is how i got it to work:

1. Buy an Itunes gift card - any amount.
2. Download itunes to your computer and setup an itunes account.
3. Then when it asks for billing option - do not fill out the credit card info (even though it insists you do) and simply punch the authorization number of the itunes gift card in the second section.  
4. Wait for it to process and when complete you will get the same screen, but you no longer need to provide credit card info - just the billing address at the bottom.

Hope that helps someone.