Another thing I love about reading with my iPad.

[Dennis S]

I have been reading a book about the travels, and mysterious disappearance of a young man, Everette Ruess, who traveled alone, at a very young age across some of my favorite, and most scenic, parts of the Southwest back in the 1930s. For the next couple of days we are in Minnesota, enjoying our son's fast Internet connection.

A few moments ago, I was reading about his journeys in Navajo Mountain, Utah. I clicked twice on the place name, clicked to copy the name, and then opened an application for Google Earth. I pasted" Navajo Mountain, Utah" into the search bar, and was immediately taken to an arial photo of the mountain. Then I read about the well known Rainbow Bridge. After pulling up the arial photo from Google, i realized that by clicking on the small dots inthe picture i could donload actual pictures taken by other photographors at the actual site of of the Rainbow Bridge. (A natural stone arch). This adds so much to the reading experience of the book. And, it is amazing.

 

[Duffey]

It's good that you're getting so much enjoyment and use from your iPad, Dennis. On another note, it's official. I put Desert Solitaire on my Christmas list. I've been a good girl this year, so I imagine I'll get it!:wink2:

 

[Dennis S]

I have just finished an unsolicited review of The Mystery of Everett Ruess.

I have just finished an unsolicited review of The Mystery of Everett Ruess.

For any who might have an interest, here is a copy of that review:

"I live in, embrace, and love the Southwest.*Everett Ruess shared that love. The lives of Edward Abby, Craig Childs and David Roberts crossed paths in the search for answers in the young man's disappearance. A reader such as myself will treasure the descriptions of places difficult, and in some places, impossible to experience. Everett was a young man whose acquaintance I would have treasured. A man better known to me through his beautiful prose than many who have shared my table. And yet, Everett who disappeared at the age of 20, after years of traveling alone through the deserts and mountains of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah will never be made to neatly fit some pre-determined niche. He has presumably left this world, and the great and difficult land he loved will protect his secrets for eternity. He would be pleased."

 

[Eva]

I feel sorry for young Everett!

Yet happy you are enjoying your Ipad. I have been good this year, too, Mary. Maybe we shall receive one at Christmas.

 

[drivetopless]

Thanks for sharing your iPad delights. I'm thinking of getting one before my surgery. Do your eyes get tired from the back lighting (vs a Kindle type device).

 

[Dennis S]

There is an adjustment for brightness, and you can change the background to a kind of Sepia color. I don't find it to be hard on my eyes I will run the risk of offending some good friends, but I honestly think the kindle will eventually go the way of the 8 track stereo. For example, i am often struck by a particular passage in the books I read. In an instant I can copy a paragraph or so and instantly forward it by email to the friend I know would be interested.

I am in Minnesota right know, but didn't need to bring a laptop to keep up on email or read the New York Times, or any of a dozen other things, including the books I am currently reading. I can make beautiful screen shot copies of pictures from my books and send them as email attachment to my friends. For example, Last night I sent Mary a copy of a picture of a seventeen year old Everett Ruese standing by the burro and small dog that were the only companions for many of his treks. If the original is in color, my copy will also be in color.

With the iPad I can open up large .PDF files for Tuesday's School Board Meeting. With a five dollar App it will take less than 15 minutes to dowload all the materials for the meeting-I can click on any portion of the table of contents and immediately jump through the five hundred pages of materials and be looking at the exact page under consideration.

But perhaps the most compelling argument for readers is what I mentioned above. In any book that mentions a particular geographic location, first you can see it and surrounding areas in the larger context provided by the Google high elevation view. In all likelihood you will be able to click on close-up digital pictures for more detailed views. This is just going to get better and better.

As I mentioned some time ago, authors are starting to imbed movies in their new books. You might see and hear the migration of vast herds in Africa, or a million other things we can hardly imagine. I have already downloaded books on photography where you can see and hear the master photographer assess the existing light and compose the picture. All of these thing are in the beginning stages. There is going to be an explosion of multiple media products for our education and enjoyment. I guess you can tell I am a big fan.

NOTE: I just noticed that not all books on the iPad allow copying of a portion of the page.

 

[drivetopless]

Sounds perfect. SOLD!