cathrugg--my DH is in IT as well. He helped to some degree with set-up, but not all that much. Not only doesn't/hasn't he used Apple devices, he has been super, super busy lately, so I've been figuring out a lot of this on my own (some trial and error, some via internet queries and searches). I might have email set to manual already, have to check. My Push notifications might be on though, so that might override the ability to set email settings? Brightness set to auto, I believe (automatically dims in lower light situations). Have to check maps setting. I have iPad locator "on", but I think my other locator settings are off. Running down the battery, and then fully charging it (leaving it on the charger an add'l 20-30 min past reaching 100%), helped a great deal. Now if it's 100% when I go to bed, it's either still 100% when I get up, or it's only down 1% or 2%. It also stopped dropping by 10% or more by the afternoon when it's sitting unused all day. Made a big difference. I'll take a look at the things you mentioned and report back! I really am enjoying mine. Would love to have the 4G of the newly unveiled iPad (I'm spoiled with the speed of our home Wi-Fi, so using my iPad on 3G when I have to, does seem a little slow to me at times). When I get a 4G phone and use that as my "hot spot" though, it shouldn't really matter. Not sure how much diff the A5X chip/quad core processor will make vs the A5 chip in the iPad 2, though the demo at the big unveiling yesterday supposedly showed a big diff in speed. Would love to compare the screen resolutions (iPad 2 vs new iPad) side-by-side, to see how visible the difference really is to my eyes. Would not be happy with the increase in weight and thickness, so all in all, I don't feel too bad about getting an iPad 2 instead of waiting for the new one. Mine's 32 GB, which won't be available in the iPad 2 with the release of the new one, so I guess mine will be a collector's item soon! LOL

Oh gosh, I hope keyboards don't disappear! I love my iPad but if I'm going to be typing much, I head to my computer instead as I prefer typing on a keyboard. I've had two wireless keyboards for my iPad but neither last long so I wasn't going to sink money into another one. Typing short responses on my iPad is fine, but I prefer using my iMac for anything more than a few sentences. One thing I've never been able to figure out on my iPad touch screen is how to force a hard return. Like if I'm posting on FB and want to make a new paragraph, I can't do it on my iPad with the touchscreen. Anyone know if there is a trick I'm missing or some sort of keyboard shortcut to make a hard return in FB? I can't remember if it happens on Gardenweb (I'm on my iMac at the moment so can't test), but I know for sure it happens in FB on my iPad.

Rockybird, I am using the smart keyboard as my only cover. It is so similar to the covers that I have for my other iPads so it works quite well. I have fingerprints on all of them not matter what I do. They are fingerprint magnets. I do have the screen protectors but I don't really notice that it makes the screen less prone to finger or bird prints (HaHa). It would be great if your bird's prints would show up on one of the sketching apps, what a fun screen saver that would be! Awm, I haven't tried that but it sounds like fun. You really can and will learn to sketch. I am pulling for you. A few tips. Get yourself a spiral bound sketch book and pencils. My favorite sketch pad is Strathmore drawing paper in the 6 x 8 size. Stick with the smaller size as it isn't as intimidating having a small area to cover when you are starting to sketch. My favorite pencils are Faber-Castell 9000 jumbo pencils. They come in a five pack and includes HB ( I use this one the most), 2B, 4B, 6B, and 8B. Also a very good eraser. Watch some how to draw videos on youtube and invest in some drawing how to books. You really don't necessarily even need to invest in books at first and the few items that I suggested won't run more than thirty dollars or so on Amazon. Tablet sketching is great but you should practice some skills with real paper and pencil. Drawing is really more about seeing than anything. Really look at what it is that you are drawing and think about what shape something is rather than what it actually is. Practice every day and date each drawing so that you can go back and see how you are progressing. Believe me, if you practice and put time into it you can draw! If you decide to pursue books the two I recommend is Drawing on The Right Side of The Brain by Betty Edwards and Keys to Drawing by Bert Dodson. The huge advantage though to any type of e tablet is you can trash a page without wasting paper and it's great because you don't have a big investment in paints, canvases, and supplies until you are ready to move on. If you have any questions at all with anything sketching related you can pm me and I will be glad to help! Fun, I think I will skip the back cover then. I am wondering how much better an iPad can get. I am so amazed at how far we've come in regards to technology. Our first computer was an IBM with a dos operating system that DH used when he wanted to connect with the company he worked for. The connection was via modem. Remember the horrible noise that used to make? It also amazes me at how little really wonderful apps cost. I remember Adobe Illustrator being hugely expensive. Way too much to spend on just one program.

CRV/;d&*@2è4ty7w1l”k*&/ ok—practice above! I haven’t been holding down for a second, so that seems to be helping. Actually like the feature, just consistently doesn’t work for me. I need to perfect my technique. Thanks to you both.