Tech Tips for Writers is an (almost) weekly post on overcoming Tech Dread. I’ll cover issues that friends, both real-time and virtual, have shared. Feel free to post a comment about a question you have. I’ll cover it in a future Tip.
Q: Typing on the iPad keyboard is slow. You have to access two different screens to type most messages. How do I speed that up without buying (and installing) a separate QWERTY keyboard?
A: Here’s one time-saving tip: IPads and most Smartphones will add a period (which inconveniently is on the second screen) if you double-space.
Cool.
Double-tapping seems to be a secret shortkey for many tools. For example, if you double-click the shift key, it turns the CAPS LOCK on.
That’s not all. Here are some other auto-adds for your iPad:
- split the keyboard by tapping and holding the keyboard button located at the bottom right of the keyboard (when it’s in view), and select Split.
- push Home and the power button simultaneously to take a screenshot that is saved to your camera roll
- shake the iPad to undo your last typed entry
To ask a question, fill out this form:
More on iPads:
Need a File on Your iPad? Here’s an Easy Way
Yes You Can Publish Direct to IPad
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-8 technology for 15 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, CSG Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, CAEP reviewer, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and a weekly contributor to TeachHUB. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
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Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner.
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Thanks for the reblog.
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Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
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Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
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I’ve done all my writing on iPads. I gave up on the split screen a couple of years ago because Apple Pages insisted on writing behind the keyboard and I couldn’t read what I’d written. I recently bought the iPad Pro and the smart keyboard is awesome. So it the ability to have two apps on one screen.
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That’s interesting. You’re the first person I know who does all of his writing on an iPad. Me, I need the tactile feel and the clickity-clack of the keys. Somehow, that puts me in the mood.
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I wrote my first novel by holding in portrait position and using thumbs. Then I bought a keyboard. This new setup is far superior though.
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Which app do you use? And then it saves to the cloud? Backed up somewhere else? One advantage I see is iPads robust auto-correct. I can type pretty darn fast with thumbs (or keyboard) because it seems to know what I want to say and corrects my mistakes.
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Reblogged this on Writer's Treasure Chest and commented:
This is a great idea – and definitely worth following I think. Tech tips for writers. I thought there might be more writers out there being grateful for useful technical hints and tricks. Thank you so much, Jacqui Murray!
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Thanks for the reblog!
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I thank you for the great information! 🙂
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I had no idea about the double spacing. I’m going to try the splitting right now.
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Once you get used to the double-tap for a period, you’ll find it indispensable. It saves micro-seconds, but keeps your brain on the writing, not the logistics.
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Reblogged this on Garcia Talks about the How To's of the iPhone,iPad,MacBook & Apple Products for Non-Technical Users and commented:
Hello Everyone,
Here is an excellent tech tip for writers or for anyone who writes a lot with their iPad or tablet.
Shalom,
Patricia
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Thanks, Jacqui. My fingers type pretty fast on my iPad but I do have a keyboard also for those times that I’m on the road singing.
Shalom,
Patricia
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I can’t get my fingers moving on the virtual keyboard. I type about 70 wpm, but on the iPad, always revert to two fingers!
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Jacqui – being an avid iPad user I can’t wait to try out the split screen as well as other short cuts. For longer typing sessions on it I do have a separate keyboard which works very well. Only a few weeks ago my son showed me how to take a screenshot – one of those moments when he rolled his eyes in despair at my lack of knowledge! Darn, if he’d waited I could have impressed him. 😀
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I use all of them a lot (well, not so much the split screen). You will love these. The screenshot–it’s wonderful in my business. As a teacher. I take lots of screenshots of projects rather than doing their convoluted save functions.
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I didn’t know that about the split screen on the iPad. Thanks. I just tried it, but as soon as I hit the ‘split’ button it disappears and doesn’t split for me. I’ll have to play around with it. Maybe the feature only works for certain things like emails.
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Another way is to place your thumbs on either side of the virtual keyboard and swipe outward. The two little halves appear in the side of your iPad. I find this way easier.
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Great. I’ll give that a try. Thank you!
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Thanks Jacqui … I’ll check my IPad – and investigate that ‘split’ function .. I KNOW that I can get so much more out of it …
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The split is fun, though it encourages a brand of keyboarding I don’t approve of with my students (thumbing). Sigh. Some things are better just to go with.
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If I knew how to re-blog your posts Jacqui I would do the same as Chris does … but believe me I know very little about anything and computers … perhaps I could email your posts to people I know. An idea …
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
To read this post and see all the other great tips by Jacqui – click on the View Original Post bottom left of this reblog 😀
While you’re there, why not subscribe to her blog so you don’t miss any future tips 😀
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Thanks for the reblog, Chris. I always get lots of new visitors when you reblog.
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Hope they subscribe Jacqui 👍😃
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