Sydney here I come :-) AUC Rocks!

Exciting times! This week I was awarded funding to attend an iOS (Apple Operating System) Software Development Kit (SDK) workshop in Sydney next week.

Now you may not know what all that means, but I bet you have had a gander at an iPad/iPhone/iPodTouch? The iOS (Operating System) creates those fantastic games, interactive books and productivity helpers that you find in the App Store, (maybe someone could help me make a procrastinator?).

The workshop is run by the Apple University Consortium and was open to students interested in creating these funky new things called ‘Apps‘. The AUC has been around since the birth of Apple way back in 1984 and is a partnership between 9 Australian universities and Apple. Since 1984 this arrangement has provided, encouraged and supported students in learning and using Apple technology.

In addition to my blog being about NZ fisheries, it will now also contain information about my time and ‘learnings’ from this workshop. To kick start the motor, get the cogs rolling, I would like to share my favorite Apps so far. I don’t have many games but I have found the education content fantastic and fasinating. So my top 5 Apps:

1. Star Walk – Have you ever looked up at the stars and wondered what that bright thing was? Ever wondered if that was a shooting star or just a satellite? Well with this App you can hold your iPad up to the heavens and get all the answers.
2. Our Choice – the latest Al Gore book. It has interactive maps, video clips, and awesome pictures. The words are great as well, but this interactive book displays what this new technology is capable of.
3. 50 Best Photos – from National Geographic. I have always been a NatGeo fan, but never thought I would be able to carry around the photos, and all the extra information about them, in my handbag everyday. Now I can. Truly inspiring.
4. Backgammon – my answer to Solitaire.
5. Talking Tom 2 – a tom cat who will repeat everything you say, whilst dealing with a dog that harasses him. Oh, and you can harass him to. Good for stress relief and makes you laugh out loud!

So there you have it, my top 5 Apps so far. Stay tuned for more.

The countdown begins, I leave for Sydney next tuesday. I am hoping to have my next podcast up and running by then.

All the best; happy ‘App-ing’