NSArray *pathsForDownloadedFiles = NSSearchPathForDirectoriesInDomains(NSDocumentDirectory, NSUserDomainMask, YES);
 NSString *pathMain = [pathsForDownloadedFiles objectAtIndex:0];
 NSLog(@"main download directory is [%s]", [pathMain UTF8String]);

The first line lets you allow Apple to put the application download directory anywhere it likes. It will also be able to change it at will, without breaking your program.
The second line means that there is only one directory you need to access and its the first one. Remember in C arrays are zero based which means the first element of the array is at index number zero not at index number one.
NSLog will let you run the app in the simulator OR on your device and send logging information back to the debug console in XCode. Nice and integrated.

An alternative method:

 NSString *mainPath = [self getDataPath];

Uhhhhh yeah a bit shorter. Its not deprecated from what I see so one can use this method also.

Finally lets see where our resource is. Again, if you use this method, then XCode will be able to re-layout the resource directory structure anyway it wants without breaking your program. You KNOW they’re going to do this someday and they won’t tell you until its been done. So lets Program Defensively. Just like you drive defensively.
To find a specific resource that was compiled into your application:

 NSString *resourcePath = [[NSBundle mainBundle] pathForResource:@"mission1" ofType:@"jmf"];
 NSLog(@"Path for mission file is [%s]", [resourcePath UTF8String]);

The AT (@) sign is the NSString constructor without declaring an NSString. In case you’re wondering.

Good Luck and God’s Speed to ya mates.

In your viewDidLoad or if you call any method to do “things” before displaying then the variable that points to the text field should have the becomeFirstResponder message sent to it.
Example:
In the .h of your viewcontroller or class
UITextField *tfJoroto;

In the .m of your viewcontroller or class
-(void)viewDidLoad {
[tfJoroto becomeFirstResponder];
} // viewDidLoad

This should also set the focus to the UITextField.

Good hunting.
-T-

1) Create a View Based app
2) Name it of course.
3) Drop down the targets folder in the project explorer. Its where it drops you after project creation.
4) Select your named project as the target.
5) Go to the top menu drop down the Project menu.
6) Choose “Upgrade Current Target for iPad…” selection.
7) Choose One Universal Application. It is already selected.
YAH MULE. Head thumping music going now. Very loud is better.
Click OK . Umm duh
9) Holy smokes Batman it auto-created the MainWindow~iPad.xib for you. Waycool.
As my speakers blow. Joroto will buy me another set right? Part of the “support you local programmer” program. Right!?
It also created a Resources-iPad Group folder for you. It is in your BEST interest to keep your assets separated. Ya know the graphics, etc.
10) It is autoset for a device. Use the drop down on the left under the window control buttons to change to Simulator, and then choose iPad.
11) Build and Run. Everything is ok.
12) Close it and choose the iPhone simulator. Build and run. Everything is ok.
13) You have an icon for your app right? RIGHT!? Double tap the (your project name).plist.
This is the file that tells the app store and the iPlatform OS where to start when running you app and showing things when the app isn’t running.
14) Fifth line down it says “Icon file”. Double tap the blank line on the right and enter the name of your icon. You don’t need the extension, it assumes png. No path is necessary.
So how does it know where the graphic is?
15) Right two-finger tap the Resources Group line. The context menu comes up. Move the cursor over Add, then choose existing file. Now find your file and choose Add (lower right hand corner of the Finder window). A Dialog pops up. I always choose the ALSO COPY the file into the project. This is so all my projects are self contained.
16) Now we want a splash screen, because your bloated code (unless you grew up on CP/M and embedded systems like I did, or had an excellent mentor) will load too slowly.
In the editing of the (your project name).plist where you placed the icon information:
Double finger tap and choose Add Row.
From the list choose “Launch Image (iPad)” selection.
Tap the blank box to the right and enter the name of your splash screen graphic.
Import that graphic into the project using the technique in step 15.
You’ll need a splash images sized for the iPad and then ANOTHER for the iPhone. Graphic Artists are loving this.

Ok you’re cooking with gasoline. Build and run on each simulator. You should see your splash screen, then hit the round button at the bottom of the simulator and you’ll see your icon on the simulator home screen.

Naming convention, although I have yet to fully test this.
(Image name)-(orientation)~(device)@(size).png
For ours its:
Splash-Portrait~iPad.png
Splash-Portrait~iPhone.png
Splash-Portrait~iPhone@2X.png

“Remember, No matter where you go, there you are”
Buckaroo Bonsai

Peace. Unless war is necessary.
-T-

Anyway, my impression is that it is a larger iPlatform device. The larger size allows several things like a larger keyboard, and they had a piano simulator loaded. Pretty neat.

I also played pre-loaded video and YouTube video and it was seamless. No jitters. Very nice quality. Definitely a kid-in-the-car device. The kids will never again ask “Are we there yet”. Most likely they’ll say “Wait, I’m not done with my video. Do I HAVE to go into the hotel?”

I have big hands/fingers. Not FAT mind you, umm just big. I was in the market for a netbook. Something to hold in one hand and type with the other. Yes I can type pretty quickly with one hand. I know you can’t (and you’ll have other reasons why the iPad sucks), but that’s tough. I could type full speed. The key, it seems, is that the device is sensitive enough to notice my tapping on the glass.

Yes there were games, but I was looking more for productivity. I need to use this on the train ride into work. Have you ever tried to write while the train is jostling around? Not neat, and sometimes impossible to read. Voice is bad because others can hear what one is speaking into a voice recorder.

Overall, I “need” one. It would make the idea sessions that I have on the train more convenient to record. With the wifi I could email it back to the Guild.

If you’re not convinced, then you may not have a need so don’t get excited and buy one. If you don’t have an iPod, and have the cash (stay off the credit card) buy the iPad.

Edit 5/8/10 08:21pm EST

I’ve decided to get the 3G + Wifi model ($629). Lord help me if this happens to me. Help me . . . Spock. . . Help . . . me. . . .

Steve,
This isn’t a pile on session, I’ve seen the ignorant bashing you incessantly.   I’m too tired). I’m not here to do the same.  Well of course I am. Its fun, its the NEW new thing to bash Apple for not providing everyone their own personal spaceship to Mars (see previous blog post).
iPad: This name, sucks. Steve, next time spend some money on drugs like you used to do (I’m from your past) and come up with something sexy like “The Apple Tablet”. At least it isn’t blah and sound like some hygiene product. That one’s free, pay me and I’ll let Joroto make a memorable descriptive name. We do that for a living. We’re idea men (yes we’re gay mwhahaaa).

The iPad will succeed, and not because Apple’s behind it. Steve did a good job at a first cut features list. One glaring missing one is the video iChat. He would’ve cornered the market on that one. The iChat on the Macbook is seamless, impressive, rock solid, awesome. Now I’ll REALLY tell you what I think.

The price on the iPad is correct.

Those with a hundred gadgets won’t buy it because, well they’re gadget freaks and ran up their credit card bills. They can’t afford it and are envious. Those of us who held off buying a netbook waiting for a tablet type device will buy one. I will be in line for one. I believe it will serve the niche when I ride the tram or wait in queue at the unsympathetic doctor’s office. I need another, um script.
The larger size is good. The display is gorgeous. Processor is fast.
Oh NOOOO no multiple apps ALL running at the same time. Save me Superman ahhhhhh I’m falling. Pinheads listen closely. No a little closer. If you want that BUY A LAPTOP. You’ll have the screen real estate to have a movie AND browser open. OH JOY. You can be completely distracted and not remember either the movie nor what you scanned on the Internet. Duh.
On the netbooks people RAILED at Microsoft for limiting, yet another windows OS, from being able to run only 3 apps because it would bog down the Atom. Well some of our Quad core 4G systems are bogged down by Windows Vista 7. Ummm well my work here is done.

The 3G plan price is excellent.

The ebook reader app (or whatever) is fine and I’ll buy into that one. Where this will kill (small k) the Kindle is in the rich output of the books. I don’t care a rat’s a** about the authors. They will or won’t get paid. If one doesn’t pay the workers, then the workers stop working. Very simple. From what I’ve read, the authors barely get paid anything now. I couldn’t imagine trying to eek out a living as a no-name author. It HAS to be just a Napoleon complex for them. Its like the rush we get from open source (umm I mean others, not us good corporate drones who work for a paycheck).

iPad needs a webcam though Steve. Did you miss this, or as I presume, was this left out because AT&T’s overwhelmed network couldn’t handle the crush as millions buy this device.

Another goodie is the pads wirelessly connecting to each other to play games like the Nintendo DS/DSi playthings do. Can anyone say Apple competes with Nintendo? Nintendo takes the iPlatform VERY seriously (Management: I need a researcher to insert links here). Apple, it seems, is trying to elbow into Nintendo’s bread basket. My son has a DS and MANY games (spoiled brat) and I just bought a DSi for my wife. Yep she asked for one specifically. She uses some brain game, and my son just got Scribblenauts and says it is absolutely awesome. I’ll just take his word for it. We also have a Wii. The little punk beat me at Wii Resort’s Swordplay. One works up a sweat trying to kill his son.

The iPad will sell millions. Up to the 6-8 million in 2010 as predicted by fanboy analysts? Ummm probably not. However by Christmas 2010 I believe they will be closing fast. If they put this A4 processor into the iPhone as rumored then that will send iPhone sales up. However, can the iPhone sales go up higher than they are now? Nokia had better do something or they stand to become the next Microsoft: i.e. marginalized because they have no visionary and are paralyzed with fear about LOSING customers. Nokia needs to slap their senior management, who have been highed to MAINTAIN the business. Idiots. Don’t maintain JACK, grow the sucker. Innovate, or YES the T word THINK.

Apple will win. Others will lose. They don’t know what they don’t know. They don’t ask questions about what they don’t know. If any of you are reading this, then contact Joroto, and we can help you come up with real ideas about either extending your existing products, or creating new products that no one has thought of yet. Until then, we work on our black projects.
-T-