So this year your family said enough is enough–it’s time Dad got caught up with the times and started using an iPad like the rest of the world!  Great!  Awesome!  Exciting!  Now what?  I know there are plenty of tech savvy Dad’s out there that know what they’re doing with regard to their favorite gadgets.  I’d like to think I’m one of them–at least most of the time.  However, maybe for you it’s been a while since you’ve been pushed out of your comfort zone and tried something new.  Regardless of your level of expertise, there is a basic set of steps every one should take after purchasing/receiving a new iPad, and we’re going to highlight a few of the most important ones to get you on your way to enjoying your new device ASAP.

Back-up you data

I know this doesn’t necessarily pertain to those who are getting a new iPad for the first time, but I felt it was important enough that it should be the first thing we talk about.  First and foremost, and this can never be overstated enough–anytime you are upgrading to a new device, you need to back-up your data–preferably in more than one place.  I generally back-up my devices in iCloud as well as in iTunes.  It might seem excessive until that one time when you don’t have it.  Backing up your data should also continue _after_ you go through the initial process.  I highly recommend you turn on automatic iCloud back-ups.  It’s easy, convenient, and it happens in the background while you sleep at night as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi.

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For many users, the iPad lives up to its description as an ‘intimate’ device – getting used often when laying around on a couch and similar. There are a number of situations – not least when playing games – when you will not want the iPad to continue its normal habit of flipping screen orientations as you shift it around; when you’ll want it to just stay fixed in landscape or portrait mode.

Happily, this is easy to do on the iPad. Here’s how:

— Double-tap on the Home button to bring up the iPad’s Multitasking Bar. This will show you all your recently used apps.

— Swipe to the right in the bar, in order to show the items at the far left of the bar. You should see the built-in iPod’s app icon, controls for the iPod, a brightness control slider, and the Orientation Lock control at the far left of the bar.

— You simply tap on the Orientation Lock to toggle orientation locking on and off (in whichever mode it is currently in).

That’s it. Another very basic but very handy iPad tip – hopefully helpful for those of you who are new to the iPad.

This is another very basic tip for iOS 4.2 users on the iPad – so if you’re a savvy veteran user it’s best to move along now.

One of the nice smaller features we gained with the 4.2 software update is the ability to change the font in the built-in Notes app. Doing so is super easy as long as you know where to go.

You cannot make the change within the app itself. You just need to go to the Settings app, and tap on Notes in the sections pane on the left (just below Photos and above Store). Once you do, you’ll see the three current font choices shown in the right pane. Just tap on Helvetica your preferred font and you’re good to go.