Finally a workable file system solution

[kas23]

The iPad's target audience (as in 99% of users) DON'T WANT a file system, at least not one they have to see and manage. That's the point. Keep it simple. Apple is great at that.

Really? Do you have any hard facts to back this statement up or are you just stating your own opinion as fact?

Anyways, the fact that apps like Air Sharing, Dropbox, and Good Reader are extremely popular clearly supports that people want an area to keep their files. This is a fact because this is what these apps do, they store your files on your iPad/iPhone/iPod.

Therefore, it's clear that people do want some sort of file system. Likely nothing fancy, but an area where they can store their files and easily access them.

 

[smiddlehurst]

Really? Do you have any hard facts to back this statement up or are you just stating your own opinion as fact?

Anyways, the fact that apps like Air Sharing, Dropbox, and Good Reader are extremely popular clearly supports that people want an area to keep their files. This is a fact because this is what these apps do, they store your files on your iPad/iPhone/iPod.

Therefore, it's clear that people do want some sort of file system. Likely nothing fancy, but an area where they can store their files and easily access them.

Uh, no. Your last statement should read: "Therefore, it's clear that some people do want some sort of file system. " The exact % is questionable but it does seem clear that the majority of users do not require that functionality otherwise places like this would be swamped with requests (okay, childish rants and demands) for just such a solution.

Frankly I suspect that iOS 5 / OS X Lion is probably going to provide a suitable solution anyway, at least for the average user. Fine upstanding folks like anthonymoody will probably still need to look for other solutions just because their requirements are a wee bit outside the norm but for most the pieces seem to be lining up. The decision by Apple to remove a visible file system is probably the bravest thing they ever did in iOS and, while they're not quite there with the alternative solution yet (i.e. let apps and the OS handle files, there should be no need in a consumer system to expose the file system) you get the distinct impression all the pieces are starting to line up.

Oh, and anthonymoody, quick question if you don't mind. You said upthread that "the iPad has so changed my computing life for the better that I don't think I could ever give it up". I'd be genuinely interested to hear more about that, I know there are a lot of power users moving this way (after living with the iPad 1 since May I'm going to be increasingly moving that way myself with the 2) but they tend to do so quietly. Reading through your blog now but any chance of some thoughts as to why and how it changed your computing life?