Getting documents on ipad - why so difficult?

[Abazigal]

Actually, there is. Check out the Kingston Wi-Drive, Maxell Airstash or Seagate Satellite. They basically amount to wireless flash drives. And you don't need an existing wifi access point because they all can act as access points themselves. It seems like with this solution you wouldn't even need to convert PPT to Keynote (although have you considered apps like Docs to Go or Quickoffice).

I was basically trying out the keynote on ipad + iphone as clicker app in class today. Worked great, but I seemed to take a lot of time for the prep work.

I will try to find time to get round to trying them out. Thanks for the heads up. Perhaps I have been going about it the wrong way. Seems the ipad is turning out to be a fairly expensive toy/investment. Got the most expensive model, now still having to shell out for monthly internet bill, screen protector, casing, misc apps, attachments and so on...

 

[dukeblue91]

I think all this will get easier once other apps get access to iCloud.
The only way I'm doing this right now is with webdav and good reader.
I can save from pages to webdav and I can sync GoodReader to webdav.
The other thing I wish GoodReader would do is have sync to iWorks.com then I could cut out webdav too.

Keeping documents and files on the iPad is not a big deal as most of them are very small and you have room to keep hundreds on there to work on.
The problem is getting them back to the program that you save them in.
Like from Goodreader to pages no problem but from pages back to GoodReader is a major pain in the ass.

I'm not trying to sell GoodReader here but it is a incredible app as it will sync to about anything like any disk on your local network or any cloud service like dropbox or box.net and many others it even still support iDisk.

So the whole key will be when everything gets access to iCloud API's thats when it all will come together.

 

[iClive]

Ideal set up?

There are some interesting and helpful comments in this thread.

It seems that the best storage setup is either dropbox (cloud) or some sort of external drive (hardware), but which are the best apps to integrate with this?

From my limited experience, the Pages & Numbers apps do not allow saving to dropbox (although they have several other options) and I can see no way of opening or importing files from the suggested media (i.e. dropbox or external drive).

 

[dukeblue91]

There are some interesting and helpful comments in this thread.

It seems that the best storage setup is either dropbox (cloud) or some sort of external drive (hardware), but which are the best apps to integrate with this?

From my limited experience, the Pages & Numbers apps do not allow saving to dropbox (although they have several other options) and I can see no way of opening or importing files from the suggested media (i.e. dropbox or external drive).

Importing is easy exporting is the problem.
when in DropBox just click on the document in the top right corner you'll see a little open box with a arrow, click on it and will give you the option on where to open the document in like pages and other apps you may have.
The problem is getting it back from pages to dropbox.
Again your choices are very limited here from pages.
You can email it back to you then imported to dropbox you can send it to iWorks.com or use a webdav account.

 

[kdum8]

Interesting thread. I wonder if any of you can help me?

I am new to iPad, although not to OS 10, but I am still running snow leopard. I recently imported some Numbers files from my Mac to my iPad via iTunes, did some work on the files, and I now want to export them Back to My Mac. How is this supposed to work? I am not really familiar with the iPad, Mac sharing system... but basically I now have two versions of each file. I thought that if I upgrade to Lion, it would solve my problem, however reading this thread it seems to be not the case. Am I missing something?

 

[glen e]

You can email it back to you then imported to dropbox you can send it to iWorks.com or use a webdav account.

this summates the whole thread - it's a pain in the ass getting it back out...

 

[dstar]

Figuring out how to actually get **** done on the iPad is what makes iOS so magical. Unfortunately it comes down to the app you are using.

I know this doesn't help with the original problem but some apps handle files amazingly well. One of the best is Quickoffice HD. I have accounts with sugarsync, dropbox and box.net. With Quick Office HD I can download/edit/upload with any of them, plus I can drag and drop files between all three services. It really works well.

I'm also using a seagate goflex wireless drive now. I installed samba on it and it opened that drive up to direct access from a lot of application now. Still figuring out all of the cool things I can do with it.

 

[Night Spring]

Interesting thread. I wonder if any of you can help me?

I am new to iPad, although not to OS 10, but I am still running snow leopard. I recently imported some Numbers files from my Mac to my iPad via iTunes, did some work on the files, and I now want to export them Back to My Mac. How is this supposed to work? I am not really familiar with the iPad, Mac sharing system... but basically I now have two versions of each file. I thought that if I upgrade to Lion, it would solve my problem, however reading this thread it seems to be not the case. Am I missing something?

There is no automatic syncing between Mac and iPad versions of iWork documents. This article describes a workaround, but even that isn't perfect. There are hints that things might improve with Mountain Lion, so if you are still on Snow Leopard, it might make sense to wait and see what ML brings.

 

[kdum8]

There is no automatic syncing between Mac and iPad versions of iWork documents. This article describes a workaround, but even that isn't perfect. There are hints that things might improve with Mountain Lion, so if you are still on Snow Leopard, it might make sense to wait and see what ML brings.

I see. Thanks for the link. Coming from SL and having seen all the flashy Apple commercials I was under the impression that this was all par for the course. I thought that was the whole point of iCloud. Certainly Apple sold the service at that. Seems that buying iWork for my iPad was kind of pointless. A little disingenuous the way it was advertised in that case. I guess I'll wait as you say until ML and hope it improves. I wonder if I will be able to upgrade directly from SL to ML skipping Lion in the middle...

 

[Night Spring]

I see. Thanks for the link. Coming from SL and having seen all the flashy Apple commercials I was under the impression that this was all par for the course. I thought that was the whole point of iCloud. Certainly Apple sold the service at that. Seems that buying iWork for my iPad was kind of pointless. A little disingenuous the way it was advertised in that case. I guess I'll wait as you say until ML and hope it improves. I wonder if I will be able to upgrade directly from SL to ML skipping Lion in the middle...

iCloud has other functions than syncing iWork documents, most of which work very well. Syncing contacts, calendar and bookmarks among iOS devices and Mac works wonderfully, and is so convenient, I just love it. And iCloud backup of iOS devices is a real life saver. But as far as iWork syncing is concerned, they kinda dropped the ball there. Although if you read their promotional material VERY carefully, it says you can sync documents among iOS devices, and manages to leave out mentioning the Mac, but it's done so subtly most people will miss it unless they are looking for it. Anyway, I don't think there is any technical reason why you couldn't jump from SL to ML, let's hope Apple does right by its customers and allows a straight upgrade.

 

[old-wiz]

The lack of a user accessible file system has been my biggest issue with the iPad. I don't care about jailbreaking or modifying system files; I would just love even one directory where you could save files without a lot of runarounds.

 

[OTACORB]

DO NOT tell me that I do not know how to use drop box! I was one of the fist beta users of the software and I know ALL to well how it works. I need and want access to over 4500 words files and 300 Excel files and I can NOT make them all my favorite!

Thanks for your useless insite!

Sorry am I suppose to be impressed? I never said this setup works for everyone in every situation, but I would bet for the vast majority it works just fine. If you don't like my suggestion well too damn bad. I am sure some may find it helpful. You can get as mad as you want, but this setup works for me. I agree that an auto sync setup would allow it work better for some. So, it doesn't work for you, doesn't mean it won't work for anyone else.

 

[Night Spring]

i never said this setup works for everyone in every situation,

But you did say that people who aren't using that setup must not know how to use Dropbox, which in my view implies you thought your setup would work for everyone, or at the least, it didn't cross your mind that it won't work for everyone until it was pointed out to you.

 

[jman240]

Goodreader lets you sync folders from dropbox to your ipad. Whole folders IIRC.

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/how-i-use-goodreader.html

 

[Stealthipad]

Sorry am I suppose to be impressed? I never said this setup works for everyone in every situation, but I would bet for the vast majority it works just fine. If you don't like my suggestion well too damn bad. I am sure some may find it helpful. You can get as mad as you want, but this setup works for me. I agree that an auto sync setup would allow it work better for some. So, it doesn't work for you, doesn't mean it won't work for anyone else.

When you said: "You clearly don't understand how to use Dropbox", I knew that YOU were the one that did not understand.

I never expected you to be impressed but some of us live in a different world than your "favorite file" thing. The "auto sync setup" would be better for EVERYONE using dropbox.

 

[OTACORB]

When you said: "You clearly don't understand how to use Dropbox", I knew that YOU were the one that did not understand.

I never expected you to be impressed but some of us live in a different world than your "favorite file" thing. The "auto sync setup" would be better for everyone using dropbox.

That was your interpretation, but the bigger point I was making is that many folks don't realize that you can make a document a favorite thereby saving it to the iPad or other iDevice. No this isn't a perfect solution, but likely for a lot of folks would be sufficient.

Well its a good thing you didn't expect me to be impressed because I wasn't. In fact you seem like someone that likes to argue just for the sake of doing so. I personally don't give a flip what world you live in, but for right now the way this work is exactly as I described it. That may not be a good solution for you, but for some it will be.

----------

But you did say that people who aren't using that setup must not know how to use Dropbox, which in my view implies you thought your setup would work for everyone, or at the least, it didn't cross your mind that it won't work for everyone until it was pointed out to you.

Right and I've had two people that have PM saying thank you for that info becaues they didn't realize you could favorite something and it would be saved. Those are the folks my post were for, what you think or feel about my post doesn't make one iota of a difference to me. Perhaps it never crossed your mind that for some this solution does work. Not everyone has tons of documents they need to have access too. So for some this does work!

 

[Stealthipad]

That was your interpretation, but the bigger point I was making is that many folks don't realize that you can make a document a favorite thereby saving it to the iPad or other iDevice. No this isn't a perfect solution, but likely for a lot of folks would be sufficient.

Well its a good thing you didn't expect me to be impressed because I wasn't. In fact you seem like someone that likes to argue just for the sake of doing so. I personally don't give a flip what world you live in, but for right now the way this work is exactly as I described it. That may not be a good solution for you, but for some it will be.

----------



Right and I've had two people that have PM saying thank you for that info becaues they didn't realize you could favorite something and it would be saved. Those are the folks my post were for, what you think or feel about my post doesn't make one iota of a difference to me. Perhaps it never crossed your mind that for some this solution does work. Not everyone has tons of documents they need to have access too. So for some this does work!

You may not "give a flip" but you just keep on replying

 

[Night Spring]

Right and I've had two people that have PM saying thank you for that info becaues they didn't realize you could favorite something and it would be saved. Those are the folks my post were for, what you think or feel about my post doesn't make one iota of a difference to me. Perhaps it never crossed your mind that for some this solution does work. Not everyone has tons of documents they need to have access too. So for some this does work!

You didn't phrase your post as a general information post, you said "YOU don't understand how to use dropbox," meaning the poster you were responding to. That poster understandably got piqued with you, and got perhaps a bit heated while explaining why your solution didn't work for him. It was only after that that you started claiming you knew your method wasn't for everyone. But if you did know that, then you would never have personally accused someone of not understanding how to use Dropbox. Sure, people found your info useful, of course not everyone knows that info. But by the same token, you shouldn't have assumed that the poster you were responding to didn't know hoe to "favorite" files.

The "auto sync setup" would be better for EVERYONE using dropbox.

To be strictly exact, the OPTION to auto sync selected files and folders would be better for everyone. I have a lot of files in Dropbox that I don't want taking up space on my iPad, so I would not like it if Dropbox synced everything onto my iPad -- I'd run out of space for other things I'd rather keep on my iPad.

 

[Eddie Bombay]

Yea I really wish the Dropbox was the same for my Transformer Prime not sure what's up with it on iOS. Lately for note taking I've been relying on Evernote for the iPad.

 

[Stealthipad]

You didn't phrase your post as a general information post, you said "YOU don't understand how to use dropbox," meaning the poster you were responding to. That poster understandably got piqued with you, and got perhaps a bit heated while explaining why your solution didn't work for him. It was only after that that you started claiming you knew your method wasn't for everyone. But if you did know that, then you would never have personally accused someone of not understanding how to use Dropbox. Sure, people found your info useful, of course not everyone knows that info. But by the same token, you shouldn't have assumed that the poster you were responding to didn't know hoe to "favorite" files.




To be strictly exact, the OPTION to auto sync selected files and folders would be better for everyone. I have a lot of files in Dropbox that I don't want taking up space on my iPad, so I would not like it if Dropbox synced everything onto my iPad -- I'd run out of space for other things I'd rather keep on my iPad.

Thanks SIR!

 

[dstar]

You are right that other apps offer more Dropbox integration than iWorks. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a Office suit that works properly with Japanese input, so I'm stuck with iWorks. But perhaps for other posters, alternative office suits other than iWorks is the answer.

QuickOffice HD just came out with an update a little while ago. It now supports Japanese. Don't know if it'll work for you but you may want to check it out.

 

[ephemeralreason]

Hope this helps

I was trying to solve the same problem and discovered an app called CloudOn. It works with Dropbox, is free and allows you to edit Word and Excel documents (the only two I've tried) in at least the fairly basic ways I need to, then you save the document right back into Dropbox. Did I mention, it's free. For my needs, this has been the best solution to the lack of a file system on the iPad.

 

[Night Spring]

QuickOffice HD just came out with an update a little while ago. It now supports Japanese. Don't know if it'll work for you but you may want to check it out.

Thanks for the info, I'll go take a look!

 

[omni]

Setting up a WebDAV using Dropbox lets me use pages, numbers, etc and point everything to Dropbox.

I've never had a problem - not sure why everyone in this thread is making things so complicated and getting all heated.

Dropdav.com to sign up and see how it works

And if that doesnt work - good reader solves 99% of my problems

 

[sphinx99]

I think file management is one of those areas where Apple is going to have to admit that they had it wrong -- or at least were ahead of themselves.

Apple effectively killed the file system, but it hasn't led to anything but wide spread frustration for everyone. Power users are forced to rely on third party tools and goofy workarounds. While the others are just left in the dark since there is nothing intuitive or easy about the current set up.

Future updates to iCloud will likely fix these issues but right now its a very half assed implementation.

I agree. Frankly speaking, the concept is not new or avant garde, but similar to 1970s and early 1980s computing in which applications and their data were physically tied together in ways that made data sharing between applications a burden. iOS essentially takes us back about 30-40 years in this regard, which is why my iPad strikes me as 2012 hardware and UI running 1970s minicomputer style software: single-tasked and everything fenced.

In any case, I'm not sure why Apple took this route, except maybe to reduce file format handling burden on developers, although I do not see how that could be accomplished. Alternatively, DRM requirements drove the initial design to fence data, and Apple hasn't figured out a way to open the doors enough to let us work unencumbered, in a way that protects iTunes.