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Level 1

11 points

why isn't there a file system?

I'm sure this has been discussed over and over already, but I have to chime in. The lack of having any kind of file system to gain access to files between apps is simply DUMB. What would have driven apple to devise something so counter-productive? It literally ruins the entire iPad experience.

I am seriously ready to put my new Ipad2/3g out on Craigslist, simply because trying to get files from one application to another is an exercise of futility, and is aggrevating beyond anything I have ever experienced in my 25 years in the IT field.

I've spent money on Dropbox, Goodreader, GoDocs, etc etc etc, which only adds to the confusion. Some apps can see others, and some apps can't. HTere is never any common ground.

Let's say I have a single picture I want to open in several different applications. On the iPad, this will result in having to create several differnt copies of the same picture - one for each application. What is the point of that? just getting the file from one app to another may involve having to upload to the 'net , and then downloding back into another application. WHY????????

Someone needs to create a killer app that will give us a GLOBAL FILE FOLDER SYSTEM that we can use as a central place to access files from ANY app.

Goodbye iPad, hello Android - I'm done.

iPad 2, iOS 5.0.1, 3G

Posted on Dec 24, 2011 5:06 PM

Best reply

GA_ipad Author

Level 1

11 points

Posted on Dec 25, 2011 8:48 AM

Once you go beyond using it for just browsing the web or sending email, and try to use it for professional productivity, you'll see just how bad the limitation of having a kindergarten-based file system really is.

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66 replies

jocopa3

Level 1

0 points

Dec 28, 2011 5:37 PM in response to Jarland

Would you rather have a virused app that ruins your whole iPad experiance entirely (just like what happend to my ****** droid) or would you rather have a safe device that won't get fkd. Even my jailbroken iPad 5.0.1 is safer than an android. Whiner.

PogoPossum

Level 4

2,508 points

Dec 28, 2011 8:11 PM in response to GA_ipad

I use it professionally for serious productivity, and solved the lack of a built-in file system by selection of apps. I have yet to put a file in Dropbox that I'm not able to work with.

JFLittle

Level 1

0 points

Jan 31, 2012 10:10 PM in response to PogoPossum

Tried the Dropbox solution but I rely heavily on file search (ala spotlight) and dropbox search seems to only seach for strings which are part of the file names.

mCr0c

Level 1

8 points

May 20, 2012 9:06 AM in response to GA_ipad

This is what is keeping me from getting an IPad. I do very little web design anymore, but I do lots of help for a nonprofit when I am on vacation or wherever. It would be wonderful to be able to download a file (msword or excel, mostly though possibly some html), save it where I can separate the different functions I perform for the non-profit, modify it, then upload via fireftp.

I love my Mac Book Pro, but for train travel it is a little heavier than I'd like. With an iPad I could be in a meeting, a concert wherever and do this - if it were possible.

May 20, 2012 9:18 AM in response to mCr0c

mCr0c wrote:

I love my Mac Book Pro, but for train travel it is a little heavier than I'd like. With an iPad I could be in a meeting, a concert wherever and do this - if it were possible.

Sounds as if the 11" MacBook Air might work for you.

mCr0c

Level 1

8 points

May 20, 2012 9:26 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Looks like it would if cost were no issue. Seems rather steep.

May 20, 2012 9:27 AM in response to mCr0c

You can save a couple of hundred by buying a refurb from the Apple Online Store. Indistinguishable from new, same warranty. Couldn't be happier with mine.

Jarland

Level 1

8 points

May 20, 2012 10:13 AM in response to mCr0c

I have no issues doing any of that with my iPad. The misconception is that if the base OS can't do it, the device can't. That isn't true. It's all about the right apps.

Here's what you need for those uses:

CloudOn

Dropbox

Textastic

GoodReader

FTPOnTheGo

mCr0c

Level 1

8 points

May 20, 2012 12:31 PM in response to Jarland

Wow! Sounds like it might work! This is exactly why on signed onto this discussion. I was hoping there might be a way to do it. Thanks, I will try on my husband's ipad.

Jul 23, 2012 5:44 AM in response to Jarland

I am sorry to say that these apps still doesn't offer the functionality needed. I tried them but having to localise the file each time you edit in one program and then create another new copy again is a chore. And dropbox does NOT offer all the necessary editing functionality needed to edit most document. It is ok for basic typing, but not much else.

Jul 23, 2012 5:48 AM in response to jocopa3

jocopa3

1st, the close ecosystem might reduce but by no means prevent ALL cases of virues/trojan and what not. And moreover, my own prediction is that once it gain a critical mass, the apple crowd would be ill prepared for it.

but back to this ... you post is nothing more than scare monger and with the protections running 😝, not that big a proportion of computers actually get infected by virus on other OS either.

PS, if you have not used both an iOS and an android device, as you appears not to have, then you are not really in a position to comment intelligently on this matter.