Am I doing this right? Storing PDFs on the device.

I finally figured out how to get PDFs loaded into the iBooks app. I like that app for just reading the document. File, Add to Library...select file and sync. Now...when I am done, how do I delete the file from the library? I don't want to just uncheck it...I want to delete it from the library in iTunes.

But I also need to annotate the PDF, which means I need Good Reader. Now I have to email the doc to myself and open using Goodreader.

But I also like to use PDF Expert. So I have to open the attachment in that app too. Does this leave three copies of the same PDF on my device? Actually...a 4th copy is in the email attachement?

Seems like a lot of wasted space. This is a 780 page (4.3 MB) PDF report for a meeting I have next week.

Sure...I could just use Goodreader for all the functions but I should be able to use each app for what it's strengths are and not worry...right?

Or am I just doing this all wrong?

Nate

Well actually you have stumbled upon one of the shortcomings(?) of Apple mobile devices and that is there is no "universal" place to store files that each app can access. Its not a huge issue for me personally, but it looks like it could be for you.

Well...I would not call it a huge issue either. It's only 4.3 MB x 4...less than 20 MB wasted.

But when I annotate in one version and then switch to the other app those notations are not there. That drives me insane.

I guess I'll just do my reading part on the iPad and do the work part on my laptop once I get off the airplane. Bummer for me. But I am no worse off than before I had the iPad...cept my wallet is a little lighter.

Nate

Could you not have the pdf in Goodreader and use the "open with" option, view in whatever app, but delete from the second app to keep from having dupes? I do understand not having the notations but never having used the other pdf I don't know if it would offer me enough to use instead of Goodreader. I do prefer reading pdfs in Goodreader over Ibooks though. Just a personal preference.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Diane B

Could you not have the pdf in Goodreader and use the "open with" option, view in whatever app, but delete from the second app to keep from having dupes? I do understand not having the notations but never having used the other pdf I don't know if it would offer me enough to use instead of Goodreader. I do prefer reading pdfs in Goodreader over Ibooks though. Just a personal preference.

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Bingo. That's the easiest solution for the OP's issue.

What if I store the file on Dropbox and then tell Goodreader to save it to Dropbox? Then when I open it in PDF Expert it has the notations.

Is that even an option? I'm not near my iPad to give it a try right now.

Nate

Edit: That won't work when I want to switch back and forth while flying. Doh!

Another messy solution would be to use iFile.

It can create a link to a file. So basically you first browse to your initial file using iFile, then select 'Copy/Link', browse to the desired app and then paste the link. This method allows you to have the file in a central place, but you can still open it with different programs.

Problems: Apple randomizes app folder names for whatever reason. So there is no way of knowing in which folder which app is, the only way of finding out is by opening each folder. So setting up the link is a pain. And secondly, the apps don't necessarily open the linked file.

iFile sounds like a real PITA. Sorry.

It appears that I have confirmed for about the thousandth time that this device is simply not meant for business. I have done work around after workaround to make it a business useful device. And in some regards it is a nice tool. I was sitting in a conference last week when someone asked for some data. I could have ran downstairs to my office to pull it up through Access but using Splashtop I was able to run it and display it on the monitor in a few seconds. But that was not the iPad as much as it was a remote control of my desktop. Still...it kept me from having to run downstairs.

But reality is this thing is meant for social entertainment and that is about it. I just can't see how they sell for over 700 bucks! It's got a value of something like 200 maybe. Oh well...whatever. I'll use my laptop for this project. I thought it would be neat to be able to run from office to office next week using my iPad instead of a three ring binder as I interview various departments. At least I'll be able to show them how Angry Birds looks when the interviews are over. LOL

Nate

There are a lot of people using them for business similar to what you outline. i just think it takes research and putting together a workflow for your own individual use. Might take some out of box thinking of how to use apps that might not even have been considered.

Hey...Like I said, Diane...SplashTop makes it a great business tool as long as I am connected to the same WiFi network (My firewall will not allow port forwarding due to sensitivity of proprietary database on the SQL server) and my laptop is tunred on. It's mainly travel where I run into problems. I thought this would be a neat tool to get work done on an airplane. And I can do some work, just not power work.

I still have my laptop for the power work. Unfortunately with leg room getting less and less every time I fly I find I have to fly first class in order to use my laptop now. Now...If I could just get the boss to pay for first class. LOL

Nate