So far I've run across -

File Browser -
Good Reader -
SMB Lite -
ez Share -
NetPortal -

...and random others - are there any comparisons going out there? Recommendations?

I have SMB network media drives (can actually stream over WLAN using PogoPlug) - but would like more open access - without Pogoplug - as well as being able to transparently open/close/read/write files to my Mac desktop and shared folders/drives as well.

Ive been liking DropBox. Works great, you get 2 GB free storage, syncing is quick and easy. Good working app too - it lets you view any docs and images you have on your system. Not sure if it has every feature you need though. Check them out and see.

Try box.net

Youll get 50gb free (max file size is 1gb i think) for life
This is a promotion though so hurry and sign up, ive been using it and love it
Its similar ro drop box but its a little more polished

Originally Posted by s2mikey

Ive been liking DropBox. Works great, you get 2 GB free storage, syncing is quick and easy. Good working app too - it lets you view any docs and images you have on your system. Not sure if it has every feature you need though. Check them out and see.

Hmm that sounds different that what I've been doing with Dropbox for years - syncing files online between two (or more) boxes. I don't see where there is a full remote media/file browser built in from the iPad side? AFAIK it sees only shared files or folders ONLY, as uploaded from the source.

I have 12TB of storage total with any one given media drive being just 2TB. 2GB isn't worth anything really. Great for syncing bookmarks and a limited work files etc. and that's about it. Of course you can PAY them to get more - but all I'm asking to do is access stuff on my network in my own location! Not backup to "the cloud". I am building MY OWN FREE personal cloud with 12TB on it. LOL Well OK, not really quite that extreme. Full WLAN access to the entire local network (including SMB shares) is all I want - ala - Bonjour in OSX!

FileBrowser gets my vote, for accessing files on your own storage systems, such are 80 GB worth of photos on my NAS.

GoodReader is very good for storing and managing PDFs on the iPad.

I have file browser but can't connect to my Imac.

Try using gomeetnow.com file sharing services. It is easy to use and provides file sharing between MAC and Windows computers.

This thread should be kept alive. Cloud is great for convenience, and also great if you want to submit your life in more ways to big data. While there's no getting around that in general, there's no point giving cloud companies a key to your front door while there's still a choice.

I'll try File Browser to start, with the intention of SMB sync to my local NAS files, and will compare it with some great apps I use on the on Android platform that auto syncs local folders on a schedule so I have my latest files on my phone...

+ for Dropbox

Icloud and skydrive.