iPad newby question

Factual Questions
1

Ok, we got a new ipad2. Never had any apple product before. One of the things I want to do with it is to be able to read documents we created on the pc. Like recipes, for example. Most of these will be in Word currently, but I could convert them to nearly any format, I guess.

Bizarrely, I think I have to use iTunes to move files between pc and iPad, but whatever. But what do I view them with? I don’t see a “documents” app. What kinds of text files can I use?

I guess that when I get good enough at this, I could leave the docs on the pc and get to them through the network or cloud or something, instead of having them on the iPad, but I have to start somewhere. Nothing about documents anywhere in iPad user guide.

2

in the App Store there are programs such as Office To Go (link below), that allow you to Crete, edit and read Word documents on the iPad and iPhone. I haven,t used it myself, I just remember seeing the app in the store.

3

The iPad will view Word documents without any additional software.
You can put access docs on the iPad with DropBox or Files (from Olive toast software), or iCloud.

4

More convenient is iBook, it’s a free download from the App Store. You could also use Dropbox to sync and display your files, that way you wouldn’t even have to go through iTunes. Dropbox is a great tool anyway, even without the iPad. Mail also opens any document the iPad is capable of displaying.

ETA: Or what beowulff said.

5

Thanks guys. I am going to go find out what Dropbox is now. Thanks. That was helpful.

6

One important thing to know about the iPad is that it is not like a computer when it comes to dealing with files. It does not show you a list of files and let you pick one to view, print, edit and so in (i.e. no potentially confusing ‘filesystem’).

Instead, files are stored with an App (think of it as a folder as well as a program) so you move files to and from a computer using iTunes to pick the App to use with with the files or to get them from an App.

Some Apps, like Mail or DropBox (highly recommended) will show you a list of files and can work with many types of files. Many Apps can (or will) ask you if you want to use a different App with a file. For example, Mail will display a PDF directly, but will also copy it to iBooks so I can see and store it there.

7

To get something onto your iPad, one quicker way than using iTunes is just emailing it to yourself.

8

Goodreader is another great multipurpose document viewing tool. It has the in-built ability to connect directly to Dropbox, iCloud and other file storage sites.

Note that if you email yourself a doc, you can often view it right there by tapping on the attachment. If you tap and hold, after a pause, the iPad will ask you what app you want to send the document to.

9

Thanks. Just installed Dropbox on my iPad. Now I guess I nedd to install it on the PCs too. I’mstuck w my leg in a continuous passive motion machine right now, so that will have to wait.

10

Thanks. That kind of tip is the kind of thing that does not come naturally to a PC guy.

11

Here is another one.

When using Safari, double tap in the main text column to enlarge to width of screen. Great for news sites.

12

To a Mac guy neither - this kind of thinking is pretty unique to iOS and is fundamentally changing the way we think about file handling. Apple is slowly expanding this policy to the Mac, while still retaining the original “Finder” (=Explorer).

Definitely get Dropbox for your PC, it’s very seamless. Also check out the ongoing thread about it right here in GQ.

13

If you want to edit documents, Apple Pages is the Apple Word equivalent.