As I noted in my previous post, “Why iPad,” the goal of computer design is to allow users to interact with their data without the burden of understanding the underlying system. In the last 3o years we have spent energy moving away from this goal. Many users have accumulated technical knowledge allowing them to perform simple tasks. Other users still struggle with their computer. The file system is one of the technical aspects of a computer most users have learned to some degree (and most people still don’t understand it.)

Since the iPad announcement many have made statements such as: The iPad storage is too small for all my files. How do I move my files without a USB connection? Using iTunes to sync files is ridiculous! These statements manifest from a file-oriented design. Users become more concerned about their files than the data the files hold.

The iPad uses a task-oriented philosophy. The goal is to bring the user closer to their data and not worry about files. For all those still uncertain what a gigabyte is or how to copy a file: rejoice! The iPad is for you. For the rest of us, we may need to build a bridge between file-oriented design and task-oriented thinking.

The Problem

Screenshot of iTunes Apps tab

The iPad is all about the applications. (No, this isn’t the problem. It’s a good thing.) Each application has its own storage space for user generated data (or photos library.) For many tasks, this is not a big deal. Just like on the PC, we don’t really care about the Twitter cache files, e-mail header files, or special settings storage. We do care about the spreadsheet data, the family vacation photo, and the story draft. We don’t truly care about the files that contain our data, but sometimes we must deal with them (for now.)

The Basic Solutions

iTunes is great for syncing music, photos, and some videos. It also provides back-up for your iPad. Some applications allow access to documents from within iTunes as a convenience. This is not a great solution, but an option if there is no other way. You may also e-mail the file to yourself. Seems silly, but it is no different than using a flash drive to sneaker-net between devices.

Better solutions include using MobileMe with iDisk or some other sharing service in the cloud. iWork apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) can share documents with iWork.com (beta.) Google Docs is another solution where your files stay in the cloud.

Another service is Dropbox.com which syncs your common documents with all your computers. Currently, Dropbox only provides viewing on iPhone or iPad. Opening in other iPad apps is coming soon using Document Sharing.

Document Sharing

Screenshot of iPad Mail Open In selection

This is a new feature in iPhone OS available on the iPad with apps like Mail, GoodReader, and Air Sharing Pro. If another app on the iPad supports the document, the Document Sharing supported app will provide a button to open in the other app. It works by creating a link and opening the other app which copies the document into its own storage space. You may notice an e-mail attachment with a Pages icon as seen in the screenshot.

Some might say document sharing is a “bandage” for the sandbox design of iPhone OS, but it supports task-oriented philosophy. Choosing the best tool for the job sometimes requires using multiple applications. Edit a document in one app then pass it on to another. Document sharing is about task-oriented work.

Screenshot of GoodReader file selection

File Utilities Solution

A file utility using document sharing builds a bridge connecting your file-oriented lifestyle with your task-oriented world. GoodReader and Air Sharing Pro support document sharing bringing common formats to your iPad from your e-mail, your desktop computer, Google Docs, Dropbox, MobileMe, or some other remote server. Until other apps begin using Document Sharing, one of these apps may be your good friend.

Let’s say you have a story in Word that you need to work on while traveling. Use GoodReader to connect with your desktop and just drag-drop files! Using GoodReader, “Open In…” to send your Word document to Pages so you can edit on the go! Back from traveling? The current version of Pages doesn’t share, but you may use iWork.com or e-mail the document back (to iPad in GoodReader or to desktop.)

As you might have noticed, you can also use GoodReader or Air Sharing to turn your iPad into a storage device to carry documents around. (But that’s file-oriented thinking!)

Remote Desktop Solution

Screenshot iPad RPD to Windows (click to enlarge)

If you have internet access, you can connect to your desktop at work or home and run programs as if you are there. No file copying and run any application. Apps like Desktop Connect and iTap will connect your iPad to another computer using RDP (Windows machines) or VNC (Linux or Mac.)

Wrap-up

Once Document Sharing becomes common, the iPad will support better workflows across multiple applications and sharing in the cloud or on other computers. Many tasks don’t require file management. When it becomes necessary to access documents outside of the iPad, choose the best method for your task and available resources.

[Update: Dropbox supports iPad Document Sharing. Here is the Mashable post.]