Hi Kimberly,

I too, did not like the whole "It's gotta be done with iTunes" thing when I got my iPad a few months ago. I'm gradually getting used to having to use it for some things although I wish Apple would just open up things more so you don't have to use it. I'm not a fan.

That said, I found an app for transferring photos and videos back and forth from my iPad to my PC over wifi. It's called "Photo Transfer App" and it works pretty well.

I email stuff to my self to and from. And or use google drive, drop box, skydrive

I suggest transferring the files to Handbrake using the methods we've already discussed, and using the iPad presets there to deliver a file via iTunes.

As you're discovering, iAnything doesn't let you do sh*t on your own!

from the day my wife asked me to load up her ipod i HATED itunes. very soon thereafter i put on an alternative - can't remember which*, but here's a couple of links to alternatives:

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/29716/heres-five-alternatives-to-itunes-10-for-easily-managing-your-ipod/

http://www.zeropaid.com/news/100739/5-free-alternatives-to-itunes/

*just checked with her indoors - media monkey and she's very happy with it ;-)

Apple is the "friendly fascist" - everything is great as long as you do everything their way.

Hi Kimberly,

Also not a fan of iTunes and have had an iPad since v1. While I have installed & use iTunes, I also then installed an app: mbdrive HD that allows you to drag & drop files as it recognizes the iPad as another drive. Seems to work fine, I've mainly used it to drag MS Woed files onto the iPad to set them up in the auto cue app I sometimes use for video pron.

Dunca

"Seriously Kimberly, you need to get over your Apple phobia. If you don't want to install iTunes then sell the iPad."

Good advice jr. I purchased an iPad II directly from Apple. Installed iTunes on my secondary PC. Used it a few days. Uninstalled iTunes. Sent the iPad back. Mostly forgot about it until I read this post ;-)

I can remember many winters ago that iTunes would grab the MP3 and M4A associations, though this was easily reset. iTunes even offered to put it back to what it had been in a very polite dialog exchange. That was pretty much the complete extent of it's iNvasiveness.

Later installations of it haven't invaded anything at all. In fact, installing the latest version now allows Forge/Vegas/ACID to open M4A files, so i don't even need to use iTunes for listening or managing my purchased music.

I think the only objection i have to it is that it launches the various iPod interfaces in the background whenever it does run, and these can't be shut down until iTunes is closed. Not really a problem, but it is a complete waste since i'll never own any iWhatever devices of any sort. I only use iTunes for purchasing music. Of course, for those who's only use for iTunes is to interface with an iWhatever device, that's probably just fine.

I love my iPad. And don't mind iTunes. Just make sure you set it to NOT automatically sync your media library. I just drag the files I want to the iPad. Works great. There are also apps that do things like DNLA serving (both send and receive) and wifi transfer. I use it for everything but video editing, but basic editing with iMove or Pinacle apps is actually surprisingly good.

Good iAdvice one and all : )

I'm letting my husband have it and I'm keeping my trusty Nook so I'll put the iTunes on his laptop anyway heh heh heh.

Thank you all and Merry Christmas.

Regards,

Kimberly

Sounds like an excellent plan Kimberly :-)

We have some iStuff (phones, iPad Touch) and it is with a "jaundiced eye" I look at the iTunes stuff. It seems fairly benign, but I still hate things the insist I use their interface only to talk to them (like the software that comes with point and shoot or DSLR cameras - never use it - just pop the cards in my reader in my desktop).

mikey

> "Good advice jr. I purchased an iPad II directly from Apple. Installed iTunes on my secondary PC. Used it a few days. Uninstalled iTunes. Sent the iPad back. Mostly forgot about it until I read this post ;-)"

OK, so I was wrong... there are more people who need to get over their Apple phobia. lol ;-) (just kidding)

Honestly, I don't understand why people would rather have to learn the structure of the iPad file system and learn where to place videos and music and ring-tones, etc. so that they show up in the right places instead of just installing iTunes and pressing one button to have everything sync automatically.

DropBox is definitely a good choice just to transfer files without iTunes. I keep all of my PDF files that I read with iBooks on DropBox and it works great. There's also the OverTheAir app which is a free WebDAV client.

If you are looking for something that works tethered by the USB cable, check out iExplorer. It will allow you to mount your iPad like a flash drive and then you can play System Administrator to your hearts content. ;-)

~jr

In my case, it's a personality defect.

I just naturally rebel against anyone telling me the only way is their way. You know, centralized command and control.

Funny thing is that I worked for Apple for six years back in the early days of Mac. But back then I believe our Apple zealotry made more sense--we were fighting for our lives against Big Blue and the forces of evil.

> "I just naturally rebel against anyone telling me the only way is their way. You know, centralized command and control."

I hear you. In general I've found that people who are "control freaks" don't do well with Apple products because they want to know everything that's going on. Unfortunately, they have been trained by Microsoft to not trust software and to think that they all must become system administrators. The beauty of tablets like the iPad is that they are devices that simply work and you don't have to understand why, you just need to enjoy the fact that they do. Some people apparently can't do that. ;-)

~jr

Sell it on eBay and buy three Android tablets, problem solved.

I picked up a 10" one from Deals Extreme for $200. Quad core CPU, IPS panel, HDMI, 2xUSB ports one of which is a USB Host port, mini SDHC card slot, 16GB flash memory, BT, 802.11 n/g and runs ICS. Plays all the 720p and 1080p files I've thrown at it out of Vegas. For another $20 I got a BT mini keyboard with a couple of joysticks etc.

What you miss out on:
GPS
No wireless internet connectivity unless you use a dongle.
Retina display but the IPS panel isn't at all shabby.
Support of any sort. Well it comes with 12 months warranty...return to China.
Worrying about it, for $200 who would.
Getting a case / sleeve to fit it. The ones made for the iPad fit, tightly, but it needs serious surgery to cut slots for all the ports.
Needing special cables that cost, every connector is standard.

Bob.

"...we were fighting for our lives against Big Blue and the forces of evil."

I was Big Blue and evil incarnate. The only thing systems should do is heat water. They should have no network connections.

Want some data from it? Go to the print room and get a fan-fold report or here's a tape to load on your water heater.

I got over it.

I am currently playing with my new Sony Quadcore Xperia Tablet S, very nice...