Accessing Word documents on home computer.

[the_john]

Hello!
New member, looking at finally getting an iPad but I'm researching all my options before I buy. I've been looking at the 16G 3G model. I won't be storing much of anything on it but I need the 3G because I am frequently in areas without wi-fi access. I might put a few movies on it for long plane flights and such, but that's about it.
I'm a writer and have found that I can edit Word documents on the iPad, which is the biggest selling point. However, I don't want to sync my documents manually and I don't want to store them online in "the cloud". Is there an app I can use to access my documents from my home computer with the iPad, edit them and then save them back to my home computer from wherever I am? A lot of my documents are sensitive in nature and I don't feel comfortable having them stored on some server somewhere - call it paranoia.
Can this be done?

 

[zorah]

Might want to check out Documents to Go. Might that fit the bill? I use the Office Suite version to send documents from my desktop to iPad. They get synced through iTunes. Sounds like it would do what you want. You can create and edit from the iPad too. I've used Documents to Go ever since my Palm OS days, and I would take notes on my PDA with a keyboard and sync them in when I was in grad school a number of years back. I've always liked it, and would have loved to have an iPad with it back then!

 

[epb]

don't want to sync my documents manually and I don't want to store them online in "the cloud". Is there an app I can use to access my documents from my home computer with the iPad, edit them and then save them back to my home computer from wherever I am? A lot of my documents are sensitive in nature and I don't feel comfortable having them stored on some server somewhere - call it paranoia.
Can this be done?

This sort of thing is why I have Splashtop Remote. I log into my home computer and work on the files, so they never leave my PC. Since the iPad has no way of securing data on it, it's a godsend.

 

[xune]

I whole heartedly recommend using Apple's MobileMe or Dropbox. Yes it's a cloud, but you're not only storing them in the cloud, you're syncing them to your computers, PC or Mac. Once you've verified that you've synced what you've needed, drag what's needed to their appropriate folders, and delete synced docs from the cloud if you prefer not to have your data lingering on a server out there. Essentially, any means of syncing data from A to B wirelessly outside of your LAN, is going to require some sort of server based system.

 

[nateccnn]

I use both Documents 2 Go and Dropbox. I am a little paranpid about some of my documents like tax forms floating around some server bank. I know security is good on Dropbox...but when it is outside my control I don't like it. Most of my stuff goes through Dropbox...don't get me worng...it is pretty secure. But no way I am dropping a tax document on that server farm to be trusted by someone I never met. LOL That is when Docs to Go comes in handy for syncing locally. But even that can be compromised since it is floating through your wifi. iTunes has an option to sync the Documents 2 Go through the USB cable and in my opine that would be the safest way to sync overly sensitive documents. Assuming you are not a security freak like someone I know.

Nate

 

[Mickey330]

Well, if you're concerned about security "in the cloud," here's two suggestions:

1) Goodreader has an .exe file you can download. I don't know how to describe what you do with it, (you run it, but it doesn't install on your computer) but I know that I have a copy of the .exe file on my computer and my flashdrive (to use on any other computer).

Anyway, with your iPad tethered, you can use this .exe file to access all the files within Goodreader or drag-n-drop files to Goodreader. Now, Goodreader doesn't let you edit .doc files, but it WILL let you send them to Docs2Go (and Docs2Go will let you send files to Goodreader) and with Docs2Go, you can create/edit Word files. So, you can use the .exe file to use your iPad as a mini flash drive via Goodreader ...using the cord.

2) ReaddleDocs will allow you to set up a drive on your computer. Then, you can wirelessly transfer documents back and forth. It also does not let you edit Word .doc(x) files (that I know of) but it'll also let you open a document in Docs2Go (and Docs2Go will allow you to send files to ReaddleDocs). So, it can be like a wireless file transfer, whereas GoodReader has to be wired to any computer in order to use the .exe file.

By the way, I have the "Documents To Go Premium - Office Suite, which is $16.99 in the app store that, so far, has edited anything I've thrown at it (the "regular" program is $9.99 - but I don't know what it can do). I don't have any personal knowledge of any other apps that can be used to muck about with Windows programs...

I've used all three of these programs and they sure will let you stay away from cloud storage (which, in the interest of full disclosure, I prefer to use). But, if you don't want to, that's your choice and maybe this will help you.

Marilyn

P.S. And, because I just typed this whole thing using my Zaggmate, may I suggest you look into getting a bluetooth keyboard for editing purposes? It makes life SO much easier...!

 

[SweetPoison]

This sort of thing is why I have Splashtop Remote. I log into my home computer and work on the files, so they never leave my PC. Since the iPad has no way of securing data on it, it's a godsend.

I read this twice ~ makes sense. You are smart!

 

[the_john]

This sort of thing is why I have Splashtop Remote. I log into my home computer and work on the files, so they never leave my PC. Since the iPad has no way of securing data on it, it's a godsend.

I read this twice ~ makes sense. You are smart!

You know, I think this would be the best option for me. Thanks!