I always like to remind folks of two things when these complaints come up. First, your iPad is not a computer. It is a whole different beast. Sure there are ways it can be optimized and used as a computer, but really it is a totally different beast, which IMO is fantastic. It has certainly changed the way I approach many things and it seems to have unending creative uses. So I understand the frustration when you don't have all of the features that your computer handles seamlessly, and maybe some of these things will come in due time, but try not to be too frustrated if you have to fight with it a little to perform these tasks.
Second regarding there not being a manual. This is very Apple, but it's not neccessarily because they want you to just open the box and push on the brightly colored icons. First, if you are a manual kind of person, there is more information than any manual would ever provide. After all, many folks spent years yelling the manuals for devices becuause they didn't solve the problem. Apple should be credited with making "plug and play" and not, open box, spend hours reading manual, installing software and still not understand anything about your computer. Apple has always believed in making a user-friendly product and has distinguished itself that way. The first imac in 1998 was plug and play whereas other computers and other electronics are still trying to figure this out in some cases. Part of this mentality is, IMO, a belief that the user is going to have a better experience in terms of how to maximize their product to be individualized to it's user, and have a better chance of knowing what to try in terms of troubleshooting if they have to learn about it more organically, logically, and not based on a poorly written manual. Then the device really becomes customized from the moment it leaves the box and part of Apple's overall business model. And apparently it's working for them!
That said, as with any new electronic there will be times you need advice, and there is a TON out there. I think what folks have said here is pretty solid advice depending on what you are needing to download. Again I remind you, the iPad is not a computer. That said, it is possible to outfit it with some of the apps mentioned above and make it a bit more like a computer in terms of word processing, etc. I thought I would just throw in some really easy tips for more basic downloads that may be helpful in addition to some the apps above.
First, with many things there may be a way to email the documents to yourself making it a snap to access whatever the document is usually using one of the reader programs to store it and access it that way. Example- my bank account doesn't make it easy for me to export my statement data onto an iPad, but I can have the data emailed it to the address i have attached to my iPad inbox. Then simply open the attachment into goodreader I also screen shot things quite often. This isn't as helfpul for data but is great for things like charts or graphs, and great for business travel- I just screen shot my reservation or car rental info and can email it to the family. Otherwise, play around with these apps and I thik'you'll find a good set that works for you! GL,
