IPhone/Touch File Sharing

One of my most frequently used operating system attributes of my networked desktop and laptop computers is the ability to file share between machines.

While in "the olden days", a file might be transferred between machines on a floppy disk or Flash drive, using network file sharing is much more convenient, and opening a channel through Ethernet or WiFi is really automatic, once the sharing mechanism is in place.

Sharing files on an iPhone/Touch is a bit more complicated. Apple wants everything to go through iTunes using USB and the available applications in the iTunes Store.

There are, however, several APPS, which in effect, circumvent some of these limitations. Several methods are employed. Some provide an external (cloud) server. Send the file to the cloud on one computer and receive it on the other, all through the Internet. Another approach is to open a local channel between computers either through USB or WiFi and transfer the file that way. Of course, it is necessary for the iPhone/Touch to have an application to handle the received file. Check out Mover and ActivePrint

Two popular file sharing programs available are: Air Sharing and FileAid I chose FileAid. The WiFi version of FileAid can be used for free. One item to watch out for when setting up FileAid is to make sure when inserting the iPhone/Touch FTP address use a colon (:) rather than a dot before the last set of digits ftp://192.1.168.17:2121 The 2121 is the port number.

Using FileAid it was easy to download, for instance, Michael Rubin's $35 bio of George Lucas and Lucasfilm, Droidmaker now available for FREE, into my desktop as three pdf docs and transfer them to my iPod Touch for later reading when not hooked into WiFi.

Check it Out!

Ron K

Oxford Valley Mall Offers Free WiFi to Customers

This was the first time I visited The Oxford Valley Mall with my new iPod Touch in hand. To my pleasant surprise, I found that the mall now offers a WiFi connection for the convenience of the shoppers. I very happily sat down at a bench and passed the time surfing the Web, as my wife enjoyed her shopping trip. The WiFi works well in the big open areas, but is not present in the satellite department stores.

I still can't get over the fact that at the public libraries and such, others are pinned down to their desktops and laptops, while I can walk around, or sit in a comfortable chair, and view the same web pages and movies on the little 'Touch.

Anyone know of other malls in the area with free public WiFi?
Ron

iTunes Apps Store Bargains!

With most Apps at 99 cents, every application at the Apps store is really a bargain! But, by checking out a number of websites and special apps, new, free, and discounted apps can be easily found.

I like and use:

http://appshopper.com/
http://www.appstoreapps.com/
AppMiner
PandoraBox

Anyone else have some suggestions?

Ron K