PDF on the iPad Using GoodReader no comments
GoodReader is one of the most popular apps for reading PDF files on the iPad, and at only $.99 is a good value (presuming, of course, that you have already spent $500+ for an iPad).
GoodReader not only handles PDF files but also MS Office, iWork documents, images, video and audio. The current version also supports Apple’s Document Sharing.
The iPad’s color screen is great for viewing graphic-rich documents, and its speed and responsive touchscreen make it quite adept at doing things like panning and zooming. The downside is that you cannot scribble or make annotations on your documents with GoodReader. This fits pretty well with my overall impression of the iPad so far – great for viewing content, but less well suited for authoring and editing. You can get the GoodReader app from iTunes.
Below is a video I made with the GoodReader iPad app.
Transferring PDF Files From Your Computer to Your iPad
Before you can read your PDF files using GoodReader, you will need to get them onto your iPad. GoodReader lets you search on your iPad for files, browse the Net for files to download, or connect to a local Wi-Fi network.
You can of course also connect your iPad to your computer using the dock connector to USB cable and download files. This is quite easy using iTunes. The following shows how to transfer files using the USB connection.
First connect your iPad to your computer using the dock connector to USB cable and start iTunes.
- Click on your iPad in iTunes.
- Click on the Apps tab at the top.
- Scroll down and you will find the File Sharing section. Click on the GoodReader app.
- You can either drag and drop your PDF files into the GoodReader Documents section or click on the Add button at the bottom to browse for the desired files. If you elect to browse for your files just click on Open when you have selected the files you want to add to your iPad.
- When you have finished adding the PDF files that you want to transfer click on the Sync button in the bottom right corner of the iTunes window – don’t forget to do this!
