Investigate the options of Email and Dropbox for managing files on an iPad.

      As a beginner to iPads I found it necessary to google reviews and articles in an attempt to understand both email & Dropbox features relevant to an iPad. I’m not sure I have a clear understanding of the pros and cons of each for file management but I have a better understanding than before I researched this topic. Anyway these are my conclusions…..

What are the pros  / cons for each option?

Dropbox

Pros

o   allows management of all your data files by storing in a single, secure place

o   data files stored on external cloud based service

o   works across platform and devices – Mac, pc, tablet, smart phone

o   data files available on all synced devices – work computer, home computer, laptop, iPad, smart phone

o   changes to files are automatically synced

o   automatically backs up your files on all synced devices

o   allows storage and access to files that are too large to store or transfer on email

o   free and simple to set up

o   easy to use, fast and free to storage quota of 2GB

o   teaching / learning tool – share file access for teacher and multiple students to share files, add files, download content, store visual presentations too large to email, time stamp submissions

Cons

o   access to internet / wifi  required for use

o   data is stored on a device you don’t own so you no longer have total control – target for hackers

Email on an iPad

Pros

·         allows management of all your data files by storing in on an email service such as Gmail

·         data files stored on external server

·         data files available on several devices – work computer, home computer, laptop, iPad, smart phone via Gmail

·         free and simple to set up

·         easy to use, fast and free to 10GB on Gmail

Cons

·         access to internet / wifi  required for use

·         data is stored on a device you don’t own so you no longer have total control – target for hackers

·         changes to files are not automatically synced

·         not shared access for teacher and multiple students to share files, add files, download content, store visual presentations too large to email, time stamp submissions

With my very limited experience in using iPads and after reading up on email on iPads, I have concluded that one major difference between the use of Email and Dropbox for managing files is the size limit of files. With emailed files many servers have an emailable size limit, so files containing images can be too big, thus not allowing access to large files via email. Using Dropbox allows storage and access to these larger files on an iPad. Also you still can’t save emails directly to your iPad.

In my current work setting Dropbox will allow me to: -

·         Move files and folders between my home computer, work PC, laptop and iPad

·         Extend the effective storage space of your iPad as I create files containing many images using iPad apps

·         Give access to resources via a single link such as training and lesson preparation. Currently at my school, Dropbox sharing isn’t used between colleagues or students.

·         Access email files easier with my iPad from my laptop, home pc & laptop

·         Storing resources that I will use in lesson and training

       With email, ntschools mail could be accessed via ‘Safari’ on an iPad but it would seem a less direct way to access email than using my laptop and then saving relevant files to ‘Dropbox’.  I will access my personal files on Gmail with my iPad.