5 ms·

What do you mean with "filesystem" specifically, that isn't available on iPads? There's the Files app.

by cube2222 4y ago

thefz 4y ago
Does it allow you to have access to the whole fileystem, unrestricted access?
- freeplay 4y ago
  It allows access to a filesystem, just not the root filesystem. You can do all the basic copy/cut/paste ops and create whatever folder structure you want. Don't expect to edit system files though. People spend lots of time looking for vulnerabilities to achieve that.
  - frosted-flakes 4y ago
    The iOS file system is very frustrating. By default, applications can only access individual files in their own sandbox, and if you want to point an application to a folder of media, you can't—it's simply not possible, or if it is it's so burdensome that it's simply not practical. Least of all for images, which for some reason are not accessible from the Files application and have to be manually exported from the photo gallery app, and music, which is not accessible at all: you need to clumsily use Apple's proprietary sync program on an actual computer. In contrast, Android also doesn't let you access the root file system, but the user folder is yours to do whatever the hell you want with, and if you want to give your audiobook or music app to your folder of mp3 files that you've collected over the years, you can.
- scarface74 4y ago
  What do you need with unrestricted access to the root file system?
- flavmartins 4y ago
  I think the arguments is non-developers don't really need access to it. You aren't configuring anything or doing anything that needs access to the file system. You are simply interacting with documents and online systems/applications that you can do the same as on a laptop. Add the greater mobility and the iPad pro really is a better device for most people. However, as another commenter mentioned, these individuals who SHOULD really benefit from using an iPad primarily also are the group that struggle greatly with the changes to their overall workflow (see Who Moved My Cheese).
  - asdff 4y ago
    Thats kind of a poor argument that just self fulfils itself. If we mask things like the filesystem and the actual shell, then of course no one will really need to use it. If we unmask these things, maybe paradigms will shift and they will themselves use these things. IMO so few people know how to code because we have been abstracting it for years, not because its tough to do or anything like that. Plenty of things people do are just as challenging as coding. You just need exposure to coding is all, its easy to write bash or python. Anyone could do it in a week. Hard to get that exposure when a company decides it won't be possible for you, and its a slap in the face considering these features are there in the device but you have to jailbreak the damn thing and violate your warranty to get at them.
    - lotsofpulp 4y ago
      >Hard to get that exposure when a company decides it won't be possible for you, The company decided it was not possible using a specific product. You decided to use a product where it was not possible.
      - asdff 4y ago
        If you are not the most technologically inclined person, its really the company's marketing that is choosing the product rather than you. Its true with any product you lack relevant knowledge in, marketing becomes the dominant factor of choice beyond tooling that you don't fully yet understand. I think what is especially frustrating in this case, is that these capabilities are already there built into the device, they are just not exposed unless you jailbreak the device.
- cube2222 4y ago
  My MacBook doesn't either, with system integrity protection, and I'm just fine with it.
- mylons 4y ago
  why do you need that for meaningful work? anyhow, github codespaces is usable on the ipad. i've done billable hours while traveling on my ipad, as long as the internet is good.
bluescrn 4y ago
But very few apps built to work files/folders. Image files?.... they obviously want to be mixed in with your photos! Media files?.... you don't want those!, would you like to subscribe to Apple Music?
- scarface74 4y ago
  What apps don’t work with the Files App that it would make sense for?
  - bluescrn 4y ago
    Well, transferring files between an iPhone and a Windows PC is still far more of a pain than it should be. Still can't just treat the phone as a drive and put files on there. (edit: or trivially share a folder on the LAN over wifi, without even needing the USB cable, if you're considering the iOS device a 'real computer')
    - neoberg 4y ago
      In the same way you can't treat a laptop as a drive and put files on there (transfer from another pc); because it's not a drive.
      - hollandheese 4y ago
        Except you can on the Mac. Ever heard of Target Disk Mode?
        scarface74 4y ago
        Yes when I want to transfer a few files between Macs my first thought is “let me use target disk mode”. https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/transfer-files-mac-computers-target-disk-mode-mchlp1443/mac https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/transfer-files-mac-...
    - ja27 4y ago

What do you mean with "filesystem" specifically, that isn't available on iPads? There's the Files app.

thefz 4y ago

Does it allow you to have access to the whole fileystem, unrestricted access?

freeplay 4y ago
It allows access to a filesystem, just not the root filesystem. You can do all the basic copy/cut/paste ops and create whatever folder structure you want. Don't expect to edit system files though. People spend lots of time looking for vulnerabilities to achieve that.
- frosted-flakes 4y ago
  The iOS file system is very frustrating. By default, applications can only access individual files in their own sandbox, and if you want to point an application to a folder of media, you can't—it's simply not possible, or if it is it's so burdensome that it's simply not practical. Least of all for images, which for some reason are not accessible from the Files application and have to be manually exported from the photo gallery app, and music, which is not accessible at all: you need to clumsily use Apple's proprietary sync program on an actual computer. In contrast, Android also doesn't let you access the root file system, but the user folder is yours to do whatever the hell you want with, and if you want to give your audiobook or music app to your folder of mp3 files that you've collected over the years, you can.
scarface74 4y ago
What do you need with unrestricted access to the root file system?
flavmartins 4y ago
I think the arguments is non-developers don't really need access to it. You aren't configuring anything or doing anything that needs access to the file system. You are simply interacting with documents and online systems/applications that you can do the same as on a laptop. Add the greater mobility and the iPad pro really is a better device for most people. However, as another commenter mentioned, these individuals who SHOULD really benefit from using an iPad primarily also are the group that struggle greatly with the changes to their overall workflow (see Who Moved My Cheese).
- asdff 4y ago
  Thats kind of a poor argument that just self fulfils itself. If we mask things like the filesystem and the actual shell, then of course no one will really need to use it. If we unmask these things, maybe paradigms will shift and they will themselves use these things. IMO so few people know how to code because we have been abstracting it for years, not because its tough to do or anything like that. Plenty of things people do are just as challenging as coding. You just need exposure to coding is all, its easy to write bash or python. Anyone could do it in a week. Hard to get that exposure when a company decides it won't be possible for you, and its a slap in the face considering these features are there in the device but you have to jailbreak the damn thing and violate your warranty to get at them.
  - lotsofpulp 4y ago
    >Hard to get that exposure when a company decides it won't be possible for you, The company decided it was not possible using a specific product. You decided to use a product where it was not possible.
    - asdff 4y ago
      If you are not the most technologically inclined person, its really the company's marketing that is choosing the product rather than you. Its true with any product you lack relevant knowledge in, marketing becomes the dominant factor of choice beyond tooling that you don't fully yet understand. I think what is especially frustrating in this case, is that these capabilities are already there built into the device, they are just not exposed unless you jailbreak the device.
cube2222 4y ago
My MacBook doesn't either, with system integrity protection, and I'm just fine with it.
mylons 4y ago
why do you need that for meaningful work? anyhow, github codespaces is usable on the ipad. i've done billable hours while traveling on my ipad, as long as the internet is good.

bluescrn 4y ago

But very few apps built to work files/folders. Image files?.... they obviously want to be mixed in with your photos! Media files?.... you don't want those!, would you like to subscribe to Apple Music?

scarface74 4y ago
What apps don’t work with the Files App that it would make sense for?
- bluescrn 4y ago
  Well, transferring files between an iPhone and a Windows PC is still far more of a pain than it should be. Still can't just treat the phone as a drive and put files on there. (edit: or trivially share a folder on the LAN over wifi, without even needing the USB cable, if you're considering the iOS device a 'real computer')
  - neoberg 4y ago
    In the same way you can't treat a laptop as a drive and put files on there (transfer from another pc); because it's not a drive.
    - hollandheese 4y ago
      Except you can on the Mac. Ever heard of Target Disk Mode?
      - scarface74 4y ago
        Yes when I want to transfer a few files between Macs my first thought is “let me use target disk mode”. https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/transfer-files-mac-computers-target-disk-mode-mchlp1443/mac https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/transfer-files-mac-...
  - ja27 4y ago