GoodReader
- iTunes:
- Price: $4.99
GoodReader has been one of the ‘must have’ apps for the iPad (and iPhone) since it was released. It contains the largest number of ‘file management’ options out of all the apps noted here. This is due to the fact that it can copy, move and rename any files that are stored in it. In addition, GoodReader and PDF Expert are the only apps here which can handle ZIP files, both unzipping and zipping.
GoodReader can link to a wide variety of internet servers such as Dropbox, Mail Servers, iDisk, Google Docs, SugarSync, Box.net, WebDAV servers and FTP servers. This allows users to import and export documents from just about anywhere.
Just in case this wasn’t enough, GoodReader can also transfer documents over local Wi-Fi sharing as well as iTunes USB sharing. The most recent update brought the first signs of iCloud integration which would be a very interesting development.
One of the major strengths of GoodReader is its ability to annotate PDFs. Once a PDF has been imported, it is possible to annotate it with a range of functions not limited to: highlighting, underlining (various styles), strikethrough, comments in notes, typed text (although the font cannot be changed), various lines, arrows and basic shapes.
Finally, there is the ability to manually draw using either a finger or a stylus. One of the ways this can be successfully implemented is by zooming in considerably, manually making notes and then adjusting the size and location of the note once it has been made. The ability to have more than one PDF file opened at a time is particularly useful, although, only PDFs can be annotated.
In terms of managing a medical literature library, GoodReader does a good job. While it does not have some of the specific features that the academic heavyweights (Sente and Papers) have, it can work on a purely functional basis. Articles and academic papers can be sorted into a manual folder filing system which can be synced over the air and thus are accessible at any time.
Summary:
GoodReader offers a complete package in terms of file management, annotation, connectivity and overall functionality. It allows users to take complete control of their document library and effectively manage it. GoodReader could easily be used to manage a literature library provided an efficient filing system was followed.
To read Part 2 of the Best PDF Management App series, click here.
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Consider the free app neu.Annotate PDF; it has more of the features you mentioned that are missing from iAnnotate such as annotating–hence, the name, marking up, emailing and saving to Dropbox, YouSendIt, Blio, ACTPrinter, etc. I have the basic, free versions of Dropbox, Box.net, SkyDrive and YouSendIt. I prefer the latter cloud app by far. It has many more features than Dropbox, including some of the PDF-specific attributes you noted as missing from Dropbox. I use DocuSign Ink when my signature is required. I use all of these apps on my iPhone 4 that I use at home and work as a pharmacist at a federal teaching, healthcare agency.