Alan Zisman said the following on 3/23/2011 1:23 PM:


 > Perhaps the best iOS way around the file system limitations is
 > to use a DropBox account to move files between a PC (or Mac)
 > and iOS device... while DropBox's iOS client can display many
 > file types, it also breaks through the iOS 'walled garden' of
 > apps - when I display a PDF, for instance, the Send To icon
 > (common in many iOS apps) offers me the option of opening it
 > to various (though not all) of the PDF-reading apps on my iPad
 > (DocsToGo, Evernote, iBooks, Stanza).

 > Other apps (GoodReader, Writer, DocumentsToGo for example)
 > work w. DropBox by creating dedicated folders within your
 > DropBox online folder structure

An UPDATE on this dilema:  I decided to try FileApp.  Apparently there
was/is a free version.  It works wonderfully... and exactly  as I desire.
No need for iTunes.  No need to be connected to the internet cloud.  I
simply launch FileApp, enable sharing (either via WiFi or USB) and the
device shows up on my network via Window's GUI directory panel after I
enter the ip address of the iPod.  Then it's a simple matter to drag and
drop.

BTW, this is the only way I could get the TED videos for the iPod Touch! 
The TED app works fine as a way to browse and discover various clips; it
even allows video to be downloaded and to be stored locally.  But the
videos DON'T play!.  The only way I can get TED to work on my iPod is by
first downloading the video with my PC, and then use FileApp to transfer
the file over to the iPod, and then use FileApp to play it.  My Touch meets
the minimum requirements to watch TED videos (the iOS is the latest), but
they simply do NOT play after the download. I think the app downloads the
hi-rez version and isn't smart enough to pick the lo-rez version; the TED
app seemed to take way too much time downloading any video.


Anyway.. FileApp is a fine solution to transferring files back and forth. 
It can display pictures, PDFs, and even play audio files just fine.  And..
a nice bonus is that files managed by FileApp can be deleted directly WITH
the iPod controls; no need to connect to a PC.  Files can be organized as
desired in custom folders.

As interesting as a DropBox-like solution sounds (for shareability) FileApp
is a slicker solution that doesn't require any online services to
facilitate a share/transfer.


..

--- Thunderbird 2.0.0.24 (Windows/20100228)