I'm the guy keeping the iALPA folder on iPubs. After reading through this thread I thought I'd post some guidelines and information that can help you get the most out of iPubs.
When this project started we had in mind a simple sync to an iPad or iPhone. Apart from the glitches in the SugarSync servers we have succeeded. Each of the Jedis who are keeping the files are in an ongoing effort to streamline the folders and make the synced folders as lean as possible.
First the iPubs site is
www.ipubs.me . Since this is for Delta pilots the username and password are available in the iPubs thread of the Delta MEC Forum Computer section. The site has excellent and simple instructions on how to get a SugarSync account, subscribe to the folders, and setup the sync in GoodReader.
SugarSync has a mobile app for Android and BlackBerry. The problem is there is no android PDF reader that has the features and performance of GoodReader. The performance is key because iPubs has some very large PDF files. GoodReader is very fast and handles large files very well. GoodReader developers have posted on their site that there is no plan to produce an Android version of GoodReader.
Lately we have had problems with the SugarSync servers being unable to complete the sync process without crashing multiple times. We are working with SugarSync to determine the problem. Your initial sync will be fairly large. Subsequent syncs will be much smaller and quicker. For your initial sync make sure you are on a good wifi connection and plan on an hour to complete the process. It may not take nearly that long, but it could.
When you start a sync take time to watch for the file name being transferred and the amount of data remaining to be downloaded. If you get just one file downloaded successfully then your setup is correct. Many users get a failed sync (meaning NOT COMPLETE for the entire folder) and start deleting the setup or folders downloaded. There is no need for changing settings if ANY part of the download was successful. Simply wait a few minutes (or not) and re-start the sync. Normally the sync will resume from the point where the failure took place. It may take several re-starts to complete the entire folder sync. I don't like it, but it is where we are right now. Unfortunately, right now it is normal for it to take several sync attempt to complete your download. Patience please.
PC access: SugarSync will only allow for DOWNLOAD ONLY syncs to a PC. This means you have to download everything or nothing - not just files that have changed. Not ideal. SugarSync is geared to mobile devices syncing with the cloud.
Customizing Files: GoodReader allows you to customize files with annotations, etc.. This is great, except SugarSync synced folders cannot be changed. If you change a file name, move a file to a different folder, or make any other change to a file then your next sync will fail. DO NOT CHANGE, DELETE, RENAME, OR MOVE any file in your synced folders. If you want to keep a customized file, then COPY it to a folder you create outside of the Sync folder.
Folder size: On the iPubs site you can see the folder sizes. If you subscribe to the Fleet Common Files, your Aircraft Files, and the iALPA folder you will consume 1 to 1.5GB of the storage on your device.
Hopefully this will answer some of the questions and help you get started using the files.
Ricky Childs
LAX 7ERA