Can I get around having to use iTunes for my iPad?

Question

In short, I really dislike the software. It does nothing I want it to do and everything I don't want it to do.
What can I do to avoid the requirement of gunking up my laptop with the bloatware that is iTunes? Is there any alternative? Jailbreaking is most likely not an option.

Answer 1

Apple products in general are very locked down and controlled- not entirely safe but one has difficulty getting beyond what the designers want you to be able to do - especially on a tablet or phone where there is little space for competition. Hence the term jail-breaking comes into play. Steve Gibson of Security Now at TWIT.TV said he could hardly wait to get his hands on one of the new iphones to see how long it would take him to get around the fingerprint  "security" feature. But he is an expert. 
Freedom comes with some risks of wading into deep water, but is available in Surface Pro. And  for the courageous who want control in their own hands with Open Source there are Android tablets, phones. And there are other systems - mostly sold in the UK and China - where one can do whatever one has in mind to do if one is clever enough.. It makes me feel very old but the last products mentioned are often used by the school kids in places like China and the UK. . they become really good programmers.
Microsoft products are typically designed for business use where people want some level of control, want efficiency to do what they want to do, and are willing to learn a little bit more to be able to do that. Typically speed, flexibility, and compatibility are more important than games, songs or movies. One wants to download customized information from the internet - articles, journals, newspapers and one wants access to the company data, memos, manuals and a way to post email, photos, some compact videos to a few key people (not the world).
IT people at companies wish to keep things locked down and easier/cheaper to manage so it is always a bit of a struggle to do your own thing. That you are annoyed with the waste of space and lack of control tells me you are either an exec, or will soon be one if you find workarounds. Chances are others are having the same difficulties in your company. Develop a realtionship with the IT people -- if they know you have a need for something they will sometimes help you to get it. So make a little specific list of what you don't like and what gets in your way,  and see what they can do for you.
Some really good reviews of  available products of most brands, what they will and won't do, can be found through the programs at TWIT.TV.  Tech News Today is a good place to jump in... one can get the programs via streaming or podcasts so one has a choice if a TV connection is not convenient or available. http://twit.tv/
My personal pet peeve with the newer products is the "gallery view" where everything is tiles and carousels. Ugh. Dizzying at best. I like a list tucked into a small space, I don't mind using a stylus and I really loved my  Axim 5 PDA with the touch screen (now obsolete but dang, it still works if "they" would just upgrade the software to new protocols - LOL). Even Netflix has done away with their wonderful sortable lists and moved over to tiling... Ugh. When I want a movie I want to be able to mine for it fast based on my own criteria, not to have to wade through many screens full of images with little or no info.