Mail attachments & iWork workflow lacking & unfriendly to non Apple users

Question

I've been an apple user for several years now after 20 years behind a PC.
I try to convert as many people as i can to the OSX way but it is often little things like this that will deter would be converts. My father is one that comes to mind. 99% of the people he deals with use Windows machines and he has no end of problems sending them files. Apple are fantastic at receiving and reading other file formats. But when it comes to seamlessly sending files it is somewhat lacking.
The way the Mail app attaches docs could do with some tweaking. Especially in regard to sending attachments to windows users. The chances are that most people will be sending the attachment to a windows user.
Mail needs to detect an iWork filetype and invoke a dialog to ask if it should convert the attached iWork file to a PDF, MS Office doc etc.
This would avoid the inevitable return of email from recipient asking to please send file again as a word or PDF.
For example. Sending a "Pages" file as a PDF from within iWork is easy and has been implemented via the "share menu". This is fine if you are within iWork at the time you decide to email the file to someone. But the issue is that more often than not, people wish to add attachments from within the "Mail " app. People also frequently have to respond to an email from someone asking for a file to be sent. These people are often users of other OS's other than OSX and consequently will not be able to view native "Pages" or "Numbers" files.
Currently if you receive an email from a PC user that require sending back some sort of file you have several options. All of which are unacceptably slow, tedious or ineffective.
Option 1.
Is to simply reply and send the native "Pages" or "Numbers" file. This will invariable result in a response asking you to send in a compatible format. i.e. word, excell or PDF.
Option 2.
Is to respond to the sender informing that you will send the file in the following email. This is tedious as it requires you to send two emails as well as open the iWork application and appropriate document. Click Share/As PDF and then compose the second email.
Option 3.
Is to reply to the sender but before sending open iWork, export as PDF to a temporary location, attach this file to the email, send email. delete temporary file. Again. very tedious…
I truly hope this generates the discussion and attention from Apple i believe it deserves.
Wuldfasch.
Message was edited by: Wuldfasche

Answer 1

it sound like a great idea. you should send the idea to apple! Witch you can do by going to http://www.apple.com/feedback/ .
I know it's not what you want; but if you go to print. There is an option inside the print dialog box to email PDF. it's hidden under the little black arrow on the PDF button.
BTW have you tried share by iworks.com? I love it