Showing posts with label opensource. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opensource. Show all posts

PrimoPDF - a good & free PDF writer

This PrimoPDF writer is almost perfect, but not quite...


In one of my previous posts relating to the issuu flipbook platform that converted PDFs to Flipbook format (and was free) I promised that I would write a post on a free and reliable PDF writer.
I've been using PrimoPDF for two months after having some problems with my previous pdf writer when printing webpages to pdf. So I went to the credible and reliable download.com owned by Cnet and Ziff Davis publishing (ZDnet.com), and checked around. After some googling and seeing other opionions I decided to give it a go. I still use it to this day.
The only thing that bothers me about PrimoPDF is that it constantly tries to connect to the internet. I've let it a few times but updates did not inform me of the changes. download.com checked it for malaware, etc. and said that it was squeaky clean.
If you aren't happy with your current pdf writer's ability to print webpages to pdf, then give PrimoPDF a go. Once installed it becomes anothe printer that you select to print to.
As part of this series, I'm examining open source components that facilitate a publishing work flow that culminates in a PDF format. Look out for the next open source reviews that will help your non-profit maximize resource and minimize unecessary expenditure. In the meantime check out the PrimoPDF screen shots, and if you like PrimoPDF download it from download.com.

PrimoPDF Printer Dialogue (from firefox Print option)





PrimoPDF Dialogue (when making PrimoPDF default printing device)




Resources & References





Portable (USB ) Open Source Applications...

Let your non-profit save on valuable resources & document your achievements on the go
I've been using open source portable applicatons for a while now. They are great, trustworthy and overall free. ;-)

This is good news for a non-profit, specially given the buget constraints. An additional benefit, is that you can slim down your PC footprint by not having to install applications. There are lots, and lots of applications you can download and install.

Just make sure that you first install the portableapps platform and after just install via the anything else you install options ->install new app. Check out the screen shot below.



My multimedia Warrior Apps Setup for Portable Apps
This enables an individual to document any project and facilitates editing of photos, audio, video, write reports, encrypt all the files on the drive, shred information, and even preview videos that have been edited. Check out the screen shot below.




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Useful links

Platform for Portable apps & applications (most of them)
http://www.portableapps.com

Word Processor (MS word compatible)
http://portableapps.com/apps/office/abiword_portable

Yellow Sticky Notes (set events, alarms and reminders)
http://portableapps.com/apps/office/pnotes_portable

sync, backup and secure, all in one place
http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/toucan

camstudio 2.0 portable - video capture of screen areas - vidTutorials
http://portableapps.com/node/11985

updater-check updates for apps on portableapps platform
http://portableapps.com/node/12722

wink portable - static screen shots with text bubbles animated tutorials
(output as flash, PDF or HTML)
http://moourl.com/winkportable

VirtualDub Portable Edition (Video Editing)
http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/virtualdub_portable

CD/DVD burning on the go
http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/infrarecorder_portable

Document shredder (recycle bin)
http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/eraser_portable

inkscape portable - Vector Graphics
http://www.winpenpack.com/main/download.php?view.40

Audacity Portable - Audio Editing
http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/audacity_portable

Gimp Portable Edition - Pixel/Image editing
http://portableapps.com/apps/graphics_pictures/gimp_portable