PDF software in linux


Recommended Posts

Hi,

I'm currently very busy applying to universities and filling out scholarship apps, and I've noticed that a very common element between their application forms is that they all utilize PDF. I am personally an atrocious handwriter, and I rely on the computer to type up essays and such (plus, I can type *much* faster than I can write). In the old windows days, there were a bunch of freeware software utilities that allowed me to save modifications to the pdf forms, so I could spend an hour or two per day, instead of ~4-5 hours per application in one sitting because acrobat reader does not allow you to save.

I've downloaded the Acrobat 6 trial; unfortunately, it does not even install under wine. I've read that the acrobat 5 trial does, but I cannot find it anywhere on the internet. I've tried to use apps such as pdf2html or pdf2text, but unfortunately, they are *very* imprecise and inexact. Does anyone have any suggestions for software under Linux (or under Wine, but native is always preferred) that could help me fill in these PDF forms or convert them to a format that I *can* edit?

As an alternative, Windows conversion software would be okay as well, as my brother runs a Windows box.

Or, as another alternative, the location of an acrobat 5 trial version would be greatly appreciated as well.

<rant>

I think Adobe should make PDF forms be able to be saved on Acrobat Reader. I know for a fact that there are people I know who use things such as Excel, Word, or even HTML forms when they could be using PDF (much better format) because they want to give their users the ability to save the application/form, so they can give it thought. I also know for a fact that if Adobe opened up Acrobat Reader enough to just save form data (even potentially in a seperate buffer from the pdf file, so no pdf writing takes place), a lot more people would buy Acrobat. Grrrr. I *hate* crippleware :p

</rant>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks :)

However (at least with the version of scribus that I have, latest (with ~x86 tree) in Gentoo Portage), there doesn't appear to be any way to import pdf files.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

;) thanks... but I need acrobat (the writing software).

Thanks anyways tho :D

Crap!

I remember seeing Acrobat Writer 4.05 (I think) for Linux some time ago... If I can find it again, I will post the link (if you think that will be useful).

I know OOo 1.1 can write .pdfs, but I doubt it can read them... I'll look into that as well...

[uPDATE: OOo cannot read in a PDF, and I cannot find that elusive Acrobat Writer. :no: I'm wondering if my brain is playing tricks on me.) :rofl:

Edited by markjensen
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure of a solution to your problem, but I just agree with your rant. Acrobat Readers should be able to at least save data entered into forms of PDFs. I beleive that if the producer of these form pdfs knew what they were doing they could make the form data save to a database somewhere on-line. Then there would be no need for someone to worry about saving the file on their end.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Crap!

I remember seeing Acrobat Writer 4.05 (I think) for Linux some time ago... If I can find it again, I will post the link (if you think that will be useful).

I know OOo 1.1 can write .pdfs, but I doubt it can read them... I'll look into that as well...

[uPDATE: OOo cannot read in a PDF, and I cannot find that elusive Acrobat Writer. :no: I'm wondering if my brain is playing tricks on me.) :rofl:

Yep OpenOffice.org will help you out there.. :woot:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I fail to understand your problem - just print the form your working on to a PS file, then convert to PDF - ghostscript can do this, here is a link;

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/

If you do not want to be bothered downloading using ghostscript - then just use http://www.ps2pdf.com - online convert of your PS file to PDF

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.