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joshua’s journal

Software Question

· 🌡️ 74°F

I need to manipulate PDF files (merge multiple PDFs into one, sort the pages, etc.) but my boss isn't about to pony up $300 for Acrobat for me. Any ideas on an open source alternative that works in XP? So far, the best candidate I've seen is PDFCreator.
47 words

💬 8 comments

  1. mrmike ·

    PrimoPDF isn't too bad either.

  2. carolinian ·


    Three things:

    1) Your boss is a moron. Software doesn't cost money compared to the value of work done with the software. If you pay someone $10/hour to split out PDF's 365 days/year, $300 for adobe stuff is immaterial.

    2) The best thing to do with morons is to let them hang themselves with their very own rope. If he's the one who needs the PDF split out (as opposed to your needs), and he's not willing to spend the $$$ for the relatively inexpensive tool to do the job well, let'em get his ass kicked (again, if this is something that he needs and not you).

    3) Since #1 and #2 are just my own personal dogma and nothing useful to contribute, I'll say that I've heard of people having good success with :::link::: but this is hearing it third-hand.

  3. joshua ·

    He is cheap when it comes to software, but lavish when it comes to other things - for whatever reason if he doesn't perceive a $300 benefit then he isn't willing to extend the cash. Oh well.

  4. carolinian ·

    Link didn't work. Try

    :::link:::

  5. jenks ·

    no help, just sympathy. i can't believe how expensive acrobat is! I had a fill-in form for work, and I figured maybe I'd just suck it up and buy the app. but not for $300!

    BUT- do you still have any UB connections? I got the one-prior-to-current version (full, legal copy) from UB micro for like 10 bucks. But it's for mac...

  6. kara ·

    I"ve heard good things about primopdf too:
    :::link:::

  7. joshua ·

    My brother still has his UB card from his previous job - he was technically a member of staff (his company is/was affiliated with UB). It takes UB forever to flush their system and we were going to try and see if he could still get software for dirt prices.

    Thanks for the tips with primopdf - I'll give it a shot!

  8. jsl ·

    Lots of software built for linux will run on XP, using the API in [link=http://www.cygwin.com/]cygwin[/link]. The pdftk link mentioned in this page is good, I've used it. However I don't know if there is a graphical interface, if you need that. It should be easy to script, at any rate, if you need to automate pdf manipulation. Of course using Latex -> pdf is a good way to go if you need to program the creation of pdfs from the ground up.

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