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PDF Converter Professional 6

PDF Converter Professional 6

Purpose:
This program is an alternative for any program currently used to use, read, create, edit, etc. PDF files.

Cost: $US99.00
Web: http://www.nuance.com/
Nuance PDF Reader is FREE

Nuance is the company that makes the program "Dragon Dictate" that is hugely respected and used.

Minimum system requirements

  • A computer with an Intel® Pentium® or higher processor or equivalent Supported operating systems
  • XP 32-bit Edition with Service Pack 3
  • Windows Vista 32-bit or 64-bit Editions with Service Pack 1
  • Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit Editions
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 or above
  • 256 MB of memory (RAM), 512 MB recommended
  • 500 MB of free hard disk space for application files plus 150 MB working space during installation
  • SVGA monitor with 256 colors, but preferably 16-bit color (called Medium Color in XP) and 800 x 600 pixel resolution
  • Sound card is optionally required for using the functionality of the supplied Text-To-Speech engine
  • Windows-compatible pointing device
  • CD-ROM drive for installation
  • Web access needed for product registration, activation, and obtaining live updates for the program

    • Features:

  • Reads any PDF file
  • It can use its "text-to-speech" engine to read PDF files
  • It can convert files back to the originating software, i.e. word, excel, etc.
  • It can use OCR technology to convert a "picture" PDF file (i.e. one that was scanned from a hard copy) into editable text
  • It can "optimize" a PDF file by making it smaller for posting on the web.
  • I did not test, but it has a group of security tools for signing, encrypting, etc.
  • Again I did nottest, but it has form-designing tools
  • Other tools I did not test include: highlighting, drawing, markup, touchup, link and several more

    • Installation:

  • The program installed quickly and easily with no issues
  • When installed it integrates itself into most software to have both a toolbar and a menu for exporting its current file into PDF format
  • Adds a "printer" to your printer list, which can convert files from any software that can print, but did not get integrated into the software

    • My experience:

  • I think this is a great piece of software!
  • I used it to optimize a SCUG newsletter and the result was a file about one third as large, but still unchanged in look.
  • I took a hard copy of an invitation, scanned it into a PDF, converted it to word format and copied it to an email message. The email message looked like the original invitation with the colours and fonts the same.
  • I have made PDF Converter Professional 6 my default so I now use it for all my PDF work. I had been using an older version of Adobe Acrobat and the latest Adobe reader - this replaced both.

    • Customer Support:

  • I did email with a problem. Response was excellent! I had an exchange of emails with one of their support people.
  • They were quick to provide a work around.
  • They also provided the newest version of the software (more recent than the CD version I have).

    • Pros:

  • Price!
  • Full featured and easy to use.
  • It is now my default for all PDF files to open, convert, create, etc.

    • Cons: The problem mentioned above was about a file that the software would not open. Support was able to acknowledge the problem and it will be fixed. The problem was minor in that the file in question was created by an obsolete version of Adobe.

    Recommendations:

  • If you need full feature software for handing PDF files this is definitely the best I have used and would recommend it for everyone.
  • Webmasters should use to make PDF downloads faster.

    • Dick Carpani
    SCUG Member
    2010 06 26

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