How To Create PDF Files Quick and Easy With doPDF
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Easily Create PDF Files

Article by Brian Nelson (11,088 pts )
Published on Oct 9, 2008
Working from a home office means not having access to the IT budget. That means there is no way you are going to shell out for Adobe Creator to make PDF files. You don't have to.
Tags: PDF, utilities, doPDF
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Do-be Do-be PDF

doPDF Tool Improves Home Office Productivity

With all of the document formats out there, plus differences from user to user for margins, monitor resolution, installed fonts, and so on, the PDF format has become a critical method of communication. How else can you guarantee that the flow chart you spent hours getting just right doesn't get mangled when the user on the other end doesn't really have the right program and just tries to open it in Microsoft Word?

doPDF

The problem with PDFs is that they are actually a viral marketing tactic by Adobe. When no one in the world was going to be willing to pay for another software package

so that they could read PDF files, Adobe made the shrewd decision to give away the software to read PDF files for free. That is the catch, READ the files, not write them. For several years if you wanted to be able to create PDF files, you had to buy an expensive software package from Adobe, but times change.

These days, there are several products that allow you to make PDF files in some way. Still, if you need full control over your PDF files, you need the Adobe software. But, what if you don't need pinpoint control? What if all you need is a way to make sure that what someone sees on their screen is what you saw on your screen? For that, there are dozens of utilities, but they all take time to learn and running them to create your PDF file is often more hassle than it is worth.

doPDF to the rescue. doPDF is a tiny freeware utility that creates PDF files for you. Here is the great part. You don't have to run it. That's right. You don't even have to click Start->Programs->Whatever to make a simple PDF file. Don't worry it doesn't run as a service or something hiding in your Startup sequence either. In fact, it barely runs at all. How does it do it?

When you install doPDF it creates a shortcut, and copies files into a directory just like every other program does. But, it also installs itself as a printer. So, once you have installed doPDF, you will see a doPDF printer right next to your HP or Brother, or whatever printers. The genius of this concept is that your applications never have to know anything about doPDF, let alone be compatible with it. When you want a PDF file you just print the file like you always do, only there will be a new choice, doPDF. Choose that "printer" and your PDF file spits out in seconds.

doPDF In Action

The Word DocumentThe Only Input RequiredThe PDF File

RecommendationRating Excellent

You might need a "bigger" PDF file creator if you work with them all the time, but if

not, doPDF will be a great tool for you. It is so unobtrusive that I sometimes forget I have it installed, but when I need a PDF file, I remember its there. Then, it does its job and it goes away again. What more could you ask for form software?

doPDF is available at www.dodpf.com


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