Re: [NTLK] PDF Reader

From: Steve Weyer (weyer_at_kagi.com)
Date: Sat Sep 01 2001 - 09:48:45 EDT


> From: Eric Schneck <eschneck_at_mindspring.com>
>
> I would prefer a reader that would work with Newtscape on the Newt to read a
> PDF. A few times I have been traveling and tried to get a train/bus schedule
> from a web site only to find out that the schedule is a PDF and I cannot
> read it.

for direct Newton access right now, I'd suggest looking at:
  http://access.adobe.com/

which still provides web-based forms to return a converted HTML file;
and email addresses to request a PDF file as HTML or text.
(you could use Newt's Cape to read the HTML via http:, or from Inbox)

(Adobe used to provide a proxy server, which had the interesting feature of
converting any PDF files transparently, while just forwarding requests for
regular .htm, .gif, files etc.)

there seems to be some confusion about which conversions are available, and
where they take place: server, desktop, Newton. here's a brief summary of a
few PDF conversion/reader options:

server(PDF) -> Newton(PDF converter to text or NewtWorks or HTML)
  [this is what's been proposed recently on NewtonTalk, I think]

server(PDF) -> desktop(RTF) -> desktop(Press:NewtonBook)
  [various converters available, e.g., http://www.gohtm.com Acrobat5, etc.]

server(PDF) -> desktop(image) -> desktop(NTK:Mapper)
  [basically scrollable picture of page?]

server(PDF) -> server(HTML,text) -> Newton(Newt's Cape:NewtonBook)
  [web/email-based conversion: http://access.adobe.com/ ]

server(PDF) -> desktop(DOC) -> Newton(Newt's Cape:NewtonBook)
  [requires a Windows plugin for Acrobat: http://tinystocks.com/pdf2doc.html
   and PilotDoc plugin for Newt's Cape, though since text only, probably
   not that useful...]

others?

-- 
Steve
  weyer_at_kagi.com
Newton apps/tools: Newt's Cape, NewtDevEnv, Sloup, Crypto,...
  http://www.kagi.com/weyer/

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