As you may know from her bio, our blogger loves to figure skate. Reena grew up following the sport and its skaters, but never really tried it out for herself until she started as an adult skater while attending university. After the first lesson, she was hooked.
Currently, she takes recreational lessons with a figure skating coach and is learning how to skate in both freeskate (singles) and ice dance.
Despite the nerves, she just passed her Junior Bronze ice dance test, the Swing Dance (fourth test in the discipline). It focuses on backwards and forwards skating, edges, and changes in direction. Take a look (she’s the one who starts off skating backwards):
For the past couple of months, Linux related news has been popping up in one form or another. For instance, Facebook launched Pages Manager, an app for managing Facebook Pages on your Android, which is based on the Linux kernel. In addition, one of the biggest buzzes at CES 2013 this year is centered upon Ubuntu for mobile phones.
Even gamers who are subscribed to Steam, Valve’s software management and community platform for gaming, are now able to beta test the newly released Linux-based client. And let’s not forget that we just released Able2Extract for Linux, ourselves!
The platform is certainly building up an appeal to developers, manufacturers and users alike. If you’re an Investintech user starting to get curious about Linux or looking to make the switch yourself, we’ve put together a quick basic overview on the Linux platform, the nature of PDF tools in the industry, and how Able2Extract 8 fits in.
Let’s Back Up A Bit: What Is Linux And What Are Distributions?
Like Windows, Linux is an operating system that first started out in 1991 as a terminal emulator by Linus Torvalds, who wrote the initial program to access UNIX servers of his university independent of an operating system. What eventually emerged was the beginning of the Linux platform.
Because Linux was released and licensed as an open source project, developers are able to build different UNIX-like operating systems on top of its kernel (the Linux core). Each newly built operating system includes a collection of software applications, supporting utilities and libraries, the Linux kernel and an installer. Together the package is called a “distribution” and are free to download and use.
These distributions have the same Linux kernel at heart, but are different in software, desktop, commands, and admin tasks. These elements vary from distribution to distribution. Today, you can find many different communities collaborating, maintaining, and developing tools to drive their favourite Linux distribution forward.
Making The Switch: Where To Go From Here?
As you can imagine, trying to migrate to Linux might be intimidating. Hearing about its filing system and about executing commands can easily scare anyone off. It takes know-how and a lot of time and effort to be familiar with the programmer-like nature of certain distributions.
Image Courtesy: The-linux-road.blogspot.ca
Fortunately, for new users, there are distributions that do away with such a high learning curve. Some Linux distributions you’ll want to check out include Ubuntu (Canonical Ltd.), Fedora (Redhat), and Kubuntu (Debian). They offer an easy introduction and transition to the Linux OS. By visiting DistroWatch, you can get a good idea about just how many different Linux distributions there are.
Keeping Your Daily Tasks In Check: Software Alternatives
As a new user, you’d probably be looking to make an easy transition with software you’re already familiar with. Well, you’ll be happy to know that GUI based alternatives do exist for Linux. Free open source alternatives like Thunderbird (Outlook), GIMPShop (Photoshop) or OpenOffice.org (Microsoft Office), for example, can give you the same functionalities you need on a daily basis. commercial vendors have also been able to develop propriety licensed software for the platform despite Linux’s open source roots.
A Brief Overview About PDF Utilities
With PDF converters, it may be a different story. Although there are many PDF utilities for Linux, most use a command line interface or only perform one or a limited number of functions such as creating PDFs, splitting and merging, converting to one format, comparing PDF, or annotating and editing PDFs. In most cases, command line utilities like those will require a bit of technical know-how to get set up. Full featured PDF applications you’re familiar with, like Adobe Acrobat, won’t be found on Linux.
Some workarounds with open source word processing suites like OpenOffice.org will let you modify PDF content to some or little extent with their importing (via extension) and exporting functionalities. Yet, as full featured converters, they fall short.
Yes, We Have Able2Extract For Linux
This is was one of the main driving forces of why we developed Able2Extract for Linux—to fill that gap. For a long time, Able2Extract has been only available to Windows users, but many non-Windows users wanted to take advantage of the PDF software too.
Well, we were listening. Now the PDF converter is compatible with the most popular desktop oriented distributions, Ubuntu and Fedora.
Able2Extract can perform different PDF conversions, allowing you to convert to formats like HTML, Text, AutoCAD, and Open Document Formats native to Open Office—Writer, Calc and Impress.
No extra utilities are needed for batch conversions, selective conversions, or viewing your PDF files. Those functions come included and are all built-in, making it that much easier to get things done.
The Linux platform has a lot to offer, and no doubt we’ll be seeing more developments in the industry. So next time you decide to take a serious look at a Linux distribution, you can rest assure that not everything about the switch has to be difficult!
We all know that when it comes to converting PDF tables, nothing comes out right. Regular conversions aren’t enough. Transferring digital banking statements or invoices into your tracking or budget spreadsheets becomes difficult when that information comes in tables of different shapes and sizes.
Sometimes the best way you can ensure an accurate PDF to Excel conversion is to literally move the columns and rows yourself before the conversion takes place. And this is where Able2Extract comes in.
With this latest version, the PDF to Excel custom conversion panel received a facelift. And did it ever! This new interface is now more intuitive and user-friendly than ever. Functions and features are now at your fingertips.
To help get yourself familiar with the new conversion panel, here’s a basic FYI overview of what you can do with each feature.
1. Page Range
With this section, you can designate a page range for applying and customizing the file’s table structure. Add additional pages with the Expand… option or use the Exclude functionality to eliminate a page within your selected range.
2. Tables
Using the tables section, Able2Extract allows you to Add and Delete tables to a page by left clicking on it. Select the Replot functionality and Able2Extract will recalculate the column structure for the page range.
3.Columns
With your tables set, you can then edit their structure. Select either the Add Columns or Erase Column Line to start customizing your tables. You can then click on your spreadsheet to insert where you want your column lines or click on the ones you want to delete. This is perfect for correcting column misalignments that will affect Excel calculations.
4.Rows
Like columns, the rows can also be customized. By clicking on Show Rows, you can see where the default rows in your file will appear. Click on the Manual Row Editing box to activate the Add Rows and Erase Row Line functionalities, and you can start manually adding or erasing rows by left clicking.
5. Header and Footer
If your PDF file is a multi-page report that contains headers and footers, you can easily adjust them. Click on either Edit Header or Edit Footer. Adjust them by left clicking and holding the button down while moving the mouse up or down. You can also choose to enable or disable them, if needed, with the Header/Footer Options button.
6. Show Preview
You can then preview the conversion output by checking the Show Preview box. If you only need to preview page you’re working with, check the Only current page box. Your results will show up in the pane at the bottom.
When converting your own banking statements or financial data, start exploring some of these features out.
We always boast about Able2Extract’s ability to let you work the way you usually work with applications. And so far, our Able2Extract Windows users have had the luxury of keeping their work right at their fingertips with keyboard shortcuts.
But our software isn’t just for Windows users anymore!
For all the Mac OS X users out there, we have a handy keyboard shortcut cheatsheet that will let you quickly access all the newest features of Able2Extract 8.
Accessing the File Menu Commands
Admittedly, the File menu is perhaps the main menu you’ll go to when you need to open, close, print, convert or save your file. By using a few shortcuts, major PDF tasks can be managed without even activating the menu at all.
Accessing the Edit Menu Commands
Able2Extract’s Edit menu provides you with options that allow you to decide which PDF data you want converted. You can select your PDF content faster via a few quick keystrokes.
Accessing the Document Menu Commands
Navigating through pages in your PDF is probably one of the most widely performed tasks when it comes to working with PDFs. This is one area where the keyboard can help you avoid fumbling around with the mouse and get straight to the point at hand.
Accessing the View Menu Commands
In addition to customizing your conversion, Able2Extract’s View menu also lets you customize your view instantly. Moreover, it offers shortcuts for working with Excel conversions even faster.
Accessing the Help Menu Commands
The Help menu is there in case you should need some extra guidance here and there along the way. Need to get some quick info? Use the shortcuts below.
Visit the Able2Extract 8 support page for more details on each of these functions. Hope these shortcuts help!
We are excited to announce the release of Able2Extract 8! This latest version is a landmark release in the PDF industry today. In a first for Windows, Mac and Linux, Able2Extract 8 is the first cross platform PDF converter that is compatible on all three major operating systems.
Our developers have worked hard the past year to ensure that every user, regardless of platform or hardware, can enjoy the same quick, accurate conversions that, up until now, only Windows users have been able to enjoy.
And it’s paid off.
Not only can Able2Extract 8 operate on different platforms, it can run even better than ever with a few new features and some powerful tweaks.
Cross Platform Compatibility with Mac and Linux for the First Time
Thus far, Able2Extract has been available exclusively on the Windows platform. Not anymore. Able2Extract PDF Converter 8 is now available on the Mac OS X platform. Mac users on the latest Mountain Lion operating system can take full advantage of the same conversion options and features that are offered in the Windows version.
And this goes for the Linux platform as well. Users on the Ubuntu and Redhat distributions can finally convert files without any command line tools or complicated scripts. Conversions are now straightforward and simpler through a graphical user interface.
Intuitive PDF to Excel Custom Conversion Interface
Following this same straightforward simplicity is our newly redesigned PDF to Excel custom conversion interface. You can now customize your rows, columns, tables and footers in a more direct way with single click customization options.
Also new to our PDF to Excel custom conversion is the Show Preview option. It allows you to see your conversion results before you hit the Convert button.
Give the new features a try on your most complicated PDF tables!
New Easy PDF Navigation & Viewing Features
Once you open a PDF in Able2Extract 8, you’ll also notice a Preview Pane on the left hand side. This new side bar gives you better navigational control and a quick overview of your PDF’s pages, bookmarks and attachments. Multiple PDFs are now visually within reach and easy to work with.
Improved OCR Technology
Even the OCR engine in our Professional version has been improved. Scanned PDFs are usually poor in quality with broken, grainy text. Able2Extract Professional’s OCR technology was tweaked to generate image-based conversions more accurately and smoothly. Trust us. You’ll feel the difference.
To test these features out for yourself, download an Able2Extract 8 free trial from the download page. Once you’re on the page, just select your platform and click on the download button.
Don’t forget to let us know what you think of this latest version!
