Adobe makes great software, but not everyone can justify the cost of their products, such as Adobe Acrobat, if all you need to do is output the occasional PDF file. There are a number of free and inexpensive PDF conversion programs available, all with varied costs and features of course. I have used one program in particular, and feel it is worth recommending. This program is called pdf 995 and it is made by Software995. To use pdf995 you must download two small files, one print driver and one converter. After installing those files you’re ready to go. The free version of the software will display some sponsor ads when you make your conversion, but the ads are not intrusive, and certainly reasonable considering that the software is free. You can purchase an upgrade to use the program without ads for about $10. Using the program is very simple. For example, if you are using Microsoft Word, simple navigate to the File > Print menu, then choose ‘PDF995′ as your printer.
Posted in
Business,
Software
You may notice a new link on the side of this page. It’s a graphic that links to the FireFox download page. I’ll tell you why I use FireFox, and why you should consider using it too.
In case you don’t know, FireFox is a new, open-source browser that is quickly growing in popularity. I now use it exclusively for Web browsing. Of course, as a Web developer, I still test sites in Internet Explorer (IE) since it dominates the market with a better than 80% share.
So why make the switch? I switched to FireFox for several reasons:
- I do not trust Microsoft
- FireFox has a more elegant interface
- FireFox offers tabbed browsing (think multiple browser windows in one browser window)
- FireFox can be more secure
- The more competition for Microsoft, the better
No I will briefly cover my reasons for switching:
As I mentioned in a previous post, Microsoft seems to assume that everyone using its software has stolen it. The attitude they take is truly unacceptable. I’ve paid far too much money over the years for copies of Microsoft’s software, and I think I at least deserve the benefit of the doubt when I try to update one of their products. They have truly put the burden of proof on the users, and assume we are guilty from the start. Certainly not the way any of us would do business.
FireFox has a much better “feel”. I simply find the interface to be more pleasant to work with.
I love tabbed browsing. When working with IE in the past, I would often find myself with ten or more open browser windows. Needless to say, that wasn’t a very efficient way to work. With FireFox, I can have one window open, and switch quickly between multiple tabs (each nicely labeled of course). Once you try it, I’m sure you’ll like it.
I will admit that the perception of security can be misleading when it comes to the FireFox vs. IE battle. In practice, FireFox will be more secure, but not necessarily because it is built on better code (although that plays a role); the fact that fewer viruses, bugs, and exploits are aimed at FireFox makes it more secure. In time, these threats will catch up with FireFox, but for now, you truly can experience a somewhat more secure browsing experience.
Microsoft needs more competition! I believe that IE was truly better than Netscape Navigator, back in the version 4 and 5 era, but IE’s success lead Microsoft to rest on its laurels, and very little has been improved since that time. As it stands now, FireFox supports the latest standards, and IE does not. Since the FireFox phenomenon has occurred, Microsoft is now rushing to release version 7 of IE, expected some time this summer. So far, the news leaks tend to indicate a lot of FireFox features will be copied, such as tabbed browsing. We will have to wait and see how their new broswer stacks up against the current best browser available.
Posted in
Browsers,
Software
