Scansoft PDF Converter Pro

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Page 56 of 9 Aug 2005 issue of PC Magazine points out that Scansoft’s PDF Converter Professional 3 is much less expensive than Acrobat 7, “matches Acrobat’s key features and does tricks that Acrobat can’t – notably, converting scanned PDF files into editable word processor or spreadsheet files”.

The artcle then goes on to point out shortcomings of the Scansoft product.

What do folkes think of theScansoft product?

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(Edited by jscher2000 on 23-Jul-05 09:55. Earlier posted link started on second pg; new link inserted.)

I don’t get PC Magazine. Is the review the same as the one in eWEEK, which I suppose you could call a sister publication?
eWEEK Labs Review: ScanSoft’s PDF Converter Professional 3

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The PCMag article is likely available at the PC Mag web site.

Not the same article.
The eweek article seems more positive.

I have OmniPage Pro Office 14 and the Scansoft PDF printer leaves something to be be desired. Word headings are not bolded.
Of course, the newer software may have fixed those issues.

Bye thee waye, to be politikallie kerect, should not we use “sibling publication” instead of “sister publication”?

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I use Scansoft’s Paperport Pro Office v9.0 and find it to be an excellent product. It creates PDF files from scanned documents and can then convert these into editable Word documents. I don’t do spreadsheets and can’t speak to how it handles them, but would expect that it does it well. There are links to drag any scanned document into any of your favorite programs to edit or manipulate. All in all a great program. I’m sure it has shortcomings, since no one program can be all things to all people. But it does what it says it will do and it does it better than most. My .

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Rge problem I noticed was that Word headings are not bolded when I print directly to the Scansoft printer from Word.

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PDF Converter 4 is out.

Any opinions?

http://www.nuance.com/pdfconverter/matrix/%5B/url%5D

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FWIW – This is a good product. I don’t use the professional version (PDF Convert 4) based on my needs, but the company uses the Pro version and I have used it several times. NOTE:Signup for their news letters and you will get promotional offerings. Once you purchase one of their software packages (I have PDF Converter 4 and Dragon Natural speaking software) special offers arrive all the time.

I believe PDF Converter 4 Pro Lists for $99, the last E-Mail I receievd from them offered PDF Converter 4 Pro for $79.99 along with a “Gift” of High Impact eMail 4.0 Professional (a $99.95 Value) Which:

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Easily create e-mail and more using over 1,100 professionally designed templates.

High Impact eMail 4.0 Professional gives you the power to change the way you communicate. Send customized and personalized e-mail newsletters, promotions and messages that have lasting impact with just a few simple clicks. Your e-mails will stand out from the crowd. It’s an easy and smart way to communicate with your clients, customers and colleagues.

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NOTE: Never heard of “High Impact eMail 4.0 Professional” and other than their E-Mail, never found on Nuance WebSite. Take it for what it is worth.

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I have a version of OmniPage Pro Office, so I get Nuance mailings.
I have that offer

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Ever the masochist, I tracked down High Impact email 4 Pro.

The folkes at Nuance had no info, as it is NOT a Nuance product.
But after about 3 calls to Nuance, I was given the number 800 568 2252.
When I dialed that number I got “HP Real Estate support”.
Not giving up, I found the web site http://www.templatezone.com/%5B/url%5D, which also lists 800 568 2252.

Apparaently, the number is transferring incorrectly at KMT Software.

Well, after al this trouble, I guess I gotta buy the PDF software to get the free email software.

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Just ordered the critters.

Could not use Firefox 1.5.0.1 to order, used IE 6.

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I did a quick check and http://TemplateZone.Com[/url%5D uses http://DigitalRiver.Com[/url%5D for their secure checkout server.

I had recently ordered something online today which uses this site to provide the secure checkout as well. I was using FF Version 1.5.0.7 and had no problems. Thought you might like to know.

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Thanks for tracking the reference down. I will check them out but probably will wait to see what you think of the High Imapct EMail 4 Pro.

I did notice the TemplateZone.Com High Impact eMail 4.0 Professional includes the following if purchased through their site:

The Logo Creator 5 $39.95 –> FREE!
Email Newsletters 101: A Small Business Reference Guide $29.95 –> FREE!

I will be interested to see if you get these as well. Any updates will be appreciated.

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I spoke to the folkes at TemplateZone, I likely won’t be interested in the product.

I edit HTML using mostly VS .NET 2003.

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got just what was advertised.

So far one observations:

1. High Impact eMail 4.0 does not hook into Thunderbird.

I’ll install the critter on a test system to see if it is useful outside of Thunderbird.

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High Impact eMail 4.0 requires the NET Framework.
Did not say what version of the NET Framework.

This NOT stated until you start the install.
No mention of the requiremwnt on either the CD-ROM sleeve or the product’s FAQ at the http://www.templatezone.com[/url%5D

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I refuse to install High Impact eMail 4.0.
It requires that an account be set up at a web site to save files.
I do not need such nonsense meddling on my system.

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Thanks for the update. I was considering the sftware but agree with you. Not to mention being intrusive.

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I do not use .Net Framework unless I absolutely have to – and usually I do not.

Based on this and your post concerning the online storage, I decided to checkout http://templatezone.com[/url%5D a little more. I made a call to their Non-800 number and was told they had an extememly strong relationship with Microsoft since 1990’s – I was directed to their main Website. I checked out their parent company site http://WWW.KMT.Com and their KMT About Page.

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About KMT

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, KMT Software was established in 1991. Since then, we have become a leading supplier of high-quality content for Microsoft Office and other desktop applications with easy-to-use applications, dynamic templates, and add-ins that expand functionality. With a community of over 1,000,000 users, KMT Software is committed to helping people do more with the products they already have.

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Listed as a “Microsoft Gold Certified Partner” – I guess this explains the strong ties to the .NET Framewrk.

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There’s nothing wrong with the NET Framework, and I have VS .NET 2002 and VS NET 2003.
My objection is to needless use.

For example, why in the world require NET Framework to install Ghost 10?
Ghost 10 itself does NOT use the NET Framework, rather it is only the Ghost GUI that uses the NET Framework, and there’s most certainly nothing in
Ghost’s GUI that would require any capabilities of the Framework.

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I don’t have a problem with .Net at work, needed and required for what we do. The problem, which I should have been clearer and you pointed out, is that I do not need .NET for other products and don’t use them unless I have to. I do use Norton Ghost, but an earlier version which doesn’t need .NET.

Like you, I do not see the need to “Require” .NET when there is no functionality required for the application. That is like at one point a LONG time ago, Yahoo Mail wanted to “REQUIRE” me to enter data froi a “Secure” online wallet on my FREE account. It didn’t happen then, it doesn’t happen now on my paid Yahoo Account.

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I tested on another system.

First, I uninstaled ACrobat 5 full product.
Then installed PDF Converter, choosing to not make it default.
Of course, now the Adbe 5 splash screen did not appear when using PDF Converter.

However, the default file association still pointed to acroexec.document, and I could not get the prope rPDF file asociation without uninstalling, then re-installing Acrobat Reader 7.

But, by this time, I had used up the 5 uses of PDF Converter and did not want to activate on the test system.
5 uses is an absuedly low number for a PURCHASED version prior to activation.

In any case, if one has a system with NO Acrobat of any form, it is not clear whether one can install Acrobat Reader BEFORE instaling PDF Converter.

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Unfortunately I am not much help. The PDF Convert 4 I installed on my machine had ONLY Adobe Reader 6 at the time and had no problems.

The work machine that had PDF Converter 4 Pro installed, had the plug-in for Adobe Reader for FF and IE6 – but not the standalone reader (I am not sure how – this makes no sense to me but I have been ASSURED that this is the case). Adobe Reader 7 was installed AFTER PDF Converter 4 Pro was installed on the machine.

As for the machine with Full Adobe Acrobat 5 – will not install this software on it at all. I guess we got lucky with the types of installs (My machine and one at work). I will say the software works as advertised on those machines.

I agree with the 5 uses for paid software. Sounds like the “trial” and “paid” software downloads are the same.

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OK, here’s what I’ve found so far on a system that had Acrobat 5 full, and Acrobat REader 7, with Reader the default.
Installing Scansoft PDF Converter PRo 4 and not making it the default for PDF results in the following:

1. While running a conversion, the Acrobat 5 splash screen is displayed and is updated, I guess by Acrobat 5.
2. Right clicking on a Word, Excel, or Powerpernt file and requesting PDF conversion works as expected.
However, if I first open the word, excel or Powerpernt file, then the resultant PDF is displayed in Acrobat 5, even tho Acrobat Reader 7 is the default.

Even tho Acrobat Reader 7 is the default for PDF, examining the file association reveals that open, print and printo are defined to use Acrobat 5.
So I guess that Acrobat Reader 7 and Acrobat 5 full are conspiring.

4. PDF Cpnverter has an option to automatically save a word document before doing a conversion to PDF. However, even if
I clear that option, I find that the conversion is dirtying the word document, which I am not changing, so it’s a pain in the back rank when I close the doc or exit Word.

OmniPage Pro Office has a similar issue.

5. One of the reasons I got PDF Converter was to use th feature that converts static forms to fillable forms. This is th Form Typer feature.
Seems to work. I conveted a Fidelity form that my sister needs to fill out, so she’ll let me know if the conversion worked.

6. The option to read a PDF file works fairly well, but I noticed the following, after creating a .wav file and turning on the speakers:

a. The document is largely a Word table. The first cell in one row ends in a 7, the second cell in the row has February 2004, so this was interpreted as 7 February 2004. Cell boundaries are ignored, I consider that a bug.

b. MB is read as megabytes.

c. Otherwise, as I recall the read was entirely accurate.

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Howard,

Thanks for the update – I need to really think about updating to Pro.

If I do, It will NOT be on a system with acrobat 5 Full and I think I will uninstall ALL readers first.

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So far, te only reason for me to have Acrobat 5 on the same system as the Nuance product is that Acrobat includes a compare option, and I have not found this in the Nuance product.

I expect that the experience would be better if I made the Nuance product the default, but it makes sense to have Reader as the default.

I may temporarily install the Nuance product on a test system as the default and see what happens.

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I may temporarily install the Nuance product on a test system as the default and see what happens.

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Good idea. I have Acrobat 5 Full on a system “setup” for scanning – since all is working well – i plan to leave it alone (I also have Reader 7 with no problems).

If I do get Nuance Product, I will install it first, then install the reader and let Nuance product remain the default. Based on your observations, this should be good.

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Well, this is interesting!

When I first installed the Scansoft product a 207KB word template was created.
Today, I noticed that the template had grown to 336KB, the scansoft menu was missing, and the scansoft toolbar butons were no-ops.

So, using Add/Remove programs, I did a Repair.
This resulted in a 21KB scansoft template, and the re-appearance of the scansoft menu and workable toolbar buttons.

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I just ran into another problem.

On my main system, I have the following installed:

Acrobat 5 full product
Acrobat Reader 7
Scansoft PDF Converter Professional

The other day, when a PDF was opened in the Scansoft product, I requested 2 copies be printed, I got 4 copies.
Did not think much about it, as my fat fingers could have requested two prints.

However, for another document, I requested 4 copies, but got 16.

So it seems that Acrobat 5 and/or Acrobat Reader 7 are indeed intercepting Print actions.

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Observations, thus far, on PDF Converter Pro 4.

1. Installed in a test OS, with Office 2000. Unfortunately, until one activates, one can use the program only 5 times.

2. Does seem to default to creating smaller PDF files.

3. During install, one can choose whether PDF Converter shoud be the default for opening PDF.
I’ve not yet figured out the best chioice, as I already have full Acrobat 5 and Acrobat Reader 7.
On the F drive, I used the default during install so PDF Converter was the default.
On the G drive, I installed leaving Acrobat Reader as th default.

When creating PDF with PDC Converter, the ADobe 5 screen pops up, yet the resulant PDF file lists Scansoft in th files properties,
and puts a watermark on the output as the product was not yet activated.

So, there is some confusion of both ADobe full and PDF Converter are concurrently installed.

4. On the G drive, I mave MaAfee VS 10, on the F drive NAV 2004.
No problem on the F drive, but MacAfee warned about a possible virus in WINWORD.EXE regarding CopyFile.
Alas, the ScanSoftPDF.dot has a password on th project so I canot take a look see.

My own macros are identical on the F and G drives.
But, I need to go back and uninstall PDF Conveter on the G drive to see whether McAfee still burps if I use Acrobat to create PDF.

5. Installation caused my old Scansoft PDF printer to be replaced by a new SCansoft printer.

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3. During install, one can choose whether PDF Converter shoud be the default for opening PDF.
I’ve not yet figured out the best chioice, as I already have full Acrobat 5 and Acrobat Reader 7.
On the F drive, I used the default during install so PDF Converter was the default.
On the G drive, I installed leaving Acrobat Reader as th default.

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Sorry – I’m a bit confused. Are the F and G Drives both on the same computer but booting based on hardware profiles – or different computers but same network ??

Except for the apparent conflict with Adobe 5 Full product and McAfee Version 10, everything seemed to go OK. The problem with WINWord.EXE ScanSoftPDF.Dot have to be “Ignored” or did the virus checker keep poping the warning up ?

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System is multiboot.

I suspect that ScanSoftPDF.dit is not well implemented.
For example, upon uninstall of PDF Converter, the Nprmal template gets changed.
That’s just sloppy implementation.

Indeed, when I purchased Omni Page Office a few years ago, I ran into a similar circumstance, and I saw their code, it was awful.

Before activation, the program can be run only 5 times.
As neither F nor G have my main OS, I use them for testing, but won’t activate there.

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Before I forget.

Prior to installing PDF Converter, I had a Scansoft PDF PRinter.
After installing PDF Converter, that printe rwas deleted and a Scansoft PDF Create printer was added.
Fine, no need to have both.

However, when uninstallng PDF Converter, the Scansoft PD Create printer was removed AND the origonal Sccansoft PDF Printer was not restored.

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I knew that there was something I did not like about SCansoft.

Check their web site for “support”, very poor.
They charge even to receive email.
And I believe that their “communities” have been discontinued.

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Warning!

If you have any Nuance/Scansoft software, such as Omni Page. that might already have installed PDF Converter,
you MUST uninstall that PDF Converter before installing PDF Converter Pro 4.0.

Sounds easy!
Well, it sure wasn’t.

I have OMP Office 14, which also installs a Scansoft PDF Converter.
And that is separately listed in Add.Remove Programs, but it would NOT uninstall.
I even tried re-installing OMP, but had to MANUALLY remove all “Scansoft PDF Converter” entries from the registry.

OMP does have its own PDF Converter, do not know which would get used if referenced from within OMP.

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Based on your last few posts – I think you have convinced me to stay put. I did check the PDF Converter 4 Pro at work, that was a clean install with no other PDF converter on the machine. Which is probably why there were no problems.

Concern I have is when you have another PDF converter program, PDF Converter 4 Pro does not seem to install very well – EVEN with Nuance Family Products !!!

I do have Acrobat Full Version 5 on a separate machine so never installed PDF Converter 4 – didn’t see the need then and definetely will NOT now.

The prognosis seems to be that if you have another PDF converter program, you need to have it uninstalled completely BEFORE putting PDF Converter 4 Pro on the machine.

Thanks for the information and trouble shooting. You saved me (and others I am sure) some potential headaches.

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I have not seen conflicts with Acrobat.
THe odd thing is the Acrobat splash screen popping up when using PDF Converter to do certain things.

I actually got PDF Converter for my next system.
I’d guess that th eproduct will work in Vista.
In the meantime, I
ll play with it a bit on my current system.

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I’m not sure if I am correct on this, but I believe if you sign a PDF document with a digital signature using one of these type of Adobe copy programs, that signature may not be able to be validated by people who receive the document but don’t have the same software. For corporations focusing on the paperless office, this would be a significant problem.

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Perhaps, that’s the blessing of lack of standards!

I’ll try to remember to do a test.

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TRying to get last Update.
Says updates are disabled.
How does one enable updates for the subject product?

Just using the options in the Help menu does not do the trick?

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I just ordered this product. When I get it, I will take a look at that.

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