DID YOU KNOW that you can create, view, share or change the file format of a PDF  file online?

A while ago, I got a PDF document in my email. This PDF file needed to be converted into an image IMMEDIATELY for a business purpose. Now, was I in a fix or what? I had no PDF reader installed in the computer I was using. But the pc was connected and I consulted my best online friend (Google, who else!)

A Google search for read PDF online opened up the door to new PDF opportunities.

My demand was met  by the number one search result.
Online viewer for PDF, PostScript and Word

Using it was a piece of cake. i didn’t even have to sign up. I just had to upload a PDF file from the web or from my computer.

View PDF files online

I just uploaded the saved PDF and pressed the view button.

And bingo! I could finally view the PDF file! Not only that, on the left side of the new page, I was presented with options to rotate the PDF file. Also there was an instruction on top to click the image to view the small or large version. Hmm….. image? That means, there’s probably a “Save Image as” option in the right-click menu of my mouse. And oh yes, there it was!
Downloading the image (it came as a gif) and later sending it to my client was only a matter of minutes!

And since that was my last bit of office job for today, I got back to checking the search results and to discover PDF tools -  to be able to write a helpful post just for you!

List of useful online PDF tools

Online viewer for PDF, PostScript and Word

This is an online viewer, with which you can view PDF and PostScript files as browsable images and Word documents as web pages. Given a URL on the net or a file on your computer, the viewer will try to retrieve the document, convert it and show it to you. No plugin software is required.

From the site

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Primo online – free online PDF creator

Create PDF online - Convert 300+ file types to PDF documents

PrimoOnline provides a super-fast way to create PDF files online, without the need to install any PDF software. Simply upload your file, enter your email address, and our server-based PDF creator will quickly convert it to PDF and deliver it straight to your email inbox.

From the site.
Here is the list of file formats that can be turned into PDF.

It’s a very handy tool if you ultimately need to email the created PDF to someone. Since it is already available in your email as an attachment, you just have to forward the mail to the recipient and she can download it!

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PDF to Excel (beta)

Convert PDF to Excel online

While it’s not possible to replicate the exact formatting and appearance of the original tables and spreadsheets, we believe our free PDF-to-Excel converter produces more accurate-looking and easier-to-edit XLS files than any other tool out there, including the most expensive desktop products.

Unlike most PDF-to-Excel converters, we successfully detect all tables and discard non-tabular content, leaving you with a clean, easy-to-use XLS file.

Other conversion solutions typically convert the entire contents of a PDF into a hard-to-use XLS file, or force you to manually highlight each table before converting them for re-use in Microsoft Excel or another application.

PDF to Excel does the best job of maintaining look and feel to match the original files.

Most PDF-to-Excel converters extract content into basic Excel files while discarding important formatting. PDF to Excel matches font styles, size, and colors, and wherever possible, reproduces the table appearance with borders, cell coloring, and row/column height and width.

From the site

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PDF to word converter (.doc or .rtf)

convert pdf to word online

Creating a Word file that resembles the original PDF is just the first step.
When you need to quickly re-purpose PDF content in Word, it must also be well formatted. Unlike most PDF-to-Word converters, we use the full range of formatting and layout tools available — including paragraphs, columns, tables, and margins — making pages much easier to edit and manipulate.

from the site
PDF to word is truly feature-rich. Read about the features in their features link.

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PDF Hammer – free online PDF editor

Edit PDF online

# Combine PDF. Create single polished PDF files by merging multiple files
together.
# Edit PDF pages. Quickly rearrange, reorder and delete the pages from
existing PDF files.
# Secure PDF. Protect the contents of PDF files with password-based
security.
# Update PDF metadata. Make PDF files more useful and usable by setting
the document information (metadata) fields, including author, title, subject
and keywords.

From the site

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PDF Download

Download PDF online

* Convert Web pages to PDF (NEW). Convert Web pages into great looking PDF files, and then save, share, print or archive them.
* Convert/view PDF as HTML. View the contents of PDF files faster and eliminate browser problems by instantly converting any Web-based PDF to a browser-friendly HTML Web page.
* Control PDF files in your favorite browser. Stop crashes and get the upper hand on Web-based PDF files by automating and controlling how your Firefox, Flock or Internet Explorer browser deals with them.
* Cross platform, cross browser. Use the PDF Download add-on with with Flock 1, Firefox 2 & 3, and Internet Explorer 7 & 8; on Windows, Mac and Linux machines. Use the PDF Download bookmarklet with Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Flock and Internet Explorer.
* Works in your language. Through the help of our users, PDF Download is now available in 19 languages and counting.

If you are a Firefox/Internet Explorer/Google Chrome user, you can download a browser extension or bookmarklets.

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Zamzar – convert any file to PDF or any PDF to any format online

There’s a good selection to choose from. Just upload your file from a url or from your computer, give them your email address and you will find the converted file in your inbox!

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PDFmenot – a free online pdf viewer
You can easily use PdfMeNot to link to an existing pdf file, use the bookmarklet to onvert all pdf links on a page or automatically fix links to pdfs as you browse. To learn how, just visit their tools page.

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A list of portable PDF tools for your usb drive
Just carry a suitable PDF tool in your usb drive and you will never have any worries about PDF viewing anymore!

Sumatra PDF Portable

Sumatra PDF Portable is the lightweight Sumatra PDF packaged as a portable app, so you can view PDF files on the go. You can place it on your USB flash drive, iPod, portable hard drive or a CD and use it on any computer, without leaving any personal information behind.

from the site
Read about the features to get a better idea of Sumatra.

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Foxit

Foxit is a portable PDF Reader that allows it’s user to view and print PDF files and can be integrated into your current browser as well. It loads much quicker than Abobe Reader with virtually no delay in opening files.

from the site

SCRATCHITI IS…

A form of graffiti in which markings are etched into hard surfaces. Particularly prevalent in NYC Subways where Graffiti remover and a “Clean Train” policy have all but eradicated traditional aerosol graffiti.

From Urban dictionary

Sctratchti on Flickr

Click this link to view Scratchiti on Flickr.

Or try this Google search for scratchiti to discover more scratchiti stuff.

This shorttext speaks about the damaging power of scratchiti. It speaks of the amount of money the govt spends in removing scratchiti.

Scratchiti adds a unique psychological aspect to a town. So, I will vote for scratchiti. And doesn’t good trendy art amost always tend to be expensive?

EVER need to extract text from images? Well, now you can do so online for free and also without sign-up.

You just have to upload an image (PDF, JPG, GIF, TIFF or BMP format) and the text will be extracted.

Languages supported are: English, Gerrman, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish.

Oh, remember one thing, though, your uploaded file can’t be bigger than 2mb.

COPYGATOR is a helpful assistant that watches out for content thieves who republish your blog posts stolen from your feed.

This is a free service designed to monitor your RSS feed and find where your content has been republished in the blogosphere. We automatically notify you when a new post of yours is copied to another feed, we also build an overview page you can view to see how/when/where your content is being duplicated, quoted or plagiarized.

From Copygator

You can get it to work for your blog in three ways:

1) You can paste an image from Copygator that helps it to watch your contents automatically.
2) You can go over to the copygator homepage and paste the valid RSS and Copygator will keep a watchful eye.
3) If you have the option, then set your blogging software to ping Copygator. It ensures that they are able to search the current posts.

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It is also helpful to remind feedreaders that your blog feed/digital content is copyrighted. Myfreecopyright produces a unique digital fingerprint (a number) that is proof that you are the creator of the content.
How to protect your blog/site, RSS feed and digital content with a digital fingerprint from Myfreecopyright

I just love Lego. So I decided to do a Google search. I have found some very interesting Lego creations….

Interesting Lego creations

View more Lego creations here.

You can also visit the Lego site and download Mp3 files, wallpapers, posters, screensavers, colouring pages, dot-do-dot drawings, print for school, stickers and party cards!

Lego posters

So how did Lego develop over the years? Just download LEGO Timeline [pdf] to learn a bit of Lego history!

Okay, time for some more Lego links!

• Read the interview of an ex-lawyer who gave up his job as an attorney to become a professional lego artist.

The worst day in the art studio is still better than the best day in the law firm.

-Sawaya (Lego artist)

• Does the idea of a melted Lego lamp appeal to you?
  
  This post has an interesting discussion in the comments section. Quite thought-provoking!
• Learn how Lego bricks work!
• Lugnet is The international fan-created LEGO users Group Network.
• Legoengineering is a site for teachers, informal educators, parents, and anyone else.
• View The Lego Minifig photographic Timeline – LEGO

Gosh, I didn’t know that they even have Harry Potter Lego!

I am sure there are many other interesting Lego links worth a look. If you know some, don’t forget to share!

TWO different websites enable you to upload code online. When your code is pasted, it takes only one click to generate the url where your code will be available.

Codepad keeps the code for 24 days. If you need to save your code permanently, just sign up!

Upload code online for free at Codepad

Textsnip enables you to keep your code permanently without registration. But signing up allows you to keep track of all your pastes.

I personally like Textsnip better because they allow me some customization of the generated url. Not bad, if you like easily understood human language as opposed to computer gibberish.

I think these services will come in handy if you don’t prefer showing code right in the post, but rather put a link to it. The problem is, if your blogging platform doesn’t allow you to upload .txt file (like, wordpress.com), then you have to upload it elsewhere. Why not try out these two options and tell me what you think!

YOUDRAFT is the answer when the question is where you can create an instant webpage that features links, images and text.

Create and share content instantly without registration. The WYSIWYG editor allows fast and flexible drafting. You can give others the right to edit or only read your page and add replies.

From youdraft

Question

Why do I really need youdraft?

Answer

If you ever wished to upload some text together with images online and make it available to all, then youdraft is for you. Even if you have a blog/website, youdraft will still come in handy when you need to upload easily accessible information that quite doesn’t belong to your blog/site.

Given the fact that the service is completely free the features they offer are mind-blowing. Depending upon your experience, you can use the WYSIWYG editor to style your webpage to your heart’s content.

Format your webpage with the standard wysiwyg editor

In case you are wondering what the symbols in the picture above mean, chances are, you are new to WYSIWYG editors. But that’s no problem. In the following tutorial, I will show you how you can create a simple webpage using Youdraft. You will learn how to use text, images and links in your new webpage.

Right on the homepage you will find a dialogue box that tells you to fill in the necessary details.

Beginning youdraft is easy

When you are done, click the Start drafting button.

On the next page they give you two url’s for you about to be generated webpage. One allows you to read AND edit the contents later. That means, you can allow others to edit your webpage. While that’s a great privilege when more than one author is involved, please be cautious. If you inadvertently give it to someone who should not be changing the contents, then that might spell trouble. The second url is the one you should be distributing to people for viewing purposes.

Two different url's - read/write and read are generated

Now let’s get to the contents part. We will begin with text, because that’s the easiest part. Then we will deal with images and lastly, with links!

Text

To put in text, just start writing in the main body. Alternately, you can copy text from somewhere and paste it.

Image

I always love to see good images on a webpage. Images provide a break from verbal thinking. besides, sometimes images are what matters most!

Youdraft enables you to either link to an online image or upload one from your computer. Now, isn’t that convenient?

To upload an image from your computer, just click the insert/edit image icon in front of the Font icon.

Upload images either from your computer or from a website

A dialogue box will open. Now click the Upload tab.

Upload tab lts you get images from your computer

Now hit the Browse button and choose the image from your computer that you want to upload. Finally hit the Send to server button. When the image is successfully uploaded you will be taken back to the first tab that says Image Info. If you know how to fill in the extra info there, just do it! Or else, click ok.

To link to an online image first copy the image url from the desired site and come back to your Youdraft window/tab. Now click the insert/edit image icon. When the dialogue box opens, hit the Link tab.

Upload an online image

Click ok.
Your image will turn up in the main body!

Linking

You might need to link some text or an image to a webpage. Doing it is very easy!

To link text, select the text and click the Insert/edit link button. The icon looks like a tiny globe (with a chain at the bottom).

Create hyperlinks

When you click the insert/edit link button, a dialogue box will open. See the picture above. If you are linking to an external webpage, don’t change the parameters. Just fill the copied  url in the Url field. If your copied url already has http:// included, then please delete the http:// carefully.

If you link an image, the viewer can see another webpage when they click on the image. To do this, just select the image from the main body and click the insert/edit link button. When the dialogue box opens, fill in the url field like in the instruction for linking text.

When you are done creating your webpage, don’t forget to hit the Save button at the bottom!

If you need more help about using Youdraft, just ask for it!

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I have spent a great deal of time researching for a web service like Youdraft. If you think it is a great tool and/or if you think the tutorial is newbie-friendly, then please consider telling others about this post via email or social bookmarking