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_Michael_James_Mason_
Participant
August 20, 2008
Question

Free Way To Make A PDF Document?

  • August 20, 2008
  • 50 replies
  • 18829 views
Hello everyone, I am interested in writing my own ebook, but I'm not sure how to actually go about writing it. Can anybody recommend the best way to write a pdf document, or at least point me in the right direction so I can learn more about how to do it? Thanks in advance for any help.
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    50 replies

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    _Brian_Rooney_
    Participant
    September 4, 2008
    On my MacBook Pro, I just go to print the document after it is created and select the option to save as a PDF.

    Works every time.
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    _Trent_McCormick_
    Participant
    September 2, 2008
    Some hosting companies, such as thirdspherehosting.com have built in feature for converting to pdf format.
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    _Steven_Ng_
    Participant
    September 2, 2008
    Simply because open office is created to be compatible to the Microsoft but the other way round.
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    _Dr_Mani_
    Participant
    September 1, 2008
    If you use a Apple Macintosh computer running OS-X (any version)
    you can simply convert any document in TextEdit or TextWrangler
    or other applications by clicking on the PRINT - and then choosing
    SAVE AS PDF.

    One click and you have a PDF file!

    A problem is that hyperlinks are NOT active - and to insert them
    you'll require either Adobe Acrobat or Open Office.

    Hope this helps.

    All success
    Dr.Mani
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    _John_G_Coutts_
    Participant
    August 28, 2008
    OpenOffice is probably the easiest route to go, and it's free as well. However, I find that if you compose and format your ebook in Microsoft Word, then open the .doc file in OpenOffice, the formatting, etc rarely stays exactly as you created it.

    This is VERY frustrating! The best way to do it is to create the ebook directly in OpenOffice, and when it looks good to you, create the PDF!
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    _Aandi_Inston_
    Participating Frequently
    August 28, 2008
    > I find that if you compose and format your ebook in Microsoft Word, then open the .doc file in OpenOffice, the formatting, etc rarely stays exactly as you created it.

    This is normal. It doesn't always stay the same when you reopen it in
    Word. Buy a new printer, too, and the layout changes. Word is NOT a
    tool for page layout, it's a word processor.

    Aandi Inston
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    _healthywoman_
    Participant
    August 28, 2008
    Thanks for the warning Rhonda and Terry. I'm torn between using Word or Open Office. Would be a shame not to be able to edit the OpenOffice document in Word and not being able to save as a PDF on Word......
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    _Richard_Hargreaves_
    Participant
    August 27, 2008
    Open Office is O.K. for making free pdf's, but a more complete free solution if you want to make an ebook is from software995.
    They offer a complete suite of PDF creating tools for free. However, if you want support, and as already mentioned above, you can't go past Adobe.
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    _Yasir_Khan_
    Participant
    August 26, 2008
    Wow! This is exactly what i was looking for.. Thanks for the information guys.
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    _Terry_Kyle_
    Participant
    August 25, 2008
    Openoffice (openoffice dot org) works very well with Acrobat Michael and in my experience is more stable in doing so than Word.

    One quick caveat: when you create a Word document and you are constantly modifying and saving that same document for months or years as you write the book, the file may become 'unsavable' as a PDF.

    The solution?

    Copy and paste the whole file into a new document or do it in OpenOffice from the start.

    I learned this the (very) hard way.

    Have a great day.

    Best regards
    Terry Kyle
    Author/Editor
    "400 Latest & Greatest Small Business Ideas From Around The World"
    www.Latest-Business-Ideas.com
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    _ed_pudol_
    Participant
    August 25, 2008
    Isn't there an acrobat version where you can create directly a pdf file? I am just asking as I am having the same problem too like the OP problem.
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    _Aandi_Inston_
    Participating Frequently
    August 26, 2008
    >Isn't there an acrobat version where you can create directly a pdf file?

    Acrobat is not free, so this is not an answer for the original poster.

    Aandi Inston
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