PowerPDF 2.0 - Apr/May '03

PowerPDF 2.0

PowerPDF also could be called PrintPDF since creating Portable Document Format documents is as simple as printing a document from your Windows application. PowerPDF is a simple and inexpensive solution for creating PDF documents assuming, of course, that you can actually load the software.

I had some significant problems installing PowerPDF when entering the serial number, which was clearly printed on the first page of the Quick Start Guide. Apparently there were some problems distinguishing between the letter “O” and zero as well as other similar characters in the serial number. According to the Xelerate representative, this problem has been identified and corrected on subsequent distributions of PowerPDF software.

I also encountered some problems loading this software on a workstation and a laptop with Windows 98. It simply would not recognize the PowerPDF driver. Once I finally overcame these glitches, I loaded the software and immediately put it to use.

PowerPDF works by installing a virtual printer driver within your Windows system. This printer driver sends print jobs directly to the PowerPDF server application. The PowerPDF server isn’t a physical server but a location where you can adjust your PDF settings.

Xelerate advertises that PowerPDF can create PDF files from any application with a print function. I put this claim to the test by converting a document I had created in WordPerfect. When I selected my print option, I changed it to the PowerPDF driver and my document was sent to the PowerPDF server. I was then able to preview and adjust the settings of the PDF document I wanted to create.

PowerPDF server gives you three tabs to adjust your document for conversion to PDF. The “Preview” tab is, of course, where you can preview your document.

The “Document” tab gives you the option to set certain PDF attributes and general document information. You can choose the compatibility of the version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, or you can choose to compress the images in your document. There is also a place where you can key in the author, title, subject and keywords for your PDF creation.

The “Fonts” tab gives you the option to select which fonts you want to embed in the final PDF document. By default, PowerPDF excludes Times New Roman and Courier since Acrobat Reader already includes these fonts. If your PDF document is going to be viewed by people with various platforms and operating systems, you would choose not to embed any fonts.

The “Stationery” tab might be particularly useful to law firms since you have the ability to add a watermark to your PDF document. For instance, if the document is confidential, you can add the watermark “Confidential” to the final PDF document. This also will be on the final PDF document if someone chooses to print the PDF document on a printer.

The “Settings” tab is where you can set the directory locations for your PDF folder and job folder. Additional settings include having your choice of viewing the print jobs when they are created.

In my first test, I simply accepted all the defaults and immediately created a PDF document, which was text searchable. I also tested documents in Corel Presentations and Microsoft Word. To my surprise, it handled the Corel Presentations slide show without any glitches. If you are worried about training costs, don’t be. There is virtually no learning curve on using PowerPDF and no need for any formal training. A printed Quick Start Guide is included to take you through the process.

If you want to e-mail your PDF, you can send it from the PowerPDF control window. To do this you will have to have a Messaging Application Programming Interface-compliant e-mail program such as Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express. E-mail programs with some Internet Service Providers such as America Online might not support this feature.

PowerPDF is a nice tool to use in converting documents to PDF. While it isn’t feasible to use for high-volume scanning and document management jobs, it’s a good thing to have when you need it for certain documents. Whether it’s correspondence going to opposing counsel or a contract you created on your computer, you can immediately convert it to PDF just as you would print the document. If you can’t afford the expensive software such as Adobe Capture to create PDF documents, PowerPDF might be the inexpensive option to consider.

Xelerate Software Inc.

www.xelerate.biz

Price: $49.95

Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP; Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0/4.0/5.0

Reviewed by Milton Hooper, a litigation support specialist in Macon, Ga.

Apr/May '03 Issue

PROS
It’s one of the easiest ways to create PDF documents. It’s an affordable solution for creating PDF files on a document-by-document basis.

CONS
Installation can be a hassle if you don’t get a later distribution. It doesn’t work properly on some computers with Windows 98.

VERDICT
It’s a good purchase for the small law firm. There is no training needed.