Re: [Amps] OT help

[David Kirkby <david.kirkby@onetel.net>]

Roger D Johnson wrote:

> I recently tried to scan some Eimac tube datasheets for
> David Kirby's website. I am using a HP OfficeJet 6110
> with the supplied HP Director software which has a save
> to PDF function. I found that some of the graphs in the
> datasheets were "rotated" to what the program thinks is
> the proper orientation. This happens when saving to PDF
> and HTML formats. If I save as JPG, GIF, TIFF, etc; all
> is well. I've spent several days exchanging emails with
> HP tech support to no avail. I don't know where they are
> located but their English is funny and they seem to be
> completely unable to understand the problem. So, my
> question is; does anyone know of a free or inexpensive
> scanner program that will save scans as a PDF document?
>
> Thanks and 73, Roger 

Thanks Roger for trying - sorry it is causing you a hassle. TIFF files 
are fine.

The way I convert to PDF is as follows, but I use UNIX hardware and free 
software. So my methods are not typical.


If you can just get me TIFF files, I can do the work from there. Just 
email the TIFF files, or if they are too big I'll give you a login on a 
UNIX system where you can use ssh to transfer the files. You will need 
to use an ssh client - a nice windoze one, which is free for 
non-commercial use is:

http://ftp.ssh.com/pub/ssh/SSHSecureShellClient-3.2.9.exe

Anyway, this is what I do - you will have to adapt a bit for Windoze.

a) Scan - I use an Epson PErfection 1200S SCSI scanner on a Sun 
workstation. I use 'gimp' as software. Gimp is free. 'sane' (Scanner 
Access Made Easy) is used too. Sane is free (of course!!) Both Gimp and 
Sane are available on Windoze.

b) Take any large sections of white and put a box around that and fill 
it with white. This ensures the region looks good, and really is white. 
It makes files smaller too. Having hole punch holes does not only look 
too good, but it makes the files bigger.

c) Save to Postscript (.ps) format.

d) Use 'ghostscript' and the file 'ps2pdf' to convert multiple ps pages 
to one pdf page. (I acutally use a slightly modified version of ps2pdf, 
but the basic principle is the same. Ghostscript is available on Windoze 
too, although I use it under UNIX.

I suspect there are easier ways, but Gimp, Sane and Ghostscript are all 
free - commercial use included.

When I wrote my PhD thesis I wrote it in Wordperfect for DOS. I tried 
printing to Postscript and using the Acrobat pdf writer. But this kept 
failing, with numerous errors. Then I tried the free Ghostscript and 
managed to convert each chapter to a pdf file.

Anyway, TIFF files will do. Postscript should in principle do, but I 
can't make any changes in that too easily.

I think the problem with a lot of Windoze software now is it is designed 
to be 'idiot proof'. It tries to correct any error the user makes, but 
this often causes more hassle for the more intelligent user. I like 
software that does not make too many assumptions, and those it does make 
it lets me override.

--
Dr. David Kirkby, 
G8WRB

Please check out http://www.g8wrb.org/ 
of if you live in Essex http://www.southminster-branch-line.org.uk/



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