Useful Research Tools

Index

Problem:  You want to submit a paper that has been prepared in Word, but the specifications require a document in .pdf format.  For an alternative, see the note below:
Solution: Free PDF is a utility which allows you to create PDFs  just by printing to a "Create PDF" printer,  from any Windows 9x/ME application FOR FREE!  Read http://www.webxd.com/zipguy/frpdbck.htm for details on how it is done.

http://www.webxd.com/zipguy/frpdfdl.htm

 

Problem:  You want to submit a paper that has been prepared in Word, but the specifications require a document in postscript format. 

Solution:

 

 In order to produce PostScript printer output from any Windows application, install a new printer into Windows that uses PostScript (even if you do not have such a printer). The 'Apple Color LW 12/660 PS' or 'Apple LaserWriter II NT' PS Driver' are recommended.  On the window that appears after selecting the printer, select "FILE: (Creates a file on disk)" in the "Available Ports" list box.

1. When you print, specify the Apple printer 
2. and get a "Save As.." Dialog for the PostScript file 
3. for which you pick a name. It will force a .prn extension, so you may have to rename the file later.  (Even if you name it something like "test.ps" it may rename it "test.ps.prn")

 

 

Problem:  You want to submit a paper that has been prepared in Word, but the specifications require a document in uuencoded postscript format. 

Solution:

 

 Save the file in Postscript format as described above, and then UUEncode it.  The following application is a recent (Windows 9x/NT Compatible), two-in-one program that handles both encoding and decoding. It is FREEWARE, licensed under the GNU General Public License. Ud3212.exe (This is the installation program for UUDeview-32 v1.2) 

Once you have downloaded this install program, 

1.Double click the program icon to install it. 
2.Choose all the default options. 
3.Once the program is installed, go through your Windows [START] button, [Programs]... and run the program 
4.Read the Manual by clicking on the [Help] Button at the top of the application. 
5.Click on the [Options...] button in the center of the program 
6.Click on the 'Associate Decodable Files with UUDeview' check box and 
7.Click on the [OK] buttons until you are back at the main screen. 
8.You can now exit the program. 

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/index.htm

 

Problem: You have downloaded a paper with a .ps extension, and you can't seem to read it.

Solution:

Ghostscript is an interpreter for the PostScript (TM) language. A PostScript interpreter usually takes as input a set of graphics commands. The output is usually a page bitmap which is then sent to an output device such as a printer or display. PostScript is embedded in many printers. 

Ghostscript has several main uses: 

1.Display a PostScript file (avoid killing trees). 
2.Display a PostScript file to decide if you really need to print it (reduce the number of trees killed). 
3.Print a PostScript file to a non-PostScript printer (kill more trees).

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/index.htm

 

Note: If you are working on the COB network, the following approach is available for converting files to .pdf format:
  1. The converter is found on the following path: Cobsupport \ PDF\ In
  2. To convert the document it requires printing to a file. Install a PostScript printer such as the Apple LaserWriterPro 810 and set it to print to "files".
  3. Open the document, print it from the PostScript printer, and name it accordingly (this will be the name of the PDF file). This will create a .prn file.
  4. Drag and drop the .prn file into the converter 'in' box. The converter will create the PDF file and place it in the 'out' box (along with the original .prn file and a log file). This may take a few minutes depending on the size of the file and the amount of work on the processor at the time.
  5. After removing the PDF file, please clean out all files from the outbox.
  6. The file should should be viewable with Adobe Acrobat Reader.