How PDFs Can Simplify and Supercharge Your PhD Journey

Pursuing a PhD is no small feat. Between mountains of research papers, drafts of your dissertation, and countless notes, it’s easy to feel buried in chaos. But what if I told you that a humble file format, the PDF, could be one of your greatest allies?

In this post, I’ll explore how PDFs can streamline your PhD process and help you stay organized, productive, and stress-free (well, as much as a PhD allows!).

1. PDFs for Research Papers

Research is the backbone of any PhD. And as a student, you’ve likely downloaded more journal articles and conference papers than you care to count. Here’s how PDFs can help:

• Universal Format: PDFs look the same on any device, ensuring that figures, tables, and formatting stay intact.

• Annotations and Highlights: Most PDF readers allow you to highlight text, add sticky notes, and underline important sections. This is perfect for quickly referencing key points during your writing process.

• Searchable Text: Thanks to OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, scanned PDFs can become searchable, allowing you to quickly find that one obscure quote or reference.

2. Organizing Your Literature

Managing hundreds of documents can quickly spiral into chaos. Here’s where PDFs shine:

• Metadata: Use PDF metadata (author, title, keywords) to tag and categorize your files. Tools like Zotero and Mendeley can help you organize PDFs into a neat library.

• File Compression: If your hard drive is filling up, compress your PDFs to save space without losing quality.

• Bookmarking: Add bookmarks to long PDFs (like a 100-page research paper) for easier navigation.

3. Collaborating with Your Supervisor

Feedback is a vital part of your PhD journey. PDFs make it simple to share your work and receive comments:

• Commenting Tools: Supervisors can add comments, highlight issues, or suggest edits directly in your PDF draft.

• Version Control: By saving different drafts as separate PDFs, you can track your progress and revisit older versions if needed.

4. Writing and Formatting Your Dissertation

When it’s time to write your dissertation, formatting is key. PDFs can help you maintain a polished look:

• Consistent Formatting: Converting your final draft to PDF ensures that fonts, headers, and page layouts stay intact, no matter where it’s viewed or printed.

• Professional Appearance: Many institutions require dissertations to be submitted in PDF format, so getting familiar with PDF tools early is a smart move.

• Editable PDFs: If you notice a typo after converting to PDF, tools like PDF editors allow you to make quick fixes without going back to the original document.

5. Archiving and Sharing Your Research

After all the hard work, you’ll want to share your research with the academic community:

• Long-Term Storage: PDFs are ideal for archiving because they’re stable and widely supported. Your work will remain accessible decades from now.

• Easy Distribution: Sharing your thesis or publications as a PDF ensures that everyone—whether on a laptop, tablet, or phone—can access it.

• Password Protection: If your work contains sensitive or unpublished data, you can add a password to your PDFs for security.

Bonus: Tools to Get the Most Out of PDFs

Here are some tools that can enhance your PDF experience during your PhD:

• Adobe Acrobat: For advanced editing, signing, and commenting.

• Zotero or Mendeley: For organizing and citing research papers.

• All-About-PDF: multiple PDF functions such as merging and splitting PDFs in one app

• PDF eReader: A lightweight, offline tool (like this one) to manage your PDFs seamlessly.

Final Thoughts

A PhD is a marathon, not a sprint, and staying organized is half the battle. PDFs, with their versatility and reliability, can be your secret weapon in navigating the complexities of academia. Whether it’s managing your research, collaborating with peers, or submitting your final dissertation, PDFs ensure that your hard work is presented exactly as intended.

So, the next time you open a PDF, don’t just see it as a document. See it as a tool that’s helping you take one step closer to earning that doctorate!

Have you found any creative ways to use PDFs during your PhD? Share your tips in the comments below!

PDFe Reader 3.0 - Powered by WebAssembly and Progressive Web App Technology

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the new and improved PDFe Reader 3.0! This version marks a significant upgrade in the way you interact with PDF documents, bringing cutting-edge technologies like WebAssembly (Wasm) and Progressive Web App (PWA) technology to the forefront. With PDFe Reader 3.0, you can now access a seamless, fast, and responsive experience across all platforms—whether you're on your desktop, tablet, or mobile device. Even better, it runs offline, meaning you can take your work anywhere!

Why WebAssembly and PWAs?

The integration of WebAssembly and PWA technology into PDFe Reader 3.0 represents a giant leap forward in terms of performance, usability, and flexibility.

What is WebAssembly?

WebAssembly is a powerful binary format that allows web applications to run at near-native speed. By using WebAssembly, PDFe Reader 3.0 brings the performance of desktop applications to the web browser without the need for heavy downloads or installations. This means:

• Faster Loading Times: PDFe Reader now loads PDFs in an instant, offering a smooth user experience.

• Cross-Platform Consistency: Enjoy the same level of performance and features whether you’re using Windows, macOS, Linux, or any mobile operating system.

• Reduced Memory Usage: Optimized to use fewer resources, improving both performance and battery life.

What is a Progressive Web App?

A Progressive Web App (PWA) combines the best of web and mobile applications, providing a fast, reliable, and engaging experience. With PDFe Reader 2.0 as a PWA, you can install it on your device and use it offline just like a native app—without needing to visit an app store. Some benefits include:

• Offline Access: Whether you're commuting, on a plane, or in an area with spotty internet service, PDFe Reader 3.0 works offline, ensuring uninterrupted access to your documents.

• No Installation Required: Skip the app store and install the PDFe Reader directly from your browser.

• Automatic Updates: Always have the latest features without having to download updates manually.

• Add to Home Screen: Access PDFe Reader instantly by adding it to your device's Home screen.

Key Benefits of PDFe Reader 3.0

1. Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works seamlessly on any device, from desktops to smartphones, without the need for different versions.

2. Offline Mode: Access your PDFs anywhere, anytime—even without an internet connection.

3. Blazing Fast Performance: Thanks to WebAssembly, the app is optimized for speed and efficiency.

4. No App Store Required: Install directly from the web, avoiding app store delays and compatibility issues.

5. Automatic Synchronization: When connected to the internet, any work you’ve done offline will automatically sync, ensuring nothing is lost.

How to Install PDFe Reader on Your Device

You can install PDFe Reader as a Progressive Web App on both Android and iOS for quick and easy access.

Installing PDFe Reader on Android:

1. Open your Chrome browser and navigate to the PDFe Reader website (https://pdfereader.com)

2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.

3. Select "Add to Home screen."

4. Confirm by clicking "Add", and the app will be added to your home screen.

5. Now you can launch PDFe Reader directly from your home screen, even without internet access.

Installing PDFe Reader on iOS (iPhone & iPad):

1. Open Safari and visit the PDFe Reader website (https://pdfereader.com)

2. Tap the share icon (a square with an arrow pointing upward) at the bottom of the screen.

3. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen."

4. Name the app (if desired), then tap "Add."

5. The PDFe Reader icon will appear on your home screen, and you can now use it offline like any other native app.

Final Thoughts

With the launch of PDFe Reader 3.0, we are dedicated to enhancing your experience, making it faster, more accessible, and more reliable than ever before. By harnessing the power of WebAssembly and PWA technology, we’ve built a PDF reader that keeps up with your needs, whether online or offline, and on any device.

Try out the new PDFe Reader 3.0 today, and experience the future of document handling!

Guest Post: Unleash Your Productivity: Introducing Aiden - Your AI Assistant for iPhone and iPad

Step into the future of technology with Aiden, an app for iPhone and iPad focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI). This app is an alternative to existing solutions but with a robust, reimagined twist. It offers access to several generative AI services (ChatGPT, Andisearch, Bard, Llama, Bing Image Creator, DALL.E, Perplexity, MusicLM, etc.*). It supports multiple Search Engines, Safari Extensions, a Share Extension, Custom Prompts, Siri Shortcuts and is integrated with the Opener and iCabMobile apps. When it comes to privacy and security, Aiden does not track users and will also work with your device on a Virtual Private Network. Download it here for a one-time fee of $1.99 (no subscriptions), and stand out by unleashing AI-driven, game changing productivity and possibilities today.

Onboarding with Aiden: Navigating the AI Assistant

When you open the app for the first time, there is an intro screen. It pops up automatically once, and if you need to reference it again, you will have to summon it from the Extras section. The Extras section of the app can be accessed by double clicking the developer’s name on the main page or shaking your device while on the main page. Things get interesting in the Extras section, honestly!

As an AI assistant, Aiden will on occasion require access to the clipboard to process user- initiated requests, so it’s recommended to allow ‘Paste from Other Apps’ in the settings app of device as one of the first things you do after downloading it.

The center image on the main screen offers some gestures:

• Swipe right - DALL.E

• Swipe left - Bing Image Creator

• Swipe up - Phind

• Swipe down - Override functionality

• Double tap - Custom Prompts Section

• Long press - Multiple Search Options

Use cases for these gestures will vary. Think creation of images for blogs, logos for businesses, flexing your meme muscle, accessing URLs of your choice or just working on your prompt engineering skills. Something will resonate with your passion.

Safari Extensions and Beyond: Aiden's Deep Integration

Aiden contains Safari extensions to customize your browsing experience and the Extras section of the app shows how to turn them on. To utilize them simply click on the extension name when on a webpage. One extension copies the URL to clipboard and runs a Shortcut. What the shortcut does is up to you. Another extension copies the text of an article to your clipboard and opens the Aiden application. Another summarizes the contents of a web page.

The .Intelligence extension once turned on adds multiples search engines to Safari and works in a similar manner to Apple’s text replacement feature in some cases.

Usage of engines in Safari browser or via device search feature: ‘pe What are the legal requirements for creating a will?’

Crafting Your Interactions: Mastering Aiden's Extras Section

Once you open this section scroll to the bottom, the ‘Default Page’ area. Every row in this area is like a module. Select any of the modules listed and this becomes your landing page when you open the app or bring main page into view from the background. This means you could turn Aiden into a Bard iOS app of sort (or iPadOS app) or MusicLM app, etc. Override allows you to add a service of your choice and viola, that becomes your landing page. You could try old Reddit, NotebookLM, Wordle, Claude or Dezgo, etc. It could be anything really, as long as it’s a valid URL. The Aiden module combines all the listed modules onto a single view and that becomes your landing page. The Prompts module was included because input to generative AI services matters, can’t stress that enough. Good prompts are what will help you to be productive. Experiencing things like making AI music (MusicLM) on your device and getting instant feedback through your over the ears headphones or having complex topics explained in lay terms from an experts’ point of view is just pure gold, metaphorically.

Harnessing the Power of Prompts: A Key to Productivity

The output from large language models is contingent on your query, also known as a prompt. People have created businesses around how to prompt and others just share their finds which means there is a ton of them out there. The Prompts module (section) of the app offers a central location to keep and use prompts. The prompt(s) you save can either be in URL format, text, or a combo (Aiden moonlights as a bookmarking or note taking app, very well too). Use cases besides URL bookmarking include saving code snippets or recipes. Prompts can be added using the Share Extension, via a 3D quick action or through the ‘Add Prompt’ Siri Shortcut. The addition of these prompts happens on the Prompts page. The Share Extension copies the URL of a webpage to the clipboard and brings it into the Aiden app. With that understanding you can easily update the ‘Add Prompt’ Siri Shortcut to become an action extension.

When you click on a prompt row the Override module website is opened only if the underlying description of the prompt is just text. Try it. Swiping a prompt row right allows you to preview and/or copy its description. If you have the Opener app installed on your device then swiping right will present you with options on how to handle valid URLs. Swiping left allows you to edit or delete a prompt. Long pressing a row will copy the prompt description to your clipboard and offer you options of areas in which the copied text can be used. These prompt descriptions that you save and access are ‘Custom Instructions’ that you can use with multiple generative AI services, not just ChatGPT.

Prompts are saved on your device only. There is a backup button on the Prompts page that allows you to move your prompts file to a location of your choice (locally or remotely with personal configuration). This gives you control of your data. The Extras section of the app provides functionality to export, delete or restore your backups. The prompt file between iPad and iPhone does not sync because what you do on either device is different but you could do it manually.

AI in Action: Shortcuts, Chatting with PDFs and More

When on the Add or Edit Prompt section of the app you can long press the description area which will add a Shortcuts launcher and Opener URL scheme. These schemes are appended to any text on the page. This just means Aiden is also a Siri Shortcuts launcher and can alternatively open URLs in apps of your choice if you have the Opener app installed. You do have to pick one or the other option for these functions to work as intended and the URL schemes need to be absolute. A quadruple tap in the description area wipes out all the text present.

With the Aiden app installed on your device the Shortcuts app will offer some preconfigured Aiden Shortcuts. They can be invoked manually or through Siri and their titles or functionality can be tweaked to match your needs. Users like the ‘Show current tag’ Shortcut. If you have a tag saved via the Extras section of app then the ‘Show current tag’ Shortcut will pull up all your bookmarks with that tag and if no tag is saved the Shortcut pulls up the Prompt section of app in search mode. The feature is also available via a 3D quick action or through the ‘Current Search Tag’ module in the Extras section.

Every time this feature is used your clipboard will be cleared. The intent of the feature was never to bring data from outside into the Aiden app but rather to access data that was already saved in the app. E.g., Accessing video or audio URLS, or URLs to manuals of tools around your house, etc. The feature is great for a curated content experience. Aiden preconfigured Shortcuts can be used in stacks, saved to your home screen or used as action extensions.

Chatting with PDFs is a feature that has recently become popular among many AI service providers and for the most part it is a paid service. In the Extras section of app there is a Shortcut that copies PDF text to the clipboard of your device and opens the Aiden app. What you do with copied text is up to you but summarizing it is one option and asking additional questions about the text is another. Just remember that as you prompt away with some AI services you are training the models behind them.

The Bing app will open in chat mode if you click on any Bing row within Aiden. Just one of the many traits that make Aiden a great AI assistant.

The Aiden module has a row that will open the iCabMobile browser app (if it is installed on your device). iCabMobile has always been a gem of a browser and serves as an indicator of what mobile Safari evolves to. The ability to change browser user agents with ease is one of the main reasons it is incorporated with Aiden and just support for that indie developer too.

Supporting Indie Development: Aiden, Marker, and 1Extn

Indie development thrives when enthusiasts like you rally behind it. By sharing this article across various platforms, you amplify its reach, helping more individuals discover the transformative power of the Aiden app. If the Aiden app is useful to you, please recommend it to friends, family, and colleagues. The Aiden module within the app advertises 1Extn which is highly recommended (1Extn offers 13 of some of the best Safari extensions in a single universal apple application for $1.99, all in the name of redefining your browsing experience). Don't forget to explore the lite version of Aiden, aptly named Marker for Bookmarks, which is available for free on the App Store.

When you leave feedback on the App Store for Aiden, Marker for Bookmarks, or 1Extn, you're not just providing insight; you're actively contributing to the growth of these apps. These three apps provide a tips section – not for additional functions, but as an alternative means for you to support the indie development community. Your encouragement and advocacy play a vital role in sustaining independent creators, and ensuring that future breakthroughs continue to enrich your digital experiences. Thank you for being an essential part of this dynamic ecosystem, and for championing the spirit of indie development. Your support is deeply appreciated!

*No affiliations.

Happy 30th Birthday, PDF!

June 15, 1993, marked a significant milestone in the world of digital documents—the birth of the Portable Document Format, better known as PDF. Developed by Adobe Systems, the PDF format has revolutionized the way we create, share, and consume electronic documents over the past three decades. As we celebrate its 30th birthday, let's take a journey through time and explore how PDF has transformed the landscape of document management and communication.

The Birth of PDF

Adobe co-founder Dr. John Warnock and his team created the PDF format out of the need for a universal document exchange format to preserve the original content's integrity across different platforms, operating systems, and software applications. With its release, PDF offered a solution to the compatibility issues faced by users when sharing documents electronically.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

One of the critical strengths of PDF is its ability to maintain consistent formatting across different devices and platforms. Whether you're opening a PDF on a Windows PC, Mac, Linux machine, or mobile device, the document will retain its original layout, fonts, and graphics. This universality has made PDF the go-to format for sharing and distributing documents.

Document Preservation

Unlike other file formats that can be easily altered or corrupted, PDFs preserve the integrity of the original document. By encapsulating text, images, fonts, and formatting into a single file, PDF ensures that the content remains intact and looks the same regardless of the software or hardware used to open it. This has been particularly valuable for industries such as legal, finance, and government, where document integrity is critical.

Enhanced Security Features

PDF introduced robust security features, such as password protection, digital signatures, and encryption, enabling users to protect sensitive information and control access to their documents. These security measures have played a vital role in safeguarding confidential data and ensuring the authenticity and integrity of digital records.

Interactive Elements and Multimedia Integration

As technology evolved, so did PDF. In addition to static documents, PDFs now support interactive elements, such as hyperlinks, bookmarks, and form fields, transforming them into dynamic and engaging experiences. Furthermore, PDFs can seamlessly integrate multimedia elements, such as audio, video, and interactive 3D models, enhancing the presentation and comprehension of complex information.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

PDF has made significant strides in improving accessibility for individuals with visual impairments or other disabilities. Through the implementation of features like tags, alternative text, and reflow options, PDFs can be made screen-reader friendly, ensuring equal access to information for all users. This inclusivity has been instrumental in promoting digital equity.

Paperless Workflows and Sustainability

The adoption of PDF has facilitated the shift towards paperless workflows, reducing the reliance on printed documents. This not only saves costs and time but also contributes to environmental sustainability by minimizing paper consumption and waste. With digital signatures and workflow automation, businesses have been able to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

As we celebrate the 30th birthday, we must look to the future and ask what's next for the venerable format. To us, the next step is to improve PDF document security. This should be done by standardizing DRM security for PDF files to democratize access to robust document security, thereby enabling individuals and organizations to regain control over their intellectual property and confidential information. Until such time where DRM protection for PDFs is standardized, users have to rely on solutions such as All-About-PDF’s PDFe format.

From its inception, PDF has overcome compatibility challenges, transformed document preservation, and enabled secure and interactive experiences. Its accessibility features, support for multimedia, and contribution to sustainability have further solidified its importance in our digital lives. 

Happy birthday, PDF!

Whats New With PDFs in iPadOS (and iOS) 17

Apple has recently announced the release of iPadOS (and iOS) 17, which feature several improvements to PDF handling within the Notes app. These new features will make it easier for users to work with PDF files on their iPads and iPhones.

One of the most significant changes in iPadOS 17 is the improved PDF handling. In iPadOS 17, PDFs in the Notes app will appear full width, making it easy to flip through pages, add annotations, or sketch directly in the document using an Apple Pencil. This feature is especially useful for those who frequently work with PDF files on their iPads.

Another new feature in iPadOS 17 is machine learning for PDF fields. This feature allows users to quickly enter information such as names, addresses, and emails from their Contacts into fields in a PDF. This can save time and make working with PDF files more efficient.

Finally, the Notes app will gain the ability to organize PDFs into folders with keywords and tags This feature will allow users to easily find and access their PDF files within the Notes app.

Overall, these new features in iPadOS 17 are designed to make working with PDF files on your iPad easier and more efficient.

iPadOS 17 is expected to be released to the public in the fall of 2023 and includes a plethora of other new features such as:

• Lock Screen widgets

• Interactive widgets on the Home screen

• Free form placement of Windows in Stage Manager

• an improved Messages app

• Improved Autocorrect

Image copyright Apple.com

How To Chat With Your PDF

In the age of digitalization, PDFs have become a ubiquitous format for sharing and distributing information. They provide a convenient way to store and present documents, but what if we could go beyond their static nature? Imagine interacting with your PDFs, asking questions, extracting data, and receiving real-time responses.

In this blog post, we will explore the concept of "chatting with your PDF" and how it can revolutionize your document management experience.

1. Understanding Chatbots and Natural Language Processing: Before we dive into the specifics of interacting with PDFs, it's essential to grasp the basics of chatbots and natural language processing (NLP). Chatbots are computer programs designed to simulate human conversation. NLP enables machines to understand and interpret human language, enabling effective communication between users and systems.

2. Leveraging OCR Technology: Optical Character Recognition (OCR) plays a vital role in enabling conversations with PDFs. OCR technology converts scanned or image-based text into machine-readable text. By applying OCR to a PDF, you can extract the content and make it available for chatbot interactions. This step is only required if your PDF files are images based (e.g., scanned documents)

3. Choosing the Right PDF Chatbot Platform: To chat with your PDF, you need a reliable and fast platform that supports PDF integration. All-About-PDF allows you to upload your PDF document contents to ChatGPT AI for fast and accurate processing.

4. Chat with Your PDF: Once processing is completed, you can start interacting with it. Here are some examples of how you can chat with your PDF:

   1. Ask Questions: Pose natural language questions about the content of the PDF, such as "What are the key points in this document?" or "Can you explain the process mentioned in section X?"

   2. Extract Information: Request specific information from the PDF, such as "Please provide the contact details mentioned in the invoice" or "What are the financial figures for Q3?"

   3. Navigate Sections: Inquire about specific sections or pages within the PDF, such as "Take me to the conclusion of the report" or "Jump to page 15."

   4. Search Keywords: Direct the chatbot to search for particular keywords or phrases within the PDF, like "Find occurrences of 'chatbot' in this document" or "Highlight instances of 'key performance indicators.'"

Chatting with your PDF documents offers several advantages

1. Time Efficiency: By conversing with your PDF, you can quickly retrieve information instead of manually searching through pages.

2. Accessibility: People with visual impairments or difficulties navigating traditional PDF interfaces can benefit from the conversational approach.

3. Productivity: Extracting relevant data from PDFs becomes easier, enabling faster decision-making and information retrieval.

Chatting with your PDF opens up new possibilities for interacting with and extracting value from these widely used document formats. By leveraging chatbots, NLP, and OCR technologies, you can engage in real-time conversations, ask questions, and retrieve information with ease.

Incorporating this innovative approach to document management will enhance productivity, efficiency, and accessibility in various fields. Embrace the future of PDF interaction and streamline your document workflows with conversational capabilities by downloading All-About-PDF today.

How To Share PDFe Files Via Email in All-About-PDF

When you protect a document with our best-in-class Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology for PDF documents, a task that usually follows is to share it with others via email. We decided to streamline this process by enabling you to protect PDF files and email them in a straightforward process from within All-About-PDF. Here is how to do it:

Email PDFe Files from All-About-PDF

Get started with All-About-PDF today by downloading our free unlimited 14 day trial.

Opinion: Another Example of Why You Should Protect Your Sensitive Files with DRM

This week, we learned that a draft document repealing the precedent set by Roe v. Wade, penned by Supreme Court Justice Alito, was leaked to the press.

Regardless of where your politics lie or what you think about abortion, I think we can all agree that the leaking of a draft opinion from the nation's highest court should never happen.

There were obviously massive security failures for this leak to occur, and this is why we feel that the only real way to protect sensitive PDF files is by using PDF DRM technology.

Let's see how this could have played out had Justice Alito protected his draft with All-About-PDF's DRM technology before sharing it.

First, whoever leaked the document would not have been able to print the file or take a screengrab of it. Second, the Judge could have added an expiration date to limit the document's lifespan to just a few hours. Finally, he could have limited access to the draft by specifying the email addresses of every person who was allowed to view it. In doing so, he could easily track down who leaked the document.

How many times are sensitive documents going to get leaked into the wrong hands before we learn that the PDF format on its own is not secure enough?

Don't be the next victim of having your sensitive information leaked without your consent; get All-About-PDF today!

How To Quickly Share DRM Protected PDF Files

As more and more people continue to utilize the power of our DRM platform to protect the intellectual property in their PDF documents, it is important to us to make the experience of sharing PDFe files as easy and seamless as possible.

We are very proud to announce the immediate availability of the new Apply DRM + Share feature in All-About-PDF, and here is how it works.

Imagine you have a document that you would like to protect and share with your team, and you would also like it to expire in 7 days. Instead of following the usual practice of applying DRM to the file and then emailing the protected file, you can now get a URL to share.

First, download the latest version of All-About-PDF and run it. Next, select the file you would like to protect and then configure all the DRM settings as you would normally. Once you are happy with all the settings, instead of clicking the Apply DRM button, click the Apply DRM + Share button. All-About-PDf will present you with a unique web address that can be used to access the document.

Shared PDFe files can be viewed in any modern web browser.

Please note that your document is uploaded to our secure servers and will be deleted after 14 days.

To simplify your PDF protection and sharing, download All-About-PDF today!

Top 5 Productivity Features in iOS and iPadOS 15

Just like clockwork, Apple offered us a glimpse of whats coming to iOS and iPadOS at it annual WWDC conference. We took the bullet for you and installed the beta versions on our iPad and iPhone to see whats new. Even though there are a lot of new features coming in the next iteration of the operating systems, here are our top 5 productvity features that we are looking forward to.

Quick Notes (iPadOS)

This feature will change the way you use your iPad. By simply swiping up from the bottom-right corner of the device, you summon a new note that floats above whatever app you are currently using. You can then quickly note or type in whatever comes to mind and then swipe it away when you are done. You can also swipe between quick notes (like paging) and also move the quick note "window" anywhere on the screen.

Improved Multitasking (iPadOS)

Multitasking on the iPad has always been hit and miss and this has been mostly due to how undiscoverable the system is. In iPadOS 15, Apple has added a tiny three-dot menu at the top of every app which when invoked, offers the option to move the current app to fullscreen, side-by-side or slide-over. As the current app slides out of the way, you are now able to search and launch any other app either via Spotlight or from the App Library (also new to iPadOS).

Improved File Management

The Files app has grown up a little in iPadOS 15. While it still lack the power and flexibility of a full file manager like Finder in macOS or Explorer in Windows, its update addresses some of the biggest pain points. First, there is now a progress indicator when copying large files to show how much time it will take. Second, when using an external mouse or trackpad, you can select multiple files by simply dragging the pointer over them in the same manner as in macOS or Windows.

Live Text OCR

This handy new feature allows you to quickly recognize and select, copy, lookup, search for text from any photo. A useful example of this is being able to copy a phone number or name of a restaurant directly from a photo in the camera roll.

Focus Modes

Aimed at improving work-life balance, this new feature will help ward off time-wasting notifications while at work or keep business matters from interrupting you when spending quality time with family. Focus Modes in iOS/iPadOS 15 lets you set up different segments of your life that relate to specific contacts, apps or even Home screens. The differents modes can then be triggered by location or time of day.

Which features are you looking forward to most in iPadOS and iOS 15? Hit us up on Twitter and let us know.

How to Convert a PDF to JPG

With All-About-PDF, it is very easy and fast to convert PDF to JPG. You can even convert multiple PDF files to JPG at once.

1. If you havent already, download and install All-About-PDF from here

2. Once installed, launch the application and select the “Convert” card

3. You can then select one or more PDF files to convert to JPG images

4. Hit the JPG button to begin the conversion process

Thats all it takes to convert PDF files to JPG images

Go ahead and give it a try by downloading the free trial below or you can also use our online web application to convert PDF to JPG for free.

How To Convert Word to PDF

A few years ago, Microsoft Word documents were the defacto format for sharing documents. Unfortunately, the format had several limitations including:

- Required Microsoft Word software to view the documents: In order to view or edit Word documents, all users needed to have a licensed version of Microsoft Word.

- Inconsistent Formatting: When a Word document was shared, there was no guarantee that the document layout would be rendered the same on all platforms regardless of operating system or hardware

- Large File Size: A multi-page Word document with images and charts would grow in size tremendously making it less then ideal to share to store

- Lack of Security: As all Word documents are editable by default, it is impossible to control who can make changes to them.

With all the limitations, it is easy to see why the PDF format took over from Microsoft Word as the most popular format for sharing documents.

There is however still one area where Microsoft Word reigns supreme and that is, document creation and editing.

How does one then go from creating a Word document and then converting to a PDF? There are many ways to convert PDF to Word.

1. On Mac OS, Print to PDF is Available System Wide: Let's get this out of the way, if you are using a Mac, you can simply use the macOS's print dialogue to convert any file to PDF.

2. Save As PDF in Microsoft Word: if you are using the latest version of Microsoft Word, you can easily save your Word document to PDF from the Save menu.

3. Use a PDF Print Driver: There are several PDF print drivers for Windows that range from free to paid and they all allow you to print any document, including Word documents to PDF. A few example include :

• CutePDF Writer from http://www.cutepdf.com

• Print to PDF from Adobe

• BullZip from http://www.bullzip.com

4. Use an Online Service: this option should only be considered if the other options here do not work for you and only if your document does not contain sensitive/private data. You can use one of the many free online services to upload your document and have them converted to PDF. Just be aware that whatever your uploading is being sent to third party servers that you have no jurisdiction over.

If you would like to convert your PDF files to other formats such as Microsoft Word , Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, HTML or JPG, or you would like to merge PDF files, split PDF documents and password-protect PDF files, check out All-About-PDF for Windows and online.

How To Convert Webpage To PDF

There are many way to share websites or to bookmark them for reading later. One thing I like to do is to convert a webpage to PDF so that I can add it to my tablet for reading offline. This is handy when flying since airline WiFi (when available and working) still costs an arm and a leg.

Converting a webpage to PDF is very easy and can be done with just about any web browser.

To convert a webpage to PDF in Google Chrome:

1. Open the webpage that you would like to convert to PDF

2. On a Mac, select "Print" from the File menu. On Windows, go to the the top right menu (three vertical dots) and select "Print". Alternatively, you can just press Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) + P.

3. Click on the "Change" button and then select "Save as PDF" as the destination printer

4. Hit the "Save" button and select the folder where you would like the converted webpage to be saved.

If you are using Safari on a Mac, you can convert any webpage to PDF by selecting "Export to PDF" from the File menu.

For Microsoft Edge users, the process is similar to that of Chrome's.

1. First browse to the webpage that you would like to convert to PDF

2. Press Ctrl+P to bring up the Print dialogue

3. Select the "Microsoft Print to PDF" printer

4. Hit the Print button and you will prompted on where to save the converted PDF

Unfortunately for our Firefox users on Windows, you have to download a third party plug-in to convert a webpage to PDF and if you are still using Internet Explorer then please see this article.

Convert Webpage To PDF on iPhone or Android

When you are out and about and are on your mobile device, converting webpages to PDF on iPhone/iOS or Android is just as easy.

On iPhone, in Mobile Safari, open the webpage you desire to convert and then tap the Share icon. From the Share sheet, select "Convert to PDF"; this will convert the webpage to PDF and open the PDF for preview. You can then use the Share sheet once again to save the PDF to iBooks for reading later, cloud service such as Dropbox or Google Drive or share it via Messages, WhatsApp, Email etc.

To convert a webpage to PDF on Android devices, you will need to download Google Chrome if its not already installed.

1. Open Google Chrome and go to the webpage that you would to convert to PDF

2. To the right of the address bar, tap the three vertical dots and select "Share"

3. Select Print

4. Select "Save as PDF"

5. Tap the Save icon

6. Now you can select where to save the converted PDF.

What Next?

Now that you have converted your web page to a PDF, there is more you can do with it. You can split the PDF into multiple pages, you can add password-protection, you can compress the PDF to save storage space and you can even convert it to other formats such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint or JPG. Our PDF toolkit, All-About-PDF, allows you to do all of the above and more. To get started, download the Windows version or try out the online web application - all for FREE.

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Best Free PDF Reader 2019

There is no shortage for free PDF readers on the interwebs and they all vary widely in features and functionality. We looked at a lot of free PDF readers and came up with what we feel are the best PDF readers on the market today.

Our decision was not based purely on features, we also took into consideration how focused and convinient the product is. So, without further a-due, here is a our list of the top 5 free PDF readers in 2019:

SlimPDF Reader

We love SlimPDF because of how focused and convenient it is; sure it doesn't have as many features as the others in the list however if all you need is to read PDF files, SlimPDF’s small footprint makes the smallest dent on your computer and installs fastest.

FoxIt Reader

FoxIt Reader has the familiar Microsoft Office Ribbon interface and that makes it approachable to new users. We especially love its security features that can disable javascript in the PDF to prevent malicious code from running when the document is opened. FoxIt Reader also has downloadable add-ons that can add to the functionality of the base application.

FoxIt Reader’s Office Ribbon UI is familiar

Nitro PDF Reader

Like FoxIt Reader, Nitro PDF Reader also comes with the faimilar Microsoft OFfice Ribbon UI. This application packs more advanced features such as ability to add sticky notes to PDF documents, ability to add annotations and also abily to extract images from PDF files. The only downside to Nitro PDF Reader is that it requires user registration before you can use it.

PDF-Xchange Editor

We have been fans of PDF-Xchange for many years and have utilized their PDF Printer Drivers in many projects. While the application's UI is not the prettiest, it does offer OCR (optical character recognition) that allows you to scan documents and have them saved as searchable and editable text. PDF-Xchange will however watermark the output files that are processed using its "pro" features.

Your Web Browser

You read that right! Most modern browsers such as Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari all have built in functionality to open and render PDF files.

How To Organize and Protect Your Tax Documents

Its the new year and before you know it, it will once again be tax season in America. I don't know about you but to me, tax season basically means having to scan and send documents such as mortgage statements, W2s, insurance statements, business income statements etc etc to my accountants and then they work their magic and send back more PDFs in return. This happens every year so by the end of each tax season, I add more and more documents to my Tax Documents archive.

As you know, keeping your archive of tax documents organized is very important as they are almost always required for transactions of a financial nature. In this post, I am going to share with you how I organize my tax documents after each tax season is over.

Step 1: Store Your Tax Archive in the Cloud

If you don't have one already, sign up with a cloud file storage service such as Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive. Having your tax archive stored in the cloud is great because you can access it from virtually anywhere with an internet connection and you will not lose it should your computer hard drive fail.

Step 2: Create a Folder For Each Tax Year

This one is self-explanatory; in the cloud account, create a folder for each tax year e.g. 2017, 2018, 2019 and so on.

Step 3: Merge All Your PDF Files

The goal here is to end up with a total of 2 PDF files for each tax year.

Merge all the supporting PDF files together into a single PDF (this is the stuff you send to your accountant in order for them to file your taxes) and then merge all the documents your accountant sends back to you into another PDF. You should name the files accordingly.

Step 4: Compress Your PDF Files

Once your PDFs are merged, you will likely notice that the size of the resulting document is fairly large. This is especially true if your supporting documents were scanned in.

Since neither bandwidth nor storage space is free, compress your PDF files to reduce them in size so that they are easier to store and share. You can carry out this step prior to step 3 and achieve the same result.

Step 5: Password Protect Your PDF Documents

Some of you may have been hesitant about the rest of the advice here when the first step was to store your private tax documents in the cloud. And rightly so; with the way the world is going, its more a matter of when and not if, they get hacked.

You definitely don't want the bad guys to have full access to all that private data.

This is reason we have the final step in organizing your tax documents is to protect your PDF documents with a strong password. Once your PDF documents are password protected, only the person with the password can open and view their contents.

For tips on creating strong passwords, check out this LifeHacker article.

Tip: once you have created your strong PDF password, be sure to save it in a password manager such as LastPass or 1Password in case you ever forget it.

Get started with organizing and protecting your tax documents by downloading All-About-PDF today.

How to Convert a PDF to Word

We can agree that the PDF document format is superior when it comes to packaging and sharing rich documents. There are however times when you need to convert a PDF into a Microsoft Word document in order to edit the text or share it with other people that prefer the DOC format.

With All-About-PDF, it is very easy and fast to convert a PDF to Word document.

1. If you havent already, download and install All-About-PDF from here

2. Once installed, launch the application and select the “Convert” card

3. You can select one or more PDF files to convert to MS Word

4. Hit the MS Word button to begin converting all the selected PDF files to MS Word

Thats all it takes to convert PDF files to the Microsoft Word format.

Go ahead and give it a try by downloading the free trial from here