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convertibles

Convert your PDFs to MS Word

There are several well-regarded, free ways to take advantage of the Print function to transform just about any file to a PDF. PrimoPDF and doPDF sit at the top of the list, but what about reverse engineering that conversion? Converting in the other direction, from a PDF to a Microsoft Word-compatible format like DOC or RTF is trickier.

For one thing, there's a lot of crap out there. Many PDF-to-DOC converters have similar or even identical names, differentiated sometimes by nothing more than a cunning tap of the space bar. Many offer features that are hamstrung in various ways … Read more

Convert PDFs to DOCs

Advanced PDF to Word Converter Free doesn't start off well, but, surprisingly, leaves you with a nearly-perfect document. When you install the program, it will ask you to reboot. While rebooting makes sense for programs that have deep hooks into your operating system, it strikes warning bells in such a simple converter. However, the final DOC output from this PDF to Word format converter looks pretty good, albeit with some image quality degradation and minor text alignment problems.

The program sports drag-and-drop additions, adding an entire folder or individual PDFs from different folders and custom output folders, and output … Read more

Convert from PDF to Word for free

Free PDF to Word Converter shares many things in common with its competitors besides a similar name. There are some useful features here that try to address the various needs and permutations of PDFs, but it struggles to get a final output that looks perfect.

There's no drag-and-drop support, but the program can batch-convert PDFs without being restricted to specific folders. You can also customize your output folder, and choose a destination format in RTF or DOC. There's support for high levels of security, with space to provide passwords from the PDF owner and the PDF user. You … Read more

Great DOC output, but a bumpy road to get there

Converting PDFs to Word-compatible formats while not paying for the privilege nor getting scammed can feel a bit like herding cats. Free PDF to Word Doc Converter gets a few things wrong, but eventually will land you the DOC output you want.

Impressively, it offers one of the cleanest and most accurate free PDF-to-DOC conversions around. Users can change the output path and name, convert an entire document or just specific pages, and ditch images in the source PDF if need be. From there, it goes a bit downhill. The option to open the output DOC in WordPad didn't … Read more

Some is better than none

Some PDF to Word Converter is one of the better free PDF-to-Word format converters out there, but like its competition it's far from perfect. Its interface is basic but uncluttered, even with all of the user options handily available in a sidebar on the right. It handles batch conversions, converts outer fonts into text and embedded fonts into images, and supports both All Pages and page-range specific conversions. Some PDF can also remove graphics on demand from the output document, which is always in the RTF format.

Its biggest drawback is that the conversions aren't always the cleanest, … Read more

HP TouchSmart tx2z not good for art vault heists

This is a conversation I had with myself while watching episode four of "Dollhouse," in which one of the main characters is involved in the break-in and robbery of a vault filled with valuable works of art:

Me: Hey, I think that's the HP tx2z that guy's using. Me: Yeah, it totally is. Me: Wonder if he's using the multitouch to rotate his plans every time he changes direction? Me: Doubtful. The multitouch is slow and inefficient on that thing. Me: You wanna talk about inefficient, how 'bout that AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core ZM-86 … Read more

VW builds Barbie dream car for Barbie Malibu mansion

Some might call it a bit of an extravagant gift for a girl who doesn't even exist, but VW helped Barbie celebrate her 50th birthday by creating a pink custom convertible Barbie car for her dream home in Malibu.

Five colors were mixed to create the perfect hot pink. The New Beetle is outfitted with a custom white leather interior and convertible top, hand-stitched floor mats, pink quilted leather-lined door pockets and armrests, and plenty of rhinestone accents and vanity mirrors. In the trunk is what every girl will be asking for in her next car: a motorized vanity. … Read more

Convert PDFs, other files for your Kindle

Kindle users know they can e-mail documents as attachments to their Kindle account and Amazon will convert and upload them to the e-book reader for a 10-cent fee. Windows users aren't tied to the e-mail option, though, thanks to the Auto Kindle eBook Converter.

Compatible with PDF, HTML, LIT, PDB, and CHM files, the program opens to a Windows file browser. Choose the file you want to convert, hit Open, and then choose your destination folder. The converter goes to work, generally converting files quickly--although this depends on the length of your document.

When it's done, connect your … Read more

Convert to Kindle

Lacking a fancy name and a fancy interface, and still in beta, Auto Kindle eBook Converter nevertheless quickly converts some of the most-used desktop formats to a Kindle-friendly MOBI for free.

Compatible with PDF, HTML, LIT, PDB, and CHM files, the program opens to a Windows file browser. Choose the file you want to convert, hit Open, and then choose your destination folder. The converter goes to work, generally converting files quickly--although this depends on the length of your document. When it's done, connect your Kindle to your computer and move the file into the Documents folder. Safely disconnect … Read more

Free PDF conversion software (Monday only)

Here's a little something for business users: PDF Converter can turn any PDF into a Word document while keeping all text, images, and formatting intact. Normally, it sells for $59.95, but it's available free on Monday from Giveaway of the Day.

The catch? You must download and install the program today, March 2. That's how Giveaway of the Day works: The site offers a new commercial-software freebie each day of the week, with the only requisite being that you act on it within that 24-hour window. Hardly a catch at all, in my book.

In addition … Read more