Author Topic: free eXpert PDF 3 - Full commercial app, as sold for £40 (Read 14081 times)

NigelH · « **on:** March 06, 2007, 08:56 PM »

Grab it while it's still available. Make sure you register to get the serial number.
This is the full commercial single-user version of eXpert PDF 3
I've stopped using Jaws PDF Creator (V3.4) in favour of this.
http://www.pcauthori...ad/expert-pdf-3.aspx

cthorpe · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2007, 03:14 AM »

Looks like a good program. There are a few little issues that I found with it, but thankfully both can be fixed very easily.

First off, the program automatically puts itself in your autostart registry entries at hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run. That is easily removed.

Second, when you create a pdf and exit the window, the program stays running in the background eating up a ton of resources (30mb of ram in Working Set alone on my machine). You can change a bit in the registry to stop that from happening.

It's at: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Visage Software\PDF Printer\Options

Change the DWORD value for StayBackground to 0 (zero). If you don't see that DWORD, create it and set it to zero.

Now when you are done creating your pdf and exit the program, it won't stick around in the background. This does cause a longer delay when you tell a document to print to the program, but I'd rather wait a few extra seconds than loose all that ram.

Curt · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2007, 09:31 AM »

First off, the program automatically puts itself in your autostart registry entries at hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\currentversion\run. That is easily removed.
-cthorpe (March 12, 2007, 03:14 AM)

Isn't this a typo? There is no such address in hkey_local_machine\software.

AbteriX · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2007, 10:50 AM »

Hi Curt,
It must be "software\microsoft\WINDOWS\currentversion\r..."
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Tip:
If you find it, use the favorites menu to bookmark the key as "HKLM run".

Note, there is also such an Run-Key for the current user (depends which user is logged in):
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HTH

Curt · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2007, 12:50 PM »

Hi Curt,
It must be "software\microsoft\WINDOWS\currentversion\r..."
-AbteriX (March 12, 2007, 10:50 AM)

The PDF printer, vspdfprsrv.exe, was using 2.4 MB memory which is not unusual, but of course in no way necessary. Well, that's history now: Thanks for the directions!

NigelH · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2007, 07:20 PM »

"cthorpe" , thanks for the StayBackground tip .

I use Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel and StartupMonitor to handle "startup" issues.
http://www.mlin.net/

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2007, 07:57 PM »

I use (and have advocated) Mike Lin's Startup control Panel but recently have had a number of issues with parameters being dropped when you temporarily disable items.

It seems to be abandonware these days (as do the rest of Mike's utilities last time I bothered to look - also his forum has now gone because it attracted so much rubbish and was pretty much left unattended) so I would caution 'use with care' unless you simply want to delete startup items.

Curt · « **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2007, 08:42 AM »

Grab it while it's still available. Make sure you register to get the serial number. This is the full commercial single-user version of eXpert PDF 3 http://www.pcauthori...ad/expert-pdf-3.aspx
-NigelH (March 06, 2007, 08:56 PM)

The link was http://www.pcauthori...ad/expert-pdf-3.aspx

- and if you hurry, you can then upgrade this version 3 within the next two days (before 10. March] to the all new Pro 5, at half the normal price, £20 - instead of £40.

~~Upgrading link~~: [Edit: http://emea.0mm.com/...S50RO6AV0aez0Dqqe0Eg ]
- promotion code EXPDF5-UPG - ~~VAT is added~~.
[one more after-edit: VAT is included !! Total: £19.99]

tinjaw · « **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2007, 09:13 AM »

I cannot find a list of improvements from version 3 to version 5. Can anybody locate it?

cthorpe · « **Reply #9 on:** March 27, 2007, 09:37 AM »

I cannot find a list of improvements from version 3 to version 5. Can anybody locate it?
-tinjaw (March 27, 2007, 09:13 AM)

Well, version 4 adds:
Move up to the latest eXPert PDF Professional 4 and you'll be able to save your documents as images, instead of PDF (JPEG, JPEG 2000, GIF, TIF, EMF and BMP formats supported). There's also a more powerful PDF editor, the ability to create and manage hypertext and URL links within a document, and protection options that can limit users rights to print, edit, or copy your finished PDF file.

And it looks like version 5 has vista support. Don;t know what else.

C

tomos · « **Reply #10 on:** March 27, 2007, 09:38 AM »

thats €50 (Euro - do ye even see the Euro symbol in States??)
+ 20% VAT
not cheap, well, depends

i guess

I cannot find a list of improvements from version 3 to version 5. Can anybody locate it?
-tinjaw (March 27, 2007, 09:13 AM)

I cant even find Version 5 at their website - the latest version there is 4.2.50

EDIT: overlapped with your post cthorpe

tinjaw · « **Reply #11 on:** March 27, 2007, 09:50 AM »

FYI: the upgrade from v3 to v5 is USD $32.13 during the 50% off deal.

Curt · « **Reply #12 on:** March 27, 2007, 02:18 PM »

I cant even find Version 5 at their website - the latest version there is 4.2.50
-tomos (March 27, 2007, 09:38 AM)

- they do say so: registered customers will be offered version 5 before the public is notified about the new version.

As for what is new, they only say very little in the add:

What's new in version 5?
NEW – Now you can convert Word documents into PDF files, and PDF files into Word documents, making Expert PDF the all-in-one PDF solution
NEW - Convert multiple files into PDF files at the same time.
NEW - Compatible with Vista, the new operating system from Microsoft.

- of course that is compared to version 4, and 'we' upgraded from version 3, so what was new from 3 to 4 is hard to tell today, isn't it.

Curt · « **Reply #13 on:** March 27, 2007, 02:24 PM »

thats €50 + 20% VAT
-tomos (March 27, 2007, 09:38 AM)

£20 with VAT included can hardly make €60 - please fix your calculator!

Curt · « **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2007, 02:50 PM »

The listed price with VAT included is $37.76, or €29.54

Curt · « **Reply #15 on:** March 27, 2007, 03:09 PM »

Silly me; I have forgotten to tell, that you don't need to install version 3 or 4, because the new installer will ask you first to remove the old version. Version 5 is a fresh installation.

And the link was http://emea.0mm.com/...S50RO6AV0aez0Dqqe0Eg

Curt · « **Reply #16 on:** March 27, 2007, 03:32 PM »

And the answer from one of the competitors came at once

$40, normal price $50 - BUT DO NOT ACCEPT THIS OFFER, BECAUSE WHEN YOU LEAVE THEY WILL OFFER YOU A FURTHER CUTDOWN AT 15%

http://dr.bluehornet...9EEB101250E0824EB20C

PDF Converter 4: Key Benefits

Precise Conversion of PDF into Popular Word Processing Formats
Instantly Convert PDF files into fully formatted Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect documents that look just like the originals - complete with text, columns, tables and graphics.
Spreadsheet Conversions
Convert PDF files into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and retain accounting, currency, percentage, date, time and other special formatting that make it much easier to perform calculations or change data on a converted spreadsheet.
Convert PDF Forms into Microsoft Word Forms
PDF Converter includes Logical Form Recognition™ (LFR), advanced form conversion technology used by the IRS, Secret Service and other leading organizations that allows PDF forms to be turned into Microsoft Word forms that can be edited or filled.
PDF Converter Assistant
PDF Converter delivers unmatched ease-of-use with the PDF Converter Assistant. Accelerate the PDF conversion process PDF by eliminating the need to open the document in its native application.
PDF Thumbnail Preview and Page Ranges
Converting only a few pages from a long PDF document is now a breeze. Quickly preview the pages within a PDF file and select a specific page or page range for the conversion process.
Support for PDF Passwords and Encryption
Use passwords to access and convert protected PDF files when additional document security is required.
Scanned Paper PDF (Image) Files
PDF Converter processes files that are created from scanners or imaging applications. Control the number of image pages processed as well as the resolution used for graphics in converted pages.
Application Integration
Developed in collaboration between Microsoft and Nuance, PDF Converter is seamlessly integrated into the "File Open" menu in Microsoft Word. Short cut buttons and right mouse access is available within Microsoft Word, Outlook, Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer and the Microsoft Windows desktop.
Does Not Require Adobe® Acrobat®
Convert PDF files without the need for any additional software.

tomos · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2007, 04:19 AM »

thats €50 + 20% VAT
-tomos (March 27, 2007, 09:38 AM)

£20 with VAT included can hardly make €60 - please fix your calculator!
-Curt (March 27, 2007, 02:24 PM)

Curt,
that wasn't my calculator,
that was the price they quoted me.
From the first link you gave, & in post 15

well, actually it was €49.95 or something alon those lines

& didnt say if it included vat
it DID originally say £20 (or 19.95) but maybe when I selected Euros it went back to full price??!!
I dunno. By direct conversion £20 = €30, still doesnt add up..

The link doesnt work for me today, but the link in last post does

BUT DO NOT ACCEPT THIS OFFER, BECAUSE WHEN YOU LEAVE THEY WILL OFFER YOU A FURTHER CUTDOWN AT 15%

Curt -
how do you mean dont accept their offer ?
(usually Ctrl+W is my way of not accepting an offer

- i guess you mean something else ..)

tomos · « **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2007, 04:28 AM »

BTW, the Expert PDF feature-page is
http://www.visagesof...pertpdf/features.php

Curt · « **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2007, 05:39 PM »

BUT DO NOT ACCEPT THIS OFFER, BECAUSE WHEN YOU LEAVE THEY WILL OFFER YOU A FURTHER CUTDOWN AT 15%
Curt -
how do you mean dont accept their offer ?
(usually Ctrl+W is my way of not accepting an offer - i guess you mean something else ..)
-tomos (March 28, 2007, 04:19 AM)

The listed price is $50. The sales offer is $40. If you follow the link and close it again wityhout accepting their offer, a popup wil ask you to wait, offering you a $6 rebate:

-and so making it $34:

As for the second offer on this thread, eXpert Pro 5, the listed price with VAT included is £19.95, $37.76, or €29.54.