Author: Offdrive

Do you want to learn how to reduce PDF file size without losing quality?

PDFs are the most versatile file type used among different people across the world today. This is because these files don’t lose their format when converted, can accommodate different media with ease, and are sure to pose no problem when sent to different users.

The only problem with these files is that they often take up a large space. Compared to other files like DOC and XLS files, each PDF file can be at least 5 MBs even if they contain only around 100KB of text.

This can pose a problem as it means that it will take longer for files to send, or not send at all. Reducing size often means losing quality, though, but there are great ways around it. Read what’s below to learn how you can reduce your PDF without compromising its quality.

Using Dedicated Software

First, let’s take a look at the best options for you to use natively on your device. These are the programs that exist solely for you to use to compress different files with. Many of them even compress PDF files only.

A good example is NXPowerLite. This is a program that’s compatible with Windows OS. This is a great option for you if you’re looking to send your PDFs through emails.

This attaches to your preferred emailing platforms like Outlook or Google. It then detects attached files and will automatically compress them before sending. NXPowerLite also has a standalone application that allows you to compress PDFs by batch.

All you need to do is archive them first before compressing the folder. This allows for significant size reduction without risking the loss of data.

If you often use your mobile for these tasks, then you may not be able to use NXPowerLite. However, there are also mobile apps that can do the job for you. Compress PDF is an app that can help you compress your PDFs, helping you save storage space on your mobile without compromising PDF quality.

Adobe Acrobat

We can’t talk about dedicated programs without mentioning Adobe Acrobat. While it’s not exclusively for PDFs, it has tons of useful features that allow for PDF compression.

Acrobat allows you to save your PDF in a smaller size. You do this by highlighting the Save as Other option and selecting the Reduce Size PDF option. You’re then presented with a prompt that allows you to select a version for compatibility before you can save the file.

The only problem with this method is that it lowers the quality of any image attached to the PDF, too. A better alternative would be to go to the Optimized PDF option in the menu. Go to the Space Usage Audit option that’s under Save as Other, again.

Doing this allows you to control each element of the file. This way, you can choose which elements to compress in the file. It’s a great way to make sure your images don’t become distorted during compression. 

You can also use this feature to remove any unwanted elements in the file. Things like links, bookmarks, and even script items from Java and such can increase the size of a PDF. Review your content to check if you need them in the file or not.

If you realize that the impact of your file won’t change even without certain elements, consider removing them. By the end, you’ll find that the file will be much smaller in size.

Compressing Files Online

If you don’t want to install any software onto your device, you can always opt for using file compressors online. There are tons of free software available for you to choose from all over the Internet. 

PDFresizer is the most popular option. This allows you to resize a PDF file simply by uploading the file to the website. Once there, you can choose to resize it, crop and split the file, or merge it with other files. 

The document will display itself as a preview for you on the website, too. This allows you to scan it for errors or for anything that you don’t like. You can then proceed to download the compressed PDF back into your device afterward. 

There are more tools for you to discover online. These are great options for you to go for if you’re working remotely. This is an important choice to have since we have more remote workers today than ever before.

Choose the Color Palette Carefully

Most people don’t know that even a simple choice in color can cause the PDF’s size to increase. This is often because they choose from the wrong color wheel when creating the file.

Choosing from the CYMK color wheel will increase the PDF file size. This is because these have sharper colors. These colors need more space to properly display, causing PDFs to inflate even more.

It’s best to choose from the basic RGB color wheel, instead. These colors need less space since they’re easier for devices to process.

If you need to use the CYMK medium, it’s best to do so when converting to EPS files or such, instead. This way, it won’t be as inflated as it will be as a PDF.

This applies even to the default background of the PDF. A PDF theme that uses tones from the CYMK color wheel will be much more bloated. 

Learn How to Reduce PDF File Size Without Losing Quality Today

Reducing the sizes of your PDF files will only be beneficial for you. Doing so without losing quality ensures your files are easy to read, and won’t present any error when opening. Optimize your PDFs and save yourself the trouble of bulky file sizes today!

Now that you’ve learned how to reduce PDF file size without losing quality, you’re ready to convert them. Check out our free online conversion software to get started! Open your PDFs in the right file type today!

If you really think about it, computers are a marvel and proof that human genius has gone very far. Nowadays, you can go online and do just about anything, including creating online documents, converting files, and communicating instantly. If you are fascinated by technology, you can take the next step and learn all about computers.

This article will list several facts about computers that you may find fascinating. 

1. Around 70% of Virus Engineers Work for Organized Crime Syndicates

People can engineer computer viruses, which can seriously affect your computer and your data. A computer virus is a malicious computer code that can spread across devices. This virus can then damage your device or steal important data. 

The ability of computer viruses to infect files and stop your computer from working becomes especially concerning once you find out that most of the virus engineers out there work with an organized system of crime. 

2. HP, Microsoft, and Apple All Started in a Garage

What is it about garages that have inspired entrepreneurs to create the huge technology firms that we see today? HP, Microsoft, and Apple all have the same humble beginnings by starting in a garage. 

HP – or the Hewlett-Packard Company – started in 1939 in a Palo Alto garage. After they graduated from Stanford University as electrical engineers, Dave Hewlett and Dave Packard started working in a rented garage on the company. 

Microsoft, started by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, managed to land a deal in 1980 to provide the operating system for IBM’s first personal computer. In a matter of a few years, Microsoft became the world’s largest company providing personal-computer software, and is still highly popular today. 

3. The First 1GB Disk Drive Weighed 550 Pounds

If you look at disk drives today, you’ll see that they are very small and light, easily carried everywhere. When IBM created the very first 1GB disk drive in 1980, however, it weighed a whopping 550 pounds. It was as big as a refrigerator, too, which made moving it around quite impossible for the average person.

Not only that, but the disk drive would cost $40,000, whereas a Microsoft drive today would cost around $500. 

4. For 20 Years, US Nuclear Launch Codes Was OOOOOOOO

Nuclear codes were useful to prevent unauthorized usage of nuclear weapons. The only person who can actually decide to launch a nuclear missile will be the president of the United States, which makes the security of the codes even more important. 

This is why it may come as a surprise that the password of the computers for the nuclear missile launches in the United States was, for two decades, 00000000. This was what the passcode was during the peak of the Cold War, too, and it wasn’t really a secret from the crew who were managing the silos. 

5. A Woman Was the First Known Computer Programmer

Nowadays, people consider Lady Ada Lovelace as the world’s first known computer programmer. Her mother encouraged her to learn Mathematics and logical problems, and her father was the famous poet Lord Byron.

She was known to have written the world’s first machine algorithm for a computing machine.

6. Creeper is the First Ever Computer Virus

Another one of the fun facts about computers is the first-ever computer virus.

Bob Thomas made ‘Creeper’, which is also the name of a character on Scooby-Doo, in 1971. The virus made computer screens display the phrase: ‘I’m the creeper, catch me if you can!’

The Creeper virus was a worm, which meant that it would replicate and spread to other computer systems. The virus wasn’t particularly harmful or stole any form of data. Instead, all it did was display that message. 

The inventor limited Creeper to realms of research and so was not intended to cause harm or replicate beyond the scientific study. A 15-year old created the first-ever wild virus called Elk Cloner which impacted Apple II computers. 

7. John Lasseter Was Fired for Promoting Computer Animation 

Disney fired John Lasseter in 1979 for promoting the idea of computer animation. At that time, Disney’s main focus was on hand-drawn animation work, while Lasseter believed that computer programming was the future of animation.

After this, John Lasseter went on to co-found Pixar, which created movies such as The Incredibles. In 2006, Disney bought Pixar and placed Lasseter in charge of the Walt Disney Animation Studios. 

8. Nearly 85% of All Emails Are Spam

If you have an email, you’ll notice how much spam you receive daily. It’s a problem that almost everyone has encountered, and the statistics confirm this. In fact, nearly 85% of all emails are spam, which makes almost 122 billion spam emails globally every day. 

While this number keeps changing, the amount of spam email has currently been declining – which is perhaps good news for you!

9. The First Computer Mouse Was Wooden

Douglas Engelbart created the first computer mouse in 1963. It was part of an experiment to see whether there was a better way to click on display screens and immediately blew up in popularity. And, just like the first computer, it was made out of wood. 

Fascinating Facts About Computers

Computers are a huge part of our daily lives, but not a lot of people know some of the most interesting facts about computers. The fact that the first disk drive was $40,000, for instance, is something that we can find hard to imagine in this day and age. 

There’s no shortage of exciting things you can learn about computers, and technology is only going to keep getting more sophisticated. 

Convert your files with us today. 

PDF was a huge step toward the future at the time of its release in 1993. It aimed to solve the problems that arose with transferring files over different systems.

Using this technology, people can share files and documents without changing their look. They will look the same everywhere, no matter what system they used.

It’s a useful feature even today, but what if you want to edit it or convert it to Word? The good news is we can convert file documents to other formats easily. Check out the different ways of converting PDF to Word below.

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Your Acrobat programs can convert your PDFs for you, but it comes with a price. While you can use it to view PDF files without limit, you need to have a subscription to edit or convert them.

To be specific, you need a subscription to Adobe Acrobat Export PDF. It’s an Adobe Document Cloud service that also allows you to convert PDF files to Excel and RTF file formats.

You can use it right on your Adobe Acrobat Reader software, but you can use it anywhere. If you’re using another computer, for example, you can use your web browser to access it. You can also download the app on your mobile phone.

A subscription costs about $1.99 per month, which they bill yearly. With this plan, you can also use the Add Comments, Share, and Fill & Sign tools for free. You can also choose other plans if you need more features.

For preserving formatting, this is the best choice. The conversion will keep all fonts, images, and alignment. The subscription fee is a small price to pay for turning a lot of PDFs into Word documents.

However, it’s too much if you only need to use the feature once. In this case, you can take advantage of the seven-day free trial to Acrobat Document Cloud. This allows you to export several PDFs into Word for one week.

Adobe Website

If you don’t have an Adobe Acrobat Pro but you still want to use an Adobe product, go to their website. They have an online PDF to Word converter you can use for free.

The upside is that you can be sure you won’t lose the document formatting. As the inventor of the PDF file format, Adobe makes sure that their online tool preserves the font, images, and alignments of the document even after conversion.

To use their converter, upload your PDF by clicking the “Select a file” button. You can also drag the document from your computer to the upload area. Uploading usually takes only a few seconds, but it still depends on the size of your file.

Once it’s uploaded and converter, you can then sign in to download the file. You can sign in by entering your registered email address or via Google, Facebook, or Apple. If you don’t sign in, the file will disappear from their servers.

You can also share the converted file with anyone upon signing in. It’s in a DOCX format, which is editable once you open it with Microsoft Word.

Note that this service is only good for converting one file. You’ll need to have a subscription to convert more files or wait for a day for another chance.

Adobe has more Acrobat online tools in case you need to do more with PDFs. You can also convert Word to PDF or even PDF to JPG.

Free Online Converter

Adobe’s website isn’t the only browser-based converter, though. Through a simple search of “PDF to Word” on Google, you’ll get many options of websites that can convert PDF to Word file documents for free.

The process is pretty much the same as in above. You upload your PDF document, convert it, and wait for it to finish. You can then download it as a Word file with preserved formatting.

The PDF document should be on your local hard drive. However, some websites allow you to upload it from your Google Drive, Dropbox, and such.

Some websites have more functions, like allowing you to convert several files at once. You can also convert to PDF file formats if what you have is a Word document.

These websites don’t usually have a single function, too. Most of them can also convert other file formats into several other file formats. You can convert MOD files, for example, or convert files to SVG.

In short, you can convert images, audio files, videos, documents, and almost any type of file with the help of free online converters.

Google Docs

Google Docs is also helpful in converting PDF documents, and the best thing about it is that it’s free and limitless. You can convert as many files as you want, although it does take a few steps.

First, you have to go to Google Docs and upload the PDF file(s) you want. Click on the folder icon on the right side; this is the open file picker.

If your file is in your Google Drive, you can search for it under the My Drive option on the opened window. Otherwise, you have to upload it under the Upload tab. You can only upload one file at a time.

The file will automatically open on another window after it’s uploaded. But, you need to open it as a Google Docs file.

To do that, click the “Open with” button at the top-middle part and choose Google Docs from the dropdown menu. Once opened, click on the File menu, select Download, and choose Microsoft Word (.docx).

This will save the document as a Microsoft Word file on your computer. You’ll also notice that you can also download it in other formats, like .epub, .txt, .rtf, or .pdf again.

The downside to using Google Docs to convert file formats is that it doesn’t preserve the images. It will still be readable, and tables might still be there, but it’s not the best choice when you have other elements in your file aside from text.

Convert File Formats Today

Converting PDFs to Word or vice versa isn’t a difficult task given the numerous options available to you. Whether you need to convert file formats only once or multiple times, our list above should be helpful.

Are you looking to convert your file to another type? Our free online tools will help you with this! Check out which ones we have and what files need converting today!

Do you want an easier way to back-up your documents and photos without needing to take up extra storage space? Then you’ll want to consider storing pictures in the Cloud as well as your files.

First invented in the 1960s, cloud computing has enabled the separation of data and hardware. Once you upload your data to the Cloud, you’re able to access it from any device, anywhere. However, it’s important to know a few rules of thumb so that you can make cloud storage work for you. 

Read on for our simple guide on the best cloud storage tips as well as more information to get you started! 

What is Cloud Storage? 

It first helps to know a little bit about how cloud storage works. Simply put, it allows you to store any kind of data on the Internet via multiple servers. If you want to access that data, you’ll have to be online. One of the main benefits of the Cloud is that you’ll be able to access your data no matter where you are and on any device. 

This is beneficial for personal use as well as commercial applications. Multiple employees are able to access the same file in real-time without waiting for emails or long download speeds. Cloud solutions are also scalable, meaning that you don’t have to break the bank if your business is still small and growing. 

Cloud Storage Basics

Now that you know a little about cloud storage and its benefits, it’s important to know some best practices so that you can make cloud storage work for you. The best cloud storage solution won’t be beneficial if you don’t know how to use it! Here are some of our top recommendations: 

1. Keep Backing Up Your Data

Since cloud storage’s main benefit is backing up your data, it’s important that you upload your files to the Cloud regularly. Hardware problems, power surges, or other cataclysmic damage can’t be predicted. When this happens, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that even if your computer isn’t able to be repaired, all of your files are still safe in the Cloud.

However, this isn’t possible if you’re not regularly updating your data and making sure that everything is relevant. Create a schedule on your calendar or automate your computer back-ups. CrashPlan and other server backup software are able to do the work for you by backing up your entire hard drive regularly to the Cloud.  

2. Pay-As-You-Use 

It’s important to remember that if you’re a sole proprietor or own a small business, you don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars a month in order to access cloud storage. Some options like Google Drive or Dropbox are even free before you hit a certain threshold.

One of the best parts about cloud storage is that you only have to pay for more storage you grow. Even if you unexpectedly need to store more data, many plans are flexible and allow you to pay for more storage on the spot. 

3. Remaining Compliant

Cloud compliance can be an issue if you’re handling sensitive data that’s then stored on multiple servers throughout the world. For this reason, it’s important for any organization to be completely aware of these details with their cloud provider: 

• What type of data you should upload 
• How is the provider going to protect the data
• How they’re going to back-up your data
• How you can audit their security framework

Remember to classify your data and ensure that not all of it is being kept in the cloud, as some types of data are better to be kept internally for greater security. Take your time when trying to find a cloud provider and make sure they’re reputable! 

4. Encourage Collaboration

Another prominent benefit of cloud computing is that it can encourage collaboration between all of your employees, even if some are working from home and some are in the office. The reason for this is because they have an easy, centralized area in order to access documents even as they’re edited and updated. 

For this reason, make sure to continue encouraging collaboration by ensuring that everyone understands how to access the Cloud. You can do this by creating a document of all the processes and steps to go through or tasking one employee to enforce your policies.

5. Consider a Multi-Cloud Setup

A multi-cloud setup can be beneficial if you’re looking to save some money. For instance, Google Drive and Amazon services are great free options for cloud photo storage or files that don’t need to be updated regularly. There are also cloud services that back-up your entire computer on a weekly or monthly basis in the case of hardware failure. 

By using multiple services, you’ll be able to ensure that all your bases are covered in terms of file management without breaking the bank. However, it’s important to keep track of and manage all these services closely so that you’re not paying extra for redundancies. 

Learning the Best Cloud Storage Tips

Learning these best cloud storage tips is important if you want to utilize the Cloud in the most efficient way. For instance, you’ll need to remember to use multiple cloud services in order to keep your computer automatically backed up each week or month.

If you’re a growing business, however, there are plenty of free options that help you save money and give you the cloud storage you need. As you grow and retain more clients, you’ll be able to pay for more storage without over-spending. 

Before you switch to the Cloud, it’s important that all your files are formatted the right way for easy access. Check out our free online file conversion tool today to speed up your workflow even further! 

A picture is worth a thousand words. Yes, even when that picture is on a computer. 

We share 3.2 billion images every day. Some of them are photographs, others are landscapes, and others are paintings and drawings. But there’s one thing that connects hundreds of millions of images together: their file type. 

The JPEG is one of the most shared types of files on the Internet. Yet it can be confusing. After all, there seem to be just as many JPGs as JPEGs.

Is there a difference between a JPG or JPEG? Here is your guide to find out. 

The Basics of the JPEG

JPEG stands for “Joint Photographic Experts Group.” The Group is a subcommittee for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The members create standards for digital images, providing users with consistently high quality. 

Most people who use the term refer to a file extension also called JPEG. It is a bitmap compression format, meaning that a photograph can be uploaded and converted into a digital image. 

Digital cameras and photo-sharing devices use JPEGs. They support nearly 17 million colors. The format can support an image up to 65,535 x 65,535 pixels, but most files are smaller. 

But the process is not perfect. JPEG compression can result in colors blurring in images with sharp edges. 

The process is a lossy compression method. It creates a small image that loads quickly. But unnecessary information is eliminated, preventing the full image from being restored. 

The Basics of the JPG

Many people think that JPG is separate from JPEG. But there are no differences between the two. 

JPG exists because early versions of Windows limited file extensions to three letters. JPEG became JPG. UNIX and Mac did not have this limitation, so those users continued with JPEG. 

New versions of Windows accept more characters in their file extensions. But many systems allow for JPEG to accommodate users who may get confused. These systems often allow the file to change either way. 

Converting an Image to JPG

If you need to convert your image, you can do so easily. If you’re in Windows, start by opening the image. You can pick whatever photo app you are using. 

Click the “File” menu, then click on the “Save As” command. A drop-down window will appear on your screen, and you can select JPG/JPEG. Pick a name for your file, then hit “Save.” 

Mac OS comes with an app called Preview, which is an image editing program. Select your image in Finder and click on it. 

The image should open in Preview automatically. If it didn’t, right-click on it and select “Open With.” Then find Preview from the scrolling menu. 

Once Preview is open, click the “File” menu at the top of the screen. Click the “Export” command. 

A window will pop up, allowing you to select a format. Select JPEG, then adjust the “Quality” slider to change the quality. Higher quality produces a bigger file but a clearer image. 

You can change the name of your file in the “Export As” section. Then you can hit “Save.” 

Using a Website to Convert

Some websites offer services that allow you to convert a photograph to a JPEG. You upload your image onto the site, then select your quality.

Some sites allow you to color your image or enhance it in some way. You can then convert the image to a JPEG, and it will upload onto your computer. 

But you should be careful when using a conversion website. Some websites attach viruses that download onto your computer. You may suffer from malware or spyware. 

Do not click on a banner ad that promotes a service for converting images. Research the website and authenticate that it is genuine. Install virus protection software just in case. 

Other Image Formats

You may have heard of other kinds of image file formats. JPEG is the most popular, but plenty of people use other ways to compress images. 

GIF stands for “Graphics Interchange Format.” GIFs are commonly used for web graphics, including animations. They are the second most popular image file format behind JPEG. 

They are limited to 256 colors, far fewer than JPG. But they are easy to make, and they are easy to convert into formats like WAV. 

PNG stands for “Portable Network Graphics.” It is a lossless format, meaning it loses no image information while compressing. Designers created PNG to improve GIF, supporting more colors and textures. 

Unlike GIF, PNG does not support animation. MNG is an extension that can. But MNG is incompatible with most browsers, so GIF is best for animations. 

TIFF stands for “Tagged Image File Format.” TIFF is also a lossless format.

This is ideal for high-quality printing, especially in a professional setting. But it can create very large files. When converting to a TIFF, make sure you have room on your computer to store it. 

Bitmap is a format for Windows. It is a lossless format, creating very high-quality images. But its file sizes are bigger than TIFF, making TIFF a better option. 

RAW images are unprocessed images. They are akin to a digital negative. They hold all image information, but they require processing in a photo editor. 

Should You Choose a JPG or JPEG? 

When you’re converting an image, you may ask yourself, “Should I choose a JPG or JPEG?” The answer is either one. 

A JPEG compresses an image, producing a colorful and small file. “JPG” is simply an abbreviated way of writing “JPEG.” There’s no difference between the two. 

Use the software on your computer to convert an image. Consider a GIF if you want an animation or a TIFF for high-quality printing. 

Pick a website that converts your images without hurting your computer. Offdrive provides free and premium file conversion tools. Find your beautiful JPG today.