I'm taking PHI 214 online and we have a number of PDF files that we have to read. We also have online quizzes that are open book. So, if I could convert the PDF's to Word or some other program that I could search for keywords during the quiz, it would be a lifesaver. Does anyone know how to do this conversion?

2/2/2006 10:51:33 AM

why do you need to convert it to search for keywords?

2/2/2006 11:07:38 AM

An open note quiz is a lot easier when you can do a search to find the answer

2/2/2006 11:26:13 AM

If the document was distilled from scanned images, probably not. If the document was distilled from an electronic document, then ctrl+f should do the trick.

[Edited on February 2, 2006 at 11:30 AM. Reason : blah]

2/2/2006 11:29:55 AM

you can search pdf files as long as they aren't images - are you dealing with images of text or actual text?

[Edited on February 2, 2006 at 11:48 AM. Reason : ahh nm - i went to the course website - they are scanned as images - fucked]

2/2/2006 11:47:22 AM

you could try downloading google desktop and using it on your computer.
~skip~

2/2/2006 11:49:20 AM

Thanks to all 3 of you. I'll have to stick to the oldschool way and read the articles and highlight key points. LOL

Skip: I have google desktop but I do not think it will let me search inside the PDF files because they are scanned images like OmarBadu said.

2/2/2006 12:36:51 PM

If the articles are pretty common they might be stored as text or as searchable PDFs in library databases or just on the web. Is this for Hettche?

2/2/2006 11:46:20 PM

2/2/2006 11:47:05 PM

[ghey]

2/3/2006 12:13:01 AM

If they are high quality image scans, and relatively well aligned, you can use OCR software to convert them to searchable text.

2/3/2006 12:29:24 AM

Yes, it is for Hettche's class. Do you know of any free OCR software that could do this conversion? If you can find anymore highlighter pics, that would be great too! LOL

2/3/2006 12:46:11 AM

Someone was able to convert them for me. I really appreciate everyone who contributed. Thanx to all! Especially, the one that was able to convert. I owe you one.

2/3/2006 1:08:37 AM

This is more a study issue thing than it is a technology thing.

Make an index of keywords and what page/documents they appear in. I've done that for several classes I know that do open book/note exam and it works out nicely. Can also do a TOC if you care to.

2/3/2006 5:37:10 AM

That is a good idea. I think I will incorporate all the tools discussed in this thread.

2/4/2006 12:30:35 AM

All you need to do is type into google, pdf file converter....they usually offer a 7 day free trial...hoep that helps

2/5/2006 11:15:35 PM

I had someone convert a like 400 page manual with OCR software or whatever gets the text read out of the scans. It sure it handy to have something as real text...

2/6/2006 8:39:21 AM