Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers new PDF software with word processor-like features (see article below), an iPad case that's also a keyboard, an Outlook add-on for printing email, a browser-based practice management system, and a private group messaging application. Don't miss the next issue.
PDF Software With the DNA of a Word Processor
People who buy or lease a new car typically fall into one of three groups. Some stick with the same brand and model, albeit the new version. Others remain faithful to the brand, but either downgrade or upgrade the model. And a third group of people completely switch gears (pun intended). This third group is surprisingly large because of the intense competition in the automobile industry coupled with the changing desires and needs of people. The market for PDF software has become similar since the PDF format became an open standard. One of the major players that caters to the legal market just shipped a new version of its PDF software.
PDF Converter 8 … in One Sentence
Released yesterday, Nuance's PDF Converter 8 is PDF software with legal-specific features.
The Killer Feature
The PDF format rules the legal world for exchanging and storing documents precisely because of its greatest weakness. It's not easy to edit PDF files. While you can make small changes here and there, major changes such as adding a new paragraph typically require revisiting the original document and then creating a new PDF version.
Nuance has essentially baked a word processor into PDF Converter 8. In fact, it goes beyond a word processor in some respects. The new "Advance Edit" technology converts your PDF file into a fully editable document. Thus, if you add a paragraph, everything else in the document moves down like in a word processor — but the document remains a PDF file. Also, the new "PDF Collaboration" feature enables two or more people to edit (and annotate) the same PDF file simultaneously.
Other Notable Features
Taking advantage of its market leadership in speech recognition technology, Nuance has built Dragon Dictation into PDF Converter, enabling you to edit documents and create annotations using your voice.
The new Reduce File Size feature creates smaller PDF files — helpful when efiling documents with courts that impose file size restrictions. You'll also find improved tools for forms, signatures, stamps, PDF portfolios, and PDF/A, and a new fax via email feature.
You can choose from two versions of PDF Converter — Professional and Enterprise. The Enterprise version integrates with LexisNexis CaseMap as well as with popular document management systems such as Autonomy, NetDocuments, OpenText, SharePoint, and Worldox. Both versions integrate with Microsoft Office, including the ability to preview PDF attachments in Outlook.
What Else Should You Know?
PDF Converter Professional costs $99.99. The Enterprise version costs $149.99. Both run on Windows. Learn more about PDF Converter 8.
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