PDF-XChange Viewer for Linux - Will it ever come?

[timmorn]

Hello,

will PDF-XChange Viewer for Linux ever come? I would buy it directly if it comes out! In the moment i run it under wine... it works, but not completely, so i don't want to pay for it.

You want to be a alternative for Adobe, so please also support the users which want an alternative for Microsoft.

Thanks

[Paul - PDF-XChange]

Hi timmorn,

I would love to see a linux port but in all seriousness the scope of such a project is simply beyond our resources available at this time. I am an avid Linux user myself and having used PDF-XChange under wine I appreciate your desire to get a Linux port, the program is soooo kewel (alright I'm biased) but it is probably years away if ever to be done.

As Ivan has pointed out in other linux related posts we will continue to try to keep the product as useable in wine as possible however its difficult to divert resources as we do not see the potential returns on what would have to be a significant investment..

I don't mean to be harsh or derisive here but would like to share with you why we take the stance we do regards a linux port.

Thanks for using PDF-XChange even in the form you do, and if the possibilities of a Linux port change we will certainly announce this on this forum.

regards

[ugradedeveloper]

I would just like to say - I once worked at a company that developed a Windows/Macintosh CAD application. From that experience I learned that making a cross-platform application (at least one that is heavily focused on graphics) is more difficult than most users would suspect. It really consumes a lot of developer resources to keep all the existing features in sync and prevent bugs from creeping in, while developing new features that also have to work on both platforms.

It's not just a matter of writing something like this:

Code: Select all

#if WINDOWS then
     drawWindows(x,y)
#else
     drawMacintosh(x,y)
#end

That wouldn't be so bad... but the different platforms have completely different models for handling events and for handling the relationships between various sources of user input. I remember that implementing cross-platform floating toolbars was a particular source of headaches. The code was a confusing mess of portions that were common to both platforms and portions that were specific to one or the other. And the messiness was not because of programmer carelessness... this company had stringent coding standards and each developer's work was subject to periodic group review. The mess was simply an inevitable result of doing cross-platform work.

So, I find it easy to understand why a Linux port is not forthcoming in the foreseeable future.

[meho_r]

A question: are there any problems with registration process on Linux+wine for Viewer Pro? I really don't want to pay for a license just to find out that registration isn't accepted (happened to me with couple of apps) or is accepted, but "unregistered stamps" are still around. So, if any Linux user here has registered his/her copy of Viewer Pro, please share your experience.

[Paul - PDF-XChange]

Hi meho_r

I use it daily on an Ubuntu using Wine and am pleased with it generally. Out of the box it should work with pretty much all features including Live Update. I have successfully used both the installed and portable versions and my serial key is remembered as it would be using the registry on a real Windows machine.

I have not done any exhaustive testing of all the features but am pleased that from 10.04 file association works to call the Viewer through Wine when opening files both from the file system or when opening in the stand alone from Firefox. I have not yet seen the Firefox Addin work but might take a look at this too soon.

What you will not be able to use under Wine is the Print Driver.

We do not formally support PDF-XChange on Linux but I'd be more than happy to help with what ever I can here on the forum.

I hope this helps.

[meho_r]

Thanks a lot for the info. Printing isn't of any importance for me since I can do that from any PDF viewer on Linux. At this moment one thing is a must: creating bookmarks. If that works fine and there are no problem with stamps after registering, then I'm purchasing the licence immediately.

[Paul - PDF-XChange]

You should be able to create bookmarks using the Viewer. test it out first - if you like it simply buy the license and enter it directly int he Viewer under Edit --> Preferences --> Registration --> Registration Key to unlock the Pro features.

Please do test it out in free mode thoroughly first as, even though it works OK in Wine we do not technically support it and we don't offer refunds.

hth

[meho_r]

You should be able to create bookmarks using the Viewer. test it out first - if you like it simply buy the license and enter it directly int he Viewer under Edit --> Preferences --> Registration --> Registration Key to unlock the Pro features.

Please do test it out in free mode thoroughly first as, even though it works OK in Wine we do not technically support it and we don't offer refunds.

hth

I did test it, generally, eveything is working fine, I'm really satisfied with the app. However, I wanted to ask you for a last favor: just to create on your Ubuntu machine a bookmark of two with registered version of Viewer Pro in a pdf file, then save the file and tell me if "buy" stamps are removed (sorry for bothering you, but I saw cases where an app is registered correctly but trial marks aren't removed). I'm planning to buy 3-years support, so I really want to be sure.

[Stefan - PDF-XChange]

Hello Meho_r,

I will speak with Paul to do this test, but please bear in mind that document with the "DEMO" stamps already in them are altered permanently, and even the license version will not "cure" them. It is only for new files that would not be affected after you provide a valid license key, when you add bookmarks.

Best,
Stefan

[meho_r]

Hello Meho_r,

I will speak with Paul to do this test, but please bear in mind that document with the "DEMO" stamps already in them are altered permanently, and even the license version will not "cure" them. It is only for new files that would not be affected after you provide a valid license key, when you add bookmarks.

Best,
Stefan

Yes, I'm aware that documents already containing "demo" stamps cannot be reversed. I meant a clean, previously unaltered document. Sorry for bad wording. Awaiting your response. And thanks

[Paul - PDF-XChange]

HI again meho_r,

sorry I didn't see your post last night. I'd be more than happy to test that for you. Unfortunately for security reasons I don't leave remote access open to my home workstation while I am at work so if you can wait until tonight I will test that. If anyone else on the forum wants to jump in here feel free.

[meho_r]

No problem, tonight is fine. Thanks

[meho_r]

Paul, just to let you know, I got some positive testing results, so I purchased a licence. Works like a charm on my Debian machine

[Paul - PDF-XChange]

hey meho_r

that's great news. I'm sorry I did not get to my workstation last night but will be back Monday.

What environment do you use?
Can you associate PDF files to PDF-XChange OK? I think from memory I had to set mine in Ubuntu.

[meho_r]

hey meho_r

that's great news. I'm sorry I did not get to my workstation last night but will be back Monday.

What environment do you use?
Can you associate PDF files to PDF-XChange OK? I think from memory I had to set mine in Ubuntu.

I'm using Gnome on Debian Sqeeze 64bit. After installation, "shell extension" is added to "Open With" submenu, but PDF-XChange Viewer isn't set as default PDF viewer, which means it has to be manually associated with PDF files: right click on a PDF file > Properties > Open With > PDF-XChange Viewer. But this is not an issue. If I remember well, some time ago I had to manually add the entry in "Open With" submenu. I'm glad there's no need for that anymore.

Everything is working fine for now The only thing I'm missing is support for custom page numbers like roman (any plans regarding that?)

[Paul - PDF-XChange]

very cool. I had to manually set the associations in Ubuntu (Gnome) also. But this is much better than the old days where I had to launch the Viewer and drag files into it or use File --> Open from the Viewer menu.

I must admit that I have been otherwise distracted and forgot to check the bookmark creation like you asked. Sorry about that. I'll see about doing that tonight.

I must check to see if I can load wine+PDF-Xchange on my Android next...

[meho_r]

Paul, how does version 2.5.188.0 behave on your Ubuntu? I have some serious display issues on Debian: when scrolling down a page, I get some horizontal lines over the page and parts of the page get messed. Same happens with plain text too. Here's a screenshot of the issue. Any thoughts?