Friedbeef’s Tech

Want to make simple edits to PDF files and don’t want to go through the hassle of actually installing software?

PDF Hammer is a website that allows you to edit your PDF files online for free. You don’t need to install any additional software, you can edit PDF documents right now inside your browser.  It’s as simple as that.

PDF Hammer is in beta and currently has the following features:

• Reorder pages
• Delete pages
• Append PDF to another PDF

Note that this works best with minor edits as described above - and if the PDF file you wish to edit is small enough to upload and download quickly.  If you want a more powerful editor or need something computer based, you may want to try some PDF editing freeware which we reviewed previously.

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I’ve previously written about how expensive printer ink can be (It’s one of the most expensive liquids in the world!),  but just like death and taxes - your printer will one day inevitably … run out of ink.

When that happens - you basically have 3 ways of replacing the ink:

#1. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or brand name products

A “brand name” inkjet or toner cartridge is just that - it’s a printer cartridge that carries the brand name of the manufacturer on it, usually the same as the printer manufacturer, for example, Epson, Canon, Hewlett Packard, etc.

#2. New compatible, off-brand or generic products

A “new compatible”, “off-brand” or “generic” inkjet or toner cartridge is manufactured by a company other than the original printer manufacturer. There are a large number of these “new compatible” manufacturers, and it’s quite true that the quality of their product can vary (more on that a bit later). In the case of inkjet cartridges, “generic” cartridges are completely new.

#3. Remanufactured products

A “remanufactured” inkjet or toner cartridge, by definition, is a cartridge which has been serviced, cleaned, refilled with toner or ink and possibly had a few component parts repaired or replaced.

- from info-leeches via about.com

The Case Against Compatible/Generic Inks

While obviously much cheaper, the quality of generic printer ink has traditionally been suspect especially when dealing with high quality color prints (Check out this 2003 PC World Test chart).

Left uncontrolled, some of these inks offer poor quality and even worse - may clog up printer heads.

The Case For Compatible/Generic Inks

1. ISO Certification of generic manufacturers

To step up the competition however, some generic ink manufacturers have now stepped up and implemented ISO 9001 standards.  This now ensures a consistent quality across their products.

2. Rising costs of original printer ink

It’s an open secret that printer manufacturers make almost no margin on their printers and recoup all their profits through selling expensive printer ink - even to the extent of selling printers at a loss!

Compatible/generic inks on the other hand can be up to 80% cheaper depending on the brand.

Further Resources:

Should you still decide to go with generic/compatible Inks, you can try getting ink at Inkshop.co.uk.  What I like about their ink cartridges is that everything they sell is manufactured under stringent ISO 9001/9002 standards which should go a long way quality-wise.

Possibly the best study I’ve seen on this topic was done by PC World.  Granted it’s a bit dated (4 years old), but it gives a good idea of what to expect.

Would you buy compatible/generic inks, or would you stick to originals all the time?  Let us know in the comments!

Disclaimer: InkShop.co.uk has paid me to write on this topic, and to give an honest opinion.  Please note that all opinions expressed in this post are completely my own, and have not been influenced by InkShop.co.uk in any way.

[tags] printer, productivity [/tags]

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10 days ago, this blog set forth on a comment drive for charity - enabling readers to change the world by simply dropping a comment.  I’m happy to say we got a pretty good response, as we received 25 comments telling us about non-profit sites from across the world!

Here’s the thing…Based on the number of comments I received, I was supposed to donate USD$25 for medicine to nurse a malnourished child back to health… but I just found out that ChangingThePresent.org doesn’t currently accept Malaysia (my country) as a donor country (why?)…

Not one to be thwarted - I’ll still be sticking to the USD25 donation, but will be buying gifts from WorldVision Malaysia instead.  25 USD converts roughly into RM80, and this was how the money was used.

• 1 insecticide treated net which provides protection for children and their parents in India for RM20
• 1 year’s education and school materials for a poor native child in Malaysia for RM30
• 1 donation to the HOPE HIV/AIDs fund to help to care for those who have been affected by the epidemic RM30

17 ways to change the world through the Internet

Here’s a look at the sites that were submitted for this project by our readers:

1. FreeRice.com - A web game which donates rice to feed the hungry and improve English at the same time! - Thanks and Ty & LeftOverChef
2. Global Fund for Women - An organization championing women’s rights around the world - Thanks Anna
3. Plan USA - Helping the poorest children in the world - Thanks GaG
4. Mercy Malaysia - Malaysian rapid medical response for the assistance of communities affected by disasters be it local or international - Thanks Syahid
5. RedApes.org - Dedicated to saving Orang Utans from extinction - Thanks yvy
6. TheHungerSite - For a few clicks each day you can earn money to help a variety of causes - Thanks Colin
7. The Water Project - Helping those with lack of access to clean water - Thanks Peter
8. Katine Project - Improving the lives of the 25,000 inhabitants of Katine, a village district in Uganda - Thanks Andrew Turner
9. Alliance for International Monasticism - Provides financial support that helps monasteries get projects going within the community - Thanks Sister Edith Bogue
10. World Community Grid - Donate spare CPU cycles to help research programs for AIDS/HIV & cancer - Thanks Yasser
11. World Vision Australia - Sponsor a child and help them get their basic needs - Thanks Lizabeth
12. Sepilok Orangutan Appeal - Help preserve Orang Utans in Borneo - Thanks Lizabeth
13. Tzu Chi Foundation - Buddhist relief organization - Thanks Jonathan
14. Kiva.org - microfinance site helping poor entrepreneurs - Thanks gLf
15. Bubel Aiken Foundation - helping young people with special needs - Thanks Bobbi
16. PhilAbundance - Food bank in Philadelphia - Thanks endgamebaby
17. Heifer - Helping to build sustainable communities in needy nations worldwide - Thanks TRWexler

Find something that interests you - and get involved today!

Thanks for making a difference!

Note: This is a followup post in response to ’How to Change the World. One Gift at a Time‘.  Find out about this blog’s other charity initiatives here.

[tags] charity, happenings[/tags]

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