In an earlier post, I wrote about the joys of Linux, specifically Ubuntu. Linux users have the choice of a fantastic pdf reader, KPDF.
When using KPDF’s “select” tool, you draw a rectangle to make a selection, then you are given some choices for copying:
- text: copy to clipboard
- image: copy to clipboard
- image: save to file.
KPDF using the select tool
Under the settings menu, you can ask it to disregard any foolish DRM limitations. DRM restrictions have driven me crazy in the past. Common limitations include:
- not allowing you to copy and paste out of it
- not letting you print
- not being able to save as a new file.
Documents from large corporations, like their financial statements, frequently make use of DRM prohibitions.
Update: Okular is very similar, but nicer looking. Selecting, copying and pasting work the same. DRM limitations are still disregarded.
For Windows users, I recommend the Foxit Reader. It is free, lightweight and plays really nicely with Firefox. It also has a nice snapshot tool that allows you to make a selection and copy it as an image to your clipboard. It does not, unfortunately, circumvent DRM.
If there are good pdf readers for Windows that can get around DRM restrictions, I would love to hear about them. Comment and share below!
