Mac 101: Use Automator to extract text from PDFs

Here are some tricks and tips of using Mac 101 the most efficient and user friendly way. I am sure all of us have tried copying and pasting pdf content to some word or pages document. Trust me, the results are quite disenchanting, as the document would end up looking like a kids job, with absolutely no format, messed up lines and diagrams, photos all gone awry, what a mess! And then, the clean up begins, you spend almost 5 times the amount of time putting the entire document back in order, if not more, especially if the document happened to be bigger than normal. Now I have learnt that there is a very simple and efficient way of doing this and yes, it is a Mac application. This magic wand is called Automator.

What is an Automator? This is a user friendly application from the Mac 101 and helps you do what you have wanted to achieve seamlessly for a long time. The steps are quite simple, you need to create a workflow; thereby almost creating a chain of commands that will help you in achieving the end result; without having to go through the entire set of instructions every single time.

Here is how you do it.

1. Once you open Mac, click on applications and open Automator. A prompt then asks you to select a document type. You need to select workflow, and hit enter. This is critical; as it helps you create the command chain I was mentioning earlier. The second command prompt is to select “Ask for finder items” from the files and folders on the far left of your screen. Drag this command to the far right space where it is mentioned as “Drag actions or files here to build your workflow”. This completes step 1.

2. Click on pdf in the far left column and select “Extract pdf text from second column”. This your second chain of command. Drag “Extract pdf text” into the space on the right where you have built the workflow. Now a completed workflow has been created by the Automator.

3. In the Extract PDF Text bubble of the workflow, select Rich text instead of plain text. This is done to retain the original formatting as far as text characteristics are concerned. Now choose location to save your extracted file, give a title and save. Make sure to save as an application and not as a workflow.


Finally, open your Automator application and select the PDF you want to extract the text from. A new Rich text document will be created; from which you can copy and paste the contents into your preferred word document. Though Mac has always trailed windows as far as usage is concerned, a large part of the virtual community still swear by Mac as a great application; and this application called Automator only helps in proving their stand right.

Well, I am sure one of your most long standing issues as far as PDF is concerned is solved now.

Why Apple Hardware Is Redonkulously Over-Powered

Apple has been a pioneer when it comes to new products that take the market by storm, and it is no surprise that even after Steve Jobs, the company seeks to keep and extend its overpowering control of the market share. By pioneering, I mean that Apple always comes up with products which no other organization has thought about, equipping its machines with features that are almost too powerful for the machine to hold and the users to use.

Let us take the example of the 64-bit A7 processor that adorns the iPhone 5S. Does a Smartphone need a 64-bit processor, my god that’s too much.; Its like equipping an aircraft with rocket fuel, when you know that the aircraft will always use jet turbine fuel and never be used as a rocket, at least in the near future. A 64-bit processor can combine with a 4GB RAM, but then that is too much for a Smartphone, which comes with a maximum of 1GB RAM. So that’s a bit of an overloading.

Another prime example is the Mac Pro, a computer which is way too much of a computer. It is superfast, and has an ability to use graphics in ways more than you can imagine, which is ridiculous, as a vast majority of users are hardly going to need such stuff on their computers.

While we argue that Apple hardware is redonkulously overpowered and that such over kill of technically advanced hardware ends up overpricing the machine, there is also the ego that an apple product carries into this world. Such an attitude creates an aura around the product, even though practically speaking, such advanced hardware is of no use unless you have enough practical uses to put these hardware to.

Some advantages though of launching such over powering hardware are: 

a. Higher Benchmarks: By launching a product way ahead and powerful, you are setting higher benchmarks for competitors, where-in they try to match Apple products.

b. Durability: Such advanced products with higher prices also come with longer durability, thereby reducing your costs in the longer run.

c. Once an Apple, always an Apple: An Apple product once bought, becomes so unique that all your future purchases revolve around this product, due to the high initial cost which makes it indisposable as well as the fact that no other product in the market matches the speed and efficiency of such over powering devices.


In the present scenario, such an overkill may seem to be an excess of technology, but in the longer run, such an act of bravado could sow the seeds for inventions in line with such technological advancements from other organizations as well. Hoping for a better technological future!

Is the iWatch in danger?

On the way Apple iWatch is struggling with problems. MacRumours reported that the screen of the smart clock consumes too much power. Therefore Apple is thinking about better alternatives. Furthermore, they have stopped a prototype test.

t is most likely to hurt Apple since Bryan James left the company. James was worked on the iPod project and he was also a part of the iWatch teams. Now he moved to Nest Labs. Despite the setbacks, the team is still large enough, Apple could meet the schedule. Rumors predict that it may be released on or before the end of 2014.

First rumors to iWatch came on in December 2012. The Chinese blog TGBUS reported, citing informants, it shed more light that Apple is working together with Intel on a smart watch. The gadget should have a 1.5 -inch OLED display and connect via Bluetooth with mobile devices. A report published in February 2013 patent application from 2011 also includes plans for devices with flexible screen and a solar cell as an energy source. IOS operating system is to be used.

 How serious Apple in a project is reflected with the number of employees working in a particular project. Both the Financial Times and Bloomberg said that Apple staff for the iWatch increased massively. Over one hundred developers and designers should take forward the work on the smart clock. A first version was tested already tested by Apple according to a report in the New York

Times in February 2013. Analysts hold a launch in 2014 may be realistic. As the Guardian reported, also the production contract for the SmartWatch has already been awarded to the The Taiwanese Company Quanta and Inventec making the smart clock in 60:40 ratios. According to Angela McIntyre from market research firm Gartner the starting price of Smartwatch may be around 149-199 U.S. dollars.

How to control Apple TV with a third-party remote

Apple Televisions are becoming more and more popular and as it is normal with any new technology; different problems have started surfacing as usage increases. One of the most common issues with any television is the compatibility of remote control devices, with many equipments having specific remote controls that control that equipment, thereby making it compulsory on the users part to either ensure that the remote is kept in good condition or go back to the company for purchasing remote controls; in case the one you have fails. This throws open another challenge in the way of availability, as post a number of years the company tends to discontinue production of certain models as well as accessories that come with it.

Apple TV also faces a similar problem. What do you do? Are you aware that, a third party remote, which has come with some other equipment of yours, can now be paired to work seamlessly with the Apple TV. There are a few steps that you will need to follow to ensure that the Apple TV is paired with a remote control device other than the original one.

First select the remote that you want to use on your Apple TV. . There are numerous buttons on your remote and frankly, there are always some which do not have any use with the present set up that you will have. Select one of these buttons. This will serve as your Apple TV remote control button.

On the TV, open settings select General, press Remotes. There you will find an option called “Learn Remote”. From hereon, it is just a matter of following certain simple steps to pair this device with your TV.
Select Start. Apple TV will show icons that normally indicate the six buttons on an Apple remote. There will also be the Up or + button which needs to be in highlight mode. Using your remote, press and hold the button on your remote that you want to use on Apple TV. A blue progress bar will indicate the progress as far as the pairing is concerned. Once the progress bar is full, it is a clear indication that the pairing has been successful. One of the six instructions for an Apple remote has been converted to suit your remote. Similarly, you could follow the same steps to configure all the six functions.

A few programs that you could use for the other five are certain advanced features like playback, fast forward, rewind, next chapter etc
…
A couple of issues that could crop up when you are pairing are:

1. “No Signal Received” – Check the remote to ensure that the button you have decided to use has been enabled. Also check the battery strength of your remote.

2. “Button already learned” – This message appears if the button that you are using already has a function assigned to it. Select another button and repeat the pairing procedure.

Overall, an excellent feature that sadly, has not caught the eye of the consumer in a big way. This can certainly revolutionize the usage of televisions in times to come.

iPhone App Review: DoodleJump

We have seen so many games on mobiles that a new one hardly arouses our curiosity. But, here is one that may generate a fair bit of heat once you get hooked on to it. Many mobile handset manufacturers have come up with various stages and styles of jumping games but Apple has taken a big leap ahead with DoodleJump. This game, brought out on the iPhone is a bit like PapiJump, but is distinct in its style and sketch, a typical uniqueness that oozes charm and chutzpah.

Let me take you through this one. If you are artist, even a starter of one, DoodleJump will give you a nice surprise as it reminds you of the various characters that you have drawn on your rough notes when in school or college. Here, they seem like coming to life. The animated doodles are great fun, and the game is quite addictive and will see you getting hooked on for a pretty decent amount of time, a fair bit more than you would generally anticipate. This game is typical of jump games, where you aim to jump as high as possible. Every time the doodle creature lands on a surface, it aims to jump higher. Jump with care, as the path is strewn with dangerous aliens, UFOs, crumbling platforms, black holes and many such hazards that tend to make life difficult as you go up.

The controls are quite basic, with an accelerometer that helps you move left and right and a tapping on screen function that makes the doodle fire a bullet to kill its obstacles. It is a pretty simple game with simple instructions and a simple goal. Now you would be wondering as to what makes the DoodleJump a great game, if it was so simple. Well, to be honest, it is not a tech marvel, but a simple game with a nice feel and ring to it, something that draws you to keep playing it on and on. A great add on is the global leader board which allows you to track similar players and their scores on iPhone network. Also, the variety of having cute hand drawn doodles jumping furiously to make it to the next level is a great addiction by itself.

A small wish from my end is to make the game a bit more musical by adding some back ground tunes to the jumps as well as the elevations. That could make it very pleasing to hear as well. Over all a good value for price and time well spent, especially if you are one of those who spend a considerable time over the handset.