Module 5 - Topic 1

FILE CONVERTERS

Knowing how to convert files from one format to another is really useful especially when helping patrons at the public computers. This module will give you an overview of some file converters and practical skills to do just that!

Our patrons, who are using the public computers, sometimes need to open files in formats for which we don’t have the software on the computers. Those documents have usually been created with other software programmes such as Word 2007 and OpenOffice.org.

Most of the time patrons want to open or download files created with the Microsoft Office 2007 suite of programmes. To open these files you need software that is compatible with the file format, thus the format is converted to another format so that you can open and edit the document. There are a few ways to do this.

Note: When converting files some of the formatting will be lost. Images and graphics might also cause some problems.

Using online productivity tools to open and convert files

As part of the 23Things programme we looked at online productivity tools (#16), such as Zoho and Google docs.

Google docs
If you have a gmail account you can use Google docs easily to upload various file formats, including Word 2007, Excel 2007, Rich text (.rtf), OpenDocument (.odt) and PDF files. At time of writing PowerPoint 2007 still can’t be uploaded. Click on the Upload button and follow instructions. You can then edit it, save it and export it in various file formats, though not yet in Microsoft Office 2007 file formats.

Zoho
You need to have a Zoho account to use the application. Zoho accepts similar formats as Google docs. Click on the Import button and follow instructions. You could also import Google documents into Zoho. As with Google docs you could export the files in various formats, but not yet in the Microsoft Office 2007 file formats.

Our patrons may find it so convenient to have access to these online services that they might make full use of all the features such as online sharing and collaboration.

Online file converters

There are online file converters that can convert a whole variety of files into different formats. Many have a free service package available for occasional users. Some also provide a file hosting service as well. The problem with using these services is that it takes some time before you get your file(s) back.

Generally you upload your file and give your email address and other details. After the conversion is done your file will be emailed to you. Premium accounts will have a shorter time delay than the free accounts. There might also be a restriction of the file size.
This kind of service may not be of immediate help for our patrons, though they might find it useful if they know that they have to allow time for the service.

The most well known online file converters are:
• Zamzar
• Media-Convert
• CometDocs
• YouConvertIt
• Convert Files

There are many others available, some which will only convert certain types of media. As always, you need to read the Terms of Service/Use before using online services.

Although we may not use online converters in our work as such it is useful to be able to pass this information on to our patrons.

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EXERCISES

FURTHER READING
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