"I need it smaller!" - A Hexus_Tech tribute
 

So I get a call from a client today very adamant on compressing a PDF file. Here is a breakdown of how it goes. I've included both phone and email conversation's.

Initial Phone Call:

Client: Hi, I need a PDF document compressed to send via email.
Me: How large is the file currently?
Client: It's 1mb now, I need to make it much smaller to send
Me: 1mb isn't that large for a PDF, how many pages is it?
Client: It's 50 pages
Me: That is already quite small for a 50-page document. Have you tried sending it already?
Client: No, it's too big, I can't send it to them. I need it smaller!
Me: Ok, did you create the document, or was it sent to you from someone else?
Client: It was sent to me
Me: Ok, send me the file via email and i'll see what I can do.
Client: Ok, Thank you.

I get the file in my email and sure enough, it's a 50-page document and weighs in at a *whopping* 1.16mb, Ohh noes! I start trying some different methods to shrink the file, including using Adobe Acrobat 6 Std and re-saving it using "smallest file size" setting and compressing it into a zip file. I could have done more with a newer Acrobat, but hell if I'm shelling out the dough for something I never use nor is it something we provide as a service. Results below:

Acrobat Re-Compression: 1.46mb
Zipped file: 1.08mb

So, I'm not getting anywhere on that front, the file is placed on a secure site for download and I send the following email to the client:

Email 1:
Hello xxxxxx, we have attempted to compress the file, but it is already as small as is possible. However, we have another option which may work. The file has been securely hosted on a website and is available to download.

Please send the following link to the person who needs the file.



Response 1:
Thanks, I went to link but cant get it to save on my computer in pdf

Email 2:
On the left-side near the top of the screen, there should be an icon that looks like a little floppy disk. If you click that icon, you should be able to save the file. You don’t need to download the file again as you already have it, but whomever needs the file sent to them will need to download it by clicking on the floppy disk.

Response 2:
Right, I did that but it doesn’t get save to my computer.

Email 3:
Does a Window that says “Save a copy” pop up when you click on the floppy disk? If it does, just select the location you want to save the file to your computer, then click save.

Have you sent the link to the person who needs the file?

Response 3:
It finally worked but it’s the exact same size as it originally was

http://www.shindou.net/facepalm.jpg

I actually called the guy again after the last email, but I was just out of word's and since it worked I didn't really care at this point...

He was able to send it to you but not to another person?? wtf....

Some email providers are just downright pitiful when it comes to attachment sizes. The person he needed to send it to (he couldn't tell me) may have a limit of 1mb. How he ended up getting it through in the end is still a mystery to me as it sounded like he was able to get it sent via email...

Can we see the Original email manuscripts ?

Shoulda rared it into like 5 chunks or split the pdf into like 10 pages each.

Heh, you grossly overestimate the skills of regular (ie dumb) PC users. There's absolutely no way the guy would be able to figure out how to install/use winrar or piece it back together if it was split up. Hell the guy couldn't even figure out how to forward a link to the person who needed it.

Exactly, they are lucky it's not at least 10mb... personally I'd have laughed at them and told them to GTFO...http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/wink1.gif

(GJ I don't work in tech support!)

I'm off work this week, glad to see somone is filling in for me http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/wink1.gif

How to compress a pdf is a serious question but not serious enough to think over it all day long, I`d like to ask you whether I could find a really simple and convenient programme to make my pdf files weigh smaller so that they could occupy less space in the memory of my phone, that`d be really nice!