Hey all,

My father’s business requires him to work a lot with PDF forms, combine PDF files, convert scanned pictures to files, etc.

I’ve found Master PDF editor, but I’ve found it to be buggy – specifically when trying to create a new PDF from multiple files the program errors out saying it can’t create the file.

I’ve also tried running Foxxit PDF editor through WINE but that’s abysmal.

Any recommendations on Linux native software paid or FOSS, that can fill forms, create/combine PDFs, and do basic edition (rotating pages, etc) that my 70 year old dad can learn to use?

I moved him away from Windows with the Windows 11 debacle, and he’s liked Linux so far except for this one issue

Thanks all for your help?

***** EDIT *****

Thanks all for your responses, I’ll be trying out StirlingpPDF, PDFSam, OnlyOffice, and re-trying MasterPDF editor over the holidays while I have some 1:1 time with my dad. Tl;Dr: playing family IT and switching your parents to Linux is rough 😂

  • gerdesj@lemmy.mlEnglish
    1·
    2 months ago

    https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF

    I put one in at work. It sat idle for a while until a member of my admin staff asked me how to do a job involving pay slips. We discovered the pipeline tool in Stirling. It is now a permanent system with an SLA!

    Each tool has a nice big icon or you can create desktop or browser shortcuts to the ones of interest - ideal for keeping it simple.

  • logging_strict@lemmy.ml
    0·
    2 months ago

    When Python coders create documentation popular options: Sphinx and mkdocs. pandocs for converting a lone vanilla ReStructuredText file.

    With Sphinx can create user manual and PDF!

    Let me politely add a big warning, there is a learning curve

    Any user level questions regarding Sphinx can send my way

    • tapdattl@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      2 months ago

      This would totally work if it was for me, but the constant complaint from my dad is, “This was easier on Windows, why did you switch me to Linux?” So it has to be 70 year old man easy. Thank you, though!

      • logging_strict@lemmy.ml
        1·
        2 months ago

        when faced with people with that position/attitude/minset, i have a phrase for that, grandma gets a smartphone. These people really aren’t made to be using tech.

  • rescue_toaster@lemm.ee
    0·
    2 months ago

    Don’t browsers allow you to do form fillable these days? I swear i just filled one with firefox the other day. Maybe that’s too limited?

    For combining pdfs, pdftk from the command line is my goto. The command line interface for it isn’t too complicated.