It finally happened. Someone sent me some Microsoft Publisher files so I could bid on a contract to create a website. And, of course, I don't have Microsoft Publisher. I use OpenOffice.org; I have no need of Microsoft Office. Microsoft tried to sneak around that by creating a format some people would think is a standard, which would cause us all to run out and buy Microsoft Publisher.
Normally, if it weren't a contract, I would have just marked the files 'return to sender'. But this is related to work, so instead I was nice. I converted them to PDF, which of course is another format that I don't like but which does have a no-cost viewer. Presto, magico.
Of course, if Microsoft supported open standards, we non-Microsoft Publisher people wouldn't have to do that, but... it is what it is. And as usual, there are ways around it. Life goes on.
Technorati Tags: 
Thanks
Being a college student, I try to save money wherever I can. Naturally, I'm a big supporter of open source. This page was one of the first results from google when I was trying to figure out what program opens .pub files. Thanks for the info, it was very helpful.
Great! Thanks a lot for the
Great! Thanks a lot for the pdf online link!:)
I cannot open my Publisher file with Open Office, why?
I downloaded Open Office because because this website said I could. I cannot seem to find the right filter to use to open a Microsoft Publisher file.
You cannot open Publisher files. And you didn't read the entry.
.Pub files are Microsoft's proprietary format, and they don't share. This entry - above these comments - explains how I converted them. Please take a moment and read the entry, and follow the links.
No, you didn't read your entry.
Nowhere in the entry do you *literally* explain how to convert the files. Adding a link is not enough. I had to read the article 3 times before I realized that the words "convert the file" actually link to the online converter application. It might be better if you add this: "I went to this *link* online convertion website (www.pdfconverter.whatever) *close link* and submitted my file for conversion."
Thanks for the info, and sorry to sound a little bit angry but you trolled the guy before me for something that, in my humble opinion, is a lack of clarity on your part.
Best,
D
Hrm.
Well, Diego, if you can't spot a link then... how did that become my fault? And how can you accuse me of trolling when I simply said 'read the entry again'. The link is apparent enough. This is the internet. Links add depth of information; I don't want to spend time typing when one can simply follow a link. If you have a browser, you should be able to follow a link.
I'm sorry you sound a bit angry, too. It simply doesn't fit. Criticism is welcome, but I do write things pretty clearly - and where something is not apparent, there is usually a link for a reader to use. This is pretty common on the internet. I apologize on behalf of the internet.
editing .pub
The link for converting to .pdf is super and all, but what if I actually want to edit the .pub file? Any suggestions on how to continue editing a .pub file when I no longer have access to publisher?
I wish there was.
But you'd have to ask Microsoft to do something about it. I'm sure if you write them a nice polite letter they will listen to you. :-)
C'mon guys!
LetLet's not be petty here. KnowProSE, thank you so much for the link (no matter where you put it!). It saved my a**. This is the kind of thing that makes the internet so worthwhile. I appreciate you taking the time to share this link (and thankg google for leading me to you!). Thanks, guy!
Pro
Thanks
Thanks for the link, but they're right - at least change your styles so links are underlined or blue or something (could be that I'm in IE6, but I'm at work..) people aren't used to mousing over every word!
Diego is right
KnowProSE is the jimmy fallon IT nerd from SNL. Moooove!
And you're...
someone who celebrates web illiteracy.
Next?
Great Article, Thanks for the Help!
Unlike some other people, I followed the link and got what I needed. Great Article, Thanks for the Help!
MS Publisher does not come
MS Publisher does not come with MS Office Standard or Pro.
Thanks for the Great Link
Thank you for the link Taran, it converted my file fast and accurate. (https://www.pdfonline.com/convert_pdf.asp)
following the links
I moused over several of the links and saw that they went to Wikipedia. I didn't feel the need to have "PDF", "Microsoft", "open standards" or any other of these words explained to me so I didn't follow them. Thus I missed the one link that actually had some meat behind it, the link that actually went somewhere -- the link to the pdf converter. So yea, that particular link could have been explained better.
pfdonline 2MB limit
So what does someone do when they have a file larger than the 2MB limit on pdfonline? I have a 3.9MB .pub file that I can't open!
Gawd I DESPISE M$!
They simply do a web search
They simply do a web search for another online converter service that handles larger files.
Simple Search Correction
Oh, stupid me, I didn't think that search might come up empty, leaving the person who politely asked a question searching elsewhere.
Thank you for this post on
Thank you for this post on converting .pub files, about time someone found a way around Microsoft's money-grubbing file format tactics. The conversion worked perfectly, very helpful, will pass on.
Thanks!
This worked brilliantly. Thank you so much for the lead.
Whats open office got to do with it then???
Ok, I understand there is a link there however I see many links there and one of them was open office which when someone says I used open office..... well I assume they used open office to read the file, obviously it did need to be more clear but It got the job done and I say thanks alot as it also saved my a**!!
I would however like to know where open office comes into the equation?
thanks
Well, its quite simple.
I don't have a need for Microsoft Publisher because I use Open Office. But that doesn't stop people from sending me those files. Thus, I needed a way to deal with those files.
OK?
Taran thanks for the hand with the .pub file
Converter worked like a charm and took less than a minute.
So long and thanks for all the fish...
Your the man!
THANK YOU SIR MAY I HAVE ANOTHER - FUCK MICROSOFT - LONG LIVE OPEN SOURCE and shit like this that gets the job done..
p.s. - I had no problem finding the link, and those that did are idiots!
Post new comment