Shop Manual Recommendations.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
I'm interested to see if you can use the Search function. The master parts catalog is just scanned and the pages are really images rather than text, so you cannot search for anything.
And, depending on what application you are using, if you can bookmark. That functionality would be extremely handy - just like Dad did when he put little tabs on the factory shop manual.
And, depending on what application you are using, if you can bookmark. That functionality would be extremely handy - just like Dad did when he put little tabs on the factory shop manual.
Now the bad news.
It has book marks for chapters already in it. The problem is adobe doesn't offer bookmarking in the software. I don't know if OpenOffice or other readers do. Its quite surprising to me that adobe doesn't.
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/bookmar...-adobe-reader/
The link above shows how add this to adobe. But it might just be for windows. You seem much more computer savvy than I. Maybe it is of use to you.
I'm just keeping a list of page numbers for the time being,until I can find a better way.
Again it looks like the problem is adobe.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Thanks. I've read the link and will try the hack and let you know how it goes. The issue will be when Adobe wants to upgrade the reader as it usually creates a new folder and the hack will be in the old one. And, I'm not sure the hack will work with new versions, so we might want to stay with what works - if we get it working.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
I'm glad we both have have similar goals on this. I'll let you know how things go with a couple other programs.
I haven't had much time to devote to foxit but the first minor annoyance is that I haven't been able to rename book marks. Not a major issue because you can click through then rather quickly. Hopefully I can change this.
Another thing I hope to be able to do is sync bookmarks and notes between multiple devices. I'll have plenty of time board in a hotel room this coming week. I'm sure I'll make some traction this week.
I haven't had much time to devote to foxit but the first minor annoyance is that I haven't been able to rename book marks. Not a major issue because you can click through then rather quickly. Hopefully I can change this.
Another thing I hope to be able to do is sync bookmarks and notes between multiple devices. I'll have plenty of time board in a hotel room this coming week. I'm sure I'll make some traction this week.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Well, I downloaded the Javascript and installed it in Adobe Reader 11. And it works. But there are couple of problems. First, while it seems to allow any number of bookmarks it numbers them in the order you enter them. I doesn't alphabetize them.
Second, the file I was playing with was rather large - 3002 pages. And this thing pages through them to get to your bookmark. So unless your computer is fast it'll be a bit of a wait on a large file.
Anyway, I'm going to give it a try and see how/if I like it. Thanks.
Second, the file I was playing with was rather large - 3002 pages. And this thing pages through them to get to your bookmark. So unless your computer is fast it'll be a bit of a wait on a large file.
Anyway, I'm going to give it a try and see how/if I like it. Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Any new on this front Gary?
I haven't had time to work on Fred. Norma Jean (my 03 Windstar dd) has been screaming for attention.
Found a Haynes manual online in pdf form. Downloaded it to see if I wanted the paper addition. It's terrible.
But I did stumble upon alldata diy. Much better.
27 bucks a year for your first vehicle. There are a couple sample vehicles to look at, to get the feel of things.
Don't know how good it is for our trucks as I only did the subscription fir my van, money is a bit tight.
If anyone is interested in this do your self a favor. Google promo codes or coupons for that site. I found one 9.99 for the year. Very pleased with it.
I'll order the one for the truck this weekend and let y'all know what I think.
I haven't had time to work on Fred. Norma Jean (my 03 Windstar dd) has been screaming for attention.
Found a Haynes manual online in pdf form. Downloaded it to see if I wanted the paper addition. It's terrible.
But I did stumble upon alldata diy. Much better.
27 bucks a year for your first vehicle. There are a couple sample vehicles to look at, to get the feel of things.
Don't know how good it is for our trucks as I only did the subscription fir my van, money is a bit tight.
If anyone is interested in this do your self a favor. Google promo codes or coupons for that site. I found one 9.99 for the year. Very pleased with it.
I'll order the one for the truck this weekend and let y'all know what I think.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Haysville, KS
The best I found for our trucks has been the original set of shop manuals. I have the hard copies (Expensive) and all of them on CD ($30). The CD one works very well for me. I just use Adobe Reader and have had zero issues with it. I can search, print, etc. no problem.
Haynes, Chilton, and DIY have all been pretty much a bust anytime I've used them for older vehicles. I did use Haynes when rebuilding the engine in the 95 Neon and it was pretty good. For the older stuff, it seems to be factory manuals and common sense
Haynes, Chilton, and DIY have all been pretty much a bust anytime I've used them for older vehicles. I did use Haynes when rebuilding the engine in the 95 Neon and it was pretty good. For the older stuff, it seems to be factory manuals and common sense
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
The best I found for our trucks has been the original set of shop manuals. I have the hard copies (Expensive) and all of them on CD ($30). The CD one works very well for me. I just use Adobe Reader and have had zero issues with it. I can search, print, etc. no problem.
Haynes, Chilton, and DIY have all been pretty much a bust anytime I've used them for older vehicles. I did use Haynes when rebuilding the engine in the 95 Neon and it was pretty good. For the older stuff, it seems to be factory manuals and common sense
Haynes, Chilton, and DIY have all been pretty much a bust anytime I've used them for older vehicles. I did use Haynes when rebuilding the engine in the 95 Neon and it was pretty good. For the older stuff, it seems to be factory manuals and common sense
I'm still trying to figure navigating out a little bit. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
CC - Nothing new. Still running the modded version of Adobe Reader with the ability to bookmark. But to be honest I haven't given it a real workout since the only two things I have on PDF are the master parts catalog and the Pacifica manual.
On the parts catalog I've entered a few bookmarks but they aren't too helpful as I don't tend to go back to the same places since people ask seeming random questions. I suppose over time I would build up a set of bookmarks but since they are in the order you enter them and not alpha order that's not terribly helpful.
As for the Pacifica manual, the vehicle is 650 miles from me and I haven't had a need to use it.
I considered buying Acrobat - until I saw the price of about $300. So I did a bit of searching and found that it takes about $100 to get a package that will allow you to edit a PDF to insert bookmarks. That seems a bit OTT for a $30 manual, so I'm still thinking. And one idea I've had is to see if anyone I know has an old version of Acrobat I can buy.
On the parts catalog I've entered a few bookmarks but they aren't too helpful as I don't tend to go back to the same places since people ask seeming random questions. I suppose over time I would build up a set of bookmarks but since they are in the order you enter them and not alpha order that's not terribly helpful.
As for the Pacifica manual, the vehicle is 650 miles from me and I haven't had a need to use it.
I considered buying Acrobat - until I saw the price of about $300. So I did a bit of searching and found that it takes about $100 to get a package that will allow you to edit a PDF to insert bookmarks. That seems a bit OTT for a $30 manual, so I'm still thinking. And one idea I've had is to see if anyone I know has an old version of Acrobat I can buy.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Haysville, KS
Print out what you need for the job from the CD. Then if it get's eaten by the fan, so be it.
Sounds like justification for a 70" big screen in the shop that I can hook the laptop to.
Hey....
Sounds like justification for a 70" big screen in the shop that I can hook the laptop to.
Hey....
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
If that ain't enough justification I dont know what is.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I know you are probably kidding, but don't go with a plasma TV. I inherited my father's plasma that we got him for Christmas a few years ago and took it to the shop. Then I discovered I can't see anything on it for the reflections. But have a smaller LCD that works well as its screen isn't smooth like the plasma's and refracts the ambient light instead of reflecting it.
