Converting documents

Conversion helps you share documents when not all members of your workspace can use the same programs. Conversion translates a document from one (typically application specific) file format into another that you and your colleagues may be able to read and edit more easily than the original format. The original document remains unchanged.

Converted documents may also be encoded – usually with the aim of reducing the document size, thus reducing the storage space requirements and the download time. When you use en­coding, you need a matching decoding program on your local computer in order to make en­coded documents readable again. Please make sure that all members of your workspace have the necessary programs installed on their machines and have configured their Web browser to start these programs when they encounter the file type of an encoded document.

In order to convert a document, you proceed as follows:

•      Select   Send to    Converter  from the action menu of the respective document in the fol­der list­ing.

•      The ‘Convert’ form shows a list of those formats into which BSCW can convert your document. Arrows in this list indicate the path of conversion: if an arrow, e.g., points from format A to format B, conversion to format B will be effected by first converting a document to format A and from there to format B. The list also briefly indicates the major types of potential information loss during conversion into the different formats.

•      Enter the name of the converted document, select the destination format and/or the en­coding to be applied and confirm your selection.

•      BSCW will write the converted file into your clipboard, from where you may paste it to the location requested, and then displays a form which lets you immediately download the document and also summarizes the loss of information during conver­sion.