PDF-like Software and electronic signature

[Martin]

Hello,

I have a Brother MFC-6800 that includes scanning capability.

Up until now, I've been sending contractual agreements in Word format.
Additionally, with Word, I haven't been able to include my digital signature
in lieu of a handwritten one.

1. I'd like to know if there is a software that is akin to Adobe into which
I can scan documents through my MFC.

2. Is there a free (or paid) software that can produce my electronic
signature, and, if so, is it legal in the States?

Thx in advance!

Martin

 

[Eric]

1. I'd like to know if there is a software that is akin to Adobe into which
I can scan documents through my MFC.

The simplest way would be to scan the documents and then "print" them
to a PDF file. Your scanner should have something for the first part.
If not, than Irfanview could talk to it if it is TWAIN compatible.

I use FreePDF to do the second part. You can get it at:
<http://freepdfxp.de/fpxp.htm> I really like how you can add print
jobs together: I'll write and "sign" a cover letter and then add
supporting documents from other sources (photos, spreadsheets, other
PDFs, etc.) to create a single PDF.

2. Is there a free (or paid) software that can produce my electronic
signature, and, if so, is it legal in the States?

Sign a blank piece of paper, then scan it in. Use Irfanview to trim it
down to just your signature and save it in a couple of formats (PNG,
JPG, GIF). You can import this directly into your wordprocessor. I
have done this with my full signature, my "friendly" signature, and my
initials.

For more difficult stuff like signing something someone has faxed to
me, I load/scan the document into a more powerfull image editing
software like Serif's "registerware" PhotoPlus
<http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/> and add the signatures I need.

I don't know if it's techincally "legal" but I've done this tons of
times and nobody has ever complained. If you are faxing it back or
sending a PDF, how would they even know the difference?

 

[Martin]

Eric,

Thank you for your reply.

Regards,

Martin

| Martin wrote:
| > 1. I'd like to know if there is a software that is akin to Adobe into
| which
| > I can scan documents through my MFC.
| >
|
| The simplest way would be to scan the documents and then "print" them
| to a PDF file. Your scanner should have something for the first part.
| If not, than Irfanview could talk to it if it is TWAIN compatible.
|
| I use FreePDF to do the second part. You can get it at:
| <http://freepdfxp.de/fpxp.htm> I really like how you can add print
| jobs together: I'll write and "sign" a cover letter and then add
| supporting documents from other sources (photos, spreadsheets, other
| PDFs, etc.) to create a single PDF.
|
|
| > 2. Is there a free (or paid) software that can produce my electronic
| > signature, and, if so, is it legal in the States?
| >
|
| Sign a blank piece of paper, then scan it in. Use Irfanview to trim it
| down to just your signature and save it in a couple of formats (PNG,
| JPG, GIF). You can import this directly into your wordprocessor. I
| have done this with my full signature, my "friendly" signature, and my
| initials.
|
| For more difficult stuff like signing something someone has faxed to
| me, I load/scan the document into a more powerfull image editing
| software like Serif's "registerware" PhotoPlus
| <http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/> and add the signatures I need.
|
| I don't know if it's techincally "legal" but I've done this tons of
| times and nobody has ever complained. If you are faxing it back or
| sending a PDF, how would they even know the difference?
|

 

[Iain Cheyne]

2. Is there a free (or paid) software that can produce my electronic
signature, and, if so, is it legal in the States?

PGP (I use GPGTray)

or

http://cryptonit.org/

or

http://sharencrypt.sourceforge.net/

I cannot help you regarding legality.

 

[Martin]

Iain,

Thank you for your reply. Much appreciated!

Martin