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drummer5645

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 8, 2014
88
12
Trying to handle a closing on our new home. Documents flying all over. I am using Thunderbird and Mail. Neither will work due to file size, one 11.9MB and the other 10MB and.zipped. They will go out separately but not together. I really could use some help.

Latest Maverick and 2013 Imac 21.5 with an idiot operator
 
If both are zipped and still total 20mb, there's not much you can do. There's 7zip that offers a better compression but you still need to use the zip file format and that will limit the level of compression. Also keep in mind PDFs don't compress much anyways so I think you may be stuck with sending out multiple emails.
 
It's probably a limitation of your email service provider. Who do you use? I know Gmail will handle large attachment sizes.

I've even seen email services, by a corporate network, able to send files up to 75MB.
 
In this house buying process everyone is into pdf and some docs. It is driving me crazy. I can't even send faxes through and online provider. I do thank you for your response though.

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I think the issue is my provider now that I think about it. Will call them later this am after the Facetime home inspection. It definitely allows anything in, its just out . I also 35mbps in with boost to 50 and out at 20. Provider is Cox [US] and is the top level residential.

Thanks everyone though for the quick pitch in.
 
In this house buying process everyone is into pdf and some docs. It is driving me crazy. I can't even send faxes through and online provider. I do thank you for your response though.

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I think the issue is my provider now that I think about it. Will call them later this am after the Facetime home inspection. It definitely allows anything in, its just out . I also 35mbps in with boost to 50 and out at 20. Provider is Cox [US] and is the top level residential.

Thanks everyone though for the quick pitch in.

You could upload the docs to your Dropbox account then send a link to the docs.
 
I think iCloud is like 10 maybe 11MB, my company has a fairly strict limitation as well - 10mb.

Actually, it looks like iCloud has a 20MB limit. By coincidence, I was just sending someone an attachment and saw how much space was available to add.
 

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Have you tried reducing the file size of the PDF using the Colorsync Quartz Filter tool? I recall there being two ways to do this: One is to use the preset filter called "reduce file size" and the second but more effective way is to actually set up a custom filter. There should be lots of tutorials out there on how to do this.
 
Thanks folks for all the feedback. I did speak to my provider. The outgoing limit is 20mb. Problem I am finding is that PDF sort of get real big when opened, worked on and then scanned.

I can use Dropbox as an alternative. I also under Applecare have a support call this afternoon.

Both my wife and dogs are hiding from me as I vent my frustrations over the stupidity of this outgoing limit. Provider's reason for it, prevents spam and viruses.
 
Actually, it looks like iCloud has a 20MB limit. By coincidence, I was just sending someone an attachment and saw how much space was available to add.
Nice to know - I thought it was 10mb

Thanks folks for all the feedback. I did speak to my provider. The outgoing limit is 20mb. Problem I am finding is that PDF sort of get real big when opened, worked on and then scanned.
Try searching for a pdf compression utility, scanners are woefully inefficient in creating PDFs, additionally, try changing the scanner settings to shrink the size
 
Nice to know - I thought it was 10mb


Try searching for a pdf compression utility, scanners are woefully inefficient in creating PDFs, additionally, try changing the scanner settings to shrink the size

Good idea...

OP> Check this out. OS X included Preview app can compress a PDF. Maybe that will help.
 
NYCMom and Weaselboy

Once I tried it with directions, it worked. 10.7MB file reduced to 47KB.
Am talking to Apple shortly in case there is an even easier way but doubt.

Simple though with the in Weasel's link

Happy camper, thanks all who offered help. If I get an enlightenment from Apple will post that as well
 
Well the Apple support experience was "buy Adobe Acrobat at $449". I am not blaming Apple, but I am not spending that for my normally limited use.

Off to find a simple open/free pdf editor. Use neoOffice, Firefox and Thunderbird now, so not afraid of "open".

Using Preview /quartzfiter does work but the reduction is a bit extreme. Example a "handwritten" repair order was 10.1MB, after Preview reduction it was 47kb. I couldn't read it but maybe a contract can be read.

Anyone know simple good pdf editor??
 
Well the Apple support experience was "buy Adobe Acrobat at $449". I am not blaming Apple, but I am not spending that for my normally limited use.

Off to find a simple open/free pdf editor. Use neoOffice, Firefox and Thunderbird now, so not afraid of "open".

Using Preview /quartzfiter does work but the reduction is a bit extreme. Example a "handwritten" repair order was 10.1MB, after Preview reduction it was 47kb. I couldn't read it but maybe a contract can be read.

Anyone know simple good pdf editor??

Have you checked into the settings of the scanner itself? Is there a way to reduce the size on initial scan?
 
I did sir, but the Kodak ESP is basic, like on and off. No setting on a quick review.

Did find a quick APP store search, found a pretty feature rich editor called Pdf3Genius with 5 stars for $10 that I will get into in a bit. If anyone has tried please comment away.
 
Hmm... I guess as a last ditch effort, I'd take the documents to an Office Depot or similar place and ask them to scan them to file for you. They could get the file sizes rather manageable.
 
Since this is our 19th house, I frankly just want to get through it General. My guess it would take about 15 visits in the last 7 days. I would have hoped for a technology solution rather than a run my butt ragged one.

You are right though it is an alternative
 
What nycmom wrote. I deal with PDFs scanned from city/county agencies, owners in a hurry, and developers. Some of the scans are huge. I have a few Automator applications (not workflows) that are drag-and-drop - I've attached one that reduces PDF file sizes by about 66%, using a custom Quartz filter. It knocked a 13.2MB PDF down to 4.4MB copy (to the Desktop) in about a second with very good resulting quality - the original file isn't touched, and if the original is readable so is the copy.

There you go. :D
 

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