In answer to Len’s question about searching as HTML, I think that when Safari prints a document to PDF, if also encodes the text into the file. I “print” from Safari directly into DEVONThink, and they show up as PDF+Text. So, I can search from there.

I import my scanned receipts into DEVONThink, and will often throw keywords in the comments field to aid searching. For example, if there is a receipt for a big ticket item that would warrant serious tracking (think, there is a new desktop computer on there) then I throw a keyword in the comments field.

When Tiger comes out, I’ll probably evaluate if it’s worth ditching DEVONThink in favor of spotlight for receipt tracking. It might just require a bit of magic to take the comments from DT and implement them as keywords in the PDF. I’ll still use DT, Safari, and PDFs for archiving interesting articles however. It’s “see also” functionality is quite useful.

I don’t think Safari does that, but I could be wrong. I know IE used to and there are a variety of ways to whack a page with Firefox. Seems like a lot of work when all I want is that one visual artifact of what my screen looked like when I made the purchase.

It’s a personal preference to be sure, but the method you describe feels like snapping a bunch of snapshots of the cashier instead of just retaining the one receipt. ;-)

I think there’s room for all of us to use the method that makes the most sense to us.

Maybe this is a stupid question, but why don’t you just save the web page as html like the rest of us? It’s smaller, more portable, and you can search folders of html files with the text search built into your OS, whatever you happen to use.

As Wendell aludes, your browser will probably create an html file for the page and a directory of the same name for any associated images/javascript/CSS, but you can always delete that without loss of information if it bothers you.

I scan all my paper documents to PDF using a Canon DR-2080C batch document scanner (Windows-only, unfortunately). It can batch scan 20 pages per minute, duplex (both sides) if needed. And I keep PDFs of vital documents like passport, invoices of items I carry with me for customs, and so on on a USB flash memory stick in my wallet.

You can go a step further and use “PDF Workflow” to make it even more painless (less painful?) to do this.

There’s a great explanation at: http://radio.weblogs.com/0100490/2003/02/19.html (scroll down or search for “pdf workflow” to find the actual entry)

This is great, Steven. Thanks for the tip.

I setup:

• to read
• receipts
• domain registrations
• account info and logins

I wonder what’s the easiest/fastest way to search nested directories of PDFs…

You’re welcome! I have a number of folders set up, too. I’ve barely scratched the surface of it. I’m enjoying the hell out of your site. I’m a new GTD’er (still reading it for the first time). As for your question about searching PDFs, I have a snarky answer: Spotlight. ;)

As for your question about searching PDFs, I have a snarky answer: Spotlight. ;)

Heh. I’m with you. Can’t wait to get my hands on Tiger.

The reports I’m hearing so far say it’s an improvement, but not necessarily a replacement for launchers. What do you think?

(Thanks also for the kind words; glad to have you here)

Heh, this is exactly what I started doing once I moved to Mac - on my old Windows box I was saving them as HTML, but it’s not nearly so nice.

I doubt Spotlight will serve as a replacement for launchers for those who like and use launchers. Me, I’m not much of a launcher man, though I’m giving Quicksilver a try again on your recommendation. Despite that I love OS X (and most things Mac), I think the Finder and the filesystem get in my way more these days than with OS 9 (and I’ve been using OS X since 10.1). I’m hoping that Spotlight will alleviate some of that Finder Frustration if QS or something similar doesn’t do it for me.

I read this and thought ‘what an excellent idea’.

And then I thought ‘I have a scanner that I barely use, and I always have a heap of bills that I’d like to throw out, but I always end up needing to check back on at some random time in the future cluttering up the house.

So now I have Scansoft PaperPort - document comes through the door, it gets scanned and thrown away. It converts it to PDF format, and also can do OCR if you need to text-search in the future. It also has a PDF print driver so I can do the webpage thing on my PC. Isn’t it odd how everyone talks about how a paperless office would be nice, but never apply the same reasoning to the home.

I must confess, once I thought about it, I’ve started wandering through the house looking for bits of paper I can throw away! :-)