Stories with Tag document conversion

• Open source and self hostable/private file converter

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  Posted: 2025-04-12 12:40:13

  Verbose tl;dr

  Vert.sh is an open-source, self-hostable file conversion service. It leverages LibreOffice in the backend to handle a wide array of document, image, and presentation formats. Users can easily deploy Vert.sh using Docker and configure it to their specific needs, maintaining complete control over their data privacy. The project aims to provide a robust and versatile alternative to cloud-based conversion tools for individuals and organizations concerned about data security and vendor lock-in.

  The Vert.sh project introduces a versatile, open-source file conversion solution designed for self-hosting and private use. This locally-operated system eliminates reliance on external cloud services, ensuring data privacy and security. Vert.sh leverages the power of LibreOffice in the background, providing robust support for a wide array of document, spreadsheet, presentation, and image formats. This means users can convert files like DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, ODT, ODS, ODP, and various image types without transmitting sensitive information over the internet. The system is built with user-friendliness in mind, offering a straightforward command-line interface for direct interaction and an API for integration with other applications or workflows. Furthermore, Vert.sh is packaged as a Docker container, simplifying deployment and ensuring portability across different systems. This containerized approach streamlines installation and management, allowing users to quickly set up and maintain their private file conversion server. The project emphasizes its commitment to remaining open-source, providing transparency and allowing community contributions for ongoing improvement and expansion of its capabilities. In essence, Vert.sh empowers users to reclaim control over their file conversions, offering a secure, flexible, and locally-managed alternative to cloud-based services.

  • file conversion
  • file converter
  • Open Source
  • self-hosted
  • private
  • document conversion
  • cloud alternative
  • privacy
  • Security
  • data control
  • web application
  • online converter
  • local hosting
  • on-premise
  • offline converter

  Summary of Comments ( 66 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43663865

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally expressed enthusiasm for the open-source, self-hostable file converter Vert.sh, praising its simplicity and potential usefulness. Several commenters highlighted the benefit of avoiding uploads to third-party services for privacy and security reasons, with some mentioning specific use cases like converting ebooks. A few users questioned the project's long-term viability and maintainability given the potential complexity of handling numerous file formats and dependencies. Some also suggested alternative self-hosted solutions like Pandoc and Soffice/LibreOffice. The discussion also touched on the challenges of sandboxing potentially malicious files uploaded for conversion, with some proposing using Docker or virtual machines for enhanced security.

  The Hacker News post discussing the open-source, self-hostable file converter Vert.sh generated a moderate amount of discussion, with several commenters expressing interest in the project and exploring its potential use cases and limitations.

  Several users appreciated the simplicity and self-hostable nature of Vert.sh. One commenter highlighted the advantage of using a tool like this for sensitive data, avoiding the privacy concerns associated with uploading files to third-party online converters. Another user mentioned their existing use of Pandoc for similar conversion tasks but expressed interest in exploring Vert.sh due to its potentially streamlined interface and focus on web-based conversion. The self-hosting aspect was repeatedly praised, allowing users to maintain control over their data and avoid potential costs associated with cloud-based services.

  Some commenters discussed the technical aspects of Vert.sh. One pointed out that the project relies on LibreOffice running in the background, suggesting that users would need to have it installed and functioning correctly. This sparked a brief discussion about the resource requirements of running LibreOffice and its potential impact on performance, especially for complex conversions. Another user inquired about the possibility of containerizing Vert.sh for easier deployment and management, which another user confirmed was possible through the provided Dockerfile.

  The limitations of relying on LibreOffice were also brought up. One user questioned the efficiency of using LibreOffice for simple conversions like Markdown to HTML, suggesting that a dedicated tool might be faster. Another commenter mentioned potential issues with font handling in LibreOffice, which could affect the fidelity of converted documents.

  Finally, the discussion touched upon alternative solutions and potential improvements. One user suggested using specialized tools for specific conversion tasks, pointing out the superior performance and quality compared to a general-purpose solution like LibreOffice. Others expressed interest in features like batch conversion and direct integration with cloud storage services. While acknowledging the current limitations, several commenters expressed optimism about the project's future development and potential to become a valuable tool for privacy-conscious users.

• Ask HN: Where are the good Markdown to PDF tools (that meet these requirements)?

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  Posted: 2025-03-02 16:18:44

  Verbose tl;dr

  The author is seeking recommendations for a Markdown to PDF conversion tool that handles complex formatting well, specifically callouts (like admonitions), diagrams using Mermaid or PlantUML, and math using LaTeX or KaTeX. They require a command-line interface for automation and prefer open-source solutions or at least freely available ones for non-commercial use. Existing tools like Pandoc are falling short in areas like callout styling and consistent rendering across different environments. Ideally, the tool would offer a high degree of customizability and produce clean, visually appealing PDFs suitable for documentation.

  A Hacker News user has posed a question to the community seeking recommendations for high-quality Markdown to PDF conversion tools that fulfill a specific set of requirements. The user is dissatisfied with existing solutions, citing issues with inconsistent rendering across different platforms and operating systems, particularly concerning typography and spacing. They are searching for a tool that offers precise control over the final PDF output.

  Their ideal tool would prioritize consistent rendering across various environments, ensuring the PDF appears identical regardless of where it's viewed. This consistency is especially crucial for typography, where slight variations in font rendering can significantly impact the document's appearance. Furthermore, they require fine-grained control over margins and spacing, allowing them to define precise dimensions for the layout. Ideally, this control would extend to setting custom page sizes as well. While not strictly mandatory, the ability to incorporate features like syntax highlighting for code blocks and proper rendering of mathematical equations using LaTeX would be considered advantageous. Ultimately, the user seeks a robust and reliable solution capable of producing professional-quality PDFs directly from Markdown source, offering a high degree of control over the final presentation.

  • markdown
  • PDF
  • converter
  • tools
  • Software
  • document conversion
  • Formatting
  • text processing
  • markup language

  Summary of Comments ( 9 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43231964

  Verbose tl;dr

  The Hacker News comments discuss various Markdown to PDF conversion tools, focusing on the original poster's requirements of handling code blocks, math, and images well while being ideally open-source and CLI-based. Pandoc is overwhelmingly recommended as the most powerful and flexible option, though some users caution about its complexity. Several commenters suggest simpler alternatives like md-to-pdf, glow, and Typora for less demanding use cases. Some discussion revolves around specific features, like LaTeX integration for math rendering and the challenges of perfectly replicating web-based Markdown rendering in a PDF. A few users mention using custom scripts or web services, while others highlight the benefits of tools like Marked 2 for macOS. The overall consensus seems to be that while a perfect solution might not exist, Pandoc with custom templates or simpler dedicated tools can often meet specific needs.

  The Hacker News post "Ask HN: Where are the good Markdown to PDF tools (that meet these requirements)?" generated a robust discussion with several commenters offering suggestions and insights based on the original poster's (OP) specific needs. The OP was looking for a tool capable of handling complex Markdown, including admonitions (like notes, warnings, etc.), footnotes, cross-references, and internal links, while also maintaining a clean and professional appearance. They specifically mentioned Pandoc as falling short of their expectations.

  Several commenters championed Typora, praising its visually appealing rendering of Markdown and ease of use for writing and previewing. However, some acknowledged its limitations regarding more advanced features like cross-references, and some mentioned its recent transition to a paid model.

  Pandoc was also discussed extensively, despite the OP's initial dismissal. Commenters pointed out that its power lies in its customizability, suggesting that with sufficient tweaking through custom templates and filters using LaTeX or other formatting engines, Pandoc could likely meet the OP's requirements, albeit with a steeper learning curve. Several users provided specific examples of command-line options and workflows to achieve specific styling and formatting results.

  A few users suggested Marked 2, primarily for its preview capabilities and its compatibility with custom CSS styling for controlling the final PDF output.

  MultiMarkdown Composer was also mentioned, although with less enthusiasm. Its support for MultiMarkdown syntax, a superset of standard Markdown, was highlighted as a potential benefit, but users pointed out the lack of recent updates and potential compatibility issues.

  Some commenters recommended exploring static site generators like Hugo or Jekyll. While not strictly Markdown to PDF converters, these tools can generate HTML which can then be converted to PDF, offering more flexibility in styling and layout.

  A couple of more niche suggestions included Zettlr and a Python library called WeasyPrint. Zettlr was praised for its academic writing features, while WeasyPrint was mentioned for its ability to generate PDFs directly from HTML, allowing for a highly customizable workflow.

  The overall consensus seemed to be that while a perfect out-of-the-box solution may not exist, several tools could meet the OP's needs with some configuration or by combining different tools in a workflow. Several commenters encouraged the OP to share their specific Pandoc setup for better troubleshooting and more tailored recommendations. The discussion highlighted the trade-offs between ease of use and customizability, with simpler tools like Typora offering a streamlined writing experience but potentially lacking advanced features, and more powerful tools like Pandoc requiring more effort to configure but ultimately offering greater control over the final output.