Word to PDF Batch Conversion

I needed to convert a bunch of Word files to pdf. I found this visual basic code that basically opens all files one after another in Word and saves a pdf version.

'Convert .doc or .docx to .pdf files via Send To menu
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
For i= 0 To WScript.Arguments.Count -1
   docPath = WScript.Arguments(i)
   docPath = fso.GetAbsolutePathName(docPath)
   If LCase(Right(docPath, 4)) = ".doc" Or LCase(Right(docPath, 5)) = ".docx" Then
      Set objWord = CreateObject("Word.Application")
      pdfPath = fso.GetParentFolderName(docPath) & "\" & _
	fso.GetBaseName(docpath) & ".pdf"
      objWord.Visible = False
      Set objDoc = objWord.documents.open(docPath)
      objDoc.saveas pdfPath, 17
      objDoc.Close
      objWord.Quit   
   End If   
Next
vbs file

Just save it as a vbs somewhere and add a ahortcut to the context menu.

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
Context Menu Entry

You can select multiple files at once and they get converted one by one.

Simple manual Backup with robocopy

I wanted to have a “simple” solution for an (external) backup of my USB stick. The simplest way would be copy and paste, but I wanted something more robust. So what gets you robust copying of files in Windows? Robust File Copy – robocopy –, of course.

I use this manually, but for internal or permanently attached drives etc. this could be automated with task planning and removing the user promts.

Continue reading “Simple manual Backup with robocopy”

Standing Desk Add-on

I wanted to have a standing desk, but still be flexible. Also, I didn’t want to replace my actual desk with my gaming pc setup on it. So I built a simple add-on for an existing desk.

I just measured the height the keyboard and the monitor or laptop should be at and bought corresponding furniture legs and mounting brackets. I used untreated spruce glued laminated timber in 80 cm x 50 cm and 80 x 30 cm. Both are 18 mm in thickness.

Unfortunately, I mixed up the finish and bought both polished and matte metal pieces, but this doesn’t bother me too much.

It occurred to me only afterwards to share this, so I only have got a few pictures and no footage of the process. But it’s pretty straightforward since there are only a few screws (M4 x 16) and two drilled holes involved.