I wouldn't say I'm sorry I paid for it. I switched from Windows and I need it for work. Tired of Microsoft snooping in, giving me advice, forcing me to upgrade (from Windows 7 which was the first really good windows - and the last, to 8 to 10 and now to 11). I need the computer to work also and I don't want to tap commands in terminal mode. Sorry, linux power users, but I'm just using it, I don't want to learn coding. I'm too old for this and frankly, I'm not interested.
There were two conditions for my work, besides office - to have a PDF advanced editor and to be able to digitally sign my documents with a token.
I thought I could use PDF X-Change PRO, I have license for it. But unfortunately is not a Linux native app and I had to use Wine and their printer driver does not work in Linux and so on. Plus that the other apps who came with it also does not work in Linux (PDF Tools). So I decided to open my mind to a native Linux app, like Master PDF. Unfortunately, is not at all on the level of the previous app. And also, I cannot use my token to digitally sign the documents.
And this is the second main problem. I managed to install the token, it can be seen in the Thales app, I can log in, etc. But no other app is able to use it sign a document. No PDF-X Change, no PDF Master. I wasted two days in a row with Grok typing commands in Terminal and probably messing all the installation (because now my Software Update does not work anymore, a lot of error appear on it) until I reached the conclusion (or Grok reached it) that I need PDF Studio 2024... Yes, it can sign a document, it can sign a batch of documents but it is priced at almost 200 USD + taxes and this is TOO much. And the rest of the facilities are just a shadow of what I used to have with PDF X-Change.
So, I'm a frustrated user. I don't want to type commands in Terminal, but I ended up doing exactly that, searching internet for help and even using AI to find a solution.
Plus, simple tasks like drag and drop are a challenge here, if my files are not in the home directory and are on a different drive then it doesn't work.
Frankly, I'm upset, I'm disappointed and... I'll give it a pause, I'll move on my backup laptop which is on Windows and I'll work from there for a while. Then, I don't know, maybe I'll try again. Or I'll just install windows 10 again here, I'll block all the updates and that's it. I can't waste my time fighting with the computer and missing everything else.
Is there a Reason why You directly bought Pro? I mean, You could have downloaded the Core Version first and test it.
Doesn't matter. I bought it because I was sure I will need support, but now, I don't even know what to ask. "So that app is not good here? Pay the other one... My token doesn't work... Of course it doesn't, the provider offers support only on Windows... If you want something else, you are on your own..."
As a matter of fact, I tried basic version first. It works, for usual tasks, and it's a relief from Windows. I said to myself it will be impossible not to find a solution to make my token work in here. But it seems impossible find me the other way. In windows, once it's installed (click-yes-finish) it's accessible in every app which offers digital signature. In Linux... you have to install it in every app (if you can).
Guess I didn't know that.
That is here an important Point, too. When Software is only made for using on Windows. There Linux can't do something against. There are Tools like WINE, Bottles or WinBoat to make the Software run but this is at the End only a Stopgap Solution. Here would be good, when more Software Developers/Companies offer Linux Support.
Because of Your PDF Issue: You want a Program with that You can digitally sign a Document, right? I know that Papers has a Fucntiion for digitally Signing. But I don't know how to add a Token Certificate for that - at least I didn't found an Option for it.
If you specifically enjoy Zorin and want to stick with it, there are 2 routes I'd take:
- Set up a Windows To-Go device and boot to that when you need to sign something
- Keep Zorin on your daily driver and either dual boot to Windows or pick up an inexpensive used machine good enough to run Windows and use that for digital signatures/token certs
To be sure, neither are perfect solutions - just my $0.02 on how I'd approach it
That means copying files from one OS to another... And Windows has a nasty way of locking files (bitlock) without even letting you know it did that. Frankly, when I first erased windows and realized my other drive is not readable in Linux I almost panic. Fortunately, I reinstalled windows and then I decrypted the drive and it was ok...
But now I realized something else (moving back to Windows backup laptop): the Excel files I originally made in Windows and opened/edited/saved in Libre Office have the formulas changed... Like the Libre Offices translated my formulas into something...Excel can't understand. That is unexpected and really nasty, since I have to remake the formulas when I need to edit a file again...
Many programs in Linux have this option, to digitally sign. But after trying two days with Grok help I could only find FDF Studio 2024 smart enough to accept my token. I guess you can generate your own certificate and sign whatever you want, and it could be easy in most of the programs, but that is not acceptable for me, I need to sign them with a certified signature/token.
Hello,
Does this kind of tool could help you ?
I'll give it a try, thanks!
Ahhhhhh...gotcha. Yeah, definitely not a great spot to be in. Hope you land on a working solution!! 
I feel your pain, Excel was a requirement for me too. The digital signing was got around by emailing the PDF to myself, signing it in Windows and emailing it wherever it needed to go next.
Have you considered running Windows inside Zorin using a Virtual Machine? It isn't a route I want to take, especially as there are other digital programmes I need for work that require a Windows machine.
For now I'm between two worlds. Windows 11, with WinUtil (Chris Titus utility tool for Windows) allows me to control MicroSlop, and I use Zorin_OS for recreation.
Good luck!
Hi. I did a quick search using Brave A.I. and it looks like there are two versions, one that can run on Linux natively and an older one that needs WINE but no print function:
" PDF-XChange Pro officially supports Linux as a cross-platform solution, allowing users to access document management, OCR, and editing features natively on the operating system. The software’s system requirements list Linux as a supported environment with a minimum of a dual-core CPU, 2 GB of RAM, and 200 MB of storage. Users can access the tool via its web portal or dedicated applications for iOS, Android, Linux, and Web .
In contrast, the legacy PDF-XChange product line (including Editor and Viewer) does not have a native Linux port. The developers have stated that a native port is unlikely due to resource constraints, but the software is rated Platinum by WineHQ , meaning it can run with very good functionality through the Wine compatibility layer. Users on Linux typically rely on Wine, PlayOnLinux, or Crossover to run these older Windows-based tools, although the official print driver is not supported in this environment.
- PDF-XChange Pro : Native Linux support is available and officially maintained.
- PDF-XChange Editor/Viewer : No native Linux version; requires Wine or similar compatibility layers to function.
- Performance : Wine compatibility for the legacy suite is generally high (Platinum rating), though users may encounter issues with specific features like the print driver or live updates depending on the configuration.
AI-generated answer. Please verify critical facts."
Hi. Sorry to hear of your spreadsheet woes. The problem really lies with Microsoft in that it is closed source and therefore all its special spreadsheet functions are not available on any available alternatives on any platform.
You could give FreeOffice a try from SoftMaker but no guarantees, but in terms of compatibility it is the best one out there. Fortunately for me I was lucky to get the Paid for SoftMaker Office 2018 at a bargain price in November 2019, just before lockdown and it got the best results when emailing modified documents to base office.
My license is for PDF-XChange PRO. But on their website only Windows apps are available for download. And also there is a question in their Knowledge Base ( KB136 from Oct 12, 2023) which states they do not intend to move to Linux, even if there is a great compatibility with Wine.
I managed to install it on Zorin and works (but not printer driver). However, I cannot make it default app for pdf (clicking a pdf and opening it with this software does not work; I have to open the program and load the file in it - that was a separate question on this forum and couldn't find a working solution).
I could happily live with it like that, but when I try to load a digital signature the program always crashes...
If I manage to solve the other issues, that would not be really a problem, because I would work only in Linux office app (but I would keep a backup file with the formulas intact, never to open it on Libre, just in case I would need the file in Microsoft environment again).
But for this, I have to solve the digital signature and pdf editing first ...
Hello again. My solution to the problem is VirtualBox with windows 10 installed. Fortunately I can copy from Linux to virtual windows and back and also I can use shared folders between. With Office suite installed so I have full compatibility with my work. The token also works as a charm and I can use PDF-XChange. Maybe is not the most elegant solution, but for sure is a working one. Thanks for support, guys.
It's fantastic that you found a solution to the problem! Thank you so much for sharing your work-around as I'm sure it will help someone else in the future... it might even be the solution for me in time to come.