linux: open pdf within a browser window AND how to browse e-books from NetLibrary

Lots of interesting e-books from our SFU library are based on the site of www.netlibrary.com . The readers have to go to the online lib. However, the NetLib didn't provide Linux users about their reader softerware (only for windows users). I notice that essentially when one reads an e-book online, it is a pdf file downloaded (only one page each time). No need special reader at all! However, my browser cannot open pdf file within a browser window so that I have to click a diagostic window to save it or read it by certain pdf software. If I can read pdf files within the browser, then the life becomes simpler. No need to open the pdf file each time, just read the book in the browser! I tried some approaches by following instructions on the internet. Finally I solve the problem. I think the essential steps are also useful for windows users.

- type : about:plugins in your web address blank line to see if acrobat reader plugins over there. If not, see the next
- try to find the lib file which should be located in the directory where acrobat reader is installed, in my case, it is:

/opt/Adobe/Reader8/Browser/intellinux/nppdf.so . copy it over to the directory where

firefox is installed, in my case,

/home/myusername/.mozilla/plugins/

- check about:plugins again. If not, read the next line.
- re-initialize the data base, remove files pluginreg.dat where your firefox is installed.
- I guess the problem should be solved. I refer to the web page here:

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Opening+PDF+files+within+Firefox

linux: how to merge/split pdf files

In linux, there is no professional acrobat avaible, which means that sometimes if you edit your pdf files, for example, merge, split pdf files, you may not have clue to do that. Lots of ppl in the net would recommend "pdftk" (pdf toolket) for you. I try to install, but some lib is needed. I have no time to install other dependent lib so I recalled I have a java tool: Multivalent. Just google it and find its page.

Usage:
java -classpath ~/Multivalent20060102.jar tool.pdf.Merge file1.pdf file2.pdf ...

That is it. You also can split your pdf file to separated ones. Of course, you need to download Multivalent20060102.jar from somewhere of the net. Yes, you can use "convert" to merge, but bad resolution and very slow, not recommended.