Draft:Stirling PDF
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Stirling PDF
[edit]Stirling PDF is a Open-source web-based PDF manipulation software suite that offers PDF document editing, signing, conversion, and security features. Launched in January 2023, it provides users with local processing capabilities and privacy-focused document handling.[1] As of 2024, the project has received significant community adoption, with over 8 million Docker downloads.[2]
History
[edit]Origins and Initial Development
[edit]In January 2023, Anthony Stirling created the project after encountering challenges with existing PDF tools, which were either costly, lacked Docker support, or raised trust concerns.[3] The initial prototype was developed as a 24-hour challenge using only ChatGPT to generate code. The project began with just four core features, which Stirling shared on Reddit to gauge interest.[4]
Community Growth
[edit]After the positive reception on Reddit[5], Stirling decided to continue development without ChatGPT, focusing on manual development and community contributions. The project quickly gained traction in educational institutions, with at least 50 universities and educational establishments deploying the software.[6] The project's commitment to local processing and open-source resonated with users seeking trusted PDF manipulation tools.
Project Evolution
[edit]The project expanded significantly through community contributions, growing to include over 200 contributors and achieving more than 47,000 GitHub stars.[7] In September 2024, Stirling PDF Inc. was established with $2 million in funding from Open Core Ventures (OCV), enabling the adoption of an open-core business model while maintaining the core features as open-source software.[8][9] This transition allowed for the development of enterprise features while keeping the essential functionality free and open source.
Features
[edit]Stirling PDF includes:[10][11]
- Document Operations:
- PDF splitting and merging
- Form editing and filling
- Metadata modification
- Content Processing:
- OCR functionality
- Text and image extraction
- Format conversion (PDF to/from Word, Excel, CSV)
- Security Features:
- Digital signature support
- PDF encryption/decryption
- Document password protection
- Performance Tools:
- PDF compression
- Batch processing capabilities
- Workflow automation
- International Support:
- Interface available in 38+ languages[12]
Technical Implementation
[edit]Core Architecture
[edit]The software utilizes:[13]
- Java/Spring Boot backend
- HTML5/JavaScript frontend
- Docker containerization
- Tesseract integration
- PDFBox
Deployment Methods
[edit]Server Installation
[edit]Available Docker configurations:[14]
- Complete: Full feature set with additional fonts
- Standard: Core features with balanced resource usage
- Minimal: Essential functions with reduced size
- Manual installation via JAR files
Local Installation
[edit]- Windows: Native installer
- Linux/Unix: JAR deployment
- macOS: JAR deployment
Privacy and Security
[edit]The software emphasizes user privacy through:[15]
- Exclusively local file processing
- Automatic file cleanup
- No data collection or sharing
- Optional encryption features
- Enterprise security options
Community Engagement
[edit]Project metrics include:[16]
- 200+ code contributors
- 47,900+ GitHub stars
- 8+ million Docker installations
- Community support via Discord with nearly 1500 members
- Public feature request system[17]
Commercial Structure
[edit]The project follows an open-core model:[18]
- Essential features remain open-source
- Enterprise options include:
- Professional support services
- Advanced authentication
Recognition
[edit]Stirling PDF has gained recognition in the tech community as a notable alternative to commercial PDF software solutions. TechCrunch has described it as "the Swiss Army knife for PDF documents" and highlighted its importance as an alternative to Adobe's products.[19] SlashGear recognized it as a notable open-source PDF editor, highlighting its unique approach of offering over 40 distinct PDF manipulation tools with a minimalist, user-friendly interface that contrasts with traditional all-in-one PDF editors.[20] XDA-Developers has recommended it as part of a comprehensive self-hosted document management solution when paired with other open-source tools.[21]
References
[edit]- ^ "Open-source creator Anthony Stirling launches Stirling PDF to build the first open-core PDF editing suite". 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Stirling PDF Docker Hub Statistics". Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "User Spotlight: Stirling PDF". 3 April 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Open-source creator Anthony Stirling launches Stirling PDF to build the first open-core PDF editing suite". 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "New Browser-based PDF Editor (GitHub Link)". Reddit. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "User Spotlight: Stirling PDF". 3 April 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Stirling PDF Github". GitHub.
- ^ "Open-source creator Anthony Stirling launches Stirling PDF to build the first open-core PDF editing suite". 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Stirling-PDF Future". Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Stirling-PDF GitHub Repository - Features Section". GitHub. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Functionality - Stirling PDF Documentation". Stirling PDF. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Stirling-PDF GitHub Repository - Language Support Section". GitHub. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Stirling-PDF Docs - Technologies Used Section". Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Stirling-PDF Versions". Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Stirling-PDF GitHub Repository - Security Section". GitHub. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Stirling PDF - About Page". Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Stirling-PDF GitHub Repository - Feature Requests". GitHub. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Stirling PDF - Future Plans". Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "These alternatives to popular apps can help reclaim your online life from billionaires and surveillance". 2024-11-29. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Best open-source PDF editors available". SlashGear. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Projects I host on my Proxmox home lab". XDA-Developers. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-30.