Export all messages as PDF fails every time - "JavaScript Failed"

[rustytrusty]

"Because of a Thunderbird bug, the feature is not available on this platform"

ImportExportTools NG 4.1.01

Thunderbird 68.8.0

I specifically need this function to comply with a legal discovery request to download thousands of my emails plus their attachments into PDF form so I can easily bates number them.

Screenshot below with the dialogue box that pops up when I try to download even just ten emails as a pdf, let alone hundreds at a time.

Thank you for making this tool to download and open MBoxes...that has been so helpful. I hope this can be resolved easily soon so I can meet my discovery request deadlines.

[cleidigh]

@rustytrusty I wanted to respond quickly given your urgency. unfortunately the PDF output on OS X has been a Thunderbird issue for some time. this goes back long before I took over the extension. I do not know of any direct way to address this. One approach that it's not ideal but could work is to export to HTML and then use a native OS X PDF driver to print the HTML as PDF. I can do a little investigation, however I doubt there will be anything in the near term. Regardless I can try and help you with other approaches just know that OS X is not the primary OS I use so my depth of knowledge is much less there. @cleidigh

[cleidigh]

@rustytrusty Unfortunately it appears Apple has made PDF drivers awkward at best. The recent OS X has the built-in capability to print to PDF, but each application seems to deal with this differently. For JavaScript libraries to attempt to change the extension appears to be a big endeavor with no assurances yet. I think The Following are possibilities:

• Export under Windows or Linux
• See if there is a PDF printer driver that you can output to
• Export to HTML and print the HTML as PDF (a little script could automate this)

I wish I had easy answer , but I don't, let me know what you think. @cleidigh

[rustytrusty]

Thank you so much for the quick responses. I saw yours yesterday just hours after I'd posted and thought "Wow, that was incredibly fast!"

So, I think I understand what you're saying: On my Mac I will try to export to HTML and then print the HTLML as a PDF.

If that doesn't work, basically my next best bet is to try downloading them on a Windows machine...using the import export ng tool? Or another PDF printer driver?

On Wed, May 20, 2020 at 7:25 PM Christopher Leidigh < notifications@github.com> wrote:

@rustytrusty https://github.com/rustytrusty Unfortunately it appears Apple has made PDF drivers awkward at best. The recent OS X has the built-in capability to print to PDF, but each application seems to deal with this differently. For JavaScript libraries to attempt to change the extension appears to be a big endeavor with no assurances yet. I think The Following are possibilities:

• Export under Windows or Linux
• See if there is a PDF printer driver that you can output to
• Export to HTML and print the HTML as PDF (a little script could automate this)

I wish I had easy answer , but I don't, let me know what you think. @cleidigh https://github.com/cleidigh

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/thundernest/import-export-tools-ng/issues/112#issuecomment-631789571, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/APUWCDMURT5VC6YM46EUZHDRSRRFJANCNFSM4NFKWLRQ .

-- Cheers!

Kate Marie Phillips

Artisan of practical goods rooted in ancestral wisdom, seasonal abundance & handcrafted beauty • focus on wild-tending & permaculture • honoring cycles of life & death • & sharing the path of becoming a huntress

678.358.8730

[cleidigh]

@rustytrusty I am actually doing more research right now because this kind of passes me off that there is no reasonable solution. while I do not like having to send you to another machine, using the extension on Windows will output PDF. this is probably the most direct way possible. I looked around and there are a variety of OS X HTML to PDF converter 's so if that's easier . try that. I understand you have a deadline so I am trying to get you there as fast as possible 👍 just in case we want to try a scripting approach, two you have experience with Automator? @cleidigh

[cleidigh]

@rustytrusty two more questions

• what is your deadline with room to spare
• do you possibly have Node.JS on your machine, this would allow us to do some JavaScript scripts as a possible scripting approach
• if there is a solution that converts to PDF as an image (would not be text searchable), is that workable?

Update: I just reread your original post, one thing you should know is that the attachments are not converted that would require a whole another conversion system. you probably have to use the external converter

[rustytrusty]

Hi Christopher,

I've used Automator once before—with instructions I could use it again.

I just downloaded Node.JS if that will help.

My deadline is Monday 5PM EST

I'll be able to try a Windows Machine on Monday morning.

Thanks again!

On Wed, May 20, 2020 at 7:58 PM Christopher Leidigh < notifications@github.com> wrote:

@rustytrusty https://github.com/rustytrusty two more questions

• what is your deadline with room to spare
• do you possibly have Node.JS on your machine, this would allow us to do some JavaScript scripts as a possible scripting approach

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/thundernest/import-export-tools-ng/issues/112#issuecomment-631799103, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/APUWCDJKCAZRWTIV5AHNQLTRSRVCPANCNFSM4NFKWLRQ .

-- Cheers!

Kate Marie Phillips

Artisan of practical goods rooted in ancestral wisdom, seasonal abundance & handcrafted beauty • focus on wild-tending & permaculture • honoring cycles of life & death • & sharing the path of becoming a huntress

678.358.8730

[cleidigh]

@rustytrusty I would suggest looking for a batch converter OS X if you need attachments PDF and also as a backup solution converting HTML to PDF first.

[rustytrusty]

So, strike one. I just tried to run automator per these instructions to convert the html to pdf....it didn't work.

https://www.ghostotter.com/automating-html-pdf-file-conversion/

I get the response screenshot below.

I'll start trying the other options.

On Thu, May 21, 2020 at 1:47 PM Christopher Leidigh < notifications@github.com> wrote:

@rustytrusty https://github.com/rustytrusty I would suggest looking for a batch converter OS X if you need attachments PDF and also as a backup solution converting HTML to PDF first.

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-- Cheers!

Kate Marie Phillips

Artisan of practical goods rooted in ancestral wisdom, seasonal abundance & handcrafted beauty • focus on wild-tending & permaculture • honoring cycles of life & death • & sharing the path of becoming a huntress

678.358.8730

[cleidigh]

that's funny . I found the exact same article . I do not see screenshot just some text starting with "Cheers" There should also be several PDF utilities like PDF Expert that may work. BTW I am on the East Coast time zone if you would like to do a call this afternoon since you are on a the deadline.

[rustytrusty]

The screenshot was of a dialogue box that popped up saying:

The action "Run Shell Script" encountered an error: "cupsfilter: No filter to cover from text/html to application/pdf."

I'd be happy to chat. I wish I was nearby a Windows computer at the moment to try that process out, because maybe you're right in that OS would process my request. I can't get past the importance of creating a pdf with the attachments in line with the email messages...if Mac won't do it (or I simply can't figure out how to make Mac do it) then Windows is probably my best bet.

On Thu, May 21, 2020 at 2:40 PM Christopher Leidigh < notifications@github.com> wrote:

that's funny . I found the exact same article . I do not see screenshot just some text starting with "Cheers" There should also be several PDF utilities like PDF Expert that may work. BTW I am on the East Coast time zone if you would like to do a call this afternoon since you are on a the deadline.

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/thundernest/import-export-tools-ng/issues/112#issuecomment-632274914, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/APUWCDKZ4FCFTXVGEVW3IDTRSVYS3ANCNFSM4NFKWLRQ .

-- Cheers!

Kate Marie Phillips

Artisan of practical goods rooted in ancestral wisdom, seasonal abundance & handcrafted beauty • focus on wild-tending & permaculture • honoring cycles of life & death • & sharing the path of becoming a huntress

678.358.8730

[cleidigh]

@rustytrusty Zoom session in a few? I believe cupfilter may be our answer

[rustytrusty]

Awesome. Here’s to hoping that’ll do it. Missed your message earlier, would sometime tomorrow for zoom work for you? I can be pretty flexible.

On Thu, May 21, 2020 at 3:27 PM Christopher Leidigh < notifications@github.com> wrote:

@rustytrusty https://github.com/rustytrusty Zoom session in a few? I believe cupfilter may be our answer

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-- Cheers!

Kate Marie Phillips

Artisan of practical goods rooted in ancestral wisdom, seasonal abundance & handcrafted beauty • focus on wild-tending & permaculture • honoring cycles of life & death • & sharing the path of becoming a huntress

678.358.8730

[cleidigh]

@rustytrusty I can do anytime after 3. in the meantime my OS X system (Mojave) I was able to convert HTML->PDF with: cupsfilter abc.html > abc.pdf I would assume that should work on your system as well. The attachments are bit trickier. there is a commandline utility textutil which can convert text/ .DOC files to HTML. https://eclecticlight.co/2018/03/28/free-conversion-of-text-files-with-textutil/ if that covers your attachment types then you can generate the HTML files and then write a simple script to walk across the files and convert them.
so far I have found nothing that seems easier. one example: (Ignore everything but bash script) https://jacobsalmela.com/2016/03/12/convert-docx-to-pdf-natively-with-a-right-click/

Also: check out help that describes the new file naming options INCLUDING the section on experimental options. you can make much more sortable/organizational naming conventions that will probably be of help.

[rustytrusty]

Okay great. I'm going to try that now. I'll see how that works.

If I still could use more help, we can set up a call at 3.

That should be work on my Mac since I'm updated to Catalina 10.15.4.

On Thu, May 21, 2020 at 11:18 PM Christopher Leidigh < notifications@github.com> wrote:

@rustytrusty https://github.com/rustytrusty I can do anytime after 3. in the meantime my OS X system (Mojave) I was able to convert HTML->PDF with: cupsfilter abc.html > abc.pdf I would assume that should work on your system as well. The attachments are bit trickier. there is a commandline utility textutil which can convert text/ .DOC files to HTML. if that covers your attachment types then you can generate the HTML files and then write a simple script to walk across the files and convert them. so far I have found nothing that seems easier.

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/thundernest/import-export-tools-ng/issues/112#issuecomment-632455842, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/APUWCDNJAMRSMU6NQEONI5TRSXVILANCNFSM4NFKWLRQ .

-- Cheers!

Kate Marie Phillips

Artisan of practical goods rooted in ancestral wisdom, seasonal abundance & handcrafted beauty • focus on wild-tending & permaculture • honoring cycles of life & death • & sharing the path of becoming a huntress

678.358.8730

[cleidigh]

@rustytrusty I just got on line. let me know how it's going

[rustytrusty]

So I when I change it accordingly with your instructions:

for theFileToProcess in "$@" do cupsfilter abc.html > abc.pdf done

I get the error message when trying to shift an HTML document to PDF:

The action “Run Shell Script” encountered an error: “cupsfilter: Unable to determine MIME type of “abc.html”.”

On Fri, May 22, 2020 at 1:16 PM Christopher Leidigh < notifications@github.com> wrote:

@rustytrusty https://github.com/rustytrusty I just got on line. let me know how it's going

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/thundernest/import-export-tools-ng/issues/112#issuecomment-632813746, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/APUWCDOGHZZHPPZGPO3YME3RS2XOZANCNFSM4NFKWLRQ .

-- Cheers!

Kate Marie Phillips

Artisan of practical goods rooted in ancestral wisdom, seasonal abundance & handcrafted beauty • focus on wild-tending & permaculture • honoring cycles of life & death • & sharing the path of becoming a huntress

678.358.8730

[cleidigh]

@rustytrusty https://opensource.apple.com/source/cups/cups-408/cups/doc/help/man-cupsfilter.html nicest , it auto detects the input. try to force it: cupsfilter -i application/html x.html > x.pdf

[cleidigh]

@rustytrusty I missed you are doing scripting. let's try just a single command you have to have HTML file , I was just using a random placeholder abc so just to use the single-line from above and replace x with a valid HTML file name

[cleidigh]

@rustytrusty I can do a Zoom whenever

[rustytrusty]

Great, I'll be free at 2:45.

On Fri, May 22, 2020 at 2:22 PM Christopher Leidigh < notifications@github.com> wrote:

@rustytrusty https://github.com/rustytrusty I can do a Zoom whenever

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/thundernest/import-export-tools-ng/issues/112#issuecomment-632839243, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/APUWCDPJPHRCD5RCGXDQCFLRS27FFANCNFSM4NFKWLRQ .

-- Cheers!

Kate Marie Phillips

Artisan of practical goods rooted in ancestral wisdom, seasonal abundance & handcrafted beauty • focus on wild-tending & permaculture • honoring cycles of life & death • & sharing the path of becoming a huntress

678.358.8730

[cleidigh]

Christopher Leidigh is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: RustyTrusty Time: May 22, 2020 02:45 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73575101698?pwd=SlhYOEtDSkU1ejBSazlTUHB2RXh0dz09

Meeting ID: 735 7510 1698 Password: 1dRath

[cleidigh]

https://forums.developer.apple.com/thread/130009

[rustytrusty]

My connection is failing and I won't be in good service for a while. So sorry the connection failed right at this point, but perhaps you can briefly give me an overview in writing of your idea that you were sharing with me here? Thank you SOOOOO much for the call!

On Fri, May 22, 2020 at 2:45 PM Christopher Leidigh < notifications@github.com> wrote:

https://forums.developer.apple.com/thread/130009

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-- Cheers!

Kate Marie Phillips

Artisan of practical goods rooted in ancestral wisdom, seasonal abundance & handcrafted beauty • focus on wild-tending & permaculture • honoring cycles of life & death • & sharing the path of becoming a huntress

678.358.8730

[cleidigh]

I thought so shoot me your e-mail so we can do this outside of gh I can see if I can make a basic script that does the following:

• start with a message folder and an index where messages are in HTML format
• convert message to PDF
• collect attachments, convert each to PDF
• combine message PDF/attachment PDFs

pleasure helping! any chance you can extend your deadline?

[rustytrusty]

Just popped back out of the dead zone—I'm going to see what I can do to extend. I've already asked for multiple already and each time the opposition has been reluctant to allow me extra time because they want me to default & be held in contempt of the court. I'm fighting it hard & will let you know what I can accomplish in terms of deadlines.

I'd like to see what you can do.

I'd also like to see if you have any thoughts about this option—perhaps worth trying in the meantime while you write a script?: https://www.cubexsoft.com/mbox/pdf.html

katemariecofsky@gmail.com

On Fri, May 22, 2020 at 5:06 PM Christopher Leidigh < notifications@github.com> wrote:

I thought so shoot me your e-mail so we can do this outside of gh I can see if I can make a basic script that does the following:

• start with a message folder and an index where messages are in HTML format
• convert message to PDF
• collect attachments, convert each to PDF
• combine message PDF/attachment PDFs

pleasure helping! any chance you can extend your deadline?

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/thundernest/import-export-tools-ng/issues/112#issuecomment-632908852, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/APUWCDK3TEPOYSSMTT6DXCLRS3SODANCNFSM4NFKWLRQ .

-- Cheers!

Kate Marie Phillips

Artisan of practical goods rooted in ancestral wisdom, seasonal abundance & handcrafted beauty • focus on wild-tending & permaculture • honoring cycles of life & death • & sharing the path of becoming a huntress

678.358.8730

[cleidigh]

Kate that program looks like it is everything you need. in the context is not that expensive either. I could see if they had a trial. it would take me a while to come close to that functionality I would not want to be the one makes you miss your deadline! what do you think, is there something that does not meet your needs for us?

[cleidigh]

there is a demo just limited to twenty e-mails

[cleidigh]

update ?

[rustytrusty]

One file was successful with the Cubex software with the settings of: "add or append attachments" in" single PDF form"—but it's been a grueling & painfully slow process with these Windows computers. Took over 24 hours for the software to covert that one file that was 1GB. Hoping it works on the next 7 more quickly & with continued success, though, no matter how long it takes.

Now the process of redacting begins......whew! We got extra time because of the holiday weekend, but the pressure is still on & we've been working on this every day.

On Wed, May 27, 2020 at 2:05 PM Christopher Leidigh < notifications@github.com> wrote:

update ?

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-- Cheers!

Kate Marie Phillips

Artisan of practical goods rooted in ancestral wisdom, seasonal abundance & handcrafted beauty • focus on wild-tending & permaculture • honoring cycles of life & death • & sharing the path of becoming a huntress

678.358.8730

[cleidigh]

yes seems a bit slow in its methods. good you got a little extension good luck let me know if I can help something else. I think I can go ahead and close this?

[rustytrusty]

Yes, go ahead & close this.

We ultimately scrapped the Cubex software. Luckily, we found that Cloud HQ for Gmail works really well for exporting emails to pdf with attachments in line. It's incredibly easy. $15 a month.

Using Thunderbird plus this add-on was indeed helpful—in copying folders of sorted messages to a new Gmail account before exporting as PDF with attachments in line using Cloud HQ.

Thank you again so much for your assistance! You've been a fantastic help.

On Wed, May 27, 2020 at 6:20 PM Christopher Leidigh < notifications@github.com> wrote:

yes seems a bit slow in its methods. good you got a little extension good luck let me know if I can help something else. I think I can go ahead and close this?

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/thundernest/import-export-tools-ng/issues/112#issuecomment-634973965, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/APUWCDNW5TP2LU2GMISFLDTRTWGZ3ANCNFSM4NFKWLRQ .

-- Cheers!

Kate Marie Phillips

Artisan of practical goods rooted in ancestral wisdom, seasonal abundance & handcrafted beauty • focus on wild-tending & permaculture • honoring cycles of life & death • & sharing the path of becoming a huntress

678.358.8730

[cleidigh]

@rustytrusty My pleasure! I am glad the extension helped. I will keep watching for a PDF OS X fix all the best Christopher