On Linux, I want to convert PDF files to JPG images. One option is to
use ImageMagick with Ghostscript. However, this option is very slow.

On Windows, various tools are available such as 'PDF Tools' and 'PDF
Image Magick'. On Windows, these are about 6 times faster than
Imagemagick with Ghostscript. So surely there must be a quicker
solution for Linux too?

I can't find it. I'd prefer an open-source/free option but if none
exists would settle for a commercial program.

An acceptable answer will provide details of a tool for Linux which
can successfully convert PDF files to JPG files at least three times
as fast as Imagemagick with Ghostscript (using the Windows apps as a
guideline, it should be possible to do it 6x faster). A solution which
shows a two-stage process, for example converting PDF to another
format and then that into JPG is also acceptable, presuming the
resulting JPG is identical to the original PDF. Also acceptable would
be outlining a way to make the Ghostscript option six times faster.

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Clarification of Question by jakegordon-ga on 07 Jul 2006 06:47 PDT

To clarify, the tool must be able to be run from the command line.

I've found, in my own Linux experience, that there's probably some
setting you have which is causing it to run very slowly, that
hopefully you could change.  What sort of resolution are you getting
your JPGs out at from Ghostscript, and what reduction if any are you
doing in Imagemagick, and what settings do you use for the reduction? 
Which program is your bottleneck, Ghostscript or Imagemagick?

All you have to do is open the pdf in the GIMP, and export it as a jpg.
It takes a little, and it won't work unless your pdf is completly
uncorrupted and standards compliant, but it works for me.