A little background on PDF
PDF or .pdf files is an acronym meaning Adobe Acrobat Portable
Document Format. PDF files have the ability to be viewed and printed, using
Adobe Acrobat Reader (which is a free software program). The benefit of .pdf files
comes from their usability on virtually any system (PC, Apple, Unix), while retaining the
formatting of the original document. If set up correctly .pdf files can also be navigated
much like a web page, point and click (not all .pdf documents are structured in this way).
Adobe has recognized that not everyone uses the same
software, or even the same version of a software package. By 'writing' a .pdf file, anyone
can view the document you created, while retaining all the formatting. The printed version
of a .pdf file should look identical to the printed version from the software the file was
created in.
Viewing PDF files
When you come across a .pdf file on a web site, and click on
it, three things might happen:
1 Your click will load
the Acrobat Reader Plug-In for your browser (a plug in is a piece of software that extends
the capabilities of your browser - sort of like a accessory package for your car, such as
power windows & locks). You can navigate and print this document.
2 Your click will
bring up a dialog box that asks you to save the .pdf file to your hard disk drive. After
you save the file to your hard drive, you can view and print it by double clicking (or
single clicking - depending on how you have your machine set up). If you get a message
that your operating system does not recognize the file, then you need to download the free
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
3 If you find that
clicking on the link does not load the plug in, chances are you do not have the plug in
installed, or set up correctly. Follow this link to get Adobe Acrobat Reader
(free!).
Sometimes is saves the file, sometimes it load the
plug in - Why?
Different browsers interpret a click on a hyperlink in
different ways. Generally, a single right click on a .pdf hyperlinked file will first
attempt to load the plug in, second, save the file. If you would like to automatically
save the file (for viewing or printing later) you can hold down the SHIFT key (in Netscape
browsers) or a right click -"save target as" (in Microsoft browsers). (Apple
users can email me the direct save as command, and I can include it here!)
If you have other PDF questions, please email me, and I can include your questions and answers on this page!
|
