Adobe Reader is a free program that should be installed on each and every personal computer, because it is required to view one of the most prevalent file formats, pdf. Unless you've taken the initiative to read the accompanying help files, though, you may not be maximizing your use of Adobe Reader. This is the first in a series of articles to make your association with pdf files more efficient and more pleasant. If there are specific issues you'd like to see covered in future articles, please let me know.

At a recent ICON meeting, several of us were discussing the users' guides provided by hardware makers and the fact that more often than not, these guides are now provided on a compact disc rather than in a hard-copy format. This is frustrating for those of us who prefer to read such documents while relaxing somewhere other than at our computer. On the other hand, the electronic version can reside right on your hard drive (instead of somewhere in a stack of computer books!), is "searchable", and can allow quicker access to the information you need. And, if you know how, you can print one page, one chapter, or the whole users' guide, and take it to your easy chair to read at your leisure. These electronic versions are usually provided as a pdf file. Can't find the manual for your garden tiller? It's probably available online - as a pdf file. Need a tax form, directions or publications not included in the packet the IRS mailed you? You can download them - as a pdf file.

What is a pdf file?
PDF stands for Portable Document Format, so when you hear someone say "pdf format", they are being redundant, as in "portable document format format". PDF is a file format created by Adobe, initially to provide a standard form for storing and editing printed publishable documents. This format is an image of the text, rather than text itself; it looks the same to Windows and Mac users, regardless of operating system or installed fonts, and has become a standard on the web.

How do I view a pdf file?
One of the reasons pdf has become such a web standard is that the software to view it is free. Visit www.adobe.com and look for a link to download the free "Adobe Reader". This is probably a 45-minute download on a dial-up connection, so you might want to ask David Oliver (or another officer) to download it for you using the Library's high-speed access. The latest version of Adobe Reader is 6.0.1, but earlier versions are still available for download. Be sure that your system meets the system requirements for the version you download prior to installing it. Personally, I would recommend either Version 5 or 6. Using a version earlier than those may prevent you from viewing many of more recently created pdf's.

For years, Adobe's name for their free reader was "Adobe Acrobat Reader", but this name confused lots of folks who visited Adobe's site and saw "Adobe Acrobat", which is the program Adobe sells to create pdf files. It currently retails for $450, a long way from free! (There are other less expensive ways to create pdf's, which will be discussed in a later article.) In an attempt to eliminate the confusion, Adobe changed the name of the free software to "Adobe Reader".

Is there a quick way to view a pdf?
Good webmasters will always notify you that the link you are about to click is a pdf. A REALLY good webmaster will tell you the file size, usually in parentheses, and will provide a link where you can download the free reader. If you see this image , you can be certain the link is to a pdf file. Often the Adobe Reader is configured as a plug-in to your browser so that it will automatically open in your browser whenever you click a pdf link. (This will be discussed in another article.) Most of us have had the experience of clicking on a pdf link, then staring at a blank screen while the pdf loads. Many pdf files are huge, either because the person who created them failed to optimize them for the web, or because of the volume of material they contain.

The trick to viewing any pdf file more quickly is to right-click the link. In the context menu that appears, choose "Save Target As" and browse to where you'd like to save the file to your hard drive. Feel free to rename the file to something you recognize. Then locate the file you've just saved and double-click it. It will open in Adobe Reader much more quickly than if you had left-clicked the link. Be sure to "clear the clutter" from your hard drive by deleting the pdf when you no longer need it.