reading PDF files

Tulip · 03-19-2009, 10:02 PM

I need a program to open PDF files. Which programs do you suggest I get? I see Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Reader, etc. I want something that's free I can download. Any suggestions? And which site should I download this from?

lumberjim · 03-20-2009, 12:14 AM

yes

Happy Monkey · 03-20-2009, 12:24 AM

http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/

Beestie · 03-20-2009, 02:12 AM

Sumatra.

Simple and lightweight and fast.

lumberjim · 03-20-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beestie

Sumatra.

Simple and lightweight and fast.

and won't let me right click to print the doc file....i have to open it first.

ETA: fox it works that way, though

Shawnee123 · 03-20-2009, 01:21 PM

What's wrong with Adobe? Too mainstream?

Beestie · 03-20-2009, 02:06 PM

Adobe is like planting an oak tree in your hard drive.

It hogs resources, nags you to update it, it remotely connects to servers without explicit permission, it surreptitiously modifies the registry to keep itself running and every single stinkin time you double click a pdf file it it brings your system to a screeching halt while it loads a landfill's worth of libraries and plugins that have already been loaded a zillion times in the same session.

And for what? To read a single page.

Thanks but no thanks.

Shawnee123 · 03-20-2009, 02:11 PM

*shrugs*

Some of us laypeople go with the known, due to more readily available help, or at least knowing someone you know has heard of it. I had no idea there were even other options. FWIW, my home comp seems to be suffering, but I'm due for a new one anyway.

When I do that, I hope to get opinions here about better options for basic software like Adobe.

Beestie · 03-20-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

and won't let me right click to print the doc file....i have to open it first.

ETA: fox it works that way, though

Foxit is a better choice as an Acrobat replacement. Sumatra is good for reading and quick opening but that's about it. Its worth a look as its footprint is miniscule - it runs well from USB drives, also.

Pie · 03-20-2009, 02:31 PM

Listen to the Beestie.
Foxit, and never look back.
(CutePDF is also good add-on to allow "print-to-pdf" functionality, and I use PDF Split and Merge to concatenate multiple pdfs or to add/remove pages, etc. PDFsam is a little less polished, but it works as advertised and is worth the price.)

lumberjim · 03-20-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beestie

Adobe is like planting an oak tree in your hard drive.

It hogs resources, nags you to update it, it remotely connects to servers without explicit permission, it surreptitiously modifies the registry to keep itself running and every single stinkin time you double click a pdf file it it brings your system to a screeching halt while it loads a landfill's worth of libraries and plugins that have already been loaded a zillion times in the same session.

And for what? To read a single page.

Thanks but no thanks.

I'm glad this came up. I had been using adobe because i assumed it was the best option. For what I do with it, however, it does just what you're describing there. When I use it, it's to print a form off quickly for a deal. I have certain forms I need that are bank specific, and most of them are available as PDF on the main interface program we use for the banks (Dealertrack)

I save these forms and organize them in folders for each bank.....i have them on my desk top*, so instead of having to maintain an inventory of these forms in a drawer, i just print them as needed. adobe leaves itself open after the form is done printing, too.

* i recently found (i think this was another gem found on the cellar, btw) that you can create toolbars within the task bar. that's damn handy.

glatt · 03-20-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pie

Listen to the Beestie.
Foxit, and never look back.
(CutePDF is also good add-on to allow "print-to-pdf" functionality, and I use PDF Split and Merge to concatenate multiple pdfs or to add/remove pages, etc. PDFsam is a little less polished, but it works as advertised and is worth the price.)

I'll have to check that out. I have times where I want to send one page of a multi-page pdf off to someone, but not the entire pdf. This sounds perfect.

mbpark · 03-20-2009, 02:59 PM

Agreed.

Adobe, for all of its warts, is supported for a significant amount of back-end functionality that organizations like the IRS use for forms.

Additionally, it actually is Section 508 compliant, meaning that the forms and PDFs can be used with accessibility software, which is good if you're blind.

Foxit is nice, and so are other programs like Preview on OS X, but Adobe does have a significant amount of functionality that banks, the US Government, and people with disabilities need.

mbpark · 03-20-2009, 03:00 PM

However, to make PDF files, I use CutePDF. It's a program I can't live without on Windows to do my job.

Beestie · 03-20-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbpark

However, to make PDF files, I use CutePDF. It's a program I can't live without on Windows to do my job.

To create PDF files, I use the website DOC2PDF.net. Nothing to install but obviously not private. I tried CutePDF years ago and, for some reason, it didn't agree with me but that was so long ago its probably a lot better now.

Just goes to show - there are numerous options for everything.

03-19-2009, 10:02 PM	#1
Tulip Professor Join Date: May 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,293	reading PDF files I need a program to open PDF files. Which programs do you suggest I get? I see Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Reader, etc. I want something that's free I can download. Any suggestions? And which site should I download this from?

03-20-2009, 12:14 AM	#2
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	yes __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

03-20-2009, 12:24 AM	#3
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/ __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

03-20-2009, 02:12 AM	#4
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	Sumatra. Simple and lightweight and fast. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

03-20-2009, 01:21 PM	#6
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	What's wrong with Adobe? Too mainstream? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

03-20-2009, 02:06 PM	#7
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	Adobe is like planting an oak tree in your hard drive. It hogs resources, nags you to update it, it remotely connects to servers without explicit permission, it surreptitiously modifies the registry to keep itself running and every single stinkin time you double click a pdf file it it brings your system to a screeching halt while it loads a landfill's worth of libraries and plugins that have already been loaded a zillion times in the same session. And for what? To read a single page. Thanks but no thanks. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

03-20-2009, 02:11 PM	#8
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	shrugs Some of us laypeople go with the known, due to more readily available help, or at least knowing someone you know has heard of it. I had no idea there were even other options. FWIW, my home comp seems to be suffering, but I'm due for a new one anyway. When I do that, I hope to get opinions here about better options for basic software like Adobe. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

03-20-2009, 02:31 PM	#10
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	Listen to the Beestie. Foxit, and never look back. (CutePDF is also good add-on to allow "print-to-pdf" functionality, and I use PDF Split and Merge to concatenate multiple pdfs or to add/remove pages, etc. PDFsam is a little less polished, but it works as advertised and is worth the price.) __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

03-20-2009, 02:59 PM	#13
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	Agreed. Adobe, for all of its warts, is supported for a significant amount of back-end functionality that organizations like the IRS use for forms. Additionally, it actually is Section 508 compliant, meaning that the forms and PDFs can be used with accessibility software, which is good if you're blind. Foxit is nice, and so are other programs like Preview on OS X, but Adobe does have a significant amount of functionality that banks, the US Government, and people with disabilities need.

03-20-2009, 03:00 PM	#14
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	However, to make PDF files, I use CutePDF. It's a program I can't live without on Windows to do my job.

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