PDF Help

About PDF Files

Typically Web pages are created with Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) which gives the author little control of how the resultant text and graphics will be rendered on any particular viewer's screen. By contrast Printer Display Format (PDF) gives the author almost total control of how a document will appear, both on screen and when printed. The format is used for documents such as curriculum vitae, user manuals for industrial and household machinery, and even whole books. A large proportion of all the information on the Web is contained in PDF files.

Speed

In the past PDF files were slow to download and to view. This is less of a problem these days. Broadband speeds the downloads, while a fast-loading and nimble PDF reader such as FoxIt Reader (1.18 MB) make PDF files quick and easy to view. Even Adobe Reader, which used to be infuriatingly slow, since version 7.07 is quicker and better behaved.

Printing

At the time when a PDF document is created, the author gets the chance to choose settings stipulating whether or not printing is permitted.

Software Downloads

Adobe Reader is freeware. By default Adobe also want you to download their Adobe Yahoo! Toolbar and Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition. These are unnecessary, so uncheck them both below the heading "Also download". Even after this, at 20.3MB, Adobe Reader is still a large download. However since version 7.07 it has become fast enough to be pleasant to use without any special tweaking - and it renders documents well.

FoxIt Reader is freeware. The download is only 1.21 MB, needs no installation and loads immediately. Nimble and unobtrusive, many people prefer it to Adobe Reader for speedy browsing, though it is a little rough around the edges.