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About Adobe Acrobat and PDF Files
What is Adobe Acrobat?
Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free program from the Adobe company that allows you to read PDF files. Newer computers and newer versions of the Microsoft Explorer web browser come with the Reader already installed as a plug-in (a small helping program) for your Web browser. See What do I need to read a PDF?, below. In addition to the Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe makes the full program, Adobe Acrobat which alllows you to read, edit and create PDF files.
What is a PDF File?
PDF stands for "Portable Document Format." A PDF is NOT a word processing file: you can't open it in your word processor. This also means you can't type on or add anything to an Acrobat (PDF) file with the Acrobat Reader. Unless you have the FULL Adobe Acrobat program installed on your computer, you can only read the PDF and/or print it out. In some cases, PDF files are created as Interactive forms.
In this case, you will be able to fill out the form, depending on how the host site has set up the document. You will always be able to fill the form out while online, however you MAY NOT be able to save the PDF to your hard drive and fill it out offline.
Documents created in all sorts of applications, from word processing to spreadsheet, graphics to page layout, can be saved as PDFs. The document names will always end with ".pdf".
Why would anyone want a document in PDF format?
Typical Web pages print according to the user's computer settings and software. PDF was created to ensure that documents posted on the Internet print out exactly the same in every instance no matter who reads it or what kind of computer she uses. IRS tax forms are an excellent example of this.
What do I need to read a PDF?
Adobe Acrobat files (PDFs) are read with -- surprise! -- the Adobe Acrobat Reader. This program, or application, is available for all current popular operating systems including Microsift XP, Macintosh, UNIX, LINUX, etc.
How do I get latest version of Acrobat Reader?
Newer computers and newer versions of the Microsoft Explorer web browser come with the Reader already installed as a plug-in (a small helping program) for your Web browser. If you do not have the Reader at all, or if you have a version EARLIER than "4.0", You need to download the latest version of the Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Web site. While the FULL Adobe Acrobat program is costly, the Acrobat Reader is free of charge and can be easily downloaded. It is important to download the version of Adobe Acrobat that matches your operating system. You will find this free program along with
installation instructions www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html
NOTE: Remember where you've saved the download!
How do I view a PDF file?
Once you've installed the Acrobat Reader software, you are ready to view any PDF document appearing on NursingWorld (or from the IRS, for that matter). Newer browsers should automatically recognize a link to a PDF file so that when you click on it, the Adobe Reader automatically opens the file for you. The browser will open the PDF file within the browser window itself, allowing you to print directly without downloading. You can also save the PDF to your hard drive.
Problems With the Adobe Reader
Sometimes, you may find that although you have the Adobe Reader on your computer, you still have difficulty accessing, printing, and/or saving PDF files. This is most likely due to the fact that the PDF file was created in a version of Acrobat that is more recent than the version of your reader. In order to fix this problem, you must download a newer version of the Acrobat Reader. Updates for the reader can be downloaded for free, on the Adobe website.
I need more help!
Confused? Lost? Stuck? Don't panic! You have some options for assistance.
- Ask your neighbor. Chances are, there is someone in your office who can help you — either a technical support person, or a computer-savvy coworker. (Maybe even your 12-year-old niece with her own Web site). Someone close by will be able to help you the fastest because they'll be most familiar with the kind of computer and operating system you're using and should be able to walk you through the process.
- Online assistance. Help is also as close as your Web browser. Visit Adobe's Acrobat Reader Troubleshooting page for helpful documents.
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