Introduction to Adobe Acrobat James Crowley C3 – Crowley Computer Consulting

Survey Have you read PDF file(s)? Screen Paper PDA Can you search a PDF? Can you a PDF? Have you created a PDF?

Survey Have you used an application besides Adobe Acrobat? Do you want to create PDFs? Purpose? How often? Why are you here?

Electronic document exchange PDF = Portable Document Format Required for the paperless office Universality PDF is a proprietary format owned by Adobe.

Current standards PDF/A: May 2005, for the long term preservation of digital documents. PDF/X: for exchange of high-quality, print-ready pages. U3D: open, extensible format for sharing and viewing 3D designs

Future standards PDF 1.7: Jan 2007, submitted to AIIM, for the purpose of publication as a standard by the ISO. PDF/E: officially accepted as ISO working item for exchange of project info, review and document markup with a 3D component PDF/UA: universally accessible - extended for visually or mobility impaired individuals

Electronic document exchange PDF is not the only game in town, but it is the market leader. Past: Envoy Current HTML XML ODF: Open Document Format Microsoft XPS: XML Paper Specification

PDF History Original concept by John Warnock in 1984 when hand programming an IRS tax form into PostScript for an Apple LaserWriter. In 1991, Warnock wrote a paper referring to Camelot that led to the development of COS which is the foundation of the PDF language and data structure. Acrobat Reader was not free at first and nearly sunk PDF when competing products like Envoy gave their reader away.

The DreamWhat worksThe Reality universal documents 26 languagesdoes not translate Computer based translation is still a very new technology and leaves a lot to be desired.

The DreamWhat worksThe Reality exchangeable documents PDF readers on 23 major platforms Support varies You need a computer.

The DreamWhat worksThe Reality everyone can read the documents 500 million copies of Acrobat and Reader have been distributed. You still need the PC and the ability to download Reader if you dont have a CD.

The DreamWhat worksThe Reality everyone can create the documents Acrobat starts at $299. Many applications have the ability to produce PDFs. Other creation utilities are available, starting for free. Everyone can create bad PDFs or good PDFs!

The DreamWhat worksThe Reality reduced storage space PDFs can do the job of paper. Natural resources? Many agencies still required printed documents. Many agencies dont recognize digital signatures

The DreamWhat worksThe Reality increased securitydigital signature technology is here and works Signature technology is still new. No security is perfect. Signature technology is not overly simple to get started.

What is so tough about universal documents? Media Resolution

Who is who… Adobe is the corporation that owns the PDF format. Current version is 8. Reader is the application to read PDFs. Reader used to be called Acrobat Reader. Acrobat is the application to read and create PDFs.

Adobe Pricing Readerfree Acrobat Standard$299 Acrobat Professional$499 Acrobat 3D$995

From Adobe Reader available from readstep2.html readstep2.html 30 day demo of Acrobat Professional available from ro/tryout.html ro/tryout.html

Other PDF creating options Create Adobe PDF Online Five free PDFs Subscribe for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year Non Adobe options: Adobe opened the file format to allow others to write PDF creation applications. Wikipedia: PC Magazine: and search reviews for PDF

Other PDF creating options Not all PDF creators are create equally!

Adobe Reader - when you download... Acrobat Reader MB Do you want Photoshop Album Starter Edition? 8.4MB Do you want Google Toolbar? 1.1MB Installation of Adobe Download Manager Close apps during installation so it can plug in better.

Making PDFs You already have the tools you need to make PDFs! Then you create the PDF! DocumentsWord processorWord, WordPerfect, Write… NewslettersPage layout applicationPublisher, In Design, Word, WordPerfect… FormsMany possibilitiesWord, Excel…