Questions on Downloading PDFs

1. Why do I have to download a program to access the files?

The most most frequently used format is the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). This format reproduces the documents precisely as they were originally composed, provides built-in compression, is supported by all popular operating systems and is compatible with nearly any contemporary printer. The freely available Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required to view, print and search PDF documents.

The program is free, with no strings attached.

2. What kind of file format is a Adobe PDF?

Portable Document Format (PDF): The PDF format is modeled after the PostScript language and is both device and resolution independent. Publications in the PDF format can be viewed, navigated and printed from a workstation using the freely available Acrobat Reader software from Adobe Systems Inc. Versions of Acrobat Reader run on Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 3.1, Macintosh, LINUX, IBM AIX, Sun SPARC SunOS, Sun SPARC Solaris, SGI IRIX, HP-UX, Digital Unix and OS/2 Warp.

3. How do I install Acrobat Reader on my computer?

Step 1: Click your “Print” icon on the main toolbar to print these directions out.

Step 2: Click your mouse on the link above and a new window will open to the Acrobat Reader web site.

Step 3: Follow the steps on the page by filling in the form and then clicking the “Download” button.

Step 4: A “file download” box will appear. Select “save to disk”. Choose where on your computer you want to save the file (for example: Desktop) and click “save.”

Step 5: When it finishes downloading a “Download Complete” box will appear. Click on “Open.” Your computer will start unpacking the necessary files. Follow the dialogues that come up, clicking “Next” after reading them.

Acrobat is now installed on your computer!

4. How do I open the documents with Acrobat Reader?

Click on the link to the document you want to open. Your computer will automatically activate Acrobat Reader and open the file.

5. How do I save a document?

Once the document is open, click on “File” at the top of your screen and click “Save as.” Navigate to where you want to save the document (for example: My Documents) and click save. The document will then be available on your computer.

6. How do I print a document?

Once you have opened a file, click on File at the top of your screen and then select print. Then click “Ok.” The document will print on your printer.

7. Can I change, copy, or delete the text in one of these files?

PDF files are not editable unless you have the complete version of Adobe Acrobat. The full version may be purchased on line at www.acrobat.com.