Help with PDF files

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• What is a PDF file?

  PDF stands for Portable Data Format.  You need a reader program to be able to read and print it. The Adobe Reader is the most popular program used for this. 

• How can I tell if I have a reader?

  If you have an Apple computer, you have a reader.

  If you have a Windows PC, you probably have a reader.

  When you download a PDF file and try to open it and it tells you that it can't or asks you for a program, then you probably don't have a reader.  You can easily download a free reader.

  
  

• How do I download a reader?

  Use search to find Adobe Reader or Foxit (another free reader) for download.  If these words don't mean much to you, then ask a knowledgeable friend or relative to help you.  It is important to get a reader from a safe site and everyone needs one.  Once you have one loaded, it will keep itself updated and you won't need to worry about it again.

• I click on the title but I don't see the document, it wants to download.

  What you see when you click on the title depends on what software you are running and what settings you have.  It will vary from machine to machine.  Since files like this can be harmful, your computer may be set up not to open these files on-line, but force you to download it onto your machine where your security software can check it out.

  
  

  The path of least resistance is to download it and then open it.

• It's all garbled!

  You don't have a PDF reader.

• I still don't get it!

  Call Margaret Tassey at 491-1135 and she will try to help you.