Portable Document Format
(PDF) 1
- What is a PDF file?
A Portable Document Format (pdf) file is a file that will look the same on the screen and in print, regardless of what kind of computer or printer someone is using and regardless of what software package was originally used to create it.
PDF files can be searched, printed, and saved. Portions of the text can be cut and pasted into other documents. All these functions must be performed using the special Adobe Acrobat tool bar, which appears immediately above the viewing window. Your browser tools will not produce the desired effect on PDF files.
Although they contain the complete formatting of the
original document, including fonts and images, PDF files are highly compressed,
allowing complex information to be downloaded efficiently.
- How to Download the software
Virtually anyone -- including Windows, DOS, Macintosh, SUN, and UNIX system users -- can view and print a PDF file using the free Adobe(R) Acrobat(R) Reader, from the Adobe web site.
To download the free Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Web
Site click on this icon here or elsewhere on this site: 
For assistance in downloading and installing the
software, see the Adobe Web site document Adobe Acrobat Reader
Troubleshooting Guide at Adobe's Web Site.
- How to View PDF Files
Once the Acrobat Reader software is properly installed, you just need to click on a link to a .pdf file and it will be loaded for viewing on your computer. Note that the file is sent to your computer as a temporary file that will be deleted when you exit your browser unless you save it on your computer.
PDF files are indicated by the following graphic
following the filename 
·
How
to Print PDF Files
When printing Adobe Acrobat PDF files from within your web browser, do NOT use
the web browser print facility. Instead, use the print button at the left end
of the special Adobe Acrobat tool bar, which appears immediately above the
viewing window.
- How to Save PDF Files
To save the file for later use once you have loaded it for viewing, on most browsers you just select "File" then "Save As..." from the menu bar. To just save without viewing, place the cursor over the link to the pdf file, hold down the shift key and click the mouse. This should bring up the "Save As" window.
·
How to Search PDF
Files
Once downloaded, a PDF file
can be searched by clicking the binocular icon on the special Adobe Acrobat tool bar, which
appears immediately above the viewing window and inserting a search string. Note that your
browser’s Find-on-this-page capability will not function on a PDF file.
Adobe, Acrobat, and the Acrobat logo are trademarks
of Adobe Systems Inc.
Windows and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft