|
Before beginning: We highly recommend that you get the latest versions of all the Web
software you will use - browser, Adobe Acrobat, zip utilities. Trying to use recent
versions of one type with older versions of another often causes problems!
PDF/Acrobat Help
What are "Acrobat" and "PDF Files"?
Acrobat is a program produced by Adobe Systems which allows saving of documents from many
different formats (such as word processing, worksheets, etc) into the PDF format. It
preserves the look of the original document regardless of what type of system the end
user is viewing it with. The PDF format is read with the Acrobat Reader, which is available
free. Thus, the end viewer does not need the program (word processor, spreadsheet or
whatever) that the document was originally created in to view the file.
Adobe Acrobat files have the extension .PDF and often are referred to as "PDF files". This is
the same thing as saying "an Adobe Acrobat file".
Acrobat Reader installs itself as a "plug-in" (helper) for your Web browser, and as an independent
program on your computer which you can open and use.
Do I Already Have Acrobat?
If you already have it, the exact behavior of it as it works with your browser may vary
slightly. Follow the instructions in
"How Do I View a PDF file On-Line?" to see if you
have it.
Bascially, if you can't easily view the file, you either don't have it or it isn't installed
properly, or you may have old versions of Acrobat and/or your Web browser.
Were Do I Get Acrobat?
Go to the
Adobe Acrobat Reader download page. It's free.
How Do I Install Acrobat
Follow the instructions on the
Adobe web site. Perma-Fix can't help you with installation
problems; contact your software/hardware manufacturers for help.
What's the difference between On-Line viewing and Downloading?
On-line - you view the PDF document via the web, just like a Web page.
You can print it this way as well. A copy is not saved
to your computer.
Download - You save the PDF file to your computer so that you have your own
copy to look at or print whenever you want.
How Do I View a PDF file On-Line?
Click on the link to the PDF file you are interested in. One of the following should
happen:
- If you see the document in your browser (your browser is what you view
web pages with; usually Netscape or Internet Explorer), Acrobat is not only installed on
your computer, it is installed as a "Plug-In" for your browser -- that just means your browser
"knows" to automatically open Acrobat files (files with a .pdf extension).
- Acrobat may open with the document entirely within your browser window
(displacing the Web page you were viewing). You will see the Acrobat menu bar below your
browser's regular menu bar. To get back to the Web page you were viewing before, use your
browser's "back" button (you have it installed).
- Acrobat may open in a new window of it's own, leaving your browser and the original web
page open as well. When you are finished with Acrobat, just 'exit' it (close it's window)
(you have it installed).
- Instead of Acrobat opening immediately, you may see a dialog box that asks if you want to "open" or "save" the document (or something similar). Choose open. If a window displaying the document opens, you have
Acrobat, and are now viewing the on-line document. If you get anyother messages, you don't
have Acrobat or it isn't installed properly.
- You may get a message saying it is an 'unrecognized file type.'
You probably don't have Acrobat, or it isn't installed correctly for the browser you currently
have. We recommend getting the latest version of Acrobat AND whatever browser
you are using
How Do I Print On-Line?
Open the PDF file by clicking on the link
(see How Do I View a PDF file On-Line). Use Acrobat's menu options
(choose Print form the File menu) to print. If you need help using Acrobat, use Acrobat's
Help menu.
How Do I Download a PDF File?
This will depend somewhat on what browser and version you have. Generally, you need to
get to the point where you are "SAVING TO" your own computer, rather than just opening
the file and viewing it on line.
First make sure you have Acrobat installed.
For current browsers:
- 'Normal' click (left click) on the PDF link.
- If you get a dialog box asking if you want to open or save the file, choose Save.
Go to step 5.
- If the document opens in Acrobat, go back to the original web page (close Acrobat, or
use your back button if Acrobat opened within your browser) and go to step 4.
- Right click on the PDF link. From the pop up menu, choose "Save Target As" (Internet
Explorer) or "Save Link As" (Netscape Communicator).
- When your computer's "Save As" dialog opens, be sure you note WHERE you are putting
the file so you can find it later. Change the location if you want.
- Click 'Save'. That should do it!
How Do I View/Print a Downloaded PDF File?
Once you have Acrobat installed and have downloaded your file, you use the Acrobat program
and file like any other program on your computer. You start the program, then open the file
with the program.
Windows 95/98/2000:
Navigate to the file in Windows Explorer and double click on it. Generally Windows will
automatically open the Acrobat program with your file open in it.
OR
Start the Acrobat Program: when you install Acrobat, it puts a short cut in your 'Programs'
menu. Click your 'Start' button, click 'Programs,' find and click 'Adobe Acrobat' and then
'Acrobat Reader'.
Once you've started Acrobat, open the file: Click the 'File' menu, click 'Open', find your file
(the location of which you carefully noted when you downloaded it!), and open it.
To Print: Use Acrobat's menu options
(choose Print form the File menu). If you need help using Acrobat, use Acrobat's
Help menu.
|
