pdf files

[mjf]

Patti, everyone has their favorite. But if you are looking to just open and read a PDF, Adobe is the LAST program I would install. It's the first one I deleted on the desktop I recently bought.

I've always used Adobe readers and never had a problem (the founder of Adobe invented pdfs!). Adobe reader supports the latest developments in pdfs including multimedia.
Adobe make the Photoshop products that the poster & I use.

If you are going to make sweeping statements then give sound justification.

I don't recommend of use Adobe Acrobat Reader.

My reasons for not doing so
#1). It's too big of a download and too big of an install
#2). It takes too longer to launch and thus I am waiting for my PDF's to open
#3). It has a history of having major security holes and Adobe takes a long time to patch them.

For me, PDF files need to just open as fast as possible and show me the contents.

Years ago, when Acrobat Reader came out it was quick and lightweight. Over the years, it has grown pretty bloated, includes numerous other features that I don't need and it just takes far too long for PDF files to open.

If you haven't tried something like FoxIt or Sumatra you probably aren't even aware of how slow adobe acrobat reader really is.

I use FoxIt. And people often remark at work....about how they wished their computer was as fast as mine as it takes them a lot longer to open a PDF. Well, our specs are the same..I'm just using FoxIt and they are using Adobe.

Looks like good sound advice.
Just 2 questions:
(1) FoxIt looks good. Is it sound from a security point of view (regular updates etc.). Also, is it easily integrated into common Browsers like Firefox and IE ? If so then I'll be considering it myself.
(2) Given that Adobe is the industry standard in the photographic editing world, do these apps (eg. Photoshop CS5) present a security risk?

 

[Phone Man]

I've always used Adobe readers and never had a problem (the founder of Adobe invented pdfs!). Adobe reader supports the latest developments in pdfs including multimedia.
Adobe make the Photoshop products that the poster & I use.

If you are going to make sweeping statements then give sound justification.

I don't recommend of use Adobe Acrobat Reader.

My reasons for not doing so
#1). It's too big of a download and too big of an install
#2). It takes too longer to launch and thus I am waiting for my PDF's to open
#3). It has a history of having major security holes and Adobe takes a long time to patch them.

For me, PDF files need to just open as fast as possible and show me the contents.

Years ago, when Acrobat Reader came out it was quick and lightweight. Over the years, it has grown pretty bloated, includes numerous other features that I don't need and it just takes far too long for PDF files to open.

If you haven't tried something like FoxIt or Sumatra you probably aren't even aware of how slow adobe acrobat reader really is.

I use FoxIt. And people often remark at work....about how they wished their computer was as fast as mine as it takes them a lot longer to open a PDF. Well, our specs are the same..I'm just using FoxIt and they are using Adobe.

Looks like good sound advice.
Just 2 questions:
(1) FoxIt looks good. Is it sound from a security point of view (regular updates etc.). Also, is it easily integrated into common Browsers like Firefox and IE ? If so then I'll be considering it myself.
(2) Given that Adobe is the industry standard in the photographic editing world, do these apps (eg. Photoshop CS5) present a security risk?

Here is a link to Foxit security page. They are a very large corporation and have the resources to keep Foxit secure. It also has a Safe Reading Mode which stops the execution of any included links within the PDF file. You can also turn off Active-X within Foxit. It also has plugins for your browser.

Foxit Software - Foxit Reader for Windows

Jim

 

[Imperfect1]

Everyone's talked about which PDF app they like best, but I just wanted to mention that when you choose the one you want, make that app your default so that your system always opens PDFs to that app, and you can read them easily.

 

[HammerHead]

Nitro

No one mentioned my favorite, Nitro PDF reader. I use a couple of secure sites and when you want a PDF to open they have their software set for Adobe which I consider stupid but they do not seem in a hurry to change.

 

[nailgunner]

No one mentioned my favorite, Nitro PDF reader.

yowanvista mentioned it, and even included a link to their site:

I use Foxit on PC and Nitro on my laptop


Nitro PDF Reader

Maybe he doesn't count. :sarc:

 

[mjf]

There has been no answer to one of my questions:

"(2) Given that Adobe is the industry standard in the photographic editing world, do these apps (eg. Photoshop CS5) present a security risk?"

Any takers?
Photoshop Element+Organizer is the baby and it's closer to 1GB. No substitute comes near it.

 

[whs]

There has been no answer to one of my questions:

"(2) Given that Adobe is the industry standard in the photographic editing world, do these apps (eg. Photoshop CS5) present a security risk?"

Any takers?
Photoshop Element+Organizer is the baby and it's closer to 1GB. No substitute comes near it.

Corrine would know. Maybe you send her a PM.

 

[minimeister]

Foxit for sure - Adobe reader 200MB bloated | Foxit Reader 10MB

 

[pparks1]

There has been no answer to one of my questions:

"(2) Given that Adobe is the industry standard in the photographic editing world, do these apps (eg. Photoshop CS5) present a security risk?"

Any takers?
Photoshop Element+Organizer is the baby and it's closer to 1GB. No substitute comes near it.

Sorry, I'm not answering this question as I don't use this software. I've got no experience with it based on it's cost. So, I'm unable to say for sure whether these apps are safe. My gut feel would be to say it's probably alright, since the whole world seems to use them as the de facto standard.

 

[nailgunner]

My gut feel would be to say it's probably alright, since the whole world seems to use them as the de facto standard.

The whole world uses Acrobat as a de facto standard too. But "apparently" there are security issues with it. So logic would tell me the gut feeling should go the other way. If they can't secure one, can they secure the others?

 

[mjf]

There has been no answer to one of my questions:

"(2) Given that Adobe is the industry standard in the photographic editing world, do these apps (eg. Photoshop CS5) present a security risk?"

Any takers?
Photoshop Element+Organizer is the baby and it's closer to 1GB. No substitute comes near it.

Sorry, I'm not answering this question as I don't use this software. I've got no experience with it based on it's cost. So, I'm unable to say for sure whether these apps are safe. My gut feel would be to say it's probably alright, since the whole world seems to use them as the de facto standard.

When I see good reason to adopt one piece of software over another I act on it . I have no allegiance to any software house.
But Adobe are a very large Enterprise and I would suspect that their Adobe reader would have global dominance and clearly the view here is that the product is not alright.

 

[PattiChati]

Thanks for all the ideas - I will download one now.
Does anyone have any ideas why I am not getting any email notifications that there has been replies to my questions? I have the box checked? Thanks.

 

[PattiChati]

Are there any free ones? The ones suggested were just to try? Thanks.

 

[Phone Man]

Are there any free ones? The ones suggested were just to try? Thanks.

Foxit Software - Foxit Reader for Windows

This one is FREE.

Jim

 

[mickey megabyte]

or nitropdf reader

also free

 

[whs]

Thanks for all the ideas - I will download one now.
Does anyone have any ideas why I am not getting any email notifications that there has been replies to my questions? I have the box checked? Thanks.

You'll get them tomorrow. They seem to be sent out as "bulk mail" :sarc: Probably when the server has light load.

 

[mitchell64]

or nitropdf reader

also free

I have had my eye on Nitro for a while and decided to install it a couple of days ago.
Not as light as Foxit but i have plenty of free space & Ram
So far i like it

 

[Seventy Nine]

I also think that Adobe Reader and Acrobat X Pro have become bloatware and have been looking for slimware to read PDF files and print PDF files from Microsoft Word and Excel.

I've tried Nitro PDFreader and Foxit Reader but I'm currently using a combination of PDF Xchange viewer 2.5 for reading and doPDF 7 for printing PDF files. Both are working well and seem to be as quick as the Adobe software on Windows 7 x64.