Why use PDF?
Converting a document to PDF is good for a number of reasons. PDF (Portable Document File) is a very commonly used format across the Internet and available on a variety of platforms. Acrobat reader is free, and universally compatible, meaning that PDF documents appear exactly the same on different systems. Microsoft Word documents can only be viewed on platforms that support Microsoft Word. Save Space, Save Time. PDF files also contain a complete description of a 2D document that include the same text, fonts, images, and 2D vector graphics that compose the document. PDF files do not encode information that is specific to the application software, hardware, or operating system used to create or view the document. This feature ensures that a valid PDF will render exactly the same regardless of its origin or destination (helpful when printing). You may also read and write PDF files for free. Reasons to convert to PDF: • PDF documents resides in a single file, and take up less space. • PDF
If you want to transfer files by email or the Web to other computer users and to ensure that your files are readable, the safest option is to convert them to PDF. Other computer users will not always have the appropriate software to view your text and graphics files but the software to read PDF files is free and widely installed. PDF is frequently used as a ‘print-friendly’ format which can be made widely available from the Web. PDF files will appear exactly the same whatever computer you use, so a PDF file made from a document which was originally formatted in Word will look exactly the same on someone else’s machine as it did on yours. This is true even if graphics were embedded in the original file.
PDF files streamline the printing process, while providing more consistent and reliable results. In particular, they reduce or eliminate delays from missing components or unstable files, and enhance communication between you and your printer. They contain all of the fonts, graphics, and page-layout information necessary to display and print the file exactly as it was created.
Documents that we need to make available to a wide range of people (such as applications for a program, or registration forms for a training) are converted into Portable Document Format (.pdf). PDF files are nice because as long as you have the correct software (Acrobat Reader) you can view them no matter what program was used to create the original file. For example, if we use MS Word 2000 to create a file and put it on our website, people who use other applications such as older versions of Word (95,97) or word processing software like WordPerfect will not be able to access the file. If we convert that document to .pdf format, then anyone can view the file, as long as they have Acrobat Reader.
