UM-Flint ITS Helpdesk - http://www.umflint.edu/helpdesk
What is a PDF File?
http://www.umflint.edu/helpdesk/articles/149/1/What-is-a-PDF-File/Page1.html
Thomas Stockwell
I am a computer science major at the University of Michigan-Flint, and I am currently working as both a HelpDesk Consultant and Computer Lab Consultant in the ITS department.  Along with my programming endeavors at the University of Michigan, I am also a writer for the CodeProject website (http://www.codeproject.com).  A link to my profile and programming articles can be found at: http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Profiles.aspx?mid=2196668 
By Thomas Stockwell
Published on 08/6/2008
 
PDF is a universal file format that preserves all of the fonts, formatting, colors, and graphics of any source document, regardless of the application and platform used to create it.
Basics
  • Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) is the standard for electronic documentation distribution worldwide.
  • PDF is a universal file format that preserves all of the fonts, formatting, colors, and graphics of any source document, regardless of the application and platform used to create it.
  • PDF files are compact and can be shared, viewed, navigated, and printed exactly as intended by anyone with a free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

How to Download Adobe Acrobat:
  • Simply go to Adobe's website at http://www.adobe.com and click the Get Adobe Reader button on the lower left corner of the homepage.
  • Then, scroll down toward the bottom of the page until you see the 3 step downloading area. Choose an appropriate language, platform and location, enter your email address, and click the Download.
  • Choose a location to save the .exe file on your computer.
  • Double-click the .exe file that you downloaded to start installation.


How to Use Adobe Acrobat Reader:

  • Open the Acrobat Reader as you would open any other application and click File then Open. You can then open any .pdf files you may have.
  • You can also double-click any .pdf file that you receive and Adobe Acrobat Reader will automatically open in order to access the file.