You're probably familiar with Adobe Reader and have viewed a few PDF files in one version or another. As of this writing, Adobe Reader is in version 7, and you can get it for free in a number of ways.
You can download the installer software from Adobe's Web site or acquire it from CD-ROMs distributed by software developers and individuals authorized to distribute the installer program. You might see the Adobe Reader installer application on CD-ROMs accompanying software or hardware products you purchase or perhaps on CD-ROMs you receive from a company distributing product catalogs or product purchase information.
Where you acquire Adobe Reader is not as important as which version you acquire. Make sure you get the latest upgrade and install all the Adobe Reader 7 components necessary to work through all chapters in this book.
To reach the page where you can download a free copy of Adobe Reader, type the following URL in your Web browser's location bar: www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html. Next, press the Enter/Return key on your keyboard, and you'll see a page of information about Adobe Reader.
On this Reader.main page you'll also see a link to download the program. Click the link titled Free Adobe Reader as shown in Figure 1.1.
A page opens, presenting you with pop-up menus from which you select the language version you want to install, the platform you use (Windows or Macintosh), your operating system version, and your Internet connection speed. If you don't see your operating system listed in the Platform pop-up menu, then your OS doesn't support Adobe Reader.
After you make your choices from the pop-up menu, the page expands and offers you a choice of two versions to download. The default option is to Download the full version of Adobe Reader (recommended), allowing me to: Be certain to leave this check box checked so that you download the full version. A lighter version of the software is available and takes less space on your hard drive, but it lacks some key features.
You'll also see a check box automatically selected for Do not use Adobe Download Manager. The Adobe Download Manager works directly with Adobe servers to help you manage the download process. After the download is complete, the Download Manager automatically launches an installer wizard. If you uncheck the box and use the Download Manager, you must be connected to the Internet to complete the installation. If you opt for a manual install, download the complete software installation files. Once the files are on your hard drive, you can install Reader immediately or choose to install at a later time, since you don't have to be connected to the Internet.
Note
As a general rule, neither download method is better than the other. However, if you tend to have problems with your Internet connection, you might want to manually install the Reader. To use the Download Manager you need to have a solid, uninterrupted connection. If you have a high-speed connection and you rarely experience interruptions, you may find the Download Manager marginally more convenient.
You can freely distribute the Adobe Reader installation files on CD-ROM as long as you apply for a distribution request and comply with Adobe's licensing restrictions. Distributing the Reader is handy if you create catalogs, brochures, manuals, or a collection of PDF documents that you want to share with other people.
Adobe hosts a Web page containing information and licensing requirements related to the distribution of the Adobe Reader installer at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/distribute.html?readstep (Figure 1.2). It includes links to permissions and standards, and a link to an online form for requesting permission to distribute the Adobe Reader installer. Click the link and fill out the form to begin your request. Once you receive authorization from Adobe Systems to distribute the Reader, you can then use the Includes Adobe Reader button on printed materials.
Figure 1.2. You'll find information regarding distribution of the free Adobe Reader program on Adobe's Web site.
If you receive a CD-ROM containing the Adobe Reader software, you may want to install the program from that CD. But make sure the installer is the most current version of the Adobe Reader software. You can check the version by visiting Adobe's Web site and the Reader.main page. When you double-click the installer icon, the version number is displayed prior to the installation.
Installing Adobe Reader is similar to installing other software programs. After downloading the installer program titled Adobe Reader 7 (or a later version), locate the installer on your hard drive and double-click the installer icon. The installer wizard appears and guides you through the software installation. In Windows the Adobe Reader program is installed in your Program Files folder on your boot drive. On the Macintosh, the program is installed in your Applications folder on your boot drive.
Although you can freely distribute Adobe Reader via CD-ROM or other external media once you're authorized, you can't host the Adobe Reader software on your Web site. Doing so violates Adobe's licensing requirements. If you want users to access the Adobe Reader installer, you can create a link to Adobe's Reader.html Web page.
On many Web sites, you'll find a button that links users to the Adobe site to acquire Adobe Reader. Figures 1.3 and 1.4 show examples of common Web page icons that direct users to download Adobe Reader. Clicking either button takes the user to the Reader.main page on the Adobe Web site.
Figure 1.3. The familiar Get Adobe Reader icon is often seen on Web pages to indicate a link to Adobe's Web site, where users can download the Adobe Reader software.
Figure 1.4. A more recent icon links to the same Web page for downloading the Adobe Reader software.
You may want to use the icon shown in Figure 1.4 on your own Web site to direct users to the Web page where they can download Adobe Reader. When you open the www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/distribute.html?readstep Web page and click the link for permissions and trademark questions, the agreement.html Web page opens. On this Web page you'll find a licensing agreement. Click the I AGREE link. The next Web page contains Permissions and trademark guidelines information. Among the links listed on the page is a link for requesting stock art and images. Click the Use of Adobe icons and Web logos link on the left side of the page. Another Web page opens detailing licensing restrictions. On this page you'll see icons that you can download and add to your own Web pages as long as you comply with the listed guidelines.