How does one work with a PDF?

Very frustrated and discouraged as per too often, it occurs to me.

I "think" I need a program (which unfortunately needs to be free) that will allow me to view (and attach to an email) a "PDF".

I had chosen Apache Open Office over Libre Office a couple weeks ago for "office-type stuff" that I may need to do on this machine, but it now appears that a document (PDF?) I would like to work with will not work with Open Office (?), but apparently will work with Libre Office...though I am not 100% sure of ANY of this.

When I tried with Open Office I get multiple menus to select from - none of which seem to get the job done.

Thanks in advance,
glenn

 

Thank you (and this will CURE my psychological shortcomings as well, eh?) :-D

 

Okay I suppose this is where I get into trouble, but I HAVE TO LEARN this stuff (don't I?) --->

On this Wiki-page---> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PDF_software

Under "Viewers" (about 2/3 down the page) it states:

"Firefox: Includes a PDF viewer"

and I have Firefox, so shouldn't I be able to view it in my browser (without downloading more things)? Or, perhaps the problem would be that I could "view" it, but not attach it to an email?

 

Browsers can open pdf files on websites. To open a pdf file located on your computer you need to install a viewer. Foxit works ok but unless you are fully awake will install toolbars and make browser changes you just don't need. I would recommend Adobe Reader - big I know but unmatched so far imo.

 

Thanks as always - one last quick (?) question:

Occurs to me I have utilized this program http://www.majorgeeks.com/STDU_Viewer_d6727.html quite successfully for most/nearly all of my (personal) needs in the past...might it not be one of the better "all-around" (or 'all-in-one') programs of this (office/browser) type - or again, would attempting to utilize this program to attach-to-email present a problem as well?

 

I haven't used that myself but you have, and as it says it can view pdfs just give it a go. It's not relevant to attaching pdfs to emails though - just do that in your usual email program or website using the paperclip.

 

Perfect - thank you VERY much!

 

All a person needs to do is look carefully at the initial screen that appears when starting the Foxit installation and uncheck the unwanted items there. And, if I recall correctly, the installation screen allows for opting out of adding Foxit Reader as a browser plug-in. However, I believe some browsers need a PDF reader plug-in in order to display PDF documents within the browser. Is this not true?

I'm not aware of anything I can do with Adobe Reader that I can't do with Foxit Reader.

 

Certain DRM protected PDFs will not work in Foxit.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by usafveteran http://forums.majorgeeks.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif
All a person needs to do is look carefully at the initial screen that appears when starting the Foxit installation and uncheck the unwanted items there. And, if I recall correctly, the installation screen allows for opting out of adding Foxit Reader as a browser plug-in. However, I believe some browsers need a PDF reader plug-in in order to display PDF documents within the browser. Is this not true?

I'm not aware of anything I can do with Adobe Reader that I can't do with Foxit Reader.

I've seen this go both ways. Sometimes Foxit handles PDFs that Adobe chokes on. I use Foxit day-to-day, but keep the free Sumatra and STDU on hand for reading as well. Free Calibre will also work for viewing...

Of course, IMO, paid Acrobat is the best for the heavy lifting, with the paid Foxit Editor and CVision for some special cases...

An as a cautionary note: There are some features of these readers you may wish to turn off if not needed. Adobe and Foxit products are highly configurable, for example see:

http://www.foxitsoftware.com/Secure_PDF_Reader/security.php
and
https://www.adobe.com/security/acrobat_reader/


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