| Free Acrobat Reader | Free CuteDDF Writer |

Graphic Document Incompatibility

Not all computers are the same, so exchanging documents between them can be an issue:

• the ASCII standard provides a standard method transferring plain text between computers.
• Adobe Acrobat enables PCs to read formatted files e.g. Word and 'graphic intensive' files e.g. from DTP programs from other computers.

 

The Adobe Acrobat PDF Solution

This is how it works:

1. create your document with the program of your choice e.g. Word, Excel or PageMaker.
2. use the full version of Acrobat or one of the free Acrobat creators e.g. Cute PDF Writer, to create an Acrobat PDF version of your file (filename.PDF).
3. distribute your file by: email, publish on the web, floppy disk or however you like.
4. the recipient can then read your file using a free Acrobat PDF document reader.

Free Acrobat readers are supplied by Adobe for all major computer types.

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The Free Adobe (Acrobat) Readers 

Downloading and Installing Adobe Reader

Follow the link to the Adobe download website, read the page and follow instructions. After the Acrobat reader is installed you can test it by clicking on the 'View test pages' link.

Description	Link
Adobe Reader (All Versions)	Adobe.com
Test Acrobat File	View test pages

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Creating Adobe Acrobat PDF Documents

Adobe make 'Adobe Reader' freely available (see above), but charge for Adobe Acrobat (Writer). Adobe Acrobat can create PDFs with a range of options.

Purchasing Adobe Acrobat

ISS currently sell licences for the full (document writing) version of Adobe Acrobat, but it should be noted, licences are only available to staff. Contact Susan Holt on extension 10166 for full details.

The prices will include 'educational discount' and are comparable to commercially available prices.

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The Cute PDF Writer 

Cute PDF Writer is a 'basic but free' PDF Writer

There are a number of free utilities available on the Internet that create basic PDF files for free. We have tested a number of these and found that 'Cute PDF Writer' is the best available.

The method the free PDF creators use is to create a 'printer driver' that, instead of printing to a printer, prints your file to a PDF document.

Installing Cute PDF Writer

PC Labs

Cute PDF Write is installed in PC Labs.

Managed XP PC

Staff 'Managed XP PC' users can install Cute PDF Writer as follows:

1. click 'Start' then 'Control Panel' option.
2. click on the 'Add/Remove' programs option - see dialog.
3. click on the 'Add New Programs' icon (on the left) - see list.
4. click on 'Cute PDF Writer' then click on the 'Add' button - see Cute PDF install.
5. restart your computer.

Non-managed Windows PCs

PCs on the campus network can install Cute PDF Writer as follows:

1. click 'Start' button then the 'Run' option - see Run Dialog.
2. type:
   \\lancs\software\free\software\misc\cute pdf writer\2.2-1\cutepdf.msi
   then click OK - see installer load.
3. click on the 'Next' button then follow instructions.

From The Internet

For other PCs with Internet access, you can do the following:

1. go to http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp
2. click on the 'Download Free CutePDF' (or equivalent).
3. Cute PDF Writer comes in two 'parts' (due to licensing stipulations) - a ghostscript engine and a frontend.
4. ensure that you download both of them to your desktop and run both of them (they may come in a single package).
5. reboot if asked.
6. when finished - follow the instructions for using Cute PDF Writer below.

Alternative Instructions

Follow the link for a set of instructions with illustrations:

• Using CutePDF Writer

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Using Cute PDF Writer

1. create/open your document (any application).
2. click on 'File' menu then 'Print' option - see 'Print' dialog.
3. drop the Printer 'Name' list.
4. locate & click on the 'Cute PDF Writer' option.
   Note - do not select the 'Print to file' option. This is NOT required and will NOT create a PDF file.
5. click OK
6. wait... (large files may take a few minutes)- see 'Save As' dialog.
7. choose a location.
8. type in a name.
9. click OK.

A PDF version of the file will now be at the chosen location. The PDF will be good enough to put on the web and good enough for basic laser or colour printing.

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