A .pdf file is a document file that is designed to look the same on any computer that views it. It will also print the same within the limits of the printer being used. More .pdf details

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. This was invented by the software company called Adobe. The main requirement to view or print a .pdf file is that you must have the program 'Adobe Acrobat Reader' installed on your computer. The good news is that this program is available free.

The Adobe PDF identification icon is often used next to a link, to indicate that the link is to a PDF file that will require Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent to view it.

When you click on a .pdf file and your browser downloads the file to your computer, the Adobe Acrobat Reader program should be automatically called and start to display the first page of the document. This may take some time depending on the size of the document and the speed of your computer.

If your computer prompts you for ... What program should be used to open this xxxx.pdf file?

then, you do NOT have Adobe Acrobat Reader properly installed on your computer and you should use the link below to learn about and then optionally download the free Acrobat Reader.

The current version for Windows 3.1 is 3.01
The current version for Windows 98, 95 is 5.0.5 March 4, 2002
The current version for Windows 98SE, WindowsNT, Windows Me(Millenium Edition), Windows 2000 SP1 is 6.0.1 Sept. 8, 2002
The current version for Windows 2000 SP4-SP2, Windows XP is 7.05 Oct. 18, 2005

Click the icon link and follow the download instructions for the freeware version.

When printing a .pdf file be sure to click on the printer icon in the Adobe Acrobat Reader toolbar (the box IMMEDIATELY above the pdf document). This will give you the proper options and appearance when printing. DO NOT use the printer icon or File.Print menu pulldowns from your browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator etc.) You may not get the correct appearance of the printed document.

When viewing or printing a .doc file you will need a word processor program or a viewer program that can successfully open the document. The most common PC word processor is Microsoft Word. One solution that many use is the MS Word Viewer. You will be able to view or print the document, but you will not be able to edit it with a Viewer program. You may not get the exact same appearance of the printed document.

Click the icon link and follow the download instructions for the freeware version of the Microsoft Word Viewer.