PDF files 

A PDF file is a Portable Document File format developed by Adobe Systems.  It captures formatting from a variety of applications.  

To understand the concept of PDF files they should be seen in context.  

This CD-ROM has information mainly written with a word processing package.  This CD is sent to many people.   How are they meant to read it? 

	Recipient 1 has 'A' word processing package.
	Recipient 2 has 'B' word processing package.
	Recipient 3 has 'A-old' word processing package.
	Recipient 4 has 'C' word processing package.
	Recipient 5 uses the Mac system and not a PC.

 Acrobat Reader 

Nobody has the same word processing package!  Which package should have been used to write the documents on the CD?  The answer is a package which can be read by all.

It is possible to send formatted documents, making them appear on all recipients monitors as they were intended, reading them with Acrobat Reader.  

Writers who want their work read by many recipients save their work as PDF files.  These PDF files can be read on any system using Acrobat Reader.  The software Acrobat Reader is free and does not require a licence. 

Acrobat Reader is provided on this CD-ROM (in the 'programs' folder) so that the PDF files can be read.