Since Adobe Systems introduced the PDF format in 1993, it has quickly become the number one universal document format on the Internet. Not without reason, as there is a growing demand for such a universal format that allows people to share their ideas and work digitally on the Internet. The number of different software programs keeps growing and growing, from fantastic organizers, spreadsheet programs to photo editing software – they all tend to make our lives easier, but they often forget one important point: the ability to allow user to share his / her work! The so-called web 2.0 is already a fact, and the Internet is becoming a place to create and share your own ideas and work.
The popular PDF format solved this problem by presenting itself as a universal system-wide format – just about anyone on any computer system can open a PDF file these days. People have clearly discovered some advantages of PDF files, yet only a few actively create PDF files themselves. So why should you consider creating your own PDF documents? Here are the top 10 advantages of this popular format:
- 1. Compatible with all platforms
- 2. Compact and small
- 3. Can be created from any source document or application.
- 4. Insurable, prevent people from modifying and redistributing your work.
- 5. Safe, with almost no possibility of being infected with viruses.
- 6. Quick and easy to create when using the right software.
- 7. The software to view PDF files is completely free
- 8. Visible in most web browsers
- 9. PDF files meet legal document requirements.
- 10. Compatible with modern portable reading systems
From Windows, Mac, Linux, to modern cell phones and PDAs – PDF files can be opened on virtually any system! You don’t have to worry that your coworkers, students, family, or anyone you’re sharing your work with won’t be able to open your files.
When you convert an existing document to a PDF file, it will automatically be greatly optimized, making it much smaller in size without losing quality. Note that you can often also combine and merge multiple documents into one PDF: spreadsheets, Word documents, photos, etc – you can join them all into one PDF file!
The powerful technology behind the PDF format allows you to convert almost any document, from any application to a PDF file. With a decent PDF Creator, your PDF file will look like you printed it on high-quality paper.
Protect your PDF file and prevent users from printing, duplicating or even opening your work. Encrypted protection lets you share your work, without having to worry about multiple fatality scenarios.
There is almost no chance of a PDF file getting infected with something like a virus or a Trojan, making it a safe and reliable way to share your work.
You will find a lot of different PDF conversion programs on the Internet, one that looks even more elegant than the other, with prices ranging from $ 30 to $ 4000. However, most of them are quite easy to use and, usually you can convert your documents to PDF in just a few clicks. Choosing a good software solution is another story, but you can find some tips in my other PDF Creator article.
Software like Acrobat Reader for opening PDF files is free to download and is already installed on most computers. Often times, it will be installed in combination with other software that you purchased on CD-Rom. (Many companies deliver their documentation as PDF files).
You can simply open and view PDF files in your favorite web browser. You can just click a link every time someone links to a PDF file on a website, and the file will automatically open.
A document must be kept in a format that cannot be changed or altered without traces, if you want it to be admissible in a court of law. A created PDF file cannot be modified and generally meets these legal requirements. (Contact legal counsel for more information).
This is a completely new but powerful phenomenon: Several companies like Sony are working on digital paper pads. These flat panels, not much larger than a normal book, allow you to upload your PDF files to the device, so you can read the information like a normal book. It sounds like science fiction, but you can already buy these devices for + – $ 299. Prices are guaranteed to drop for years to come, and it’s a great way to save literally stacks of paper!