Digital text documents have two problems: compatibility and editability. It could be the case that you receive a file in a format that our text editor does not support and it is a problem. We can send a document, but nothing guarantees that it cannot be altered. To avoid these problems, Adobe developed the PDF, a universal format that can be read with Adobe Reader so that it leaves and prints exactly as the original creator saw it. But one drawback of PDFs as they are is that they cannot be altered.
This format has become standardized in the computer world because it is difficult to manipulate. Something great about its standardization is that it can be opened with practically any browser. Even most text editors, being a standard, allow you to save a document in this format. Something great about the format is that it allows them to be digitally signed.
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Table of Contents
Origin of the PDF format
Adobe in 1993 developed the standard Portable Document Format (PDF), which has been updated and improved over the years. Initially it was only available for Windows, but now it is already compatible with Linux, MacOS, iOS and Android, among others. It has become essential software for companies, users and organizations.
PDF is a completely independent file format from operating systems and software tools. This means that we can open it on any device without the need for additional tools. A format that in 2018 became an ISO standard.
If we have a PDF document we can easily open it and thus read it. Documents in this format and simple annotations are also allowed to be printed. There are other functions, but these are already paid and accessible only through Adobe software.
Adobe Reader DC
El Adobe Reader DC software is the latest version of the tool created to read the documents in PDF format. The acronym 'DC' indicates 'Document Cloud', which adds the function of synchronizing documents on all devices through the cloud. One feature is only available through Adobe's Cloud system, which enables secure document sharing, signing, and storage.
We can enable additional functions, yes, by subscription payment. The company offers the following packages:
- Adobe Sign: It allows you to legally sign documents and deliver them on any device. The signature is made by means of the finger on a touch screen or by means of digital certificates (electronic ID in Spain). It costs $ 9.99 per month.
- Adobe Send & Track: Through Document Cloud we can send large files safely and avoid attaching files to emails. Allows document sharing to multiple recipients. In addition to sending PDF documents, it allows you to send audio files, photos and videos. It has a cost of $ 1.67 per month.
- Export PDF: Allows the conversion of any PDF document to Word (DOC; DOCX), PowerPoint (PPT; PPTX), Excel (XLS; XLSX), Microsoft Publisher (PUB), text files (TXT), PostScript (PS), InDesign ( INDD), Adobe Fill & Sign (FORM), Image File (JPEG; GIF; TIFF; PNG), OpenOffice and StarOffice files (ODT; ODP; ODS; ODG; ODF; SXW; SXI; SXD; STW). You have a limitation on the number of conversions. It is priced at $ 1.99 per month.
Adobe Reader problems
Having a single, universal standard gives us a lot of operational benefits, like opening it anywhere without the need for third-party software or text corruption. But not everything is light. The open Adobe Reader software that allows you to view the documents is a highly insecure application.
Many vulnerabilities have been detected in recent years by this software that put users at risk. This Adobe tool is not good either, as it is quite heavy and slow. Having Adobe Reader installed has become a bad idea, and more importantly, unnecessary.
Alternatives to Adobe Reader
Thanks to being an open standard, we can read a PDF document without having the Adobe Reader software installed. We will explain it to you below:
Google Chrome
Through the popular Google browser we can open a PDF thanks to its built-in viewer. This function is present in Chrome since 2010 and opens the document we have downloaded without the need for add-ons. The Chrome viewer only allows us to navigate between the pages, read the document and print it.
Firefox
The browser developed by Mozilla also allows us to read a PDF document. This function was implemented in Firefox 19 and basically offers us the same possibilities as Chrome. The only additional function implemented is that we can generate bookmarks on a page if there is something interesting on it.
Microsoft Edge
Windows 10 leaves behind Internet Explorer, possibly the worst browser in history, and implements Edge. This web browser also integrates a PDF viewer, so we do not need add-ons. It offers us the option to read a document, navigate between pages and print it, just like the other browsers mentioned.
Opera
How could it be otherwise, the open source browser Opera also offers us support for PDF. This browser focused more on security and privacy gives us the ability to open PDF documents. The functions are the same as the rest: read the documents, turn the page and print it.
Brave
The Open Source browser based on blockchain and with communication encryption technology also supports the Adobe format. As with all commented browsers, it allows you to read the PDF document, browse its pages and print it. The function of creating marks on pages has been added, in case one catches our attention.
MacOS
Apple has its own operating system for its desktops and laptops. The company provides us with a preview version of the documents, so we do not need third-party software or Adobe's.
Linux
Many users opt for the Open Source operating system in its different distributions. Most distributions implement the Okular or Evience viewers, depending on the distribution. They offer the simple functions of document reading, page turning or printing.
Android
Google has its own operating system for smartphones and tablets and like its browser, it allows you to read PDF. The operating system integrates a simple PDF reader, although there are different solutions in the Play Store (operating system application store). We do not recommend installing third-party applications, with what Google offers us, there is plenty.
iOS
The version of Apple's operating system for smartphones and tablets also implements a PDF document reader. We don't need third party tools or download plugins. We can read any document, go to the page we want or print the document.
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Conclusion
PDF is the format par excellence today for sharing text documents. All or the vast majority of works, reports, brochures and others that are shared on the web are under this format. Even copy shops require this type of format, as it prevents them from having other tools installed that may or may not be compatible with our document.
As PDF is a type of standardized format and can be opened with any browser, we will not have problems with it. It also offers us security, since we make sure that the recipient of the document will not be able to manipulate it. Without a doubt, the most interesting thing is that digitally signed PDF documents have legal validity, thus avoiding unnecessary printing of documents.
