PDF

The file format in Adobe's Acrobat document exchange technology. Acrobat/PDF has become the de facto standard for document exchange as well as for publishing documents on the Web that are downloaded and read independently of the HTML pages. Millions of brochures, data sheets, white papers and technical manuals are on the Web in PDF format.

Portable Document Format (PDF) is a file format developed by Adobe Systems for representing documents in a manner that is independent of the original application software, hardware, and operating system used to create those documents. A PDF file can describe documents containing any combination of text, graphics, and images in a device independent and resolution independent format. These documents can be one page or thousands of pages, very simple or extremely complex with a rich use of fonts, graphics, colour, and images. PDF is an open standard, and anyone may write applications that can read or write PDFs royalty-free.
Technology
PDF is primarily the combination of three technologies:
a cut-down form of PostScript for generating the layout and graphics,
a font-embedding/replacement system to allow fonts to travel with the documents, and
a structured storage system to bundle these elements into a single file, with data compression where appropriate.
History
When PDF first came out, in the early 1990s, it was slow to catch on. At the time, not only did the only PDF creation tools of the time (Acrobat) cost money, but so did the software to view and print PDF files. Additionally, there were competing formats such as Envoy, Common Ground Digital Paper, DjVu and even Adobe's own PostScript file format (.ps). Adobe started distributing the Acrobat Reader program at no cost, and continued to support PDF through its slow multi-year ramp-up. Competing formats eventually died out, and PDF became a well-accepted standard.
In 2005 Microsoft presented a competing format referenced by the code name "Metro". It is developed together with Global Graphics. Metro is based on XML, but requires a license. Metro is scheduled to be included in the next version of MS Windows with the codename "Longhorn".
PDF Converters
Keeping and sending files in PDF format has its own advantages like it cannot be modified, clarity etc.How about converting a file on your desktop to PDF format. There are many tools across web .Lets go through some of them. Adobe itself allows you to register in its site and convert a sample of 5 files. It lets you upload your file and the PDF file will be sent to your Email.
There are applications that run standalone and allow unlimited conversions yet Free of cost. One such one I found to be good is PrimoPDF.The instructions to convert the file is given clearly in the website. Test try it.
Online PDF Converter : http://convert.neevia.com/ PDF file will EMailed to your inbox.

1 comment:

simplyme said...

Nice post. Adobe Acrobat Professional has most of the features. You can convert files to PDF within no time.