What is a PDF document?
PDF stands for "portable document format." Adobe Systems created this method of sharing documents on the Internet. In this format, a document can be downloaded from the web to your personal computer, and then read on-screen or printed out. The document will look exactly the same as when the creator published it. However, to read a PDF document, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader is an application or program that you have to have on your computer. Once you have it on your computer, you can open, read or print PDF documents. However, you cannot make PDF documents with Acrobat Reader.

How do I get Acrobat Reader?
This application is free. It can be downloaded at http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html. To read a document using Adobe Acrobat, use the link above to download the application. Follow the on-screen directions. Make sure you know what system you are working on! In other words, don't download the Windows 95 version if you are working on a Windows 98 or Macintosh computer. Depending upon the speed of your Internet connection, it might take a while. However, you only need to download Adobe Acrobat one time. Make yourself a snack while you are waiting.

Once you are done downloading the program, there will be a folder on your desktop called "Install Acrobat Reader 4.0." Open the folder to get to the installer (what actually puts the program on your computer). Double click on the picture that says "Reader Installer." Follow the onscreen directions to put the application where you want it. Once it is installed, you can use the program anytime you download a PDF document.

What do I do with Acrobat Reader once I get it?
When you are using the web, you will find symbols that look something like this: Click on the link to download the document. If you have new versions of your browser and Acrobat Reader, the document should open in your web page. So you would see the document or page on your screen. If not nothing opens up in your browser, after the document has downloaded, double-click on the Acrobat symbol to open Acrobat Reader. Then double-click on the document and read away. You can also print the document when it is open.

What do I do if I have problems?

• If you can't get the program or the document to open, you might want to try downloading Acrobat Reader again.
  
  If you can't find Acrobat Reader once you have installed it, do a "find" command for it. In Windows, go to the Start menu and hilite "Find." On a Macintosh machine, go to the "File" menu and hilite "Find."