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What Is Adobe Acrobat Reader and why do I need it? Document Number: 10030 This software is needed to display and print files that are in the Portable Document Format, which is what the pdf in the file name means. This format is used when it is important to control every detail of a document that is to be distributed electronically. Currently Web Browsers do not offer a similar level of control for stand-alone Web documents. For many BRIS reports we need to tell your computer everything about a document. Some of the reasons for using the PDF technology include: 1. Fonts and formatting. There are special type-faces (fonts) that must be used to make the information fit and line up correctly, as well as maintain a certain look and feel. These fonts can be included in the document so that it looks the same on all systems, without requiring users of different systems to go out and download/install special fonts. 2. Page Breaks. When you print a stand-alone web page, you never know how the pages will be divided, browsers are just starting to enable us to tell them where the "page-breaks" are. With pdf files page breaks are never a problem. 3. Compression. Pdf files are compressed or "zipped" internally. This makes them smaller in size than other formats of documents, so they download faster. Acrobat takes care of the "zipping" and "unzipping" of the data without you having to do additional steps. 4. Cross-Platform. This means that users of systems other than Windows, like Mac OS and Linux can read our pdf reports. 5. The reader is free, well-supported and accepted as a popular standard. Recommended Link: Download Adobe Acrobat Reader [ Sign-up ] [ Products & Prices ] [ Bookstore ] [ Track Info ] [ Library ] [ Tech Support ] [ F.A.Q. ] [ Member Services ] [ Contact Us ] 
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