Use Older Version of Acrobat, or newer freeware?

Not a "which is the better software" thread, strictly speaking.

I have a new laptop, my first foray into Win 7 and x64. I'll be loading my most-used applications over the next few days.

I have a license and install disc for Adobe Acrobat 7 (that's a 2005 product).

From the perspectives of (1) security, and (2) compatibility w/ Win7 x64, should there be any concerns about installing Acrobat 7?

I'm not adverse to going with newer freeware, but I do use some (not all) of Acrobat's more advanced features: reduce file size, rearrange pages, combine PDF documents, and occasionally OCR, etc.

Go Acrobat 7, or go with a freeware alternative like Bullzip, CutePDF?

 

Use a newer freeware alternative.

Acrobat 7 isn't supported anymore by Adobe and isn't compatible with Adobe 9 PDF files, so it fails both from security and compatibility points of view. Also, I'm not sure that it is 100% compatible with Windows 7.

 

If you are talking about Acrobat Reader, definitely use an up-to-date free alternative. Less bloat and less likely to be hammered by a virus-laced pdf. My choice is PDF-XChange Viewer http://www.docu-track.com/home/prod_user/PDF-XChange_Tools/pdfx_viewer

 

I'm not referring to reader, but Acrobat Standard (or Pro), with which one can significantly edit a PDF (as mentioned: reduce file size, rearrange pages, combine PDFs, add headers and footers and perform OCR).

Spent the past hour or so reviewing some free PDF writers (Bullzip, etc.) and it seems none can match the features. Perhaps I'll install Acrobat 7 and keep my fingers crossed. Nitro PDF Pro seems to b an alternative, but if I'm going to drop some money, I might as well just buy an Adobe 9 upgrade disk.

 

NitroPDF professional is the best pdf editor for the price ($99). Used it many times, and the install/uninstall is as simple as you can get (unlike the lengthy Adobe install/uninstall)
http://www.nitropdf.com/index.asp

See the features:
http://www.nitropdf.com/professional/features.htm

And compare with Acrobat:
http://www.nitropdf.com/professional/compared.htm

Out of interest, what's the adobe upgrade cost?

 

Seems an upgrade can be had for $75-$95 USD (eBay and elsewhere) , but it is also my understanding that Nitro Pro can be had for less than that through the occassional rebate offer (there apparently was one in October/November). The comparison looks good, particularly since I have read some mixed reviews of Adobe 9. Thanks for the tip. I will consider Nitro Pro.

 

If your goin for freeware try Foxit Reader, great app light on system and has many features

 

I second this. Its extremely fast and light and its running fine on Win7 x64 Pro.

 

dcrowe0050 and whitedragon551,

Read the thread dudes. The thread maker (optigrab) doesn't want a simple PDF Reader like Foxit PDF Reader. He needs a complete PDF Suite with advanced PDF Editor capabilities.

 

He wants:

Foxit does all of that.

 

Not sure if this will help but I saw Nova PDF Lite is free on this site-

http://store.v3.co.uk/?act=details&id=2376

Here's the features-

http://www.novapdf.com/en/novapdf-lite-desktop.html

 

Hi, Happy New Year... Since you mentioned OCR, I will like you to know that Nitro is coming up with a Pro Version with OCR. The upgrade is USD39 for pro version, but I am not sure the pro OCR version.

If you want to buy the new one, take the opportunity with their current Year-end 50% promotion...

 

I second that recommendation. A few years ago I uninstalled Adobe reader which was 85Mb in size for PDF-Exchange that was 15Mb in size, and found PDF-Exchange to be great.

 

Well Foxit also offers the Foxit Phantom PDF Suite for $129. Here are a few of the features from the website:

# View any PDF Document – Regardless of Source
# Create, Edit, and Save PDF Files from All Common File Formats
# Create and Manage Forms
# Document Collaboration
# Protect Sensitive Information
# Merge and Split PDF Files
# Add Multimedia to PDF Files
# Secure Document Delivery & Management
# Scan Paper Document directly to PDF
# Edit, Modify, and Compare PDF Documents
# Design and Fill Out Electronic Forms

Here is the link: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/phantom/index.php
Good Luck

 

+1 for PDF-XChange.

Compare the versions here:
http://files.docu-track.com/FeatureChartEU.pdf


The PDF-XChange PRO version (the full thing, not just Viewer) costs about $80 USD for single user.