Free pdf reader - An alternative to Adobe

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by luciddream, Nov 10, 2008.

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  1. luciddream

    luciddream Registered Member

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    I'm reformating a friends PC for him and had a nightmare of a time installing Adobe Reader. I never had these problems before. First of all it doesn't let you specify where you want to download it to (which I hate). So I just take it for granted that it is downloading... somewhere. But then when it says it's finished, it gives me no option to install. So I think... ok, there's probably an install pack for it on my desktop, or my documents, or... somewhere. I look and cannot find such an install pack anywhere. So then I decide to run windows search, thinking if it's on my computer anywhere, that will find it. No dice. Apparently it downloaded it into a black hole on my PC, because it's nowhere to be found.

    So I go to an alternative site, and it ends up being bundled with a bunch of adware, naturally.

    Have software vendors just stopped giving an *explicit deletive* nowadays or what? It shouldn't be this difficult.

    So anyhow... *end of rant*, can somebody recommend an alternative pdf reader? Because I've lost my stomach for adobe after this episode. And how about an alternative flash player that they don't have their paws in as well. Does such a thing exist?
     
  2. Kerodo

    Kerodo Registered Member

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  3. luciddream

    luciddream Registered Member

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    I'd also like to add that all I need it to be able to do is read pdf files... that's it. It doesn't have to be fancy or have any additional bells and whistles. In fact, I'd prefer that it didn't.

    I'd also like it to be trouble and spyware free, of course.
     
  4. Kerodo

    Kerodo Registered Member

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    Both of those above will serve you well...... :)
     
  5. danny9

    danny9 Departed Friend

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    I've been using Foxit for several yrs. now and has served me well.
    Would never go back to Adobe Reader. :)
     
  6. HAN

    HAN Registered Member

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    I agree with the 2 apps listed above. I prefer (and use) PDF-XChange but Foxit is very good too...
     
  7. Arup

    Arup Guest

    If you have a multi core system, one of the best ones is PDF Xchange which uses all CPUs to render image heavy pages with ease, also its native x64 for those running x64 OS.
     
  8. ambient_88

    ambient_88 Registered Member

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    PDF Xchange and Foxit Reader are both excellent PDF readers. The latest version of Adobe Reader is not bad performance-wise, however, it creates quite a lot of registry entries that can be quite difficult to remove.
     
  9. Longboard

    Longboard Registered Member

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    Yeah, you're not the only one p'od withAdobe I can assure you :mad:
    The install can be a pita

    The UN-install can be an absolute nightmare..:p

    Portables:
    http://www.portablefreeware.com/?sc=199
    Quick comparison of the popular freebies:
    http://www.donationcoder.com/Forums/bb/index.php?PHPSESSID=up56nuve5rdo3lggt0mhkva175&topic=8268.0
    Freebies:
    http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/free-pdf-readers.shtml
    A newie that looks ok to quick appraisal:
    http://www.drumlinsecurity.co.uk/index.html
    :thumb:
    and a spare:
    http://www.visagesoft.com/products/pdfreader/
    :)
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2008
  10. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    Hello, I use PDF-xchange viewer.
    i used to use foxit reader but prefer pdf-xchange viewer now.

    at my college they dumped adobe reader in favour of fox it reader.
     
  11. Espresso

    Espresso Registered Member

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    I never "install" Acrobat Reader. I just copy my old program folder and run it from wherever I like.
     
  12. Pedro

    Pedro Registered Member

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    I don't understand this part. It doesn't let you choose where to save? I think this is a browser settings issue, not an Adobe one :)
     
  13. HAN

    HAN Registered Member

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  14. noway

    noway Registered Member

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    I use PDF Xchange. I liked it better than Foxit.
     
  15. ambient_88

    ambient_88 Registered Member

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    Nice! My university uses a proprietary DRM to secure documents, that's why we are forced to use Adobe Reader. This DRM apparently works for Adobe Reader only, which is a real bummer!
     
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