Posted by kskfp on 2 January 2008
The .pdf format is ‘universal’ for publishing and distributing documents because the software that ‘reads’ it is free and easy to obtain. On Mac OSX, the integrated Preview opens pdf; on PC, the free Foxit Reader (very small & light) or the free Adobe Reader (very big) open it. Most computers already have something installed that will immediately open a pdf file, and the recipient can immediately read and respond to what you sent (but cannot modify/edit the document).
Anyone can fairly easily create PDF documents to share using free software. On Mac OSX, pdf documents are easily generated from any ‘Print’ dialog–it’s integrated and therefore, immediately usable.
On a PC, you can obtain a free PDF creator called pdf995: Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in computer support, learning/teaching | Tagged: computers, publishing, sharing | 2 Comments »
Posted by kskfp on 2 January 2008
When you send a file to someone else via email, you want to make sure that person can open the file without any problems…right? But not everyone uses the same software, so the documents (‘files’) that you produce on your computer aren’t necessarily readable by others. What controls the readability of documents/files is something called the ‘file format’. It is identified by the ‘dot’ plus three or four letters at the end of a file name, e.g. “.doc” or .wp6″ or “.ppsx”. You can look up file formats and the programs they are created and read by on the internet.
There are a few ‘file formats’ that are more universal than others, i.e. most people have software on their computer allowing these files to automatically open. Some such file formats are Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in computer support, learning/teaching | Tagged: computers, publishing, sharing | Leave a Comment »
