PrimoPDF

Description
The portable document format (PDF) is an open standard for the secure exchange of documents, typically exchanged through a network, such as an Intranet or the Internet. Created by NitroPDF Software, PrimoPDF has become the #1 downloaded document converter because it’s free, reliable, and extremely easy to use. It converts documents, such as word processing documents, Excel spreadsheets, and even web pages, into a PDF document that is easily transferable and accessible from any computer. It retains the style, look, and feel of a document and ensures that the document reaches a recipient with the same look as the creator intended. The PrimoPDF application is automatically installed as a “printer” and is included in the list of available printers to choose from the drop-down printer menu. The latest version of PrimoPDF also has a new desktop shortcut feature that makes it possible to “drag and drop” documents to be converted instantly.

History
Adobe Systems created the PDF file format in 1993. While downloading the Adobe Reader is free, it’s $299 to purchase the latest Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard. As popular as Adobe products became, not everyone can afford to purchase the Adobe Acrobat convertor software. As soon as the PDF file format became an open standard in 2008, many developers created similar and free converters to include, PrimoPDF and others like AnybizSoft PDF Merger and doPDF.

Impact on Teaching and Learning
A PDF format keeps instructional materials secure. Documents are in a format that is unchangeable and can be password-protected. The integrity is intact for the most part. The PDF ensures that a document looks the same on any computer from anywhere. However, with the advent of converters, naturally, developers created products that did the opposite: converting PDFs into word processing documents and spreadsheets, whereby making the conversions completely editable.

PDF converters literally rasterizes a document's fonts, images, and texts into a two-dimensional document. Regardless of operating systems and hardware, the PDF has made it possible to easily and quickly exchange a document, hence its name "portable." As long as the receiving user has Adobe Reader installed on the user's machine, the user will be able to open and read the document. Essentially, the PDF has almost replaced the fax machine because the trend is now emailing documents, at the same time saving paper. It’s often more quick and reliable. PrimoPDF is a free and honest solution to today's digital classroom on a budget.

The PDF format is a common and sensible solution to heavy and costly textbooks. Instructors are converting required readings and making them available online, in a course management system like WebCT and Laulima. Doing this saves everyone hundreds of dollars. Even campus libraries have electronic reserves of easily accessible PDF readings.

PrimoPDF helps to convert word documents, such as class syllabi and handouts, fax pages, and power point presentations into PDFs for easy exchange and retrieval over the Internet. It has many applications not just in academia, but also in the business sector. Business forms can be converted into interactive, form-fillable documents that can be easily and quickly emailed to clients and customers. Recipients must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to be able to read and view. The reader is free and the latest can be downloaded by visiting Acrobat.com. Unfortunately, the form-fillable feature is not available on the free version of PrimoPDF. Interested users must upgrade to NitroPro, which is still less expensive than Adobe Acrobat Pro at only $79!

Examples or Demonstrations
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References

 * http://www.primopdf.com
 * @http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_Document_Format
 * @http://download.cnet.com/PrimoPDF/3000-18497_4-10264577.html
 * @http://www.digistan.org/open-standard:definition

About the Author
Macy Huynh is a first-year student in the Master of Educational Technology program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She currently works at the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work as an Administative Assistant for the Distance Education Option office. This wiki entry is part of an assignment for ETEC 602 - Teaching/Training Technologies.