Many materials on the Internet are available as .PDF files. This means that the high-quality illustrations, color, typefaces and layout of these documents will be maintained, regardless of the type of computer you use (Macintosh - including Power PC, Windows, DOS or Unix platforms). Many Extension bulletins and other publications are available in this format. 

PDF files are generally smaller than the files from which they were created (often just a tenth of the original size), so it takes less time to view them on the Internet. However, to view .PDF documents you will need to install a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader program onto your computer. 

The Adobe Acrobat Reader program is available free-of-charge. With this software, you can view and print documents saved in .PDF format. In addition, you will be able to search through and 'navigate' around these documents with ease. 

Most Web browsers (such as Internet Explorer and Netscape) will be automatically configured to start the Adobe Acrobat Reader program whenever you encounter a .PDF document on the Web.

Acrobat pages look exactly as they were designed by the creator, complete with visually rich layouts, fonts, and graphics. 

Acrobat documents can contain multiple pages in the same file, just like a book. HTML pages are "one page per file." 

HTML pages are constructed "on the fly" of separate components. They cannot be saved with graphics in tact. Acrobat files are whole entities. 

Acrobat files can be easily stored, collected, or archived as reference materials with ease. 

Acrobat documents can contain embedded movies, sound clips, document links, Web location links, and be indexed (using Acrobat Plug-ins). 

Acrobat documents can contain a visual table of contents, "sticky notes," and bookmarks.

Acrobat documents can be printed or viewed on-screen and will look the same. HTML web pages will be reformatted in print to fit the paper. 

Acrobat is more like a book. HTML is more like email. For visually rich documents like books, magazines, newsletters or bulletins, Acrobat is the clear choice. 

Yes. In fact, the PDF will print complete with the fonts and formatting of the original document, as well as graphics and photographs. The final print quality will, of course, be a function of your printer. 

No. If the creator of the PDF file wishes to prohibit printing, select highlighting of text or and additions or changes to the document, they can choose to limit these actions. For example, due to copyright restrictions, some PDF files cannot be printed to your printer. This limits the viewing of the file to on-screen only.