Introduction

Why use PDF? To answer this question and in preparation for this review I thought it a good idea to research PDF (Portable Document Format) to find out what I didn't know about this popular style of presenting both written text and graphical images. Like most of you I felt that my knowledge was above average on this topic. After about an hour's research I found there was a fair amount of information concerning the importance of this format which had escaped my brain cells. So that we all start out on the same level of understanding here's a down and dirty synopsis.

PDF is a variant form of Post Script page description language that was first introduced in the early 1990's by the Adobe Corporation in the form of two programs Acrobat (PDF editor) and Acrobat Reader (interpreter). With Portable Document Format's introduction, the initial reception of the computer world was at best lukewarm.

To be more explicit PDF is defined by Wikipedia.org to be a combination of three technologies:

• a cut-down form of PostScript for generating the layout and graphics and requires only a simple interpreter


• a font-embedding/replacement system to allow fonts to travel with the documents, and


• a structured storage system to bundle these elements into a single file, with data compression where appropriate

For the reasons captioned above, PDF is currently one of the most popular formats for document presentation. Its use extends to just about every arena, including: web pages, on-line documentation; off-line documentation, product reviews, product manuals, and how-to guides just to name a few. Another reason for its popularity is that after initially charging for Acrobat Reader, Adobe Corporation saw the error of its ways and began offering the interpreter free of charge. This is brilliant marketing strategy if you ask me.

Today we'll take an in depth look at a PDF creation package available from FinePrint Software entitled pdfFactoryPro which allows the user the ability to create flexible PDF documents.

FinePrint Software's Description of pdfFactory Pro & Features

"pdfFactory products offer a unique approach to PDF creation that is simpler, more effective and less expensive than that offered by other programs." "pdfFactory is the standard version for creating PDF files, and pdfFactory Pro is for those who need secure PDFs (legal documents, corporate information, etc.) and other advanced features."

pdfFactory Pro Features

• Create PDF or print to paper: Only pdfFactory allows printing to paper or PDF without printing twice. Acrobat is not needed for printing.


• Combines multiple documents into a single PDF: Increases the convenience of document delivery by having a single PDF that contains material from different sources. Just keep printing documents to pdfFactory and they will automatically be concatenated.


• Preview: Allows quick, accurate previewing of the PDF, including up to 400% zoom, without saving the file first and without opening Acrobat.


• Font embedding: Ensures that the original fonts used in a document are displayed even if the reader of the PDF does not have the fonts installed on his or her computer.


• Page insertion and deletion: Allows unwanted material to be deleted before the PDF is created. This is especially useful when creating PDFs from long reports, email and web pages.


• Send via email: One mouse click sends PDFs through your default email program. Also copies PDF to clipboard for pasting into existing email.


• AutoSave: Saves entire contents of pdfFactory sessions automatically so you can retrieve previously compiled PDFs.


• Live URL Links: Customize links by line type, thickness and color to open Web pages and email addresses with a click of your mouse.


• Easy server deployment: Click here for information on Server Editions


• Security: Encrypt and control access to PDF files as follows:
• Prevent printing PDFs
• Prevent copying text and graphics
• Prevent opening without a password
• Prevent editing (yes, PDFs can be edited)
• Bookmarks and Table of Contents: Automatically or manually create bookmarks to organize and easily navigate complex documents.


• Integrated Jobs Tab: Shows all jobs and allows you to rearrange them.


• Custom Drivers: Save your settings to multiple print drivers so you can quickly select them for specific tasks.


• Set Initial Acrobat Display Properties: Such as zoom factor, layout and tab configuration.