Need help about PDF files?

Question

If we have a Acrobat Writer we can also make changes on PDF files, so how can it be safe. Passwords can be given to even .Doc files. What makes PDF files popular? Why it is used by many people in the world? What makes it different than others?

Answer 1

One of the big strengths of PDF (and the reason it became popular) is because of the trait described by the name -- "Portable Document Format."

The format was designed to work on different operating systems, without demanding the purchase of expensive software (such as Microsoft Office/Word) -- the Reader was free, you only needed to purchase the Writer if you wanted to create content.

The format is compact (the filesize is small).

It also preserves layout and placement, unlike Word. You can generate PDF from a variety of software, and what the recipient gets will look like what you printed. You can more easily pass the fonts (whether generic or unique) along with the file.

Word tends to be buggier than PDF as well, in terms of software -- not as bad as it used to be, but it still does not behave consistently with the secondary features such as font inclusion, auto-numbering, and so on.

I'm not sure what version of PDF you are using, but PDF files can be password protected (different levels of protection) just as Word files can. [In fact, I think PDF might have had password-lock first, but I am not sure.]

Also, it is MUCH easier to change content in Word than in PDF, if you have access to the file. With Word, you can change anything anywhere, and quickly. With PDF, you can only edit a particular line at a time. This really discourages changing, even if you have Writer and the password to the file. So I would say it's better than Word if you want a format you don't really want people tinkering much with.

Here at work, we use Word for in-house writing and editing -- anything where content needs to be accessible and changeable.

We use PDF for the distribution and archiving -- i.e., "final copies" to clients that we don't want them modifying.

You should brush up on the most recent features of PDF. Based on what you've said, I think it might meet your needs a little better than Word, at least for content distribution and protection. [www.adobe.com]

Answer 2

The most secure feature of PDF documents is the ability to have them signed with a security certificate so that if the documents are modified it would break the signature and no longer show as digitally signed by you.