From LQWiki

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file format with the same file extension to identify it.

PDF's are extremely widely used for online copies of print documentation and can have digital rights management, which may contribute to its popularity with some distributors.

As this file format can have pictures embedded in it, it is common for people to scan documents and place the picture in a PDF file, as it will be printed consistently when this is done.

It should be noted that PDFs should only be used for documents that are intended to be printed out before being read. Many documents are published on the web in pdf form instead of html. HTML is usually better, since users don't have to load a seperate pdf reader in addition to their web browser. HTML also can be searched much easier then PDFs, and html can be scrolled through easier. In case of doubt, use html.

Programs that support PDF

• OpenOffice.org - can output to PDF
• kprinter - can make your files in any application be printed to PDF
• ghostscript
• ghostview
• gpdf
• kpdf
• imagemagick - lets you treat them as a picture
• acroread - Adobe Acrobat Reader for Linux. Allows conversion to PostScript.

External links

• Adobe.com