About PDF Files
Many of the Center for Credit Programs (CCP) Web pages contain documents that are published in Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format). This format retains the look and layout of the original and can be viewed and printed with the Adobe Reader. On our Web site, most PDF files are provided as Adobe 5.0.
| Downloading Adobe Reader | Creating PDF files |
| System Requirements for Adobe Reader | PDF Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
| How to Download... |
How to Download Your Adobe Software and PDF Documents
You may download the latest version of free Adobe Reader directly from Adobe's Web site. Detailed instructions are provided to assist you with the download.
Creating PDF Files
If you are interested in creating PDF documents in order to submit your assignments electronically as e-mail attachments, you have several options:
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You may purchase either the the full Adobe Acrobat Standard or Adobe Acrobat Professional (academic pricing available through the University Bookstore) .
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You may obtain a subscription to Create Adobe PDF Online (5 free trials are offered).
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You may use the Virtual ITC access (or visit an on-campus ITC) provided to you by way of your Hawk ID and use the Adobe product located there.
PDF Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| System Requirements/Specs | Connection Speed/Modems | PDF Forms |
| Downloading/Saving Files | Dynamic/Interactive Options | If All Else Fails |
System Requirements/Specifications
- How do I determine whether my computer matches the system requirements for the Adobe Reader?
- My preferred browser is NOT Internet Explorer. Am I required to use it to use the Adobe Reader?
- If I do not have Internet Explorer on my computer can I still read your PDF files?
- How and when should I install the current service pack for my operating system and the current version of Internet Explorer?
Q. How do I determine whether my computer matches the system requirements for the Adobe Reader?
A. First, locate the system requirements for PDFs provided, then compare them with the system specifications on your computer. There are several places to locate your computer specifications.
Windows
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Go to My Computer/Control Panel/System: the General tab will indicate your version of the Windows operating system, processor type, and RAM.
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Open Windows Explorer, in the left hand panel, select your hard drive (usually C and or D), right click on it, and select Properties: A pie-shaped diagram and text will indicate your amount of used and unused space on hard disk.
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Open Windows Explorer, select Help/About Windows on the top right corner of the toolbar: the Windows version and physical memory available will be displayed.
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Select the Start button in the lower, left corner of your desktop: the Windows version will be indicated along the left side of the pop-up menu.
Macintosh
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Go to the upper left corner of the desktop and select the apple icon then select About This Mac to display the processor type, operating system, and RAM
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Double-click on the hard disk icon(s) on your desktop to display available hard disk space.
Q. My preferred browser is NOT Internet Explorer. Am I required to use it to use the Adobe Reader?
A. For the Adobe Reader 6.0 and higher, Internet Explorer must reside on your computer, but a different browser may be selected and used as your default browser. (Some of the dynamic options in the reader make use of the Internet Explorer program.) Earlier versions of the Adobe Reader do not require Internet Explorer.
Q. If I do not have Internet Explorer on my computer can I still read your PDF files?
A. If you have access to an earlier version of the Adobe Reader, such as Adobe 5.0, you should be able to read all of the basic PDFs on our site. Internet Explorer is available as a free download if you would like to download the current version of Adobe Reader.
Q. My computer meets the system requirements for Adobe Reader, except that it has not been upgraded to the specified service pack for my operating system and specified version of Internet Explorer. How and when should I do this?
A. You should upgrade your operating system and the IE browser prior to attempting to install Adobe Reader. Links to the free downloads for both the Windows Update and Internet Explorer are provided on the Internet Connection Test and Downloads site. (Keeping your system and browser updated can also help prevent virus-related problems on your system.)
Connection Speed/Modems
Q. What should I do if my computer seems to stall out/freeze up while I am attempting to download a software update or PDF file?
A. There could be several reasons for your problem.
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It may appear that your computer is stalled, when in fact it is still working on the download. Is the browser icon in your task tray still spinning? If it is, your computer is still at work. The larger the file you are attempting to download, the longer it will take, especially if you have a slower Internet connection speed. Some study guide files are as large as 1500 K, so with a 56K modem connection, you could expect it to take up to 10 minutes or perhaps more to download the file.
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Confirm whether your computer meets the required system specifications for the download you are attempting to achieve.
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Generally, you can expedite downloads if you close all unnecessary programs/windows on your computer other than what you need to accomplish the download.
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Are you making the download over a broadband connection? If not, expect it to take considerably longer, and consider that your computer may "Time Out" or lose its Internet Connection if you do not occasionally wiggle the mouse during the download.
Q. Do I have other options to access my course materials if my computer modem speed causes too many problems in downloading the PDF files I need?
A. Yes. If the instructions for downloading and the FAQ do not help you to resolve your issues, we encourage you to contact our office for Tech Support ; alternately, you may prefer to enroll in the print-based version of your course, if it is available. In some cases, CD-Rom versions of course materials or software are available. We cannot guarantee all students will have an adequate computer system or Internet connection to download course materials, although we will attempt to provide technical assistance if we can.
Downloading/Saving Files
Q. How do I download a basic PDF file from the Web?
A. Provided you have the correct version of the Adobe Reader software installed on your computer, you can download the document two ways:
- Click on the link to open the file (depending on your browser settings, it will either open in your browser, or launch the Reader program and open it separately--sometimes the process of opening the file is expedited if the Reader is already open) and then select "Save" or "Save a Copy" and, when prompted, designate where you would like the document saved on your computer.
- Alternately, you may click on the link (right click for Windows) and, when prompted, designate where you would like the document saved on your computer; then, locate the file and open it using Adobe Reader. This is the recommended method if you are having plug-in problems with your browser.
Dynamic/Interactive Options
- What should I do if a hyperlink in the PDF file seems not to work?
- What is the best way to navigate my way through a document?
- How can I enlarge the document for easier reading?
- I am using Adobe Reader 6.0, why can't I use the Review and Comment functions on my PDF file?
Q. What should I do if a hyperlink in the PDF file seems not to work?
A. There are several things you could verify and do:
- If it is an external hyperlink (a link to a source outside of the document), you will need an Internet connection for the link to work. Verify that you are connected to the Internet and that you are not behind a firewall preventing access to the site.
- If it is an external hyperlink that requires the use of another program, the process may be expedited if you pre-open that program (for instance, Internet Explorer or your preferred browser, Microsoft Word, QuickTime) so that you don't have to wait for the link to launch the program as well as locate the target file.
- If it is an internal hyperlink (a link to a location within the same document) and it seems not work, you might check the Table of Contents or the Bookmarks to see if there is better way to reach the target.
- Are you sure it is a link, might it be text that is highlighted or underlined for emphasis?
- If the hyperlink displays the URL/Web address (e.g., http://www...) you can copy the address and paste it in your browser location bar manually: (a) activate the "Select Text" tool; (b) with your cursor, select the entire URL (e.g., http://www.adobe.com/ ); (c) on the Adobe toolbar, select Edit/Copy; (d) place your cursor in the location bar of your browser; (e) on the toolbar of your browser, select Edit/Paste; (f) select "Go" or hit your "Enter" key. [Windows allows the keyboard use of ctrl + c to copy and ctrl + v to paste).
Q. What is the best way to navigate my way through a document?
A. You have several options.
- You may simply open the PDF and use the arrow keys in the bottom toolbar to move a page at a time in either direction, or to jump to the beginning or end of the document.
- You may open the Bookmarks panel in your reader and use the bookmarks to jump to particular locations in the document.
- You may use the internal hyperlinks located in the Table of Contents (if the document has one) to jump to particular locations of the document.
- If you know the particular page number to which you would like to jump, you may type it in the field by the arrow keys in the bottom tool bar of the document.
- In Adobe 6.0 and higher, you may use the read aloud function to move through the document, in your top pulldown menu, select "View/ Read Aloud...." You may change the voice that reads the document to you, as well as other Read Aloud settings, by going to "Edit/Preferences/Reading."
- If it is a study guide, make sure you don't skip over the Introduction, which includes information of which you are required to be aware.
Q. How can I enlarge the document for easier reading?
A. Use the zoom buttons (a picture of a magnifying glass, pictures of various page sizes) or go to View/Zoom on your top pull down menu. You may also want to change you page layout view (one page, two pages side by side, etc.).
Q. I am using Adobe Reader 6.0, why can't I use the Review and Comment functions (highlighting, note taking, underlining, etc.) on my PDF file?
A. Although version 6.0 of the Reader can read earlier PDF versions, the document must be version 6.0 and deployed as an eBook, not a basic pdf, for the special eBook features to be active in your Reader. Alternately, if you purchase Adobe Standard or Adobe Professional, you will be able to use those functions (academic pricing is available).
PDF Forms
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Can the PDF forms you provide on your Web site be submitted to your office online?
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How do I excerpt one form from the General Directions and Forms document in my GIS course?
Q. Can the PDF forms you provide on your Web site be submitted to your office online?
A. No forms that our office provides as PDF files online may only be submitted if they are printed, filled out, and then either mailed or faxed. However, check the Web site or contact our office if you do not see a Web version of the same form, because most PDF forms have a Web page analog that may be typed in and submitted online.
Q. Does GIS prefer whether I submit my examination request form using the online Web form or the PDF version in the General Directions and Forms?
A. It is entirely up to you; however, your request will be handled more expeditiously, due to delays in the mail, if you make your submission online or via fax.
Q. How do I excerpt one form from the General Directions and Forms document in my GIS course?
A. Open the document in Adobe Reader to the page you wish to print, then, on the top pull down menu, select "File/Print" and, finally, when the Print dialogue box appears, indicate "Current Page" instead of "All" in the Page Range category. If you wish to print a series of pages or the front and back sides of a page, you will type in the specific page numbers you wish to print under "Page Range" when you reach the Print dialogue box (instead of indicating "Current Page" or "All"). Remember to use the page numbers displayed in the bottom tray of the Adobe Reader as your reference for the printing instructions.
If All Else Fails
Q. I have tried the troubleshooting tips for PDFs and am wondering whether I have any other options to access the PDF material other than online.
A. If the troubleshooting tips on thee pages do not resolve your problem you might submit an online for for technical support (see Contact Us below) or contact the ITS Help Desk (its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu. Alternately, you may contact our office and see if there is an option to purchase a print version of the online materials. For instance, all GIS courses have a version of course materials available by conventional mail.
Since we cannot guarantee that your computer system and Internet connection will be appropriate for our courses, you may need to purchase the print version of course materials if the technical limitations of your computer compromise your access to course materials.
Contact Us
If our Technical Support pages do not provide the assistance you need to resolve your technical problems with our Web pages, please contact us, and we will try to address your problem or refer you to another source for further assistance. If you provide an e-mail address, we will attempt to provide you with an initial reply within 24 hours (except on weekends and holidays). Please fill out the Contact Us form, providing as much detail as possible.
© The University of Iowa | All Rights Reserved
Contact the Division of Continuing Education | Updated
April 2, 2009