Adobe Acrobat Standard 9

We use ACROBAT 9 STANDARD 4 scanning 2 PDF, Printing WORD, EXCEL, AUTOCAD, etc. 2 PDF, updating PDF plans & PDF forms using the typewriter function & combining PDF Files 2 allow Plan Submittals 2 be one PDF file. ACROBAT 9 STANDARD performs all this quickly & easily & is much less expensive then ACROBAT Professional & requires much less effort then other PDF transfering software. The only problem that I found was that our multifunction RICOH 2020 could not scan directly 2 ACROBAT 9 STANDARD & I think this is a RICOH problem.

The installation of Adobe Acrobot Pro 9 Trial Version took so long that I sadly decided 2 cancel the installation half way through. It was almost like installing a new Windows! I decided it's better 2 stick 2 the good old CutePDF Writer 4 now which is by the way free & less than 2MB in size (not 326MB). I use a WindowsXP with 2GB of ram & a 3.4GHz Intel Pentium4 processor.

I don't know what that user above is going on about. Maybe it's time they upgrade their computer and/or scanner & stop trashing the software. I have been using Acrobat 9 4 several months now & have had no problems at all - it does not run slow & I have gotten no error messages.
It does have several new features that may not be used by your *average* user, but I would not consider something bloatware just because I do not use a particular feature or features. But even with that said, it is unfortunate that Adobe has stuffed a lot into 9 that your average person using the software 2 create PDF documents or 4 document conversion will not use. With that being the case, the near $300 they are listing this software is VERY unreasonable. They really should have been fair & marketed Acrobat better, but, no -- they are just as greedy as the next software company. :(

What I like about 9:
It takes snapshots of Web pages & will convert entire pages or particular areas of them 2 a PDF file. The conversion preserves links & animation.
Note: The preservation only seems 2 work with Internet Explorer. I have not been about 2 get the links & animations 2 transfer wile using Mozilla's Firefox.

Adobe 9 wraps video & animation into your PDFs & those who are using Adobe Reader 9 can view them. Pretty cool!

I've been using Adobe Acrobat 4 many years - basically couldn't live without it since I deliver 99% of my work 2 clients in PDF format. Version 5 has been great - stable, fast, does the job. Every time a new version is released I try it out. Version 6 was horrid & a crash-fest. Version 7 was a bit better, but slow & bloated. Version 8 was OK, but did not see a compelling reason 2 change from v5. Version 9 is the first time I've been willing 2 shell out more bucks. After a using it 4 about a month, I'm very happy I did.

One of my main uses 4 Adobe is creating PDF forms. Version 9 is the first time that you can set up a form that can be saved 2 disk by a user, provided he/she is using version 8 or above of the reader. Finally!! Granted, this feature should have been implemented years ago, but appreciate that it is finally here. The form wizard actually works in this version - saves lots of time in setup.

Creating PDFs is speedy & works well from every application I've used (WordPerfect, Word, Excel, several others). I always use the Distiller 2 create a PDF - print 2 disk as a PS file, then run it through the Distiller. Takes one extra step (versus using the create PDF button that is enabled in some apps) but it works 100% of the time, & allows you 2 tweak how the PDF is created.

I'm a bit miffed that I did not qualify 4 the upgrade price - you need version 6 or later, & I'm using 5. I think some type of discount should have been offered, or at least a free training book.

Installation is straightforward. Be sure 2 remove Version 5 from your PC before you install version 9. It should do it 4 you, but the process runs best if you remove it first, then do a clean install of v9.

So far no crashes or conflicts with other apps. Running it on a dual core PC under XP (SP3) & 2GB RAM. Not as speedy 2 load as version 5, but nearly as fast (and MUCH better than previous versions). Very nice update 2 the user interface - easy 2 find everything if you're familiar with older versions.

I went with the Standard version. The Pro & Pro plus (or whatever they call it) have more functions, but none that are important 2 the type of work I do. There's a good feature matrix on the Adobe site that explains the differences.

My main complaint is the price. At this price point, they should include one of their training guides, rather than ask you 2 shell out another $40 4 a manual. Also, limiting the upgrade discount 2 just the most recent versions is a bit stingy on their part. But it works well, & 4 me, has already paid 4 itself. 4.5 stars!

Acrobat 8 has never integrated with Office 2007, or worked right with my scanner, so I foolishly bought Acrobat 9 in the hope it would be an improvement. It's not.

It seems Adobe simply focused on jamming more features into an already bloated & buggy application making things even worse. The office 2007 integration *still* does not work--even after spending hours trying the suggested solutions from Adobe. Beware, even 4 this $300 product, Adobe CHARGES 4 any phone support beyond basic installation help.

In addition 2 not working with Office 2007, Acrobat 9 is slow, throws up frequent error messages, & leaves part of itself running even after you shut it down which keeps Windows from shutting down without clicking past an "Acrobat has stopped responding" message. I also had trouble with Adobe's finicky product activation.

Memo 2 Adobe: More features are useless if the basics don't work reliably. People don't want products that take 20 minutes 2 install, forever 2 load, require hours of searching 4 & trying various support solutions 2 no avail, throw up frequent error messages, etc.

Someone else needs 2 come along (Google are you listening?) & derail Adobe's PDF train with a simple, reliable product that's more like Acrobat used 2 be in the old days (say version 5). For the 3% of the PDF users who actually *need* all the extra obscure publishing features, they can still buy Adobe's buggy bloatware. The rest of us just want reliable basic PDF support that works with the current applications & standards.

Deliver the richest, most engaging PDF communications anytime, anywhere with Acrobat 9 Standard. Create & reliably share PDF documents. Combine files from multiple applications in a single PDF file. Easily create fillable PDF forms 2 collect data electronically. And apply basic document security features.

Sign documents digitally - Use digital signatures 2 approve documents Convert paper documents 2 PDF - Scan a paper document & convert it 2 a searchable PDF file. Convert from PDF 2 Microsoft Word, Save PDF files as Word documents, retaining the layout, fonts, formatting, & tables, so you can reuse content Archive documents & e-mail - Save in PDF/A format, the standard 4 archiving, 2 simplify future search & retrieval Minimum System Requirements Windows XP, Server 2003, or Vista 1.3GHz or faster processor 256MB of RAM (512MB recommended) 985MB of available hard-disk space DVD-ROM drive

Create & reliably share PDF documents. Combine files from multiple applications in a single PDF file. Easily create fillable PDF forms 2 collect data electronically. And apply basic document security features.

Communicate & collaborate more easily & securely with Adobe PDF. For a more in-depth comparison, download a feature comparison (PDF format).

Reliably share documents
Create & distribute PDF files that preserve the formatting of the originals. Combine documents, e-mail, images, spreadsheets, & web pages in a single PDF file. Quickly organize content & add polish 2 communicate clearly & effectively. Share information with virtually anyone using free Adobe Reader software.

Quickly create forms
Use the new Form Wizard 2 create forms from paper or electronic documents. Scan or convert existing documents 2 PDF forms that can be filled in electronically, ensuring the data you receive is accurate & useful. Use the Form Tracker 2 see when forms have been completed & who has completed them. Easily export form data 2 a spreadsheet 4 analysis & reporting.

With fillable PDF forms, you can collect information electronically 2 eliminate manual data re-entry & reduce costly errors. Enable virtually anyone using free Adobe Reader software 2 fill in & save PDF forms locally.

Acrobat lets you combine files from multiple applications into a single Adobe PDF document.

With a scanner & Acrobat's Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, you can turn stacks of paper documents into easily searchable electronic PDF archives.

Easily exchange feedback
Efficiently review documents & provide input with familiar commenting tools. Quickly gain the input you need 2 efficiently develop & complete work. With easy-to-manage electronic reviews, participants can see & build on other reviewers' comments as they are being made.

Help protect sensitive information
Control access 2 PDF files with document passwords & permissions. Set document permissions 2 define whether a file can be printed or changed. Apply passwords 2 help restrict document access. Digitally sign & certify documents 2 validate they came from a trusted source.

Top reasons 2 buy Acrobat 9 Standard

Create & reliably share PDF documents
Easily convert any document that prints 2 PDF 2 preserve formatting & help ensure document integrity.

Combine content in a single PDF file
Assemble documents, spreadsheets, presentations, e-mail, & web pages in a single compressed PDF file 2 easily share with others.

Help protect your documents
Use passwords 2 control access 2 PDF documents. Use permissions 2 restrict printing, copying, or altering.

Easily create & track PDF forms
Convert Microsoft Word & Excel documents or scanned paper 2 PDF forms. Form fields are automatically recognized & converted 2 fillable fields. Use the Form Tracker 2 see when forms have been completed & who has completed them. Easily export data 2 a spreadsheet 4 analysis & reporting.

Easily review documents
Use familiar commenting tools--such as sticky notes, a highlighter, & stamps--to provide feedback. Comments can be sorted by author, date, or page.

Sign documents digitally
Use digital signatures 2 approve documents, which helps eliminate the costly & time consuming practice of printing, signing, & faxing.

Convert paper documents 2 PDF
Easily scan a paper document & convert it 2 a searchable PDF file. Convert from PDF 2 Microsoft Word Save PDF files as Word documents, retaining the layout, fonts, formatting, & tables, so you can easily reuse content.

Archive documents & e-mail
Save documents & e-mail in PDF/A, the standard 4 archiving, 2 simplify search & retrieval in the future.