DOWNLOADING DOCUMENTS IN .PDF FORMAT
 

General Information:

Many documents are stored in what is called a 'Portable Document Format' (or PDF, for short).  All such files are easily recognisable because they have the suffix .PDF.  When PDF files are opened, they look precisely as the author intended, with layout, fonts, links, and images intact, no matter what programme (Word, Wordperfect, etc.) she originally used or what programmes the reader may have on his / her computer.  For further information on the PDF format, please click here. 

Downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader:

To download PDF files, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader which is available for free on-line by clicking here or on the following image: 

If you are using a computer lab, you should check with the lab supervisor before proceeding to download any software.

Downloading PDF Files:

Once Acrobat Reader is installed on your hard drive, all you have to do is click on the link in question and Adobe will do the rest.  You may have to be patient as, depending on the size of the file in question and the capabilities of your computer, this may take a little while, but this is not always the case.  

Difficulties Downloading PDF Files:

You should ensure that you have the latest version of the Reader (Version 8 as of December 2006) since, without it, you may experience difficulties downloading or printing the notes.  The only solution to most problems encountered is to upgrade to the latest version. 

Sometimes, you may also need to upgrade the operating software (e.g. Microsoft Windows) on your computer as this goes out of date very quickly. 

To avoid these and related problems, you should make use of the Automatic Updates feature found on computers which operate on the Windows system.