Acrobat Reader 1.1 Supports Memory Cards

Posted By: Ed Friday, December 21, 2001 11:59:31 AM

Adobe has released a new version of its free Acrobat Reader for Palm OS that has complete support for storing and reading PDF files from VFS memory cards. The PDF files have to be converted to a Palm-only format by the Acrobat conduit first but it can then save them directly to an SD, MMC, or Memory Stick where the Reader can access them.

The new version also has a few bug fixes.

According to John Lin, Adobe's Product Manager for Readers & eBooks, his company is currently working on a Mac version of Acrobat Reader for Palm. There is only a Windows conduit now.

The product allows users to view files in the ubiquitous Adobe PDF format. It is capable of displaying both text and images and preserves the rich content of files - styled text, images, and bookmarks - and adapts it for viewing on small screens.

However, it does have limitations. All graphics are converted to grayscale. It has no support for hi-res screens, displaying everything at 160 by 160. eBooks secured with digital rights management (DRM) software cannot be read.

PDF documents created using Acrobat 5.0 will offer a better reading experience on Palm OS handhelds than files created using earlier versions of Acrobat because they are automatically tagged with information on the document structure and organization. This allows for easier and more reliable text re-flow on the smaller device.

Acrobat Reader for Palm OS requires 200K of memory.

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Really Old News

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/21/2001 9:53:19 PM #
This is not News Ed. Acrobat had support for memory cards from the last version (1.0). I am able to read PDF files that are on my card with the old version.

Lets not be rude, now...
TDS @ 12/22/2001 11:01:33 AM #
Gee, that was a rude comment. You owe Ed an apology. Load 1.1 and look at the "preferences" button. click it and you will notice that there is a new option to transfer the file right to a memory card. I don't think that it was there in version 1.1.

Yes, you could access .pdf files from a memory card on 1.0. I put mine in the PiDirect directory on my memplug, and they have always worked fine. The new version now offers native support for VFS and memory cards.

Now be a gentleman and apologize.

Doug


RE: Really Old News
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/22/2001 11:54:27 AM #
1.0 has native support too for VFS (no need for Pidirect or MSMount). Just put the pdf in one of the default folders (forgot if it is palm/launcher or /palm/programs/msfiles). Hopefully they improved the overall speed in 1.1 otherwise it's a pretty crappy product...

RE: Really Old News
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/22/2001 12:23:52 PM #
why does it matter? Its a crappy product anyway!

RE: Really Old News
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/22/2001 12:55:04 PM #
No sir, (1.0 didnīt or doesnīt if you still have it) without MSMount or PiDirect. It may be crappy for you, but itīs still the best option for reading pdf.

I coulnīt send files directly to the card, maybe I have some conflict. I sent them to RAM and then move them with McFile to Launcher directory. They are read really fast.

RE: Really Old News
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/22/2001 12:56:58 PM #
Why do you find it crappy? It's free. It reads PDFs stored on an external card. What's the problem?

I can carry a variety of large manuals and other documents in PDF format and access the info I need (relatively) quickly (using the table of contents, etc.) without a problem.

Version 1.0 would not release the memory consumed by the document when the PDF was read from the external card and Acrobat Reader was closed (requiring a reset to free the memory). Version 1.1 releases the memory. That appears to be the most significant difference.

I think it's a very useful program...

RE: Really Old News
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/22/2001 4:08:31 PM #
Version 1.0 HAD native support for VFS. All Adobe did with version 1.1 is add a built-in FileMover so one can move PDF files to the card.

RE: Really Old News
Ed @ 12/22/2001 6:48:36 PM #
While 1.0 could read files from a card, it had no way to save them there. That's what's new in 1.1 and what qualifies as "complete" support to me. Plus the bug fixes.

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News Editor
RE: Really Old News
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/23/2001 11:26:43 AM #
Sure Acrobat does the job of reading PDFs, it doesn't mean it does it very well. When you compare Acrobat to even some of the more basic palm doc readers, you too will realize it is crappy and then to top it off it's coming from a rather well-funded company with a ton of resources to work with, it looks even worst.

RE: Really Old News
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/23/2001 12:04:37 PM #
I find the acrobate reader too cumbersom. I am a wordperfect user...that includes a native "save" feature to create pdf documents. However, the scale makes them unreadable on the palm using acrobate reader.
this includes photos taken through acrobat.
of course pure acrobat documents work but that alone is not helpful in a small office setting.

Native .PDF support

mtg101 @ 12/22/2001 7:27:08 PM #
Wouldn'tit be nice if you could read native .PDF files without having to mess about with converting to a Palm specific format?

Then you could even read .PDF files that were attached to emails you got without having to route them through a desktop machine first.

Cheers
Russell


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russ@russb.fsnet.co.uk
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Diga ao Falante pelos Mortos
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RE: Native .PDF support
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/29/2001 10:14:54 AM #
But .PDF files are much bigger before they're converted to Palm format. I think that's the main reason for the conversion.

Unable to install the notifier?!

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/24/2001 12:07:15 PM #
I am trying to install Acrobat Reader 1.1 for Palm on WIndows XP and I get an error at the end of the install saying "Unable to install the notifier". The install then quits and nothing is installed. AR 1.0 worked fine. How can I get this installed?

RE: Unable to install the notifier?!
Clovis1906 @ 3/1/2002 7:34:51 AM #
I have the same problem.

help please

:)

Acrobat Reader 1.1

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/24/2001 10:55:34 PM #
Why would I want to use ths format to to publish any document specifically for Palm OS. Adobe Acrobat is very expensive. Why not just use any HTML editor, IsiloX and Isilo 3.0

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