Alternatives to Acrobat Reader
If you're the sort who wants to be different, you may want to take your pick from various PDF readers that're not from Adobe.
Most Palm users would already be familiar with the Documents To Go office apps from DataViz. In the Add-On Kit for this office suite, there's this app called PDF To Go. With it, Palm users can view the PDF's formatted text and tables on their PDA by just dragging and dropping the files into the Documents to Go window on the desktop. To keep the file size manageable though, graphics are stripped from the files.
Another app that lets you read PDF files is SnapViewer. Using a desktop app called PdfSnap, you can convert PDF documents to images with the formatting, layout and graphics intact.
For Pocket PC users, you can use Primer to read your PDF files . In fact, version 3.1 of this software support TrueType fonts, zoom controls, and even lets you annotate your PDF files.
Just give me text
Although PDF files preserve the formatting of a document, the file size of a PDF file can take up too much memory real estate on your handheld, especially if it's embedded with lots of graphics. So if all you require is the basic text, you can use these utilities to extract the text from you PDF files and install the plain text files on your PDA.
RichReader, a document reader for the Palm, comes with a utility that lets you convert PDF files to Palm DOC files. However, this utility is a little difficult ro use because it uses a command line interface in DOS. The alternative is to use AportisDoc Converter. This utility is much easily to use because it employs a drag-and-drop interface. Just drag your PDF files into the application and they'll automatically be converted to files that your PDA can read. Plus, it can convert files such as Word documents, HTML, and even plain text files for you to carry on your PDA. The resulting file can then be read with any DOC readers including AportisDoc Mobile for Palm and Pocket PC.
Blue Nomad's InstallBuddy is similar to AportisDoc Converter. It can turn your PDF files into Palm-readable DOC files. This app also allows conversion of Word, Excel, and even Powerpoint files.
For Pocket PC users, there's another option for you. There's a free service called goBCL from BCL Computers, a maker of Adobe Acrobat plug-ins, that lets you convert PDF files into HTML. You can then read the converted documents using Pocket Internet Explorer.
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