PDF files?

[smstonypoint]

In recent months I have noticed that Google searches turn up more and more results that are in PDF form. Rather than obtaining the desired info directly, I have to download and then open the file.

Am I alone in noticing this?

If not, why the increased use of PDF files?

Am I wrong in guessing a difference in costs?

Steve

 

[dave1949]

It's getting very common.

Maybe it's a lower tech or easier job to update a pdf file than to alter web page content. The link to the pdf remains constant and abstracts the information like a programming constant: defined once and referenced by name everywhere else? That's my uneducated guess.

 

[CaptPicky]

A .pdf can be a smaller file than a document saved in one of the word formats.

 

[phiferpharm]

Pdf files requires no special skills and allow users who feel comfortable using Word to just do a Save As.

 

[lockhaven]

I use 3D pdf files for my customers like a 2D pdf the software to view them is free. If you use Microsoft office to create a document only those with Micro Soft office can open them. My software is ZW3D a design package that is a solid modeling package, some customers do not have a solid modeling capability so a 3D pdf allows them to see and review but not change or use for manufacturing a design. There are 2D packages that do allow you to change a document but the change is easy to find. A pdf is like a photo so changing it from the originators intent is not impossible but more difficult and easy to find. Tomorrow when I get back to a reasonable internet speed I will post a 3D pdf just to better explain.

 

[boggen]

i hate pdf files.
and for that reason i learned

-pdf -.pdf

i add above to end of my google searchs.

 

[smstonypoint]

i hate pdf files.
and for that reason i learned

-pdf -.pdf

i add above to end of my google searchs.

Ryan,

Interesting. I didn't know that adding -pdf -pdf would exclude pdf files.


When I Google worldwide vs territorial tax systems I get 276,000 results.
When I Google worldwide vs territorial tax systems -pdf I get 1,070,000 results.
When I Google worldwide vs territorial tax systems -pdf -pdf I get 1,060,000 results.

What the heck is going on?

Steve

 

[s219]

Not sure what computer/OS you are using, but I see PDFs natively in my browser (Safari on a Mac). PDFs are commonly used for documents nowadays, so I am not surprised they come up in searches more often. Usually when you see a PDF it's because the content is in a document and it's *not* a web page. Not everything on the internet is in the format of a web page.

 

[/pine]

Internet delinquents love PDF files...especially if you open them with adobe reader...

 

[smstonypoint]

Not sure what computer/OS you are using, but I see PDFs natively in my browser (Safari on a Mac). .

I'm using Firefox with Windows XP. (I know it's time to update.) It seems to me that pdf files used to open automatically when I clicked on them. Did this change with Firefox versions?

Steve