PDF Printing
A PDF printer is a very useful tool to have on your computer. A PDF printer is a utility which looks like a printer to your computer but prints to a PDF file instead of paper. The PDF file can then be opened using a PDF reader like Adobe Reader or Ghostview. Installing a PDF printer empowers any software on your computer that supports printing to print to PDF files in addition to paper.
PDF files are perfect for distributing articles or documents that are mean to be read and not edited by its recipient. This makes PDF printers great for distributing resumes. Anyone who sends out their resume as a Microsoft Word Document (*.doc) file should consider sending a PDF instead. By all means, don't stop using Word to create your resume, just don't send the actual Word document to recruiters. The actual file contains metadata which is used by Word internally for things like formatting and versioning. People who open your document using Word can access portions of your document that no longer appear in your final revision. This could be very embarrassing (spelling and formatting changes or worse yet, tailored versions of your resume for a different company could reappear). To avoid this scenario, simply edit your document as normal. When you are ready to send it out, "print" it using your PDF printer and send the freshly created, read-only PDF file to recruiters.
PDF printers are also useful for "printing" electronic receipts and confirmations from online purchases. You can still reconcile your credit card statements without having to waste any paper. As soon as the email confirmation from the merchant arrives, simply delete the PDF file and archive your email instead.
There are a variety of PDF printers available online. Some are for purchase and some are for free. If you are looking to purchase one, check out Adobe Acrobat Professional or Standard. Adobe created the PDF standard and developed most PDF related utilities to date and Adobe Acrobat will definitely get the job done. But, since Adobe did standardize the format for portability, other PDF printers have been created which are available for free. A quick Google search reveals a multitude of options, most of which require some hassle to create your PDF file. Some options will redirect you to an advertisement during or after printing while others will stamp their logo somewhere in the PDF file, usually rendering the file unfit for distribution. Some web based PDF services require you to upload your document and the PDF file created will be sent to a registered email address. I currently use PrimoPDF on my computers and recommend it. PrimoPDF has no ads and does not require registering any information to download.
PDF files are perfect for distributing articles or documents that are mean to be read and not edited by its recipient. This makes PDF printers great for distributing resumes. Anyone who sends out their resume as a Microsoft Word Document (*.doc) file should consider sending a PDF instead. By all means, don't stop using Word to create your resume, just don't send the actual Word document to recruiters. The actual file contains metadata which is used by Word internally for things like formatting and versioning. People who open your document using Word can access portions of your document that no longer appear in your final revision. This could be very embarrassing (spelling and formatting changes or worse yet, tailored versions of your resume for a different company could reappear). To avoid this scenario, simply edit your document as normal. When you are ready to send it out, "print" it using your PDF printer and send the freshly created, read-only PDF file to recruiters.
PDF printers are also useful for "printing" electronic receipts and confirmations from online purchases. You can still reconcile your credit card statements without having to waste any paper. As soon as the email confirmation from the merchant arrives, simply delete the PDF file and archive your email instead.
There are a variety of PDF printers available online. Some are for purchase and some are for free. If you are looking to purchase one, check out Adobe Acrobat Professional or Standard. Adobe created the PDF standard and developed most PDF related utilities to date and Adobe Acrobat will definitely get the job done. But, since Adobe did standardize the format for portability, other PDF printers have been created which are available for free. A quick Google search reveals a multitude of options, most of which require some hassle to create your PDF file. Some options will redirect you to an advertisement during or after printing while others will stamp their logo somewhere in the PDF file, usually rendering the file unfit for distribution. Some web based PDF services require you to upload your document and the PDF file created will be sent to a registered email address. I currently use PrimoPDF on my computers and recommend it. PrimoPDF has no ads and does not require registering any information to download.
posted by Niraj Shah at
14:56
