Envisioning healthy congregations engaged in effective Christian Ministry locally AND globally.

E - Current File Format: PDF
By Dwight Stinnett, Great Rivers Region Executive Minister.

We have received reports that some of you are unable to open the *.pdf documents that we use to send Current by e-mail. See back issues in pdf format.

We use the *.pdf format because (1) these files are small, and (2) they are virtually immue to viruses*. We suggest that you download and install the most recent version of Adobe (formerly "Acrobat" Reader). Download at http://www.adobe.com

Do you want more than the Adobe Reader? Do you want a tool to produce PDF files? The following is for your information only. No endorsement of the following is stated nor implied. Make sure you do your own research and come to a decision that is right for you. Here are 4 programs and one service that will give you opportunity to produce PDFs. The last four are reviewed in April 2005 issue of PC Today (pages 98 - 99). Some of these will have downloadable trial versions available.

We can't solve all the problems, but here are some suggestions and comments.

1. The newest security measures on many web browsers (including the newest version of Internet Explorer) will not allow your computer to receive *any* attachments without modification or permission. Since there are so many systems out there, we cannot begin to give detailed instructions for each system on how to correct this. Usually, you most open the TOOLS menu and go to SECURITY or OPTIONS and look for ENABLE DOWNLOADS/ATTACHMENTS (or something like that). Another possibility is that your internet provider automatically strips or prohibits attachments. You need to contact them directly and describe the problem.

2. Your real resource is to find a computer-savy person in your church (probably in the youth group) and ask for help!

Dwight Stinnett
ABC Great Rivers Region

*There are two exceptions. Programs can be "embedded" in pdf files. This is useful in many situations. But there has been one report of a virus that uses this. However, your computer cannot be infected by reading a pdf file with Acrobat Reader. Only if you have the full version of Adobe (an expensive program) are you vulnerable to this virus. The second exception is attachments to the pdf file. Understand, this is not the pdf file itself, but an attachment to the attachment. If you do not open the second attachment your computer cannot be infected. Also, GRR will never send a pdf file with another attachment. Finally, if you are still concerned, you can get a free program to "strip" any attachments to a pdf file from www.planetpdf.com. Click this link. In the left column click PDF Tools. In the SEARCH blank enter "viruses" (no quotes). Then select APStripFiles.

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