Note that some items may have been modified at Adobe's website... Drat -- they never tell us when they change their site!


INTRODUCTION TO PDF FILES

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a format developed by Adobe which allows the viewing of formatted text and graphics without it being necessary to have the fonts or programs that created the file.  Coach U files are saved as PDF files.  PDF files are readable by most computers (Macs, Windows, Unix) and eliminate the need to maintain separate Mac-only and Windows-only files. 
- You may download these files, but you must use Adobe Acrobat Reader to read, view or print the files.
- Entire PDF files can be saved to your computer, but you cannot make changes and save a new version of that PDF file to your computer.  However, you can copy/paste individual PDF pages to your word processor and format/print from your word processor.


BEFORE YOU DOWNLOAD

1. Minimum and recommended system requirements can be found at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/acrrsystemreqs.html

2. Remember that you must open files in Acrobat - do not attempt to read the files in your word processing program.

3. Sometimes during the downloading process, a file gets damaged.  If you can't open a PDF file you downloaded, simply delete that file and re-download.


DOWNLOADING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADOBE ACROBAT

If you are downloading Version 6.0 of Acrobat Reader: By default, when you click the Download button for Adobe Reader on the Adobe Web site, Adobe Download Manager is automatically installed first. An Adobe icon may appear and it may seem that the Acrobat Reader has been installed, this is not the case, this is simply just the Adobe Download Manager. Click on this icon, then installation for the Acrobat Reader will begin.

If you haven't already downloaded and installed Adobe Acrobat Reader, perform the following steps:


1. Go to http://www.adobe.com

2. Somewhere on the page, you will see a logo link labeled "Get Acrobat Reader."  Click on it.  On the Welcome page, click on the "Get Acrobat Reader" logo again.

3. At Adobe's download area, follow the steps posted on the web page.  (Select a version, click "DOWNLOAD.")

4. Download the file.  PLEASE NOTE TO WHICH DIRECTORY THE FILE WILL BE SAVED ON YOUR COMPUTER.

5. Once the program has been downloaded, run the program to install. You may have to Select Start, Run and fine the file that you just downloaded.

6. Adobe Acrobat is now installed!

7. In the future, the Acrobat Reader program will automatically open after a file has been selected for downloading.  The document will appear on your internet browser's screen with the Acrobat Reader toolbar. You will now be able to view or print the document.

8. To save the file, select FILE, SAVE AS and save the pdf file to the directory of your choice.



back to top of page

Help When PDF Files Won't Download

If you're having difficulty getting a pdf file to download, please realize that the files are large, and you may just need to wait a little longer.

If you've waited and the file still doesn't appear, you can try again - there may have been a 'glitch' in the internet connection the first time. Or you can save the file to your hard-drive rather than trying to view it directly on the site. This often is a much faster process.

On a PC

To save the file, place your cursor on the file link on the page you're viewing. Then right click and choose 'save as' or 'save target as'.  

A box will come up asking you where you want to save the file and even giving you the option of changing the file name if you want to. NOTE - remember where you save the document so that you can find it later!! Click save and the file will begin to download to your computer.

On a Mac

Netscape  4.7 or higher:

1.  In Netscape, choose Edit...Preferences/
2.  Under section entitled "Navigator" click on Applications
3.  In the window that appears, search until you find Portable Document Format, and click to select (its a bit of a pain to find, cuz these are not in any particular or alphbetical order...)
4.  Click Edit
5.  Choose the "save to disk" option.

Netscape 6.0 or higher

Similar to above, but change number 2
2.  Under section entitled "Navigator," click on Helper Applications


Internet Explorer 5.1 or higher (most current for Mac)
1.  Choose Edit... Preferences
2.  Under "Receiving Files" choose File Helpers
3.  Find Portable Document Format in the alphbetical list (Ignore the Acrobat Reader options) and choose it
4.  Click "Change"
5.  Change "download destination" to proper default folder
6.  Change Handling option to Save To File

Special Note: The speed and ability to download large files will vary depending on your internet connection, the version of Adobe Acrobat you're using, your web browser type and version number, your operating system, as well as the computer's memory and speed. You may want to investigate upgrading or updating your hardware or software. (Or use a friend's computer!)

If you're still having trouble, contact the help desk ( address above ) giving an explanation of your problem and what you've attempted to do so far. Please include the following information:
  -  Are you using a Mac or a PC 
  -  What Operating System are you using - include the version - (example: Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac)
  -  What version of Adobe Acrobat are you using, and are you using the free 'reader', or the paid full version
  -  What type and version of web browser are you using (examples: Netscape version 5.0, Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.0 or higher)

back to top of page