Tech: access to pdf's

Subject: Tech: access to pdf's
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 05:27 PM

HI a question for you technolocally minded-How can I make a PDF file accessable, by way of a 'clicky'. I have a file that I wish to make available to anyone who's interested in the subject matter, but in such a way as not to give access to my computer or to allow anyone to attempt to edit the file i.e. 'read only'?
thanks (hopefully)
chris

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: Amos
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 05:31 PM

Put it in a web server and link to the file. If the user's computer has Adobe Reader, it will usually be invoked an open the file when he clicks on the file name.

HEre's an example:

http://myserver.com/myfilespace/NameMyFile.pdf

To place a file on a server you need to upload it there using an FTP application such as Transmit (Macs) or MyFTP or any of a dozen others that allow file-transfer protocol, and you can even do it in Windows Explorer. But you need access to a host somewhere that accepts FTP, and a directory on that host to put your file on.



A

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 05:51 PM

Hi, Chris-
The best way is to set up your own Website. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) may provide one as part of your Internet service, or you can go to any number of other providers. They'll ovten give you a gigabyte or two of storage for free, and you can post your file there and allow others to have access.
Yahoo's GeoCities used to be the most popular free Website provider, but they're in the process of shutting down. One provider that looks good is Google Sites.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 07:56 PM

Hi Joe
tried google but seem to be having difficulty getting it accessable on the web-guess I'll have to keep trying!!!!!!
chris (technologically challenged)

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 03:58 AM

Chris - There are a number of programmes (not Adobe's own) which produce a PDF output by using a "Virtual Printer". You can convert anything which you would normally print to paper, but instead it turns the output into a PDF file. I have played with some of the freeware ones. With some of them, you can set a number of properties including locking it so that another person cannot edit the file.
That said (just a warning), I also have found myself wanting to edit a "locked" PDF document, and managed to do so simply by printing the PDF via one of these virtual printers which converted it to a my own new PDF without the "lock". I then used other free programmes to change the new file. It was a while back, and most of what I wanted to change was a graphic, so I don't remember details. I think it converted some of the document text into a graphic, but some of it remained as editable text.
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: Jack Campin
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 04:06 AM

What's the content of the file? Is it something that somebody else would be interested in to the extent of wanting to host it?

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 04:19 AM

Don't make too much fuss of the issue, open a free account on a place like box.net, upload your file and post the provided link. It's deadly simple.

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 05:01 AM

Well, it took me about five minutes to set up a Web page at Google Sites. You make the first page, and then select to make a second "filing" cabinet page. Then you can upload files to that page, including your PDF file.
The Website I set up is here (click). The "filing cabinet" page is titled "Music Files."

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: Jack Campin
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 05:23 AM

Depends on your intentions, but box.net can be a bit flaky on some browsers and is always rather slow. And having the file on a site devoted to related stuff might get you more readers.

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: sleepyjon
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 07:11 AM

There's a lot of sites offering just the facility you seem to want - google docs might be simpler than google sites, ADrive.com seems very straightforward as far as I can see. I'm currently trying out huddle.net because others can update some types of shared file (useful for fixing group events - I hope!). The downside of all seems to be the amount of email traffic that is automatically produced informing people to read the document etc, (so if the object of the exercise is to reduce the amount of superfluous traffic you won't achieve it - and if not, why not just email to a list with the doc as an attachment?) - and they have to open an account which is free, and only a one-time thing, but enough to put some off - so as far as I'm concerned the jury is still out.

If this thread is still active when I've tried a site out in anger I'll let you know what I found out.

SJ

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 08:21 AM

Hi Joe
I got as far as creating a site but can't seem to get it available on the web- if I type in the associated address it can't be found
any thoughts?
thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions
chris

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: olddude
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 08:29 AM

If your file is something related to folk and not political etc and is of interest to others. You are welcome to place it on my server.

Dan

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 08:34 AM

Hi
thanks everyone but it now seems to be working
thanks again
chris

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: Bernard
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 09:32 AM

For the informaton of others going down that route... if you create a new website it may take a few hours before it becomes accessible.

It can also take months before being recognised by search engines, but you can speed up the process by arranging 'reciprocal links' with other websites.

A 'reciprocal link' simply means putting a link to someone's website on your website in exchange for them putting a link to yours on theirs. Many search engines pick up on that nowadays.

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 10:26 AM

Hi
Thanks Bernard-I'll wait and see
chris

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: Bernard
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 11:14 AM

Hmmm... what's an 'informaton'? Some kind of intelligent robot?!

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: Nick
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 01:07 PM

I use Adrive (which has 50Gb of storage) and Esnips (with 5Gb of storage) with very few problems both to share public and private files.

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 02:54 PM

Not all free hosting services will permit PDFs to be uploaded so you do need to check the terms and conditions.

Subject: RE: Tech: access to pdf's
From: Nick
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 07:39 PM

You may well find your ISP offers you free space too that you could put it on - the one I use offers 100mb another one 25mb