Accepting T & C's Adobe Reader XL to open PDF files

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening

I do hope you kind and knowledgeable people can help out a Luddite

I have Adobe Reader XL on my home PC. I have noticed this year when I went to open PDF files, a box with terms and conditions appears, which you have to agree to. Whilst the T & C's are couched in the most incomprehensible legalese, I noted that it said that you could be agreeing to involvement in peer to peer networking on your machine by 'third parties' - when using Flash and AIR.

I have tried to avoid opening PDF files, because I don't understand peer to peer networking, but do know that I don't wish third parties to be putting 'things' on my computer if I can avoid it.

So, my query is, if I accept the T & C's and use Adobe Reader to open PDF files, am I likely to encounter any issues with third parties wanting to put 'things' on my computer hard drive? Or do you have to be using Flash and AIR (sorry, I have no idea what these are) to be in the arena for peer to peer networking to become an issue (or not - I accept for some people it will be useful)

If you find yourself in a situation where Flash/AIR needs to open up P2P networking - it states that you will be informed and can opt out. If you encounter this - is it really easy to access the system manager and opt out?

In essence, all I want to be able to do is open PDF files - without my eyeballs being scanned, my shopping preferences scrutinised or taste in 1970's music rated.......:rotfl: I realise that this is a tall ask in today's society - but tell me - is it safe to click 'ACCEPT'? - oh, and as a supplementary question - once you have clicked 'accept' do you have to do it all the time, or does it 'remember' your machine?

Thank you for reading this far - told you I was a Luddite didn't I? Oh, and just in case it matters for any reason, I'm running Windows 7 home edition with IE10.

Thank you in anticipation of an answer to my query - in simple terms that I can grasp..... Thanks again

Greying

enkoda

I use Sumatra PDF reader - I can't post a link as I'm a new user.

Ectophile

Foxit is another popular one.

It's unlikely that any of these extra features will ever be used if you're just viewing PDF files. Unfortunately, Adobe insist on bundling vast amounts of stuff into Acrobat Reader that 99% of users will never use.

Greying_Pilgrim

Thank you enkoda for your post. I'll have a serious think about swapping reader.

Ectophile wrote: »

Foxit is another popular one.

It's unlikely that any of these extra features will ever be used if you're just viewing PDF files. Unfortunately, Adobe insist on bundling vast amounts of stuff into Acrobat Reader that 99% of users will never use.

Thank you Ectophile for posting - yes, stuff that is never needed by Luddites like me - and legalese in their T's & C's that scare the bejaysus out of a user, making them wonder what on earth they are signing up to/signing away.........:eek: Foxit seems to be a popular choice - I'll seriously consider swapping reader.

Greying

aerostar

Remember to uninstall Acrobat first - then install Foxit.

Greying_Pilgrim

Thank you aerostar - that was actually going to be my next question As you have to do it that way round when you change antivirus - but I just wanted to be sure.

Thanks for posting.

Greying

WTFH

There's another option - most web browsers can open acrobat documents - certainly Firefox & Chrome can, and I believe IE can too.
That being the case, you don't need to download/install anything, just open the file with your web browser.

NiftyDigits

You need to be careful when installing FoxIt, to opt out of installing any Toolbars and having the homepage changed.

wongataa

WTFH wrote: »

There's another option - most web browsers can open acrobat documents - certainly Firefox & Chrome can, and I believe IE can too.
That being the case, you don't need to download/install anything, just open the file with your web browser.

Most web browsers open pdf files by using the installed pdf viewer software. The latest version of Firefox can open pdf files without any pdf software installed. IE cannot do this.

WTFH

wongataa wrote: »

Most web browsers open pdf files by using the installed pdf viewer software. The latest version of Firefox can open pdf files without any pdf software installed. IE cannot do this.

...another reason not to use IE.

Chrome can do it too.

Greying_Pilgrim

WTFH - thank you for your input. Which browser to use? mmm, that's a whole 'nother thread right there, isn't it?

gluetube - that's interesting to know. Thanks. Like your username btw

wongataa - thank you - I didn't know that. I suppose the 'latest version' of Firefox is pre-installed on new devices - or does it update if you already have it installed?

NiftyDigits - that is helpful advice. Thank you. Presumably it is 'obvious' where you opt out of installing toolbars? And I'm sorry - I'm being Luddite here, what do you actually mean by 'having the homepage changed' Presumably they want you to have your HP as 'foxit' rather than google, or chrome, or whatever you have decided upon? Sorry - I know, I'm really behind the times aren't I?

Thank you for reading my query and a special big thanks to all of you that have taken the time to chip in with suggestions. I appreciate your help.

Greying