# Adobe Acrobat **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 1, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895 "2008-02-01T19:31:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/1 "2008-02-01T19:31:39Z")
This stupid piece of shit program won’t stop checking for updates and asking me to upgrade. I clicked on a PDF today in Firefox and the browser locked up. All tabs were inaccessible, Firefox wouldn’t respond or close. Took me 3 or 4 minutes to get it closed through Task Manager. And what to I see when Firefox closes? A window with “Upgrade to Acrobat 8.blahblah” behind everything. That’s what was freezing everything. And to make matters worse, JUST YESTERDAY I thought I found the setting to make Acrobat quit checking for updates. Guess not. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/2 "2008-02-01T19:47:50Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] JUST YESTERDAY I thought I found the setting to make Acrobat quit checking for updates. Guess not. [/QUOTE] There’s a trick to making that work. After ticking the little checkbox, close Acrobat, pick a _different_ pdf viewer, and never use Acrobat again. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/3 "2008-02-01T19:49:20Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] There’s a trick to making that work. After ticking the little checkbox, close Acrobat, pick a _different_ pdf viewer, and never use Acrobat again. [/QUOTE] Shit yeah, I was thinking about that. Do you have one you’d recommend that runs in the browser window and works with Firefox? ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/4 "2008-02-01T19:53:49Z")
That’s why I use [Foxit](http://www.download.com/Foxit-PDF-Reader/3000-2079_4-10313206.html) . [on preview] Yes, works with Firefox. I use the PDF Download add-on, so I can choose how to view PDFs from my browser. ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/5 "2008-02-01T19:55:34Z")
I use Foxit too, and I love it. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/6 "2008-02-01T20:00:13Z")
Get rid of Acrobat. Get Foxit. > **[PDF Software & Tools Tailored to Your Business | Foxit](https://www.foxit.com/)** > > Foxit Software is the reliable source for fast, affordable, & secure PDF software. From editor to eSign tools and more, we have what your business needs. Much better and more stable program. Yeah, what they said. Remember to uninstall Acrobat first. AND all other fun things it put in. Like the plugin in your web browser, if you’re using Firefox, or the Acrobat Download Manager. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/7 "2008-02-01T20:08:37Z")
Kewl, I’ll get it. Goodbye Acroshit. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/8 "2008-02-01T21:34:14Z")
I’m back…uninstalled Acrobat with great glee, as a final insult bastard program made me reboot. Installed Foxit with great anticipation. Yep, it’s small, yep it’s fast, nope it doesn’t open in Firefox. Apparently a lot of of people are having the same problem, it just works for some people but if it doesn’t, then I haven’t found a solution. So I decided to go the other way and downloaded Acrobat 8.1.1. It actually…doesn’t suck, so far. It managed to work in Firefox even though I forgot to close Firefox while installing Acrobat. It’s fast, and the default Firefox plugin toolbar at the top is less busy. So I dunno, maybe they finally are on the right track. ---
**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/9 "2008-02-01T22:01:42Z")
**control-z** , I’m with you. I once tried Foxit with great anticipation, only to go back to Adobe with my tail between my legs. But you don’t have to suffer. Download [Adobe Reader Speedup](http://www.softpedia.com/get/Office-tools/PDF/Adobe-Reader-SpeedUp.shtml). It gives you control over just what plugins Adobe loads on startup, thereby significantly speeding up load times (not to mention getting rid of those neverending update nags). ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/10 "2008-02-02T00:07:10Z")
You know the worst thing about Acrobat and its penchant for updating? The stupid fucking program will overwrite the full version with just the reader! My lovely wife was presented with an update request and accepted. We lost distiller, all the macros in (POS) Microsoft Office, all the editing features, etc… I had to uninstall, dig up the original installation disks, and reinstall. Waste of a good hour. Fuckers. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/11 "2008-02-02T03:20:18Z")
[QUOTE=Eyer8] You know the worst thing about Acrobat and its penchant for updating? The stupid fucking program will overwrite the full version with just the reader! My lovely wife was presented with an update request and accepted. We lost distiller, all the macros in (POS) Microsoft Office, all the editing features, etc… I had to uninstall, dig up the original installation disks, and reinstall. Waste of a good hour. Fuckers. [/QUOTE] I have the same problem. Pissed me off. I hate Adobe. ---
**Author:** ![born\_too\_late](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba9def/32.png) [@born\_too\_late](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/born_too_late)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/12 "2008-02-03T15:34:36Z")
Is there a comparable ‘Foxit’ that works for Mac Firefox? Something that will make Firefox open pdfs in the same browser window like Safari? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/13 "2008-02-03T15:47:58Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] So I decided to go the other way and downloaded Acrobat 8.1.1. It actually…doesn’t suck, so far. It managed to work in Firefox even though I forgot to close Firefox while installing Acrobat. It’s fast, and the default Firefox plugin toolbar at the top is less busy. [/QUOTE] I, too, had problems using an older version of Acrobat. When I finally updated, it made all the difference. I use IE, so perhaps not useful info. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/14 "2008-02-03T18:19:50Z")
This [registry file](http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb402050&sliceId=1) seems to permanently disable the updater. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/15 "2008-02-03T18:48:50Z")
Wait, you guys are bitching about software that’s provided for free? And when there’s other stuff out there if you don’t want this particular brand? I paid for Acrobat, oh… ten years ago. v4.0 I think\*. Never had a problem. There are also perfectly servicable older versions of Reader at [oldversion.com](http://oldversion.com), going back all the way to Reader 2.0. \*Oh, happy days. I charged people $40 for making a pdf, when I billed them. Easy money. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/16 "2008-02-03T20:48:01Z")
[QUOTE=Charlie Tan] Wait, you guys are bitching about software that’s provided for free? And when there’s other stuff out there if you don’t want this particular brand? I paid for Acrobat, oh… ten years ago. v4.0 I think\*. Never had a problem. There are also perfectly servicable older versions of Reader at [oldversion.com](http://oldversion.com), going back all the way to Reader 2.0. [/QUOTE] Shit is shit, whether it’s free or not. Adobe wanted to establish the PDF format so it released the viewer for free. You’d think if they want PDF to be used and liked, then they wouldn’t make Acrobat so goddamn annoying. Like I said, they might have learned a little with 8.1.1, it seems faster and cleaner. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/17 "2008-02-04T01:59:33Z")
I use Acrobat 8 every day at work. Earlier versions of Acrobat, mostly 6 and 7 I think, were some of the most bloated and cumbersome programs I have ever used. Adobe managed to break the user interface and make creating book marks in new PDFs far more inconvenient and timeconsiming. And Acrobat was the only program I have _ever_ seen whose installer appeared to _recompile_ the program before it installed it. Seriously. You’d start this massive installer, and it would pop up a window saying it was ‘optimising’ the code, and a progress bar would crawl across for ten freaking minutes, and only then would it get to the next phase and actually start installing stuff. And don’t get me started on Adobe’s misleading progress bars in general, which no longer seem to bear any relation to the amount of work to be done, but _repeatedly_ extend across, then start at the beginning and do it over and over again, apparently just to show that something is happening. **That’s not what a progress bar is for, idiots!** If you just want to indicate activity, ise a spinner or hourglass or something! The length of a progress bar is supposed to be proportional to the percentage of tasks completed, out of the total! (Ideally, it should be proportional to the percentage of time consumed, but I can see that that’s a lot more difficult to find that the percentage of work completed.) Oh, and CS3 has the _second_-slowest installer I’ve ever used. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/18 "2008-02-04T02:18:59Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] Shit is shit, whether it’s free or not. [/QUOTE] I may have that on my tombstone. 🙂 I believe Adobe 8 is the first to actually uninstall previous versions. I have to use Adobe Reader at work. One of our apps uses Reader, and won’t use v 8 with IE 6. We have other apps that won’t work with IE 7, so I’m stuck. I am annoyed by Adobe threatening my users with certain long, lingering death if they don’t upgrade to version 8. They did this with V. 6 in Win 98, even though v. 7 won’t install on 98. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/19 "2008-02-04T02:29:58Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant] I may have that on my tombstone. 🙂 I believe Adobe 8 is the first to actually uninstall previous versions. I have to use Adobe Reader at work. One of our apps uses Reader, and won’t use v 8 with IE 6. We have other apps that won’t work with IE 7, so I’m stuck. I am annoyed by Adobe threatening my users with certain long, lingering death if they don’t upgrade to version 8. They did this with V. 6 in Win 98, even though v. 7 won’t install on 98. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Ok, you can have it for your tombstone. 😃 Normally upgrades are a Bad Thing™ for me, usually bloat increases and performance decreases. That’s not always the case though. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895/20 "2008-02-04T02:38:27Z")
What’s the deal with Adobe aside from producing a document that can be read with the free Acrobat Reader and not edited? Is it a standardization of the way the document will appear and print? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-acrobat/435895.md?page=2)