PDF (PortableDocument Format) files are a way of sending formatted messages that are readable on a wide variety of computer systems (e.g., PC's, Macs, Linux and Unix computers) without the formatting being altered. PDF files also have the advantage that recipients who download the document cannot easily make changes to it (for example, if you post a Microsoft Word document to the website, anyone who downloads it can open it on their own wordprocessor and modify it to their heart's content).

In order to read a pdf document, you must install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 on your own computer. The download site is <www.adobe.com>.

Creating or writing a pdf document is a little more complicated. Various companies sell PDF Writers (including Adobe's own excellent one) but they tend to be expensive. I use a free program called Pdf995, which can be downloaded from <www.pdf995.com>.

Pdf995 is supported by irritating company banner ads, which can be disabled by purchasing the program for $19.95.

For advanced users, you can also download PdfEdit995 from the same site, which allows you to combine a number of separate pdf files into one big one. For example you could write a church report as a Microsoft Word document, add a PowerPoint presentation of photographs, and include an Excel spreadsheet budget. Pdf995 then allows you to make separate pdf files of the three constituents and PdfEdit995 will then combine them into one convenient,  tamper-proof document for posting on the church website.

Malcolm Bowman.